Tough Love
June 14th, 2010 § 15 Comments
How’s it hangin homies?!?! What’s that look for? Your face looks a bit…off. Are you feeling OK? Summer heat got you down and sweaty? What? What did you say? Ooohh…..I get it. You’re wondering where the heck I’ve been!
Well, I don’t really have a concrete answer for you, hence the shrug. (Plus I like shameless promotion of my face so booyah! Two birds, one stone.)
How’s everything going with the Summer Spending Challenge? I sure hope you weren’t expecting me to hold you accountable, because uhh, I have completely been absent from the Interwebs. I am in over a month solid now – I started in NYC remember? – and friends, let me tell you, this whole non-materialistic side of me? She is not always the most fun chickita to spend your days with. Some days I am completely fine. And by “some days” I mean “days I don’t step foot into a mall.”
I didn’t find this out until last week when Carrie asked me to accompany her on a trip to one of the seventy billion malls in Pittsburgh. Always up for a challenge, I agreed, fully knowing this particular mall is one of two in the area that houses The Limited. Now, perhaps it’s because I have such limited access (no pun intended – although haha) to the store, but I just absolutely lose it in that place. I seem to always stumble upon a great deal or six there for tops suitable for work and play and I can’t even begin to give you a list of reasons why you simply must try their dress pants. I’ve squeezed my tuccus into plenty of cotton blends and let me tell you whoever these Drew and Cassidy characters are, they sure seem to know their way around a needle and thread – especially to the tune of a curvaceous frame like mine. Just try ‘em. I dare you not to sashay around your world and get a few compliments thrown your way.
After that mini love letter, you’ve probably figured out how hard it was for me to just hang out in that store. While I’m all good in the bottoms department of my wardrobe, what sensible woman wouldn’t feel some sort of way seeing so many beautiful, light, bright, trendy tops on sale for 30 percent off?!? Surprisingly, I only whined for about five minutes. Then I put on my fashion consultant hat and performed the task at hand of “wear this, not that.” Afterwards, we walked into Gap, another store whose bottoms I’ve been known to swear by. Again, it wasn’t the pants that tempted me, but rather the $10 deal on t-shirts and tanks screaming at me from every rack and table. “Oh the endless possibilities,” I thought. “Just a few colors and my options are endless! I can match so many accessories I already have with these! Oh gosh, WHY?!?!”
Y’all I had to straight up scold myself and walk right out of there.
I looked at Carrie and said, “I can’t take this, I have to go outside.” I swear I could hear my Gap card screaming from my wallet. And I swear I could feel my blood pressure raise by about 30 percent.
After what felt like six hours, – and let’s be honest, it was but a few minutes – Carrie emerged, another bag in tow. She bought me a coffee and told me she was proud of me. That felt pretty good. If you’re going to hop on the Summer Spending Challenge train with me, you better have some supportive friends on board.
At the end of the day, she’s one to count on.
Speaking of support, I’d like you to meet Andrew.
Adorable. And yes, I pushed him around on my cart in the grocery store.
Andrew is a new addition in my circle of friends, and a much-needed one at that. He’s one of those people I connected with instantly on so many levels and in a very short time, it felt as if we’d known each other for a very long time. Don’t you just love that?
Andrew has had a similar history with credit cards so when I told him about the Summer Spending Challenge, he was in. He is the only person in my daily life participating and I believe he needs this challenge and my support just as much I need it and his. We share a love of running, food, men, Nicki Manaj and laughing. Boy oh boy do we laugh. We’ve already got our own little lingo down and can be found in various parts of the city laughing hysterically at seemingly ridiculous things. Also? The man can give a compliment like nobody’s business. While stuffing my face with fried goodness one night he looked at me and said, “You’re so hot.” To which I answered (between bites of powdered sugar dough), “Let’s get married.”
In an effort to do things that don’t involve shoes, handbags, tops and bottoms, we have had some great times. Check out the food action at last week’s Three Rivers Art Festival.
Did you know gyros are my favorite summer food? Well now you do.
Mm. Mhmm. Mm.
Ladies and gentleman, that would be a deep-fried Oreo. It will change your life.
This weekend, we decided to torture ourselves even further and step foot into a mall. To be fair, Andrew’s 21st birthday is next month, so he needs to gather some ideas for his gift of an outfit to ring in the big day. If you’re wondering who is purchasing said gift, the answer would be yours truly. And since it is such a momentous event, of course I will be receiving a gift as well in terms of an outfit purchased by the birthday boy himself. See, there is no rule against purchasing gifts in the Summer Spending Challenge. However, if you’re going to strike up a deal such as this, please do not go overboard. You cannot convince your friends and family that buying toilet paper and toothpaste for them equates six pairs of earrings at H&M for you.
After partaking in poignant conversation over dessert (come to Mama, sweet red velvet cheesecake..and a Bellini? Yes please.) I made a spur of the moment decision to head into a jewelry store. “OK you’re going to help me pick out a ring to tell my pretend boyfriend to buy when he proposes,” I blurted out in hurried breath as we walked in. “And his name’s Scott!” I said in a hushed whisper as we started peering in the bright cases.
As we both looked – for ourselves, naturally – I was a little disappointed I couldn’t find the style I had in mind. Several years ago – and just as single as I am now – I had been on a similar adventure with a friend who had a real significant other that could make such purchases, I snagged a catalog that’s been stuffed in drawers and boxes through my cross-state move boasting pictures of sparkly gems and happy models couples.
However, once someone waited on us, the real fun began. “Let the cases be opened!” my mind sang. Andrew had me trying on everything from three stone arrangements to an $8,000 multi-carat ring (both of which I did not like). We eventually agreed on a style I never thought I’d like and just like that the picture of my “oh it’s so non-traditional” engagement ring catalog was kicked to the curb, literally (Sundays are garbage night).
To be fair, the store was nearly empty and near closing time so I didn’t feel like we were taking up someone else’s time who was going to buy. This gave us an opportunity to not only take our time and enjoy the process, but totally play it up. If you have questions about financing or cleaning policies at a certain nationwide jeweler, we know all about it thanks to my friend’s humor in the situation.
Me: “Oh, just tell him I like them both and I can’t decide. He’ll know which one to choose when he sees them.”
Sales Woman: “Oh but it’s your ring and you wouldn’t really be happy with one you liked less would you?”
*Andrew and I exchange glances and smirks*
Me: “You’re right. Tell him I like this one better.”
In all, it was a great diversion to the daunting thought of, “Ican’tbuyanything!!!” which seems to pop up in our minds constantly. Forget sex every seven seconds. We’re thinking about capris, polos, rompers and sundresses. Ah, Labor Day you seem so close, yet so many weeks away.
So tell me, who’s been sticking with the Summer Spending Challenge? I’ve heard from a few who’ve failed or nearly failed it already! What’s working??
Have you ever tried on rings without so much as a man in your life? Or done something else just for fun with no intention of buying?
Oh God I am laughing my ASS off.
I’ve been trying to hard to stick to a spending challenge and it’s going mediocre. I was really good for awhile, but Piperlime was just calling my name and then all of the sudden 3 pairs of shoes were at my door steps! I went into Cartier in NYC a few years ago before I was engaged and tried on $30,000 rings with a friend. It was SO fun, highly recommend it!
ditto, jess. ditto
I LURVE you with all of my heart and soul! Thanks so much for CHAMALI!!!
Gyros are the best. That is all. I heart you.
oh my GOSH LOL!!! I freaking ADORE YOU girl!!!! I am so glad you have a great friend like him too- he sounds AWESOME!! I love you so mucho-i want to hang out with you eeeerday! and you ARE HOT WHEN YOU ARE STUFFING YOUR FACE
Oh my word, I love you.
And clearly, I already love this Andrew character.
You two should road trip to me.
STAT.
I’ll stay right here. Waiting.
And you can try on my engagement ring all you want when you get here.
I may even let you take it with you
Now – let’s discus- what are you going to be bringing me?!?
I’m a total Cassidy fit kind of gal, too!
And I think I heart your friend Andrew. He sounds pretty much awesome.
Dear friend I’ve never met,
There is a Tiffany’s near my apartment. Need I say more? I’m pretty sure I’ll probably never be allowed back in my entire life. But it was worth many a broke Saturday afternoon.
I just read it again and am still laughing my ass off. I mean, come on, there is a lot of ass to laugh off here…
Sooo…yesterday I was digging through my purse and found an Express store credit. No clue how much it was, but it was burning a hole in my purse…so I had to go use it last night. I found a dress (on sale) and a grey top that I loved, figuring that I was buying both anyway because I have no self control…you know, the shopping does that to you.
I get to the register and she rings me up…$59.85. I give her the credit and you won’t BELIEVE how much was on there….$59.50!!!!!!! I have no idea when it was from either.
Anyway…I spent a whopping 35 cents last night. So I’m still in the challenge right?
Oh, and you are probably thinking this is Heather writing behind my name since this comment is so damn long.
are you facing sucking with andrew? because he’s pretty hot!
So I first read this post standing on the side of the road waiting for my friend to pick me up from my afternoon traveling adventures. I’m sure all the passing motorists were wondering why there was a girl laughing hysterically at her blackberry while balancing a large coffee in one hand and trying to ensure my luggage didn’t fall over with the other.
I’m reading it again, and I’m laughing all over for the second time.
I already emailed you about what I’ve decided not to purchase, even though it was being paid by monetary gift offerings, so I guess I’m still in the spending challenge. Thankfully copious amounts of foodie goodness was not part of the spending challenge. I’d be a so thoroughly screwed if I was cut off from my perusing of the aisles at Whole Foods while in the big city for interviews. I could spend a weeks salary just at the hot food bar. Dear gawd, in less than a month I will no longer have restricted access to Whole Foods. Maybe a food budget should be imposed!
Okay, well this comment has already reached Heather-like proportions, and I still haven’t commented on ring shopping. To be fair, I’m about as interested in jewelry as I am about learning the theory of relativity, and while I could see the fun in trying on rings in a fancy store, I have never done so. Actually, I think I can count one hand the times I’ve set foot inside a jewelry store, and they were all with friends who had just recently become engaged and they were getting rings sized or cleaned. Or whatever they do to diamonds to ensure they sparkle brightly like the sun.
I have, however, tried on pairs upon pairs of Louboutins, Manolos and Jimmy Choos with no intention of purchasing. But someday L, M & JC will follow me home and take up residence in my closet where they will live happily ever after…
The End
List form is best for my comments:
1. If I took the challenge I would never leave the house and starve. I still have a wardrobe comprised of clothes from 5+years ago. I’m like my gramma “If there ain’t holes in it, it’s wearable!” fashionista I am not.
2. The pic of you and C is adorbs
3. Andrew looks fun, you are fun…I see why this is a working combo
4. I did have to stop myself from getting up close and personal with my monitor upon seeing that pita wrapped piece-o-heaven. That’s where my spending has the potential to get out of control
5. Wedding rings? Joo-elllz? No comprende. The only jewelry I wear I picked up from piercing shops so it’s never off my face/head. The thought of precious stones gives me the heebies. Yes, my parents are proud and no, my mom doesn’t sob herself to sleep at night.
XOXOXOXO
[...] wasn’t easy, especially right out the gate when I thought I was going to have a panic attack in The Limited. I was so used to getting whatever I wanted (within some reason) whenever I desired [...]
[...] also doesn’t mind playing the role of best friend when I want to try on engagement rings to get ideas for my “boyfriend” [...]