Whoever said you can’t buy happiness never experienced the joy of a new pair of shoes.
They also may never had the pleasure of opening a new tube of lipstick and felt empowered by the newfound shade. Now, I am not suggesting retail therapy to the point of debt is a good thing, but I am saying there is nothing wrong with a little indulgence when your spirit could use a lift. My apologies to financial planners everywhere. I think you’re full of empty shoeboxes.
Keep your splurge to a minimum. Twenty bucks is a good number to use. I am a fan of retail therapy because it allows for little indulgences when you need them. Life is hectic. It is downright chaotic when you are in the middle of taking care of aging parents as well as your own family. Leaving your office for a trip to a local big box store, or the mall may be what you need. It serves two purposes, really.
First, it’s an escape: You leave the situation you are in to venture out and do something new. Give yourself those moments to take a break. Second, you can pick up a little something to enjoy a little later.
So where are the best places for some retail therapy? It depends on your vice. The outlet to my vice just happens to be found at beauty and fashion stores. One recent experience led me to Walgreens, where I picked up some Rimmel BB cream. This $7.00 splurge has since become a staple in my morning beauty regimen. I’ve also been known to get a new nail polish, a hand cream, even an eyeliner.
If you’re more on the fashion side of life, take a look at accessories at your local big box store. A lot of stores will have a trendy accessories offering and that scarf or pair of earrings you scoop up may just be your season’s best pick. I can’t tell you how many times a piece of jewelry I’ve grabbed while in line has become a mainstay among my daily outfit choices.
Now if you just don’t want to leave your house, and you want to hide in your pajamas, online shopping can be just as fun. With the online experience, you can enjoy the rush of the purchase today and once it arrives later, you get the holiday joy of opening the box. On Friday’s BaubleBar (costume jeweler based out of New York City) has a hidden bauble promotion. They sell an item in their shop for $10 until the item is sold out. So if you are having a crazy Friday (yes, it happens), treat yourself.
If money is tight, take to social media for some comfort window shopping. Hop on your favorite sites and peruse what’s going on. See if you can get some ideas on how to take what you already have and transform it. For example, I’ll do this often for scarves by visiting Scarves.net. They are an online shop as well as a reference for anything scarf related. I often go back to this site for ideas on new knots to try, new styling ideas and, of course, new scarf styles.
Life is crazy, but taking these moments to treat yourself really goes a long way. From impulsive coffee buys, to a pair of wedges, to a shiny new gloss, you can find small ways to make the everyday special.
Denise Bennett maintains a fashion blog on Perfect20.com.
