No-Buy Month Update - My Top 5 Wish List

Hey there blog-land, long time no speak.  Things have been a bit crazy on my side of the world, but in a good way.  My Etsy shop has been booming, things with The Brunch Club have been progressing at an amazing rate, and I'm still managing to squeeze in a bit of a social life as well.  Unfortunately that meant no blog posts this week, but I have some great ones coming up, so stay tuned (thank you three-day weekend)!

As of today, we will be down to single digits with the whole no-buy thing -

single digits, people

!  I'm going to be honest, this has been so much easier than I anticipated.  The thought of shopping really hasn't even crossed my mind, even with a couple of trips to Target for necessities.  We are even missing out on Memorial Day weekend sales - such a tragedy.  So, to be sure that we don't completely undo all of our saving in May, Chelcey and I have decided to share our top five wish lists of things we want to buy on June 1.

These are some of the things I have had my eye on throughout the month:

BaubleBar Statement Necklace

Just look at this gorgeousness.  Statement necklaces have been my obsession this month, and while I love the ones I have, I am looking forward to expanding my collection.  Also, following BaubleBar on Instagram and seeing all of their pretty new jewelry daily has been my biggest temptation with no-buy month.  Don't worry though, I stayed strong.

Paradise Persimmon Collar

, $44

Express Portifino Shirt

These shirts are my absolute favorite.  I have seven different colors and I

want

need more.  You can pretty much pair them with anything - shorts, skirts, skinnies - and it'll look fabulous.  My favorite effortless look for a summer night out is one of these babies, a cute pair of shorts, and wedges.  Throw on Mr. BaubleBar necklace above and you're set.  I think I smell a blog post coming ;)

Express Convertible Sleeve Portifino

, $49.90

Capri Blue Volcano Candle

If you could bottle up the smell of Anthropologie, this candle would be it.  Thanks to Chelcey, I am in love with this scent.  I purchased a small version back in April, and now that I've burned through it, I think it's time to upgrade to the monster version.  

Capri Blue Volcano Candle

, $28

Hot Tools 1 1/2 Inch Curling Iron

Since I went ombre with my hair about a month ago, I've really liked curling it more often than straightening it.  I've been making do with the 2 inch Revlon iron that I currently have, but I want to try a slightly smaller barrel and see if it helps my curls to stay longer.  PS - another upcoming blog post may or may not involve curling my hair.

Hot Tools Ceramic TI Tourmaline Curling Iron

, $52.99

Lush Jasmine & Henna Fluff Eaze

That smooth and silky hair that some girls are blessed with...yeah that's not my hair at all.  I have very thick and naturally dry hair.  On the plus side, I can get away with washing it less often.  On the other hand, I have to work with it a lot to keep it pretty and shiny.  Enter this hair hair mask treatment from Lush that I've been wanting to try for a while now.  Here's to hoping it can tame even my frizzy, unruly hair.

Lush Cosmetics Jasmin & Henna Fluff Eaze

, $22.95

I think that's enough for now.  It was actually a bit of a struggle to just come up with five things I wanted to purchase.  I suppose that's what happens when you avoid online browsing and promotional e-mails at all costs for a month!  If you participated in no-buy month, what's on your wish list for June?  And if not, what are you looking forward to buying during all of the Memorial Day sales?  You know I'll secretly be jealous.

No-Buy Month Update - We're Halfway There

Happy Friday Eve!  I can't believe that no-buy month is halfway over.  It's actually been much easier than I thought, and it's been great being able to focus on other things like my blog, Etsy shop, and the Brunch Club.  Having two weekends in a row jam-packed with things to do has helped, too.  This weekend, I plan on having a girls' night with Chelc and Whit, going out to celebrate my sister's college graduation, and spending time with my family.  So far I've rediscovered some old beauty favorites and dusted off clothes I had forgotten about in the back of my closet.  I've also had time to reflect on the past year of my life, and it really got me thinking.  I normally wouldn't write such a deep post, but when I found this quote, it just hit me.

Retail therapy.  The thing I've been avoiding this month.  My go-to for when I have a rough day at work, when I had to deal with my life being turned upside down.  Last year, I went through possibly the worst heartbreak I have ever experienced, and I really lost sight of myself for a while.  I became mildly depressed and lost any desire for social interaction with friends.  I turned to shopping to give myself a high and feel better, if only for the moment.  I'd come home with pretty shopping bags full of new things, but once I settled back onto the couch, I still felt alone. 

Now I don't want to go into too many details, because I am stronger now than I ever have been, but seeing this quote made me realize that I don't have to depend on retail therapy anymore.  Sure, it's perfectly fine to treat yourself to a new bag or new shoes every now and then, but it is so much more rewarding when you do treat yourself if you know that you don't have to

depend

on shopping for a high.  If I go shopping, I want it to be for a positive reason, like my recent promotion at work, rather than trying to compensate for something that is making me feel sad.  Going through no-buy month has really opened my eyes to this.

With my new found outlook on shopping, I've been able to channel inspiration and positivity from other, more meaningful things happening in my life.  I had been neglecting my Etsy shop for a while, partially from lack of interest and also because I just got so busy at work.  But then, a few weeks ago I received my first review (and five stars at that), and that really lit a fire under me.  Reading my customer's kind words has motivated me again to create new pieces, and this craft time has become my new retail therapy. 

Also, Chelcey, Whitney and I have been having regular meetings for The Brunch Club, and it is amazing how far we have come with our ideas.  I can't even believe that just a couple months ago, this was just a thought being tossed around in Chelcey's kitchen, and now things are really coming together.  I couldn't be more excited!

The moral of my story is, you don't need shopping or retail therapy or whatever your crutch is to get you through the rough times.  Rather than leaning on material things to make you feel better in the short term, turn to your friends, help someone else going through a difficult time, or find a creative outlet like I did.  It is so much more rewarding for me now to ship out an order to someone on the other side of the country instead of running to the mall to buy the latest and greatest bag, and that's something I never thought I would say.

What are some of your coping mechanisms through tough times?  Have you tried something new instead?  I encourage you to share your thoughts below - after all, writing is yet another form of therapy.

10 Random Facts About Me

1. I've never broken a bone in my body.  I did have to get stitches on my head when I was three from hitting my head on a brick fireplace (ouch), but that's about it.  And now I must go knock on wood to keep it that way.
2. I have a fear of left-hand turns and will avoid them at all costs when driving.  At a traffic light I'll be fine, but crossing six lanes of traffic - no thank you.  I'm pretty sure this all came about when I almost got in a wreck from attempting a left turn on a busy road.  Scary stuff.
3. I have two very best friends that are more like sisters to me, Chelcey and Whitney.  They knew each other in high school, but the three of us met at our previous job.  I can't believe it's already been five years since we first met.  We're creating our own business, The Brunch Club, to help up and coming creative entrepreneurs and I am so excited for this venture.  Check it out!

5. I have a little bit of OCD when it comes to numbers and certain electronic devices.  Specifically, the number of the volume level cannot end in a 1, 4, 6, or 9 (so basically, the number cannot be adjacent to one that ends in 0 or 5).  I swear I'm not crazy, I think it's just the accountant in me.  At least, that's what I tell myself.
6. I'm addicted to British reality tv.  Chelcey got me hooked on a fantastic show called The Only Way is Essex and I've binge-watched all 11 seasons on Hulu.  It's the best guilty pleasure ever.  If you love the Hills, then you'll love TOWIE.
7. I've traveled outside of the country once, to Paris for a trip in high school, and it is my dream to go back.  I studied French for six years through middle and high school and into college, and I still find myself silently translating random phrases and things in my head.  I'm not fluent by any means, but I can understand things for the most part.
8. I'm a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen, and I've seen him in concert six times.  His show here in Louisville a couple years ago is actually my favorite concert that I have ever experienced.  There is nothing like it - over three hours of music with no openers or breaks.  If the Boss is playing anywhere around here, you can count on me being there.

10. I love supporting locally owned shops, businesses and restaurants.  Here in Louisville, we have a couple of great neighborhoods that I frequent to do just that.  If you ever have a chance to visit, you must check out the Highlands and Crescent Hill areas.
11. My memory is pretty impeccable, and they even call me a "steel trap" at work because I remember every little detail.  This is also beneficial for trivia nights with friends, something we want to do more of.  On the other hand, if you ask me to do something and I don't write it down, I'll forget instantly until something reminds me of it hours later.
12. I have a terrible case of road rage, and I hate sitting in stop-and-go traffic.  I'd rather take back roads and the long way than creep along on the interstate.  And I'm definitely not afraid to use my horn. 

Am I alone with my number OCD-ness?  Does anyone else have road rage that just comes over them and can't be stopped?  What are some other random facts about you?  I'd love to read all about them!

xoxo,

Amanda  

According to Amanda: Organization Tips for the Working Girl

Happy Sunday (and Mother's Day to all of the wonderful mommas out there)!  This weekend has been jam packed - family plans today and my sister Kelly's graduation from college yesterday.  With so much going on during the weekend, which is normally my time to catch up on everything I couldn't get to during the week, it can be tough to stay organized and on top of things.  So, I wanted to share with you some of my tips and tricks for staying organized and balancing my career with my personal life.  

1. Get yourself a detailed planner - My personal favorite is the Day Designer, by Whitney English on Etsy.  I love this thing.  It has a full page per day for detailed notes and tasks, plus a monthly calendar overview, so you keep everything together in one place.  I've always been one for making lists, but being able to keep them in one planner has helped tremendously.  It's definitely worth the investment.  Thanks to Chelcey for persuading me to get one!

3. Use other notebooks for even more lists - Since I have an Etsy shop, blog, and career as well I have separate notebooks to jot down ideas as I think of them sporadically throughout the day.  At work, I make a list each morning of the specific tasks that I want to accomplish for the day.  With my blog and Etsy shop, I keep track of ideas and inspiration for new posts and crafts to make.  Think of your planner as being an overview list with the separate notebooks being layers of detail relating back to each task.
4. Plan your meals and make a grocery list - Every Thursday, I make my grocery list for the following week, and I do my grocery shopping on either Saturday or Sunday.  Before, I used to wander through the grocery store like a lost puppy, pulling random items from the shelves not really knowing what I would be cooking throughout the week.  Now that I have been making a list, I can get in and out of the store in 30 minutes or less and know that I have specific meals in my queue ready to go.
5. Cook on Sunday - Let's be honest, if you work a full time job during the week, the last thing you will want to do in the evening is slave over a hot stove.  By cooking on Sunday and making enough meals to last through the week, I don't have to worry about that.  I can come home from work, catch up on blog posts and Etsy items, and heat up my dinner in no time at all.  My favorite thing (and easiest) to do is cook with my crock pot on Sunday.  I can set it to low in the afternoon and it will be finished by evening.  With some good, air-tight storage containers your meals will stay fresh all week.  For lunches, I have been LOVING these mason jar salads from Organize Yourself Skinny.  Most of them take me about an hour to fully prepare 5 jars.  In the morning on your way out the door, just grab a jar and you don't have to give it a second thought.

7. Clean and keep things picked up each day - This is definitely the most difficult thing for me.  I'm terrible about coming home from work, changing into comfy clothes, and leaving my work clothes laying on the floor, neatly of course.  Before I know it, a week will have passed and I'll have a neat stack of clothes that have to be put away sooner or later.  And when the pile is larger, I am much less motivated to get up and do it.  If you force yourself to hang clothes back up or throw them in the hamper as soon you get home, you won't have to worry about it later.  The same can be applied to dishes in the kitchen.  Don't wait for a sink full of dishes to accumulate, but instead load the dishwasher or wash and put them away daily. 

These are just a few things I do that have made the most impact on my time management and organization, so I hope you find them helpful!  What are some of your tips and tricks for staying organized?

xoxo,

Amanda

Rediscovering Old Favorites - My Current Makeup Routine

No-buy month is going strong. 

Chelcey

and I haven't even stepped foot in Target or a mall in over a week - quite the accomplishment.  I promise, we aren't addicted or anything though.  It's just the first thing we think to do when we hang out.  My whole perspective on spending and saving money has really changed since I moved into my own place a couple years ago, but we can dive into that some other time.  Today, I wanted to share my current makeup routine, since I've brought out some old favorites that hadn't gotten any love in a while.

After I wash my face and apply moisturizer, I put on

Clinique Superprimer Face Primer

(the formula that color corrects redness) and let it sink in while I make my coffee.  For foundation, I actually like to mix a couple of different products -

Becca Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme

and

Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Foundation.

  I do this partly because I am very fair and have a hard time finding a perfect shade match, and partly because I have not found a holy grail formula that I absolutely love.  I finish my base by concealing under my eyes with the

Maybelline Dream Touch Lumi

concealer.  Because the foundation mixture I use has such full coverage, I rarely use extra concealer on blemishes.  If you want the extra coverage though, I recommend the Pro Longwear concealer from MAC.

To set the foundation in place, I love

Urban Decay's All Nighter

.  My skin has actually been pretty dry recently, and I can still use this without worrying about it drying my skin out even more.  I put on my makeup around 7:30 every morning before work, and when I get home 9-10 hours later it still looks just as fresh and not completely worn off of my face.  Next I dust a little bit of

Rimmel Stay Matte

powder on my face, followed by

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder

in Radiant Light to give my skin some life.  I love this stuff because it's just the right amount of bronze for my fair complexion.  For a pop of color on the cheeks, I've been loving

Hourglass Ambient Blush

in Luminous Flush.  I contour my nose ever so slightly with

Nars Laguna Bronzer

and my face is good to go.  This little bronzer guy is one of those old favorites - I purchased it a couple of years ago in a holiday set and somehow it was buried in the bottom of my drawer among blushes and powders and highlighters - oh my!

Now with the eyes, we are

really

getting into old favorites.  I don't know if anything can top the

Naked Palette

in that category.  This was one of my first major beauty splurges when I first started getting into makeup several years ago.  It's treated me well through the years, and I'm happy to be using it again.  Can you tell which shades are my favorite?  

I like to prime my eyelids first, and lately I have been using the

Lorac Eye Primer

, another little guy that had gotten lost among other goodies.  From the Naked palette, I apply Sin all over the lid, Toasted in the crease, and Virgin as a highlight.  I'm not usually one for eyeliner, but when I do wear it I reach for the

L'Oreal Lineur Intense

.  I just apply a thin line on the outer part of my upper lash line, stopping right before the pupil.  I think I always shied away from liner because I would apply too much, and it made my eyes look smaller and closed off.  By only lining the outer edge, it actually creates the illusion of your eyes being wider and the lashes fuller, which is very flattering.  

My go-to mascara at the moment is

YSL Babydoll

.  I usually don't go for high-end mascaras because there are so many affordable options at the drugstore, but I splurged recently on this baby and I love it!  The last thing I do is fill in my brows with

Benefit Brow Zing

.  Again, I never used to bother with this step until I tried it once and saw what a difference it really makes.  If I only had time in the morning for a couple of steps and not this whole routine, I would definitely apply mascara and fill in my brows.  I think those two things have the most impact on making you look polished and put together in the least amount of time.

To complete the look, I use

Bite Beauty Lipstick

in Fig.  This stuff is ahh-maz-ing.  It's not a true nude, but it's not crazy bright pink either.  It's just perfect for everyday wear, especially since I work in an office environment.  The color lasts all morning until it's time for lunch.  Then I can just re-apply once more in the afternoon and I don't have to give it a second thought.  Forgive me for forgetting to take a picture of it!

All in all, this routine takes me about 20-25 minutes in the morning.  That may seem like a lot to some people, but for me I love makeup as a form of self-expression so it's totally worth it.  And trust me, that's nothing compared to the weekends when I know I'm not under a time crunch to get out the door.

What is your makeup routine like?  Have you rediscovered any new products you had forgotten about?

xoxo,

Amanda