[Palm] Trees & Snow [Cones]

My name is Tamatha. And I am a (reasonable) shop-o-holic.
*this is where you say hi*

There's something about breaking out sunglasses and summer vacations that says, "CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!"....... right?

The rush I get from looking at summer clearance racks and Amazon's daily deals beats any perfectly risen cupcake or great pedicure (... yeah. I live an exciting life). When that tag says '80% off' or 'blowout sale' - it might as well be saying, 'tamatha - you are so smart for buying this, you go girl'. And how am I supposed to turn down such a sweet compliment?

Sooo, convinced that I am a millionaire, I purchase Christmas gifts months in advance, hide them from the view of naysayers and the hubby (who REFUSES to enable this glorious addiction - rude right?), then torment myself with a bout of buyers remorse and the occasional return. AAAAGGGHHH! I. Have. An. Issue.

I feel like a legit addict. Constantly checking my stash. Jittery if someone (ie. Hubby) mentions bank statements. Frantically hiding evidence (receipts, bags, happiness, etc.). Even police cars freak me out... as if they just know. Sigh. It's a tough life to live.

I suppose the responsible thing to do is to stop. But when an addict quits something cold turkey... well, it's not pretty. And why would someone volunteer to be 'not pretty.'

Many people admire my thrifty and forward thinking technique. I would be letting them down if I stop!

There's a compromise somewhere... I just can't seem to find it.

Thus far, I have mastered the 'oh, I like this' - carry it around for a while - 'crap, I can't get this' - put it down & leave technique. Which my Hubby has been very proud of. But I've got to get my fix somehow... *ignores the obvious addiction jargon, now in denile of any of the previous statements* Psshh, I don't have a PROBLEM - I'm a genius! Christmas shop everyone! It's liberating!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Happy Summer ;)

Hairy Situation

Hair. Most of us have it. For a while. And 80% of those that have it, tend to change it occasionally, be it color, length, style, etc. I too have hair, and fall into that 80%... I also fall into the 100% of Americans that are impatient and think they can do things themselves. This combination resulted in a butchered 'swoopy bang' trim attempt made by yours truly and an emergency hair appointment at my salon, to which my hair stylist actually laughed. Now I am the proud owner of blunt bangs.

I attempted this look a year ago, voluntarilly, but it's just something about being FORCED into a hairstyle, I'm pretty sure you're supposed to hate it. Now, I'm not quite to hate, I'm tolerating it for now. It's the responses to this new due that is making me slip into hatred. Here are first reactions from prominent people in my life:

Mother: "Awww, precious!"

Husband: *places hands on my cheeks* "Punkin."

Aunt: "I didn't even recognize you - you've got this Mandy Moore thing going."

(Imaginary-ish) Looks from random strangers: "What a hoodlum."

... all things you want to hear as a grown woman. Right? Sigh.

I've noticed these really funny signs going around the web, and thought I'd construct my own, because a picture is worth more than this blog entry. THIS sums it up: