Spending Hiatus: Week 3

So last week was week three of the spending hiatus. First, the temptation:

It was $1 sale time at Rag O Rama. As the name might suggest, this is when the store (basically a trendier thrift store) takes a bunch of stuff out of storage and marks it all $1. Yes, a single dollar. Believe you me, I sorely wanted to go and "just look" but I think we all know that never really works (it only $1!) so I stayed home.

And what I did instead of shopping:

I realized on Friday that I was bored/lonely and, thus, tempted to go shopping but instead Iwent to Baja Sol and had amazing burritos with a friend. I might just have to invent a new type of therapy- burrito therapy. I think it would be a hit. They also have an awesome salsa bar at Baja Sol with at least 25 different salsas to choose from which is like heaven for me.

And that was pretty much my weekend, since on Sunday I mostly studied and cleaned. And reorganized my closet. Which sounds lame, except that I love reorganizing. Plus I got to banish my fugly blue clothes hamper to the closet so that it doesn't sit in the middle of the room anymore.

I found that I felt a lot better about going out to eat and buying gifts this weekend because I hadn't already wasted my money on other stuff. I was able to really enjoy myself because I wasn't stressed thinking "I already spent $20 on makeup (or $1 clothes), so I shouldn't really buy dinner..." Instead, I just went out and enjoyed myself. And that was really, really nice to not have to worry about the money all that much. Which is not to say that I will be eating out every night- just that as an every-now-and-then thing, it's not going to kill me IF I keep my other spending in check. Could it be that I *gasp* learned something already?!

How was your weekend? (PS I just realized that half of this post is about food. I like to eat. A lot.)

Also:
The Spending Hiatus
Spending Hiatus Week 1
Spending Hiatus Week 2

Things to Do Instead of Shopping (apparently I should add in eating a whole lot)

New Hair

So as I mentioned earlier, I got my hair cut yesterday and I've got the pictures to prove it. But first I just have to say that the experience was awesome as usual. I usually get my hair cut by the students at The Aveda Institute nearby and they always do a wonderful job, though you can definitely tell when one of them is not really 100% what they're doing and that can be a bit nervewracking. But yesterday I ended up with a very nice student named Aimee who really took the time to make sure I liked my new hair, especially since I was cutting so much of it off. If you've ever thought about getting your hair cut by a student, definitely give it a try because it can save you some cash, plus the students will (usually) go out of their way to make it a good experience since they're new to the business and still trying to impress people. Plus, at Aveda they really go above and beyond- when I go I get a shampoo, cut, and simple style plus a shoulder and scalp massage and a mini facial, all for about $20 depending on the experience level of the student. And I get to leave smelling like Aveda (herbal awesomeness) which is a huge perk. If only I could afford their products so I could always smell like that!

But enough blabbing, I've got pictures!

First, my inspiration:
This is the photo I brought into the stylist, which you might remember from Wednesday. I was really looking at the length- just barely grazing the shoulders with a few shorter layers here and there.

And this is my goofy self beforehand (actually, a couple months ago, but same hair):

And this is my still-goofy self with shorter hair:
Obviously it's not an exact replica of Miss Hathaway because my hair is more straight and, well, I'm not Anne Hathaway (no kidding!). But I liked our interpretation. Also, I need to stop tucking that one piece of hair behind my ear, whoops.

I've always had long hair. My Dad and Grandma made me keep it in a bowl cut until the third grade or so, I'm not sure why. At any rate, I think I was traumatized by the experience because I haven't had my hair above the shoulders since. This is the first time I've had short hair in 12 years!

I have to admit, I do miss my long hair just the littlest bit. But this saves me a TON of time in the morning because it takes virtually no work- a little brushing if anything. And I do think it looks cute, though it's definitely different. I'm going to be working on finding fun stuff to do with it, which I feel will be harder with shorter hair.

Let me know what you think! And I won't be offended if you think longer is better because, well, I do too. Shorter is just easier :)

Sneak Peek

It's 1am and I totally just got back to the apartment- hence why there was no post today! Yesterday, really.

But I did end up getting my hair cut today and *drumroll* several inches came off. I even took one of the photos from my previous post with me to the hairstylist- and I will tell you which one (plus post pictures of the results) tomorrow. So stay tuned :)

In the meantime, if you get bored, check out some of my older posts that you might have missed:

I'm really obsessed with Goodwill.

Stayin' warm when it's a bajillion degrees below zero outside (approximately).

I like boyish clothes.

The best ice cream, oh, ever.

Dreaming of spring (fashion).

A Hairy Topic

I am getting a haircut tomorrow and I've got no clue how I want to do it. I might just keep it safe and just refresh the style I have now (long and layered).

But if I were going to make a major change, here are some of the styles I'd be considering:

Via the Glamour website

Long with bangs. I had bangs last year and loved them but Nathan hated them and I hated trying to make them lie flat every.single.morning. They were cute though- and I like the little "pieces" beside the bangs above.

confession: I forget where I got this picture

I'm not sure what you call this...a layered bob of sorts? It's very similar to the Steven Alan hair (below).

The Steven Alan hair I mentioned a while back- shorter and messy.

via totalbeauty.com

Anne Hathaway's long bob (lob?) is too cute- I like that it is a little messy to keep it from looking boring.

Feel free to vote on which is the best- perhaps I will change my mind and try something different tomorrow after all :)

Pretend Shopping: Things I Love List

Psst I know this is a late post- I was running around like a maniac today, trying to get things done. Story of my life :-P

You all know by now that I love shopping. Well, since I am on a spending hiatus and all, I have really been enjoying "pretend shopping" which is my internet version of window shopping. I thought I'd share a few of my faves from my most recent "shopping trip."

This gorgeous crystal and lace headband from Jennifer Behr looks amazing (but tricky to wear without looking too formal?):

via The Daily Obsession

I love the earthy feel of this Lily of the Valley Necklace from Etsy (and the price is good too!):

via dahliasforme

The whimsical Caged Bird Tee from Threadless:

Via threadless.com

And this cute clutch, also from Etsy (I love the mix of grey/black and yellow- and the way the print subtly evokes flowers):

via LaVitaLola- who sells lots of other AMAZING clutches that I can't afford.

There you have it: tell me what sorts of things you've been lusting after lately. And am I the only one who does pretend shopping?

Things To Do: Shopping Alternatives

Image via buzzsugar

I came up with a little list of things I have been doing to avoid shopping lately, and here it is:

1. Reading- this one is a given. I have a pile of books that need attending to- and if I ever run out, no need for a bookstore. The Columbus public library system is pretty rad.

2. Saturday Cleaning and Organizing

3. Working out- I actually went to the gym this Saturday for the first time in months and spent 30 minutes on an elliptical. I was proud. Also, I'd forgotten how amazing the post-gym feeling is.

4. Yoga- is something I'm getting back into after a few months off. It's so relaxing once you get into it, but it can also be very, very challenging.

5. Home Pedis- to battle scaly winter feet. I did my feet this weekend and they look a million times better. Keep an eye out for a post on that sometime soon.

6. Me Time- a girly movie that Nathan would hate, and a copy of Real Simple (or Allure, or Glamour, or just about anything...) and I'm a happy camper.

7. Operation Save Domino- I can't make the magazine stick around, but I can nab as much stuff as I can off their site before it goes down. Don't want good inspiration to go to waste.

That's just a few of the things I've been up to- but I can always use suggestions! :)

Spending Hiatus Update: Week 2

It's official folks- the spending hiatus is getting old.

I have managed not to buy anything unnecessary for two weeks now though and I'm rather proud of myself. Granted, it was a lot easier since we had a near-blizzard going on in Ohio so I would have had to dig my car out to go shopping anyway, which was not going to happen. I have realized, though, that I am a complete shopping addict. I just love buying new things, it doesn't really matter what it is. As long as it's something I didn't own before. I walked to Kroger and bought groceries and soap on Sunday and boy, I have never been so excited to buy soap. Not even fancy soap. Plain white bar soap. It was like Christmas.

Really, I do think the spending hiatus is helping so far. I've always used shopping as a form of therapy, I think. It's something I realized Saturday night- I was stressed out and in a sad, lonely sort of mood and couldn't get ahold of anyone and, boy, all I wanted was to walk to the nearest store and buy something, anything. I resisted though- I stayed home and read some magazines
and had a Me Night. Which was pretty nice, in the end.

Today is wicked busy so this is about all I have time to post for now- but come back later for more updates :)

Anybody else use shopping as therapy? If not- what do you use?