100 Spending ban - IT'S OVER

I cannot tell you the joy it gives me to be able to say this, but I completed the 100 day spending challenge, and didn't cheat once :)

Without sounding smug, I am really proud of myself for doing this - the only makeup I bought during the past 100 days was 1 x Chanel Ecriture liquid eyeliner as my previous one ran out, and a couple of blue eye shadows for the photo shoot I did as I didn't have any.  And that's it for makeup bought.

I'm such a 'spender' I never thought I'd be able to do this.  It really didn't help that leading up to spring so many exciting products launched too, like the Revlon Nearly naked foundation which I've been desperate to try.

Other things bought during the ban were:

• A few lush bath bombs & bubble bars
• Some shampoo & conditioner
• A monthly subscription to Birchbox
• 1 magazine

And that's it!  What I did do is save £10 a week, so when I go to London next week for the blogger meetup, I'll be able to go on a spending spree and buy all the things on my wish list that I've been craving :)  Here's what's finally made it on to my shopping list :)

And the MAC pro palette - I plan on buying a 15 palette, and starting it off with 3 shadows, so that should only set me back about £45, then I'll buy one shadow a month after that :)

If my calculations are correct there's about £192 of stuff there... plus things like some BarryM nail Gelly's... I might put a hold on the Balm palette and just get the rest :)  I've saved up about £150 and I'd like to keep within that, £150 is more than enough!!!

Ladies, its been a pleasure to take part in the 100 day spending ban with you, for those of you that are extending it for another 50 days, you have my complete and utter support :)  Man alive am I glad that's over, and just in time for my birthday (on the 17th, not today) :D

If you want to see any of my previous weekly updates, they all have the 100 day spending challenge label at the bottom of the post, so just click on that and it'll bring up the list :)

This months bigest pixi3 advertiser is the lovely Laura from A Scottish Lass,
And be sure to check out my lovely middle-pixi3 advertisers who this month are Sarah from Life in a Breakdown and the lovely Luchessa from Beauty Expression by Luchessa - be sure to head over to check out their beautiful blogs <3

 

Week 13 Summary - 100 Day spending challenge

I can't believe I'm saying this, but there are only 2 WEEKS TO GO!!!! I'm so excited, I keep browsing online and seeing things I want to purchase, then I'm all like 'Awww :('  But hey, it's only 2 weeks.  Knowing the end is in sight is really helping, I can't believe I've come this far and not cheated.

But with it being so close to the end, I'm finding that temptation is creeping in more and more, I'm determined to stay strong and be good though, otherwise I'd never forgive myself for coming so close and failing.

Another thing that's been really making my shopping urge harder is that I'm due for an upgrade on my phone in a couple of months (8th July to be exact!) and I've already decided I'm giving up my iPhone 4 and moving back to HTC to get the HTC One - I would just pay up to get out of my contact now (I'm staying with 3) but I'd owe them like £130 which is too much... thing is, when it comes to technology I have very little self-control.  I'm over my iPhone now and just want a new one, oh how I wish it was closer to July, or it was cheaper to get out of my contract! *shakes fist at self*

As for the products I've been craving... other than the HTC One, it's all the same really, MAC Pro palette, Revlon nearly naked foundation, maybe the Naked 2 palette, YSL Shocking mascara, more EOS lip balms, Korres lip balm, some macadamia products, MAC lipstick... the list goes on :)

How's your week been?

This months bigest pixi3 advertiser is the lovely Laura from A Scottish Lass,
And be sure to check out my lovely middle-pixi3 advertisers who this month are Sarah from Life in a Breakdown and the lovely Luchessa from Beauty Expression by Luchessa - be sure to head over to check out their beautiful blogs <3

 

Week 12 update - 100 day spending challenge

Hi guys!  So... I'm gonna say it, just over 2 weeks to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Can you believe it?  I never thought I'd get this far, let alone succeed!  But, I don't want to speak too soon, there's still a couple of weeks left, and I'm determined not to cheat, I can't come this far and cheat now, not gonna happen!

So, how's this week been - if I said anything other than manic, I'd be lying.  It's been a crazy and tiring week, but in a good way.

Last Tuesday I got to play being a Makeup Artist for the day (see yesterday's post for that!), and then on Wednesday we went out for dinner after work (Wagamamas (I had Tofu Ramen)) and then on to the cinema to see Maniac with our friends.  Let me just say this, don't go and see Maniac.  Such a bad film, gory for the sake of being gory, massive plot holes and things that happen that are unnecessary and just don't make sense.  Right, glad that's out of the way!

So it's been a good week, I spent the weekend cleaning out my bedroom, it's still not finished but it's way tidier than it was.  It's a 4 day week this week as we have a 4 day weekend thanks to Easter (Thanks Jesus!), and I have two awesome things to look forward to this week.  Wednesday the hubby and I are going to a blogger event at Red Hot Buffet to sit at the Chef's table for a 7 course taster menu - HELLO!  Then on the Thursday, the PR agency for our big shopping centre (St Davids 2), are having Ladies night - which is open to everyone, there'll be walking fashion shows, free makeovers and all sorts of great things, so really looking forward to that too.

As for temptations, I've been so busy I haven't really had time to think - there's only been one thing on my radar this week and that's the nubar passion fruit cuticle oil.  Now that I've 'ripped' my acrylics off, my nails are in need of some TLC, so this is a definite purchase for me once I'm off my ban :)

How's your week been?

This months bigest pixi3 advertiser is the lovely Laura from A Scottish Lass,
And be sure to check out my lovely middle-pixi3 advertisers who this month are Sarah from Life in a Breakdown, Angelica from One Little Vice, Fiona from La Belle Dame Sans Merci, and Sally from The Human Mannequin, and the lovely Luchessa from Beauty Expression by Luchessa - be sure to head over to check out their beautiful blogs <3

 

Week 11 Summary - 100 day spending challenge

I'm so close to the end of this challenge now, I just want it to be over, then I can say 'I did it' without cheating!  Just 3 weeks left, 3 small quick short weeks and I'll be done.  Then I'll be in London five days later meeting the lovely Sophia from Tattooed Tea Lady and a cacophony of other lovely bloggers I'm excited to meet!  And, it'll be my birthday so I'll be celebrating and treating myself to a Longchamp bag <3  Now that I can't wait for !

So how's this week been I hear you ask?  Really rather ok!  I've not been too tempted by anything, my wishlist remains the same but I'm not craving things to a ridiculous level any more.  One great thing that did happen was last Tuesday, we went to a Benefit cosmetics blogger event and as well as being given a few lovely things to try out, I won a couple of nice things too!  So things like that have really kept me going.

I did have to buy some makeup today (well, it'll be yesterday by the time you read this!), but it's not for me, I needed some blue eyeshadows as I'm being a bit of a makeup artist on a photoshoot tomorrow evening (so... tonight!) and I need to be able to smash them up :p  So, I don't think that counts :)

Here's a few pics from my week <3

All in all it's been a really great week, if the next three weeks are as great, I'll have nothing to worry about :)  Plus, I'm really proud that I've made it this far without cheating :)

How's your week been?

This months bigest pixi3 advertiser is the lovely Laura from A Scottish Lass,
And be sure to check out my lovely middle-pixi3 advertisers who this month are Sarah from Life in a Breakdown, Angelica from One Little Vice, Fiona from La Belle Dame Sans Merci, and Sally from The Human Mannequin, and the lovely Luchessa from Beauty Expression by Luchessa - be sure to head over to check out their beautiful blogs <3

 

Week 10 summary - 100 day spending challenge

10 weeks have passed, and I still HAVEN'T broken my ban - BOOM!  I think it's fair to say at this point, I won't be breaking my ban, if I can make it this far and only have 4 weeks left to go, it'll be relatively plan sailing, now that I can see the shore!

As for how the last week has been, pretty good (other than having a bit of a cold of course!).  I haven't really craved any makeup, just clear skin (had a bit of a breakout a long with my cold).  It's really helped to have won giveaways and gone to the Bristol blogger meetup, as I'm working my way through the goodie bag :)

As much as I haven't really craved much this week, I do have a list of things I want to get once the ban is over.  As I've mentioned before, I've been saving £10 a week to spend when I got to the London #bbloggers meetup on the 15th April so I'll be having a bit of a splurge then, and there's a few things I'd like to get online, like Bioderma, Korres lip balm and I'd like to try some of The Balm products too.  I think I'll be hitting Beauty Chamber for a bit of an order there!

When I go to London however, I'll be getting (as long as it's in stock!) a MAC pro 15 palette, and adding about 4-5 shades to it, a YSL Glossy stain (really want to try one of these), Revlon Nearly naked foundation (and probably the powder), a couple of BarryM Gellys, Rimmel Apocolips, Dior Amber Diamond (if I can find it anywhere) and maybe the Dior BB cream - or a foundation, I feel like trying something new :)  Oh, and I'll probably pick up the Naked 2 palette as well - that'll probably take up most of my money!  And boy oh boy will there be an epic haul to share with you after that!

When I'm in London it'll be my birthday (17th April), so I'm planning on popping into Harrods and getting myself a Longchamp bag as a birthday present, I'll be hauling that too!

How's your week been?

This months bigest pixi3 advertiser is the lovely Laura from A Scottish Lass,
And be sure to check out my lovely middle-pixi3 advertisers who this month are Sarah from Life in a Breakdown, Angelica from One Little Vice, Fiona from La Belle Dame Sans Merci, and Sally from The Human Mannequin - be sure to head over to check out their beautiful blogs <3

 

Week 9 summary - 100 day spending challenge

Yes, 9 weeks, it's been 9 WEEKS!  Only like... 4 and a bit weeks to go, amazing!  I can taste the finish line!!!!  And OMG am I going to hit the shops then!  Yeah, that kinda defeats the purpose, but I have been saving £10 a week since I started this, so I should have about £150 by the end of it to satisfy my cravings with.

So, how's the last week been I hear you say?  Pretty good actually.  A friend of mine who works for Superdrug bought one of their new B. foundations but it just wasn't working for her, so she really kindly gave it to me :)  Got that today, so will try it out tomorrow :)  Luckily we have the same skin tone (both super duper pale!) so I know it'll be the right shade :)

The products that are still busting my 'balls' as ever are the Revlon Nearly Naked foundation... and that's about it for this week.. I'm sure there's other stuff too and I just can't think what it is, but that's the beauty of the ban, only the stuff you really truly want sticks in your mind :)

I've been really busy at work too which is great because my mind only wanders to makeup at lunch time (which I generally spend in our rec room) and in the evenings, so not driving me utterly insane :)

How's your week been, both people doing the spending challenge, and anyone who's having a regular week?

This months big pixi3 advertisers are the lovely Laura from A Scottish Lass, Tasha from Belleza Kisses, Gem from Miss Makeup Magpie, Luchessa from Luchessa, Sally from The Human Mannequin - be sure to head over to check out their beautiful blogs <3

 

Week 8 Summary - 100 day spending challenge

Can you believe it's 8 weeks!?  I feel like I start all of these with the same 'omg it's xx weeks already!' but it's true, the time is flying by!  So, what's the last week been like I hear you say?  Well, good and bad.  Bad because it was a stressful week, good because I didn't buy anything I shouldn't and other than when I was at the #bbmeet in Bristol on Saturday, I didn't crave to buy anything :)

Of course, at the #bbmeet we were given lots of goodies which always helps!  But I really really do want to buy the Revlon Nearly Naked foundation - this is a craving that just won't leave, so something that's made it onto my shopping list for the London meetup in April.  Luckily Hannah from Midnight Violets kept me on track at the #bbmeet :)  The only things I bought when I was there was some bath stuff from lush, i.e. bath bomb, bubble bar etc - these are things I've allowed myself on my ban just to keep me sane!

Remember last week when I was saying about how lucky I was to win a giveaway to spend at Beauty Chamber (had the Neve palette)?  Well, I only went and won another one today!!!!! I know, the luck is seriously on my side right now, which really helps with the rubbish week I had last week :)  I won Tattooed Tea Lady's milestone giveaway - which means, I'll have a Naked Basics palette in my grubby paws soon :D

So, they're all the beautiful things that have been on my mind this week - I can see me having to make these purchases once I'm off the ban since the crave for lots of these isn't waning :)

How's your week been?

This months big pixi3 advertisers are the lovely Laura from A Scottish Lass, Tasha from Belleza Kisses, Gem from Miss Makeup Magpie, Luchessa from Luchessa, Sally from The Human Mannequin - be sure to head over to check out their beautiful blogs <3

 

Week 7 summary - 100 day spending challenge

Hey guys!  It's hard to believe it's 7 weeks in already.  After having a strong start, then very wobbly middle to the challenge, I feel that I'm getting stronger again :)  What helps though is that I won a giveaway (over on TheBlackPearlBlog) - I won the Beauty Chamber/Neve giveaway (yay!) where I got to pick £25 of Neve makeup, which I had on Saturday (after winning it on Friday, talk about speedy!).

I picked the Elegantissimi neutral palette, a Pastello lip liner (which if you check my YouTube tab you can see me sporting it in my latest video!) and they sent a lovely Eco Tools angled liner brush too :)  I know this isn't a review post but let me just say, I've used the Neve Elegantissimi palette for the past two days and I'm seriously impressed - mostly matte, but also some light shimmer shades, massively pigmented and a really good size of product too - watch this space for a full proper review :)

As for things I've been lusting over, nothing really major this last week... pretty much nothing actually :)  YAY!  Oh and although I think it goes without saying, just to clarify, I haven't bought any makeup or anything naughty over the last week either :)

Yay for having a good week :D

How's your spending ban going?

This months big pixi3 advertisers are the lovely Laura from A Scottish Lass, Tasha from Belleza Kisses, Gem from Miss Makeup Magpie, Luchessa from Luchessa, Sally from The Human Mannequin - be sure to head over to check out their beautiful blogs <3

 

Week 6 summary - 100 day spending challenge

That's it guys, I'm officially half way through my spending challenge!  Oh my, it feels good to be able to say that :)

Well, this last week hasn't been too bad.  I've been really good too, a girl at work is heading out to the states and asked me if she'd like me to bring back some makeup and guess what?  I said NO!!!!!!! Holy hell I can't quite believe I did that, I mean, am I being really stupid here?  No postage... just... wonderful... american makeup !?  Either way, I'd be cheating if I said yes, I don't think it's that 'if it's in another postcode/country it doesn't count' sort of thing, because lets face it, I'd be cheating!

Last week I did mean to mention I had to replace a piece of makeup too.  My Chanel Ecriture liquid liner was at the very end of its life (running out) and needed replacing.  I have 3 other liquid liners which could be argued as backups, but they're not, and I shall explain why!  Two of them transfer on to my eyelid just under my eyebrow creating an unsightly black line there - I really should throw these away!  And the other is a BarryM liquid liner that I had in my Secret Santa swap with Laurie, it's good, it doesn't transfer, but it's a very fat nib and I can't do anything detailed with it - which is my key look.  And as it happened, my old Chanel liquid liner is still going!  Every day I think it's having it's final twist and no, it keeps going like a dying Duracel battery :p

I've added another £10 to my pot, which sits now at £60!  So £60 to put towards my shopping trip on the 15th April for the blogger meetup, by that time it should be £120!

As for products, all I've really been lusting after this past week is the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette, not bad eh?

This months big pixi3 advertisers are the lovely Laura from A Scottish Lass, Tasha from Belleza Kisses, Gem from Miss Makeup Magpie, Luchessa from Luchessa, Sally from The Human Mannequin - be sure to head over to check out their beautiful blogs <3

 

Week 5 Summary - 100 day spending challenge

Five weeks in, can you believe it?  FIVE WEEKS!  I'll be honest, it feels like ten and that there's ten more to go... most days I sail on by not being to bothered about not being able to buy makeup, then some days, I come really close to breaking it and buying a whole load of stuff.

I've been going through some stresses this week and when I'm stressed I shop, so it's been difficult at times, but I'm still here and still haven't bought anything so it can't be all that bad :)  I'm completely changing up my 'lusted after' items this week, to the things that have nearly made me break my spending ban as well as a couple of other things that have been on my mind a lot.

I think these pretty much need no explanation other than MAC.  I've had 2 MAC eyeshadows over the years, I really liked the quality of them but I'd totally picked the wrong colours so I ended up never wearing them.  After watching people like Tanya Burr create so many stunning looks using simple MAC shadows to create her own 'Naked' palette, it's something I've been wanting to do for a long time now, so with the £10 a week I'm saving up during this challenge, I'd like to make a start on that in April, maybe with just 4-5 shades and treat myself to 1-2 a month after until I've built my first 15 shade palette.

All in all it's not been really a bad week, it's just hard when new raved about products are coming out, and I can't get my mitts on them and blog about it!  So, call me Mrs Frustrated this week :)

How's your #spendingban going?

This months big pixi3 advertisers are the lovely Laura from A Scottish Lass, Tasha from Belleza Kisses, Gem from Miss Makeup Magpie, Luchessa from Luchessa, Sally from The Human Mannequin - be sure to head over to check out their beautiful blogs <3

 

Week 4 summary - 100 day spending challenge

Hello beautiful people!  Finally one month in of my spending ban and I can put my hand on my heart and say two things.  Firstly, it's not been easy, there have been so many things I've been wanting to try but I've managed to be good and not buy anything.  Secondly, this spending challenge is very well timed, as I couldn't really afford to be splerging on all the shiny things I've been seeing anyway, so it gives me a good excuse.

There is one item I'll be needing to replace over the next week and that's my Chanel ecriture eyeliner.  I do have others, but I shall explain.  I have 4 other liquid liners, three of which transfer onto my lid within a few hours (due to lids being oily and hooded) so really I should throw them out.  The other one is a BarryM felt liner, which doesn't transfer (yay!) but it is a bit too fat to work with for the fine detail I usually do, and it's not that black, so for those reasons and because my Chanel has nearly run out, I'll be replacing :)

When it comes to what I've been lusting after over the last week... it's really only been the Dior Amber Diamond... I see things from day to day and think 'when the ban is over, I'll get that' and when it comes to writing this summary, I've forgotten it all!  But the Dior Amber Diamond is the one thing that's been really consistent, well... and the YSL shocking mascara... Naked basics palette... more than I thought :)

So all in all it's been a pretty good week, I'm glad to be nearly a third of the way through this challenge, and I feel positive that I'll be able to stick to it without cracking!







This months big pixi3 advertiser is the lovely Angelica from One Little Vice - be sure to head over to check out her beautiful blog <3

 

Week 3 summary - 100 day spending challenge

I'll be honest guys, this has been a really hard week for me.

I've been quite down, very low self-esteem, teary and angry... I've been desperate to spend money on products mostly for the retail therapy factor but you know what, even if I wasn't doing this challenge I wouldn't be able to as we're skint at the moment.  For the first time in about 8 months I've had to stop advertising on other peoples blogs to save money.  I'm hoping I'll be able to start up doing that again in March but who knows.

I think the snow has had a big impact on my mood/stress levels this past week.  Going back to about 3 years ago I'd get so excited when it snowed, I'd be like a little child, giddy with excitement.  Then about 2 years ago we had really bad snow for about 5 weeks and at the time I worked at the hospital and I simply HAD to get to work, even if a 15 min journey was taking 2 hours (which is what happened).  I'd fall over 5-6 times each way and then have to work an 11 hr shift on my feet, not fun.  And as a result of that experience, I now HATE the snow.  As soon as it snows, I'm filled with dread, the hassle of not being able to get out of our close (we live on the side of a mountain), and the feeling of being trapped (that's the worst bit for me).  All combines to make me feel really down and stressed.  So it's not been a great week for me for all these reasons and the spending ban/financial situation.

All in all I've lusted after the same products as previous weeks with the inclusion of the Revlon Nearly Naked foundation and powder which I know aren't out here in the UK yet.

If you want to see my previous updates, just click on the label at the bottom of this post called '100 day spending challenge' and I'll load all the posts :)

How's your week been?

This months big pixi3 advertiser is the lovely Angelica from One Little Vice - be sure to head over to check out her beautiful blog <3

 

Week 2 summary - 100 day spending challenge

So two weeks have gone by now of the 100 day spending challenge (you can find my week 1 summary here).  The first week was super easy, yes there were things I really wanted to buy but the hankerings to buy them weren't very bad.  It's not been quite that same story this week!

One of the things I love about blogging is trying new things, they don't have to be fancy or expensive, I just love picking new things out at the shop, picking that right shade of lipstick, or foundation, swatching it, wearing it lots, blogging about it.  The whole process, it's what spurred me to start blogging.  And that's what I'm really missing.  I'm trying to focus on playing with some products I've forgotten about, sort of Shopping the Stash, but it's the new things I'm missing.

Superdrug have launched a new makeup brand too, it's their answer to Boots' No7, so the higher end of high street and called B, it's killed me that I haven't been able to get any of the products, so I'm really looking forward to the 10th April when I can finally let myself buy all the little things I've been craving :)  Here's what I've been lusting after most this week :)

This week I've added to the list, the UD Naked nails polish set (£21) and the UD Naked basics palette (£20).  I've also put another £10 in the jar for this week, making a total of £20 :)

All in all not a bad week, as for purchases, I only bought myself lunch once, all the other days I took in lunch, so that was good!  We've had family birthdays to buy for and we had a night out with friends, but no makeup or beauty products have been bought, other than signing up for Birchbox (it's in my rules that I'm allowed to subscribe to 1 beauty box per month)  :)  I'm really excited to see what will be in their first UK box :)

To the other lovely ladies doing the spending challenge, keep up the great work!

This months big pixi3 advertiser is the lovely Angelica from One Little Vice - be sure to head over to check out her beautiful blog <3

 

Week 1 summary - 100 day spending challenge

I have to say, if all the weeks go as quickly and without lusting after too many products this will be an easy challenge!  Don't get me wrong, I have been tempted, but I haven't bought anything I shouldn't :)

The only things I have bought was a pack of 5 pairs of socks from next for £8 (my old ones were, well, old!), and a bottle of conditioner, this time opting for a bottle of Herbal Essences instead of my usual £10 bottle from Lush - I thought that would be more in the spirit of the challenge, and it gets me to try new products too :)  One thing I am already noticing is I'm actually finishing off products, so I'm looking forward to doing more empties posts/videos for you too.  It's actually a nice feeling properly finishing off a product, lets hope I can make a good dent in my makeup collection too, as at the moment it's more skincare I'm finishing off :p

Here's what I've been lusting after this past week and has secured itself onto my wish list :)

In the list is the YSL Shocking mascara, Look brow palette, Dior Amber Diamond highlighter, Look fresh cheeks in Lychee and the Look BB cream in light :)

I don't foresee any issues for the next week or challenges, I'm staying away from the shops so not to tempt myself so hopefully it won't be too bad :)

This months big pixi3 advertiser is the lovely Angelica from One Little Vice - be sure to head over to check out her beautiful blog <3

 

100 Day Spending Challenge

Hey guys!

First off, Happy New Year to you all!!!  It's officially 2013 and I officially feel old!  There's so much I want to do this year, visit my brother & family in France, spend next Christmas in Ireland with my Dad and family, weekend in London, and buy a decent camera for my YouTube vids... that's a lot of saving that'll be needed on my part, which leads me very nicely into the subject of this post.  Both me and Laura have decided to do the 100 Day Spending Challenge.  There was one of these last year, this will probably have different rules as I'm not referencing the one done by others, but here goes!

The Rules
1.  I must not buy ANY makeup.  The only time when this is allowed, is to repurchase something I have totally run out of and there are no alternatives.  I may purchase 1 replacement and not a selection.  So, if I use all my foundation, I can purchase 1 more but only when all alternatives have been used.

2.  I am allowed 1 beauty box per month if I wish, this can be any, but only 1.

3.  I'm allowed items for cleaning/hygeine etc, like shampoo, shower gel etc, but what I might do to save more money and make it a bit harder, is to not allow myself to replace like for like, so I have Lush products at the moment which are quite expensive, so I might repurchase cheaper products and treat myself to Lush in April :)

4.  OPTIONAL - to put £10 a week in a jar so that when it comes to the 10th April, I'll have saved up some money for the things I've truly been lusting after during the spending challenge.

5.  I'm allowed to buy 1 magazine per month.

6.  I'm also pledging to do weekly (Sunday) updates on how the week has gone, and what my current wish list is looking like - I'll keep 1 wish list and add to it each week :)

7.  I'm allowed to continue to advertise on others' blogs as I have been the past 6 months or so.

8.  Personal grooming such as having my hair cut is allowed.

N.B.  It's possible I might be sent makeup/beauty products to review during this time, this is fine as I'm not purchasing it with my own money, and as usual those products will be marked with a *

So, that's it, the challenge is set!  I'm desperately hoping I don't cave... I know you guys will keep me strong <3




This months Big-Pixi3 advertiser is the lovely Angelica from One Little Vice, go check out her blog :)