Retail Therapy

I went to the mall with some of my new found cash and bought some things using the excuse that I was gearing up for spring. I also just went through my wardrobe this weekend and packed up a bag full of clothes to donate to goodwill which means closet space for some new digs and less guilt seeing an over flowing closet.

First up is a shawl sweater from Costa Blanca on sale for $20. I love shawl sweaters because they are comfy and......have I mentioned they're comfy?


Next is a tunicy type top similar to below to wear with tights! I am giving into the tights trend. I am not a fan of tights and think it's ridiculous that girls think tights=pants but I loved this tunic and feel it's too short to wear as a dress but at the same time too long and flowy to wear as a top. Dilema! I couldn't resist as the top was only $10! So tights wins unless I can think of a creative wear to wear this without subjecting the world to too much skin.

Finally, I got two sports bras on sale at Aerie. I am really digging aerie. At first I thought it was just a trendy little store for tweens but I was very impressed with a sports bra that I bought there last year that I decided to go back for more. It helps that it was on sale and they gave me a gift card that has a minimum of $10 for a future purchase and a free undie!

Keeping my ass warm....

With sub zero temperatures around the corner I am thinking about getting a heated seat cushion/cover for my car. I get cold fast....really fast! In fact most days I already have the heat going when I am driving!

The thing is there are so many of them! Who knew? And some of the items have gotten really bad reviews on the Canadian Tire website. Even expensive ones that you might assume were good quality because of the price point. So I have no idea what to get and what a reasonable price to spend on them is. My requirements are that it has to warm up fast and that it lasts. If I am going to spend the money, I don't want it to die on me after one season.

Canadian Tire has this one on sale from $90 to $20 but the reviews have turned me off. I wonder where else I can buy them instead of Canadian Tire. I might check out the auto area in Walmart later this week and see what they have.

Guess who's bizzack?

No, not Jay-Z. This girl right here.

Vacation was over the top amazing and now I am back to real life. Taking time off work, friends, and just life in general was much needed. I only checked email once during the whole trip & it was for about 10 mins just to make sure nothing too crazy was happening while I was away! You know that saying: Ignorance is bliss. Well it's true.

I also ignored my finances. Before I left, I made sure everything was paid off including any bills that would come in while I was away. I notified my credit cards that I would be travelling & to let purchases go through. The last thing I need is to be half way across the globe with my credit card being denied.

While away, I spent like a mad woman. I lived comfortably and am very happy I didn't nickel & dime my experience. It's a good thing I could spend like a mad woman without actually spending too much money --> While half way across the world, spending $2 Canadian meant a nice meal even though you could survive on half that by fast fooding it up. The conversion rate worked in my favor.

I also didn't buy too much in the way of souvenirs, especially for friends. While I did buy a few because I felt obligated to get something for the folks that always bring me back a souvenir from their trips. For the most part, I am over the whole souvenir phase. Really who needs 200 mugs with some witty quote written on it like, 'What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas'. When cleaning up my room in the past, I almost wished I didn't buy shot glasses from almost every single place I've been too. They are just sitting in my room gathering dust. I could have spent that money towards a nice meal or the entrance fee to an attraction. I remember way back when in Florida, I didn't want to pay the entrance fee for Universal Studios because I thought it was expensive but spent almost the same amount on souvenirs for myself & friends! This time around, if I bought a souvenir, I made sure it was something functional (meaning something I'd actually use i.e. a bowl to be used as a fruit bowl) or something I'd like to display in my place for all to see. Not in some shelf in some room nobody goes to. As an example, I bought a nice painting that was hand painted on some fabric that I am planning on framing & putting up.

So where did most of my money go? On 'experience' a-la those pesky entrance fees, car rental to drive around, hotels, tours, ect.

Going out can be expensive

It's been an expensive weekend. ugh, ugh, ugh.

Movie: $10
Dinner on Friday night: $15
Groceries: $29
Gas: $30
Car oil change: $50
Makeup: $3. Cheap but it was still unnecessary & I am having buyers remorse.
Snack: $3
Dinner & drinks w/ the girls: $40

So in the matter of two days, I've spent ~$200! Granted about ~$100 were necessities: The oil change & groceries & gas. But half of that was avoidable or could have been minimized. I think the worst was dinner & drinks w/ the girls. The thing was I felt pressured to giving in to purchase a drink & dessert just because everybody else was. I don't know why I felt that way but I didn't want to be the one debbie downer that didn't order any alcohol. I really should have stood my ground or ordered a beer or something instead of a $7 glass of wine & an $8 plate of dessert that I couldn't even finish.