Free for Haul Friday, Volume #444
Share your recent beauty purchases or rediscovered favorites in your stash (for those on low/no-buys!), chit chat about weekend plans, and learn a little more about each other!
Let's Chat!
Share your own answers in the comments!
- Haul: Becca Sunlit Bronzers/Gradiant Glow, Ofra Mini Highlighters (x3), Smashbox Pinks & Palms Palette
- Weekend plans: I’m visiting my parents, as it’s Mother’s Day on Sunday. Mother’s Day and Thanksgiving are the two holidays that make me miss my parents the most–I just physically feel their absence on those particular days more so than others.
- How do you stay focused on a task?: If it’s a larger task, I break it into smaller tasks, and if it’s not simple, I’ll make a to-do list so I can easily see what I have to do, what’s remaining, and be able to check things off as I do them (I use Todoist, which is a digital to-do list). I also try to visualize the end goal as I get closer to it.
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This week's doggo photo/video...
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Enjoy your weekend!
Haul: Kat Von D 10th Anniversary Trooper Liner, Eyeshadow Palette, and Lipstick.
Weekend plans: Nothing exciting! My mother is out of town so I’ll just be sitting around the house gaming and doing chores.
How do you stay focused on a task?: I just know the sooner I tackle it, the sooner I can move on and do what I want! Or move onto the next task lol
Haul:
KVD brush #70
KVD Signature Brow Precision Pencil (Walnut)
Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder
Sephora Collection Glide Liner in Warm Kaki
Beauty Blender liquid cleanser
Marc Jacobs Highliner in Over(Night) 61
Marc Jacobs the Undersmoke Kit
Fenty Beauty Portable Highlighter Brush – this is going back. I meant to grab the Touch-Up brush.
Weekend Plans: I’m actually off this weekend from work, so that’s nice. I’ll hit the pole studio tonight and tomorrow morning, and maybe Sunday morning. I’ll be babysitting my nephew on Saturday & Sunday night.
How Do You Stay Focused on A Task: I don’t. I have major issues with procrastination, plus I can’t sit still for too long. Music sometimes helps, but mostly I end up going balls to the wall once the deadline is breathing down my neck.
You are the most gorgeous fellow, Mr. Mellan. The therapy dog is getting a lot better with his chemo, so might visit one of many day jobs. So no more tears for me on that score. Not new m/u or skincare. Liking the Smashbox Punked, and believe that, as I’ve read, the formula has changed for the better. Thanks, Alice. The Nars Fleur has some intolerance issues, but not every day. Even the plastic insert on that palette is gorgeous. Those two complement the En Taupe and OG big S extension palette in taupes, grays, grayed pinks, so they are totally in my wheelhouse. W/e: SSDW, but also picking up my car from the shop. Spent more time with the loaner than at work! Really like the update, though am mad as a hornet that VW now longer makes stick shifts in beetles. Having driven one for 30 years, all yellow, it is part of my identity. All the developmentally disabled people say the loaner is wrong, because it is not yellow. Too funny. Good weather means outside with the Teckels more and more. Patticake is coming around and being less behavioral, not faking disability to be able to ride in the carriage as much. Good girl. Focused: have to admit I am not procrastination averse. Thank god can usually laser focus, when it’s a crisis or deadline. The backburner stuff that can bring me down when idle can be compartmentalized pretty easily, when needed.
Good morning, Mellan! ? Just fed my ?’s their breakfast.
Haul: Well, I took ColourPop’s birthday bait, and placed a smallish order yesterday: Felix (silly me, I cannot recall if that’s a Lux or an USLS!) Lipstick, Deja Boo eyeshadow single, a large empty palette, and their large face powder brush. Just received the 2 Pat McGrath Lipsticks I ordered during her sale. Candy Flip is so summer perfect!!! And She’s Heaven is a nude with enough *something* that I do not need lip liner with it, which is such a nice break!
Weekend plans: Probably touch-up my roots, and RELAX. This week has been crazy. But; something that a few of you on here already know about regarding my granddaughters is FINALLY being addressed. It’s an exhausting legal process, yet, it has begun to cause hope to bloom afresh.
How do you stay focused on a task? Staying organized (lists help immeasurably!), gathering any information that may aid and assist in getting the end goal accomplished, keeping my eye on the so-called “prize”. I am nothing if not tenacious once I get my teeth into a major project/ cause!
Hey Nancy, Felix is an Ultra Satin 🙂 it’s a lovely shade – I hope you enjoy it!
I noticed Candy Flip last week, it looked like a good summer shade.
I hope granddaughter issues get resolved for the best of all parties. Do they stay with you?
Tammy, I can hardly wait to wear Candy Flip! It’s very summertime feeling that thankfully isn’t straight up neon.
I do not have them. Neither does my son. Also, I have to tread carefully with how much I say about the situation until after it gets resolved. Feel free to DM me, though.
I’m so glad to hear the grandkid issue is being addressed. Keeping my fingers crossed for a good outcome.
I took the CP birthday bait, too, and ordered Lux Lipsticks in Confetti Cake, Aeronaut, and Trill Seeker.
Hoping all goes well re your granddaughters. Beautiful lipsticks you’ve purchased there Nancy.
Haul: Used my ebates on an Ulta gift card and bought Soap & Glory righteous butter lotion, Tree Hut sugar scrub (the one in the squeeze tube), and a Real Techniques silicon pocket organizer. I also bought Light Rose and Deep Rose single contour powders from Lunatick Cosmetic Labs during their sale.
Weekend Plans: We were going to brew beer tomorrow but it’s supposed to thunderstorm so that might not happen (we brew in the garage with the door open).
How do you stay focused on a task: I break it up into smaller parts, make sure I take regular breaks, and drink enough water.
Haul: Kat von D 10th Anniversary Eyeshadow Palette
Weekend plans: My hubby is taking me to the Oregon Coast for the weekend, just the two of us. It’s my kids-free Mother’s Day. 😉 We could really use the time to de-stress.
How do you stay focused on a task?: Fortunately, I’m usually a very focussed person, so I rarely have problems. Making lists and using virtual sticky notes help remind me to email and call people, what my due dates for paperwork or articles are, etc.
Enjoy your child-free Mother’s Day!
Thank you!
Have a lovely weekend Rachel, I think that would be heavenly.
Thank you!
I finally have a bit of a haul to post!
This has been a week of lipsticks (the best kind of week!)– I bought Urban Decay 100 degrees, NARS velvet lip glide duo in Rapture/Night Together, a NYX powder puff lip in Puppy Love, and Charlotte Tilbury Amazing Grace. So far I love them all except Rapture–it just pulls a little lighter than I expected. Have to figure out how to work with that.
Weekend plans: none, really. Relaxing! I wish I could be with my family, but they are far away and we didn’t have the time off.
How do I stay focused: acknowledge that I’m going to bounce around a lot and the trick is remembering to return to the task at hand. It gets done (eventually!)
I am super tempted by 100 degrees. I might have to go see if my Ulta has it.
Highly recommended! Just a gorgeous pinky coral. Perfect for summer.
Awww, look at that sweet face…is there any way to resist giving Mellan whatever it is he wants?
SMASHBOX HAUL (AND ANTI-HAUL): I bought Cover Shot Petal Metal Eyeshadow Palette and Petal Metal Highlighter in Gilded Rose. On the other hand, I successfully avoided buying three other Petal Metal products that attracted me: In Bloom Liquid Lipstick, Black Rose Liquid Eyeliner, and Rosemantic Highlighter (blush, on me). All are so pretty, but my wallet said no.
Update: In last week’s haul report, I had bought the Petal Metal Shimmer Drops, but then regretted it before I even used it, and exchanged it for the Gilded Rose Highlighter, which I am extremely happy with.
WEEKEND PLANS: Chores, gym, Mother’s Day dinner
HOW DO YOU STAY FOCUSED ON A TASK? With great difficulty, unless it’s something I’m really enjoying. If it’s a task I have to concentrate on, but don’t really want to do, it’s a struggle. Sometimes I just have to stop and do something else for a while and then come back to it.
That Petal Metal palette is stunning! I am going to get it for my daughter in law – the shades would really suit her – but I want her to have a look at it first.
I’m still working on creating looks with it. I did one today that I’m not liking too much. I may need to work with these shades individually rather than as a palette, meaning I’ll use some “outside” shades to create a look.
Haul: Some new washi tapes!
Weekend plans: Trying to take it easy and catch up from sleep. Didn’t get too much while I was on vacation lol
How do you stay focused on a task?: I use my bullet journal to keep track of my tasks and try to get them all done in the beginning of the day, so I can focus on other fun stuff later on.
Haul: Nothing so far.
Weekend: My mom is flying in on Tuesday for a belated mothers day/her birthday/easter/v-day/nye/Christmas. I’ll be organizing and cleaning this weekend.
Staying on task: It’s hard for me if the task is for myself. If it’s for my family or work, I’m pretty good about putting the add aside and letting it go. I’ve acquired a lot mental discipline in my younger years through fear and pain, unfortunately. I wasn’t diagnosed until 16 and grew up in an abusive house. When I feel the brain itch kick in I honestly go into flight or flight mode. I know this isn’t healthy but it does, in fact, get me into performance mode. Unfortunately, my only other solution is drugs from a psychologist. I’m not sure which would be worse.
Enjoy your visit with your mom!
(((((hugs)))) for the rest.
Enjoy your mum’s visit Erin and I must say that you are one of life’s true survivors. I really do admire you.
That’s the look of my husband if he had seen my purchases! Ha!
Haul: Sephora pack-it-all organizer and Dr Jart cicapair serum (haven’t tried either, but they’re waiting for me at the post office!). Also ordered some colourpop lipsticks.
Weekend plans: Visiting both the in-laws and my parents for mothers day, as well as going to brunch at my sister-in-laws place and going to ikea as well as the usual errands like grocery shopping. It’s a full weekend!
How do you stay focused on a task?: I’m similar to you, Christine. I like breaking things into chunks and writing a to-do list. For example, I had over 100 emails I had to send out today, so I chunked them into groups of 10 – everything feels more manageable when it’s a series of smaller tasks.
Enjoy your time with your parents!
Haul:
Amazon: SYZYGY Comet Crush Chameleon Glow Eyeshadow Palette. Review posted.
Beautyhabit (20% off): Solinotes Paris (Tiare EDP, Vanille EDP), R+Co. (Waterfall Moisture + Shine Lotion, Spiritualized Dry Shampoo Mist). Just ordered.
Belladonna’s Cupboard (20% off): Cthulhu Water Activated Paint Palette, Holographic Rose Brushes (GWP). Waiting for this to ship.
Darling Girl (15% off – BINX15): Fluff. OMG I love this stuff. I had gotten a sample with an order and I used it under the Huda Gemstone. Really made the shades pop and kept everything looking great all day. (Also, Gemstone might be my fav Huda palette so far.)
IDUN Minerals (15% off): Magna Lengthening Mascara, Primer & Blotting Dual Sponge (2), Pressed Powder (Ljuvlig), Norrsken Foundation (Disa) (Powder and foundation are backups.) I ahven’t tried the mascara or sponge yet. Will post about it when I do.
KVD Beauty: 10-YearAnniversary Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick (Santa Sangre), 10-YearAnniversary Studded Kiss Everlasting Glimmer Veil (Gold Skool), 10-YearAnniversary Eyeshadow Palett. So irritated. I am not a Sephora fan but should have waited and gotten this from them. KVD took forever to ship and I ordered as soon as the collection dropped. I STILL don’t have it in my possession!
Lunatick Cosmetic Labs (25% off): Pro Contour Book Vol. 1. I’ve wanted this for a while so finally ordered it. Arrives tomorrow.
Macy’s (15% off): Inglot x JLo – Lipstick (Hibiscus), Freedom System Palette, Freedom System Blush (Ballerina), Freedom System HD Highlighter Trio (Silver Dust), Freedom System Eye Shadow Pearl (Ivory, Lilac Grey), Freedom System Eye Shadow Matte (Bordeaux), Freedom System Eye Shadow Satin (Charcoal). Ships May 21st.
Teeez Cosmetics: Disruption Collection – Riot Extreme Eyeshadow Palette, Revolt Effect Gloss (No Boundaries). I love this brand. I had hoped the new collection would be at Lord & Taylor but it isn’t there yet. So, I ordered directly from the brand. Since they’re in Amsterdam, I don’t expect to have this for some time.
Ulta: Zoya Nail Laquer (Saint, Isa, River – B2G1), Tarte Travel Size BB (Light), Woosh Beauty The Fold Out Face w/Secret Brush (#2 Medium Light – GWP), Butter London Sheer Wisdom Serum Shadow (Driftwood – GWP), Bare Mineral Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream (Vanilla 01 – GWP)I haven’t tested the GWP yet.
Weekend plans: My daughter complained I had “forsaken” our Friday Night Dinners so we’re doing one tonight. Ordering some Chinese carry-out and she’ll bring it over after she gets off work. Tomorrow doing Mother’s Day with my Mom (and daughter). We avoid restaurants on Sunday bc of the crowds. We have reservations at one of our favorite places for lunch.
How do you stay focused on a task?: I’m a very disciplined person so I rarely have this problem. If I do, I usually step away, clear my head, and go back to what I need to do. I live a la Nike…Just Do It.
I looked up that Cthulhu Paint Palette and man it looks awesome! I might pick that up for body painting! So glad you mentioned it – hope you like it! 🙂
I’m hoping mine arrives soon. I have a friend’s 20% off promo code for a discount and if you’re interested, pm me on FB (https://www.facebook.com/binx.cat.100) or dm me on IG (@Binxcat4ever) and I’ll share it with you.
I wish my kitties looked as appealing as Mellan while waiting for their breakfast. The looks I get are downright menacing sometimes.
Haul:
IT Cosmetics Perfect Lighting pen, Smashbox liquid liner in Black Rose, and Nyx Prismatic Eyeshadow in Jaded, all from Ulta.
I had the shoppies a few weeks ago and made some random purchases online. Everything arrived yesterday:
Mirenesse 10 Collagen Cushion Compact Airbrush Foundation in shade Vienna. Recommended by Elle Leary on YouTube. It was described as full coverage and matte. So far, so good. Most of the cushion foundations out there are not cruelty free or don’t have enough coverage.
Maelove Sheer Mineral Sunscreen, also recommended by Elle Leary. I have not used a mineral sunscreen in years. I think this purchase is somewhat whimsical.
Maelove Glow Maker. This is a CE Ferulic serum that also contains hyaluronic acid. I still like the Timeless CE Ferulic but would like the hyaluronic acid boost to avoid a separate product.
Weekend plans: None.
How do I stay focused on a task: I terrorize myself by thinking about all the bad things that will happen if it is not accomplished.
Right?!? Cats have a way of being a tad creepy when we, their human servants, delay even a *little* with getting them their food! Scunci isn’t so bad. He just meows incessantly until the plate is down. But the other one? She will sit directly in front of my face when I’m still sleeping, will begin purring loudly, when I crack open an eye, I see this truly evil looking pair of eyes glowering at me!!!
Be glad she doesn’t do the “tap tap tap” with her paws. It is amazing how much pressure they can apply.
Looks like Mellan has no problems focusing, on FOOD! LOL
*Haul – KVD 10th Anniversary Shadow palette – swatches well and the artwork is stunning! KVD Glimmer Veil in Gold School -this is complete bust. Tube seems half empty or dried out, like there’s barely any product. Swatches beautifully opaque on arms, but on lips, it’s tons of gold glitter with no base, so that promo pic is deceiving. And it’s drying, will need a balm. Might be ok as sparkly topper, but the BITE Gold Gloss is 10x better quality, hydrating, and 95% dupe. So the KVD is being returned. ABH St. Tropez gloss (100 pt perk) and YSL Vinyl Couture mascara in blue (GWP)
*Block off time, don’t answer emails/phones/im/texts, and just do it!
*Weekend -been cray busy week, just want to rest and relax
Haul: Crazy holographic, duo chrome haul this week –
all five NYX Holographic Halo Eye Tints (they are really good),
NYX Shimmer Down Lip Veil in Glazing It, NYX Duo Chromatic Lip Gloss in Cocktail Party, Crushin It and Spring It On (also really good color payoff for glosses),
NYX Prismatic Eyeshadows in PS04 (Girl Talk), PS05 (Mermaid Sirene) & PS16 (Whimsical Fantasy),
Model’s Own Colour Chrome Palette, and the only non-shimmer products in the lot,
Guerlain Rouge G n°2 & 42 (plus a gift for a dear young friend, n°22).
I do believe that my fix for duo chrome eyeshadow has been satiated as I now have a go-to duo chrome, sparkle, halo kit with the haul items plus UD Distortion, a few UD individual Moondust colors, a UD Vice Special Effects Lip Top Coat, two Sleek Matte Me Metallic Lip Creams and Bitter Lace Beauty’s highlighters (Gleam & Glow, Prism and my favorite, Siren Song. I had so much fun (alone) doing a all duo chrome, halo, glitter bomb look with peacock eyes. And what was great is that I could wear it out and not be embarrassed even at my age.
Weekend plans: Fun is over, I have school work to do, and lots of it.
How do you stay focused on a task? Lately I’ve been poor at it, but when I really need to, I decide ahead of time to have some fun first. Work, with a pause for water and essentials. Then work again until it’s done. If it’s long, I try to plan out in advance my deadlines (yes, deadlines, like snoozing the alarm clock. I make multiple deadlines for a project so as to give myself room to not be perfect in the planning and if things come up). I’ve been testing Omnifocus, but haven’t as of yet gotten it into my routine, which has been putting everything in my Apple Calendar and syncing it regularly so as to be alerted for key events and tasks.
Haul:
I just walked out of Nordstrom in Oak Brook (suburb of Chicago). I’ve been needing some new lipliners and wanted to try something new. I ended up choosing two NARS liners, Menton (bright pink coral) and Juan Les Pins (Tangerine, goes perfectly with Chanel Vibrante lipstick). Very pretty, perfect for spring. I would like to pick up Sainte Maxime (deep magenta). Actually, there are probably six more shades I’d like to check out, but I have to pace myself.
While I was at Nordstrom I got matched in Chanel’s Perfection Lumiere Velvet. Glad I went in, I would not have chosen 50 beige if I was purchasing online. I got a sample. We are on the road so I put some on at the gas station (haha) with my fingers, and it llooks surprisingly good for such shoddy application. It really does look like skin, just better. I see a purchase of this foundation in my near future.
While I was in California this week I tried Rouge Dior lipstick in Darling, topped with
Dior Addict Ultra Gloss in Ultradior. This combo was so pretty in the California sunshine! They both are in my shopping cart, waiting for me to “just say yes!”
I stopped in Lush to try a new product. I was torn among Rump Bottom Cream, body lotions in Sleepy and Dream Cream, Lemony Flutter Cuticle Cream, and the Vocano Foot Mask. I ended up purchasing the Sleepy body cream and Lemony Flutter Cuticle Cream.
I stopped by Crate and Barrel to pick up a couple more of my favorite wine glasses (Oregon).
At the Buckle I picked up two floral cardigans. They are not sweaters, but more like silky kimonos. I already have 2-3 at home, they are so lovely in the spring and summer. They are beautiful for work and also dress up a tank top and shorts/jeans.
Weekend plans: I just flew in to Chicago last night after six days in Temecula, California. We are driving home to Peoria, Illinois, as I write this. My son and his wife are here for Mother’s Day weekend, and I will see them here shortly. My youngest son, Jesse, age 21 (still living at home) is smoking pork for me. My oldest daughter Lea, her husband Joey, and their three children will come over tomorrow. Lea made me margarita cupcakes, by request. Katherine (middle daughter) and her boyfriend Rashad will also be here tomorrow. We are celebrating Mother’s Day on Saturday so that all of my children’s partners can be with their mothers on Sunday.
Husband says time for me to drive?
OMG SMALL WORLD ?
Pearl, Do you live in Chicago area? Temecula? Peoria? (Not sure what part of small world you are referring to, lol).
Temecula! I did a double take when I read your post ?
Enjoy your Mother’s Day on Saturday Tammy.
Haul:
I took the day off today. I went to Sephora for the 4th time just to experiment again with this one product —Pat McGrath’s Platinum Bronze palette. I went naked eyed, and brought my brushes as I have each time before. I can’t even. I bought it. I missed the sale on her website, and that is the only downside.
Nars Powermatte Lip Pigment in Warm Leatherette. I want something that can serve as a generic base because I layer EVERYTHING. This will work a lot of the time I think. I can pump it up or tone it down with gloss as needed. At work, I’m tired of going into the bathroom and looking like a cadaver as all my lip color is gone. We’ll see how this works.
Got a Keratin hair treatment for the first time. I wear my hair in a short, straight bob, and I’m killing it with the flat iron. This should help with the coming summer weather.
Weekend:
Some of my boys are traveling for work, some are around. We’ll do something together on Sunday. At the risk of sounding like a heretic at best, or a cold-hearted worm at worst — I could care less about holiday’s like Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, etc. They are meaningless to me, personally. I know who loves me and always will — my husband and my children. IMO, they are free to come and go on those days knowing that I expect nothing from them that they don’t give me already all the days of the year.
Tasks:
I have a huge job, and a significant staff. I am often faced with major projects, and currently several unprecedented in this company. I love what I do, and it rarely feels like work. I set priorities and chip away every single day. I have a very developed innate sense of what needs to be done and when. It’s easy, though, to stay focused when you love what you do, if you ask me.
I adore the Platinum Bronze palette – so glad it worked for you too, LindaP! 🙂 Also, I completely agree with your sentiment about “greeting card holidays”. I’m not a mother, but I don’t foresee myself caring if my children celebrate it or not.
Platinum Bronze is a great haul, sale or no-sale. Very few eyeshadow palettes are equal in quality or use-ability.
Why we love Mother’s Day: it’s the first holiday of the year where it’s usually warm enough for a cookout. Long, cold winters make us pretty desperate for spring. My son smoked pork for 14 hours yesterday in preparation for our feast?
Haul: So, this is my last week of buying whatever I want in terms of beauty products as I am going on a very low or no buy until after my trip to Europe. I am planning on purchasing a few beauty products while in Europe so want to cut back until then.
Sephora- Huda Beauty Obsessions Eye shadow palettes in Coral, Mauve and Gemstone, (I had convinced myself that I wasn’t going to buy any of them and then as I sat on Sephora’s website the devil took over and next thing you know I have three in my basket. In for a penny in for a pound!), Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Highlighter in Vanilla Quartz, Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer and for CeeBee the Erno Laszlo Detoxifying Double Cleanse Duo and Stila Glitter and Glow Liquid Eye Shadow Kit . I picked up some point perks with my first order. I have decided to use up my points as I plan on cutting back on my Sephora purchases and carrying a ton of points really isn’t a benefit to me so I got MUFE Finishing Powder, Boscia Charcoal Mud Mask, Moroccan Oil Dry Texture Spray, Anastasia Lip Gloss in St. Tropez, Elizabeth and James Nirvana French Grey perfume, Victor and Rolf Bon Bon Deluxe sample, Tom Ford Black Orchid perfume sample, Marc Jacobs Highliner gel in Blacquer. I picked it up for the trip to Europe as it is a sample size.
From Fudejapan- 2 boxes of banana flavored Kit Kats, 1 box of Matcha Kit Kats (I hate Matcha so these are for my daughter), 2 of the Estee Lauder lipsticks in their limited edition packaging which were engraved with my daughter’s and my names, Hakuhodo lip brush, Suqqu eye shadow quad in #6 (a mix of purple, silver and grey) and the Guerlain Rainbow Pearls Meteorites (anniversary or birthday edition, can’t remember which).
Ulta- PUR Get a Lift Firming Cream, PUR Soak it Up Moisturizer, PUR 4 in 1 Blush palette, Essence Longlasting Lipliner Pencil in Girl Next Door, Sweetheart and A Game Changer and the Ulta Lip Crayon in Sparkler.
ColourPop- The ILOVESARAII Eye Shadow quad and Lippie in Dreamy.
I also purchased 2 dresses for our trip to Europe, one a more everyday dress and the other something a little dressier for evenings out. I haven’t received either yet. Still looking for the perfect comfortable shoe for daily wear and have seen quite a few that are touted as being perfect for daily walking but some of them are really ugly. I know vanity will be the death of me but I don’t want to look like I am wearing orthopedic shoes everyday. I may need orthopedic shoes by the time I get back, though. I am also hunting for a bathing suit. I told CeeBee earlier today that no one wants to see my lilly white, whalel sized body in a swim suit but since we are going to Iceland and visiting the different natural hot springs I want to have a suit.
Weekend plans: Still working on trying to get rid of my mouse infestation. The lot next to mine sold a while ago and the man has started building. They have leveled the land and started using a back hoe to dig a water line and all of the mice in the neighborhood decided to move into my house. It has been frustrating. I have tried all of the usual things, bait, traps, cat, etc. and nothing has gotten rid of them so this weekend I am hauling everything out of cupboards, closets and stuffing steel wool into any opening bigger than an eraser on a pencil and then you caulk over that. Also going around the baseboards and making sure there are no openings they can get through. It is raining hard here so not much else to do.
Staying focused: I am usually pretty focused once I start the project, job or whatever. My harder issue is motivation to get started. I didn’t use to be much of a procrastinator but since I hurt my back and had to take time off of work and now, ultimately to retire do to my injury, I am finding it hard to get motivated.
On that note, I want to thank everyone for your well wishes on my recent surgery and recovery. I had a reaction to some medications they gave me so in some respects that was worse than the surgery. I am making slow and steady progress, thank you.
So, reading CeeBee’s post reminded me that she has picked up the Australis Neutralize palette for me. I saw it on IG and was hoping they shipped to the U.S. but if they do it doesn’t let me from their website so she has graciously picked it up for me. I am so thrilled to have so many enablers around the globe, LOL. Also, I did pick up a couple of MAC items that I forgot to mention as they haven’t gotten here yet. I got 3 Liptensity shades, Brick Dust, Smoked Almond and Fire Roasted, 2 Longwear Lip Pencils in He Said, She Said and Nice ‘N Spicy. Finally I picked up the Extra Dimension Skin Finish highlighter in Double Gleam. I was scared of the shade as the description seemed like it might be a little darker than what I could use as a highlighter so I have always passed on it but I saw an Australian YT, Arna Alayna and she mentioned that it is her HG highlighter. She makes me look like I have spent a week on the beach so if it is light enough for her then I think I can wear it easily.
I read my previous response and saw my typos and incorrect usage of a couple of words and am wondering if maybe I haven’t completely cleared the medication from my system? LOL!! That is the story I am going with anyway.
What do you think of the Essence lip liners?
Those rainbow Meteorites look so pretty?
Glad you are recovering?
Hi Tammy,
I picked up the retractable lip pencils. Essence makes the usual lip pencils that require sharpening and I haven’t tried those. I have only worn two of the three and I like those quite a bit. I frequently wear lip liners alone over the whole lip and these are soft enough to do that. The price can’t be beat as I think they are like $2.49.
As you know I am a Guerlain Meteorites lover. I have tried over the years to pick up all the LE releases and then I use the “everyday” Meteorites in the shade Claire almost on a daily basis. I am excited with this release as I think they are going to be dark enough that I can use them as a blush or swirl more in the lighter shades and use as finishing powder. Guerlain also released a perfume called Meteorites and has the Guerlain signature violet scent. I know a lot of people hate the scent and equate it to an “old lady” but violet was my grandmother’s favorite flower and scent and she wasn’t one to wear a scent often, (she worked a ranch with my grandfather and didn’t wear any makeup but would occasionally put a touch of violet scent on). So, I was so excited and didn’t realize that Guerlain had released a scent based on the Meteorites in the past as a LE item. I found it out via an IG comment on Toshiya’s IG. Anyway, I digress. I asked Toshiya if the scent was available could I get it and it is available but can’t be shipped to the U.S. because of a customs problem. I am keeping my fingers crossed that maybe it will come to the U.S. So, if it does I am hoping that a Temptalia reader will see it and mention on the blog so I can check it out!!
Haul: By Terry Sun Designer palette in Hippy Chic, Niod Photography Fluid 8%, Becca Wake Up Call travel size First Light primer and Moonstone liquid highlighter, Inglot Medium Sparklers in 31 and 32 and the Australis Neutralize eyeshadow palette (thanks to Deborah S, who told me to go looking for it!) 🙂
Weekend plans: Nothing! I want to sleep in and be lazy after my sister-in-laws wedding last weekend (and from which we got food poisoning, ew) but I also want to play with my new goodies, so we’ll probably go out for pan fried dumplings and do a bit of grocery shopping later.
How to stay focused on a task: Make a list, revise, then do everything on it. I just like to get stuck in and do it, so losing focus isn’t really an issue for me.
I forgot to mention my Australis Neutralize eye shadow palette. Also my MAC haul. That is what happens when you purchase too much makeup. Let me know what you think of the Inglot sparklers as you know me, love anything that sparkles!!
I am really pleased that you are enjoying your stay with your parents Christine and having a genuine break. Being with your family is lovely time.
Haul – nothing much this week.
Weekend plans: On Saturday I am joining my sister for the annual CWA (Country Womens’ Assciation) afternoon tea for Mothers near to her place on the other side of town. It’s a lovely day to catch up with her and her friends.
Sunday is Mother’s Day here too and I am having the whole family over for a seafood dinner – calamari, salt water barramundi and prawns, with roast vegetable and salads. It will be lovely seeing our grandchildren.
Happy Mothers Day to all the mums on this blog.
Staying focused: I break all challenges down to manageable bits and do each element at a time and in order of importance.
Your dinner sounds lovely, Genevieve! 🙂
Haul:
Pat McGrath Sublime, Bronze Ambition, Platinum Bronze, Le Vie En Rose and Subversive palettes
MAC ProLongwear and Mineralize concealers
Weekend plans: Laying low – just cooking/cleaning/laundry. I will call my Mom in the morning (I have already sent her goodies and they arrived today) on Sunday but other than that, it will be a low key day just puttering around the house and getting ready for the week.
How do you stay focused on a task?: I do best with a methodical, structured “slow and steady” approach (unless it’s collecting makeup, then it’s more like a frenzied shotgun approach). I have to have a quiet area and no distractions. Plotting out increments of time each day until completion really helps because then I know I can turn it off, recoup, and resume later.
WOW, the haul of my dreams with all the Pat McGrath goodies. I took the plunge and got the Platinum Bronze palette and am really impressed. I am going to pick up a couple more later this year, or maybe she will have released something else by then. Hope you like them. Let us know how they work for you.
I had only gotten the Bronze Ambition before but when I saw the sale was extended until the 6th, I ordered the rest of what I wanted to get. I’ve only played with the Sublime palettes so far but wow – love the color payoff. I’ve used Bronze Ambition all this week and I love how I can just tap my brush on a color and then start blending and building it up – it’s so smooth. There’s no having to tap and swish and all that, just a little tap and then place and blend. Really excited to use the rest of them and I’m looking forward to future releases.
I too broke down and got platinum bronze after, literally, trying it naked eyed 4x in Sephora. I would like to get Mothership I and II. Everyone in Sephora loves the Bronze Ambition palette on me, but I just don’t compared to the others. Wear what you love, right? 🙂
WORD.
Pearl,
I hauled Subversive, La Vie En Rose, Bronze Ambition, and Platinum Bronze during the Sephora and Pat McGrath sales. Love all these purchases, the quality is outstanding!
Haul: Biotherm Life Plankton Essence (I was never sure about the whole “essence” and “pre-essence” mishegoss but I really like this product and I’ve only used it for 3 days), Laura Biagotti Roma perfume (on the $19.99 shelf at SDM) and a big bag of the Quo cotton squares that are similar to the ones from Shiseido (I keep the latter for really pampering care and pricey products and use the Quo ones for every day type stuff).
Weekend plans: I shall wait to see what my children and husband have in store for me
How do I stay focused on a task: making lists and crossing off parts of the task as I accomplish them is a huge help. I will also offer myself a bribe – “do such-and-such and you can buy/have/do XYZ”.
Have fun at home!! I’m a bad child and send my mom flowers each year instead.
Haul: NARS Erdem blush… *swoon*
Weekend plans: Work, finish a horror manga I’m reading (haha (Umezu’s Uzumaki)), make up continuing legal education credits, and maybe start a painting related to my recent trip to Japan
How do you stay focused on a task? Coffee & a sense of impending doom if I don’t complete the task.
Hi Kira — Which Erdem blush did you get. I have the Love Me Not and I am swooning over that big time. Wearing it on it’s own or layering it virtually every day. I am *this close* to love me, but wondering if it’s just too bright?
Haul: I picked up the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask in Lavender. I thought I was going to wait on it but I caved.
Weekend plans: Recover from a good but taxing day of docs (a really good thing may have happened on that end but I don’t want to jinx it so I’m keeping mum on all fronts for now). Also avoiding the warm weather about to hit Portland by hiding indoors and hoping my A/C doesn’t die. And watching the new Hari Kondabolu special on Netflix!
How do you stay focused on a task?: Hard to say these days as one of my meds really messes with that (“Lyrica Brain” is literally what they call the effect in the pain community lol) but I used to be really good at it in general. I used to meditate daily starting when I was about 8 (I was a weird kid) until I got sick, and that really helped me in terms of focus. I’ve restarted it, albeit at nowhere near the skill level I was at, and hopefully in time it will help with that again.
My heart aches from how sweet this picture of Mellan is!
Haul: I ordered a dress from Modcloth for a friend’s wedding reception in June, and it came in on Tuesday. It’s a lovely print (red lips, black lashes, and eyes on a white background with a red collar) – very quirky and slightly 50’s. My Glossier order also arrived the other day, I got the Boy Brow in Blonde, Haloscope highlighter in Quartz, Generation G lipstick in Zip, and the lip gloss – tried them all on immediately and adore them, except the brow product. Not sold on it yet, but will try it on again soon. Also, today placed an order for some vegan, aluminum-free deodorant, which I’m excited to try, and some leggings from Fabletics (they had a 2 for $24 deal on your first order).
Weekend plans: No clue, I don’t know what my mom wants to do for mother’s day. I’m back at my parents’ for the summer, and as I’m not working I haven’t been doing much. Oh! I have been working on my homework for my study abroad trip this summer! I’m going to be looking at Mayan ruins and culture in Yucatán, Mexico. I can’t wait!
Staying focused: My bigger problem is starting the task to begin with LOL. I’ve found that lists really do help, as I love the satisfaction of crossing things off. During the semester I was using a bullet journal but that’s fallen by the wayside since I moved back to my parents’. I really need to start again, maybe then I’ll do things instead of sit around all day.
Haul: (15% off Macy’s) Nars Erdem Loves Me Not blush, (Sephora bonus gift card special) Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask and Natasha Denona Mini Blush & Glow.
Weekend Plans: Reorganizing the bathroom cupboards and general pickup around the apartment, all around NHL playoff games where my home team has advanced to the Western Conference Finals.
Staying Focused: I have to break things down into manageable components, identify tasks that are time sensitive, check tasks off as accomplished, and minimize/eliminate distractions (many are of my own making, so I write them down to revisit later).
Haul: My NARS x Erdem (Bloodflower and Carnal Carnation lipsticks and Fleur Fatale eyeshadow palette) and Kat Von D 10th anniversary stuff (eyeshadow palette, Santa Sangre Studded Kiss, and superexpensive train case) all arrived this week. I also ordered one more NARS x Erdem lipstick-Larkspur.
Weekend plans: Yesterday (Friday) was the day for running a lot of errands. I worked all day today (Saturday). Tomorrow we’re celebrating Mother’s Day.
How do you stay focused on a task?: It depends on the task, its difficulty level, whether or not it has a deadline, and how urgent a particular deadline is. Some tasks I get superorganized on, some I’m a little more relaxed on, and some I just don’t care at all.