Friday, July 31, 2009

It's the long weekend!

I also took today off in addition to the Monday we're getting of for a nice relaxing 4 day weekend. Take that! Despite not having crazy plans like going to a cottage or Las Vegas, I feel productive. Today, I met with some people, am making a move on changes in my life (hopefully I'll write more about that later), went to the mall and didn't buy a thing. Actually I purchased some mall sushi for lunch but I've been doing a million things lately, I felt like I deserved a treat and better that than a coach bag. Seriously there was a Coach store and I was tempted to walk in and possibly walk out with a purse.

Sometimes I tell myself that if I accomplish a goal I can reward myself to motivate me to get my ass into gear for that goal. i.e. Loose 20lbs and you can buy yourself earrings. I know some psychiatrist out there would tell me this is bad & blah, blah, blah but it works and I have no problems doing it. In fact, when I was a kid my parents would give me money or treat me to food if I scored As in school. Maybe that's where I got it from.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Woo! I am a winner!

So remember Gingers contest for a the Bombay Sapphire mixology kit? Well I won! Woo! What's even better is that they delivered the prize within a few hours of me sending them my shipping info. I came home to find this little box waiting for me.

It's safe to say, I am going to crack this out over the long weekend and enjoy some drinks. I also love that this has a lemon squeezer. I make fresh lemonade a few times a month so my hands thank you as well as my stomach.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Protein Packed

I did my grocery shopping at Oriental Mart over the weekend. It's like T&T, only cheaper. If I plan on cooking something soon after purchasing it, Oriental Mart is a safe bet. I find that veggies and fruits are sometimes half the price of a Food Basics/No Frills! The only thing is, I find that their produce spoils faster than your stuff bought at the grocerry stores. No biggie if you're planning on using up your produce soon.

I used a bunch of it tonight and tried something new. I modeled it after the Tofu and Veggies in Peanut Sauce recipe here. I first steamed some broccoli, beans, red peppers, carrots and mushrooms in my steamer. While that was cooking, I pan fried some tofu with garlic and ginger. My sauce was veggie broth, with a healthy dash of soy sauce, two generous spoonfuls of natural peanut butter and some hot sauce. I combined everything and that was it!

I know it sounds simple but it was delicious. If you have the time, try out the recipe. You will not be disappointed if you like stirfry type dishes. I am looking forward to lunch tomorrow.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Selling dresses online

I buy dresses with good intentions. I figure I'll wear them eventually but realistically there are only a few months of the year I can wear them. Even then, except for the casual cottony dresses, I feel like I am trying too hard wearing a dress. Inevitably what happens is, these dresses end up sitting in my closet for years being neglected. So I decided to see if I could sell them, even some that are completely brand new. If I can get back close to what I paid for the new dresses, then awesome or else half will return to my closet and other other half will be off to the salvation army.

I've gone through my dresses purchased over the last few years, taken pictures of about 15 dresses and uploaded them online. The thing is, I am not sure where to put them up. Craigslist? Ebay? Blog? Does anybody have any tips for selling clothes or is this something I shouldn't bother with?

Anyhoos, if they don't sell, then no loss and I actually rediscovered some favorites I had forgotten about! I guess I am trying not to get my hopes up.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Get your drink on with Gingers help

Everybody knows Ginger is back but did you know that she still has great contests going on? This one is for a Bombay Sapphire Mixology Kit. The kit comes with a collins glass, lemon squeezer, bar spoon and strainer.

I am a sucker for these kinds of kits. I am not a hardcore drinker anymore but I still enjoy novelty drinking accessories. Gone are the days of getting drunk at least once a week and waking up with no hangovers. Ahh, university, how fun and carefree you were!

Now that I am all grown up, I class it up by trying to drink mixed drinks instead of something on the rocks.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

My EDM Package is here!

My makeup from Everyday Minerals is at the post office waiting for me! Gah, how silly is it that I am excited to go pick it up! I did get dinged customs for $15 but still totally worth it. Also perfect timing because I probably only have about a weeks worth of foundation left.

I also updated my side bars. Everything's on track but upcoming expenses include unscheduled car repairs which will throw me over the top :(

Friday, July 17, 2009

I learned a very important lesson

Lesson of the day: Just because you're good at something doesn't mean that's what you should be doing. The only thing is, I have no idea what I want to do and how to discover that thing that sets a fire under my but. That thing that I wake up wanting to do & go to bed thinking about. :S

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

New Credit Card in Town

I just got a new credit card in the mail. It's the MBNA Smart Cash MasterCard. You get 3% cash back at gas and grocery locations and 1% cash back at all other retail locations. It's great because my current go-to card is my amex for which I get up to 2% cash back.

The plan is to use the Smart Cash MasterCard whenever I buy gas/groceries and my Amex everywhere else. If anybody is interested, there's a huge thread on redflagdeals about it.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

I bought my everday minerals makeup!

I just updated my budget bars and I am already over in my makeup category because I just bought my everyday minerals makeup online. It came out to $92 with shipping but I think I have about 12 items in there and totally worth it because it doesn't break me out. I also think customs might ding me too because the last time I bought around this much, I remember having to pay a fee. The good news is I have enough foundation to last me another year and probably enough blush for a lifetime.

I've learned to curb my clothing purchases but now it looks like I just transferred it to makeup. Sometimes I put on eye makeup before bed to only take it right off after applying it. It's hard to not want to play with it when you don't have an excuse to wear dramatic makeup on a daily basis. My normal makeup routine is pretty standard and neutral. Plus I don't have time in the morning to go beyond the foundation and mascara/eye liner.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Miscellany

  • I've been trying to run outside regularly now that summer is here and I really don't know how people can stick to the same route every single time. I like to spice things up and find that I can run longer if it's somewhere I haven't been before. But I've been keeping up with running outside at least once a week so go me!
  • My last post and what's been happening lately at work has made me realize a few things and I am trying to really force myself to come up with some idea of where I want to be career wise.
  • What's up with summerlicious? I think I would pay the same ordering off the menu because 1) I am vegetarian and 2) I probably don't need both an appetizer and dessert. I remember when summerlicious first started, it seemed like a great deal but it seems like the prices have gone up or maybe I just got cheaper....I think it's the first one
  • I am thinking of purchasing a GHD straightener later this year. I love my sedu one but I always want better.
  • Life's busy & not with things I want to be busy with
  • The weather sucks but I heard on the radio that we've been averaging about the same as last year. Really?

Monday, July 6, 2009

Dealing with clients suck sometimes

I know I've complained about this very thing before but it sucks having to work with clients who expect you to bend over backwards for them. Um, hi, you're not my only client and trying to be pushy and threatening me isn't going to get you anywhere. If anything I am going to want to play hard ball with you just because you're being an ass.

mmmkay

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Summer makeup routine ..simplified

I wear sunscreen with an SPF of 45 and made sure it blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Even with all that sunscreen, I've still managed to turn a few shades darker. And I secretly like it because it's harder to notice my acne scars and that means I don't need to spend as much time covering them up. My normal routine consists of applying concealer on my scars followed by foundation. Nowadays, I can get away with just foundation.

On my way to work the other day, the lady in front of me was applying eye liner in her car! I mean we were waiting for a left turn and all but seemed a bit much. I am glad my routine isn't so extensive that it has me multitasking too much while I am driving.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Ginger is back!

Before I started blogging, there were a few blogs that were part of my must read and Gingers blog was one of them. Her blog was also one of the many personal finance blogs that inspired me to start my own blog. I sound like such a groupie but it’s the truth.

I am very happy she’s back and even happier she’s got great contests going on for everybody to participate in. You should definitely check it out.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

June 2009 Spending Recap


I hope everybody had a great Canada day. I've heard lots of people complain about the fact that it fell on a Wednesday this year but I loved it. I felt like it gave me a boost and I was rearing to go today!

Looking back, I am proud I can finally say this but I came in under budget for once! WOO!
  • Clothes & Beauty: Budgeted: $50 Actual Spend: $28. I actually bought a few clothes but at great deals. i.e. $3 Graphic Ts at Old Navy, $10 tops at The Bay during their Bay Days. I even bought a tshirt for the bf within that $28.
  • Eating out: Budgeted: $150, Actual Spend: $128. I probably would have gone over had I not done a few BBQs instead of eating out at restaurants with friends so that worked in my favor. Hopefully I'll keep this up over the summer months.
  • Entertainment: Budgeted: $50, Actual Spend: $30. I signed up for a 5k and put the fees here. I probably should have a health category and put the fee for signing up there but since I hardly spend money on health related activities beyond my monthly yoga fee, I couldn't be bothered. I also watched a few movies this month: Hangover & Transformers.
  • Gas: Budgeted: $150, Actual Spend: $103. Typical driving and I am actually getting most of the money back because work is going to pay gas for some work related travel. At the end of last month, I decided to up my overall budget by $50 to accommodate rising gas prices. Looks like I didn't need to but it's probably best I leave in the extra $50 because gas is sure to go up.
  • Groceries: Budgeted: $100, Actual Spend: $50. I didn't starve myself but I did eat a lot of things that I have in storage (i.e. canned beans, frozen pizzas, ect.). It's good because I sometimes forget what I have in my cupboards. I also got invited to lots of family things and as a result got lots of leftovers which helped the cause.
  • Misc: Budgeted: $20, Actual Spend: $100. Sound the alarm, I am majorly over! I bought lots of miscellaneous items for an 'event' that I helped out with and had to purchase lots of last minute things the night before the event that wasn't budgeted for the event and I ended up paying out of my pocket. Is that vague enough for ya?
  • Total Budgeted: $520, Actual Spend: $439!
I upped my budget in June and it looks like I could've stuck with the normal $480 but it's the summer and I want to have fun.

Looking forward, I see spending and lots of it but I am going try my best to stick with the allotted $520 for next month as well.

I am planning on spending a buttload of money (~$100) on makeup at everyday minerals. I currently use their foundation and I am almost out so I am going to place an order. I could live spending about a third of what I am planning on spending but I want to buy an extra foundation as well, a few blushes, their retractable brush and maybe some eyeshadow. I would feel guilty but my last container of foundation lasted me almost a year and what makes me not have a heart attack at spending $100 at one place is that their products don't break me out and I can't say that about too many things. I feel like I am investing in something that I know I'll eventually use up.

I am also planning on taking advantage of the summer weather and doing some day trips here and there (i.e. Niagara falls, some sort of beach, ect.) However, I am going to try my best to plan ahead for these and pack some food for the trip and perhaps even do some baking because why get fast food when you can eat cake!