This month is the densest birthday months of the year in our household and I could be responsible for adding one more!
Birthdays include: my sister-in-law's, my sister's, my mother's, my best friend's, and my nephew's plus probably a few I'm forgetting at the moment. I guess I'm going to have to get creative with gifts. All of these people mean a lot to us, but remembering to set money aside for birthday presents has always been my weakness.
Not to mention I've been having super strong urges to go out and go... shopping?! Instead of having cravings for food, I've been craving consumerism. About a year ago, I attempted a "buy nothing new" project. It was my concept of semi-sustainable city living. I thought I could just reuse other things that people had discarded and/or donated and my waste and impact would be nothing- since it was really the waste and environmental impact of the person before me. Certain things were obviously allowed "New," those things included; food, personal hygiene and other non-reusables; like cleaning products and gasoline. I was doing really well with this project, until I got pregnant. Then, the nesting kicked in and I "needed" to buy new stuff. I tried finding used maternity clothes, but there's not a whole lot of selection out there- plus my mom showing up with Target bags of clothes didn't help. Also, about every 6 months (when the seasons switch in Phoenix from hot to cold or cold to hot) I sometimes have consumer relapses and feel the need to buy new wardrobe items.
Anyway, today has been one of those craving days, and the craving is strong. It's 8:53am and I just finished sweeping the whole house, and all I can think about is how when I'm done with all this housework I want to go to Nordstrom's and pick out a new purse. Do I need one? no. Do I have 5 fully functioning nice purses in my closet? yes. And if not a purse maybe an outfit or two (that will only fit me for another month...). Or maybe a mini splurge at Anthropologie for some home decor??
The labor day sale signs are also NOT HELPING. I know that if I'm going to relapse now's the time to do it. I feel like a sober alcoholic who's just been informed of the best happy hour deal in town with the best liquor selection... it's only a matter of time.
If I do go out today and spend money I don't have on things I don't need, I'll be sure to let you all know what I got and how guilty I feel.
For now here's the pictures from dessert from the first September birthday of the month:
Happy September Saturday!
If you're going to cave in, I vote for not feeling a shred of guilt! Our indulgences sustain us much longer when we savor them, and milk every pleasurable second from their consumption, be they in food form and otherwise. :-) Happy shopping!
ReplyDeleteMani
Thanks Mani,
ReplyDeleteI postponed the craving and used some of the splurge money on a nice breakfast date, and some vintage and upcycled items. I feel much better when its not NEW stuff I'm buying :)