My Weakness, Clinique Bonus Time--again and again and again

Normally I'm such a frugal shopper, really, especially now with this current economic disaster. Trying to really think before I splurge; yet, I just have no restraint when it comes to Clinique Bonus Time.

Why IS this? Marketing? Whenever I catch a glimpse of one of those cute-clever little Clinique ads, you know, the ones that scream "It's Bonus Time!" with the picture of the adorable little cosmetic bag paired with the teeny tiny little make up samples, and I'm headed for my nearest Nordstrom's or Macy's. NEVER MIND that my house is already littered with a gazillion of these little yellow moisturisers I've never used and a dozen or more of those various bags or totes made in plastic, canvas, cotton, etc. etc.

Every once in awhile I hear a groan from my husband as he's fishing around underneath our bathroom sink (usually when he's trying to fix a clog or something) and out he pulls a wad of these cosemtic bags.

"What. Are. These. For?" He demands.

(Of course he doesn't complain when on whim he decides to take one these stray bags to use for his guy accessories on our vacation.)

But he just doesn't understand; this has been an ongoing obsession, every since I was old enough to buy cosmetics. My earliest memories is of me hanging out in the huge line at the Clinique counter trying to decide:

"Hmmm....if I buy the mascara AND lipstick, will that be enough to qualify for the minimum purchase for the free gift bag? No? Okay, just throw in an extra dual eyeshadow kit then."

Never mind that I already have twenty of those laying around the house as well.

My partner in crime, my sister, is no help whatsoever. If by chance I don't catch Clinique's latest promotion, she is calling me on my cell phone announcing "Oh. It's BONUS TIME again!"

"No. thanks."

"No problem. What do you need? I'll get it for you."

And so, here I end up, yet again, with two spanking new green bags with a ton of little bottles and tubes and samples. Of stuff.

A Blend of the Old with the New in Silicon Valley

A place I just love going to, at least once a week, is a small library just a few blocks from where we live. The library is located right on a orchard, one of the few remaining here in the Silicon Valley. Back in the year 2000 some of the local residents wanted to transform it into a soccer field, however, they met some resistance. Some dissenters (mostly a group of older native Santa Clara Valley locals) felt the orchard should remain. Ultimately the dissenters prevailed, and the city agreed to retain the orchard; additionally the library there was expanded.

Just down the street supposedly there is another active orchard where the growers still harvest and sell the fruit.

Why do I love it?

Well, I admit part of it is nostalgia. I recall wandering those same orchards many years ago on the way to and from school every day.

As I get older, I realize so much of our land, ranches, orchards, etc., have been obliterated and replaced by development. You take it for granted and don't realize what you miss until it's gone, I guess. Around the same time as the expansion of the library on the Saratoga orchard, another orchard a few miles away, on Quito Road, also closed. After the owner died, his children sold off the land and thus, today it's just a bunch of houses. It was one of the few places near us where we could actually walk and buy freshly picked strawberries and cherries during the summer. But no more. Kinda sad.

So....I love to bring my laptop and sit inside the library. Right next to the video games is a huge window that overlooks the orchard; nothing is more stunning than viewing the bright pinks of the cherry and apricot trees in full bloom, contrasted with the yellow oxtail and mustard grasses. It is so inspiring.


What is one of your most favorite places to sit, read, think or work?

Hello Fellow Bloggers: Thanks for the Blog Love!!!

Helllllooo !

I just wanted to tell all of you followers, well, you guys just rock my world.

I think I've added all 7 of you, my special bloggers, to my following list, but if for some reason I missed you, then please holler:-)

Thanks again!

I just love blog love

Help Impoverished Public Schools

It seems like every minute we are getting hit up by another plea for donating. However, when I heard about the DonorsChoose.org, a non profit that helps public school teachers create wish lists for their classrooms, I knew I had to contribute.

I know it seems like asking a lot to reach into our pockets this month, but it's even more dire for the public school system.

If you have even a dollar or two to spare, these Bay Area classes will benefit from your generosity. They need anything from basic school supplies such as dry eraser boards and erasers, to classic Shakespearean books, to weekly readers.

If you can find it in your heart, please donate and thank you!