Poppy's Change of Heart--on sale at 40% off!

So the husband and I have been talking about the income and the outgo of this household, and it looks like some budgeting is in order. And of course, he's all depressed.

Notice I said "he."

Because there's nothing I like better than a shopping challenge. As in "how low can I go before I would say my standard of living has changed significantly?" I have a feeling that's pretty low.

For one thing, I've already done some shopping for spring, what with a new bag, a pretty pink Razr phone, and a spree I went on recently at the Barry Bricken store in Winnetka.

I didn't tell you about that because I'm a perfectionist, and I don't like to talk about stuff without posting pictures. But I'm a perfectionist who apparently a) can't manage to keep her digital camera charged, b) or keep it in a sensible location, or c) find the cord that connects it to my laptop, so what with one thing and another, I haven't managed to take any pictures of my new loot.

But it's scrumptious. A week or two ago I went into the Barry Bricken store for some of their perfect jeans, and bought two pairs. But! I also went over the sale tables and scored five cashmere sweaters: three long-sleeved cable-knitted beauties in periwinkle blue, pink, and cream, one navy blue tissue-weight short-sleeved cashmere t-shirt in navy blue, and a fun argyle-front long sleeved crewneck in hot pink, orange, and brown--sounds hideous, but looks great with two-year's-ago brown Lilly Pulitzer stuff. These sweaters are perfect for easing me through the last of the chicago winter, because they're warm, yet the colors are springy.

Pictures soon, I promise.

As for future shopping, I've got to go through my spring inventory. Mine, but more especially, my children's. They continue to shoot up like giraffes and we're heading to Florida for spring break. I'm assuming nothing they own will fit.

On the cosmetics front, I got the Clairol Source magazine, and it has a coupon for Pantene's new Pro-V Expressions shampoos and conditioners. I am totally planning to try those, because the Kerastase Reflection shampoo and Chroma Reflect conditioner are heinously expensive, even on sale, which, by the way, they were so not when I popped for them at my mega-buck$ $alon ... if and when I buy refills, I'm heading straight to the internet!

Reason to get out of bed in the morning, #1

Here in Chicago, we have about two more months of crappy winter weather left before spring finally arrives. We have therefore reached the time of year where my primary urge upon awakening in the morning is to keep the shades drawn and stay in bed, preferably curled up in the fetal position.

Unfortunately, duty usually calls, and I have to get out of bed.

Therefore, my goal when purchasing health and beauty products is to find things that make the process of getting up and dressed somewhat less painful.

Olay Regenerist Thermal Skin Polisher is one such product. It's supposed to gently exfoliate the face with a combination of fruit acids and microbeads.

According to the blather on the drugstore.com website:

Olay Regenerist™ Thermal Skin Polisher regenerates skin's appearance for a beautifully polished texture and renewed vibrancy... achieve professional mini-peel results after 10 days. The key to this breakthrough experience is a water activated self-heating formula that deeply warms skin to relax pores. The gentle micro-crystal formula then polishes away dry skin cells, revealing new skin after rinsing. The formula also contains glycolic acid, a key ingredient used in professional mini-peel treatments.

Sounds impressive, doesn't it? And the reviews on drugstore.com make this stuff sound like a miracle worker.

But actually, my skin is pretty good, and it's generally reliable enough so that I don't notice all that much difference between product and another. So I like this stuff because it heats up when you rub it on your face, and it smells like apple pie. In my usual state of winter morning brain fog, it's easy to convince myself that I'm in an apple orchard lying in the hot sun getting a hot applesauce facial from Antonio Banderas.

And if that isn't a reason to get out of bed in the morning, I don't know what is.

It's currently marked down five percent (save 70 cents, people!) at drugstore.com, with free shipping for orders over $25.