Tiny Triumphs

My theme for 2010 was "Doing Things Differently" and I've had modest success over the year. I have fallen into old patterns more than I’d like to admin but I did smash an old, extremely self-destructive, pattern to bits last week.

I had an quasi-professional holiday party right after work and ran my hose pretty extensively during the day making a stop for a new pair a necessity. Fortunately, there was a lingerie shop right across the street, so easy, breezy, right? Ha! Yes, I did know that this was a high end shop, but I still wasn’t expecting the $58 price tag staring back at me from the back of one pair of black pantyhose.

Now, the old me would have done one of two things, made up an excuse or just put them on a credit card because I wouldn’t want anyone to think I couldn’t afford whatever overpriced item was in question. (even if that, in fact, was the truth). However, without blinking an eye, I handed the package back to the nice sales girl and when she looked at me questioningly I replied without a hint of embarrassment that I did not need $58 pantyhose, thank you very much and blew out of there without a backward glance. It felt pretty good, actually. There’s nothing to say I won’t regress, but I’m feeling pretty good at the moment.

The real kicker came a little later when I ran the new hose I picked up at Ann Taylor while I was putting them on – boy am I glad I hadn’t paid $58 for those things. So, my bare legs and unspanxed thighs (I have no problem going bare-legged, but if I don’t have hose on, trust me, I’m wearing spanx under that skirt) went to the party and I doubt anyone noticed (but me).

{Seriously, $58 for a pair of pantyhose???}

Attempts at Economizing

When I first got laid off I evaluated my shopping list for some "easy" ways to save money and realized I have quite a collection of high end beauty products. So, I started to look for some possible substitutions. The results, so far, have been mixed, but I can report nothing catastrophic has happened....yet.

Moisturizer: I traded my Prescriptives moisturizer ($65) for Alba Green Tea and Aloe moisturizer ($15). Recommended by SELF Magazine.

Verdict - I like the Alba product and I'll keep using it, probably at night, but I will go back to Prescriptives at some point because it feels better under makeup.

Shampoo: Traded my Biolage hydrading ($20) shampoo for the ($8) Kiss My Face "Whenever" shampoo. Recommended by SELF.

Verdict - Not a big fan. I like that it doesn't have sulfates, so it's environmentally friendly. It might be all in my head, but my hair seems less cooperative and kind of dry, I've since tried Kiss My Face's "Miss Treated" and I like it a lot better. Whether or not it will be a permanent switch is still up in the air.

Mascara: Trading my Chanel mascara ($28) for CoverGirl Remarkable mascara ($8) Recommended by Rhonda.

Verdict - I like the CoverGirl and I'll keep it for casual use, but I still prefer the Chanel. It's fabulous. I have tried Diorshow Iconic (Sephora $27) which I really like, but I don't think the $1 difference really counts as economizing.

Hand Lotion: Trading my L'Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream (20% shea butter) ($10) for Eucerin($.99). A random "brain" storm in the trial size aisle at Target.

This one didn't even last the first few uses. I'm back on L'Occitane.

Eye Cream: Origins Plantidote™ Mega-Mushroom Eye Serum ($43.50 - but I had a free sample) for Chanel Precision Energizing Multi-Protection Eye Cream - daytime ($60) and Chanel Precision Structuring Anti-Wrinkle Firming Eye Cream - nighttime ($80) {In my defense, I got this one as free sample and have yet to actually buy it} Now using Botanics Eye and Lip Correction Serum ($14) recommended by SELF.

Verdict - Was not impressed by Plantidote, especially given the cost. The Botanics stuff is okay, but I WANT MY CHANEL BACK!

The biggest single victory, however, has been paper towels. A devoted fan of Bounty I ran in to a little issue when my first foster puppy arrived on the scene, but that was nothing compared to what happened when the three boys arrived. I was going through at least three rolls of paper towels a day (AT LEAST!). I tried the bargain paper towels, but you don't save much when you have to use so much more to get the job done. Enter Target brand papertowels. They ROCK! Every bit as good as Bounty without the brand name price. Thank you Real Simple magazine for the tip.

Overall, my attempts at economizing have been kind of fun, even if they haven't all been rousing successes. Since I am still unemployed I will continue to work through my stash of samples and the drug store recommendations in my stack of magazines, updates to follow, I'm sure.