I'm Done With You: May 2017

I've been letting my empties build up for too long! The little drawer I keep them in was getting pretty full. I'm going to put an asterisk next to the products I would buy again.

L'Oréal Infallible Pro Glow Foundation *
This is my current foundation. I use the lightest shade and if I'm sunless tanned, I mix in a bit of darker BB cream to match my skin tone. Just as an FYI, I tried the matte version and I hated it. I ended up returning it after trying it a few times.
Clinique Even Better Foundation *
This is also good stuff, although considerably more expensive than the L'Oréal and perhaps a bit more coverage.
Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel
This sample wasn't large enough to say whether I really like dat or not.
Kiehl's Calendula Face Wash *
This is my new favorite face wash. I had this sample and it lasted me SO long as you have to use the tiniest amount. When I finished it, I immediately bought the full size, which is huge and will probably last me over a year.
Clinique Eye Roller
I've had this for many years and it's not finished hut I figured it was not sanitary to keep using it. It obviously wasn't amazing as I didn't finish it.
Benefit Lip Plump
This is another product I didn't finish but I had for too long. I find it too cakey on my lips.
Joe Fresh Cotton Pads
I'm not too picky about my cotton pads. I use them for removing eye makeup and nail polish. These were fine.
Quo Cotton Pads
See above!
Vichy Purite Thermale 3 in 1 Face Wash
I hated this face wash. It left a residue on my face and broke me out. I think I used it maybe four times before I decided to toss it. It was part of a value pack that I'd already used the other items from so I couldn't return it.
Various face masks
I still buy all my sheet masks at Winners and I mix them up all the time. I've used many more than these two, but there were the new ones I've bought lately.
Jouviance Cleansing Gel
This was a great face wash, quite similar to the Kiehl's one, but you have to use more of this than the Kiehl's to get your face clean.

L'Oréal Vitamino Color Shampoo *
I rotate between probably four shampoos and conditioners at any given time. I cannot commit.... this is one of my favourites though!
Essie Gel Topcoat *
An excellent top coat! I usually use Seche Vite, but I wanted to give this one a try. They are comparable for wear time but Seche Vite seems to dry the nails a tad quicker. The Essie one also creates a plumper nail, mimicking gel nails.
The Body Shop Vanilla Chai Shower Gel
I'm obsessed with the smell of this in the bottle, but it doesn't actually smell as good when you use it!
Weird!
Kibio Velvety Body Cream
This was a free product I scored at a SDM event. It was a very decadent cream, super thick and good for winter months. However the smell was really overpowering. I prefer my thicker lotions to be scent free, especially since I work in a scent free environment.
Lush Daddy-O Shampoo *
This is my favorite purple shampoo. It smells so good and the bottle looks small, but I only use it every 10 days or so. You can get a larger size but where I don't use it very often and Lush products expire, I'd rather buy the smaller bottles and keep it fresh.

BBW Candle in Big Island Bamboo *
I was so confused as to why I didn't have more candle empties. Then I remembered that I burned a few winter candles halfway before bringing out this spring scent. I need a candle that really throws the scent, as our living space is open concept. This scent is really strong and I love it!
Wallflowers in Salted Vanilla* and Black Tie*
I just started using Wallflowers a few months ago and I like them for small spaces like powder rooms.  Both of these scents are great. I had one in Eucalyptus Mint that I returned because I didn't like the smell for a room scent.

BBW Lotion in Bali Mango*
I used this up in Palm Springs. A great scent for summer/vacation
BBW AntiBac in Mango Hibiscus*
Another great scent
BBW AntiBac in Falalalallama*
Let's be real, I bought this for the name. The scent was nice though too!
BBW hand soap in Orchard Frost*, Very Merry Meringue*, Indigo Sky*, Sparking Mint Blossom*, and Winter Candy Apple*
All were nice, but my favourite was Very Merry Meringue, which is packaged like a Christmas scent but smells nothing like Christmas.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Giraffe Day

The day I was looking forward to the most in Palm Springs was our visit to The Living Desert. It's a beautiful zoo and garden located in La Quinta, about a half hour from Palm Springs. I've always loved going to zoos, even more now as an adult than I did as a kid. I was very impressed by The Living Desert in terms of how much space the animals had and how they were treated. The zoo also does a lot to help animal conservation and has a rehabilitation hospital on site. 

Details

Tee: Uniqlo

Shorts: Aritzia

Sneakers: Converse x Missoni

Bag: Michael Kors

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Sunnies: Coach

Bracelets Alex and Ani

For $5 you can feed the giraffes. You get four carrot sticks and lots of photo and video opportunities. I could have stood there all day and fed this guy!

My sticker says "I fed a giraffe"

The zoo volunteers were so knowledgeable and friendly.  They didn't mind answering all of our questions even though they must get asked the same thing so many times every day. The good thng is that they move around, so they're not always volunteering at the same exhibit.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

My April 2017 Purchases

Every month, I break down my clothing expenses and share them. My quarterly budget is $500. This amount can be rolled into the next quarter if it's not all spent. My goal is to keep my out of pocket expenses within $2000 a year. Gifts and gift cards don't count towards my budget. Since I've been keeping a budget, I'm much more careful with what I buy, and I will return stuff at the end of the month if I'm not crazy about it after hanging it in my closet.

I always crave new spring clothes in April even though spring is very come-and- go here in Halifax. The key is to gradually ease out the winter stuff and bring in the summer stuff. I try my hardest to save most summer clothing buys (sleeveless things, shorts, etc) until June when they usually go on sale.

Blazer: Only via Envy
Reg $80, on sale for $20
I've been needing a new black blazer. The one I have is a bit too small and I've also decided I hate blazers with buttons, so all my future blazers will be button-less.

Boots: Old Navy
Reg $45, on sale for $15
I wear ankle boots so much in the fall. It can't hurt to have another color to mix into the rotation.

Top: Zara
Reg $26
This top is so me. It's neutral but interesting. I've worn it already with high waisted dress pants.

Skirt: Gap
Reg $55, on sale for $20
I really like wearing jean skirts to work. I already have one from Topshop, but it's a little short. This one is longer and a wrap style.  Now I have a work one and a play one.

Top: Zara
Reg $20
A new white shirt is pretty much a given for me every spring. This one is really fun! The black band fakes a tiny waist.

Dress: Alice and Olivia
Thrifted for $5
When you consider that these dresses usually go for $250-$500, I'd say this was a no-brainer. This was scooped up at the East of Montreal $5 sale. I'm not including this in the savings calculation this month as I have no idea how much it cost originally. It's a beauty of a ruched black dress - perfect for almost any occasion!

Original value of items: $226
Price I paid: $106
I saved 53%

I'm doing great with staying under budget lately. I have $547 left to spend this quarter. I'm going to try to save as much as I can for the Aritzia clientele sale in June, although Zara has had some great stuff lately so I will probably end up ordering a box or two from there. I have a small order from Old Navy coming - I'm on a mission for a lightweight black spring coat.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl