About Emma, Rebecca & Mia
Want a sneak peek inside the sweetspot.ca world? From product launch parties to personal must-haves, Emma Yardley, Rebecca Burstein and Mia Shulman dish on why working here is so sweet.
Confessions of a Shopaholic
tales from the pit: his and hers shopping habits canada
(Feb.06.12)
When it comes to shopping, Rebecca's not sure if she and her boyfriend will ever see eye to eye.
I called my boyfriend the other day to tell him about my latest purchase. Okay, purchases. I wasn't planning on picking up anything new, it just sort of...happened. You know how it is, right?
He immediately told me I have to stop running out and spending money on a whim. (Even though I swore I really did need another striped sweater, he wasn't having it for some reason.) It's not the first time he's told me I have a shopping problem.
But if you ask me, he's the one with the problem; He doesn't like to shop! I have to practically beg him to update his wardrobe, and when I do finally get him to the mall, he'll pick up one or two items and call it a day — for the next eight months.
While his low shopping libido boggles my mind, I really don't believe my own spending habits are out of control. I think carefully before purchasing classic, big-ticket items (a new coat or gorgeous bag, for example) and keep a running list for those in my phone (which always comes in hand for birthdays!). It's mostly for trendier, smaller purchases that I like to head into stores often to see what's new. Drop me off in the mall on any weekend and I'll be sure to find a few things (without trying everything on).
Then, I'll bring my new finds home to check out the fit in my preferred bathroom lighting and let it simmer. The items will sit with the tags on, inside my closet, until I make up my mind. I do have a formula, though.
I carefully consider three things:
1. Value vs. item: Am I getting a good bang for my buck? Or do I love the item so very much that I don't mind the splurge/can afford it this month?
2. How does it fit in with the rest of my wardrobe? Am I already dreaming up outfits that will show it off or is it filling a noticeable gap?
3. Am I still as excited about it as I was when I swiped my credit card?
If I can't answer yes to all three, I return the item. And that's how I do it. So what if I'm going to return the striped sweater this week (and may or may not find anything in the store to replace it)?
I'd love to hear from you: Do you have your own formula? And does it jive with your significant other's spending style? Share!
Thought That Was Sweet? You’ll Enjoy: