A Day in the Life

A small glimpse into my typical day off ...and a small glimpse (sans vacations) into why I'm still driving the same car I've had since high school and don't have a house yet.  So I woke up today and knew that I had to do one thing. I had to get something cute and western-ish chic for the Kenny Chesney concert I'm going to on Friday with a couple girlfriends. I got ready for the day and realized that I was nearly out of my Hope in a Jar moisturizer... fabulous stuff. So I decided that I'd stop by Sephora quick at the mall, then head to a quaint little western-wear shop in hopes of finding a cute snappy shirt and a looked-worn cowboy hat.

On the way to the mall, I realized that the easiest mall entrance to get to Sephora was through the Borders store. And I had to pick up a book for my Healthcare and Immigration class called 'Like Water for Chocolate.'  Perfect. So I park, go into Borders, pick up my requisite paperback and head toward the checkout. Past the children's books. Well, maybe I'll see if they have anything cute for my nephew since last time I was in.  They didn't. But then I had to walk back toward the cash register past the book-club favorites and staff favorites section. Always dangerous, but I did exercise some self control since I have a pile of 13 (seriously, I just counted them all) books that I've picked up and need to read when I have time to read something in addition to required reading for school.  I love books. I love book stores. I could spend hours and thousands of dollars getting lost among the aisles and piles and stacks of imagination and wonder-land of eras gone by, lands far away, etc.  But I made it through. Right into the medical reference section. And I though, "Well, they're now giving us an additional $1.35/hr raise for each certification we get at work... I have my CEN (certified emergency nurse), I'm working on my CPEN (the pediatric version) ...why not pick up a study guide for the CCRN (critical care nurse)?" So I did. Really, it was just being economical right? Since it's going to help me earn more money and be a better nurse that thing will essentially pay for itself!  Ps, I'm not the person to talk you out of buying anything...

I made it to the check-out line with my measly two items ...a rarity for me, and left the store. Down the escalator past the Auntie Anne's pretzel shop --an act of self control in and of itself --and into Sephora. Land of my needed moisturizer.  I made it all the way to the favorite mascara rack before i stopped --two feet into the store. It was also probably time for some new mascara. So I picked up my favorite DJV lengthening mascara (my fav ...after MUCH personal research). But then I saw that DJV had a new mascara out ...why  not try it?! I mean it's a thickening one, so i can always layer it with the other for going out occasions if I don't fall in love with it on it's own.  So I picked that up too.  I walked past the long display of brushes (another weakness of mine) and made it to the philosophy section where I picked up my moisturizer and my moisturizer only.  Proud of myself for only two unplanned purchases, I made my way past the toenail polish section to the checkout and left the store. Self control points for me for not going in to White House Black Marked (my all time favorite store ...like, ever. Ever. Favorite. Love.) and for not going in to pumpkin patch ...my favorite kiddo couture store to get presents for my nephew.  He still hasn't grown into the last batch of summer clothes i bought anyways, and they don't have their fall stuff in. They would have emailed me. So I made it out of the mall with only one unplanned store and four unplanned purchases ...see how I reward myself :)  Trust me, it could have been worse.

 On the way out of the mall, I drove past a Bed Bath and Beyond store and decided that I needed to go in and pick up a crock pot. I've been craving this Italian chicken that one of my college roommates used to make, and it has to cook in a crock pot.  So really, that purchase was necessary too. Done and done. A little bit further down the road away from the mall is a scrub store where I get my work scrubs. I realized that I lost my trauma shears the other day and should pick up a pair before I go back in this weekend. So I stopped. And picked up my needed trauma shears. And three new pairs of scrubs. Which I needed because some of the 16 pair that I already have are getting worn.  Yes, I already have 16 pair. And I only work four days a week. But like I said, some of them are looking slightly worn... besides, they had new stuff!

On to the western-wear store I go. Where I picked up a darling pink and grey 3/4 sleeve western chic shirt that snaps up the front with a cute lacy cami to go underneath it and a darling cowboy hat. Exactly what I was looking for. Perfect!  And I left that store ...the cami the only semi-unplanned purchase, but not really since it's part of the shirt that I was going to buy.

On the way home from my final store of the day I realized that I left my flip flops that i was planning on wearing to the concert at my friends house on the coast. Better stop by target to get some more that will match my new shirt! And while I'm at it... better get some new denim capris to complete the ensemble! And ooh ... bread sticks ...better get some for dinner!  Shopping trip complete!!!

Moral of the story.  My planned shopping trip for three items totaling $130.00 ended up being a 13-item excursion totalling... $495.00. And I don't feel bad about it at all. That my folks is how it's done :)