Last June I bought about $300 worth of bikinis from Victoria Secret without ever trying them on.
I would rather pull a rusty nail out of my foot than try on a bathing suit at a local store. (There aren't any swimsuit stores where I live anyway, but even if there were.) I'm not exactly a model. And I have a huge scar, so I've always avoided mirrors and half nakedness anyway. None of this is new.
The stupid part is that last June, and parts of May and July too, I was skipping meals. Maybe eating 700 or so calories a day, so I could drop 5 or 10 pounds and look my best in those overpriced bikinis.
No, I'm not a kid. I should be a lot smarter than this, but I'm not. Or I wasn't.
Those fabulous bikinis were destined for use in the Turks and Caicos islands. This was a trip I'd dreamt of doing. It's currently rated the 3rd most spectacular beach on earth (and always in the top 10) by travel magazines and web sites. I just wanted to look "Top 10" too. I had wanted to go to the Turks for soooo long, I just wanted everything to be perfect. Somehow, I lost my way. My brain took a leave of absence thinking if I was skinnier things would be happier.
And while I looked about as good as I could, without any sort of surgical enhancements or air brushing or trick lighting, what was the point? No point at all. No one loves me any more. I didn't win the lottery, become President, cure Cancer or anything. All I really did was waste some money on some little chunks of fabric. Some of those bikinis didn't even make the cut... they were left at home and never saw the ocean. Did I enjoy the trip with my family any more than I would have if I was my regular, healthy, life-long weight? No.
Oh, and I did one of those ridiculous spa wraps where they essentially wrap you in saran wrap and steam your water weight out of you so you "lose inches." Embarrassing and dumb. That was evident in the moment.
Am I any smarter now? I'd like to think so. It's a year later. I'm a little more comfortable in my own skin. I'm indulging in tea and ice cream whenever I feel like it rather than depriving myself for vanity sake. I'm even bold enough to write about it and share my stupidity. Learn from my mistake. Enjoy life on your own terms. I think "bikini money" would be better spent on nutritious groceries and family activities. Vanity has a price in our society and that price is too high.
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Monday, June 3, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Nothing else will do
For some things there are no suitable replacements. But we try, don't we?
Like cake. There is no substitute for cake! It sucks when you can't have cake. You miss cake. And sometimes, just out of the blue you start thinking about cake.
So you grab a cookie. That doesn't do it. Maybe a donut. Nope. So now, maybe you hit the mall and look for a sweater, or buy a new leather jacket or two, just to distract yourself. But retail therapy doesn't help. You still can't deny that it's cake you want.
And there are days, like birthdays and anniversaries, you just expect cake to be there. And when there's no cake it's disappointing.
So why is it that we deny ourselves cake? "I'm too fat. Too old. I don't celebrate birthdays. I'm on a diet. I don't deserve cake. Cake is for other people. There's no good cake anymore."
There's no cake at my house. Well, that's not entirely true. I made a Rice Krispie cake last week. But that's not really cake. It was a feeble, lazy person's attempt at cake. Sure, I ate half the thing but it wasn't in any way satisfying.
I don't need a lot of cake. Just a taste of cake every once in a while. There are very few things on this earth better than cake. And this I know to be true... there are no substitutions.
Like cake. There is no substitute for cake! It sucks when you can't have cake. You miss cake. And sometimes, just out of the blue you start thinking about cake.
So you grab a cookie. That doesn't do it. Maybe a donut. Nope. So now, maybe you hit the mall and look for a sweater, or buy a new leather jacket or two, just to distract yourself. But retail therapy doesn't help. You still can't deny that it's cake you want.
And there are days, like birthdays and anniversaries, you just expect cake to be there. And when there's no cake it's disappointing.
So why is it that we deny ourselves cake? "I'm too fat. Too old. I don't celebrate birthdays. I'm on a diet. I don't deserve cake. Cake is for other people. There's no good cake anymore."
There's no cake at my house. Well, that's not entirely true. I made a Rice Krispie cake last week. But that's not really cake. It was a feeble, lazy person's attempt at cake. Sure, I ate half the thing but it wasn't in any way satisfying.
I don't need a lot of cake. Just a taste of cake every once in a while. There are very few things on this earth better than cake. And this I know to be true... there are no substitutions.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Free Shipping Day!
It's free shipping day! It's free shipping day! Hi ho the dario it's free shipping day!
This is the greatest idea. This is the 2nd year in Canada. And I'm pleased to say I tried it in its inaugural year and was thrilled with the results. Last year Christmas preparations were just not happening. My mom was in the hospital and I was at her side full time. Meanwhile... back at my house, the kids were panicking that Christmas wasn't coming.
Free shipping day saved my bacon. I did nearly all my shopping on-line in about 2 hours. The beauty is that everything is guaranteed to arrive before Christmas. They are almost all Canadian stores and they all positively ship to you in Canada.
Last year I was blown away that Roots.ca had my parcel in my hands within 48 hours. It came Fed Ex if I recall right. Roots offers free express shipping on everything this day, even clearance items. I bought my youngest just one thing. It came with wrapping paper & a note card at no extra cost. (Not sure if that applies to all items or I got lucky, but wow... impressed.)
The greatest things about this day are:
1. Canadian (Was started in the USA and is HUGE there, but finally the concept is here too. www.freeshippingday.com)
2. It's not too late! (Guaranteed to arrive before Christmas eve)
3. Ship gifts! Soooo... if you have to send gifts elsewhere, shop online and have the company mail it right to them. Saves you wrapping, going to the post office and paying those crazy Canada Post fees. Isn't that typically your biggest barrier to sending the gifts you want to send?
4. Typically no minimum order. (Old Navy still has their $50 minimum, but they do offer you 30% off on this day too)
5. Discover new stores. I found Orb Clothing this way! Very cool. Very Canadian. And Got Something to Say They do the wall lettering you see in so many homes. (I bought little I love you messages, for my kids' rooms.) And Globo Shoes... I know they exist around the country and are a division of ALDO shoes, but I was still pumped to find them. Great selection. Oh, and if you have an athlete in the house, don't miss Under Armour - another shop no minimum for free shipping today.
6. I don't feel like I'm stressed and fighting with other shoppers. No rushed panicked decisions made to get out of the crowd.
One last note, if you are worried about using your credit card online, just use your PayPal account. It's that easy.
Today only.... 12 12 12! Best of luck!
This is the greatest idea. This is the 2nd year in Canada. And I'm pleased to say I tried it in its inaugural year and was thrilled with the results. Last year Christmas preparations were just not happening. My mom was in the hospital and I was at her side full time. Meanwhile... back at my house, the kids were panicking that Christmas wasn't coming.
Free shipping day saved my bacon. I did nearly all my shopping on-line in about 2 hours. The beauty is that everything is guaranteed to arrive before Christmas. They are almost all Canadian stores and they all positively ship to you in Canada.
Last year I was blown away that Roots.ca had my parcel in my hands within 48 hours. It came Fed Ex if I recall right. Roots offers free express shipping on everything this day, even clearance items. I bought my youngest just one thing. It came with wrapping paper & a note card at no extra cost. (Not sure if that applies to all items or I got lucky, but wow... impressed.)
The greatest things about this day are:
1. Canadian (Was started in the USA and is HUGE there, but finally the concept is here too. www.freeshippingday.com)
2. It's not too late! (Guaranteed to arrive before Christmas eve)
3. Ship gifts! Soooo... if you have to send gifts elsewhere, shop online and have the company mail it right to them. Saves you wrapping, going to the post office and paying those crazy Canada Post fees. Isn't that typically your biggest barrier to sending the gifts you want to send?
4. Typically no minimum order. (Old Navy still has their $50 minimum, but they do offer you 30% off on this day too)
5. Discover new stores. I found Orb Clothing this way! Very cool. Very Canadian. And Got Something to Say They do the wall lettering you see in so many homes. (I bought little I love you messages, for my kids' rooms.) And Globo Shoes... I know they exist around the country and are a division of ALDO shoes, but I was still pumped to find them. Great selection. Oh, and if you have an athlete in the house, don't miss Under Armour - another shop no minimum for free shipping today.
One last note, if you are worried about using your credit card online, just use your PayPal account. It's that easy.
Today only.... 12 12 12! Best of luck!
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Fast Five: Seriously...bad gifts from husbands
Spoken not just in my voice, but the collective voice of women everywhere. (Yes, for this occasion, I nominated myself as the spokesperson for all women. Just this one time!)
Christmas is two weeks away. This advice likely comes 12 days to early for most men, but hey... I've got a lot to do in the next 2 weeks. Saving your ass at the last minute isn't on my to-do list this year.
So, men... listen up. (You can thank me later.)
1. Don't buy lingerie for us. We know what you want. Lingerie will not help your cause. Vacuuming the living room and taking the kids out while we try to wrap gifts... that MIGHT help. But seriously, you don't know what size we are, and no teenager working at the lingerie store is going to save the day. Non refundable. Just don't. Seriously.
2. Don't buy a cookbook or frying pan, or humidifier or tool set. Basically...anything that comes from Canadian Tire or Home Dept (except for a new fancy kitchen) is going to fail your attempt as a Christmas gift. Seriously.
3. Don't buy anything that you can fetch from Wal-Mart at 5AM to avoid the Christmas shopping rush. Seriously.
4. Don't buy your wife the same box of Pot of Gold chocolates that you gave your secretary, the bus driver, your kid's teacher, or your ex-wife. Buying in bulk might save you time, but won't save your ass. Seriously.
5. Don't buy the generic $10 bath set or moisturizer set. OMG, don't you know we spend hundreds of dollars on eye creams, and wrinkle fillers and miracle creams to avoid aging, wrinkling and sagging? If it's not guaranteed, proven to work or on Dr. Oz or Oprah, we don't want it. And even if we want it.... we DO NOT want you to buy it for us. That would just acknowledge you know about the aging, wrinkling and sagging, and you DO NOT want to acknowledge that. Seriously.
6. (Yes, I know it says 5, but I'm on a roll.) Do not buy my Christmas gift at the liquor store. Yes, I know this is the one shopping trip you look forward to and it's the once-a-year event when you willingly push a cart.... but no. You and your buddies cannot go shopping together and just grab tequila. Even if it IS Patron. We see that as an attempt to get us back to the lingerie store. Seriously.
Disclaimer: This list applies to husbands. Newlyweds and boyfriends might have some luck with #1, 5 or 6. However, #3 & 4 are bad news regardless. Actually, with the right card, a boyfriend might be able to make a tool belt and cheap slippers into a romantic gift... but husbands should know better. Don't you remember the year you bought the frying pan? Nobody wants to relive THAT again.
Christmas is two weeks away. This advice likely comes 12 days to early for most men, but hey... I've got a lot to do in the next 2 weeks. Saving your ass at the last minute isn't on my to-do list this year.
So, men... listen up. (You can thank me later.)
1. Don't buy lingerie for us. We know what you want. Lingerie will not help your cause. Vacuuming the living room and taking the kids out while we try to wrap gifts... that MIGHT help. But seriously, you don't know what size we are, and no teenager working at the lingerie store is going to save the day. Non refundable. Just don't. Seriously.
2. Don't buy a cookbook or frying pan, or humidifier or tool set. Basically...anything that comes from Canadian Tire or Home Dept (except for a new fancy kitchen) is going to fail your attempt as a Christmas gift. Seriously.
3. Don't buy anything that you can fetch from Wal-Mart at 5AM to avoid the Christmas shopping rush. Seriously.
4. Don't buy your wife the same box of Pot of Gold chocolates that you gave your secretary, the bus driver, your kid's teacher, or your ex-wife. Buying in bulk might save you time, but won't save your ass. Seriously.
5. Don't buy the generic $10 bath set or moisturizer set. OMG, don't you know we spend hundreds of dollars on eye creams, and wrinkle fillers and miracle creams to avoid aging, wrinkling and sagging? If it's not guaranteed, proven to work or on Dr. Oz or Oprah, we don't want it. And even if we want it.... we DO NOT want you to buy it for us. That would just acknowledge you know about the aging, wrinkling and sagging, and you DO NOT want to acknowledge that. Seriously.
6. (Yes, I know it says 5, but I'm on a roll.) Do not buy my Christmas gift at the liquor store. Yes, I know this is the one shopping trip you look forward to and it's the once-a-year event when you willingly push a cart.... but no. You and your buddies cannot go shopping together and just grab tequila. Even if it IS Patron. We see that as an attempt to get us back to the lingerie store. Seriously.
Disclaimer: This list applies to husbands. Newlyweds and boyfriends might have some luck with #1, 5 or 6. However, #3 & 4 are bad news regardless. Actually, with the right card, a boyfriend might be able to make a tool belt and cheap slippers into a romantic gift... but husbands should know better. Don't you remember the year you bought the frying pan? Nobody wants to relive THAT again.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Black Friday Sales: Canadian-ized
There is no doubt that cross-border shopping has been negatively affecting stores and jobs here in Canada. And with the Canadian dollar at par, the threat is very real for our consumers to spend their dollar in the USA. After all, the USA seems to know how to throw a sale.
Big time sales of 50% or 70% off would attract any consumer. Especially when the same or similar items are typically only discounted 10-20% at Canadian store. It's easy to see the attraction.
Old Navy is hosting a sale in Canada, comprable to their American sister stores. Here they are calling it "Cheermageddon" and they are advertising it everywhere.
Electronics retailers like Best Buy and Future Shop have been leaders in "Cyber Monday" sales as well. It's been their way of adding one more day to the frenzy that is the Thanksgiving shopping weekend. For it, they promise fabulous on-line deals on electronics, movies and the like on the Monday that follows Thanksgiving.
It would be great to get some Christmas shopping done at a discount, but I am not willing to travel, fight crowds or arrive hours before a store opens in order to do it. If I participate in anyway, it will be from the comfort of my office and on-line.
Whether you want clothes, electronics, hotel rooms (Fairmont is promising deals), Danier leather jackets or cosmetics from The Body Shop they are all getting in on the act.
My advice would be to do your research ahead of time. Only shop on-line with trusted retailers that you've shopped with before. And whether you are shopping at the malls, in person or on-line, be prepared for deals to go fast. Go in with a budget, and your Christmas shopping list to avoid going overboard. Try not to get carried away in the frenzy.
Shopping sites like Smart Canucks offer fabulous info, and up to date information on sales. There are also interactive forums where you can share information, deals, warnings etc with other shoppers.
I guess the countdown is on. Happy shopping, but most of all, Happy Thanksgiving to our American friends. Enjoy the special time of year and thank you for sharing your shopping phenomenon with your northern neighbors. Come visit sometime, it's friendly up here. Bring a parka.
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