Youtube Autoplay and BYOB

One thing about my brain: there is always music.  Well, probably more like 99.9% of the time, but you get the idea.  When I decide I want to hear something instead of having my brain produce the music, there's usually something that it has in mind (haha).  Today, for example, when I opened up iTunes, I had Mumford and Sons' I Will Wait in my head, and nothing else would tempt me.  Unfortunately, I don't have a recording of this, but in a flash of inspiration I went to Youtube.  I found a few videos - and then the channel.  Hello autoplay!  Which meant I could get on with all the little tasks I had to do and just listen.  Once I was done with Mumford I turned to Muse.  Win!  I still want to buy the actual recordings so I don't use up oodles of download quota though.  But especially handy for those bands about which I'm undecided, or just haven't bought yet.

The other New Thing for today was something that really shouldn't be a New Thing.  I took my own bag to Target.  So often, I go in on impulse... Or I know in advance I'll be shopping there yet forget a bag.  But recently, I've noticed the wealth of bags in my possession, and today I actually remembered to take one.  Go me.

Today's photo:

In the last few days, I've noticed my lettuce is actually looking more like lettuce.  This is exciting.

So exciting, you even get close-ups. 

The really super-looking one in the middle (in the top photo) wasn't from seed, but a seedling so that doesn't count.  Looking forward to eating it though...

June Spending

Budget, smudget.  My excuse: stocktake sales.  Plus there's less of me than before...  But still, please don't hate me!


June 1 - I was so relieved we'd started a new month, I spent more than half my budget in the city the first day:
Target: Leopard stockings; Marle stripe stockings - $7 each = $14
Lifeline Adelaide St: Table Eight skirt (below left); Jeanswest dress (not pictured) - $26 each = $52

Subtotal $66

June 8, and I was really on the hunt for new boots.  On the way to finding my new brown boots, I found - finally! - the colour block stripe stockings in my size at Target, $7; and cowl neck tops from Tokito...on sale... I love this brand, and these tops are so beautiful to wear.  I couldn't decide on a colour so bought one in navy and one in purple (according to the label - I think it's more mulberry, myself- pictured left).  $45 each = $90

Total = $163

I did also find the new brown boots, on sale - a very good sale indeed.  I'm cheating a bit here, not including them in the total as they are not only a high-price item and guaranteed to put me over just on them alone, but footwear is important.  Given the state of my other boots - they still look fine but I don't feel fine after a few hours in them - I count these more as a replacement item rather than a more frivolous extra.

And now, to appease my guilt at such over-indulgence, I think I'd better make yet another resolution: if I go over budget, I need to donate the same amount of excess to a charity.  I have to give my dad credit for this idea - years ago he started a similar scheme, so if he bought a shirt, for example, he'd donate the same amount of money to a charity.  It really makes you think twice about the word 'need'.

May Spending

Total for May: $97.20.  Acceptable.

This was all from 2 hits:

May 11 I did some impulse shopping at Target Indooroopilly.

Black block heels: $24

Nordic knit print stockings: $12

Tan pants (dog not included): $39.20
Subtotal = $75.20

I realise this is a shocking photo of the pants. 

May 31, I realised I still had nearly $25 left in my budget.  I was going to buy more stockings - long story why I didn't, and I won't bore you with that here.  Instead, I walked into Mombasa.  Sigh.  Such pretty things.  I caved and bought a pair of earrings for $22.  No picture just yet, although I predict they will be frequently worn in future.  They're black sparky balls, called 'opera balls'.  When I got to the counter I discovered they also came in many other pretty colours, including royal blue and ruby but I was so good and resisted.