Stop Me Before I Shop Again

I am about thisclose to being a true compulsive shopper. If it weren't for the tiny scrap of self-control I manage to retain, I would be that woman on Oprah who has boxes of mail-order crap she hasn't even opened. I LOOOOOOVE me some shopping. Nothing really makes me quite as happy as buying stuff. Which I get is really shallow and pathetic. I just look at it as my little part in "stimulating the economy."

I am that target consumer that marketing groups fantasize about when they do things like set up displays by the cash register. I scan them while I'm waiting my turn to pay for my stuff and think, "Why, yes, I DO need a teeny little flashlight that clips on my car visor! How thoughtful of them to put it up here where I'd see it! And I'd certainly better snag that package of Q-Tips while I'm at it." Pathetic. And yet oddly satisfying.

My real indulgences, when I have some fun money to throw around, are definitely clothes and makeup. I'm pretty much incapable of going into a department store and coming out with some little tidbit: a great pair of trouser jeans, a new brand of mascara, or a darling little sweater for one of my daughters.

Lately, though - lately, not so much. Suddenly, we're feeling the effects of the unstable economy. Business has fallen off at my husband's law firm, and that means unpredictable salaries. Last month we missed a whole week of pay, and it hurt a hell of a lot more than I ever would have guessed. I'm reining in my indulgences and trying to plan (totally unnatural for me) my shopping trips. I'm making lists for Christmas shopping and actually sticking to them. Yeah, it's taking some of the fun out of it, but I'm trying to embrace the satisfaction of making the money go farther. It's a learning curve for me, but I'll get there.

Let's make small talk...

Get yourself a nice cup of coffee and let's hang out...

Tell me, what are you doing for Thanksgiving?

My family is going to make the 4 hour (God willing) trip down the NJ Turnpike to my little sister's house in Highland, MD.

We will be joined by middle sister and her family. All together there will be 6 adults, 8 children and 3 dogs. I'm sure a good time will be had by all and we'll all be absolutely spent on Sunday.

My Mom and Dad are spending a mellow holiday in Florida, sans grandchildren where they will spend their time playing golf and having quiet adult conversation.

I'm psyched to see my sister's but I'm torn over whether I'd rather drive 4-6 hours (depending on traffic) or do all the cooking myself. That's a toughie.

I've said enough. Now it's your turn....

Hello, My name is the Chic Chauffeur, and I am a purse-aholic

If there were a self help group for women who have too many handbags, I would have to join. Actually, my dear hubs would probably stage an intervention, and force me to join.

Here's how things go... I will be shopping for something reasonable, and just make a pass through the handbag department at Nordstrom. And (please start humming the theme from Love Story here) THERE IT IS. A black handbag I have not seen before! I think to myself, sane still for a moment.. "why would I buy that purse? I have a perfectly fabulous black (insert name here...Kate Spade, Coach, Lamb, Betsy Johnson, Marc Jacobs....really, I could go on) purse at home." But it beguiles me. Perhaps a cell phone pocket that is different than the one in my stable. Whatever it is, it's got what it takes to knock the current black favorite out of rotation... Home it comes!

I must have been purse-challenged in my youth, and am going overboard now as an adult, to make up for whatever I think I missed out on in my teens.

And parting with one of my beloved bags. Ain't no way! I have tried to sell them on ebay, and actually cancelled an auction because I just couldn't go through with it. It felt as though I were auctioning off one of the kids (well, sort of.....)

So anyway, this post might brand me as shallow. To even things out: yes, we have 4 kids and a dog, and I love all of them (and the purse-anon hubs) way way way more than any material possession. But if and when I get a little pocket change, I always seem to stumble upon the MOST INCREDIBLE BAG in the world. And then, woops, there goes my willpower.



PS: Have you seen the darling Quilted Patent Leather Quincy bag at JCrew. The navy one is ON SALE!!! Sadly, I do NOT have any spare change at this time... But that purse is sweet!

Cha Ching!

My poor little Collage Project. So neglected!

Hopefully we can get this thing up and running again.

If you read my other blog, Caffeine Court you have probably read that I purchased a Pug puppy for my daughters last week. Puppies are expensive little creatures. First there's the cost of buying one. (Yes, I went to a pet store, just to LOOK and I got weak.) Then there's the shots, food, grooming, boarding. You know the drill. The fact that we already have 2 dogs and a cat means we spend ALOT on our pets.

I started thinking about all the other things I could have bought with the money I spend on my animals. My daughter needs a new bedroom set. I need window treatments all over the house. My car is 5 years old. I would love some cool new clothes.

But I chose the dogs. They make us very, very happy.

How about you? What do you like to spend your extra cash on? Is it a great pair of boots? Are you a gal who loves to spruce up your house? Or do you like to take a couple of fancy vacations a year?

Let's talk "fun money."

Snap, Crackle, Pop...and I'm not talking about cereal

I am an unapologetic knuckle-cracker. It started innocently back in my piano playing days, but has evolved into a fairly obsessive personal habit. I can't stand the slight stiffness in my fingers when they need to be popped, and frankly, I think the sound is really cool and quite satisfying.

I list it under "personal talent" as well as "things I do that repulse others." I can crack (from the top-down, follow me here): my jaw, neck, elbows, wrists, fingers, back, knees, ankles, and every individual toe. So there's always that Sideshow Freak thing to fall back on if the economy continues tanking... plus it entertains the hell out of seven-year-old boys, as I found out the other day while watching my friend's son.

However, since about everyone I know (husband, BF, mother...the list goes on) is driven batshit crazy by the sound, I do try to keep it under wraps when others are around. Try being the operative word there. I limit myself to fingers and the occasional toe in public. I can see where it would be a little weird to start popping kneecaps and wrists at a cocktail soiree, but what's the odd finger joint crackle between friends?

Widget

My Nasty Habit

Oh gosh, I have a few...the most nasty to me is that I bite my nails and my cuticles when I'm stressed or bored. I used to get the nails done, primarily because it kept me from doing that, but when my mom got sick, even that didn't stop me. I got so tired of paying for a new set every couple of weeks, I just stopped. My nails and cuticles are in lousy shape and I've tried to give myself manicures, rub solar oil into my cuticles, but nothing works. I really need to do something, but just haven't gotten around to doint it.