Newbies!

Ok, I'm pretty excited about my purchases....! I'd gone to Priceline to get some Avene, however I side-tracked and got these instead:

• Neutrogena Wave !
• Olay Regenerist !
• Eulactol Heel Cream (cringe)..
  

I can't believe how I'm now on drugstore brands, seeing that I used to be such a snobbish skincare junkie! I'm currently on Natio, and am slowly moving away from it. Nothing nasty about Natio, just that I'm a brand-hopper. But you already knew that... ;)

I miss those days of reckless spending and the rush in making purchases and swaps with Glo. Ahh...

Back to the purchases though.... I truly, truly love these 2 products! Drugstore brand and all! Well, drastic times requires drastic measures. Er, or whatever.

So the Neutrogena cleanser is using the same principles as the home microdermabrasion kit(which works, btw). It definitely does not produce crazy suds, no suds at all actually, unlike the advert. It seems to do a good job cleaning, although it requires at least 2 washes to remove my tinted moisturizer. Will use it again tomorrow morning and see how it feels. Smells good, by the way.

Regenerist is great too! Just the thought of it out performing even a $350 cream made me feel good smoothing it on! The smell is indeed very nice (thanks Liz!) and it does moisturize but does not leave a clinging, oily film on my skin. Will definitely re-purchase for these factors. However, it has a rather ouch-pricetag. Priceline had a 20% off, so I got it at $10 off the RRP.

I'll have to admit though that I think over time, the Neutrogena facial cleanser is going to bite the purse. Was thinking that I could perhaps use Dove's cleansing puffs as replacement? Dove's 28 pieces is selling at $10... whereas the actual Neutrogena refills at 30 pieces is at $14. Not much of a difference is it? I'm just being a cheap-skate. Although I would really love to purchase Dove's puffs to compare how it performs against Neutrogena.

Yeah, I shall do that. Next item on my list would be that. And perhaps some other products from the Regenerist range...? Perhaps a Day Lotion with SPF, and a serum?

Of course this would all happen only when good 'ol Priceline does a sale on them. :D

Have a good week!


Sincerely,
Frugal Pamkin

Walk the walk

I did it. I walked to and from work. 45mins/way it took me. And yes, I was sweaty by the time I got to work. Wasn't fantastic but overall, it was alright. I meant my sweaty condition, not the walk.

The walk was actually pretty good, didn't expect to like it that much actually! Although I have to say, I'd really love to reach work earlier so I can jump into the shower. That would be a lot nicer!

On the way back for work, we'd pass a St Patrick's Cathedral and there is this particular white rose which is just so.. flawless!

Back to the cathedral, here's a small section of the ginormous building..

It's really lovely!

Anyway, we have had very little news about the poor car. It has yet been repaired, and I believe the insurance people are still deciding on where the vehicle would be sent to for servicing. Apparently it is because it is rather major. The impact has messed up with some other major bibs and bobs (aka: engine). Man-oh-man-oh-man.

Knitting wise, Tasha's cowl is looking rather well! Very happy with it, and the single-coloured yarn certainly shows off the pattern! (Sorry Tash, but this certainly isn't any surprise birthday present!)

Crash

As Jay and I were travelling home from work yesterday, we got into an accident. A ute changed lane and didn't see us. Sigh. One of those things that happens. No one was hurt, although I think that the other driver was in shock. The car was towed away, because it was impossible to drive. The wheel had become somewhat oblong, and the car does the humping (tee-hee!) motion when it is forced to move.

Neither Jay and I are agro about it at all, however reality sank when I realized that we would not have a car to use for the next fortnight or so. Especially when I have a 6am start.

I had a late start today so I took the train. Jay decided that he was going to walk to work. Yes. Walk. And walked he did. It took him 40mins, and he quite enjoyed it. He walked home as well.

I've reluctantly agreed to walk to work with him tomorrow, actually, he would be accompanying me because I start at 6am, whilst he starts at 7am. Let's see how it goes. If I get all ugly by the time I reach work...... well, I'll only do the walk home.

Being a sad day, we took comfort in Dillon & Dexter. We took them to bed with us for a little play time, and thought I'd share this pic of Jay trying to make Dexter smile.

Stay safe people.

Bonds galore!

Ok, the shop was rather fruitful! Didn't get anything from Myer, but got the Bonds goodies from BigW instead. I can't believe the price difference between Myer and BigW for the same Bonds items.So this was what I got for the little man. Felt like I bought a lot at the store, but looking at them now, it is only a few pieces. Will have to go hunting for more stuff next weekend.

Liz gave me an Easter gift.. awfully sweet of her, and this is what I got! (Thank you Lizzie!!!)

Check out a blow-up of the Japanese facial cleanser.... It says FACE SLIMMING FORM. Gotta try it out tonight! It is so unusual!

We went to Priceline as well and Avene is on a 15% discount (whoot!!!) so I'm DEFINITELY going this weekend. Hahaa! I had a play around the products and umm.. they smell great!

New work shoes!

So, I had to retire my nearly-a-year-old Simply Vera flatties that my sis so kindly bought me when I was in Hattiesburg last year. I truly exhausted it, the threads at the sole are not only gone, but has worn. YEAP, the seams and all are all exposed, and are furry from all the friction.

So, I thought I'd purchase a cheap $20 pair of black flatties from BigW. I did see it, but I saw this Grosby instead. It was $39, leather upper and has a paddier sole than the $20 pair. Bargain I reckon... ka-ching! I went for a walk with it last night for dinner at Lygon St. It does rub at the ankle area but I was prepared with stickies. So, that was good because my skin was not irritated. :) Gotta break into them...

I've got a pair of Doc Martens mary-janes which I wear for work as well. Have worn for a good say, 7-8 times now? And I have not broken into them yet. :( A workmate Norah had told me once they are broken in, they feel much more comfortable than a pair of sneakers.

And oh, I've finished Jay's cowl, I'll need to hunt for buttons now. And seeing that I've finished his cowl and it turned out great, I'm going to knit Tasha one as well. A grey one for her birthday in June. Plenty of time to go... I've actually cast-on and have knitted about 13 rows of ribbing.

Have I mentioned how much I'm loving the new work? Not only is the workload lesser, I get a whole lot of me-time. :) Which translates to knit/crochet/quilt-time! Pay is still the same, which is ok I guess, as long as it doesn't go lower! Anyway, have had some spare cash lately as I've given a few of my dollies up for adoption. Hence the new shoes!

Today I'll be meeting Liz up for lunch and we're heading to Myer for some Bonds baby-wear shopping for Asher. I will be buying one-size up for him based on the measurements sis had given. This boy grows as quick as the magic beanstalk!

Boy is it great to have spare money. You can get whatever you like without even thinking too much about it!

No money = no life. Seriously.

Thermis Cowl

Thanks to the gazillion knitting podcasts out there, I still bitten by the knitting bug.

To anyone out there who's into quilting, could you please-please-please start a new quilting podcast? Pleaseee...?

Bug has bitten deep 'cos last year, I have knitted (and completed, mind you) quite a heap of knitted items that went away as birthday gifts, baby shower gifts, and Christmas gifts.

I'm still quilting though. I don't think anything can pull me away from quilting. :)

Currently, I'm knitting the Boy a Thermis neck warmer by Kristen Patay. Saw this on Susan B Anderson's blog and fell instantly in love with it!

He's chosen this army camo yarn from Carnival, which is nice, however I'm not too sure whether the stitches would show as well.

December 11th

2 weeks to the holidays! YEEHAR!!!

Can't wait! Can't wait! Can't wait!

Yarny goodness

Knitting is good. Crochet is good too. I love knitting. I love crochet too.

Boy oh boy. The past few weeks have been a yarn-frenzy! From the time I last posted, I have made a dozen hats (seriously) in both baby and adult sizes, half a dozen of Blythe-sized beanies, and am in the midst of a crochet square pillow and a runched throw. I even made an iPod cozy for my nano! And also have swatches on the cork board. It doesn't help that my Ravelry invitation finally came. Oh man, so many projects, so little time!

And I have not even finished Gloria's wedding gift. But I have perfectly good explaination for that though, the shade of polar fleece I'm after is not available in stores right now.

Heck, not forgetting to mention the Housewarming Quilt for me and Jay. It's taking eons to hand-sew the edgings, it's starting to be quite the penance-project. Actually, it is a penance project. Everytime I pull it out to work on it, Jay would curiously ask "is it almost done?". It's been 7 months now since we moved in, and the darn thing isn't done yet. I have to admit, it's a gorgeous quilt, and I can't wait to use it too.

So while the weather is warming up like mad, and I'm busy with the knitting projects, poor Jay has to put on a brave head to try out the adult beanies that I've knitted for him. I've made him two merino beanies, and have made a mohair/acrylic beanie for myself. The rest of the beanies are for tiny heads. Seeing that my sister has not found out whether Peanut is a boy or girl, I've knitted beanies for both genders. Just to be on the safe side. Besides, babies are popping like mushrooms, I'm sure if Peanut is a girl (or boy), someone else would eventually have a baby in the other gender. Gloria, you reading this?

Next project though: socks. Not that I have any idea on how to work on the heel bits.. but I shall endeavour to find out. And then, crochetting granny squares. I used to dislike them, but funnily enough I seem to have new-found respect for this funny pattern. Am I getting old? Gosh I feel a lot older now with the birthday that just passed.

Speaking of which, I have a gazillion photos to take and load up. Gosh, buying batteries is such a drag..

X-Box / Crochet Night

Last night Jay and I hosted a X-Box / Crochet Night at our place, and it was quite a blast! We had a pot luck dinner (Quen & Grace made some kick-butt claypot chicken), Jack and Eva bought a beautiful Laurent cake, and Jay and I made some lasagna. Jay was also the barman, shaking cocktails with the shaker that Tasha got us for our new home!

Tasha got not only the shaker (but some vanilla scented

candles as well, but that's not where this is all going..), she also bought me my birthday gift! Mono Comme Ca! Yeahhhh!!!! Thank you Tasha, am loving you a lot more now, you know that don't ya? *winks* Yeah, my birthday isn't till next month, however she has purchased MCC for me from Eva, and she brought her over last night! I'm naming her Natasha, simply because.... *swoons over Natasha*.

Eva asked me what her new name was, and she reckons that the name suits as well. Little Natasha was previously known as Sophie, however seeing that there's already a Sophie in the house, she has to be renamed.

MCC seriously has the most kick butt stock outfit, at least her straw hat fits. The straw hat from Candy Carnival is quite a joke. Seriously.

Oh Little Natasha... I love youuuu.... *coos*

*Ahem*

Right, back to the night. So whilst the boys were roaring their way with the X-Box, Grace and I had were crochet students for the night. Eva taught us how to crochet, and man, am I ever grateful to her for teaching me. When she showed me a beanie and said "you can get this done in 2 hours", I was horrified. That is just too quick for such intricate design!

So off Grace and I went, crochet-crochet-crochet until we each had a beanie all knitted up. We even learnt how to make the flower, and that was just all too cool!

Earlier this morning I got up and thought that I had to pen down the steps, else memory will fail me (Chia Ying can testify to this), and I ended up making the 2nd beanie in an hour. ONE HOUR. Holy moley, this totally ROCKS. Hahahahaa!!! After shuffling around the house for a while after breakkie, I gave in and made the third beanie, this time with a pom-pom.

By the way, whatever it was I said previously about not liking knitting, etc.. is no longer valid. Knitting (and now crocheting) rocks!!!

Jay seems to be quite supportive of the new found passion, seeing that our apartment is now overflowing with quilt tops.

Quilter not Knitter

I can officially claim that I am indeed a quilter and not a knitter. Apart from the larger number of quilted stuff that has been made over the years as compared to the knitted stuff, I really do love quilting and patchwork a lot more! Although I really, really want to enjoy knitting too...

Why do I love quilting? Well, the entire quiting process is a lot more enjoyable! It's quite a joy selecting and buying bolts of fabrics and selecting the designs to patch! Cotton fabrics are nice to touch and they behave very well. And cotton, who doesn't love cotton?

Knitting yarns on the other hand is predominantly either animal or synthetically derived. Not that I have any trouble with these products at all! I love my baa-baas! Hihii! However yarn shopping is quite a chore at times! Too many selections to choose from, warmth level is difficult to gauge, and some wool can be irritably itchy!

I have to admit though that knitting wins hands down with its portability. It would be ridiculously silly to be lugging a sewing machine around on a train ride, or to sew in bed while watching Star Trek. *Live long and prosper*

Last Friday night I attempted knitting a pair of trial baby booties. Let's just say that it wasn't too successful. Knitting tightly with 5 sticks is quite an eye opener indeed!

However I will be persistant and try again... after I complete a new quilting project. Hiak!