Tax/Debt Update.

I lit-er-al-ly just finished filing my 2009 taxes, and I'm going to be getting a return of $926.  It cost about $17 to file them, so I'm netting  return of about $909.  This is AWESOME!!!

I'm pretty sure I've filed it all properly; I kept all of my documentation in a file, so let's hope I don't get audited, but I'm ready if I do.

OOOH....and the debt update:  my credit line charged me only $8.51  Again.  AWESOME.

Therefore, I only have $867.90 left.  WHOA!  I'm going to be debt free as soon as I get this crazy tax return.  It's so close I can taste it.


Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

February Debt Update. ALMOST THERE!!!

I've been so MIA this week - I'm sorry.  I had a midterm this Wednesday and it's consumed every single ounce of free time.

Now that that hard awesome test is over with, I'm back with a debt update.

I paid off $4 over my goal this month. 
This is good considering my little shopping fall off the ship trip for Vday weekend. 

You'll see that my figures have actually increased for my final payoff amount.  This is because I forgot to account for the roughly $16 of interest that will be charged when I did my initial calculations.  This has been amended and gives me a final payoff of $872.33. 

It's so close I can taste it!  This time next month, I will be debt free.  Boy it feels good to say that. 

Also - I've sold some stuff and used my bonus to almost completely pay off Vday's shopping extravaganza.  Therefore, I'm anticipating some extra dollaz to put towards my debt this month, as I don't usually go to my $100/week budget.  I will be putting every last cent towards that sucker.

Here's a summary.  Click to enlarge:

 

Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

A Bonus. Woot!

So just got news this morning that I'm getting a bonus from work.  It's small, mind you, but it's something.

It's only about $500, which is a small token to show me that they've valued my work in this unit since August.  AND, my boss also informed me that there's the potential for a raise come July.  WOOP WOOP!!

Oh, and preliminary tax calculations = a return of over $1,000.

Now, I'm not freaking so much over the "off the bandwagon" fall, and know that I'll have enough $$$ to pay off my debt AND treat myself.  Cabo here I come.


Please pardon my lack of posts this week.  I have a midterm tonight and I've been studying super hard (makes less work for the final.  I love it!), but should be back in action tomorrow.


Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

*Canadian Girl's Currently Loving: JCrew.

When I said I went off the bandwagon last weekend, I forgot to mention that most of my shopping was at JCrew. It was an outlet/sale time, yes, but it was there. I am in LUUURRRRRVE. I was never one for their clothes before, but I must say, it suits my current style perfectly. However, the prices? Not so much. At least not right now.

 I love this look for summer.  I have a ruffled shirt, and bought a similar cardi from JCrew on the weekend.  I'm pretty sure I have khaki shorts as well, so this is a budget look for me that I can surely do!

I have a shirt just like this, which I think I actually paid more for than the $68 it is at JCrew.  (* yes, I know it's $68 USD, but with the exchange, that's like $70 CAD, so not much difference there) 

I know I have shorts of a similar colour, so I'll def be pairing this together for the summer.

 

Love these, but I'm pretty sure Old Naves has them for $5, no?  $108 USD.  Eff that.

Great look for work.  I don't have any of these colours for work clothes, so I'm going to have to improvise.

 

Another look for work.  I bought a cardi this colour on the weekend as well.  I'm certain I have a khaki pencil skirt.  The blouse, however, not so much.  But I can improvise.  That's what a budget fashionista does, right?  *look is minus those shoes.  eeew*

Love this look for a weekend, or for casual Friday.  I have a grey blazer, and for sure have a white shirt.  Perhaps I could pair this with shorts as well for a weekend in the summer. 

I bought a cardi close to this colour on the weekend, but mine is more of a brighter T & Co. blue.  I die.  I love it. 

Mine wasn't the $168, however; it was $22.  Budget fashionista WIN!


This would be great with a skirt for work, or pants, for that matter.  Jeans on the weekend could work too.


This can be monogrammed by JCrew.  LOVE IT!

 

Love this ruffled blouse.  Great under a blazer or a cardi.  And it's on sale.  Eff my life.

I could go on for days, but I'm going to stop there for the sake of my sanity and my bank account.  This has made me so anxious to be debt free all that much more.  I need want these gorge clothes in my closet NOW!

Click here for a link to all new arrivals, or find some sale merchandise here.  I always check www.jcrew.com.  I know I shouldn't, but I can't help myself.  

Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

Awesome Lashes in 10 Steps.

I've gotten a few emails from readers asking how I get my lashes to stay curly and look full.  I have to say that 1/2 of it is genetics and the other 1/2 is a lifetime of LOVING makeup.

I've told you all before just how OBSESSED I am with makeup.  Mascara is no exception to the rule.  I don’t even need black eyeliner to make my lashes look full, but alas, I digress.  Everyone who doesn’t have full lashes should invest in a great black eyeliner.  I love the Stila Eye Kajal for a change-up tho and I think that those who don't have naturally full eyelashes should most def invest in this.

In terms of mascaras, you don’t have to go for high end.  More expensive is not always better, and this is especially the case here.  I have tried and tried to love MAC, but I just can’t.  TiffanyD loves MAC Plushlash, but it just doesn’t do it for me {her lashes are nicer, I get it…but whatevs}.  After trying various combos, I think I’ve found the right combination: Covergirl Lashblast Waterproof and L’Oreal Extra Volume Collagen.

I had originally intended to do a huge tutorial for this.  However, I don’t know how interested you all would be in that.  So, if you are, drop me a line and I will {hopefully} be able to get one up complete with pictures, and daily wear reviews of about 3 different types of mascara soon.

Anywho, back to it.  I always use a waterproof mascara as my base.  Why?  It’s more waxy and holds a curl better.  I have super straight lashes and no curl whatsoever.  I never have and I never will.  To be honest, the whole eyelash perming thing freaks ma freak.  So, I had to devise a way to hold the curl.

This is what I do for my first set of steps:

1.)    Heat a Shu Uemura eyelash curler for 5 seconds infront of a hairdryer on low heat

2.)    Curl right eye from the base, and clamp three times working my way to the top

3.)    Apply 1 coat of waterproof mascara to my right lashes

4.)    Repeat for the left

I let the waterproof dry completely.  This is very important, otherwise you’re likely to end up all clumpy, and nobody wants that.

Putting the waterproof aside, I can begin to use the regular mascara overtop.

5.)    Put 1 coat of regular mascara overtop of waterproof.  Let dry.

Again, letting it dry is imperative.  I know what you’re all going to say “Canadian Girl, don’t curl your lashes while they’ve got mascara on them”.  Know what?  Eff that.  I’m doing it anyway.  I’ve been doing it since high school and have never had a problem.

6.)    Heat eyelash curler for 5 seconds infront of a hairdryer on low heat

7.)    Curl right lashes, just at the base

8.)    Apply 1 coat of  regular mascara to the under and top of the lashes.  The top will help to elongate the lashes

9.)    Repeat on the left lashes

Once you’ve done this, ensure it’s dry; perhaps go about finishing off the rest of your makeup.

10.)One final full curl of both lashes with a heated curler.  Make sure you clamp 3 times, from the bottom to the top.

This process works for me 100% of the time, with the exception of those rainy days when I just can’t get the lashes to stay straight.  My hair never works, so why should they?

I do this every day, so it’s tried, tested and true.  Besides, this eliminates the need for lash primers which are often a waste of money in my experience.

Do you guys have any tips you’d like to share??

Here’s a link to my post with a “lash porn” pic in it.  I’m so hilarious, it hurts.

*** why is the font wonky?  who knows.  You'll just have to deal

Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

Off the Band Wagon. Eff.

So.  I went off the Falls.  Lit-er-al-ly.  I spent WAY too much money this weekend.

I don't even know what I'm going to do.  It's like I see a sale and I can't pass it up. 

I think I'm going to have to use my trip savings to pay this off.  Goodbye Mexico, Hello Bargains.


Eff my life.



Hugs,

*Canadian Girl

Happy V Day!!!

I know, I know.  It's somewhat of an over the top, consumerist and overall pretty lame holiday. But there is one thing that it's not:  a lame excuse to tell those you love how you really feel.

So, if you have a significant other or not, remember that V day is for EVERYONE you love.  Don't just tell them once a year that you love them; be sure to do it every day.  But make them feel extra special today.

I love you all!!        

Happy V day!!


Hugs (& Love),

*Canadian Girl