cumakid

This summer I went to visit a friend in Copenhagen where I got hooked on her very fluffy white duvet. No sheet, no blanket, just a super comfortable cloud of goose down. Finally bought myself one from LL Bean, and picked up some duvet covers from a discount store. Loving my new nightlife. Bye bye top sheets and blankets. Hello easily made bed.

I just gave away my old stereo I’ve had since college. I wasn’t using it anymore, except for the speakers through which I streamed music from my computer. But I just bought new computer speakers (with a powerful subwoofer, whoa!) so it was time to give the old 3-CD changer and tape deck combo the boot. Within minutes I found on Freecycle somebody willing to pick it up. They just came by and drove away with it. Not only did I get rid of some electronic equipment clutter, but I (hopefully) made someone happy!

I watched a great video this week on YouTube, part of a series called Target Women. (No, not Tar-zhay the store. It’s about women as the targets of advertisers.)

It made me realize the ridiculous amount of products, especially expensive ones, that I’ve bought in response to clever marketing. Frankly, the days I’ve gotten compliments on my appearance have never coincided with my use of fancy new products. More often they’ve been days when I’m feeling well-rested, stress-free and happy.

Of course, sometimes beauty splurges bring me a bit of joy, even if no one else notices. I love, for example, overpriced shower gels. Of course a plain bar of soap would do the same job of cleaning my body, but why not enjoy the smell of freshly cut figs?

In any case, today I’m going through and tossing the various creams and magic potions that haven’t delivered what they promise, and are cluttering up my bathroom.