I've Waited My Whole Life For This

Feeling a little left out, I wanted to spend some money today on an item related to my religion. But...uhm, I don't really have a religion, so this is the closest I could come:
Nirvana (not the band)

I don't know where I am going to put it, but I will probably be bowing down to it on a fairly regular basis. Might as well tack on the 5 year service guarantee for 450.00.
Also, this 88 key Yamaha keyboard because I have wanted my whole life to learn the piano. I figured out that private lessons at the Old Town School of Folk Music for about a year will cost me $2340. I'm just blowing through this money, baby!
Let's please add three 10-week sessions at Lill Street Art Center. They average about $300 each for the painting classes, if you include purchase of supplies.
And these shoes and this bag.

I'm tired, so the remainder will be thrown at my student loans. I think I've only used $1000 so far for such a practical purpose, anyway.

Umm...I can't count.

Yeah, I did $5000 two posts in a row. Woops. Maybe I can learn how to pay attention to finances from this experiment?

Ok, so 6k smackeroos...

. Now that I have wonderfully painted (I can't take credit for it, someone pretty awesome can) trim in my apartment, I need this. $5499.00 -- you know something is awesome if it takes 16 weeks for delivery.

. To decorate the previously bought sukkah, and support the Israeli economy. $400.00

. And lastly, the good guys are in town. I'll spend the last $100 to see the Yanks take on the Pale Hose at US Cellular Field. And they have veggie dogs!

Nine. Nine? Nine.

Okay, I have $9,000 and it is really hot outside. What am I buying? A pool, for crying out loud! A very cool, pool for $800 and I will sit in it until I am wrinkly! Ahhh...

Then, I'm going to Argentina. Why? Beause it's chilly in the southern hemisphere right now. In fact, to make sure I get very, very, chilly, I'm going here to this glacier park. Yes! And, it's only $348. Of course, leaving tomorrow morning, the airfare is going to run me $3,243. Eh, so be it. It's hot out and there are glaciers waiting to be seen!

Then, for $500 each, I'm buying Quong Hang's "Monkey Hat" and "August" paintings. I love this artist. I saw one beautiful painting he did, hanging in the now-closed Menagerie (oh, dear vegetarian tapas, I miss you so) restaurant. It was an iron fence and a forlorn girl. It was $1,200. It's also now mine! (Seriously, I have had dreams about that painting. I love it.)

And, with the $1,500-ish left, I will treat myself to a really nice, luxurious hotel room to start by book tour (One week away!), and a really nice, luxurious hotel room to end it.

Eight.

Not to bring up politics in a non-political blog, but this shooting has been on my mind since I heard about it and is prompting me to give all eight-thousand of today's fake money to the Jewish United Fund. I only wish I could give eight-thousand of real money.

Seven. (Wow, seven k is a lot.)

I'm ready to check another thing off of my Lifetime To Do List: Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro! I'm going the guided trek-only package here for, let's say it'll end up being the smaller group, so $3,495, and, of course, the single supplement of $945, then the $1410 for park fees, so I'm at $5,850. Roundtrip airfare will just about wipe me out. Cutting it close, but totally worth it.

Oooh... check out this site!

I am at BlogHer--a women's blogging conference. I just learned about a social shopping site. Kind of cool. www.stylehive.com

Pausing To Accept The Universe's Grace

There's been much activity in my world that has slowed down my spending--actually, dealing with the results of prosperity springing up left & right!
I can't get into detail about some of it right now, and some if it will be waiting quite awhile for me to reveal. But it's all good. And I thank the power that be. And I will be back spending more over the weekend b/c I think I'm becoming addicted to prosperity. :)

Six.

I was just thinking/blogging this morning about my options for running my second marathon. So, to jumpstart my training, I'm buying this Nike jacket for $140. Look at that! It's iPod ready, kids!How cool is that? Then, for $60, a new pair of runner's capris. Then, for $31.50, the best jog bra/tank combo on earth, only I am buying the red, the blue and the black ones.

Then, to get myself centered, I'm heading back to New York to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel & Spa.

Packages:

Day One: Tranquil Ayurvedic Ritual $975 + say, $250 tip

Day Two: Total Relaxation Package $755 + say $180 tip

Both nights, of course, I'm staying the this room for $1,065 per night.

And, while back, I'll want to hang out with friends, take them to dinner, and I'll need a few bucks for cabs and such, and of course I'll need airfare to get there and back, so the remaining $1,500ish will cover all of that.

5...Opa!

I am making this short and really effin sweet today.

Cruise for two, to Greece, Greek Isles, Egypt, Crete and Turkey. Suite for two: $3,779 and the last $1200 or so for the bevy of treasures collected along the way.

Sigh. That sounds so nice.

Five: Hopefully easier to spend than it was yesterday

I'm dropping $3,430 (plus a solo travel fee of $295, and airfare to Toronto for about $250) for this two-week trek through Ecuador.

I am taking these trail hikers with me for $90, and this sport bikini in navy/lavender for $60 along with me. The rest goes to tipping, pocket money while on the trip and other odds and ends.

10's of Thousands

How much does "10's of thousands" of something come out to, anyway? For my purposes, it's $10,000.
I do need wine glasses now. I would very much like these unique beauties for $75.00.
And I've had my eye on this bracelet for many days. I was just waiting until I needed to blow that kind of cash. :)
I'm rounding out with this jacket from Urban Outfitters for the fall. Throw in some shipping for the wine glasses and I'm done for today!

Johnny Five is...

How funny if I just started buying lots of bling? I could be the "iced out" history professor.

or not.

. I have always wanted to splurge on a really really really nice suit. $895

. Glug, glug, glug. $315

. Which will come in handy for my rockin' Sukkot parties. Pimped out sukkah, $1790 (not including lulav and etrog)

. Ok, I love my IBook, but... $1999

Four: Bling and shoes and one swank apartment.

I always said I'd buy my own first diamond(s). So, blammo! $1,698 for 1 ct. diamond and white gold studs.

Then, these adorable shoes from MooShoes.com for $95. Aw, you know, I like them so much, I want the black ones, too. Then, these adrable brown and orange shoes for $85, this black t-strap shoe and also the brown ones, for $85 per pair. Also, these mary janes for $85, this shoe because John Fluevog is too weird not to love. Then, these green open-toes. Then, this beautiful bag.

Okay, then I am buying this kitchen table and four of these chairs. Then, my foyer needs a little sprucing up, so I'm buying this light fixture.

Finally (man, this is hard to spend today!) this from Nambe (another favorite). While there, this beautiful seder plate, and these candlesticks for shabbat. With the few bucks left, I need lunch and a smoothie. All of that pretend shopping wore me out!

At 9K, It's Finally Time For A Trip

First, I was trying to check off all the places I'd been last time around. Now it is time for me to take my long desired trip to Peru, and more specifically Machu Picchu.
I'm buying hiking boots & a backpack from Northface for $110 each, but I'm not going to bother linking because frankly, they are not very exciting.
This is a trip for me only, as I expect it to be a somewhat personal & spiritual experience. The hotel I've chosen is on a train route into Machu Picchu. The flight & lodgings come out to $2,349.76, but I expect to spend money on food, tours, transit & souvenirs, so I'm tabling another $3,000 just for that.
And, in the spirit of world travel, I'm joining a wine club! Note to self--revisit bookmarked glassware for future entries...
Finally, I've been eyeing this pretty mirror from Moss, and today is the day I must have it. I've got some spare change left of my 9K, but I'm sure there will be special shipping charges to consider. And universe? I think Leah deserves some prosperity kickback for introducing the oh-so-decadent Moss to this blog way back in the beginning!

Four score...

Sorry I skipped a couple of days. I was busy writing about the Federal Highway Act of 1921. Rock n rollllll....

Ok, 4 grand to spend:

. Must continue to rock the casbah $1399
. Wow! $2075
. I need a massage $150
. Happy ending $5 (just making sure you were still paying attention)
. Airfare to Curacao to check out the first synagogue in the Western hemisphere.

Three

I'm getting myself a refresher course (it's been years!) in kayaking for $140.

Then, another Global Volunteers trip, this time to Mexico to teach English to adults for two weeks. Add airfare, and that brings me right up to about $2,640 for todays shopping. I need a good pair of Patagoia shorts for my trip for $42 and a nice Patagonia top, too, for $38.

I will need the rest for my downtime in Mexico.

You Think Spending This Pretend Money is Hard?

Try doing it a second round, with no duplicates!
Somehow I managed to overlook the glorious idea of a plasma television. And hey, it's on sale for $3,699.
If I'm going to have this nice tv, it's finally time to get cable (I know, I know--but in real life I just have a crappy little magnavox & some seriously creative wiring for the cable internet). I just estimated a year's worth, at $660 for the package I want.
Heck, let's throw Tivo in there too. $250 for the Tivo unit I want and $155.40 for a year of service.
And when I'm bored with my tv, I can read by the light of this lamp.
The remaining $350 or so will be spent on DVD's to watch on my fantastic new television. Hm, perhaps I should purchase a mini fridge next time, since it looks like I won't be leaving the living room for awhile...

Two

Chanel Chance eau de parfum: $95

Cannon Elph digital camera: $400

Panasonic ProLine digital video camera: $950

Four of these orange window panels at $32 ($128).

This adorable apron from Anthropologie (of course) for $28 because it's so swank and cute.

Three new pairs of New Balances (To rotate-- trust me on this one. It's worth doing.) at $70 each, runner's fuel belt $35, two new pairs of running shorts $30/ea., the badass Nike "determiniation" bra $35, and two Nike "Tempo" singlet tops. I'm all set for marathon #2.

On the 7th Day, Diane Dorked Out a Bit

Thanks (I think) to Adam for introducing Sands of Time Antiquities. Because my best friend was teaching in Egypt for 2 years, I have a nice little collection of Egyptian goodies. I'd like to add this and this.
What goes better with ancient pottery than silk pajamas? The heck if I know.
Today's jewels include this necklace and these earrings. So glad I bought that jewelery armoire last time around.
The remaining $600 or so I'm going to spend at World Market. In fact, even though this money is supposed to be spent on me, I'm splitting the World Market shopping money with my friend Heather, because watching her spend $300 right next to me would definitely bring me great joy.

Let's try this again.

(Yesterday was impossibly busy, so let's try $1,000 again.)

That said, I'm heading to the burbs to Spa Vargas. Tranquility Massage ($140 for 90 minutes), sensitive skin facial ($115) with pumpkin mask ($20), manicure ($25), pedicure ($50), bikini wax ($30), eyebrow wax ($16), $100 tip, then back into town to one of my very favorite restaurants, Ambria for their $75 price fixe vegetarian deliciousness. Let's say I bring three dinner companions, too. That brings us up to $796. Add a good bottle of vine for around $70 and the rest is tip.

Ah, a day like that sounds good.

$5,000

First stop: The center of my anal-retentive world: The Container Store. I am buying this, this, and this hall closet.

Then, over to my other favorite store, Anthropologie, for this cute blouse, and this one, and this one, too. Then, I'm buying this sweater and these jeans, bringing my total up to $903.60.

So, I'm going to go for my absolute dream trip: I'm going to Ghana for three weeks to volunteer. $2,450 covers me while there, so I'll need airfare, which is going to run me $1,030 from here to Accra. That brings me up to $4,383.60. $99 goes for this backpack, which is all I'm bringing with me to Ghana. Since the cost of the trip includes food, board, etc., the rest I'll probably need for transfers, tipping and incidentals.

Come and knock on our door...

That's right 3,000's Company. Umm or something.

1. I get lost. A lot. I am, in fact, perpetually geographically challenged. This could help. $549.99

2. In case you are wondering...I am still a nerd. $1800

3. This is so beautiful that I will totally fork over the extra forty dollars. $690

Oh, There's More to Come

I have an awful lot of jewelry bookmarked. And today I had a really stressful day, so I'm all for extravagance. Like this amethyst, white gold & iolite bracelet coming in at a hefty $4,250.

Part of my bad day meant I lost one half of my very favorite pair of "go with everything" earrings, so I'll have to make due with these. (Oh, boo hoo!)
Finally, I want a nice hour and a half hot stone massage at SpaSpace. With tip, that massage means I'm done for today.

Four. Ahhh...

For the gorgeous bed I bought on Day One, I need sheets. The right sheets make a great bed into an luxurious bed, so I am going for the gold and buying beautiful 1,500 thread count white sheets for $845. Then, a taupe duvet cover for $385. So, that's $1,230. Then, $1,100 pays off the MacBook that I bought last month. With the $130 left over, I'm buying this adorable dress from my beloved Anthropologie for $110, and with the $20 leftover, I'd get a manicure.

It's All About the Lincolns

FYI for all who think this is way easy -- man, spending fake money takes far more thought and concentration than one would think. I wonder what it would be like with the real stuff? Ok, take two, here is my breakdown for $2000:

1. I am old school. $239.95

2. Shabbat Shaaaaalom. $323.99

3. Just to reiterate...I am a nerd. $1100

4. I actually just started drooling over the thought of a dishwasher. $329.99

6 bucks under...$1994.

Day Three. Bon Voyage!

I'm going to spend $2,200 on this trip. The other $800 is going for airfare to Los Angeles to connect with this tour group and odds and ends along the way, like one of these hats.

Step One

Wow, I feel such responsibility being the first dude to post on this wonderous little experiment. My promise to you, dear readers, is to never have anything NASCAR, video game , or mysogyny-related. Unless of course there is something out there that is an unstoppable combination of all three.

With that said...

1. My first purchase will help me finally attain the Morroccan souk that I always wanted in my apartment. $155

2. 4 quart sautee pan? Yes, please. $290

3. How badass are these shoes? They must be, the description has the word "snazzy" in it. $294.95

4. And last, but not least...nerd alert! Set, plus case =259.90

15 cents short! Oh horror...I will buy 1/10th of a newspaper.

Day Two. I've wanted to do this for a long time.

This shopping spree is going to be easy and empowering.

Scuba classes and certification: $250
Airfare from here to Cozumel: about $400 on that timeline
Group trip/hotel with Scuba class to Cozumel: $575
Good-quality wetsuit: about $100
Regulator: about $200

That brings me up to $1,525. The rest of my $2,000 is for food, equipment rental (including an underwater camera!), and drinks on the beach with my class to celebrate checking something off of my lifelong To Do list.

Bejeweled!

I actually had to scale back my spending today. Talk about an active imagination! I came out almost at $7,000, when today is only a $5,000 day. So, those other lovelies are tabled for tomorrow. :)














Sapphire, white gold & diamond bracelet=$2,600, sapphire, white gold & diamond ring=$2,395.

Welcome Back and Welcome New

Welcome back to Diane and Louisa, Welcome to Amy, and come on Elle & Lisa, post with us some more!

Maybe you are wondering, what is this $1000 supposed to do? It is based on the teachings of Abraham Hicks-imagining prosperity can create prosperity. Because the universe/god/source/higher power can't tell the difference between imagination and reality. When U/G/S/HP starts hearing you being all prosperous, U/G/S/HP answers with prosperity.

Look, there is even data! Go here for the idea, but play with us. If you want to join in the fun, just leave a comment and I'll invite you to play the $1000 Experiment with us!

Play every day until it isn't fun, then take a break, thank U/G/S/HP and come back for more.

Day One. I have $1,000 and a plan.

First stop: Heavenly Soles to pick up these badass vegan boots for $170. What can I say? A lady needs badass footwear to do badass things.

Next, time to buy my beautiful bed for $687.35.

Then, this blouse from Anthropologie for $68. Sigh... I love that store. So, while I'm there, I might as well pick this cute sweater up, too for $74.95. And, that brings me to $1,000.30. Oops. I'll pick up the overbudget. Thirty cents I can handle.

Dress Obsessed

Backstory to today's spending spree--I was looking for a cocktail dress for my best friend's wedding reception (long story, she was married abroad & doesn't want a wedding here) & literally a perfect dress found me. But I was a little disappointed at not getting to look for hours and hours at pretty pretty dresses.
I decided that I would spend a good chunk of today's sum on dresses.
I picked this, this, this, this, this, and this. All in black, except for that teal goddess dress. Also, this necklace to go with one or all of them.
And with this pretty selection of dresses I need someplace nice to go. So I am treating 4 of my friends to dinner at Charlie Trotter's. Sounds lovely, doesn't it? If anyone needs a dress, feel free to borrow one...

The Universe is My Friend

I'd also like to acknowledge the Universe for the following:

• Belatedly I'd like to thank the universe for SugarDaddy's outrageous act of generosity.
  
• My first ever big fat student loan was approved today. Without a co-signer. Small stuff for lifelong Americans with this thing called credit history. Me, new American (or kind-of), I had no credit history. Not bad credit, just no credit. Well,not much. But they gave me a loan. WOO HOO. First year is paid for.
• Coventry Healthcare of Kansas, our former health insurance carrier sent us a check for almost $500. We OVERPAID them. When does this ever happen??
• New Nanny from California is AMAZING, is SO hired and my childcare dilemmas are officially SOLVED.

My first day

Wow, I'm not sure how I'm going to spend so much money over the next couple weeks, but I'm pretty sure I can do it. I was flipping through a catalogue the other day and found a bed I really like. I think I'll start with that. I'm getting a California King--because I can. With all this extra money, I'm sure I can afford a bigger place, too, so I'll have the extra room. I'm also purchasing a matching nightstand and will get a second one soon with tomorrow's money. Can't wait!
Bed: $700
Nightstand: $300

Again, Thank You Universe!

What I was hoping for transpired--I can't be too specific, but work has picked up quite a bit due to a project that was supposed to start around this time but seemed to be dragging its little feet. Hallelujah.
I'm leaving for Florida tomorrow, and won't be back online until next Wednesday, when I return to spend $4,000, all inspired by my travels I'm sure! :)

$1000 Day -- Day 2

Money, money, money, money.....mooooney!

Today I have $2,000. I was thinking about it when I woke up this morning. I am definitely getting a Louis Vuitton Vavin GM purse. It's the usual, standard bag. But it will be great to use for work, plus it's cute enough to go shopping or to the movies, so I don't always have to switch out my purse all the time. That is approximately $1000.

The second $1000 would be on a new Louis wallet ($400) and then I'd get a cool pair of earings at Channel that are in the shape of the "C"s for ($600).

Now I'm accessorized. I feel like a million bucks. Well, at least $2,000 bucks today!

3K, the 2nd Time

Let me start by saying good fortune has smiled upon me again--today a friend presented me with a free ticket to a Cubs game this month. She won a pair at work!
I started back at the Swarovski store, where I purchased 2 of these candle holders and this beautiful vase.
Then I decided I needed a new dining table to put them on. And if I was getting a dining table, it would be wise to get new chairs to match!
So, 2 of these chairs at $189.00 each & this table for $799.00 + shipping, all from Pottery Barn:
Now, that's enough practicality for today. I've been thinking anyway that I need to get new knee-high boots for fall and I LOVE these boots from Kenneth Cole. While I was shopping, I also opted to buy these pretty little things.
Last but not least, I've not been able to find "the perfect" little black dress. In the meantime, this will have to do:

Around the House with $2,000

Ah, this is so much fun again! And I find it not at all coincidental that when I went to Eatzies earlier to pick up a little bite to eat after the gym, there was a man giving away free muffins. A FREE MUFFIN FOR ME. That is the universe smiling upon me 2 days in a row.
Anyway, I knew when I started this again I was seriously going to have to get a new couch. At 7 or 8 years old, I do love my cushy couch, but the kitties have done some damage. So for about $1620 (including shipping) I picked out this lovely sofa from Crate & Barrell:

Next I wanted a waffle iron. But then I found this nifty variation on the George Foreman Grill. A grill with interchangable waffle plates? I will take it! (plus the Target shoppers are giving it rave reviews)
Can't let a day pass without something girly & flashy, though. So I'm purchasing this lovely Swarovski frame, and since I will actually be seeing dolphins up close on my trip to Florida, I may end up putting a very similar picture in it.

Thank You Universe!

First day back on the Prosperity Game and what happens?
I'm at a Starbucks this afternoon and I see what looks like a 20 dollar bill folded neatly & tucked into the napkin holder. This 20 was clearly not haphazardly dropped. It was meant to be found. And it was found by me! (and split with my friend, even though I found it, because I also believe in karma)

Back for a Bit

I'm needing some prosperity right now, for a variety of reasons, not the least of which being that money has been causing me stress again lately. So, following Leah's example, I'm back for as long as I feel I need to be.
My first thou? This is truly embarrassing, but my driver's license is currently suspended due to outstanding parking tickets in the city of Chicago.
And I think $1,000 will clear my good name & get me my prreeeecious license back.

P.S.
Welcome new shoppers/bloggers! :)