skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Many of you know about my little “Target problem.” Like how I can’t resist the latest fashions in the Converse line, or their newest shoes, or Thomas O’Brien’s linens. Well, recently added to my Target problem is my ever-expanding J. Crew problem...and my rapidly budding Pottery Barn problem.
It’s a sickness really.
It’s a sickness that I was thinking about this weekend as I tried to keep myself out of the stores and away from spending money. I was standing in my living room looking out the window and trying to decide which new shade of Maybelline lipstick I liked the best when suddenly I noticed my throw pillows. 
They were lined up on the window seat in an array of colors and patterns, and they looked so nice under the gray light cast from the cloudy skies. It occurred to me then that what I liked most about the pillows was that they were original--meaning that I made them myself, from my own designs.
And then this small mental sidetrack about originality began to snowball. I started to think about all of the other things I own that I appreciate for their uniqueness. Like my thrift store armoire, and my handmade coverlet, and the new sweaters and dresses I’ve been crafting lately. And I realized that as much as I love J. Crew and Target, there was just something special about an original item. As if they have “Stephanie” labels on them--fit just for me.
My thinking didn’t stop at “stuff,” either. Soon I was contemplating originality as a goal for living. Yes, I suppose that it is a bit cliche--like the earnest goal of a teenager trying desperately to be different--but I enjoy a good cliche every now and then, don't you?
So I thought that I would spend the next several weeks talking about Being An Original--about the pursuit of our originality expressed through our choices.
As you might guess, I’ll be sharing some original design projects with you all (starting tomorrow with my newest dress!), but I’ll also be talking about originality expressed in other areas too, like interests, intellect, and character. I'm excited to see what big-picture thoughts are stirred up by this series, and of course what unique projects are uncovered too.
And as always, I love to hear your thoughts and comments. What makes you An Original? What is your favorite unique item, or recent alternative decision? Share anytime by posting your comments here, or emailing me at shillberry@stephaniehillberry.com!
See you tomorrow!
Not only do I love this post because it makes me smile, but also because I know I'm not the only one with a story like this!
Ah...the trials of budgeting when there are so many pretty things to buy...Let me tell you a story about what happened to me late last week. I had been working all day in my office and needed a break and some fresh air. Deciding that a walk to the mailbox would do the trick, I headed out. I returned with a stack of mail, including a seasonal catalog from Target showcasing their newest design arrivals.Now, I love Target even though they are part of the evil box-store empire, so of course I had to take a peek. Several pages in, my eyes landed on a faux leather bomber jacket that looked oh so cute on the model. Incidentally, I had just watched a movie that previous weekend with a bomber-clad actress that caught my attention (the jacket, not the actress).Call it the spark of a serendipitous occasion, or my low blood sugar from skipping lunch, but I suddenly felt with the greatest conviction that I needed that jacket from Target immediately. I began to panic. What if they sell out? How many other people have received this ad? Surely they would be having the same reaction I was. I had to go now!
I headed to the hallway for my purse and keys before realizing that I couldn't leave without feeding my dogs. Starving them for faux leather just didn't seem right. So I went out back to coax them into the house. While waiting for one of them to finish grazing the lawn, it occurred to me that maybe I was behaving rather rashly. I mean, this was exactly the kind of impulsive behavior that the Target marketers were hoping for when they sent out that catalog. Did I really want to be duped that easily into making a purchase? Didn't I know better than that?
Yes, I conceded, I did know better. A bit ashamed of myself, I put down my purse and gathered my composure. What an easy target (pun intended) I had become. I am what is wrong with our consumerist culture, I concluded. What does it say about me that I can't even wait for 24 hours before rushing out to buy something I want? Something I certainly don't need?
I bring this up because I'm trying to get my act together financially. And habits like this don't help. Being level headed and intentional about my spending would help. So that is what I'm going to work on this fall.
Incidentally, I did eventually purchase that jacket. And it looks fabulous.
Original published on 18.Sept.2008. Click here to view the original post.
Other related posts:
Tips for Cooling my Spending Impulses
Getting to the Root of my Money Problems
Capitalists Lament! how I discovered I like my hair as it is
So I thought that I would spend the next several weeks talking about Being An Original--about the pursuit of our originality expressed through our choices. 
