15. How much is your face worth?

The last couple of months I've been "um'ing" and "ah'ing" over NARS Casino bronzer. Every visit to the shopping center, I find myself thoughtlessly wandering into Sephora (after thoughtlessly wandering through H&M) and floating over to swatch, swaddle, and swoon over the dang thing. Only one, tiny, insignificant (read: significant) hiccup in the plan to rocking instant model cheekbones and a faux chiseled jawline: it is $33 for 16oz. Ouch. But $33 for healthy, glowing, grecian goddess skin? Totally worth it? Maybe? 8 hours ago my just-got-paid self would have squealed in delight as she handed over hours of blood, (watch out for deli meat slicers), sweat (schlepping stock boxes is tiring work), and tears (some customers can be divas) to the cashier. Then while at work (not working) I saw this post on other people's blogs: How much is your face worth? And after doing the math, I'm ready to swear off spending a single cent on more make-up. Even for the simplest and cheapest of looks, it sure does add up. Here we go...

Make Up Forever Smokey Lash $22

Maybelline Stilleto Eyeliner $8

Burt's Bees Ultra Conditioning Lip Balm $4

Maybelline Fit Me Liquid Foundation $8

Maybelline Super Say Concealer $8

Revlon Color Stay Mineral Finishing Powder $10

Boots Eye Color Duo $8

Ecotools brushes $5

Total: $73

Ridiculous, no? Alright, your turn. So fess up, how much is YOUR face really worth?

14.

"October gave a party;The leaves by hundreds came-The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,And leaves of every name.The Sunshine spread a carpet,And everything was grand,Miss Weather led the dancing,Professor Wind the band.The Chestnuts came in yellow,The Oaks in crimson dressed;The lovely Misses MapleIn scarlet looked their best;All balanced to their partners,And gaily fluttered by;The sight was like a rainbowNew fallen from the sky.Then, in the rustic hollow,At hide-and-seek they played,The party closed at sundown,And everybody stayed.Professor Wind played louder;They flew along the ground;And then the party endedIn jolly 'hands around.'"

How I miss the autumn. Thanks George Cooper.

13.

An impromptu booksale on the street corner.

Last good read: Battle Hymn of a Tiger Mother (12.29- 01.14)

Currently Reading: NYT's

Today I managed to not return aforementioned library book (can't wait to see the outstanding fine on this one), did not get up early enough to run, and have yet to pick out a new book despite the shop being a 10 minute drive away. However I did manage to arrive to work on time, plan ahead and finish my students' study guides this evening, make a water drink steeped in cucumber, mint, and lemon, and finally, paint my nails. They were looking rather chipped and unkempt.

I've also realized Valentine's Day is less than a month away I'm not sure whether to jump and click my heels with joy or weep violently at the themed candy and card stands sprinkled throughout the different shopping centers. For the most part, I look forward to Valentine's day because it is the perfect opportunity to shove chocolate in one's mouth while indulging in the most chick-flickish of movies dressed in your fuzzy jim jams. Or as my mother would contest, "So just another Saturday night for you?" Hopefully tomorrow will prove to be more productive as I've finally got a morning off! Joy to the world! Stay tuned for fun adventures.

12.

Two months and seven pounds later, I've decided to rediscover this blog. Between my two jobs and a mid-December hair crisis (think bleach, hair straightener, and horrid haircut) I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed posting. So to herald in this new year, I've written "create a blog I'm proud of" as item 3 on my resolutions list. It is preceded by the following two:

1. Take up photography and document each day with a picture

2. Stop being curvy (read: get arse off couch and onto treadmill)

Owning a pair of Ray Bans also made the list as did reading two books a month. Considering I've managed to eat a burger, mashed potatoes, and fried chicken today, I'd say that the motivation for said resolutions is waning. So in the spirit of perseverance, I'm reviving the hope and anticipation for the new year and dubbing today, January 15th the start of 2012. Tonight I will lay out my pinnie and trackies for tomorrow's early morning run, return a long overdue library book, and pick up a fresh new copy of some NYT's best seller. And here it is, the first picture of 2012:

How appropriate :)

11.

Whenever there is something very important to be done, how is it that Youtube's most pathetic videos become cinematic glory and the molded piece of cheddar in your fridge looks like artisan cheese that you must melt over an omelette right this very minute? So was the succession of events this morning as I dawdled for an hour and a half fussing over my hair, tidying up around the house all in an attempt to avoid the one thing I hate more than anything else: going to the car dealership.

Swearing myself off, I threw on a pair of heinous jeans, swiped on some mascara (read: more time wasted), and trudged over. I can't decide whether it is the pot bellied salesman with oily hair trying to swindle me out of $200 (what the HECK is a "chassis" and "ball joint") or the lobby's combination of grade D 90's music, cheap leather chairs that smell like cigarettes, and the fake blonde screaming into her phone about her "super important job". Add on top of that a crackly speaker mic you can't hear your name being called from and overpriced vending machines that sell pinapple/hot sauce chips. So here I am. Hurrah.

On a more cheerful note, in lieu of Thanksgiving being next week, there are a few tidbits I’d like to share with you to get in the spirit of things. Stay tuned!

10.

Since graduating from university, Friday Fun Day has since turned into Friday Frump Day meaning unless I'm working, you can find me in my cat patterned jim jams eating a Ramen noodle cup whilst watching QVC or reading the latest edition of Martha Stewart's Living magazine. Tonight I was feeling particularly ambitious and after hunkering down with a heaping bowl of picadio, my craft box, and the Spanish channel, managed to whip up these little guys. They are the envelopes as I'm still working on snipping something clever for the actual letters themselves. Nothing too fancy shmancy but it is always lovely to receive something in the post come Thanksgiving and the holidays.

Don't ask me what happened between last May (read: reckless bar crawls) and now, but I absolutely adore being a layabout and no amount of glitter eyeshadow or vodka could rouse me from my grandmother-esque ways...Okay so now I'm lying. I've never been one to turn down a martini or a good round of fist pumping to Pitbull. But as of late, and especially after last weekend's Halloween escapades, I'm perfectly content waiting out this impromptu rain storm with a few of my favorite people: Jane Austen, Benny Goodman, and Kendall Jackson.

9.

Today, Mum and I ventured into the great big world to celebrate el Dia de los Muertos. In short, it's a Mexican holiday that celebrates life and those that have passed on before us. In primary school, we used to decorate sugar skulls and have our faces painted and although tempted to join the queue of five year olds waiting to be turned into mini Catrina's, I stayed behind my camera today and nibbled on some churros instead. The bright colors always make me feel cheery and we couldn't have asked for more perfect weather. I tend to think of death as being grim, but this holiday always gives me a fresh perspective on things, ya know? Here are a few shots of my most favorite alters and the decorations and gifts people have left. Espero que disfruten!