Swap-alop

Another Swap Party success.  Special thanks to Meghan and Jenn for making it happen...again. I remain obsessed with swap parties.

So as promised, here's a sneak peak from the party.

 Literally piles of clothing...piles!

 Happy Girls. Notice Meghan wearing a dress on top of her outfit...well I mean you have to make sure it fits!

There she is again.

My Loot...

• Large bamboo vase
• Small black vase
• Black purse (Banana Republic)
• Black heels (Nine West)
• Cream & black peep toe heels (Carlos)
• Brown & gold flip flops (Tommy Hilfiger)
• 2 Silk Tops - gold and blue (Banana Republic)
• White top with brown details (Forever 21)
• Tan sweater coat (Ann Taylor)
• Greenish tank with noisy little sparkly things on it (Forever 21)...I think that I will need to get one semi-obnoxious tank top at every swap party...this is what I've decided. 
• Two long skirts (to be worn on a trip that I'm planning for next year...more on that later)
• Jewelry - necklace that says believe and a silver bracelet
• Toiletries - lip remedy (Origins), bath ball (Lush...which I will give to my Mom or Auntie Ree), Pantene 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner (for Aaron...like most guys having to use a separate shampoo & conditioner is unthinkable...I mean it would take another 2 minutes off of his life)

 There it is, in all of its free glory. 

 Although, it's hard to pick my favorite...I think these are it. I have been looking for a pair of t-strap sandals for a while now, and here they are! AND they were free. Fabulous.

The sparkly tank in all it's glory. I'm sure I can put this to good use at a bachelorette party.

(Please note: once again, Aaron's fabulous hand modeling skills)

Pretty bamboo vase, reeds weren't included, I just happened to already have them. (actually I have 3 sets of them and I mixed two for this ensemble...it's weird to have 3 sets of decorate reed things, huh...yeah I thought so, ah well)

There were also three items that I got from Court (who supplied close to half of the goods which we swapped!) before we even left for the party...

• Cuisinart mini food processor
• Set of plates
• Metal decorative wall piece

So I know it sounds like I went a little crazy, but I ended up coming home with one bag of stuff and I brought 2 1/2 so really I think I was rather restrained. We ended up donating around 5 large trash bags of stuff to charity too. So really what that tells me is...I am not the only one who buys and hold on to unnecessary items.  Not that I didn't know this before, but the swap party most definitely confirmed this belief.

Friday's Daily Damage (6/11)

Friday

• $31.34 - Hess (feeding time, the nature of the beast...sigh)
• Should have been some $$ for drinks and apps at Tia's with Shaver and Chris but somehow my money ended up back in my bag...thanks Chris. 

I am tired of putting gas in Veruca. I mean she's fuel efficient and all, but seriously it's getting old. I would prefer to be driving...

I give you, the Nissan Leaf.
I thoroughly enjoy the cuteness of this little gem. Thoroughly enjoy it. I plan on Veruca being with me for a while, but next up...electric car, for sure.


I also took a look at the Chevy Volt, and while I also enjoy the Volt, it a little too intense looking for my liking. I mean look at how cute and bubish the Leaf is! AND the Leaf is just a WAY cooler name than the Volt...think of all the naming possibilities.

Okay but enough talk about cars that I am in no position to even be thinking about purchasing, on to bigger news. We're talking Swap Party #2 people. That's right, round two. It's all going down on Saturday evening, same rules, new stuff. I can't wait! Here are some of the items I will be swapping...

• Fleece lined rubber boots with polar bears on them
• The infamous blue sequin top (b/c really when will I ever wear it again?)
• Pair of Nine West shoes (wedge type things)
• Mountain Hardware fleece (gem of my swap items!)
• Various DVDs and Books
• Jewelry that I never wear (think free gifts from Chico's that my Aunt is constantly giving me)
• Ice cube trays (hah, I enjoy a certain level of randomness)

 Stay tuned for an update about what's sure to be some awesome swaps.

Monday - Thursday Damages (6/7 - 6/10)

Monday

• $1.25 - Diet Pepsi

Tuesday

• $5.00 - Dunkin Donuts (Iced Coffee & Bagel...the bagel was terrible if you must know)

Wednesday

• $0

Thursday

• $5.00 - Dunkin Donuts (Iced Coffee &Bagel....again the bagel was terrible. It's 5 even b/c I left my change as a tip)
• $16.08 - Target

Weekend Damages (6/5 -6/6)

Saturday

• $2.13 - Dunks (Medium Iced Coffee)

So I have noticed recently that the price for a medium iced coffee varies from store to store for Dunkin Donuts. What's with that?

Sunday

• $6.89 - Big Y (emergency hairspray and some gum...god love 100% humidity with curly hair)

Thursday and Friday's Daily Damages (6/3-6/4)

Thursday

• $2.82 - Dunkin Donuts (Large Iced Coffee)...I worked late last night (1am) so a large iced coffee was an absolute must to get my day started right...well to get it started at all really.

Friday

• $40 - High School Graduation present for Aaron's little brother.

Tuesady and Wednesday's Daily Damages (6/1-6/2)

Tuesday

• $38.60 - Johnny's Market
• $2.42 - UMass Cafeteria (Diet Dr. Pepper and bag of baked lays) 

Wednesday

•  $2.43 - Dunkin Donuts (iced coffee while waiting for the CSX flagger that never showed up for a delineation...great start to a day)
• $104.95 - Rue La La (Adidas Boutique)
• $39.96 - Amazon

I know what you're thinking...you caved to the LaLa again! Sadly you are correct, but at least I have an excuse! I bought my dad his father's day and birthday present, which may become his fathers day present from myself and my brother depending on whether or not the bro got him anything yet...although he usually relies on me to do that, so I'm assuming he didn't. I also got Aaron a shirt, just because. Granted it's the same shirt that I got my dad...I know...weird, but I like the shirt so get over it. I mean just look how dapper this gentleman looks in the attire...

$35 from $60.

$35 from $65. This is the one that I got for both Aaron and my Dad. 

 I also made a purchase at Amazon for two new books. Hold onto your seat now...they're pretty freaking exciting...

The Newcomb's Wildflower Guide

My favorite wildflower key, which I need to replace the one that mysteriously disappeared from my cube. Apparently I work amongst thieves.

Invasive Plants: Guide to Identification and the Impacts and Control of Common North American Species.

 Needed for my thesis project with the Audubon Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary this summer. I will be preparing a report on the status of invasive species and control measure that should be taken in the sanctuary. Hopefully I get it all done by August 31st b/c then I'll be done with grad school!!! YEEESSSS!

I told you it was exciting! Side note: the juries still out as to whether or not I will put all, or some of this purchase on my expense report...

Manic May

Total: $1,528

Housewares: $571 (remember those hardwoods?)
Gifts: $283
Gas: $164
Bars/Restaurants: $154
Health & Beauty: $90
Shoes: $85
Randomness: $65
Groceries: $46
Snackages: $22
Travel: $20
Entertainment: $15
Coffee: $12
Clothing: $0 (the sole $0 category of the month)

Seriously, I am failing at this whole scaling back thing. FAILING! It's quite disheartening to be honest. I promised myself that I would follow through with this resolution though, so I can't stop now. I mean, even if I fail at being a more conscious consumer at least I can keep my resolution to call myself out on mindlessly shopping.

Although, I suppose all is not lost. I mean, I have made some more responsible decisions about where I've been spending my money, even though I seem to be spending every last penny of it. The hardwoods were bought from a local store, my groceries (even though there were very little of them) were purchased at a local grocery store, and some of the random items that I purchased, like the toy toy and treats for the pups were bought from a local doggy boutique instead of Pet Co. or Pet Smart...PLUS a lot of my dough was spent on gifts for others this month, just as a side note.

Sigh, here's hoping that June goes a little better for my bank account.