Of course, it doesn't help that I started this job at a time of the year when we all, consciously or not, start to think about buying stuff. For other people, yes, but also for ourselves, because there are so many (ostensible) opportunities to save money. Whether we celebrate the holidays or not, we're bombarded with calls to consumerism all day every day. It's not even Thanksgiving yet, and Bed Bath and Beyond has been sending me a daily email (I kid you not) telling me that a 20% coupon is waiting for me. Every time I see it in my inbox, I can't help but think about what I COULD buy with it. And then I end up wanting to buy things that I hadn't even considered in the first place.
It's true--I am still trying to decorate my apartment, and that is going to require some shopping. I'm realizing that there are a few things I have to add to my wardrobe before the really cold weather starts to set in, and that is also going to require some shopping. But over the course of the next few weeks, I'm going to make a conscious effort to block out a lot of the capitalist white noise around me and focus on making researched and intentional purchases. At least for me, sometimes the smallest little treats can have the biggest impact. A couple of weeks ago my friend and I went to an indoor flea market with over 150 vendors, and I walked away with a single fifty-cent bottle. We were there for over an hour, and I looked long and hard at a lot of things I could have bought. But in the end, there was something about the particular blue of the bottle, and the way the glass shone, that made me want it more than anything else in the place. It was the smallest of purchases, but the most rewarding and intentional one I could have made.
I suppose that, in the end, the message I'm trying to get across is this: winter is coming, the holidays are coming, and it's cold. So, yes, buy yourself treats. I fully endorse that. But don't let yourself be bullied. Empower yourself by taking the opportunity to practice mindful retail therapy (I know, that sounds like an oxymoron, but it's not really, I promise). You'll thank yourself later.
The perfect blue bottle.
Herbs my roommate Kaylee hung in our dining room. Simple decoration and function at its finest.
Macrame plant holder I made last weekend. Cheap and easy.
Towel that lives on our dining room table. So much cheaper than a tablecloth, and prettier too.
And, just for fun, I've taken it upon myself to make a little list of five things that I think are always worth it to buy myself around this time of year. Just in case you want to treat yourself to a little something. This list was HELLA hard to make, too. Talk about needing to pare down. I've also purposely tried to include independent shops and makers in this list, because they do good work.
1. Candles
Nice candles will never go unused in my life, especially this time of year. They cozy up any room instantly. The ones I've been looking at recently aren't super cheap, but they're well-made and have good fragrances and decent burn times. My picks:
The woman who makes these also hand-makes scents, and I was super excited to see she had expanded her experimentation to include candles.
2. Scarves // Blankets // Hats
Keeping warm is necessary at this time of year, so why not get yourself something that will make you look fancy AND keep the wind away?
Really, really affordable 100% wool blanket made from recycled material.
Because my mom is a knitter, I spend a lot of time browsing knitting patterns this time of year. Lots of options for cheaper projects that you (or someone else) can make.
3. Plants // Planters
At this time of year, touches of green are essential. Pretty planters are functional and can be used all year round.
This is a local Western Mass shop located in Northampton, and they focus quite a lot on horticulture if you're interested in that.
4. Jewelry
I don't mean to suggest anything extravagant, just that this is the time of year to add a little simple, affordable sparkle.
I got these earrings for Christmas last year and I LOVE them. Perfectly hammered metal.
5. Bath // Body Products
Enough Said.
I can't say enough about how much I love this brand. They're pioneering the small-batch, sustainably made beauty movement. Plus, they offer a lot of smaller sizes of their products which is if you're on a budget or want to try something out before buying a bigger size.
Phew !!
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