Free shipping hack

I hate paying for shipping.  It's a perfectly reasonable fee to ask for, but it just always seems to come as a shock when I compare with the original price and what the final charge is.  Furthermore, free shipping almost always has a minimum purchase value that's difficult to meet (then you're forced to buy things just 'cause, to meet the limit).

Lately, I've been finding a way to get free shipping even when only buying one item - go to the store in person and ask the sales associate to place an order for you.  Shipping will be free, and it'll get delivered right to your house!  It's a great option especially if say they don't have the size/color you need, if they run out of the item itself in-store, etc.  I've tried this with both American Eagle and LOFT and so I'm assuming that any major mall stores would be willing to do this for you.

(Of course, this only works if you can access the store in person.  This may or may not be applicable for online exclusive items or online-only sales.)

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How to de-pill a sweater

Pills are those little balls of yarn that inevitably develop on sweaters because of friction and washing.  They tend to make sweaters look unkempt and old, but here's an easy trick to get rid of them.

1.  Start with an old (but clean) razor.  You'll want the blades to be somewhat dulled to prevent slicing into the actual garment.

2.  Lightly brush onto the sweater in one direction.  DO NOT grate it back and forth or press down too hard, or else you might cut into the knit.  

3.  Use small, brisk motions and you will start to see fuzz accumulate.  Work in small patches as you go down the sweater.  It's the same concept as using a lint roller.


Hopefully you can see the results between before and after:

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Liquid gold - my skincare changer

I think I've finally found the skincare product that actually works for me - and it's not even found in the skincare aisle.  I present: evening primrose oil.

I found that my skin took the worst turn during my late teens - it started getting very red and bumpy (whiteheads and trapped sebum being the biggest problem), especially in my T-zone, which made me believe I had some sort of rosacea.  Even though my hormones were supposed to be leveling out around that age, they were getting worse.  Stress from college life didn't help either.  I tried harsh facial exfoliants, oil free creams, redness reducing lotions... all to no avail.  The sebum kept building up, and the redness persisted throughout the day.

In the past, I had inconsistently taken bare amounts of evening primrose oil  as a supplement, but now I am using it every evening in lieu of a night cream.  I don't have before/after pictures, but I can attest that after about only two weeks - even during "that time of the month" - my skin has been so much better.  I no longer have that "flushed" look, and my whiteheads have all but disappeared.  Even when bumps do pop up, they are mild.  My acne scars have begun to soften and fade.  Now, I'm okay with going outside without any sort of skin makeup.  My skin still isn't perfect but it's enough of a turnaround for me to be very happy with the results.  I expect things to only improve.

This bottle was about $15 and is 4 oz.  I only need about 4 drops to cover my face, so this is going to last awhile.  In the end, it's a lot more economical and natural than most creams out there.

Why this method works (my own reasoning):

-  The skin is made up of many layers which have lipid components.  A natural lipid substance (as opposed to manufactured chemicals) will absorb more readily, and incorporate itself better into the bio structures to help skin heal.

-  My skin was over-producing sebum because it was lacking nutrients, and those harsh face washes and creams only made things worse.  Just like healthy hair, a balanced amount of oil in the skin is a sign of health.  The evening primrose oil gives my skin the moisture and nutrients it needs and acts as a protective barrier at night, when the skin does the most turnover.

This table below shows many natural oils that could address your skin issues.  I had some success with sea buckthorn oil in the past, but it can be pricey and smells oddly herb-y.  Some of the 'problem-solving' oils can come in very concentrated forms, so they should be mixed with neutral, fragrance-free moisturizers before being applied.

credit: Glamour

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Why I can't simply 'Clean out my closet'

credit: Stylemethrifty

1.  Sentimental value

I feel like almost all my purchases in more recent years have been careful and of quality.  Each piece has memories, or at least simply value in terms of what it is (good fabric, cut, etc.)  Considering I still feel sad about the clothes that were lost/stolen in college, I would say I can get pretty attached.

2.  Creativity

If you're creative, you can re-use old pieces in new ways, either through new combinations or re-fashioning (which I will be trying once I get a sewing machine.)  Plus if you take care of them, they won't look too worn or past their prime.

Big reason #3:  Things always come back in style

How I wish my mom had kept her old clothes!  I found some prime examples of items from the 70's/80's that I would still wear now T__T

A dark, oriental floral maxi?  Printed skinny crops?  Mini skater dress with a collar?  Arm candy and nude heels for a date night?!  Freaking...

It might be a bit early to think about, but I want to pass down my clothes to my daughter one day.

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Update on thrifting

I visited my first Value Village today.  There was a red and black fit and flare dress I was really tempted on getting because it fit perfectly, was made out of a good weighted cotton, seemed brand new, and was only $15.  However, there were several different dresses from that same brand (eShakti?) which seemed sort of suspicious.  Does VV get their clothes from manufacturers as well as donations?  That's a little weird.

Ultimately, I decided not to get the dress.  Although I loved the cut, something about the red and black made me wonder if I would regret looking a little gothic (or at least, too hard-lined, which isn't my personality) in the future.  Also, the prevalence of the dresses of the same brand made me wonder if I was being tricked somehow.

Toughest decision of the day.

In regards to my question in this previous post:  I like how Goodwill is all priced the same, while Value Village tries to assess the cost more to maximize profit (and even at a mere $15, I wasn't sure if it was worth it.)  Goodwill's items are clearly donation only, whereas VV seemed mixed with some bargains they managed to find for their stock to mark-up a little as well.

However, I did like how VV sorted clothing by size.  It made it easier to go through.  There were also a lot less noticeable defects.

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One top for one very busy day

The other day, I had a lot of places to go where the dress code was very different.  Of course in my opinion, dressing should not be merely based on convenience.  I wasn't going to have time to go back to my dorm and change, and I didn't want to carry around a giant, bulky bag full of clothes.  So, I got creative with my peplum top from ASOS.

(Forgive the shameless bathroom pictures)

10:40am - Midterm exam

Army jacket - Rubbish  /  Jeans - Abercrombie & Fitch

2:00pm - Dress rehearsal presentation

6:00pm - Phi Sigma Iota (Foreign Language Honor's Society) Induction Banquet

Necklace - Geranium (seen here)

Not pictured - Jessica Simpson nude pumps, as seen here.

It's great what a little mixing and matching can do!

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