This week may be the easiest new thing ever.  My friend, Courtney, made new shirts for Bug and me.  Bug got her initial (obviously, not a ‘B’) and I got a cross. 

 (Sorry for the lack of faces.  You know, that Bug-girl is so unphotogenic.  **Cough**)

Did you try something new this week?  If so, link up below.   (If you don’t mind, use the format “Name or Blog Name (New Thing)” — if that makes sense.  My MckLinkys have been getting spammed).

Don’t go all Conan – Jay Leno on me, but I’m moving my Fifty-Two New posts to Thursdays.  If you’ve got a Week Two post, you can linky up by clicking here (even if that’s where you linked your first week’s post). 

A new post (and new MckLinky) will be up on Thursday and will stay open all week long for your third Fifty-Two New posts!

In dire need of mascara, I ran into Ulta to pick up my go-to,  L’Oreal Telescopic.  As I was perusing the L’Oreal section for a few more things, I overheard an associate tell a customer that Maybelline eye products were Buy 2, Get 2 Free (as were the L’Oreal eye products).  I quickly hopped over a few feet, hoping to snag four of my much loved, but ever-elusive Define-A-Brow in Lt. Blonde. Of course, there was only one on the shelf.  The associate that was restocking the area found one more in the last box she was unpacking.  That covered the Buy 2 part of the deal, but what about the Get 2.  Never one to let a bargain pass me by, I picked up a couple new Maybelline mascaras to try.  (Of course, I did forget to put my L’Oreal back, and, thus, am 100%, A+, full-to-the-brim stocked in the mascara department right now).

Here’s the first one I broke out.

The formula is good–not too thick, not too thin.  There was no clumping (can I get a WOOT?!) and I immediately noticed the extra volume.  The brush is average in size.  It’s much thicker than my Telescopic (which, if you’ve ever used, you’ll know it is VERY VERY thin and takes some time to master), but it’s smaller and much easier to handle than, say, CG’s Lash Blast.  Best of all, it lasted all day.

Here’s the result:

(Do not be distracted by the crookedness.  I’d like to blame the photo.  Unfortunately, I am, indeed, crooked– crooked nose, crooked eyes, crooked eyebrows.)

All crookedness aside, it’s a really really good product for the price (it retails for $7.79 at Ulta).  While the formula just feels a smidge cheaper than my beloved L’Oreal, I’m definitely adding to my list of acceptable substitutions in an emergency out-of-stock or super-duper sale. (What?  You don’t have one of those lists?  You so should.)

So, what did you try this week? MckLinky up!

Subtitle:  Be prepared for all sorts of lameness.

My friend, Courtney, sent me a delish sounding recipe to start off my 52 New project.  Unfortunately, the whole cooking in my mama’s kitchen thing doesn’t work out so well for me.  Don’t ask.  Let’s just say that Hamburger Helper has been burned.  By me, let me clarify– my mother is still a culinary goddess.

So what to do new?  What exciting thing is waiting to be tried?  What will start this project off with a bang?

My hair is parted on the left.

I know what you’re thinking… setting the bar so high on week one will surely set me up for failure.  I’ll just have to cross that bridge when I get to it.

In all honesty, parting on my left side wasn’t exactly planned.  I may or may not be trying to cover up a spot I missed while touching up my roots on Saturday.

But, whatever.

Pictures? Almost.  Turns out they looked exactly the same and I got confused as to which was before and which was after.  Plus, I have a zit.

As a life-long right parter, I’ve had some difficulty adjusting.  I think my nose may look bigger and more pointy (as if that were even possible).  Also, it seems to create an almost vertigo-like sensation when I go to tuck my hair behind my right ear, as is my habit.

There are some ups too.  My hair has a little more volume and it’s seems smidge shinier.

Am I conquer-the-world ready?

Um, no.  But it’s only week one.

For my local peeps, the gals at BirminghamMommy and Birmingham Bargain Mom are joining in too.  You can head over there to see what they’re up to this week.  You can also leave your link on their posts so other local gals can see what your up to.

Also, if you’re on twitter, you can use the hastag #52newthings when you tweet about it.

Not all my peeps are local, so leave a link here too! I can’t wait to read what you’re doing.  We all need some ideas and inspiration!

2009 wasn’t banner for the Shoe house.  I think we’ve established that.

My posts, though sporadic, have been more of a therapeutic outlet for me than really entertainment for anyone else (and I’m sure if I looked at blog stats, they’d confirm it).  Not every one of them has been house-related, but having this place to post whatever, whenever has felt really good.  Unfortunately, I think my posts are coming off as a smidge whiney.  And, really, whiney is so not where I am.  Mad? Yes.  Put out? Often.  I think the length of and the sheer absurdity of our ordeal maybe just begs sympathy, though.  So, I think I’ll take a cue from my real life and just quit talking about it here as well.

Of course, when I do move into a house, be prepared.  I may just blog the unpacking of each box.  I am that excited about seeing all of my stuff again.

What I have now is a very exciting year before me.  I feel weird typing that though.  I’m not exactly known as Mrs. Positive.  Enthusiasm isn’t exactly my thing either.  But I made a few resolutions.  They are nothing earth-shattering.  They are just resolutions that will  be fun to keep.

Here they are:

1.  Wear lipstick.  Everywhere. Everyday. This was sparked by a quick glance at all of the pictures in which I was tagged on Facebook.  No lipstick.  Never.  Paleface needs color.  And Paleface likes the Ulta.  Oh yes she does.

2.  Don’t miss a birthday card. I used to be so good to send cards to all of our friends and family.  It just seems that since the kids take up so much of the focus, I was missing birthdays left and right.  And once you’ve missed one person’s birthday, it just seemed inappropriate to send on to his or her spouse on their birthday.  It just kind of snowballed and with the exception of my immediate family, I’ve let most birthdays slide by.  This year, I’ll send cards… even if they’re belated.  (Paleface happens to like the stationary aisle at Target, too!)

And the biggie…

3.  Try something new every week.  How neat is that?  I totally can’t take credit for the idea.  I got it from a Facebook post by Birmingham Bargain Mom, Christie Dedman.  (Stop right now & go follow her on Twitter.)  But can you imagine — at the end of 2010, I’ll be able to say that I’ve tried 52 new things.  New recipes, new beauty products, new stores, new routes to work… the possibilities are endless!  Even cooler, a real-life/twitter friend, Courtney, is helping me out.  She’s already sent me a new recipe for this week!

Wouldn’t it be even cooler if I blogged my new thing each week?  Yeah, a little regular posting wouldn’t be so bad, huh?  Anyone else want to hop in on the fun?  Maybe a McLinky each week to link up to?  I happen to know that one of my fave people in the whole. entire. universe., Mary R. Snyder, is doing this as well.  (Are you going to blog your new stuff, Mary?  You should!)

Happy 2010 folks!