1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on home goods. A friend and I went to Potomac Mills and a store there was going out of business. The deals were literally more than I could handle and I ended up happily spending $120.

2. Today I am thankful for good books, good friends, and an apartment I'm really coming to love. Moving might not have been my first choice but it's really starting to feel like 'me' and that's been a lot of fun.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was start organizing my closet. My linen 'shelves' and the stuff they contain are now hidden by cute purple nylon bins.

4. I will consider this week a success if I manage to hang the short curtain across the top of my closet! I'm having height issues that I'm not totally sure how to overcome yet.

5. This summer has been so hot. SO HOT. I know it's a broken record with me and the rest of the world chiming it, but I really hate it. I can't wear anything without feeling like death the moment I step outside and I'm sick of sweating!

–
Weekly Money Check-Up is a weekly series on My Pretty Pennies.

I know I'm only squeaking by with this 'Christmas in July' giveaway but hey those few days matter!

I've had the idea to do this for a while because even though I may have moved on to items from their Tea Tree line, I really love products from The Body Shop. The Seaweed line (aimed at oily/combination skin) is one of my favorites because it's both incredibly soothing and smells fantastic. The scent isn't overpowering or chemically (and since I have a sensitive nose this is very important to me), instead it's a light fresh scent that makes every product a joy to use.

 And now, one lucky commenter is going to have the chance to win THREE of my favorite products!



1. Seaweed Deep Cleaning Wash. From the website - "A mild, oil-free and soap-free highly foaming cleansing gel that effectively deep cleanses to clear open pores and rinse away excess oils, make-up, impurities and daily grime. Leaves the skin feeling cleansed and purified."


2. Seaweed Clarifying Toner. From the website - "An alcohol-free, refreshing and purifying toner. Instantly and effectively conditions, purifies and refreshes the skin, removing traces of make-up and cleanser. Leaves skin feeling fresh, purified, and looking shine-free."


3. Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream. From the website - "An easily absorbed, non-clogging, oil-free, hydrating moisture cream. Leaves the skin feeling fresh, clean, soft and supple with a shine-free, matte complexion."

The rules are pretty simple -

To Enter:

Mandatory:
1. Leave a comment below telling me your favorite skin care brand/product with an email address I can contact you at if you win.
 
Extras entries:
2. If you follow Good Red Herring via GFC or Bloglovin' leave an extra comment telling me so and you can get an extra entry!
3. If you follow Good Red Herring on Twitter tell me that (also in an extra comment) for another chance to win!

**That's a possible total of 3 entries per person!

Fine Print:
1. Must live in the US.
2. Must be 18 years old or have your parents' permission to enter.
3. This is Part I of a two part giveaway done in conjunction with Reading Amidst the Chaos. While you can enter both giveaways commenters can only win one (because that's only fair). Thanks!

This giveaway ends two weeks from now, at 11:59pm on Sunday, August 12th.

Good luck! 

Some of the best $20 I've spent at J.Crew.

Is mostly that I want to own them all. Well that and my new found love for the a-line shape :).

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was $100 at Ikea to organize my life - Hautelook didn't end up working out but this is definitely a start! My linen shelves/closet/whatever you want to call it is now organized with pretty purple bins and I have a curtain to put up over the top of my closet this weekend. There were a few other things I picked up too :).

2. Today I am thankful for good friends and Star Trek: TNG events.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was drop off clothes at Goodwill - I got to give back and get more floor space.

4. I will consider this week a success if I manage to fill an empty spot the organization I volunteer with currently has for a camp scholarship.

5. I am most looking forward to the ????? in the Olympics. Lame I know but I really haven't been paying attention. It's not a public statement, I just rarely watch any of  the sports. Maybe gymnastics? Even that I couldn't say with certainty....

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Weekly Money Check-Up is a weekly series on My Pretty Pennies.

I may have to start taking these OOTD pics at the beginning of the day rather than at lunch. In this heat what starts as a crisp ensemble quickly turns into a wrinkly mess...oy. 

I was browsing on Elaine's blog and ran across an easy 5 page personality quiz. I always worry about the accuracy of these things because hey, I'm a little crazy and I assume that the answers could change depending on how I feel that day. Shrug. I still filled it out though! 

Extraversion

This trait reflects a person's preference for certain kinds of social situations, and how they like to behave in such situations. People high in extraversion are energetic and seek out the company of others. People low in extraversion -- what some might call introverts -- tend to be more quiet and reserved.
You scored really high on this trait, suggesting you have a lot of energy and tend to enjoy most social situations.

Agreeableness

This trait reflects how we tend to interact with others, especially in terms of our altrusim and friendliness. People who score higher in agreeableness tend to be more trusting, friendly and cooperative than others. People who score lower tend to be more aggressive and less cooperative.
You scored really high on this trait, suggesting you are a very friendly, cooperative and trusting person.

Conscientiousness

This trait reflects how organized and persistent a person is in pursuing their goals. People who score high on this trait tend to be more methodical, well-organized and dutiful than others. People who score lower tend to be less careful, less focused and more likely to be distracted from tasks.
You scored really high on this trait, suggesting you're a well-organized, focused and methodical person.

 Neuroticism

This trait reflects the tendency for a person to experience negative thoughts and feelings. People who score high on this trait tend to be more prone to insecurity and emotional distress. People who score lower tend to be more relaxed, less emotional and less prone to distress.
You scored average for this trait, suggesting you've struck a balance between expressing negative emotions and being relaxed.

 Openness to Experience

This trait reflects a person's open-mindedness, and interest in culture and art. People who score high on this trait tend to be imaginative, creative, and to seek out cultural and educational experiences. People who score lower on this trait tend to be more down-to-earth, less interested in art and more practical in nature.
You scored really high on this trait, suggesting you love art and try to keep open-minded.

Sometimes I get to try expensive skin. Sometimes I get to try REALLY REALLY expensive, like who the hell would ever buy this, skincare. For example, that microdermabrasion scrub? Feels just like a sample I got from Kiehl's but costs $275. WTF?! I'll let you know if my life is forever changed o_O.

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on crafting supplies for my Dragon*Con costume. Which would make me extra happy except I just realized that I bought more paint than I needed and it's so expensive to metro out to Rockville that I don't know if I'll ever take it back.

2. Today I am thankful for my health. I thought about this later in the day after posting my last weekly check up, but I am truly thankful to be able to walk around and do what I want to.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was spend Sunday dying a friend's hair. That counts right, since she spent the money on dye, lol?

4. I will consider this week a success if I make significant headway on my Dragon*Con costume - I will not be denied!(And do yoga twice - I've been slacking!)

5. One recipe I want to try soon is ...hmmm I don't know. The only one lately that I wanted to try was chicken katsu and I managed to pull that off. I like to look at dessert options on Recipe Girl but I haven't settled on any one specifically.

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Weekly Money Check-Up is a weekly series on My Pretty Pennies.

the daybook

But it's still a good approximation of how I feel (even if I'm not in school). Ever reach that moment where you just want to whine at the universe? Whine at how unfair it all is? That's where I am.

I don't want to fix everything right now. I don't want to offer words of encouragement or explain how life is so much more than one moment or one bad experience. I feel like I'm always saying something to this effect and right now my half full cup has hit overflowing. Where's a good sick day when you need it?

I forgot I had these pics! Yes I know these coats are 1) incredibly unnecessary in DC's 100+ degree heat, and 2) very 'high fashion' if you wanna go there, but I love them. Especially since they were gifts - my wardrobe can always find room for gifts this amazing ;).

1. As someone who now lives in a studio and doesn't have enough wall space for the art she already owns, I shouldn't covet these super heroes in sweaters post cards as much as I do.

Etsy Shop

2. I remember Madeline and the cartoon based on the books - I may even admit to watching them even now when I see the episodes are on TV. Thus my love for this Madeline/Harry Potter crossover should be surprising to no one.

Maryline and a Wizard School in Scotland

3. The one acceptable parody of that Gotye song that the world has made me hate because they WON'T STOP PLAYING IT.



4. Wow. Geek Paradise. I'm sure if I tried hard enough (hah!) I could make my house kinda sorta look like this. But who has they time when they're so busy doing nothing?



5. Book lovers delight right here - who's feeling crafty? You know you wanna make me these!

25 Awesome DIY Ideas For Bookshelves

I have to confess a sick love for this look. I'm not sure when I'll wear it next but I just have to!

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on rent and bills - though my quick weekend trip to NY did my budget no good.

2. Today I am thankful for good books. I picked up a few ebooks for the bus ride and then a used one at The Strand and I love knowing I have something great to read at hand.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was walk down to the National Mall to watch the fireworks on 4th of July! I didn't bother last year but I have to admit those 20min were pretty amazing.

4. I will consider this week a success if I manage to pick up the books I have hold at the library. I had to get them transferred when I picked the wrong library to begin with and I want them!

5. This week I am looking forward to being home! Sometimes I forget how much I like my couch and my bed, my bookshelves and my stuff. They're pretty awesome :).

–
Weekly Money Check-Up is a weekly series on My Pretty Pennies. 

I blame my friend Lian, I really do (love you Lian!). Somehow she's managed to turn me into a lurker. Someone who drifts from blog to blog without actually committing enough to Follow them. Which makes NO SENSE especially when you consider how instead I just sit there hitting refresh constantly, waiting for something new.

Crazy right? I can't even pretend to give you an explanation.

Still, since so much of my time online is spent admiring and loving the words and pictures from these people, I figured a post (or two) highlighting them wouldn't hurt. (There are eight of them so make sure to click expand for the rest!)

1. CLOTHED MUCH
The older I get the more I love learning more about how to present myself in new ways. I can't say that my style could truly be considered 'modest' but I love Elaine's voice and her eye for layering.



2. little chief honeybee
I'm not entirely sure why I like LCH so much (her style is not so much my style), but I think it's a combination of respect for her work and appreciation of her vision.



3. AMELIA BUTTER
Amelia is possibly the most bad ass chick ever created - with the best hair. If I could make my way to Oregon I'd have her dye my hair in a hot second. Plus she is just so amazingly nonchalant about being a big girl in a bikini - or crop top, or mini skirt, or lingerie, or any other damn thing she wants to wear.



4. girlsack
Not to be 'trendy' or anything but I LOVE THIS BLOG. I've gotten preppy in my old age (hah!) and her outfits call to me. I can't wait for Fall and Winter when I can really use her tips to up my game.

Jangasara described this look as not really wearable but apparently I just have no shame on the weekends. I practiced on one yet but I would totally rock both! Also I need a brighter yellow shadow or a great base because I'd really love this to pop like hers does. Hm....

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on my phone bill. Verizon's testing me with its eternal 'how can we make our customers spend more money'-ness but so far I'm sticking with it.

2. Today I am thankful for a surprise 3:30pm closing time at work! I'm not sure I'll do anything monumental during those two hours but damn if I'm not going to enjoy having them.

3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was playing around with eye makeup last Saturday. Sometimes I love makeup and feel like I don't suck at it, and other times things aren't quite so clear but Saturday? That was a good day.

4. I will consider this week a success if I manage to do laundry before I head to NY this weekend.

5. This July 4th I am hanging out by the pool, having dinner with friends, and if the weather holds out heading to the National Mall for fireworks.

–
Weekly Money Check-Up is a weekly series on My Pretty Pennies.

I have no patience! MWAHAHA! I kept playing around with the idea of a new blog design and while someday I may pay for a custom overhaul, today I went with the budget friendly option. After spending way too much time (trust me) combing the internet I found this design on Blogger Designs.com. It's very similar to the layout I had before but the column widths are different and since that's what had begun to bother me the most....you can see why this appealed to me.

Now's there more room for pretty pictures, fun geekery, and whatever else strikes my fancy. Bye old layout - you served me well!

Who doesn't love a new pair of shoes? I'm not sure I'll keep both of these (the Enzo Angiolini are a definite) we'll have to see how I feel in a week. I bought the blue wedges to wear to a wedding but I ended up dancing the night away in some black Jessica Simpsons. Hmmmm....