Things That I Love--Haven't Done This In A While Edition

I've decided to give up shopping for Lent this year, with a specific focus placed upon clothes, shoes, bags, makeup and books.  That's just where most of my money goes, and it's frequently when I'm bored or need a pick-me-up that I browse online shops and money just tap dances right out the door.  Last year, I gave up Facebook and Twitter, and it was a huge sacrifice (as ridiculous as that sounds) but I came back from it realizing that I really could live without Twitter in my life.  I'm still just as Facebook addicted, but I maybe after 40 days separation from Banana Republic and White House Black Market, I'll realize I don't need quite as much consumerism in my life to be happy.

Anyway, to help myself in this transition from shopping compulsion to shopping avoidance, I wanted to share some of the things I've been loving lately.

Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland Palette
I am so, so, so in love with this eyeshadow palette.  I think my love for Alice in Wonderland is pretty well documented here--I adore the books, all of the movies, and I cannot wait to see the Tim Burton version coming out next month.  I had never tried Urban Decay eyeshadow before, but I had heard good things, and once they came out with an Alice themed palette, all resistance was futile.

At first, the $52 price tag seemed a bit steep, but when I broke it down I realized that it was actually less than $3 per item in the palette which is definitely comparable to drug store prices.  And the colors are absolutely gorgeous.  There are a few that I'm still working up the courage to use--namely the bright teal--but the shadows are beautifully pigmented, the glitters have a bit of fallout, but give a lovely shimmer.  I'm not much of a matte eyeshadow girl, but those of you that are may be disappointed at the lack of matte colors (I think there are maybe 2 or 3?).  Overall I am incredibly pleased with the product, both in the makeup that's included and the adorable packaging.  I'm having fun playing with different applications, so maybe at some point I'll share a few of my favorite combinations!

Hudson Jeans the Economic Way

Hudson jeans are, simply put, the greatest jeans I have ever put on my body.  They are soft and comfortable.  The legs are slimming and the perfect length for heels, but also work with flats.  The way the pockets are placed give me a Gisele Bundchen butt and the low rise waistline is ever so slightly higher in the back which keeps any worry of a plumber's crack at bay.  That said, as perfect as these jeans are, they are also crazy expensive.  Expensive as in $170-$190ish before tax.  So, I've only been able to bring myself to buy a pair once, and that was when both Colby and I were working well-paying jobs.

Sadly, this was also a couple of years ago when I was a few pounds heavier, and while the jeans still fit, they're definitely beginning to border on "loose fit" territory.  I really wanted to buy another pair, but couldn't bring myself to pay that much for a pair of jeans right now.  Then suddenly it struck me, if I can buy Coach and Louboutin on eBay, then why on earth can't I buy Hudsons?  And lo and behold, they were there in spades just waiting for me to swoop in at the last second and steal them from unsuspecting bidders.  I bid just the teensiest bit too early on the auction because I got so excited, and ended up paying about $10 more than I should have otherwise, but still managed to get a brand new pair for $55.50 and they should be arriving on my doorstep today.  Color me excited.

Michael Sowa Prints
Well, I'm cheating a little bit on this one, because I don't actually own it *yet*, but I'm already pretending that I do.  I'm picturing our bedroom painted in a calming slate blue, with this lovely print hanging over our bed.  I absolutely love bears, and it's sort of a running joke between Colby and I that I'm always on the lookout for a bear in the wild, so I love the image of the little girl strolling by a pond with her bear friend.  It's so absurd, yet lovely.

I first heard about Michael Sowa when I was reading an article about home decor inspired by the movie Amelie, and my second favorite print of his is "His Master's Voice".  How can you not love art that inspires both beauty and giggles?

So how about you, anything you're loving lately that I'm not allowed to buy until Easter?  Have you given anything up for Lent?

Comments

[The Incubator]

Gave up cookies with coffee and desserts -- so sad since last night was, of course, Ash Wednesday and Pokeno. To sit and stare at M & M's all evening and not eat that lovely carrot cake was most sad. But I feel very good about it all - Christmas music just wasn't challenging enough anymore! But Dunkin' Donuts here I come for breakfast:)

[shani]

Wow, I'm so excited that you've been posting so often! Also, I'm way embarrassed that I keep lurking on your site waiting for you to post. I really need a hobby. Anyway, I love that print for your bedroom! It's so serious, and yet fanciful. Very Alice in Wonderland real-but-not-quite, you know? And I admire you giving up shopping for Lent. It's amazing how much you can save when you realize you don't *need* that cute top. As a retail woman, I feel your pain! But think, you can take all you've saved to a bank and earn interest! Or you could, if banks were offering anything remotely attractive in interest rates right now. Hmm...

[Kate P]

Oh, man, all the spring catalogs are arriving in my mailbox and it is really hard to tell myself I don't need that, or that. There are two J.Jill jackets I really would like to have.

I'm giving up time--trying to attend Adoration after school at least once a week.

[Heidi Renée]

I have an Amazon wish list a mile long of artsy Etsy prints, shoes, music and other things that make my brain go WANT WANT WANT. I haven't given up anything for Lent, but I have put the kibosh on all non-essential spending until after we pay our taxes. California is brutal.

[anonymous prep]

I love Hudson jeans - I have a pair that's about three years old that I hemmed to wear with flats and I adore them!

[Lyn]

Ooh, I love that palette! Not that I have time to do serious eye makeup anymore, but I still think it's pretty.

I gave up yelling. So far, I've broken it about 5 times, but I'm getting better!

[E.P.]

The Alice in Wonderland colors are absolutely gorgeous, and I kind of want to check them out, even if I can't spend that kind of money right now. And I want to check out those jeans, too. All of mine have been shrinking up and are now too short for me. (MAJOR boo!)

I actually didn't give up anything for Lent. *shrugs* I'm trying to lead a healthier life nowadays, and that's bleeding over. I hope!