#40 - Spend $200 on only one item as a splurge

The fact that I even have this item on my list only encourages me to buy something of that amount so I can cross it off my list. However, when I bought my item, I had no idea that I was about to cross #40 off.

#40 is related to #7, as I bought the Coach bag at the outlet mall in Tulalip. This Coach bag, however, has quite the peculiar story to it!

I'm in the Coach store determined to walk out with something. Everything looks so pretty, so to walk out without anything in hand would be such a sin! I'm walking around the store, eying every purse that I want, when I come across a nice, big, beautiful purse. Then, a lady approaches me and asks me if I need help.

"Well, I would really love to get a purse that can be used for school, but that's also great for travel because I fly too much and I need a reliable bag."

"Well, the bag you're looking at is *perfect* for your needs!"

So, she grabs the bag and opens it up and wooooow - it's SO big! I'm automatically in love it with. She's letting me know that there are tons of pockets and compartments - even a laptop compartment too! Well, I'm sold and I walk out with my Coach bag.

I get home and I'm just stoked to stuff this beauty with my stuff. And then I think, "oh! I should try to fit my computer in the compartment!" Well, the compartment comes out of the bag.

"Strange," I think, "this compartment seems way too little. And why is it folded into three? Shouldn't there be a zipper around here?"

This can't be right, I think. So I grab my computer and right I was - my computer didn't fit in it! So what the hell was this 3-folded, rectangular, padded mat for?? I look inside the bag and see elasticized compartments and think "wow - definitely can hold a lot of drinks!" And then BAM - it hits me!

"This isn't a travel bag - it's a MATERNITY BAG!!!"

Stupid me spent $200 on a maternity bag! Let's talk about how embarrassed I was when I realized what I had purchased! Not only did I not pay attention to the bag itself because I was so caught up with how pretty it look, but the lady actually lied to me about it being a school/travel bag! Yeah, not impressed!

Anyway, I'm stuck with the bag because I can't return it. Granted, it makes for a good school bag, but how embarrassing!

Lady S.

Note: the picture of the Coach purse isn't the exact one that I have. It's similar, except my has a white stripe instead of a brown one and it's a bit bigger.

#7 - Take a mini road trip

This road trip is pretty effin mini! I mean, to the point that we did it in one day! Nonetheless, it's a road trip.

The roomie and I decided that we had to go to Van for the Olympics and partake in the festivities. I mean, it was happening next door - why *wouldn't* we go? We hopped onto the ferry and enjoyed out Thursday in downtown Van. Feb 19/10 rolls around and at 8:30am, we make the journey to Tulalip, were some hardcore shopping is ensued.

It's a ritual of mine since I moved to Victoria to head to the US and do some major outlet shopping. When I say major, I mean it's rare to walk away with less than $300 in goods. I know, pretty bad, but whatever!! It's only once a year =)

We only had time to spend the afternoon in Tulalip, with a stopover in Bellingham because I wanted to do more shopping!

And that was the road trip! Sorry to disappoint, but nothing extravagant happened during that time!

L.S.

#46 - Buy something from 5 different stores that I didn't know existed in Victoria or Calgary

Okay, so this part is split into two sections, as I have purchased two things in two stores I didn't know existed.

To start : Calgary!
Now, if my memory serves correct, this occurred during Christmas break 2009 (I know.. many months later, and I'm finally posting on this!) I was with my girl friend T in downtown Toronto and we had just finished eating some pretty amazing hot dogs at Tubby dog (if you like hot dogs, you'll love this place!) Of course, eating a fattening hot dog just didn't cut it for us - we needed dessert! We stood outside of the establishment and looked across the street to see a cute cake shop called "Crave". Now, for those that know me, I love love love love cupcakes and it was only suiting that I try out the cupcakes at this place.

Well.... wow! By far, the best cupcakes I have ever tried are at Ooh La La in Victoria. These cupcakes *almost* matched that amazing quality at Ooh La La. So for those that live in Calgary and need a sweet fix, try Crave - it's amazing!

Second : Victoria
Because I love Ooh La La so much, I avoid driving by there because not only is each cupcake loaded with calories, I can't stop myself at just one! However, on a particular day, I took my friend Lysh to try out these amazing cupcakes. The cupcakes, though, is not the different store. Beside Ooh La La is a beauty salon/tanning salon/we-sell-purses-and-jewelry-and-clothes salon! So we decide to enter when I see Coach bags hanging on the windows. Naturally, I can't resist walking away from purses, so I had to buy myself a Coach clutch. Was it necessary?! Well no, but nothing is necessary in life other than food, water, and air!

And there you have it! 3 more stores and #46 is done!

Lady Sovereign <3

#80 - Help a homeless person at least once

I think this is something that everybody should do in their lifetime, not as a project or out of random sympathy, but because as human beings, we always need help. I'm sure there are those that will disagree with me, and you're entitled to your opinion. But I would like to believe that humanity is more compassionate and more caring than that.

This took place a few weeks ago (actually, many weeks ago) and it isn't until now that I write about it.

I was driving to pick up roommate after my violin lesson. It was a perfect lesson - everything had gone well and I was in such an incredible mood. At the lights on Blanshard by the mall, there was a girl, around my age, asking for anything - money, food, etc. She was right beside me, and while I couldn't stop smiling because of my lesson, she didn't smile at all. And between the moment that I saw her and the moment that I helped her, I couldn't stop thinking about how fortunate I am.

Everyday I realize how lucky I am to have the parents that I have, to have the life circumstance that I have, the support, the encouragement, etc. And while I always realize that I'm lucky, I don't think I ever fully understand *how* lucky I am until I see girls my age asking for help. To me, that's so unfair. What did I ever do in life to deserve this middle class status? To have my entire education paid for? To wake up in my *own* condo? To walk out to my own car? To never have to worry fully about money problems? I didn't work for it! But how did I get that circumstance and she didn't?

That question will never be answered. I can only hope that she'll get on her feet and find hope in something or somebody.

That day I gave her what I had - my $5 bill that was going to by my Starbucks drink and the change in my change purse. Starbucks, I thought, can wait for its profit.

Lady S.