Ladybugs

Took my EmergentGlassworks ladybugs out for a spin this weekend. I love these, they are the cutest hair sticks ever!

EGW

Figure 8 bun with an EmergentGlassworks stick today. It's so pretty, but I rarely wear it due to the size. I must have had a fit of insanity when I bought it, because why on earth would I need an 8" hair stick? Ah well. I got to wear it today, and yes, it was visible from the front.

A tiny wishlist

I've put myself on a hairtoy-purchasing-ban, but there are a few items I'd really like to buy after I get my paycheck. I'm very pleased that I haven't bought anything for my hair after I imposed the ban, despite seeing a lot of things that were very tempting. I'm not able to stay away from Etsy, and I'm adding stuff to my lists almost every day, but not buying anything. Willpower! Apparently I have lots of it. It also helps that I already have lots of sticks and clips. Ah well, back to my tiny little wishlist.

1. Another Tangle Teezer. I love the Hot Pink one I have, and I've decided that I need at least one more in a different colour. What if I accidentally broke my TT? What would I use to keep my hair tangle-free until a new TT arrived?? That's an easy one, I would just use my wooden comb, but that's not the point. I need a colourful, glorious backup TT! I'm leaning towards an orange or a blue one..

Pretty!!

 2. A plain hairstick from Emergent Glassworks. I adore EGW sticks and have quite a few already, but I'd love a clear spiral stick too. Those never really caught my eye in the shop, but I saw one in action on LHC a while ago, and it looked magnificent! So beautiful. It would be good for the days when I don't want the hair toy to get all the attention.

3. A Flexi-8 or two. The flexi was actually the only toy I would be allowed to purchase during my ban, because they're fairly cheap. This was just in case the Flexi-8 of the Month was stunning and something I just had to buy. The March 2014 FOTM has been delayed a week, so I have no idea if it's something I want or not. And I'm not buying anything until my payday, so if I love it, I can only buy it if there are any left by then. I'd love to get the Daisy flexi too. I didn't like the design in the beginning, but it has grown on me. I'd love to wear that one during the summer. Such a fun clip.

 And that's actually it. Only 3-4 things, approximately 87 euro if I buy two flexis, only 63 euro if I only buy one. That includes shipping as well. Not bad, compared to what I used to spend on hair stuff every month *shudder*

Hairtoys - collecting, or simply hoarding?

I've been doing some thinking about how much I spend on hairtoys, and how it always seems to be something new I need. I don't have the most impressive collection, but it has grown significantly over the last year or so. I almost always have a package or two on the way, or a custom piece in progress. For example, now I'm waiting for 3 Ficcares, 2 sticks from EmergentGlassworks, 1 custom stick from TimberstoneTurnings, and 2 samples of Panacea from Nightblooming. I think that's all. I certainly hope that's all.

When the next shipment of Ficcares arrive, my collection will be at 13 (actually 14, but the acetate doesn't count imo). The Jewels and Lotuses are most likely coming out later this year, and I'm definitely going to buy some several of them. I was even thinking of getting a few more Silkys, but seriously, I don't need any more. I don't need to have all the Silky colours and all the Classicals. I'm happy with my little collection, and if I don't get any more Ficcares, I will still be happy. 13 clips is actually a lot.

I will soon have my 4th TT stick. That's enough for now.
I have 5 EmergentGlassworks sticks (though I managed to break one of my purple roses. I think I can glue it though), and a Teal rose and a Red rose are on the way. EGW sticks hold well, especially the twisted ones, and I don't have to worry about getting them wet. I'd like pink and yellow roses as well, and maybe another dichroic stick, but I can do without. My little EGW collection is still most excellent!

I've been lucky with the Flexi-8s recently, as none of the last 3 "Flexi-8 of the Month" have suited my tastes. There are some new styles I like, but nothing that screams "Buy me! Buy me immediately!!!". I have 22 Flexi-8s. 2 of them are smalls and I only use them to decorate my braids every now and then, but there are still 20 Flexis that can be used for various buns. 20 is definitely a lot!

I counted all my toys, and my collection stands at 52. Some are pairs and some are currently missing, and there may be some I have forgotten. There are some members on LHC who have hundreds of toys, but to me, 52 is still a big number. I don't want to over-do my collection, even though a part of me kind of wants to have one of those awe-inspiring, completely insane collections. 
My spending feels like an addiction right now, and I don't like it. I really don't need hundreds of hairclips and sticks. I need to stop hoarding pretty, sparkly things, enjoy the hairtoys I currently have, and save my money for the Jewels and Lotuses. And I definitely don't have to buy every single one of those either.

Let's finish this wall of text with a pretty picture. This is one of my EGW sticks, an 8" long twisted dichroic one. 

Moss

My newest TT stick arrived yesterday. Chloe, 6 3/8" long, very pretty!

 

Winter Swap

I participated in the Winter Swap on TLHC, and my gift arrived today. It came all the way from Canada, and it arrived in style.

I LOVE this box!

Here's a group picture of the gifts I got. The wrapping paper is so gorgeous!

Here's a close-up of the card I got. I love aurora borealis! Inside was a sweet message from my gifter, FB.

The first gift contained two packets of liquorice, my favourite candy. Both are delicious, and I'm trying really hard not to devour it all right away! =D

Chai tea, another favourite of mine. I've had a cup already, and it was excellent!

I got a beautiful cat ornament. It was so hard to get a good shot, and my picture doesn't do it justice at all. It's absolutely gorgeous in person!

Purple arm-warmers, handmade by FB. I'm wearing them right now, and they are very soft and comfortable. Purple is my favourite colour! I also got a Tree of Life necklace, which I'm wearing as well. Both items are perfect!

A leaf-shaped plate and a facial soap. The soap smells absolutely amazing, and orange is one of my favourite scents. I'm always obsessed with oranges during the winter.

Decorative purple rocks to put on the plate, and a purple snowflake ornament. Purple!! =D

Last, but not least, a gorgeous stick from Nightblooming! This is from FB's own collection, which makes it even more special for me. I adore it, and it's plenty long enough to join me to knee length and beyond. =D

Thank you so much, FB! The gifts are amazing, and I love all of them :)

Purple flowers and pearl essence

My very first custom Timberstone Turnings stick. Chloe shape, 6 1/2" long, and very pretty! It's difficult to get good pictures of it. I purchased another stick too, a Chloe with moss and pearl essence. I wonder if it will get here before Christmas..

Plum and Gold TimberstoneTurnings

My very first stick from TimberstoneTurnings (etsy)! This is a resin stick with swirls of gold and plum, 6 1/4" long, and in the Chloe shape. The original listing is here. It's gorgeous and very comfortable to wear. It's weird to wear a plain stick after using mainly Flexi-8s for the last 3-4 months, but I'll get used to it. I tried really hard to take pictures of this stick, but it's damn near impossible to get a good one..

Antler

I purchased an antler stick from JCMcCairn a few weeks ago, and it arrived today. Here's the original listing. This is my first ever antler, and I'm very happy with it. It's smooth, light, and slides through the bun very easily. It'll take some time getting used the curve of the stick, and I'm a bit paranoid about the dangles causing tangles and breakage. I wore it today and a few strands got stuck in the dangles, but I managed to untangle them. I think it'll be fine.