Day 41: Cheap & Cheerful... Clap Your Hands!

So my hand cream saga continues. Boring I know, but I need closure.

Failing to do proper research I found some beautiful essential oils but forgot/didn’t realise after 10 years of being converted to candles; how expensive essential oils are. Starting out with grandiose ideas about mixing and combining oils for the senses, I left with one: orange. I love citrusy smells and find them very refreshing. And, well, I was looking for more bang for my buck. Orange oil (I learned from reading the back of the bottle) can be added to steaming water for inhaling vapour whilst you are sick with cold or flu and can be used for insomnia and stress. Bingo-bango I have the oil for me!

Sadly returning home to combine the oil with my Vitamin E cream (as per simple recipe given to me by Great Aunt) the cream is simply; unsatisfying. The orange scent is beautiful and refreshing but the cream is too light for my crackled-moisture-starved hands. So I finally succumbed to previous advise and Google’d ‘how to make hand creams’. Let’s just say next time I decide to make a cream I’ll be better equipped. Perhaps using the website http://naturalnailcarerecipes.homestead.com for recipes such as this one which won't leave me feeling like a skin condition conscious witch at her anti-aging cauldron:

Almond Hand Cream Recipe

Ingredients:

1/4 cup of beeswax

1/2 cup of almond oil

1/2 cup of coconut oil

1/4 cup of rosewater

Directions:

Heat 1/4 cup of beeswax slowly in a double boiler. Add 1/2 cup of almond oil to the melted beeswax. Stir in 1/2 cup of coconut oil. Mix in 1/4 cup of rosewater and stir until thoroughly mixed. You can buy rosewater, or make your own by simmering 1 cup of fresh rose petals in one and a half cups of distilled water for 10 minutes and then straining the flowers from the water. Pour the hand cream into a container while it is still hot, as it will become firm as it cools.

My apparent ultimate combo...
Still, it half works and is cheap and cheerful!

Yes, there is still the issue of a container... should have thought that part through too. Oh well, only you and I have to know I keep my hand cream in tupperware.

Day 40: Speak To The Hand Shut Down

Um, so this is kind of a non-post as today's searchings for essential oils was a non-event. I really should have listened to my mother-in-law (MIL) when she told me to research where to go for good oils. I made it to the chemist and although I'm a big fan of tea tree, I don't want my hands/known day fragrance to be so, well, hippy-ish. You see my MIL would know about the need to research because she very cleverly makes soy based scented candles (a craft I also need to acquire the knowledge of to support my ridiculous requirment of having more than one scented candle for every room-and sometimes cupboard-in the house!).

So no tea tree hence no cigar on the handcream-making front. Tomorrow is another day. Stay tuned!

Day 39: Speak To The Hand

Basically yesterday was spent, as Sunday’s should be: doing not much. I did however run out of hand cream.  Being a hoarder I tend to have many of these kinds of things, half empty/dead lying around, but to my horror discovered hand cream was not in this vein. I had totally run out. Yesterday is going to run into today, as I need just one supply to make said hand cream.

I looked up my Great Aunt’s recipe to make your own hand cream. From my notes when I last visited her 10 years ago it was as simple as mixing your favourite essential oil with Vitamin E cream. Too easy! I have a homebrand Vit E cream but alas don’t keep essential oils on hand for such occasions. So today, with the permission being that essential oils can work for all kinds of remedies such as cleaning, headaches, nausea and sleep deprivation I am off to get just one or two essential oils under the hubby’s supervision.

Wish me luck!

Day 38: Regret Peels A Shade Of Grey

Getting ready for the races today I noticed I needed two things. Yes, other than a new dress and fashionable hat (I made do with what I had thank you!) I do actually need mascara and foundation. Luckily I stipulated in the early days of my blog that these necessities would be permitted. Look, they are necessities, as you really can’t get by in any work place without them. I feel these purchase requests are fair and I’ll dredge the last drops out of both of my current ones before getting their replacements. Helping again at the races next weekend I might even book in to get my make up done and redeem my product through this treatment. Practically a 2-for-1 deal!

That is one thing I have learnt in this process: looking forward to going out to buy something makes the purchase so much sweeter! And less remorseful that’s for sure.

The culprit: Grey No-Name-Polish. Why did I put my trust in you?
You only left me wanting; wanting something new.

But temptation did begin to linger as my nail polish literally peeled off as soon as I got out of my car, arriving at the event. No time to get polish remover so I stood before entering, scratching and peeling off what was my gorgeous grey polish, which due to poor performance will be binned tonight. Bah! Such a good colour but so unreliable! Surely this warrants a replacement…? No, I’ll make do without. I’ll try to use the polish that actually glows in 'rave' type lighting tomorrow. I bought this special number for my nails for the 1999 going into 2000 New Year’s Eve. Did I mention I was a hoarder?

Day 37: Flying My Cheap Flag

I got my haircut today… For Free! Cheap cheap cheap little bird that I am!  

Cheap, cheap: my new barnet!
Didn't he do a good job! So layered and so shiny...

I popped downstairs to see Mr A and Mr S that live below us and Mr A fabulously cut my locks. Love it. I was also provided with a delish coffee, blow-dry and some even more delicious gossip. What more could a girl want?!

This morning’s inexpensive venture got me thinking about what else I could possibly indulge in for free. I have habitually started to choose the longest checkout line at the supermarket to be able to sneaky-peak at more than one of the magazines in the 'temptation isle'. Whilst performing this purchasing charade today I wondered if it would be really naughty and devious to take down the details for magazine competitions and well, enter them. Nothing in my rules about not being able to shop if I win a $10,000 shopping spree is there!

I feel bad, but would it really do any harm? Surely non-buying-magazine-charma wouldn't allow me to win anyway...

Day 36: Attempted Death By Sapphire Crackle And Friends

I love an event as much as the next girl. But tell me there is something fashion orientated with champagne and nibbles; I’m there even if I have no one to go with. Such was the evening I had tonight.

Finch - sapphire crackle
Go to www.tomgunn.com to see all shoes pictured

My seething desperation to be involved with anything that allows me to be near purchase-able items draws me to all invitations within my grasp, hence when I came across an invite to the Tom Gunn store for what I thought was going to be an information evening about the shoe designs and the design element of a CBD college it did not enter my brain that perhaps only college students would attend.

Leo - naked pink & black nappa

Jak - black nappa & natural snake

Tonight I was trapped. There was no information to be gained from the evening.  I was trapped not only in a room with lovely young women, champagne and beautiful food but with shoes. Lots of shoes. That were beautiful and that you could buy. Having attended the event alone, hoping for a sit down informative session I was not ready for this awkwardness (and to be politely and repeatedly asked “Sorry, when did you attend the college?). All I wanted to do the entire time was buy. Buy buy buy buy a pair of those beautiful shoes! If I purchased something it would at least justify my existence at such an event. If I’d had my credit card, I surely would have cracked.

Archer - gold dust & black nappa

Lesson learnt: READ the invite.

Later in the night I met a friend and went onto my second event for the evening: The Alex Perry Residential launch. Of course I would if I could (no rules in this challenge about buying homes!) but I am not even near the realm of looking to purchase an apartment. But Alex was there in his glory and that was enough for me. Oh and the champagne truffles were incredible.

Day 35: Vintage. Can Any Ol' Thing Be Vintage Because It's Old?

I’m all for vintage fashion. Love it. And I do appreciate that there are people out there that have a better eye (let’s be honest, much better) for what is cool vintage and what is just plain f’ugly old stuff, than I do. But I don’t know about this selling of vintage items.

Obviously bravo to those that make a living shopping the globe.
The fashionista's that are finding incredible vintage pieces in the French and Spanish equivalents of Good Sammies and selling them online, or in their wholly declared vintage shops; really, I would kill to be you.

But… it just doesn’t seem fair.

Isn’t half the amazing-ness of owning a vintage item knowing that you devoured a hidden treasure map, sourced and scoured the earth to find (hoorah!) and own this little piece of classically fine fashion to call yours forever? Going onto Google and typing in ‘vintage clothing’ just seems to easy no?

You see; I’m old school. I have vintage, sure, see below a CR vest that I have owned since I was 12, which makes the vest now 17 years old. Yep: ‘Vintage’. Capital ‘V’.

If you look closely you can see my name written on the tag in purple texta. Thanks Mum!

Or am I just jealous that I can’t shop and other people can?

Probably the latter.

PS my apologies on the lateness of this blog. My computer had a melt down last night and I really wanted to include my vest pic!

Day 34: Fabulously Inspirational... Or Just A Crazy Scarf Lady?

Being starved of magazines, I realised today, has had a massive affect on my creative flair. Yes, I can go online to research looks but it’s not the same. What's better than lying on the couch with a glimmer of Winter sun shining through the window, warming me, while I casually flick through the latest looks...? 

Magazine reading is romantic, don’t you think?

I indulged in this today with a copy of Grazia. This Grazia was not bought, but pinched from my hubby’s work place. 

When I say “pinched” he was allowed to take the mag because his work mates had finished with it. Ok! Conscious-clear-mag reading! Phew.

Check out this look I found! I think I can totally rip this idea using my current scarf collection, adding the look to any outfit (minus the full bodysuit/playsuit action because let’s be frank, it’s too bloody cold and who is confident enough to fancy-pants-about in the street wearing such a thing?!).

What do you think? I gave it a crack today over the outfit I was wearing. Not bad eh? I felt so in vogue and won’t have to spend a cent! Whoop!

Day 33: Shopping With A Conscience Isn't For Suckers!

Shopping with a conscience made me feel slightly more upbeat today. Yes, yes when I say “shop” I mean ‘window shop’ or ‘website window shop’ in this case. After reading my blog a lovely girlfriend emailed me with this doozy: 

http://www.fashion-conscience.com

            AURA QUE FAIR TRADE LARGE JOGI BAG

             £ 26.00 = $39.85 (Two colours shown)

After missing the Ethical Fashion Evening on Friday (still gutted about that! I only have myself to blame for ridiculously bad navigation skills) I wanted to look into ethical shopping more. This site is UK based and solely sources fashion forward items that are ethically produced. With over 40 labels that fashion-conscience.com sell through their site, (and the very supportive UK exchange rates help!) when I do start shopping again I am completely ready to at least have a conscience that is clear... Again, that naughty buyers remorse will be the one to watch!

FAIR+TRUE

SUSTAINABLE ZEBRA PRINT 
SLOUCH TROUSERS

£ 85.00 = $130

In other news... I suffered an afternoon shopping with my hubby for a new races suit today and I did not buy ONE single thing. Even after discovering FAIR+TRUE!

FAIR+TRUE

FAIR TRADE AFRICAN PRINT 
RUCHED SKIRT

£ 39.00= $59.75            

MELISSA

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD ANGLOMANIA WEDGE SHOES

 £ 118.00 = $180.85

Bah Humbug. The African Skirt's colours do warm my heart though... And how good are the Aura Que bags?! They are 100% cotton and hand dyed with azo free dyes in Nepal! 

Day 32: Crying Publicly Over Clothes Is Not Funny Business

Today was a day of heartbreak. I kid you not; I literally stood holding onto preloved designer pieces that came close to reducing me to tears. I had to hold my breath as I touched:

A gold See Chloe dress $189…

Midnight blue Dries Van Noten blazer $159…

Marc Jacobs polka shirt $30…

Mulberry silk dress $100…

Louboutin tan classic heels $300…

It was hell and heaven in one. Totally bittersweet.

It’s name: The Diva’s Wardrobe.

It is a market set up but all the clothing, shoes and accessories are sourced by fashion insiders such as stylists, boutique owners and the like. Equating to a vintage/designer lovers' dream come true in one location.

Why have I never heard of this before? And really, I probably should have done more research and perhaps tried to sell some of my 100 items here. But no, my high tea will be a success. It will have to be. My apologies for the lack of images, I was too shaken to hold my phone up to take some happy snaps. I really have to do something happy tomorrow. This challenge is depressing the hell out of me.

Day 30: Part 2

Well, my day has only gotten worse. 


The Ethical Fashion Evening I spoke of...? I couldn't find it. I drove for 40 mins to what should have been a destination 10 minutes from my house; driving around and around. Couldn't find it. I'll just have to do some of my own researching tomorrow.


On the up side I spent what would have been the Evening's entrance fee on a bottle of plonk instead. Totally allowed. I did waste $10 of fuel trying to find my mystery location but I think the vino is warranted.

Day 30: Fashion Faux Par... Is There Anything Worse?

I made two fashion faux pars today.

1. I dared to step outside with my getting-less-subtle-everyday grey streaks of hair shining through my dark roots. I’m just waiting for someone to say “Oh Mon! You’re going bloon… oh no, my mistake. It’s grey. Boo, poor you!”

2. I told someone one of my favourite designers was Isabella Ramsay instead of Arabella (!!!) Ramsay. Death. Fashion-verbal-diarrhoea-drivel-death. No wonder they had NO IDEA who I was talking about.

But then I got to thinking about… Well, what does it matter? Clearly I can dress myself and at least I don’t walk around like a cat-lady with fur coming off me; a human-feline shedding. Most days anyway, Brixton my cat does seem to get his hair everywhere on my personal belongings… Including my toothbrush! But, I digress; Brixy’s hair is a story for another time.

So yes, what does it matter. Lots of girls love the in’s and out’s of fashion but we can’t all afford to keep up with it.

Calling Arabella Isabella is somewhat inexcusable though. Maybe not shopping is dulling the element of my brain committed to fashion knowledge. Like when you don’t practice maths or an instrument and forget how to make something work.

I must get to the Ethical Fashion Evening tonight. That might help cleanse my soul and help strength my brain muscles with more insightful information about the fashion world. At least I have Brixton to steer me if I go further astray…

Brixton looking most dapper for the Royal Wedding a few weeks ago.

Day 29: Substituting Shoes For Vino Makes For Thirsty Work

Ok so going out to eat and having a vino (having a vino anywhere really) is pretty up there on my what I love to do list. Let's just say there's no need to twist my arm. I'm there. 

Ever heard of Scoopon? LivingSocial Deals? These social websites are incredibly tempting to someone such as myself itching to pur-chase. 

I've become that person. 

Like a nanna calling just to tell you "If you need milk I've bought 5 cartons" because they were 5c cheaper today... I am the friend sending junk-ish mail just in case you wanted to get pizza from a suburb 50mins away from you for only $19!

I now collect coupons. I collect coupons and email Scoopon and LivingSocial Deals to friends. I even subscribe to cities I don't live in to 'help' friends that live there. It is probably safe to say that I'm a shopping addict and because of this not only is my frivolous fashion purchasing under question but, my social life is being scrutinised.

I did enjoy the free scones I got with my loaf of bread today though, so, it's not all bad. Surely?

I need to get to a shopping strip. Stat.

Day 28: Piggy Goes To Market... To Sell Her Own Stuff!

Robert Robert Heels - worn twice!

I have been thinking more about my high tea market (or decidedly called ‘High Frockin’ Tea It To My Place’). The market is to sell my own 100 items as a part of my 100 Day Challenge, having dismally failed at committing to Ebay selling. And it is an excuse to hold a high tea function. 

What can I say; I love cake.

Jigsaw skirt bought in London
- never worn!

I think it might be fun to have an element of surprise for the day, so instead of having a total market set up for everyone to buy individual items there will be a raffle. The idea behind the raffle will be that everyone that comes will pay an entry fee of $5 and be given one ticket. Each ticket will line up to one of the items that I previously intended to sell. Towards the middle of the high tea event, after everyone has had the chance to see all the items up for grabs there will be a raffle drawn to reveal who’s ticket belongs to which item! Fun right?

Some funny brand dress
Super pretty but only worn once!

There could be set backs such as items not being the correct size or even style for the winner, but I figure we will allow swapping and if someone didn’t receive what they wanted and it’s still on offer, they can buy another raffle ticket. All the money from the entry fee will go to the Red Cross who deserve props not only for vamping up their look of late to encourage vintage shopping, but because they help women in the community in so many ways.

Would you buy a raffle ticket for a fiver to be the happy owner of these?

Sass & Bide 3/4 Trousers-
So super cool with braces
but I never wear them and
can't justify keeping them! Booh!

 But wait there's more...

Day 27: Papa Bear Bail Out

When you are banned from frivolous spending there are only two things you hate more than obviously not being able to spend yourself:

1. Other people that CAN spend frivolously and

2. Spending money for no other reason than simple stupidity. 

The latter was me last night. 

It's Day 27 and I've found ways to curb my shopping necessities, actually patting myself on my back from time to time to say "Well done Mon, how clever of you to keep your eye on the fashion ball without a dollar leaving your purse. Yay for you!"

Last night was not one of these moments. And most tragically the money wasn't wasted on anything slightly fashionable.

Have you heard of a red-eye flight? They are pretty good in the fact they usually err on the cheaper side of flying. They are pretty bad in the fact that they depart around midnight.

Being from Perth originally, my family and I are familiar with the red eye. But yesterday we weren't all familiar enough to remember that 12.35am isn't actually today midnight... It is yesterday's midnight, hence the first 30mins of today. Feel like you're in the twilight zone yet? Yep, that's how it feels. It sucks. Big time. Even more when you have to shell out for another flight to get home.

The worst thing about this was (yes, it gets worse...) my credit cards are in the safe hands of my husband. I've been on holidays, so like any holiday-er by the end of the trip I have zero cash.  If you haven't already guessed I envy you. Yes, I had to ask my Papa Bear (Papa Pickles) to lend his almost-30-year-old-daughter some money so that she could fly home. To her husband. Embarrassing with a capital 'E'.

Being awesome, Dad felt so bad for me he even bought me a peppermint tea to calm my nerves. Dad's are the best, even if they don't always support your shoe buying habits.

Day 25 & 26: High Frockin' Tea It To My Place

Since Day 22 I have to admit, I have been stifled as to what to write. But as luck would have it I noticed something about myself today (and let’s just include yesterday as I was very naughty to not blog!).

Not shopping, I have subconsciously been focusing on other things. And because I cannot shop for another 74 days (the pain is lessening believe it or not, day by day) I am looking to all-other-things-feminine, including high tea.

I have been honing in on my baking skills (a domino effect from spending lots of time with my grandmother’s) and this combined with my love of 50’s /  60’s glamour leads me to obsessing over how I can create a high tea of my own. This then combined with (oh, so much combining going on!) the requirement within my 100 day challenge to not only not buy anything but sell 100 items of my own belongings = (you guessed it!) A High Tea Sell-a-thon!

The name needs work but the idea itself is rather jazzy, I think.

Having done a bit of research of my own on creating a High Tea / Market Stall at my house I have found there are already commercially produced days such as this. If you are in Sydney or Melbourne check out: http://www.thehighteaparty.com.au/

For those outside of these cities such as myself, we can only create our own and steal their ideas. From my cyber-idea-thieving I found that I will need the following:

Champagne…TICK! (Well, I can get some).

Tea…TICK! No brainer really. Probably add some coffee in there too.

A Theme…TICK! Can there be no better theme for this than 50’s/ 60’s Frock?

High Tea paraphernalia…TICK! Got tea cups + pots and a cake stand.

Market Merchandising…TICK! Surely years of working in retail count for something.

Done and done.

And… I can host my tea party for my final day of writing my 100 day challenge blog! I can even post pics of the event to prove that I had the high tea and sold all my goods!

Hoo-rah! Now, who to invite and how to get the word out about my…

High Tea Fan-Frockin’-tast-ica!

The name still needs tweaking. At least I have 73 days to think something else up.

Day 23 & 24: Sew It. Sew It Good.

The past two days I have been learning how to sew. Not only is it completely cost effective (thanks Mum for the free lessons, fabric, pins, pattern and use of your sewing machine) but again good for sustainability.

And cheap, let’s be honest.

Lucky for my sister and I my Mum has quite a collection of fabrics and patterns stored from the 80’s and 90’s that are all pretty in vogue, so we have both decided to go old school and sew. My clever sister has taken it one step further to knit, but that is way too co-ordinated for me. “Made it myself” still doesn’t have the same ring to it that “Marc Jacobs” does when someone asks where my frock is from, but that’s ok.

I will have to learn how to sew a frock though. No point getting ahead of myself.

My first attempt! I will post my completed efforts soon. Hopefully.

Day 22: And Yoda Said...

Day 22.
I am a fan of Yoda.

The little green man isn't on anyone's fashion radar but I love his saying:

"Do or do not. There is no try." Hence my disappointment in my ebay sales.

I have put one item on ebay. It, has not sold. Therefore I have not made one sale out of the 100 items I have committed to sell in 100 days...But YAY! I'm 22 days into my 100 of non-spending...Not so yay is I should have sold 22 items of my own belongings. Hmmm. Quandary.

French Connection Pants Size 8 - Worn 1-2 Times only Feedback: 573 | 100% Watch this item

0 Bids

AU $3.00

+AU $6.30

Time left:8d 20h 28m

Here are my French Connection Cargo's worn (can't remember wearing them ever) for $3...
Not one bid. Too steep with the postage?

Ebay, obviously is just not for me. It is time to rethink my strategy. I'm thinking something more fun? Maybe a high tea at my house and a blanket cost (e.g. EVERYTHING $3!) for all items. I need the money obviously but because I've been such a lazy bum not selling one thing ("I die"- for the wrong reason) I think it might be more noble to put the money towards a charity that works back to my challenge. This 'charity' of having a charity won't quite be enough to cover my retail remorse/used-and-abused-credit-card karmas, but perhaps enough to give me slight cred in my quest?

At least one aspect of my life will be in-credit, instead of in-debt.


Is it wrong though, to already pre-plan where to lock my Marc Jacobs dresses in case someone accidentally finds them in my wardrobe to buy? Not really in Yoda's way of thinking but I'm sure when it came to MJ he'd agree with me.

Day 21: Sustainable Shopping That Is Minty Fresh

Day 21

My project for yesterday's shopping research (again, not to buy but merely to tease and make me strong-like-non-shopping-bull!) was to look into fashion that is more sustainable. So, when I am allowed to shop again in 79 days time (today is 78 as I am currently writing for yesterday) I will shop more consciously and without that 'need' for a shopping fix.

From my title you might ask "Minty Fresh"? Well, my first research stop was to the Peppermint Magazine website (website research as all purchases of magazines are out for me over the length of this challenge!):

http://peppermintmag.com

One of their writers had done all of the info collecting that I needed in regards to the RAFW (Rosemount Australian Fashion Week). Who knew that Kate Sylvester works with sustainable fabrics, that (to quote the mag  'Ginger & Smart are accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia who not only ensure that workers are treated with respect, but look at the overall fashion picture, including waste'!!! Amazing! Check out Peppermint Mag online, or even buy it - the whole magazine is made with recyclable paper so totally guilt free. Look at pics below from their website and story on RAFW:

 Kate Sylvester

Oh, so super fabulous! Look at those shoes and totally-to-die-for KS dress

Ginger & Smart

Day 20: Arrgggh! Frock It!

  

Nicola Finetti Bustier Full Circle Dress
$560.00 $392.00

Frockshopisonsale! Frockshopison SALE! FrockShop IS ON SALE! Why world?WHHHHhhyyyyyy? Why must you be so cruel? Look at this Nicola Finnetti dress! Look at these Tom Gunn shoes! LOOK AT THEM!



Tom Gunn Aletta Heels

759.00 $100.00





I have been SO good. Really I have. And as even my cousin pointed out to me today (snidely I might add) "At least 20 days into your challenge means you are 20% finished!". This, did not help.

But, I must go on and be strong.

Save yourselves and frock up on FrockShop.com

It is frockin' fab.

I dare say though, I do need to stop salivating over these discounted label sites and get into researching labels that produce their fashion items with sustainability in mind. Somthing for tomorrow...

The Champers Chiller For $4!!

Thought you might want to see this amazing St Vinnies purchase my Tanta made on Day 19 of my quest:

Isn't it fab?! And for less than a fiver!

Day 19: A Day Of Thrifting In Style

I learnt so much today! I spent the day with my grandmother (we call her Tanta) and she taught me many things but the bottom line: thrift in style.

I was taught how to restore furniture, shown how to use a steam floor cleaner and to find incredible bargains at St Vinnies (I have previously mentioned I have zero competency in this last field hence it is a wonder to me!). Exhibit A, a champagne cooler for $4 (I'll have to post a pic at a later date).

How does this relate back to my blog you may ask? Well! Read on...

Restoration
$ Saver = Old chairs can be bought reasonably and I can restore them for gifts. Even sell at a profit!
Enviro = no new wood used and less landfill!

The Floor Steamer
$ Saver = Saves on water & detergent costs
Enviro = Again...Saves on water & detergent costs!

2nd Hand Shopping
$ Saver = Buying pre-loved items is always cheaper
Enviro = No packaging and bring your own shopping bag if you are out for a big shop!

Ps. Yes I bought something/things... Just 3 containers for a measly 50c! For all three! My hubby approved the purchase but isn't quite sold on using 2nd hand tupperware. More for me!

Day 18: Free Lipstick? Count Me In!

Today I didn't shop, I scavenged. I went through my container cupboards, kitchen draws, bathroom storage, anywhere(!!!) to get containers/jam jars/tubs/tubes to store my existing MAC make-up.

The reason for this? I need a new lippy. Yes, I cannot buy a lipstick or any cosmetics for that matter but I have found a loophole that is genius...

MAC cosmetics empties x 6 = lipstick

I love my 'Russian Red' lippy from MAC, but sadly it is on its last legs. When I was asked where my red lipstick was from the other day I was not only complimented but informed: MAC will give you lipstick. For. Free.

It's crazy but true!

If you go to MAC with 6 empty MAC items you'll get a free lipstick. Amazing! I think this might actually change my life. In the meantime it has definitely changed the way I store my loose eyeshadow. Put it this way, my fav MAC blue shimmer- yep, it now uncannily smells like vegemite.

Day 17: The Hiatis Is Over Baby

Day 17.

I may have mentioned that I have a history of working in retail. I took time out after my last job for a little off-work-hiatis to come home to Perth and see family and friends. It's been great, but I need to get back on the clothing horse, so to speak.

But looking for a new job is going to prove difficult.

Not to get the job, no no no... Getting a job in fashion retail where I won't have to buy anything for the job will be the hard part.

Do I make a "NB" on my CV stating that btw I won't be able to buy any new items for work because I am trying this new thing called sustainability and not investing in anything new right now? It's not that simple because to sell the product, you have to wear it. Most of the time anyway.

Eek! Do I seriously need to change my vocation for the next 83 days?!

I'm applying for a job today. Let's just hope the uniform is black.

Day 16: If The Shoe Fits... I STILL Can't Buy It!

Day 16.... Yes, this was yesterday but last night's wine with a friend turned into a bottle which turned into a headache as I groggily remembered I was going to post my blog when I got home last night. Let's just all feel fortunate that I didn't.

Anyhoo! Day 16 was about being outta the shops and onto online! Or as I like to call it: The She-Devil. The reason I refer to this forum of shopping as Lucifer's stylish and designer wearing sister is because; temptation is just THAT much simpler. Two clicks and your all of your world desires come to life in front of you at home while you are half watching Masterchef and half eating leftover Easter eggs, with the laptop on hand. There are only two words for it: Evil and ASOS.

One of my so called friends yesterday told me about ASOS or http://www.asos.com/ and I was hooked. You can categorise your searches, which is how I found these puppies (sigh...) for $300 (when converted):

Leather wedge sandals from See by Chloe

Apparently I am the last known woman on the planet not to know about this website. This was proven when I saw ASOS has 554,798 people like it on facebook. That many peops can't be wrong.

Net-a-porter now has ASOS to compete with for the longings of my heart for the next 84 days.

This challenge is officially killing me.