6. Quality is generally better than quantity
Pretty obvious, yea? This is something that I'm finally really learning. This quality over quantity thing is especially true when it comes to make up stuff like tools and brushes. I used to just buy whatever and hope for the best. Now I do research and spend my money wisely. Why? Because I'm a control freak but also because I deserve nice things.
I recently acquired a highly coveted Shu Uemura eyelash curler. It's $18 but it's so much better than the crappy, cheap one that I was using that I don't feel bad about the expense. It's a quality product and I know it will last a long time. I also love my Tweezerman tweezers, LORAC eyeliner brush, Bare Escentuals Kabuki brush, and the overpriced but amazing Pureology Hydrate shampoo and conditioner. These are items that I use pretty much every single day, so why not spend a little more?
Now if only I'd apply the quality over quantity theory to my wardrobe.
Is that no matter how hard I clean, how much I sweep, scrub, spritz or wipe, it will never be really CLEAN in here. I can't even estimate how old the tile in the bathroom is and the floors are actual wood, so they have to be ancient. The cabinets in the kitchen are metal and look to me like they were installed sometime before 1965. In and around the radiators is just impossible to clean and there's gunk that I know is older than I am. Plus, living in the city, everything gets dusty and dirty about two seconds after I sweep. I just can't get this place clean enough!
Someone down the hall from me moved out and the apartment now has new wood floors. I don't know if the other flooring was replaced but I'm really jealous of that new wood floor. This building is in great shape for being older, because it's been kept up nicely, but my apartment just needs some cosmetic things - new floors, new tub and toilet, and new radiators. If I wanted to dream big, I'd want new windows and several layers of paint chipped off the walls and moldings so they'd be smooth and ready to paint. If I wanted to dream really big, I'd just have the bathroom gutted and re-tiled completely. Oh and the plumping needs to be updated. I'd like to take a hot shower once in a while.
I guess this is why people buy condos? I at least want the dirt in my apartment to be MY dirt, y'know?
I haven't planned this out, so let's see if I can come up with ten things on the fly.
10. Dane Cook
I'm somehow ashamed of liking Dane Cook. I almost feel like I'm harboring some terrible secret and right now, I'm outing myself. I think I just like when he does his girl voice? Whatever, he's funny and I'm not afraid to say it.
9. Method Tub + Tile spray
Ok right, weird pick. BUT! Have you ever tried this stuff? I don't know what's in it but it's seriously MAGIC. My mom always used Comet or bleach to clean the bathroom so that's what I used, until I figured out that I'd rather have a dirty bathroom than nearly pass out every time I go to clean because of the fumes. This spray smells like mint, it gets everything nice and clean, and it doesn't knock me on my ass. A++
8. Red wine
I'm still trying to figure out what kind of red wine I might like best, but I do know that two glasses of the stuff relaxes me like nothing else. I got a set of four big ol' wine glasses for Christmas, so at least now I'm not drinking out of plastic like a dork.
7. Joe Mathlete Explains Today's Marmaduke
There were a lot of great new blogs that popped up this year but I'm putting this one on this list because it consistently brings me so much joy.
More soon!
A Threadless retail store is opening right in my neighborhood - see? I've always felt a little silly waiting for them to mail me t-shirts, considering their HQ is like, two miles away from here. I hope they stock a lot of men's XXL shirts for moi :D
What were your New Year's resolutions for 2006? How did you do?
I don't really make resolutions, that's just setting myself up for failure. However, I should have resolved to get out of credit card debt, get over my fear of flying, and move into my own apartment because I sure as hell rocked this year. Take THAT, 2006. You're not the boss of me!
As for 2007, I'm pretty content with how life's treating me currently so I guess I'll just resolve to keep moving forward. I have some financial goals (build up my credit rating, start saving more) and some other little things but I'm not holding myself to a list. Onward!
I need new headphones for my iPod. The standard iPod earbuds are way too big for my ears and they're not great to begin with. So, I need earbuds made for smaller ears that don't cost a fortune, with decent sound quality. I don't need noise cancellation since I wear them out and about and I'd rather not get hit by an oncoming bus.
I've been looking on Amazon and the earbuds that get decent ratings are also expensive, soooo what do you use?
I just got done showing my dad how to use iTunes. We ripped CDs (Clapton and Fleetwood Mac), downloaded from the iTunes store (first song - "Sympathy for the Devil") and transferred songs to his new Nano. My dad is a smart cookie and teaching him techie things is easy, mostly because he doesn't think he already knows what he's doing. That's the hardest type of person to teach, for sure.
I have to say that the iTunes basics are easy to explain and I think he'll have fun with it. The Nano was a great gift idea because there are always add ons with an iPod - a case, car adapter, iTunes gift cards, etc. My dad is hard to shop for so this was definitely a great idea.
OMG DREAMGIRLS. You just... I can't... omg.
Judging from the gifts I received, I've gone from 26 to 86 overnight. I'm all excited because I got slippers and a new robe. I'm really happy with everything I got! I'm already thinking about all the stuff I'm going to clean with my new Dirt Devil Kone, the coffee and tea I'm going to make, and all of the things I'm going to blend in my new blender.
My dad loves his new iPod. However, he's a little deaf from working in a factory for a few decades, so we all get to share in the iPod fun. TURN DOWN THE VOLUME, DAD.
I hope everyone is having a fabulous holiday!
