Liz runs on Dunkin

So this morning I stopped at Dunkin Donuts on my way to work. This is my Monday morning ritual. I get a large coffee with cream and sugar. For only $2.10 including tax, I can insure my week is off to a good start. The coffee is not fabulous, but what IS fabulous is that they fix it for you. You do not have to waste your own time counting sugar packets, ripping and dumping, or guesstimating how much cream to pour in. They do it all for you! It’s beautiful. Also, my DD is run by the nicest Pakistani man who knows me so well by now (and I only go once a week, mind you) that he usually has my coffee fixed for me and waiting on the counter by the time I walk in the door. As if that wasn’t enough to make me a DD fanatic, this morning they gave me five free munchkins (donut holes, for those of you who aren't up on the slang) with my coffee. Now that’s a sure way to get a cheap girl’s loyalty for life.

Never stop to ask for directions again

Put this number in your phone right now:

466453 (GOOGLE)

To get driving directions texted directly to your cell phone, send a text message to this number. Simply enter DIRECTIONS then your start address then TO and finally your destination address (ex: DIRECTIONS winnipeg TO r3h 0h4). Within seconds, a series of texts will be sent back to you containing the full step-by-step directions. It's so easy it's laughable.

Driving directions is only the tip of the iceberg with Google SMS (stands for Short Message Service). This little six-digit number provides United States local business listings, movie showtimes, weather conditions, stock quotes, dictionary definitions and more, all in text message format on your mobile phone. Obviously, if you have a fancy iPhone or GPS, this may not be as cool to you. But me and my little Verizon LG VX5400 are loving it.

Click here to learn more about the brilliance of Google SMS. Oh and yes, it's free.

If it ain't broke...

...don't fix it. But if it is broke, write a blog about it. That's my motto. It seems like everything broke this week. Well, not everything, but two things, two things big enough to notice: 1. my mac at work and 2. our family minivan. It all started on Tuesday when I was downloading routine system updates on my iMac, which is only two years old. Upon restart it got stuck on the blue screen of death (yes, macs have them too). When I realized what was happening, I experienced many emotions uncannily similar to those found in the five stages of grief after the loss of a loved one:

1. Denial: This can't be happening. I must be dreaming. My computer will start up any second.
   
2. Anger: Come on! Start up already! This can't be happening to me! Noooo!
   
3. Bargaining: Dear God, if you would just make my computer start up again, I will stop checking my personal email and blogging at work.
   
4. Depression: I give up. There's no use. It's gone. Tears.
   
5. Acceptance: I have incorporated the loss into my life. While there is still sadness, it will not prevent me from functioning normally.

The stage of Acceptance enabled me to look up Apple support online, and after combing through a myriad of forums, blogs, manuals, etc., I found that the only viable option I had to get rid of the BSoD was to reinstall my operating system. This is pretty easy with a mac, and you can even do an "Archive and Install" which preserves all your files and settings. However, you need your installation discs to do this. And since I wasn't around when the computer was purchased, I had no idea where the discs were kept. I found Disc 2 pretty easily, but after tearing my office apart, I coud not find Disc 1. Why would Disc 1 be missing, and where could it be? It remains a mystery even now.

After going through the five stages of grief all over again when I couldn't locate Disk 1, I set up a support request online with Apple, and they called me within a minute (yes, literally). After telling the nice mac genius guy all my woes, he asked for my address and said they would mail me the disc I needed, no questions asked. I knew there was a reason I loved Apple. FREE replacement disc, yay!

The same day I was dealing with all this computer stuff, Jeff texted me at work to let me know the van wouldn't start (he drives it during the day). When I got home we tried jumping it, but that didn't work. We figured it was probably the starter, so we had it towed to Meineke last night.

[Side note: We get free towing through our roadside assistance plan with Verizon Wireless. It's only $3/month. If you are a Verizon Wireless customer, make sure you sign up for that. It's totally worth it!!]

Usually when something like this happens I freak out a little bit. I try to keep calm, but car trouble is such a pain. It's inconvenient and usually expensive. And usually we don't have any extra money. However, the other night Jeff got a message from his brother Eric in California saying he was sending us $300. I thought, "Wow, that's awesome!!" but I wondered why Eric would tell us instead of just letting us be surprised by the check in the mail. Now I see how him telling us about the money BEFORE our van broke down helped in keeping my freaking out to a minimum. When it happened, I already knew we would have money to cover the repairs.

Well, it turns out it is indeed the starter, and a new one is going to cost us $400. You don't have to be great at math to understand that this is very close to the same amount Eric is sending us. So amidst all of this week's breaking down, there's been a lot of building up. I just found this verse and I love it: "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment" (I Timothy 6:17). Amen to that!

Got e.l.f.?

When I first heard about this website where you can get makeup for $1, I was skeptical. I thought, "Hmm, how good can it be? There must be some catch." And then I discovered the world of eyeslipsface.com for myself.

The first thing I noticed was how professional the site looked. Before even browsing through the products, I visited their buzz page, to find out what the big-time critics were saying. Turns out they have been featured in O magazine, Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Real Simple, and various other reputable media.

Then I made my selections. I just picked out some basics for my first order. I ordered 10 items, but I had a coupon code for half off (thanks, Cathy!) so my grand total was $5. Shipping was only $6.95 (FedEx). I placed my order on 12/16, it was shipped the next day, and it was delivered three days after that. Not too shabby.

As soon as my e.l.f. box arrived (I was actually getting ready for a party when the delivery guy came -- perfect timing!), I ripped it open and starting applying. Here's my take:

1. Blending Wedges - Just your average blending wedges. But they’re only $1, so why not?


2. Brow Comb + Brush - No complaints here. It does the job (and looks cute with its white wooden handle).


3. Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara - Does its job keeping my errant brows in place.
   


4. All Over Cover Stick in Fair - My least favorite of everything I ordered. Tiny, orange, and weird.


5. Tone Correcting Concealer in Fair - Awesome! I use it every day. I find it a little odd that my concealer is scented (smells like oranges), but I have sensitive skin and it doesn't seem to bother me.


6. Natural Radiance Blusher in Innocence - Even though the shade is way too light, I love the texture and coverage of this blusher. Also, it is just the right size -- not too small and not too large (you don’t want it to last so long you get sick of the color). I will definitely buy this again, but in a slightly darker shade.


7. Brightening Eye Color in Nouveau Neutrals - My second least favorite product. There are four colors in the case, and they don't really complement each other. Also, you really have to dig your applicator sponge into the powder to loosen it up enough to apply it.


8. Plumping Lip Glaze in Plum Pout - This is the lip gloss I’ve been looking for all my life!! I love it. Minty, pouty, and pink (but not too pink). I need to order some more!


9. Clarifying Pressed Powder in Tone 1 - Not so much. It's way too orangey for my fair skin, even though I got the lightest shade.
   


10. Total Face Brush - Love it. The bristles are soft and supple, and it is just the right size. Great quality for a buck.

So, all in all, a good experience. I had a few complaints, but since my initial investment was only a fraction of what I would have paid to try 10 new Revlon, L'Oreal, or Cover Girl products, they are minor indeed.

Oh, one other thing that made me love them: when I placed my order I qualified for a "free gift" which usually means you have to pay extra shipping for something you don't want anyway, or it really IS free but kinda stupid (like a water-proof alarm clock). Well, e.l.f.'s free gift to me, packed in my box with the other makeup, was one of their candy shop lip tins in Berry Pop, worth $2. Yummy and useful.

To top it all off, I ordered gift wrapping and got a free red gift bag and tissue paper included with my order. I'll save it for one of my friend's birthdays, and they'll never know the difference.

Now that I have been using my new el-cheapo makeup for over a month, I am still an e.l.f. fan. I signed up for their email list, and I get great offers all the time, like $2 shipping, buy 2 items get 1 free, 75% off cosmetics cases, etc. $1 makeup -- it's true, believe it.