Eureka!

Have you ever searched high and low for something, only to never find it? Isn't it frustrating?  I went through that feeling a while ago with Sephora's Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover when they were changing the formula/packaging and stocks were low.  My hair stylist got me hooked on a product last time I had my color done.  She'd been using on my hair every time I saw her for a few months, but I finally broke down at bought some.  Since my hair is colored, long, and frequently straightened, it's a constant battle to keep my ends looking healthy.  I admit, I loose this battle far too often, so I started using Paul Mitchell's Hot Off The Press flat iron spray.  My hair was most definitely more glossy and my ends were healthier.

I began to run out right about the time The Writer and I were in Florida.  I hadn't been able to find it in any stores in Ohio, so we looked in this beauty store on South Beach that carried every single Paul Mitchell product except this one.  The sales guy had never even heard of it.  I was sad. My hair was sad.

Yesterday, I found it. I passed by the tiniest salon with one stylist and there it was on the shelf.  I almost died in excitement! This means, that when I finally go back to get my hair done again (I'm at least a full month overdue) I won't get yelled at quite as badly for abusing my poor ends.

DIY: Moving Part 1: Before the Big Day

During my move last weekend, I found myself saying, "Where did I put the ______," "Ugh, I still have to do ______," and, "Do I really need to take this with me?"  I can't imagine that I'm the only one that this happens to, either.  Moving is stressful, so I made a list of tips to make it easier.

Pre-move To-Do List

1. Make a Paper Trail.  Get at least two file folder, one for your old place and one for the new.  The file folder for the new apartment should contain any preliminary lease agreements, new utility contracts, change of address receipts, and confirmation numbers and receipts for new cable and internet hookups.  As you get closer to moving, you'll add to this folder. Save any receipts for moving related expenses (packing tape, UHaul rental, etc).  If you're relocating for work, these may be tax deductible.  If you're renting, make sure you do a thorough walk-through of the new place and write down anything that's less than perfect.  Make a copy for your files and turn one in to your management company.  You don't want to lose your security over something you didn't do.  In the file for your old place, keep receipts for returned cable equipment, utility disconnects, and receipts for professional cleaning services that your lease stipulates (we had to have the carpets professionally cleaned), so that you can prove you took the necessary steps to moving out.  Keep all your paperwork (organized) and you should be able to settle any dispute that might arise.


2. Clean House! If it's still in the box from the last time you moved, haven't worn it in a year, or you just don't like it or use it, get rid of it! There's no use packing up things that you'll never unpack.  You've heard the saying, "One man's trash is another man's treasure"? Donate unneeded and unwanted clothes to Goodwill.  Check out Habitat for Humanity's website for Restore locations and donate furniture and household items there. Keep any receipts from donations - they're tax deductible (see #1).
Read your new lease or homeowners association agreement carefully to see if there are any prohibited items.  My new apartment is on the third floor, and my new lease stipulates that only first floor apartments are allowed to have motorized workout equipment.  I was able to sell my treadmill on Craigslist before the move.  Not only did I score some extra cash for moving expenses, but I saved myself the trouble of lugging a treadmill up three flights of stairs only to have to move it out again.  I also got rid of a mini-grill that wasn't allowed because my patio has PVC soffits that could melt.

3. Point A to Point B. Moving costs money.  It's sad but true.  Perhaps the expense of moving is a main contributor to the stress of moving.  Before you move, make a budget.  Plan for truck rentals, cleaning supplies, boxes, tape, meals for you and whoever is helping you, light bulbs, box cutters, tools, to name a few.  This way, you'll know how much you should start setting aside, so that you don't find yourself sitting in a sea of boxes in your new home, flat broke, because there are things you will need to buy for your new place, too.
A note about moving trucks: UHaul is the cheapest.  They charge a flat rate per day based on the size of the truck, about $.99 per mile driven, and require you to return the truck with a full tank of gas.  Use GoogleMaps or another mapping site to plan out the shortest route from the UHaul pickup location to your old home, from there to your new home, and back to a UHaul drop off.  Not only will you have a set of directions that you can copy for anyone who's helping you, it will help you avoid a costly wander around your new, and probably unfamiliar, neighborhood.  It can also help you find the gas station closest to where you're going to be turning the truck in, so that you avoid the charge for a less-than-full gas tank (it's bad).

4. Necessary Items. Pack a Moving Box and Moving Suitcase.  In the suitcase, pack enough close to get you through the move, plus a few.  You will probably not have a fully stocked kitchen immediately upon arrival and your new base camp and will need to eat out, if for no other reason than to get away from the clutter.  You won't want to go to dinner sweaty and in your moving outfit.  Also, pack toiletries that you use daily, like face wash, travel-sized shampoo and conditioner, and makeup.  Include any daily prescriptions, such as birth control or blood pressure meds, and basic things like ibuprofen and PeptoBismol.  The suitcase should have towels, your shower curtain and rings, and hair dryer.  These are things that you will need and don't want to dig through a million boxes to find.  Make sure you pack nail clippers and a nail file...you will break at least one nail during your move, I promise.
In the box: Both of your moving files (#1), cell phone chargers, address book (trust me), tools, first aid kit, toilet paper, hand soap, plastic cups and cutlery, paper plates, and paper towels.  The goal of the suitcase an box is that you will be able to eat a meal, use the bathroom, take a shower, and have a clean change of clothes without completely unpacking. Make sure you have a few pens and a notebook to make shopping lists and to write down anything important.  You'll be tired and don't want to forget anything.  Keep an envelope of coupons for local home improvement stores and eateries, including pizza places.  Having a pizza delivered on moving day is probably the easiest way to eat.  That pizza guy that shows up at your new place with a hot, discounted meal is going to be the dreamiest guy you know for about 30 seconds. Note: You will probably be sweaty and disheveled so he probably won't want you to hug him. Resist the urge.

5. Parking. I know it sounds like a no brainer, but you want to know where the best place for the moving truck to park for ease of unloading.  Know if your new apartment building has assigned parking, and if so, how many and which spots are yours.  Ask if your new municipality allows parking on the streets and, if so, is overnight parking allowed?  The last thing you want during a move is to have a vehicle ticketed, or worse, towed.

Day 16: Someone or Something that You Definitely Could Live Without

"April showers bring May flowers."  Not in Ohio, they don't.  Where I grew up, in New Jersey, we had some pretty fickle weather, although it is nothing compared to Ohio.  Here it can be hot and sunny one day and you could need to break out your parka the next day.  This weekend was a teaser weekend.  It was pretty warm, didn't really rain while we were moving, and was just pleasant in general.  Once the week started though, it was cold and rainy every day. Take today, for example:

You can see from the forecast that I'll be lucky if I see 60 degrees by next week.  I also happen to know that it has been raining every Tuesday for the past month.  I teach an art class to elementary students on Tuesday afternoons, and it has never been sunny when I go to their school.  I'm always dodging raindrops on my way in.

I could definitely live with out this weather.  I know rain is necessary, blah, blah, blah, but I'm ready for some sun!

Day 15: Something or Someone You Couldn't Live Without, Because You've Tried Living w/o It

My Boyfriend.

Not.

I am not THAT girl.

I don't want to live without him, but I know I could go on if I had to.

I'm going to go with the "Something" on this one.  It's going to seem shallow, but this is the first "thing" that came to mind.

photo credit

I think some people overlook eye makeup remover which is an absolute tragedy.  It's a must have if you don't want to wake up with raccoon-eyes, or worse yet, have your eyelashes break off. I've tried so many of these products, most of which weren't worth using.  I guess if those products are what you think of when you think of eye makeup remover, than no, I guess you might as well not bother.  

I came across Sephora's Waterproof eye makeup remover a year or two ago and I cannot let it go! It's often difficult to find in the stores, which makes me think a lot of other people must love it too.  It isn't cheap. Oh no, it's almost $10 for 4.2 ounces, but it lasts a long time, is gentle, and gets the job done.  

I tried living without it a few months ago when I couldn't find it in stores and was more poor than usual.  I tried a certain product by Maybelline that claimed to be "America's #1" or some lie like that, and absolutely hated it. My face was an oily mess and there was still mascara stuck to my lashes.  Yes, it was only about $3, but I used less than an 1/8 of the bottle before I cast it aside.  It was a waste of $3.  Even though Sephora's formula uses oil and you have to shake it up to mix it before using, it doesn't leave the skin around my eyes overly oily or irritate my eyes.  

I love it. Plain and simple. A trip to Sephora isn't worth it unless I can get this product. Since it takes me about an hour to get to the nearest Sephora, I get pretty darn depressed if I get there and have to leave empty handed. 

I won't even put makeup on if I can't be sure that I'll have this little bottle to help me get it off. I can't live without it.

Move It, Move It!

I haven't posted a Day of Truth entry since last week.  I've been too busy dealing with the truth of moving to a new apartment.  Even if I'd had internet access or the time to sit at Starbucks and write, I was too exhausted.

Although I'd had some things already packed, Thursday was when we really started to get going.  Thursday night, The Roommate went and bought some new, super soft towels (that I plan on reviewing soon) and I got a few kitchen boxes packed.  The Writer  then came by to pick me up for the midnight showing of Fast Five.  The Writer is also a car guy and the Fast and Furious movies are a guilty pleasure of mine.  After the movie, I went home and slept for about two hours, then did my best to catch the highlights of Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding.  I didn't do such a great job at that.  I dosed for a bit more, then officially woke up for Moving Day 1.

We'd originally been told that we'd get the keys to our new place Saturday (May 1), but The Roommate forked over another day's rent to get in early, since she'd committed to going to a wedding from Friday night through Sunday. Don't get me started on how much that thrilled me.  We packed all morning, then went to pick up the keys at 1pm.  The new place is so nice and much homier than our old condo.  Once our third roommate moved to England a few months ago, the three bedroom, three story condo was just too much for two people.  Not to mention that it had begun to really show its age and our old landlord wasn't quick to do routine maintenance  on the place.  Our new apartment had undergone plenty of renovations after the last tenant moved out and we were excited about the new fridge and stove as well as the brand new carpet and shower tile.  It was so clean!  We moved a lot of boxes that day, since I'd reserved a UHaul for Saturday to get the big stuff.  Even though a lot of stuff was new and the apartment was pretty clean, I still wanted to wipe everything down and put drawer liners in.  My mom wonderfully did a lot of the cleaning at the old apartment, since she can't lift heavy boxes.

Saturday, my dad and I picked up my UHaul and got all of the big furniture loaded.  Six and a half carloads plus one truck and I was moved. Or, my stuff was. I still had to unpack the rest of it.  We'd gotten most of the kitchen done Friday, but a lot had to happen Saturday and Sunday.  The Writer arrived just in time to unpack the really heavy stuff.  He'd been scheduled to work and couldn't get out of it.  I'm so glad my parents were around to help, otherwise I'd have been all alone!

It's amazing how many things you end up needing to buy when you move.  I felt that way when I moved last year, since I was moving from what was essentially dorm living, even if it wasn't a dorm, to a full-sized condo.  This time, we're looking to add the little stuff that we hadn't bothered with in the condo.  It's getting expensive, but it'll be worth it.  I'm still trying to save where I can, and I'm not replacing anything that I can still use with the exception of bath towels.  Heck, we didn't even have a real kitchen trashcan in the old place!

I spent yesterday unpacking and am pretty satisfied with the kitchen, my walk-in closet (that I love!) and the living room.  I'm still exhausted, though, and the unpacking isn't finished.  I'm hoping to have all but decorating finished by this weekend so that I can finally relax!