Most of us are insatiable beings

Lately I've noticed that I've been purchasing things (e.g. shoes, nail polish, apparel, accessories) on a monthly basis and returning them afterwards because I realized that I don't really need or dissatisfied with whatever it is that I had bought.  Reasons for this?  I know that part of it is due to consumerism.  To satisfy our insatiable appetite for having something new or the next new thing (mainly technology and fashion) offered on the market that we don't necessarily need, but want.  There are different reasons behind the wanting of whatever it may be that you want: 1) someone you know has it; 2) you need to be up-to-date with the latest "it" item; 3) it looks good on someone (models in advertisements, a friend, a stranger), it may look good on you too, so you should acquire it; 4) it's such a good deal that you simply can't pass up on it because you know that you'll kick yourself later for not buying it; 5) you deserve this gift to yourself; 6) you have extra money; and 7) any other reasons you may have.  At some point, we are all guilty of any of the reasons mentioned above for a lot of the things we currently own.  I for one am a sucker for a good deal.  Does knowing that you don't need something help you walk away from what you were about to buy and think about it over a few days? We were fine before acquiring the new item, so why can't we continue on without it and why can't we stop thinking about how great it would be to own it?  So we eventually buy the item and become happy with it for however long it may be.  Then we find something else to buy and the cycle continues.

January Eval.

One more day and it's the end of January.  Time to evaluate the month and how I did in terms of my To-Do List for the month.  So I was able to complete 2 of 4 items on the list.  Here's the list I made on 1/4/11:

      EVALUATION of JANUARY 2011 ~ To Do List -     

1. At home facial pampering (min. 5x this month) since I've been slacking. I'm not getting any younger here. (0_0) - completed 5 at home facial pampering sessions. I did face masks sheets and put on regular masks that come in a tube.

2. Finish reading Priceless The Myth of Fair Value (and How to Take Advantage of It) by William Poundstone (I saw this book on Stephanie's DSK Blogs NOW!  The little excerpts she mentioned led me to borrowing the book from the library.)  - only read half of the book, still working on it

3. Limit my "non-needed, but really want, just because" purchases to 5 items.  (I've already bought one thing online, yesterday (-_-) ). - failed, I purchased 6 items

Here's what I bought:

 

Purchased from www.lycheekiss.etsy.com

Plumerian Fan Coral Necklace ~ handcrafted (purchase here)

Zoya Nail Polishes: (LC, Mia,  & Skye)
  &
Mia on my nails shown below.
(it's darker in person, the flash washed out the color)
It's shiny w/o a top coat after 2nd coat of polish.

 

GAP Glitter Flats

 

Ann Taylor Loft - Sweater Jacket (Front)

Ann Taylor Loft - Sweater Jacket (Back)

 

4. Put together 2 new outfits with clothes I already own. - completed (only took a photo of 1 of the outfits.  I will add the other 1 to this post next time.)

Necklace by Nine West
Belt by Ann Taylor ~ Perfect Patent Skinny Belt
Top by Design History
A-line Skirt by Bossini

Shortsleeve Tops by Design History

ATM = Automated Theft Machines

Based on an article in the Jan. 17, 2011 issue of Time magazine, "Automated Theft Machines," U.S. has become a hot spot for ATM crooks.  This kind of fraud is also occurring at gas stations and locations where you swipe your card and enter your PIN.  Debit-card holders are more vulnerable to this.  How do these crooks steal your information?  They may not be looking over your shoulder when you use the ATM, but they install a card-reading device and a camera into the ATM.  They come back later to remove their installations at the ATM and use the stolen information to withdraw money from the victims' accounts.  This is called ATM skimming and the perpetrators are known as skimmers.  The skimmers are getting sophisticated with the process.  They are going as far as creating a mold of the front of the ATM, from which "they build a plastic facade, 'sanded down and spray-painted to match the machine so that it is virtually undetectable'."  The magnetic-card reader that the skimmers' use can be easily bought online.  Their cameras are usually hidden "in a light fixture or brochure holder overlooking the keypad," but on occasions "a fake key panel overlaid on the real" one is how PINs are captured.

 How to protect yourself
1) Stay away from any machines "that have visible glue marks."
2) "Check for loose parts by tugging on the card-reading slot."
3) Use your other hand to cover the other when you enter your PIN.  Since it's winter time, use your scarf to cover your hand.
4) Pay extra attention at high traffic venues such as malls, airports, and gas stations when using ATMs or paying with debit card as they "may be more easily tampered with than bank ATMs."

My DIY project (Eyeglasses Case)

I got bored and browsed through www.Etsy.com and came upon eyeglasses cases, which spurred me to decorate my boring clear plastic eyeglasses case.  It took a grueling 2-3 hours. I didn't want to overdo it by putting too much on it that will take away the clean and simplicity of the case, but want to jazz it up.

 

My sister said I could decorate hers as well.  Here's her eyeglasses case.

2011, Another Year Is Here

Another year has begun. Many people make New Year Resolutions, but I don't since I know that I will not stick to them for the whole year or even remember that I had made them in the first place by mid year. =\ So instead I'll try a Monthly To Do List that is a better fit with my monthly schedule. It seems more reasonable since there are months that I will definitely not have time for some things.

      JANUARY 2011 ~ To Do List      

1. At home facial pampering (min. 5x this month) since I've been slacking. I'm not getting any younger here. (0_0)

2. Finish reading Priceless The Myth of Fair Value (and How to Take Advantage of It) by William Poundstone (I saw this book on Stephanie's DSK Blogs NOW!  The little excerpts she mentioned led me to borrowing the book from the library.)

3. Limit my "non-needed, but really want, just because" purchases to 5 items.  (I've already bought one thing online, yesterday (-_-) ). 

4. Put together 2 new outfits with clothes I already own.

'Tis the Holiday Season

The Holiday Season is here. Yay, 2 weeks off from work! Now is the time to catch up with friends and family, bum around at home and do nothing, and possibly pick up a hobby, if I can figure out what I want to do. I live in a constant go, go, go schedule from day to day except weekends during the off-season, if I can help it. I have no idea where I'm rushing to sometimes, its just grown to be a part of my norm. A coworker even made fun of me for rushing, by mimicking me rushing.

I'm jealous of those who are happy doing what they do for a living at a young age. Work right now serves the purpose of sustaining life and my lifestyle. Where and when will I find the thing that's for me? When will my light bulb light up? What's my path? Where am I going to be at a certain point of my life? So many questions, but no answer. Sigh...I'll probably find it when I become 50 or not find it at all.

Check out "The Little Dust Princess" and "Naughty Baubles"