Weekend Damages

Happy Memorial Day!

Saturday

• Wedding Gift for Court (no need to specify the amount...that'd be weird)
• $45 - Hair for wedding
• $35 - Makeup for wedding

I should mention however that I got some sweet gifts from the bride for being in the wedding; a Lands End bag (orange),  a silk scarf that matches my bag, tear drop earrings with a green stone to wear in the wedding, a pandora charm for my bracelet, a pink and orange patent leather makeup bag and an awesome lime green wine glass with pink polka dots with the letter A on it. She clearly went a little overboard! I was also bought a tank of gas from one of the groom's friends who Aaron and I gave a ride to the airport on Sunday, very nice of him.

Sunday

• $9.08 - Panera

Monday

• $10 - CVS (money to Aaron for stuff that I threw into his CVS shopping trip. 

Other freebies from the weekend...

• stay at the Five Bridges Inn in Rehoboth for the wedding (I don't go to many weddings that I don't have to pay for accommodations, such a nice change of pace! Amazing.)
• two little pear candles from the rehearsal dinner ("celebrating the perfect pair"...cute)
• berry line ice cream with pineapple, graham crackers and sprinkles
• food (thanks to charitable Aaron who feeds me on a regular basis)

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday's Damages

Wednesday

• $2.24 - Dunkin Donuts (iced coffee, I know...you're shocked)

Thursday

• $10.67 - Panera (lunch) 
• $19.96 - CVS (card for Court's wedding this weekend and some spares for the slue of upcoming weddings coming up this summer and fall)

Friday

•  $9.04 - Snapfish

Celebrities Actually Doing Something Worthwhile

Well I'll be damned, someone in Hollywood is actually aware of the fact that shopping has become our religion.

You should all be familiar with my love for "swap parties," well it seems as though my beloved swap party has gone Hollywood. Russel Brand has organized a massive "Stuff Swap" at the Beverly Center in L.A. The store is called Buy Love Here...I like it...and it was open yesterday, May 27th from 2pm to 6pm. I wonder how it went, haven't seen anything about it yet.

"The idea is to raise debate about the scale of consumer culture and to promote the re-use of products in a surplus society. It is a social experiment to examine shopping habits whilst providing an opportunity for Russell to speak directly with the public and gauge opinion. The day will be filmed as part of an ongoing documentary Russell is currently filming about the pursuit of happiness."

Perhaps Russel should read my blog. 

Almost Purchases (sorta)

It's only Wednesday and there's already been a slough of tempting items funneled through my usual sale-smithing sites. Here are a few tasters...

Joe's Jeans on sale through Piperlime. $113.50 from $163. (and no this is not too much to pay for a pair of jeans that actually fits correctly)

Timbuk2 Courier Bag on SteapandCheap. $54.99 from $119.95

Helly Hansen Jacket on Tramdock. $200 from $499.95

Chocolat Blu Boutique on RueLaLa. $39 from $85. 

White Topaz  Ring from Lagos Boutique on RueLaLa. $599 from $1,195.

 Arc'teryx Capris on SteapandCheap. $32.99 from $68.95.

Monday, Tuesday and some leftover Saturday Damages (5/24-5/25)

Saturday

• $20 - Cab (sorry forgot to report this one earlier)

Monday

• $2.88 - McDonald's (Iced Coffee, which I promptly spilled all over myself)

Tuesday

• $33.14 - Gulf
• $2.94 - Starbucks (Ice Coffee, which gave me a headache)

Big week for iced coffees. Not surprisingly, my iced coffee consumption has a direct correlation with the temperature and it's been freaking hot this week.

Yeah, that's right. I drink my coffee (hot and cold) black. Milk is for wimps.

Impending Purchase/Pleasure

A friend of mine, Miss Sami Akbari, now known as Sami.the.Great will soon be releasing her album, Nothing Left to See. So it should come as no surprise to you that I will be purchasing the latest of her musical magic shortly after it's release. You should listen to her, follow her, and of course...adore her.

sorry it gets a little cut off...follow the link for a better version.  

Also feel free to enjoy her voice in person for her album release at the Canal Room in New York City on June 2nd. Sadly, I won't be able to attend, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't.

Go forth and enjoy. Tell her Jack Skellington sent you. :)

Here's a little more Sami for your enjoyment...

Milestone

I thought it was worth mentioning that I managed to pass up TWO, count them TWO final sale boutiques on the LaLa.

This may not seem like much, but I assure you...it's a milestone for me. I don't think I've ever been able to resist a final sale offering. I even added two items to my shopping bag yesterday (I apologize for the lack of illustrations of the items), but managed to resist actually purchasing them.

Me: 1

Temptation: 0

Back In Action

Aaaand I'm back from the depths of Mount Desert Island. All in all a good trip, although 18 people on a school trip is definitely too many. Would have been far more enjoyable with 8-10. Particularly b/c there weren't showers in the camp ground, just pay showers down the road and many of my classmates didn't feel the need to shower while we were there. It got a little ripe towards the end of the week, not the greatest. Just sayin.

Anyways, while I thought that I wouldn't have any time to spend any money while away...I was wrong. This trip gave us FAR too much down time, including an entire day to just meander around and do what we wished. So of course I managed to spend a little dough...but not all that bad.

Here's the rundown for the week:

• $6.00 - Hot showers at the lovely private showers down the road from the campsite ($1.50 for 4 minutes)
• $6.37 - Belfast Cooperative (lunch on the way up)
• $16.70 - Irving (food for Veruca)
• $11.25 - Cafe Bar Harbor (drinks)
• $19.50 - Thirsty Whale (drinks while paper writing with my group)
• $5.something - Ice Cream shop in Bar Harbor (delicious peanut butter extreme ice cream, yum)
• $32.45 - Bark Harbor (dog toy for the soon to be addition...Maggie Mae and treats for the pups, who I'll be seeing next weekend when I'm home for Court's wedding)

 Adorable, right. Maggie is going to love it.

• $20.73 - Mobil 
• $11.77 - Chipolte (dinner when I got back after a nice long nap in a bed)

For a grand total of $123.77, not including the $$ I spent in tolls. No idea how much that will be, I haven't looked at my fastlane account yet.

Considering I am getting paid $100 from Antioch for driving a group up to Maine, it's really not all that bad.

Farewell My Friends

Don't panic! It's only for a week. I'm off to Mount Desert Island (MDI) for a week. The purpose of my voyage is to learn about the MDI ecosystem through an Antioch class called The Ecology of Mount Desert Island (aptly named). So seeing as how I'll be hanging out in a tent, cooking my meals with my classmates and hiking around the island and inspected lichen on my hands and knees, I don't foresee any shopping in my future. Catch ya on the flip side.

Friday and Saturday's Daily Damage (5/14-5/15)

Friday

• $3.84 - Dunks (Large Ice Coffee and a muffin for breakfast)...needed something quick on my way to a site walk.
• $25 - Aaron (handed over some cash for the various items I threw in his shopping cart and to cover the pizza we had for dinner from Theo's)

Saturday

• $23.00 - Hess (gassing up Veruca for the big voyage to Maine tomorrow)
• $40.15 - Natick Liquor Store (wine for the trip and restocking general supplies)
  

Tantalizing Temptations

So first these were on Steap and Cheap....

Oakley Sunglasses - $89.99 from $225

While these were most definitely an amazing deal, I already have 3 pairs of nice sunglasses and another pair is pretty much the last thing I need, so I passed.

Outdoor Research Window Dry Sack - $9.99 from $31.95
This one took a lot of self control to resist...but I just bought a mesh stuff sack and I already have a dry bag, so really I didn't think I absolutely needed it.

Then a boutique for various hotels in Utah popped up on RueLaLa. Coincidentally I will be going to Utah in July for a conference for wetland scientists and was already planning on making it a mini vacation, I mean why not when my company is paying for the airfare! 

Grand Summit Hotel

Escala Lodge

One bedroom suite at Grand Summit Hotel

So I really did consider booking one of these lovely rooms, but then I considered the fact that Aaron and I just booked our tickets to Greece (more on that at a later date) for September and I really don't need to be spending money on another trip. Instead, I believe we'll set off for a short backpacking trip before I have to head to the conference, because sleeping in the woods is free, not to mention fun...well at least I consider it to be. We'll have to wait and see what Aaron thinks, this will be his very first backpacking adventure.(note: by backpacking I mean hiking for miles with everything you need on your back and then sleeping in the woods away from the noise and chaos of civilized life)

Thursday's Daily Damage (5/13)

Thursday

• $5.29 - Russo's (Salad for lunch)
• $3.15 - Target (Sugar for the afternoon)
• $15 - RueLaLa (ticket to event at their headquarters)...

A fabulous friend of mine (Hilary) who knows of my deep love for a deal and consequently RueLaLa invited me to this BU alumni event at the LaLa's headquarters in Boston.

Boston University

Rue La La The Business of E-Commerce and Fashion Presentation and Reception with CEO Ben Fischman (COM'96) and Manager of Credit and Financial Operations Jeremy Zizmor (SMG'97) Hosted by the School of Management Alumni Network Committee Thursday, May 13, 2010 6 – 8 p.m. Rue La La20 Channel Center Boston, MA 02110 Pre-registration required. A retail revolution is underway. Come join your fellow SMG and COM alumni at Rue La La’s headquarters for a presentation and reception. Get a peek behind the scenes at this emporium of style and hear from dynamic CEO Ben Fischman about how Rue La La is the leading charge in transforming online retail with an innovative, high-growth business model that is changing everything you might think about shopping. $15 ticket, drinks and appetizers will be served. Please register here by Monday, May 10th. Contact Hannah Gathman at 617-353-5618 or hgathman@bu.edu with any questions. Learn more about Rue La La: http://alumni.bu.edu/links/link.cgi?l=1259478&h=3590980&e=BUAR-20100420163724. If you are unable to attend this event but still want to learn how you can support Boston University and take part in The Cohen Challenge, please visit: www.bu.edu/doubleit.

BU Alumni Association alumni@bu.edu bu.edu/alumni

 It was pretty much a talk from their CEO on their business strategy and how they got to where they are today. Highly informative and actually quite interesting, very well spoken guy! I know that you probably find this shocking seeing as how I am but a lowly environmental scientist that really doesn't know much about business, but it was quite interesting. Granted I still found myself standing there with a pit in my stomach for a lot of it. I mean they're selling the idea of consumerism in its most extravagant form...the sale of luxury items (all WANTS not NEEDS). Please don't get me wrong I LOVE this website, as you have all come to realize, but I still have a hard time getting past the fact that this stuff is largely if not entirely necessary in our daily lives yet we feel that we NEED it. At least I know I do, hence the blog!

So I had all these really great questions in my mind to ask the CEO during his Q&A segment, and I totally chickened out. BUT I did muster up the courage to ask one of the lovely Rue La La representatives that we were chatting with afterwards, and here's how it went down...


Me: Do you take into account any other than the actual merchandise that you're purchasing for the boutiques? Such as the source of the product? For example if it was manufactured in a "free trade zone" or if the company producing it has a history of social injustices and unfair treatment of their workers?

La La Rep: I am actually not sure....
(She then smoothly pulled in a gentleman from merchandising who actually tried to answer my question)

Me: Repeated my question

Other La La Rep: Some long explanation, but to sum it up...
Their image is very important to them and therefore the images of the brands they do business with is also very important to them.

Me: Okay so let's say Nike wants to hold a boutique? Is that a company that you would be willing to do business with, even though they have a thoroughly muddied reputation of exploiting their employees?

La La Rep: It is something that would definitely be discussed but what it all comes down to is if it makes financial sense (in summary).

Me: Sigh. Yes, well it always seems to come down to the dollar and cents, even though it shouldn't always.

Rep: Agreed...and then seemed uncomfortable.
(Then politely excused himself and ran away...literally retreated from the party entirely. I couldn't tell if he just went back to his desk or ducked out of an emergency exit, it was hard to say from my angle)

Other suggestions I threw out there...

• offering a carbon offset for shipping
• offering a "green" shopping day where eco-friendly merchandise if featured.

I know it sounds like I kinda attacked them, but really I didn't. It was very much a conversation and not at all hostile, even though the guy kinda ran away. I think he just wasn't so much expecting my question and wasn't sure how to answer it. He was honest though and I appreciated that.

If I had another change I would ask the CEO, it would have been eye opening for a lot of the people in the room, employees and otherwise. Or at least I hope it would be because clearly I was the ONLY "treehugger" (for lack of a better term, although I don't always love that label, it's very misleading) in a mass of business people, most of which were more interested in the recent buy out of Rue La La by some larger corporation (sigh), how they decided on 11AM for their boutique release time and their projected rate of growth.  Soooo not my language...I was more wondering if they used soy based inks on their receipt jackets and if their boxes are made with post-consumer waste.

Anyways, I didn't walk away from the event empty handed. Not only did I learn a lot about the company but I also got a metal water bottle and a $25 credit towards a future purchase on the La La. OH and I got some insider information...

1. They are rolling out more mobile shopping applications (for other devises other than the iPhone);
2. Employees call it "RUE," not "The La La" as I affectionately call it;
3. The site will be "neutralized" making it more appealing to both sexes; and
4. They have very nice/open offices in Boston, and seems like a great place to work.

Tuesday and Wednesday Damages (5/11 - 5/12)

Tuesday

•  I took a client to a Red Sox game so technically there should be a very large entry for today, BUT it's all going on my expense report so really I wasn't spending my money, I was just using it temporarily.Therefore, it's not really relevant to this blog.

Wednesday

• $1.25 - Diet Pepsi (was in terrible need for fake sugar and caffeine)

Cuisinart...Oooohhhhh

So here's the thing, I love kitchen gadgets, but I can't cook to save my life. My problem mostly lies in the fact that my attention span prevents me from cooking anything from start to finish without either...
a) losing interest and moving on to something more entertaining and just settling with a bowl of cereal
b) forgetting what I'm doing b/c I get distracted and burning the whole thing
c) not reading the directly carefully enough (or at all) and either missing a step or ingredient
d) all of the above.

None of these scenarios work out very well, as anyone who has eaten my cooking can attest.

Anyways, regardless of my lack of culinary capability I enjoy kitchen gizmos, so naturally I was drawn to the Cuisinart boutique on the LaLa today. Here aresome of the featured gems (NONE of which I bought, thank you very  much)...

7-cup food processor. $109 from $145

My mother has one of these things and she uses it constantly, so naturally I believe that in order to cook like my mother all I need is a food processor. Flawless logic, right?

 Convection Bread Maker. $80 from $125.

I love and need carbs of all varieties in my life. a bread maker would bring me enormous joy, that is if I were to ever use it.

I

Ice Cream/Sorbet Maker.   $35 from $45.95

Because who doesn't love ice cream!

4-Cup Rice Cooker. $35 from $49.95.

This brings me back to that whole loving carbs thing...delicious.

Monday's Daily Damages (5/10)

• $77.49 - REI (OR rain pants, Nalgene, mesh stuff sack)
• $32.41 - Buy.com (Blackberry charger and camera charger...my new thing is to lose all of the chargers in my life, convenient)

I'm really hoping that I don't need these rain pants on my upcoming jaunt to Maine for my FINAL grad school class (don't worry I still have to find a way to get a "capstone" project and final practicum done), but I thought it better to be safe than sorry.

Weekend Damages

Saturday

• $6.40 - Walgreens (Cards for my Nan and Auntie Ree for M's day)
• $5.00 - DEL'S LEMONADE!!!! (First Del's of the season, nothing beats it!)
• $21.38 - TJ Maxx (Watering can and an awesome bag hook)

If you don't like Del's, we can't be friends. End of story. And don't you dare try and tell me that New England Lemonade is anywhere near as delicious! Because you're wrong, dead wrong.

Sunday

• $8 - Target (white tank top to go under my sweater tomorrow at work...a necessity seeing as how I left mine at my apartment and didn't want to have to a)have to drive back to my apt. or b)go to work wearing a revealing sweater)
• $10 - Mobil (Gas in RI is SO expensive...hence only getting enough to get us back to MA) 
• $28.04 - Hess

Thursday & Friday's Damages

Thursday

• $3.35 - Dunkin Donuts (morning coffee and bagel)
• $10 - some solar panel raffle at school (they were smartly blocking the entryway to school...sometimes it's easier to just buy the ticket than try to come up with reasons why you can't part with a measly $10)
• $20 - Donna's (Antioch eatery)

So my professor's birthday was today and he generously allowed each of his student to get something at Donna's and to put it on his tab. Super nice, BUT it's his birthday...he shouldn't be buying all of us treats, we should be getting him stuff...right? So I paid off $20 of his tab a surprise anonymously...although having to post it takes some of the anonymity out of it, huh?

Friday

• $44.77 - Lush (fancy soaps and lotions)
• $31.88 - Pandora (charm)
• $7.86 - Trader Joe's (snackages)
• $164 - Capital Grill (Aaron's belated birthday dinner)

So apparently I am expected to buy my Godmother, more affectionally known as Auntie Ree and my Nana a mothers day present as well. Keep in mind that my mother bought presents for my brother to give each of them...he is 31 years old. Amazing, right? So anyways there was some last minute shopping to be done and I of course rose to the challenge.

A little advice from my shopping excursion...if at all possible avoid a Pandora storm like the plague. They are overrun by obnoxious teenagers whining about everything possible in the tell tall valley-girl dialect...so in short, they are WAY too much. WAY, WAY too much.

Lush however was delightful. Their products are wonderful AND they gave me a free hand treatment, which left my hands feeling smoother than they have in...forever. Their products are made by hand, using little to no preservatives, lots of fabulous organic ingredients, do not test on animals, don't over package their products, and give back through their "charity pot" products. Love them.

Also I should note that I had a $150 gift card to the Capital Grill and I didn't have any cash on me so Aaron threw some money down to cover a portion of the tip (I know, I know...it was HIS birthday dinner, but it's weird to just put a tip on your debit card when you're paying with a gift card, right?). So really his birthday dinner was free! It should be noted that I am a vegetarian and was given a gift card as a little bonus from work. I find it hysterical that my employer thought it appropriate to give a vegetarian a gift card to a steak house. I mean really, priceless.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday's Damages (5/3 - 5/5)

Monday

• $400 - Aaron (my contribution for the locally bought hardwood floors)

Tuesday

• $32.45 -Sunnoco
• $40 - Random bars and Fenway

I went to the Red Sox game with my brother, so as can be expected I ended up buying a drink here and a drink there. Granted he should be given credit for paying for the lions share of the evening, from the tickets to dinner to a impromptu Sox sweatshirt ($120) that I needed b/c I was cold.  And yes, I agree $120 is highway robbery for a sweatshirt but it seemed like a good idea at the time and it's super comfy! Anyways, a special thanks to my brother for letting me spend his money, I enjoyed it.

Wednesday

• $20.91 - Johnny's Food Market 

Imminent Purchases...

Biofreeze is the single best muscle pain reliever out there. I am obsessed with it and these days it's a necessity. For you see, I have two bum knees and all this hiking around for work, day in and day out is starting to take a toll on the appendages. I just do not so much enjoy the constant pain resonating from my knees these days, don't enjoy it one bit. The solution...numb em up.

WANT, WANT, WANT!

I spent a month in Tanzania in college for a class in African culture and it is my dream to go back one day. It was hands down the most amazing experience of my life. So naturally when I saw this pop up on the LaLa I immediately wanted to buy the package. Sadly I don't really have that type of dough lying around.

What She Wants Boutique on RueLaLa - 8 night trip to Tanzania $14, 656 from 17,590

The accommodations are noticeably nicer than those I enjoyed while in Africa.

Sigh, one day. One day.

Abhorrent April

Total: $1,545
Ugh, brutal. I got off to a rough start with that whole laser hair removal thing, which I've yet to schedule an appointment for yet. Going to have to get on that. Anyways, here's the breakdown...

Health & Beauty: $396
Groceries: $326
Randomness: $272
Bars/Restaurants: $168
Gifts: $143
Gas: $137
Clothing: $68
Coffee: $18
Snacks: $16

Okay, so I wish I could say that there wouldn't be any large purchases this month, but I'd be lying. I bought a new vacuum already and will be paying for my share of hardwood floors. Hopefully I can scale back the amount of other purchases though. I will be in Maine for a week for an ecology class (last ever "class" in grad school!!!! granted I still have my thesis project thing and another practicum but hey at least no more classes!!) so that should help keep the spending down. Hard to buy stuff I don't need when I'm on some island sleeping in a tent...at least let's hope.

Thursday - Sunday's Damages (4-29 - 5/2)

Thursday

• $12.44 - CVS
• $3.89 - Dunkin Donuts

Friday

• $2.56 - McDonald's (Iced Coffee)

Saturday

• $171.61 - Target (replaced the vacuum I broke last week and got some other odds and ends)

Probably worth noting that I did spend a bit of Aaron's money at Weston Nurseries as well. I got the compost to get the herb and veggies going while he and his family were installing his hardwood floors! Good times, SUPER productive weekend...AND aside from that whole Target incident I shopped very locally. Weston Nurseries = locally owned. Hardwoods = purchased from local store, which ordered the actual floors from a company that apparently focuses on sustainable harvesting and are environmentally aware (note: actually Aaron purchased the floors, but I was behind the whole local thing and because it was more expensive than the Depot, I will be cutting him a check to cover some of it...it's only fair). Although it's next to impossible to tell the greenwashed from the truth these days.

Sunday

• $0

Stay tuned for the monthly tally, it's going to be a doozey. Funny how I have to say that every month, huh...guess I'm failing miserably at my resolution so far.