Of Budgets, Lost Mirrors and Kaith Sashes

Budget Blues
i've always dreaded doing budgets - may it be personal or business. although i am quite good at it. i never miss anything out and i often end up saving on something. the thing with budgets though is that almost always somebody wants and has to slash it. and you have to re-do it and scrimp and save every single centavo.

i did our househould budget for the remaining months of 2008 and for the first quarter of 2009 and boy, was i slumped. we have to do major belt-tightening until april, especially that we'll have andi by january and raf would start school by june. therefore, i super seriously resolve not to buy anything for me for christmas. this is the least i can do. and i'd tell my husband also not to give me anything fancy or expensive because my mind can't help but whir and spurt figures as to how much we could have saved if he didn't get me this particular item. hahaha.

i know this will be real challenge but i'd rather have more food on the table and a comfortable and renovated house than splurge on some "wants" this christmas. anyway, my parents will be here by december so maybe they can spend on some of my wishlist items. hahaha. if not, i'd stop the urge to sulk. i mean, just the fact that andi's with them and they're more than willing to shell out some amount when her monthly allowance isn't enough is already a great help.

so now, tell me, who wants to be in my shoes?

Mirror, Mirror, Where Are You?
i change pressed powder brands every month but it's only between maybelline, clean and clear, neutrogena, and the body shop. i am quite lucky that my face isn't that choosy and sensitive that i can try any new product in the market and be not afraid of waking up with horrible skin the next day. although i'd know after a day or two if this particular powder is great for my face or not.

a friend recommended the new pond's pressed powder and always-itching-to-try-new-stuff me immediately bought a compact last week. well, the color and texture is perfect and it has a really nice smell so i thought i hit jackpot the first time i used it. although when i saw its price, i was kinda turned off because it is quite expensive considering that it's just a local brand. okay, it's only P200 but clean and clear is only P100+. and maybelline is P199. yes, i am a spendthrift like that. hahaha.

it has always been my ritual before i leave for lunch to retouch. working on emails and phone calls has a way of leaving my skin oily and blech. hahaha. now when i opened my new pond's powder earlier, i was flabbergasted to find out that it doesn't have a mirror! my gawd, i can't believe it! a pressed powder without a mirror! and at P207! maybe i am overreacting but hello, even a cheap fanbo at P80 has a mirror! ahm, please don't mind the exclamation points. i was that surprised actually. hehehe.

so now i couldn't think of having a compact without a mirror. or getting a teeny weeny mirror and holding it up while i powder my nose. it's just...wrong.

Kaith Sashes Over at BoredAndCrafty
a few months ago, i asked yam if she can make me sashes or ribbons that i can use to accessorize my plain dresses. i have several ones that need a little splash of color not only to brighten them up but also to create shape. so she came up with her very own Kaith Sashes!

check these sashes out as well as her other new items over at her online shop: http://boredandcrafty.multiply.com.

Happy November 17th All! :)