House of Swank

This State Powered By WalMart

I probably jinxed myself from the get-go.

I knew we were traveling to Wal-Mart country, yet foolishly thought I could escape 5 days traveling through Northwest Arkansas and Soutwest Missouri without stepping foot inside a Wal-Mart.

Then American Airlines had to go and lose my suitcase.  And were complete morons about it.  Unable to tell me where my bag was, when my bag would be found, or what steps might be taken to find my bag.  There take seems to be "it'll turn up soon, we'll get it to you then."  I was not a happy camper when we landed in Little Rock last night.

While working through what could be done to help take care of me while waiting for my bag to magically appear (it ended up my bag took a trip to Jacksonville, FL, we picked it up from the Springfield, MO, airport this morning) American Airlines agreed to cover my "basic necessities" for the next 24 hours.

I had to push them to ask what "basic necessities" covered and they responded with "toiletries and a change of clothes" which could mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people, so I pushed some more and got the final verdict:  $50.

Now, I'm not a woman with rich tastes, but to fully clothe me for one day from scratch could probably be done, but barely, at Old Navy.  But that doesn't include any toiletries.  And we were staying at my parents' time share in Branson last night, so we couldn't even use the shampoo and soap usually provided at a hotel.

Add to this the fact that it was 8:00 on a Monday night, we had a 3 hour drive ahead of us, and had to fill the cooler as well, and there really was only one option available.

WalMart Super Center.  While I clothed myself, Sweetie could get the food, and we could be on our way.  Man, that store scares me. 

By the time we hit the store we knew I'd be reunited with my bags this morning, so could plan accordingly.  Basic toiletries only - toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo.  Travel sizes of everything I could get away with.  My pants could survive another day's worth of wear, so could my bra.  Worst case I could change the next day at the airport.

So underwear, a couple of t-shirts (going for layers, the weather's been all over the place lately), some new socks. 

I made it out of the door for just under $40. 

As I brushed my teeth this morning, I started to realize why I generally spend more than .96 on a toothbrush.  And the $5 black t-shirt I bought is so flimsy I can see my hand (make out the wedding ring and all) through it if I hold it out.

There's plenty of reasons I don't shop at Wal-Mart, and last night just reinforced those reasons.  Cheap prices, but you get what you pay for and I like the people who work at stores I frequent to earn a living wage.

Resolutely

I am not usually one for New Year's Resolutions.  The last time I made a resolution was at the turn of the millennium, and that was "not get in a car accident this year."  Given that in both 1999 and 2000 I was in accidents involving idiots running red lights, I was hoping to make it a year without incident.  And am happy to say I succeeded. 

This year I've actually decided to make a New Year's Resolution.  It's cheesy as hell, but should be keepable, and when I hit that slide in mid-February it's something I'll be able to pick up again easily and not feel like I'm a complete failure.  The resolution:  accessorize more.  Blame it on watching too much "What Not to Wear," but I realize I haven't even worn earrings for a couple of years.

Don't worry, I haven't turned completely superficial.  I've got things I'd like to accomplish in other areas of my life, but they aren't really resolution material. I mean, who resolves to get drapes for the living room?

I Cannot Be The Only One

Sweetie and I head off to Vegas on Friday for our fantasy football draft extravaganza.  We do the draft in Vegas every other year, and thus far whatever team I am rooting for in Vegas wins the season that year, so I'm feeling optimistic.

Because it's a weekend jaunt, and I'll be taking public transit to the airport, I plan on traveling strictly carry-on, which means that I need to be thoughtful when packing toiletries to make sure I don't go over the limits.

I thought it would be so easy, I'd go to Sephora, buy a travel-sized cleanser, and perhaps moisturizer, and be done with it.  No such luck.

Philosophy does not see to carry containers of 3 oz or smaller in any of their skincare products.  Which, given the number of women who travel, and those who don't want to check bags, is absolutely ludicrous in my opinion.  I wasn't even expecting to get away cheap, I just didn't want to have to do a lot of futzing to prepare for the trip.

So now I've either got to go buy small containers and transfer some product over, find some new product in a an appropriately sized container, or just skip washing my face for the weekend.

Thankfully Bumble and Bumble have been doing travel sizes for years.

Simplicity

A mere 25 years after the brainwashing began about how women need to take care of their skin, I finally have myself a skin care routine that I actually follow and works for my skin.

Yep, even with a good 8 years of acne so bad I had to take drugs, getting me to properly cleanse my face was a feat of magic. 

The secret to my success:  Philosophy Purity Made Simple cleanser.  The reason it's revolutionized my life:  that's pretty much the whole regime right there.

For as long as I can remember the skin care routines that I have been told I must follow are filled with many convoluted and complicated steps.  We must cleanse, tone, buff, and do all sorts of other scary things many times a day.

Now:  I was my face before I get in the shower in the morning.  That's it.  Easy as pie.

Then, when I get out of the shower, I moisturize.  Then I'm done with it, and don't need to worry about it again until tomorrow.  (And, between you and me, sometimes I forget to moisturize.  I'm getting better, but these lifestyle changes take time).

At first, the cost of the things sort of scared me.  I am not rich.  Paying $30 to clean my face seemed a bit exorbitant.  But a little goes a long way, and 4 months since plopping down my first payment towards my skincare, and I'm not even halfway through the bottle.

Look out.  Next thing you know I'll be wearing foundation.

Confidential

To the girl who was at Alderwood Mall today in the white tube top "dress," that had the look about you that said, "Look at me and how cute I am in my cute little summer dress."

Sorry to be the one to break the news to you, but that wasn't a dress.  It was a swimsuit cover up.

You know how I knew the difference?  When it's a dress you can't see the crotch of your panties through the skirt.  Or, at least people strolling through the mall just glancing at you to make sure they don't run into you can't see the crotch of your panties.

Because the "skirt" part of your "dress" was made of mesh.  Which is see-through.  Which is why I could see your panties.

If you ARE going to try to pull something like off, and it's a pure white dress, you should make sure the panties are pure white as well.  Not covered with cute little flowers.  Because if they were pure white I might not have realized what i was seeing, but because of the flowers I could TELL it was the panties and not part of the dress.

Slip Up

Ladies of the world,

I am a fan of the cute little A-line skirt as much as the next girl.  I've been keeping my eye out for some new ones to add to the wardrobe as a matter of fact.

When I find one, I'll probably need to go buy a new slip.  The skirts I have right now are lined, so if the next one is unlined it will be a necessity.

I have noticed several of you over the last few days who seem to have forgotten this necessity.  Please tie a ribbon around your finger and don't forget again.

Lipstick Review

Two thumbs up for Clinique lipstick!

Not for the colors or coverage or any of that standard stuff.  But if you accidentally happen to let one - or two - into the washer.  And the dryer.  Well, the caps stay on the tubes, so there is no leakage onto the clothes.

The lipsticks are ruined, but that's to be expected.  But the Mary Kay eyeliner - that survived totally intact.

Don't ask, I don't even know.