Even Mermaids Have Shopping Problems | Houston, We Have a Problem ...

Okay, it's happening. I'm putting my wallet on lockdown. It's time for this mermaid TO STOP SHOPPING and go on a spending ban. I tried one of these a little over year ago and embarrassingly failed. Lately, my collection has grown to a nauseating amount and I find myself buying things I want but don't even need. I'm happy for about five seconds with a shiny new thing and then I'm on to the next thing I'm lusting. I can't walk into a shopping center without running to the beauty department and looking for something I may have missed the 50 other times I stared at the same aisle. It's a big problem for me that I used to joke about but I'm not sure how funny I find it anymore now that I don't have a job and my bank account always seems to be at 0. Also, when I stop buying makeup, I start treating myself to Starbucks & pounds of Chipotle. The reason I'm going on a formal spending ban and telling you all about it is because 1.) I want to document it for myself and my sanity & 2.) I want you guys to call me out on it if I'm breaking any rules wether it be on twitter, instagram, or even in a blog post. I've laid all my makeup out on my desk and there are so many things I NEEDED that I haven't even touched and now that I have them I'm like 'meh'. I don't need any new makeup. If any new collection comes out it will KILL ME, but I know deep, deep, deeeeeeeeeeeeep down that once the hype dies down I'll be able to live without it. I'm being totally for serious guys - DID YOU NOTICE THE LACK OF HAHAHA's?! 

Now for some rules because I can't NOT buy ANYTHING (was that ... was the even right?) but I'm limiting myself on things, restricting myself from a lot, and putting up small exceptions.

• Even Mermaids Have Shopping Problems will last for 100 days starting today 08.18.13
• No spending on any makeup. No exceptions. No if's and or butt's. It's time I start using what I have.
• No spending on hair care, unless, I run out of shampoo/conditioner completely and/or I need a dry shampoo refill.
• No spending on skincare, unless, I run out. I don't frequently spend on skincare because I have a set routine so I know I won't stray from what I'm already using should I run out. 
• I'm allowed to buy TWO Cinamon Sugared Donut candles when they go on offer at Bath & Body Works for 2 for $22, BUT JUST THOSE AND THAT'S IT.
• No spending on clothes or shoes.
• No spending on LUSH products. If I run out of bath/body gels, completely, I'm allowed a trip to Bath & Body (so much cheaper and always on sale) to JUST buy bath/body gels.
• No buying food whilst at school unless it's a Monday or Thursday (those are my only full days of classes) if and only if I forget a Cliff bar.
• I'm allowed one meal and a coffee or tea when out with the man-friend/friends (this doesn't happen often, haha)
• I'm going to buy a thermos for coffee/tea so I'm not constantly spending money on Starbucks/David's Tea when at school. Hopefully that'll encourage me to wake up a little early and make some at home.
• BIGGEST RULE :: No letting my mom treat me to beauty purchases, whatsoever, and no unnecessary clothing purchases.. I think that's where I failed last time. Sure, I wasn't spending, but my mom was and it felt just as bad. Although I will let her buy me a cheeky Starbucks if we're shopping together ;)

That's good, yeah? A nice little sandwich of rules. It might seem like I gave myself a lot of exceptions, but I'm not going to cut myself off of essentials. Essentially (ho, ho, ho) the point of this spending ban is to show myself that NO I do not NEED that lipstick that'll never use but that color is just oh so pretty how can you pass it up?! I won't be updating every week, probably every two weeks with how I'm doing and maybe talk about some things I'm lusting after, if at all.

*breathes in* Okay, that's it. It's official. This mermaid is now officially on track to solve a severe shopping. Wish me luck, guys! I'll keep you updated :) 

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No Buy Challenge | Weekly Wishlist #FAIL

 59/100: So close, yet so very far away from a goal of NO beauty shopping for 100 days. If you've been keeping up with my posts you'll see that the beginning was alright but the past few weeks have been not so great. Have you guys seen the haul post? Yeah, how can someone be in the middle of a No Buy Challenge with a haul post?! That ... just doesn't add up. Sad to say it, and a little disappointed in myself, but I am officially marking this challenge as a big, fat, super sized FAIL.

Don't get me wrong, this challenge was nice to have in the back of my mind when I was about to buy something I know I didn't need but that didn't stop me from my huge lusting over some products. I wanted this to help me stop buying things in general that I didn't need. I'm already getting excited to drop a dime on the M.A.C. Marilyn Monroe collection next week, so that's not good. I just came to realize that I can't just not buy anything. I mean it's not a bad thing that I was buying stuff that I needed, like a new mascara because all of mine had dried out. Helping the economy and all, right? My previous shopping habits weren't good either and this challenge sort of helped me see that. I see no point in going on with this challenge if I know I'm going to be buying things and just apologizing for them later. 

I hope you guys don't think any less of me for stopping and ultimately failing this challenge. I'm not going to go on a crazy shopping spree now, but I won't stop myself from browsing and (after some serious thought) getting some bits and bobs. 

I hope this doesn't discourage anyone from doing this challenge because it sort of does put your spending in perspective and I'd still love for you guys to share you No Buy Challenge posts with me! :)

No Buy Challenge | Weekly Wishlist #07

52/100: Woohoo! Already half way there! I can't believe 50 days went by that quickly, honestly. I have a feeling that by the end of this challenge I'm gonna lost it and just buy all the things. I feel like this challenge is a good reminder when I want to buy something I don't really need, but when it comes to something I really want I'm always inches away from cracking. Is anyone reading this and just waiting for me to lose my mind? Haha, I still want to buy so many things; Butter London polishes, M.A.C. eyeshadows, Sigma brushes, Real Techniques brushes, various clothes, LUSH bath products and ugh. I feel like I'm not buying it right now but I will when this is over. So a short list of the things I've been craving this week:

• M.A.C. Eyeshadow's in Naked Lunch, Patina, and Vanilla | I blame the lovely Tanya Burr. She always has these non-hyped M.A.C. shadows and whenever she uses them she makes me think "how are more people not talking about these?!" I feel she's the only beauty vlogger who consistently uploads amazing quality tutorials and I love watching her. Well, not really because she makes my wishlist grow longer and longer! Recently she used Patina and Vanilla in her fall tutorial and I want them so I can recreate it cause it looked so beautiful! You can check out her video here!

There's a lot more that I'm craving, there always is, but I put the products that I am inches from buying on my wishlist. As you can see, last week I sort of failed haha. It's strange, I haven't been shopping as much as I used to yet my credit card bill is a never ending scroll. It's ... odd. Oh well, hopefully I can make it another week without these shadows in my possession. I would love it, but then I would feel super guilty for failing at this challenge.

What's this 100 Day Challenge? Why am I doing it? Read about it here! Have you decided to partake in the challenge? Let me know how you're doing in the comments!

No Buy Challenge | Weekly Wishlist #06

 46/100: I'm a little late on this, sorry! Life seems to be getting in the way and I haven't had my "blog book" with me for two weeks and that really screwed me up because all my ideas were about 10 miles away from me. Now it's back and I shall be blogging up a storm! So hooray almost at the middle of this challenge and I'm absolutely rubbish at it! I'm only 24 hours late and I've managed to get one of the things on my list. Although, let's give me some credit, Fashion's Night Out ended up being the day Jessica didn't spend any money, at all! Not even for food! *clap *clap So what have I been craving this week?

• Deborah Lippmann's Across The Universe Nail Polish | *hides in shame I made the wishlist yesterday and didn't have this polish and was seriously lusting over it. Now I'm sitting here typing this post with a freshly manicured Across The Universe mani. It's such a pretty color and the glitters are so gorgeous and I promise to share it's amazingness when my nails don't look like absolute poo. Does it make it any better that my mom was the one who technically bought this for me? I was going to, but she swiped her card before I could get mine out... oups.
• M.A.C. Cosmetics Creme Cup Lipstick | I've been wanting this lipstick for a really long time now! Maybe since March? Surprised I haven't caved and bought it yet! I wanted to get it on FNO but M.A.C. was a tizzy mess and Bloomingdales closed before I could even get through the front door!
• TopShop Mini Roller Hat | This hat looks absolutely adorable sitting atop my head. I want it very, very badly but TopShop ridiculously priced this at $50 and even with my student discount, I still can't manage to fork over the pretty pennies for this ):

I haven't been very good with this challenge, but at least my wishlists seem to be growing smaller and smaller! To date what have I bought? Make Up Forever eyeliner ($18), Deborah Lippmann polish ($18), and the new M.A.C. Palette to hold my shadows ($23). Oh lord, someone just take my blasted credit card away from ... 

No Buy Challenge | Weekly Wishlist #05

38/100: I've been naughty. Super duper naughty. I bought some things *ducks flying objects* I was in a place of unhappiness and turned back to shopping for comfort and I ... caved. I'm sorry! It was just two things and I paid $44 for them but I'm returning one of them so it's like I only spent $18! Are you wondering what I caved to buy? It was a MakeUp For Ever Eyeliner in the color 2L. It's this beautiful bronze brown that when I put on made my blue eyes just pop and I couldn't resist! The other thing I bought was the Bobbi Brown Corrector which I'm returning because a.) I feel guilty that I bought it and b.) I feel so bad that I can't convince myself that I like it. So I've decided it's going back if I'm not completely smitten with it. I apologize. Here's what I've been craving all week and it is literally, at this point, killing me not to buy. [sidenote: I don't recall others having this much difficulty with the challenge, no fair!]

• Benefit Dandelion Box O' Powder Blush | This color is so gorgeous for pale folk like myself. It lightens up your cheeks and makes you look like you have a healthy glow. I'm also on this weird mission to own every Benefit Box O' Powder blush because I think they are just so pretty!
• Origins Well Off Fast & Gentle Eye Make Up Remover | It's so hard for me to make sure my mascara and eyeliner are taken off each night. A simple wipe doesn't cut it anymore. I've seen really good reviews for this (lightweight, no oil) and may give it a go after this challenge is over!
• Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation | I've been looking everywhere for this this foundation. I'm convinced it's not yet sold in the United States. Which I find to be a good thing because then I would've had three things to be sorry for buying! It just sounds like a really good foundation for natural and awake finish to the skin. That, alone, has sold me on it.
• Chanel Tigerlily Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadow | GORGEOUS ORANGE COLOR AND I WANT IT. GARRRRR. 

As you can all see I am completely sane and this challenge has been a piece of cake for me and I urge you all to start because we all know that we have better things to buy than all this make up that we may very well never need and run on sentences are just the bees knees and ... *twitch

No Buy Challenge | Weekly Wishlist #04

31/100: Notice anything different about today's wishlist? Yup, no product pictures, just a bunch of brands listed because I WANT THEM ALL. I have an itch and it kills me that I can't scratch it. I wants all the stuffs. I couldn't even limit my list to just 5 things that I wanted in a matter of a measly seven days. I haven't been feeling all too great emotionally for the past few days as I prepare for school to start. It's only making my craving for a shopping high just that greater. *le sigh

I can honestly say that I've been very good though! Haven't bought anything besides some Starbucks and Chipotle because, come on? ;) Hopefully this urge to splurge will go away next week. I'm terrified it'll just intensify during the school year. Depressions = Shopping = no bueno.

What's this 100 Day Challenge? Why am I doing it? Read about it here! Have you decided to partake in the challenge? Let me know how you're doing in the comments!

No Buy Challenge | Weekly Wishlist #03

24/100: Okay I'm not going to lie; this is getting hard. Though I think the shopping gods are conspiring together to make sure I don't buy anything. How am I so sure? Exhibit A: I went to the city to meet up with Mihai. Of course he was late and the new Sephora opening in the Columbus Circle mall was calling to me. I walked and browsed, waiting for Mihai to hurry up and get there so I wouldn't be tempted to stay longer. He didn't show so I was eyeing the Bobbi Brown corrector and asked the sales assistant to help me choose the proper color. She tells me to hold on a minute and whaddya know? Mihai calls and tells me he's arrived. I booked it out of there & Exhibit B: My college is withholding my July paycheck for another freakin' month because it 'was submitted late'. What a load of rubbish. I'm relatively broke now and couldn't buy anything if I wanted it.

Wasn't story time fun, kiddos? Haha, yeah, my financial life is going swimmingly! So what have I been itching and scratching to buy this week? Can I just say I love how drastically different the items on my list are from week to week?!

• Liz Earle EyeBright Soothing Eye Lotion | When do you realize that you're aging? Simple, when you start twitching to get your hands on some mighty fine eye lotion! In all honesty, my eyes are probably my favorite thing about me and I want to do everything I can to take care of them and keep 'em looking nice. I read a ton of reviews on it saying how it was magnificent for de-puffing and toning down the appearance of under eye circles. Ding, ding! With my lack of sleep this almost sounds like a miracle worker! Too bad it's only sold in the UK ):
• Bobbi Brown Corrector | This has been talked about in the beauty community by everyone and their uncle. I hope it's one of those things that does live up to it's expectations when I do in fact buy it. This goes hand in hand with te EyeBright lotion. I need to heal and conceal (ha, I'm profoundly poetic) those scary circles! Concealer alone isn't doing it justice!
• Origins Super Spot Remover | Can you guys tell that I've been dealing with some facial insecurities this week? This little bottle is told to remove stubborn little pimplettes and from a lot of reviews, quite well! So well that people are shelling out $14 for a miniscule bottle of it! What are you, you wonderous little liquid?
• Bath & Body Works Fall Candles | I love the fall. I've dubbed it my favorite season (that is until Spring rolls around once more ;) ) In all honesty, Fall and Winter scents make me so happy. I love how comforting everything becomes. I really want to get my hands on these scents and maybe they'll still have them at the end of my challenge (*fingers crossed). My absolute favorite is the Cinnamon Sugared Doughnut one. I got a baby candle of it last year and hit myself over the head for not getting a bigger one before they ran out. May have to cheat a little and treat myself to just that one. I don't want to spend another year/winter without guys! (Someone stop me, I'm beginning to crack!)

So if it wasn't obvious, I'm starting to realize that this challenge is a lot harder than it seems. I never realized how much free time I spent shopping and thinking about what I was going to by next (told you guys I had a problem!) I also opened an Etsy account, not a shop or anything, just to browse and save favorites! People make such awesome things that I'm trying to resist the urge to buy anything at all! Help me guys, haha!

What's this 100 Day Challenge? Why am I doing it? Read about it here! Have you decided to partake in the challenge? Let me know how you're doing in the comments!

No Buy Challenge | Weekly Wishlist #02

17/100: Feels a lot longer than that! I haven't bought anything at all but that could be because I've been in the middle of the sea for about a week! I'll take this following week as the true starting test. I've been looking around and reading about lots of new products that are coming out. Fall seems to be seeping through the beauty cracks and I cringe whenever I see something that comes out before this challenge is over. True sign of a girl with a shopping problem? I think so! So what am I craving this week?

• Domestic Sluttery by Sian Meades | I read about this book on Wednesday morning from a fellow blogger and just looking at a sneak peak of a few pages I couldn't resist lusting after it! It's a vintage styled book about how to achieve a good life. I don't know how serious it's supposed to be taken but I just love the cover and the images inside! Does a book count as something I'm not allowed to buy?
• Seventeen's Ultimate Guide to Beauty | This book is said to be filled with tons and tons of beauty, nail and hair tips. I think it'd be a handy book to have to try out new things or just get more inspired!
• TopShop Infrared Lipstick | TopShop lipsticks are so underrated sometimes. They are absolutely lovely and I would just like to officially nominate them as the best smelling lipstick to ever grace my lips. I want tons of the colors but the one I really am itching in my seat to get is Infrared. Perfect color orange/red for pale folks!
• Fashions Night Out | So this isn't really a physical object but I am so excited for Fashions' Night Out which is in about 27 days, I believe. I've never gone and really want to this year! The sales are insane but so are the crazy things and events that go on around the city. Unfortunately this event lands in my 100 Day Challenge Period, BOOOO! Although I may go to Victoria's Secret because I am in desperate need of new undies; lovely ones that make my bum look nice!
• Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray | With my short hair I'm still finding it rather difficult to find a nice medium between my curly, big hair and flattened blow out. I love my 'beach hair' because the salt water always seems to make it look nice so this would just be the bees knees to have!

I'm being quite good with my shopping. I've only bought some dinner and frozen yogurt which tasted delicious and was well worth the $5 I paid for it! I haven't bought anything else beauty related which is great! I can just imagine what's going to happen the day this challenge is over. I may be on my way to the UK or perhaps France ... or I may have a ginormous haul post. We'll have to see!

What's this 100 Day Challenge? Why am I doing it? Read about it here! Have you decided to partake in the challenge? Let me know how you're doing in the comments!

No Buy Challenge | Weekly Wishlist #01

These Weekly Wishlists will be little updates on my 100 Day No Buy Challenge! I'll post 3 - 4 things that I have just absolutely been itchin' to buy but didn't! I haven't bought anything besides maybe some food. So hooray, but it's only week #01! Let's hope I don't give in to temptation. So what am I craving this week? 

• Brandy Melville Studded High Wasted Shorts | I've been dying for a pair of high wasted shorts. In fact, I've just about been craving everything Brandy Melville, it's awful to have discovered this brand so early in the challenge! I love these light washed jeans and the simple but awesome beaded stud detail on the side. UGH, I'm probably craving this the most!
• LUSH You Snap The Whip Body Butter | A lovely sales associate put a sample of this in my last purchase so I'm every grateful to her! I've run out of body butters and I miss how amazing they make my legs feel!
• M.A.C. Chatterbox Lipstick | I have been lusting over this lipstick for a very long time. Most of the time it's out of stock so I can never swatch it or have a chance to buy it anyway!
• M.A.C. Aquadisiac Shadow | This is the most loveliest of blues and all the swatches are making me cry over how much I want it! I'd love it for just a wash of blue on my eye for a sheer pop of color! So gorgeous!

What's this 100 Day Challenge? Why am I doing it? Read about it here! Have you decided to partake in the challenge? Let me know how you're doing in the comments!

xo

Say Goo'bye to Shopping - 100 Day Challenge

It was bound to happen everyone. I've seen a few bloggers who are beginning or in the middle of their 100 Day No Spending Challenge. The gif above is the only way to describe how I'm feeling. It's accurate and very funny! Why am I doing this? I have a shopping problem. I know people say they've got a shopping problem and no one seems to think it's real. I always have a compulsive need to buy something when I'm super happy or super sad. A lot of my friends think I can help it but I can't. Since no one will help me I figured it's time to help myself. 

Each blogger has his or her own set of rules and here are mine:

1. No more cosmetic products. 
2. No more beauty products.
3. No more bath and body products. Unless I run out of all my soap (Seems unlikely at this point) Then I may buy one but only one!
4. Absolutely no clothes shopping. In stores and especially online. The only exception to this is if my mom takes me shopping and kindly decides to buy me a new sweater.
5. I can only buy metros, dinner if there shan't be any at home, skincare replacements, hair care replacements and any emergency expenses.

5 simple rules that will probably make me cry at some point in time. I really need to do this, not just want to. The way I spend money is ridiculous. A month's worth of pay is not enough for me which is sad cause I have no bills to pay. Tell me that not cuckoo bananas? I know. I'm hoping to save up to be able to take a trip to London. That shall be my gift if I can muster up the funds. I think that's worth way more than a new lip gloss or nail polish.

I'll create a tab so you guys can keep track along with me. I'll be updating my progress weekly :) If any of you are doing or are going to do this challenge let me know below! We'll be able to motivate each other and make it to the 100 Day Mark together!

This challenge starts Tuesday, July 24th and will end Thursday, November 1st. Wish me luck everyone. The Shopping Lord knows I'm going to need it.

xo