Yeah, sorry for being a shitty blogger these past few months. Life has simply gotten in the way. So this is a mini-update of why I have been gone, plus a promise (that I hope I don’t fall short on) to get back into.
So in the beginning and pretty much through most of last year, blogging was something I looked forward to doing. It was an escape from everyday monotony and I truly LOVED it! When I had a post ready to write or publish, I would walk out of my shitty job at the end of the day and this was me…
But blogging can be hard work sometimes. It takes time, to write, to photograph, to edit, to test, to review, plus that whole task of coming up with good content – or shit you think at least one other person in the universe might want to read. So sometimes there are days like this…
But then you get a really good comment, or an awesome new follower, or some major website shares something you wrote, or you have a “They like me! They really like me!” moment when 2000 people share and like your post and it makes it all really exciting again…
And sometimes you get sent free stuff to review and you just gotta do that dance…
But then life smacks you in face and in my case it was a combination of things, though ultimately I had so many other things that I was seriously worried about, other necessary family, pet and financial responsibilities to handle, and a lot of job hunting stress that blogging turned into more work than fun for me.
I had so many posts in draft form, but could never get around to finishing and publishing them. I felt almost guilty and more stressed that I was some how wasting time blogging when I had more urgent issues to work out first.
Really, this may sound crazy and hell, I am crazy sometimes – down right ridiculous – I know, but I would be like “Yes, today wasn’t so bad and I have some time, I’m going to blog now!” and then…
So since some of what I was dealing with has been sorted out and my stress levels have gone down a tiny bit that brings me to right now, tonight, this moment, my first little step back into blogging (which for the record has been fun to write), because its awesome and you’re amazing followers and this whole process used to be so exciting for me.
I was so very excited to be back on track with my blog this week, though as fate or whatever you believe would have it, my wonderful – nearly 14 year old – beautiful – Boxer-Beagle, Ruby, has gone missing.
Unfortunately, it was my idiotic fault and she escaped, unknowingly until a couple hours later, through an open gate in an impossibly short 2-5 minute window of time.
She has now been missing for 28+ hours – a terrifying lifetime to me. She is in wonderful health for her age, but still there are frightening factors to take into account. Ruby has always had constant and chronic ears problems and is deaf, scary enough, though she is amazing intelligent with a personality that wins everyone over.
The other issue to take into account is the Texas heat, while she did go missing late yesterday afternoon/early evening (after the worst heat of the day), she was somewhere unknown and possibly alone last night and all today. She always finds the coolest spots to lay, so I am confident and wishing that she found a safe place to be during those extreme temperature hours.
There is of course the facts that she has possibly been without proper food and water, or that she may have been injured.
This situation is heartbreaking. Those feelings of guilt, pain, sadness, panic, loneliness and helplessness are becoming overwhelming.
While I do have people around that care, I would very much appreciate any positive thoughts from you all. Pray, Wish, Hope, Think, Believe – which ever – whatever you believe in – please think of her today and until she is found, hopefully safe and healthy.
This awful (and unfair for Ruby) situation will be occupying every minute of my time I can possibly allow until I bring her home.
Wishing you a safe night my Ruby! I love you and you are dearly missed. Find your way home – we’re here.
Sorry for being so out of touch – certainly feels like it has been forever! A LOT of real life issues going on lately; but I will be back soon …promise! 🙂
The amount of money women (and some men) spend on beauty products and regimens is staggering – and I would know!
And let’s face it, sometimes you have to ask yourself, where the hell do they get the money to spend on that beauty crap?!? I have been on both sides of this, the spender and the questioner.
So I have been in a transition, financially speaking, which has caused a necessary change my spending habits. The main topics in my blog should be proof enough that beauty and fashion are both weaknesses of mine.
Now while I am the girl that always goes shopping with a coupon or during the biggest sales, I am also a firm advocate of buying a product that I believe in – despite the price tag. And really, what is your face worth to you? I know that some call me crazy or may simply not agree with this, and that is okay.
I’m also the type of person that stocks up, as in if there is a sale on some of my favorite products, I will purchase multiples and toss them in the drawer. Yes, THE drawer full of products I use religiously, and will not expire before I use them.
I think this habit of stocking up during sales or just when I had the funds to purchase multiples, has worked in my favor, considering my much reduced beauty budget.
This shift in my beauty budget has caused some changes, right down to this blog: less money in the budget means fewer opportunities to try out new products, fewer new products to review, and no real hauls of products or fashion worth talking about.
When you are on a budget, one of the smartest areas to cut down on spending are the luxuries – which, depending on who you are, your beauty regime could be considered one of your luxuries. Now I say “smartest” as apposed to easiest because hey, sometimes it just isn’t that easy to cut down on the things you deserve and that you feel are worth it, or just make you feel good.
Not all products I use would break even the most frugal people, but some would certainly be classified as luxuries.
So I thought, since I was going through this, many of you may be going through a similar situation and maybe you would like to hear some of my tips and methods for surviving on a beauty budget!
Now some of these things may work for you, while others may not, but have worked for me in the past and now…
Invest in quality products that will last
Examples: Prestige cosmetic/skin care lines’ serums and specialty treatments
Find less expensive, yet comparable products to more expensive options
Examples: SPF face lotions, shampoos and conditioners, high quality drugstore cosmetics, body lotions and cleansing products, and be sure to also checkout your local beauty supply stores
Skip the salons and spas, do your own nails and hair coloring
Personally, I do not have a need/want to dye my hair, but ask a friend you trust with your hair to help
If you are able, have a hair dresser friend you trust trim/style your hair
Treat your friend to a homemade dinner or take them out for lunch, especially if they don’t ask for anything in return for cutting your hair
“MAKE” some of your own products
Examples: Fragrance body oil, face masks, body wax, and hair treaments
Opt for shaving, depilatory creams or at home waxing
If you don’t have the time to keep up with shaving, opt for reasonably priced depilatory creams that keep hair away a bit longer, or make your own wax – sugar paste is quick, cheap and easy to make!
Take care with your clothing
Wash your clothing properly, hand wash if necessary, to ensure your clothes keep their color, shape and quality
Try out upcycling
Use old product containers or clothing, revamp/decorate them into something new and creative like a new outfit or storage containers
Stock up – a.k.a. THE drawer
When you know that great once-a-year sale is coming up, set aside a little extra money and stock up on your favorite items, even if you haven’t run out yet – that way you’ll always have a stocked drawer of those most-loved products and if you run out and can’t afford to go buy more, your covered.
Make a wishlist!
One of my favorite things to do: Make a list of products or items that you don’t need but simply want, luxury items you can’t just buy on a whim anymore, and once a month – or when you are able – get yourself something on that list (set aside a bit of money every week/month towards your wishlist fund)
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