So how was your day?

[katred]

Debi, you really look gorgeous! I can see clearly the difference between QC working on someone (you) and not (me). My natural lip colour really clashed with the lipstick, whereas yours enhances it. Goes to show how a lot of how well something works is largely a function of who its on. The purple shades just make your eyes look electric.

I remember seeing looks that one Specktra member (haven't seen her around recently) did with YSL's Paris Rose Rouge Volutpe where it looked stunning. Just this gorgeous, highly pigmented pink with a strong coral undertone. On me? Icky orange pink that looked a little like I remember the fluoride treatments at the dentist's office. Not cute.

Felt like I had a great day today, although I think that's largely due to the weather being gorgeous. I sinned and picked myself up a gloss and lipstick... I am SUCH an addict. I did get kind of a thrill because, while I was shopping, the girl working the Clinique counter ran over to tell me how much she liked what I was wearing... Always nice to get noticed...

I did have one of those awkward experiences with a shop owner who's also a friend. She insisted I stop by to try on a dress, which she was sure was perfect for me... Not so. I just have a really hard time letting someone in that situation know that I'm not interested. I get annoyed really quickly when people try to pressure me, but, since she's someone both Dom and I know and chat with aside from her shop, I didn't feel like I could just tell her to sod off. Between the two of us, Dom is the one who can deal with people on a personal level without offending. Now I feel like I can't go back there for a while, because I suspect she's waiting for me to try this dress that REALLY doesn't work on me...

 

[LMD84]

Debi, you really look gorgeous! I can see clearly the difference between QC working on someone (you) and not (me). My natural lip colour really clashed with the lipstick, whereas yours enhances it. Goes to show how a lot of how well something works is largely a function of who its on. The purple shades just make your eyes look electric.

I remember seeing looks that one Specktra member (haven't seen her around recently) did with YSL's Paris Rose Rouge Volutpe where it looked stunning. Just this gorgeous, highly pigmented pink with a strong coral undertone. On me? Icky orange pink that looked a little like I remember the fluoride treatments at the dentist's office. Not cute.

Felt like I had a great day today, although I think that's largely due to the weather being gorgeous. I sinned and picked myself up a gloss and lipstick... I am SUCH an addict. I did get kind of a thrill because, while I was shopping, the girl working the Clinique counter ran over to tell me how much she liked what I was wearing... Always nice to get noticed...

I did have one of those awkward experiences with a shop owner who's also a friend. She insisted I stop by to try on a dress, which she was sure was perfect for me... Not so. I just have a really hard time letting someone in that situation know that I'm not interested. I get annoyed really quickly when people try to pressure me, but, since she's someone both Dom and I know and chat with aside from her shop, I didn't feel like I could just tell her to sod off. Between the two of us, Dom is the one who can deal with people on a personal level without offending. Now I feel like I can't go back there for a while, because I suspect she's waiting for me to try this dress that REALLY doesn't work on me...

ooohh what lipstick and gloss did you get? i like hearing about others hauls! oh and i get what you mean about the shop owner friend. if you know this dress isn't going to work but she keeps mentioning it, it gets embarrassing! and i understand that she wants buisness - but equally you need to realise when your sales pitch is just turning into pressure! not cool!

 

[ElvenEyes]

Debi, you really look gorgeous! I can see clearly the difference between QC working on someone (you) and not (me). My natural lip colour really clashed with the lipstick, whereas yours enhances it. Goes to show how a lot of how well something works is largely a function of who its on. The purple shades just make your eyes look electric.

I remember seeing looks that one Specktra member (haven't seen her around recently) did with YSL's Paris Rose Rouge Volutpe where it looked stunning. Just this gorgeous, highly pigmented pink with a strong coral undertone. On me? Icky orange pink that looked a little like I remember the fluoride treatments at the dentist's office. Not cute.

Felt like I had a great day today, although I think that's largely due to the weather being gorgeous. I sinned and picked myself up a gloss and lipstick... I am SUCH an addict. I did get kind of a thrill because, while I was shopping, the girl working the Clinique counter ran over to tell me how much she liked what I was wearing... Always nice to get noticed...

I did have one of those awkward experiences with a shop owner who's also a friend. She insisted I stop by to try on a dress, which she was sure was perfect for me... Not so. I just have a really hard time letting someone in that situation know that I'm not interested. I get annoyed really quickly when people try to pressure me, but, since she's someone both Dom and I know and chat with aside from her shop, I didn't feel like I could just tell her to sod off. Between the two of us, Dom is the one who can deal with people on a personal level without offending. Now I feel like I can't go back there for a while, because I suspect she's waiting for me to try this dress that REALLY doesn't work on me...

Thank you! Watching the Quite Cute thread and seeing everyone swatching or photos of people wearing the same l/s with such different results is amazing. Everything seems to depend on one's skin tone, eye and hair colour, and skin type (oily, dry, etc.) that decides if something will or won't work! Amazing, really!

I have quite a few friends who own stores and I know exactly what you are feeling. A true friendship will remain steady whether you buy from a shop or not or say no to an item. If they only weigh your friendship on what you buy or their recommendation then it isn't a very strong one. I am going through this right now. I have a friend who owns a used bookstore. Before we became friends I was simply a customer and often wish it was still that way. She got angry at me when I bought a Kindle and called me a traitor because she hates high tech things and says it is ruining her business. She always recommends books and movies and shows to everyone, stuffing books I am not the least interested in right in my face when I am trying to look at something else. I just put it down and say "Not for me". And often don't buy anything at all. She gets mad, but too bad. She is mad at me because I spent my tarot selling money on Coach bags instead of her books (I didn't even mention makeup since she doesn't wear any) and it goes on and on. Her last comment to me was "Whatever floats your boat". I was so angry at her being so childish. When I told her about the new series Camelot she said she could not be bothered (I bet you anything she is watching it and loving it!) because she has read sooooo much on King Arthur and it is just another thing to put on her busy calendar. I wrote back "Whatever floats your boat". lol I have not heard from her in 2 days. She can dish it out but she can't take it. Now she knows how stupid she sounds. I have chosen to stop writing to her and visiting. I rarely buy anything from her and only sell on occasion. There are other places. She can be minus one friend unless she wants to step up to the plate, make an apology or gesture of friendship and grow up. BTW, she is 62. Maybe we are just too different. I get excited about a new lipstick colour just as much as I get excited over a new book. She has become very narrow minded. Grrr! So, yeah, I get where you are at and feel for you!

 

[LMD84]

well i had a pretty good day. although i messed up by using an expired bus ticket this morning!! however the driver didn't notice. i only realised when i got to work that i should have bought a bus pas again today! oops! then it was the grand national horse race which people seem to go crazy for. i am not into gambling or horse racing but the guys were putting bets on the horses. so i chose one because it had a funny name and it won! so my £2 bet got me £30! which will pay for my clarins moisturiser that i forgot to buy today!

 

[katred]

Lou- that sounds like an awesome day! Sometimes, luck is just on your side. I've been a lazy slob today. Got up late, had some breakfast, toddled around a little, had a nap... I'm DJ'ing an event later tonight, so it'll be a fairly late one, but that's kind of par for the course. I've been keeping night owl hours lately.

Debi- Sounds like your situation is worse than mine. I feel for you. Worst part about this was that I tried on another dress, which I strongly preferred, but she was pushing me towards the first one. So now I feel like I have to go somewhere else to buy the dress I want. She could get business from me either way, but the whole situation felt so weird that she'll likely lose out.

I soothed myself with a Guerlain Kiss Kiss gloss- the deep magenta one that was part of the Spring collection. I'd been eyeing it for months and I finally decided that, since that collection is now gone just about everywhere, I just had to have it. I also picked up Rouge d'Armani- the red colour that came out with their holiday collection. I got the very last one, which always makes me feel like I did the right thing. It's funny, because I absolutely adore the Armani lipsticks, but most of the colours seem unimaginative to me. I wish they'd build up the range more!

I'm trying to figure out something to wear for tonight, since it's an occasion where I can get as creative as I want...

 

[ElvenEyes]

Well, I was bad again. I shopped, I hauled. I will put that up tomorrow or something. I am too tired right now to do it! But I also got some cute tops for summer. I went to one shop and they were closed! We never heard they had gone bankrupt, but sure enough. I bought tons of stuff there, so I am really freaked out as to where I am going to find good casual clothes. At least I picked these cuties up. Note the colours (which is the majority of both my winter and summer clothes). Can you tell why I LOVE the Quite Cute collection? lol

Oh, and the most fun part. When I went into MAC (dang, the lippies were all sold out) the manager, whom I see a lot of, asked me if I would be interested in working for MAC. OMG. I mean, no, because it is too far away and not part of my present evil plan (yes, I have an evil plan!) but she went on and on about how I do my makeup well, know what colours look good on me and how to work them together, how other MUA there have mentioned they like my MU and was really trying to convince me to think about it in a serious way. I was so touched. I told her I owed it to all of you and the You Tube videos that really teach how to blend, etc., and just follow my own style, and she pulled out a picture of her mother to show me and it was just the sweetest half hour! Hubby was standing in the mall waiting, watching, wondering why I was chatting so much with her. lol I could have kissed her feet....but that probably would have been really strange.....

 

[shadowaddict]

Debi--I just now saw that you sold that deck. Congrats. I realy like those tops and yes the colors are very you and will go quiite well with your quite cute

Lou-great job on picking the winning horse. I went to a race a couple of times years ago with my sister and her hubby. They were not much into it but it was a group outting. I did the same thing I looked at the names and picked the cute or funny ones. I also won a little. I'm too chicken to ever bet much on anything. I had gone to Vegas probably 4-5 times before I ever gambled at all. My sister is into more than I am. I love to shop in Vegas. She likes video poker but there with me she doesn't do very much of it cause she has casinos in her state. I like to play the penny slots that have silly names and bonus plays. That way late at night we can sit and play for quite a while and chat and people watch without going broke because we usually stay 9-10 nights. We are usually going to bed when my hubby is going to work as we are two hours ahead here. Vegas is a whole different world, love to vist but would not like to live there.

Kate--that would be so very awkward for me about the dress. I am not good in those type situations. I have a hard time speaking up and always afraid I will hurt someone's feelings or something. I'm like that even with family. I have offered to help out my son and DIL as he has to get back to classes this week and she is trying to do some of her classwork online and heal from the c-section and take care of a newborn. He told me today that her mother is coming Monday but she could probably use my help Tuesday which is fine. I really just wish they would say from x time to x time. I don't want them to feel I'm smothering them and also don't want to cut out too early when she needs my help. I think I may have to ask my son to please tell me because I don't want her to feel that I don't want to help. I just want a time estimate. I guess it's kind of like feeling you are over staying your welcome. Some of this is likely to be coming from how much I value my alone time.

The dj thing sounds really cool. I bet that is a lot of fun. You'll have to tell us all about how it goes.

 

[LMD84]

Debi--I just now saw that you sold that deck. Congrats. I realy like those tops and yes the colors are very you and will go quiite well with your quite cute

Lou-great job on picking the winning horse. I went to a race a couple of times years ago with my sister and her hubby. They were not much into it but it was a group outting. I did the same thing I looked at the names and picked the cute or funny ones. I also won a little. I'm too chicken to ever bet much on anything. I had gone to Vegas probably 4-5 times before I ever gambled at all. My sister is into more than I am. I love to shop in Vegas. She likes video poker but there with me she doesn't do very much of it cause she has casinos in her state. I like to play the penny slots that have silly names and bonus plays. That way late at night we can sit and play for quite a while and chat and people watch without going broke because we usually stay 9-10 nights. We are usually going to bed when my hubby is going to work as we are two hours ahead here. Vegas is a whole different world, love to vist but would not like to live there.

Kate--that would be so very awkward for me about the dress. I am not good in those type situations. I have a hard time speaking up and always afraid I will hurt someone's feelings or something. I'm like that even with family. I have offered to help out my son and DIL as he has to get back to classes this week and she is trying to do some of her classwork online and heal from the c-section and take care of a newborn. He told me today that her mother is coming Monday but she could probably use my help Tuesday which is fine. I really just wish they would say from x time to x time. I don't want them to feel I'm smothering them and also don't want to cut out too early when she needs my help. I think I may have to ask my son to please tell me because I don't want her to feel that I don't want to help. I just want a time estimate. I guess it's kind of like feeling you are over staying your welcome. Some of this is likely to be coming from how much I value my alone time.

The dj thing sounds really cool. I bet that is a lot of fun. You'll have to tell us all about how it goes.

Oh i would love to go to Vegas as well but sadly Nick is not into it. He think it is all about the gambling. and obviously that is a huge part but there are lots of shows and things to see and do other than that right? and like you i think that i'd be doing the penny slots rather than the hard core games! i wouldn't have a clue on what to do! hee hee!

that is really nice of you to help out with the baby. i am sure that they will appriciate any kind of help and time you spend with them. and good idea about asking how much help and time they need. if you don't ask you won't know when things are getting too much for them

today i have the in laws visiting. but first i need to do my make up! i plan on re-creating a mac promo image from a past collection. then it will be on the specktra blog when it goes 'live' very soon. so i guess i should stop chating here right?!

oh and Debi there is a new mac collection called semi precious - got a couple of pink mineral shadows that i am sure you will be all over! and a pretty pink msf too! looks like it has a nipple though... check it out to see what i mean!

 

[ElvenEyes]

Have fun with the in-laws! I can't wait to see your new look! Hm....yet another collection from MAC. And nipples, no doubt. I will have to try and find the link to that one! But they are putting too many collections out. I would rather see some amazing new colours added to the permanent line like Pink Cult, etc. I think it would be in their best interest instead of overwhelming the customers with collections that sell out so fast we can only get part of the collection and left high and dry for the rest. That just leads to unhappy consumers. Ah, well.

 

[ElvenEyes]

Just saw the Nipple Collection...I mean The Semi-Precious Collection! lol I would have to see swatches on these. They look highly glittery and some are amazing dark. Maybe good for some of my fey looks, but other than the paler pink one, it isn't grabbing me. At least not yet. I am not even excited about the Flower collection. Hmm... Collection overload and just not colours I know I would wear, so looks like pennies will be well saved in the near future!

 

[LMD84]

Just saw the Nipple Collection...I mean The Semi-Precious Collection! lol I would have to see swatches on these. They look highly glittery and some are amazing dark. Maybe good for some of my fey looks, but other than the paler pink one, it isn't grabbing me. At least not yet. I am not even excited about the Flower collection. Hmm... Collection overload and just not colours I know I would wear, so looks like pennies will be well saved in the near future!

oh that is good! i am drooling over about 4 of the shadows from that collection!

the in law visit went ok. went out for a nice meal and had a chat. nothing too painful and i wasn't judged much this time. although they were moaning at nick a little. they don't feel he is successful and kept asking him when he was going to get a better paid job!

 

[LMD84]

how is everybody doing? anybody got anything exciting planned for the weekend?

i am going to see scream 4 at the cinema! i lovce those movies! and i even remember my mum taking me to see the second and third one when i was extremely underage! i am surprised the cinema let me in! lol! although when i was a teen i did always look much older than i was thanks to the clothing i wore and my boobs!

 

[ElvenEyes]

lol Boobs. They always give us away. What is with that?

I have no idea what we are doing this weekend. My hubby finally got our taxes done so if the weather is nice at all we might start doing a few little outside things. Our local nursery is having a big spring bash on Saturday so we will try and go to that. Food catered and people talking birds, flowers, wildlife, etc. I love that place. It is a second home to me! Last night was super relaxing as we burned an Angel Amaretto candle, ate popcorn (light butter, no salt, no sugar) and watched Narnia;Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Okay, I cried at the end. I don't want it to end. I don't want them to never go back to Narnia. It rots and Aslan is so cute and furry. I hate when things end. When I was in my early teens I read the Hobbit and the LOTR trilogy and when it was done I would start all over again because I didn't want it to end. I did that, with a slight hop to other books, for several years! Then I tossed in the Silmarillion too. It took a lot of bravery on my part to branch out and leave Middle Earth on its own, once in a while! lol I want to read this weekend, too. I have been so busy with tarot selling, boxing things up, etc., that it has turned into a full time job! Oh, and house clean. I forgot about the house. Oops.

 

[LMD84]

lol Boobs. They always give us away. What is with that?

I have no idea what we are doing this weekend. My hubby finally got our taxes done so if the weather is nice at all we might start doing a few little outside things. Our local nursery is having a big spring bash on Saturday so we will try and go to that. Food catered and people talking birds, flowers, wildlife, etc. I love that place. It is a second home to me! Last night was super relaxing as we burned an Angel Amaretto candle, ate popcorn (light butter, no salt, no sugar) and watched Narnia;Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Okay, I cried at the end. I don't want it to end. I don't want them to never go back to Narnia. It rots and Aslan is so cute and furry. I hate when things end. When I was in my early teens I read the Hobbit and the LOTR trilogy and when it was done I would start all over again because I didn't want it to end. I did that, with a slight hop to other books, for several years! Then I tossed in the Silmarillion too. It took a lot of bravery on my part to branch out and leave Middle Earth on its own, once in a while! lol I want to read this weekend, too. I have been so busy with tarot selling, boxing things up, etc., that it has turned into a full time job! Oh, and house clean. I forgot about the house. Oops.

Oh wow! the nursery thing sounds like it would be wonderful! i would love to go somewhere with birds and wildlife like that! and yes i love the narnia films and i enjoyed reading the books when i was younger too! and that is so cute that you read all the LOTR books again because you didn't want them to end! i am ashamed to admit that i have never read those books - nick has and loves them but they are too heavy for me! but i love the movies! lol!

 

[ElvenEyes]

Lou~You should see the place at Christmas. Even Halloween is a blast, but Christmas is gorgeous. They go all out with over 50 trees displayed and various themes, villages, you name it. It is both a nursery and gift shop. I love that place to death. Here is a picture of my tree this past year...tree and decorations mostly from them. My house looks like their store! lol We always joke about it and they make me bring in photos, always wondering what I am up to next! Right now I am working on a Fairy Village. Woot!

My tree..., day and night, and the mini tree in the family room.... Anyone for hot chocolate and eggnog?

 

[rockin]

I love to see Christmas trees all lit up, and the lovely glow they give off in an otherwise unlit room Gives such a cosy feeling

 

[LMD84]

Oh Debi they are beautiful!!! i love your decorations and the nativity on your mantlepiece is so cool! no wonder they like to see pictures! sadly we cant have a christmas tree anymore because naughty dylan pulls it down and breaks all the decorations! he's such a shitty kitty sometimes!

I love to see Christmas trees all lit up, and the lovely glow they give off in an otherwise unlit room Gives such a cosy feeling

yes it is a wonderful cozy feeling they give off! oh and how was your son's birthday? did he have a lovely day?

 

[rockin]

He's such a sleepyhead! He got up mid afternoon and opened his cards and presents, then we had the birthday tea (complete with candle-on-a-pizza) and he snuggled up to his Nan and went back to sleep LOL. We've come to expect that from him, I'm afraid. He's been in bed most of today, too.

 

[LMD84]

oh bess him! that is so sweet that you did manage to do a candle on a pizza for him! i bet it made his day! and i think most teenage boys sleep loads! when i first met Nick he was 17 and sometimes i would arrive at his house at about 10am and he would still be in bed! i couldn't believe it because i am a morning person and always up at 6am! always have and always will i guess! after living with nick for many years i have trained him to be a morning person too! now he gets a head ache if he stays in bed past 8am! lol!

 

[LMD84]

well today my day wasn't the best. i had somebody from head office arrive and do a surprise audit on my store and because i have been short staffed i hadn't dome some of the paperwork so didn't get full marks. kinda sucked. then a computer went wrong but after much faffing it turned out the monitor cable wasn't plugged in! hence why the pc was just showing a blank screen. then the printer broke - for real and it took ages to sort out. all quite stressful!