In 2012 I left my cush full-time job to pursue a freelance career and while times in the year have been bountiful, there have been times where I have just enough cash to get a coffee. Yeah that brutal. But as I’ve been told by many successful entrepreneurs and artists is that sometimes you need to give it all up before you gain. And I finally gained the chutzpah to do just that this year which has been a real blessing.
In that riches to rags and everything-in-between journey this year I’ve been able to live with less, a lot less. I realize now that I don’t need a lot of the things that I was “just dying for” last year and my insatiable lust for shopping has been curbed immensely to the point that I don’t miss it that much. As long as I’ve got good quality clothes to wear I’m pretty happy.
Where I’ve truly missed the mark was in my beauty routine and that’s one thing that gives me confidence and makes me feel so great no matter what I’m wearing. So here’s my wish list after a year long break from consumerism.
Sephora Gift Certificates
I missed the little splurges of buying makeup and having fun playing with different cosmetics in the past year. It was a time where I got by with just the bare basics and even then I was trying to “downgrade” my beauty purchases. Why buy Lancome when you can buy Loreal? And then talking myself into the fact that they really are just the same … I’d love to be able to indulge monthly in a beauty purchase “just because” hence the reason why gift certificates are at the top of my wish list.
Tips Nail Bar Gift Cards
I spent about a year and a half getting shellac manicures and pedicures so that basically my nails looked perfect all of the time. Add to that the fact that Tips is the most fashion forward place in the entire city and you see why I want to get back on this routine. I swear I have a better relationships with my nail technicians there than my own mother. Well we do spend a lot of time together! Anywhoo, this place is divine for manicures, pedicures, and it’s the only place I trust getting my eyebrows threaded.
Fembotika Lash Gift Cards
You probably my post earlier this year on my Lust for Lashes“and really that might have been an understatement. Having lash extensions is my version of having fake boobs (plus cheaper and way less permanent). They give me that boost that I love plus it boils my makeup routine down to about 3 minutes as I only need to put on foundation and powder and I’m good to go.
Greg May Hair Gift Certificates
I love Greg May and I’ve been seeing him for over a few years now and he’s the steadiest relationship in my life. Seriously, I can’t live without his hair cuts. He always knows exactly what is right for me and he’s got that way of cutting my hair, getting rid of all of the dead ends and still keeping the length. Which is pretty much a dream come true for a Native girl. We likes our hair loooong.
Amazon Gift Certificates
I finally gots my very own iPad and I’m obsessed with reading books on it. I have about 242342342342456674567 books that I want to read and that cost can sure add up. Amazon gift certificates enable me to spend with abandon on Kindle and allow for my ADD tastes in a variety of subjects – I’m into screenwriting one minute, and business plans the next, until personal intention suddenly captures my attention – you get the vibe.
Uber Gift Certificates
Winter is cold and I am a princess. Yup that’s pretty much it. If you’re not sure what Uber is, check my post about it from earlier this year. There’s still a promo code where you can get your first ride for free. That’s usually all it takes to get hooked. If I could I would take it everywhere, even to get my groceries (not to get all Queen of Versailles on you).
Rococo Red Best Friend Pullover by Valentine K
I think I have bad circulation or something because I am always freezing. Also because it’s cold here in the winter. Anyways I love cashmere and I pretty much layer cashmere on cashmere on cashmere every winter season. I got this gorgeous Valentine K sweater last year at this time and I am in love with their style. Cashmere with a fashionable twist. This is not your grandmother’s cable knit twinset.
27″ iMac
Just look at it. Need I say more? Last year I bought and sold a 21″ iMac. Silly me. The desktop was never being used and I was traveling so much and this was pre-Dropbox era and it was driving me crazy having my files here and there so I just let her go. Now I want her back – but with a makeover. I’m working from home pretty much always so this would be my dream machine and we could make sweet blog music.
Moncler Nantesfur Coat
It’s god awful cold here. Do you sense a theme yet? I blame my Mexican blood for not being fully equipped for this weather. Moncler is warm and I won’t be confused with the Michelin Man wearing one of there coats as they are densely filled and very streamlined. Want. Need. Lust.
Gucci Sukey Tote in Black Leather
Okay well this one is just slightly ridiculous but I’ve been carrying around my Lucky Jeans hobo purse for the last three years now and while it’s perfect when I was a student and great for the weekends it’s not exactly screaming professional when I go to client meetings or at a conference. I need a real grown up purse. This one looks good to me. I’m sure I’ll just go out and get a Michael Kors or something but my eyes are still set on this one.
Lisa!!! Thank you so much for including us in this. I can"t believe I missed this post! Hope to see you soon, we miss you much!