Still staving off the temptation

It's been about a year since I've started blogging about my life, our life. And so, I recently took a quick down memory lane and looked at what I was consumed with (and blogging about) this time last June '08.

And, funny enough (and not surprisingly), it seems to be the same stuff that consumes me this year:

Kids.

Husband.

Career.

Balancing priorities.

My girlfriends and ME-time

And of course, my latest fashion and product obsessions.

As for the last topic, I chuckled to myself when I read this post from last year about my-then (and continuing) fetish with handbags, especially designer ones.

When I read my list of consumables from that post, I've checked off nearly all the ones off the top of the list except that I still have not given into the temptation of the Pelham (which by the way, is now $1395 vs. the $1330 from 2008 prices).

The same main reason for not giving in apply this year: GUILT.

I simply cannot bring myself to spend the money on something that costs as much as 2/3 of a month's worth of preschool tuition (even though preschool is DONE for us in another week - YAH!) for something that only I can enjoy and get satisfaction from. My kids won't care that this thing is hanging off of my shoulder like I would. For all they know, it's just another sack where they can throw their water bottles and snacks when we're out and about around town. But, it just doesn't seem fair that only I would enjoy it, especially for that price tag.

Never mind that my husband didn't think twice when he dropped more than double the Pelham's price tag for that new triathlon bicycle. ugggggh.

But then again (as some friends tell me), maybe....maybe it's ok and sometimes I need to just give in. Because sometimes, we moms, we just gotta treat ourselves - no matter how impractical.

I think about the purse now and again as I pass Fashion Valley mall and consider perusing the Gucci store, but I KNOW that I will give in if I set foot in that place.

For now, I will continue to stave off the temptation and spend our dollars on other worthwhile, family-enriching things like Disney passes, Spanish and foreign language classes for the kids, or a short vacation weekend away...whatever else other stuff we can enjoy together.

And I'm sure that this time next year, I'll be writing another post about the damn purse and complaining how I continue to take one for the team.

These people obviously don't have kids

I drove to the mall today at lunch to run a few errands and naturally went to my normal parking lot on the 2nd level outside of Nordstrom.   The lot was strangely crowded and full of cars circling about looking for spots.  Hmmmm...Friday...lunchime - I guess everyone had the same idea I had.

After about 10 minutes of making rounds through the lot, I was able to weasel my way to a parking spot.  As I walked through the mall to run my errands, I was quickly reminded that little known company from Cupertino, CA was having a big product launch today.

Yes, the Apple iPhone 3G.  Lovely.

The line snaked past the food court and around a few stores on the other side of the mall.  You would think from this line that they were waiting in line to see the Pope, or better yet, they were auditioning for latest season of American Idol. 

(Jealous, sarcastic tone begins here.) These people obviously have a LOT of time on their hands.  And they obviously don't have kids.   I just don't get the American fascination with gadgets and being the first in line to get the latest and greatest.

Someday when these people have babies, they'll recognize and appreciate and love what's easy and convenient and low-stress.  For now, they can enjoy their child-free days and stand in line for days just to  have the bragging rights that they were the first to get coolest, greatest, new Apple thang.

Yeah, uh, that's it.  

(Note:  Clarissa mocks only because she wants a 3G, too.  For now, she will continue to appreciate her Palm Centro...until next week when you will probably see her in line at UTC mall along with the others waiting to get their hands on the latest and greatest Apple creation).

True Religions...Move over

I have a new favorite pair of jeans.  

Yes, the Hudson flap pocket jean, boot-cut stretch in Marcy Wash.

Wearing Hudsons is like wearing sweats (no joke) but WAAAY cuter and oh, so, un-momsy like.   Top this with a pair of wedge sandals and a cute pastel blouse and  voila!   Instant chic, AND they make you feel like a million bucks.  

And every mom wants to feel like a million bucks.

This little incident also helped put this lovely denim on top of my designer jean fetish list:

When I wore my Hudson's to work for the first time the other week, within 10 minutes of being there right after grabbing my morning coffee,  the most discriminating of fashionistas in my office commented on how skinny I looked (this, after my Spanx post  -- just so we all know I need help).   I knew it was the jeans immediately.  

(Oh, and flattery helps, too)

Hudsons, where have you been hiding all these years??

And why did I wait so long to buy you?!

The $72 Tummy Tuck

Spanx is my new best friend. 

And it's the perfect solution for my 3 1/2 year old twin tummy (read: muffin top) that I will never get rid of (without surgical help, obviously).  How did I not pick one up sooner?!

I know that they've been around and popular for some time now, especially thanks to Oprah's well-documented adoration of them.  And who doesn't listen to Oprah?

Apparently me.

A few weeks ago while at Nordstrom's Half Yearly Sale, I decided to give them a shot at the urging of my mom who with me.  After trying on lots of cute summer clothes and nearly 30 swim suits,  I was (not surprisingly) semi-depressed.  

Mom: I don't understand how you can sit here and try on clothes, shop for nice things, and not get the most basic of basics.

Me: I have bras and underwear, mom.

Mom: Do you watch Oprah?

Me: No.  I'm at work.  And plus, our Tivo is filled with WordWorld and SuperWhy.

Mom:   Geesh, Clarissa.  Spanx.  Don't you read US Magazine?!  All the stars wear them.  All that skinniness is not real.  They get help.  And so can you.

Me: But mom, isn't a girdle?  I don't wear girdles.

Mom: (exasperated) Ackkk.  Here.  Just try them on and see.  (as she hands me some Spanx and ushers me away)

So off I went, into the Nordstrom dressing room with my size Small pair of Slim Cognito Spanx.

And all I could say was WOW.  Just like that, my body was transformed back to my pre-baby figure.  

It's been a few weeks now and I can still say that I'm happy with it.  It truly is one of those rare life-changing products.  Spanx certainly lives up to the hype.   

And true to form, I do find that since I've been wearing my Spanx, I stand straighter, I walk taller, and I fit back into my old skinny jeans without seeing the muffin top.

Hey, if Gwyneth and Jessica Alba can wear a girdle, so can I.  

And I'm proud of it.

Designer bag = piece of art? Or is this my crazed form of justitication?

A few months ago, we received a small windfall into our bank account. Since then, Dave and I have been plotting on how to spend, oops I meant, save it.

So, we have our short list of expenditures/savings buckets we've discussed:

• spring/summer wardrobe refresh for Clarissa (check)
• Clarissa's shoe collection refresh (check)
• crown moulding in great room and master (check)
• Hannah and Luke's 529 accounts for college (check)
• Big overseas trip in 2009 (jury is still out. ask us about our 2007 fall trip to Europe with the twins)
• New 3 row seat hybrid SUV in 2009 (still under consideration)
  
• integrated audio/stereo system for the house (ummm, and what's the benefit of this??...still not sure about this one.)
• other random nice-to-have house enhancement knickknacks like new barstools, drapery on the main windows, etc. (check)

And then there's the hidden item.

And only a few of my friends know about it. It's the one I'm most excited about but also the most ashamed of. It's this.

Yes, the Pelham from the House of Gucci, at a whopping price tag of $1330.

And this doesn't include tax. Nor does it include the $8 of gas I will probably consume just to drive to Fashion Valley Mall to purchase it. And it's not even all leather. It's the classic Gucci canvas with leather straps (but not just any set of leather straps, according to the Gucci sales guy).

I have been coveting, oops I meant admiring this purse for some time now.
And it's within my reach if I just don't let my own perceived overindulgence and my designer purse and sunglasses addiction get to me.

Actually, never mind about my adoration of beautiful purses and sunglasses. Again, it's my Catholic guilt sweeping over me. How could I spend that amount of money when it's about 2/3 the amount of the twins' monthly preschool tuition?! Or when it's the amount that some folks in mid-America pay for a mortgage payment?! Maybe I feel guilty because the rest of the family can't enjoy it like they do with some of our other big ticket splurges like vacations. Or pieces of art. Or furniture.

Only I will reap the rewards of the Pelham.

Call me practical. It's not that we can't afford it. It's just that it feels just so...wasteful... indulgent...irresponsible. Especially when I think about what I could put that money towards in terms of the kids - their 529s, for example. Not that this amount will make a dent with the growing inflation of college tuitions. But when taking into consideration the compounded interest over a couple of years, hey - it's like $10K, which by 2022 (when the kids are college freshmen), can buy maybe food for a semester assuming the same rates of inflation. Who knows?!

My girlfriends remind me that I need to treat myself because I deserve it. And yes, I've worked hard at home and at work. They also remind me that this is my thing and the occasional luxury splurge is OK.

But still, I feel guilty for entertaining the thought.

One of my work colleagues (and friends) once told me that buying designer purses is like buying a piece of art. Like fine art, fine purses only grow in value over time. (This is the same woman who has Manolos and Fendi shoes out the wazoo). Of course, you display fine art, and alternatively, you wear purses and then eventually put them in their dust bag in the closet along with the other countless purses you've collected and swore "I just have to have this."

(Clarissa is still obsessing over the purse and has not taken action. She anticipates that she will continue to think about the purse all summer and spend at least that amount on useless other accoutrements. She will justify the lack-of -designer-purse-transaction by attempting to enjoy all of the accoutrements she was able to purchase as a result. And then she will end up regretting that she just didn't go ahead and buy that damn purse. But also by then, she'll be obsessing over the Fall collection.)