#16

#16 Buy something completely frivolous

I love to shop, but I hate to spend money.

I suffer from tremendous guilt, a byproduct of being raised Catholic, which tends to raise my buyers remorse exponentially. I buy things I need, if I'm lucky I want them as well, but I never buy anything without reason. I might buy a new outfit, but I more than likely have an event I need to wear it too. If I do buy something I don't need (like a new purse or shoes), I agonize over it. Whether it be the item is $1 or $100, I sweat it for days. Sometimes longer.

On top of this I have issues with buying things full price, but that's another story for another day.

The day: Last Saturday.

The place: The Independence Mall in Kingston, Mass, or, better known as, "The Mall."

The store: Victoria's Secret, just in time for its semi-annual sale. I figure I have an Angel's Card, I may as well use it (side note: I only use this card twice a year. During the semi-annual sales).

The purpose: I need to buy a new strapless bra to take with me when I go wedding dress shopping. I ended up getting sidetracked by this:



It's a bracelet. More importantly, it's completely badass. The rose on top opens, and it's perfume.



How cool is that? It's like a spy bracelet, but instead of containing a secret camera, it contains secret...perfume. Okay, that wasn't my best comparison ever, but you catch my drift.

(Actually, it reminds me of those rings that were popular when I was growing up. The ones that were shaped like hearts or stars or whatever and contained lip gloss. Does anyone else remember these? Or am I alone in a sea of nostalgia?)

When I saw this, I giggled. It was so cute and springy...and completely useless. I didn't let myself agonize over the fact that I really don't ever wear bracelets, I just threw it into my shopping bag and bought it. For me, this was a frivolous buy. But, as a friend of mine used to say, it is a little "happy." Or a little something that makes you feel good. It happys me. Every now and then, a little happy is a necessity in life.

I'm probably the least spontaneous person in the world. I'm also pretty uptight. I need to learn to let go sometimes. It's something I struggle with. This is addressed in a lot of ways in the list (pole dancing, hello), but I thought a little splurge was a nice way to wade into the bigger, less inhibition filled pool.

It's baby steps, people.

(And yes, before you ask, I bought a strapless bra too. And also, the bracelet was 75% off, but my inability to buy things for full price is a battle best fought another day.)