The ultimate handbag justification

You know how certain people in your life fill certain roles? For some reason, I am the person everyone calls to justify their purchases. I believe it started in high school when I introduced my friends to the idea of amortization. "But if you wear this $100 4 times, it's really only $25 a wearing!" (At 15, this was revolutionary thinking)

I have a shoe addiction. I have also noticed recently that I have a burgeoning handbag addiction, that I have, thus far, been able to keep a lid on, bubbling below the surface. Partly because I hate switching purses. Partly because I know my life can't handle another accessory addiction.

That didn't stop me, however, from buying two evening bags over the Christmas holidays. There was a sale. I was doing random shopping. And decided I wanted the bags and was going to buy them.

Of course, this is justified since one is black and one is very "me" (hey! It is! Even my dad said when he saw it "That is definitely you". My DAD! ) And because evening bags, when purchased properly are lifelong investment pieces (my latest justification for most of my recent accessory purchases).

On this same day, I saw this other purse that I adore. A sort of yellowish background with a black vintage lace overlay. (I have no clue how to describe this). And I realized it would go perfectly with the yellow evening gown I someday want to own and wear to a gala event (that exists only in my head right now - both the gown and the event - yes, this post gets weirder and weirder). And so I've been thinking of this purse. And the two purses I purchased. And the other purse I've "borrowed" from my mother (which is now essentially mine until my sister discovers I have it).

And I thought about how I've borrowed my mother's evening bags in the past. Because I never had my own. About how I love combing through my mom's purses because they represent a time in my mom's life before she was MOM. Or when she was something other than MOM. This secret non-MOM side that you only start to see and appreciate once you're older.

And so I started thinking of Mom's accessories (jewelry and handbags) that we wear/borrow/abscond with. And Grandma's. And how these are treasures, or heirlooms, or just fun pieces with memories or extra heart attached.

And all of the above led me to the ultimate evening bag justification.

I should be buying evening bags. In all the basic colours (gold, black, silver, navy) and a few splashy ones in between. So that, one day, when my daughter (the one I don't have yet) is 18 or 23 or 27 and is attending an event, she has a bag to borrow. And she can marvel at how cyclical fashion is. And wonder how my evenings went when I was carrying the bag. And cherish the love that is present in passing down accessories for, and sharing anticipation about, nights out on the town.

I must buy evening bags to be a good mother. I owe it to my future daughter.

And that, I realized, is why people call me to help justify purchases. It's also why I will probably go and buy my yellowish, black lace purse. Well that, and because I love it.

When Good Mail turns Bad

Tonight, when I picked up my mail, I got excited. Because I got a card. Real, fun mail! As opposed to bills and the latest pizza deal.

Then I realized what it was. An early birthday card. (Sent by an aunt on an extended holiday so got her mail out early).

34 days till my 30th birthday.

As if the obsessive countdown wasn't enough, I now have tangible proof of it's impending arrival.

I've known I wasn't going to handle it well, but the last couple days I started to think I was going to make it through okay in the end.

Then the card arrived. Maybe not so okay in the end.

And while I smile at this aunt who, in this time of e-cards always sends a real card, and while I look at the pretty cartoon-sketch flowers and swirls on the card, I try to tell myself that I didn't just have the last month of my 20s robbed by this early card. And that it's really just a sign of all the wonderful things to come.

And then, once I've calmed myself down, I completely freak out.

Ah yes. CAn't wait for the upcoming month. :p

Second New Year meet Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake

At 10:20 this morning the girl from the next office room over came in and said that she had made a pumpkin spice cheesecake but that none of her coworkers could make it into work because of the weather and so wanted to see if we wanted some.

My coworker went to get a piece. I decided to be good and just eat my clementine. Then my coworker and the girl came back... with a piece for me. (I'm supposed to avoid sweets when they're literally being hand-delivered to me?! :p)

So, yes. 24 hours. Lasted a long time.

But actually, an important lesson was learned. I realized that, if you think a life without pumpkin spice cheesecake is really a life, we don't share the same concept of what a life is.

And, I would prefer to eat the cheesecake and adjust the rest of my day accordingly. So, lunch was pretty much all veggies. As will dinner be. And so Second New Year can co-exist with Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake. Not be killed it.

It was incredible cheesecake. And I'm not generally much of a cheesecake fan.

Happy New Year Again!

I had several resolutions/plans of action I was going to implement this new year. Items about which I was really and truly motivated. With concrete plans on how to make the changes. Also was completely refreshed and ready to tackle work again.

And then I got sick.

For the second year in a row, I've had both plans and motivation to tackle some things in my life at New Year's time. Only to spend the first two weeks of the new year beaten down by awful colds. Thereby losing all the freshness of the year and contributing to all too easily sliding into old habits.

I was talking to my sister about this and she had a brilliant idea.

Have another New Year's!

And today was it. Happy Second New Year's! Now that I have the energy to live life, I will implement all of my resolutions, rather than letting them fall victim to an ill-timed cold.

Today I cleaned the kitchen. And the living room. And brought the boxes up to put Christmas decorations away (still have to finish that). And pulled out all my Weight Watchers stuff to get *that* back on track. And I am going to the gym tomorrow morning.

And right now? I'm going to get the freshly baked banana bread out of the oven. Because nothing says "having life under control" like home-baked banana bread!

Naming Power

One of my favourite restaurants in town closed down last spring. It's since been replaced by another. I've been nervous about trying it for fear of being disappointed. This is odd for me. I'm always up for trying a new place to eat. And I never worry that it won't meet my expectations. And yet, I found myself shrinking away from this new place. Leaving a greater distance between it and myself when I passed it.

Today I finally pieced together why. Why I have this expectation that I will be disappointed.

Its name reminds me of the word Gild. As in "to coat with gold, gold-leaf or a gold-coloured substance".

Which leads my mind to "not being pure"

Which leads my mind to "being fake"

And "trying too hard"

And "trying to be something you're not"

Which leads to an image of dishes that try to have all the right ingredients and touches and yet can't pull it together. Resulting in a less than amazing meal.

Which would be further compounded by memories of great satisfaction and delight in the exact same location. Resulting in feelings of disappointment and sadness.

That is the thought process, spawned from one little restaurant name, that has been causing me to subconsciously think eating there would be a wholly disappointing experience.

How impossible is marketing in general, if you're trying to anticipate customer reaction? A 6-step subconscious thought process has had me avoiding the place for a good 6 months. And, if it took *me* this long to figure myself out, the owners never had a shot.

All from one word.

The good news is, now that I've sorted this all out, I am ready to try it. Someday.

Gettin' it done

The end of the NFL season is drawing nigh and I've not made any headway in resolving my issue. This afternoon did find me, however, watching the Colts. Watching them do nothing. Except for Adam. Who was responsible for all 15 of their points. While Manning threw nary a touchdown. You got your kicker to help you close the deal boys, how about giving him a hand? Unless you expect a kicker can take it all the way on his own.

Gettin' it done: Adam
Not so much: The rest of the Colts

Now I just have to pray that the Patriots don't lose by a field goal tomorrow.

Small detail

As I was walking down the staircase, leaving work, one of the shippers (I exit through the shipping area - I don't know this guy but we always say hi when I come in or out) called out "Happy New Year!" as I was halfway down the stairs. I returned the wish and, stopped to ask him about his holiday.

Him: "I got engaged over the holidays!"

Me: "Congratulations! So, when's the big day?"

Him: "Oh, we don't know yet. I still have to get divorced first."

Just another one of those little wedding planning details...

New Year's Horoscope

From the Toronto Star:

Pisces (Feb. 20 — March 20)
You have several secret hopes you are very likely to fulfil in 2007. Some, though, revolve around someone else's emotional issues and it's demanding much of your time and energy. Be loyal to your own needs first and success will come.


Yay for secret hopes coming true! :)