eBates and Low-buys and Hauls, oh my!

Hi internet! Hope you're well and enjoyed yourself on Mother's Day. I'm actually not a huge fan of Mother's Day. Either I'm feeling guilty or I'm making someone else feel guilty. Bah, humbug, say I.

I've come up with three ways to celebrate Mother's Day that don't involve getting dressed up or eating brunch. Two of these are sushi and superhero movies, so maybe you're not interested. The third is shopping for frivolous items that I can pretend are presents from a strangely girly and extravagant set of children.

I mean, yes, I would have loved it if my kids had noticed that I'm running dangerously low on Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia eau de parfum and decided to replenish my supply. That would have been thoughtful. But it's not going to happen while they're unemployed full-time students whose distance from home precludes taking regular inventories of my perfume stash.

So, yeah. I buy myself Mother's Day presents. But this is not mere extravagance; this is shopping as a form of sport. My so-called "smart shopper" characteristics rise to the fore as I figure out how to get a great deal on the presents I'm buying for myself.

This year I discovered that because it's their anniversary, eBates is offering massive rebates this week--I'm talking 15 percent. And Neiman Marcus is offering gift cards with purchases, so I was angling for one of those, too. Also, I discovered that eBates is offering a $50 rebate with a $250 Neiman Marcus purchase--not sure about that one, but fingers and toes crossed that I scored that as well.

Math? Sure. A $250 purchase would net a $67 eBates check, a $50 NM gift card and possibly an additional $50 eBates rebate.

What did I buy? Mostly, I got skincare.

I got a Chantecaille retinol night creme.

Chantecaille Retinol Intense +

 I've tried the prescription-only product and didn't react well to it, so I thought I'd restart my Retinol Journey™ with a product that pinky swears it's gentle. 

Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst

I also got a jar of Clinique Moisture Surge, which I discovered (N.B. marketing people at Clinique) through a sample. You know that feeling when you spritz yourself with Evian in a can? This creme is like that feeling made three dimensional. Honestly, it's like water-in-a-can-in-a-jar.

I've also been using this Estee Lauder Essence after cleansing, before moisturizing. Again, from a sample. (Who knew samples made you buy shit?) I like it and have gone through about half my little bottle.

Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion, 150 mL

This product is Estee Lauder trying to embrace Asian skincare. In fact, I believe they started by marketing it only in Asia. I'm not sure whether this product contains sufficient amounts of miraculous skin care ingredients, but I'm all about the hydration these days, and like adding a layer of moisture under my moisturizer.

Clinique Lid Smoothie Eye Shadow

I also picked out a creme eyeshadow. I'm experimenting with makeup minimalism (BWAHAHAHA no really) and my latest eye look is using my finger to apply the lid shade from Wet n Wild's Walking on Eggshells trio just to the lid. I thought it might be nice to get a similar product in a tube, for ease of transport. So I got this.

Plus it has anti-oxidants!!!

Come to think of it, I suppose it's meet and right that I bought this stuff for myself. If the climax of my family's celebration had been "Happy Mother's Day--here's something for your wrinkles!" things wouldn't have gone particularly well.

(GWPs and free samples were also involved, but I'll spare you.)