Not that I am suggesting that we all succumb to the crazy chaos that is Black Friday or even the regular chaos that is holiday gift shopping. But let’s play a game of pretend. Let’s pretend that you, a stunning and lovely person, dared cross the thresholds of an American (or wherever) mall today. When you safely make it through the double doors and smack dab in the middle of a divine smelling food court balloons drop, the Mayor shows up at your side, and Dolly Parton begins to sing. Oh yes! You are Queen (or King, whatever floats your boat) for the day. Go You! In addition to a foot rub and hot cup of tea/coffee/toddy you are presented with a gift card for $3000. You must use this gift card within two hours and you can ONLY buy things in the mall for YOU. No altruistic pair of socks for your neighbors or a drum set for your nephew. YOU. Because You are awesome and kick ass. You can buy more than one thing but the grand total should not exceed 3 grand. (and no, there is not a fertility clinic in this imaginary mall)
Now tell me what you are going to buy. Tell me in as many juicy details as possible. (& feel free to be anonymous if you want to.)
First off I would buy my turqoise blue kitchen aid stand mixer with pasta maker, food mill, and sausage stuffer attachments. (don’t ask me why I want a sausage stuffer).
Then I would buy a flat-screen TV, one with internet connection. If I couldn’t find one of those I would buy a cheaper flat screen TV and an xbox 360 live because you can watch internet TV and movies through those. (I could then cancel cable TV). Then I would buy a wii fit.
With whatever was left I’d look for thigh high tights at the sock store, chunky silver rings, I’d buy a pair of dansko clogs, and if I had enough after that I’d get pretty hair clips/barrettes.
I don’t know if that’s 3k or not, but I’d be sure to spend it all, believe me.
Well, based on our mall:
64gb iPod touch: $400
MacBook Pro, 17″: $2398
Add tax, and I’m done.
I really need clothes But these would be my big coveted items. 
What a wonderful fantasy!
I would buy a couple flat screen tvs.
Rock Band
Some new clothes
And if there was money left over, a new laptop.
Like your other readers, I would head straight to the Apple store and hook myself up with a FAT new laptop with all the fixin’s. Done. And happy. Oh, so happy…
A new laptop,but i got one today reg 749.99 for 267.99 . I had to pull out my blackbelt in shopping to stumble onto an unadvertised deal.Plus get up at 4:30am. Never take a salespersons word for anything.Look for your self.
A flat screen,but if the tip the sales girl gave me today pays off then at 8am tomorrow morning i should have a 32 inch for 249.00 plus tax.
The rest i would use to buy boudoir furnishings to go with my pink rose walls:)
dansko clogs (at least 2 pairs), a new coat and boots for the winter, a cricut machine for scrapbooking, yarn, fabric, books, a flatscreen TV, and an overstuffed chair-and-a-half for me to sit in and enjoy my new TV. and I’m sure that would about do it! What would you buy, d?
I need new clothes, badly. In fact, I only have two t-shirts to wear that aren’t for work. So I’d take a large portion of the dough to Lane Bryant and hook myself up with as big of a wardrobe as I want. And I would succumb to my love for underwear and buy everything in my size. I also need new shoes, since the only pair I have (that’s not for work) has holes in them the size of my fist. So I’d clean out the shoe stores of their Rocket Dogs and maybe find some work appropriate comfy shoes.
I’d say I’d have around $1,500 left after all that, so I’d take that and spend it on a new iPod touch, with all of the fixings, a massaging chair of some kind and then with whatever’s left, a no-holds-barred waltz through Bath and Body Works.
Now, if only this were true…
I would get some new cold weather wear from whatever Big Girl clothing store was in the fantasy mall, a new digital camera (with included fab lenses), maybe a facial would be next (as long as it comes with a shoulder rub), and then a quick dash to whatever hair salon was there to get a wash and blow dry. (although that alone would take two hours!)
Something for me? What I want I can’t get there, and no money can buy unless it was a milllion dollars and then the military would release my husband and send him home for good.
I, like you, am going to need some real winter clothes. Huge fan of NY&CO, so I would go there and buy 4 pairs of jeans that fit, some sweaters both for dress and casual wear, and some lounge around the house matching sets – these t-shirts aren’t going to cut it up North.
Then, I would go to VS and buy some matching pjs (no not lingerie – no need for that crap).
A hair salon to get my hair highlighted with some darker blonde to start working my way back to that color come spring and trimmed.
My big ticket item would be either a Nikon or Canon digital camera. One of those big fancy ones. I have a Coolpix that I love, but I want a really good one, too.
Are those enough details for you?
Ooh laptop, expensive jeans, haircut, books, new undies – in that order.
Well, souped up IMac with largest screen, and,
(should have started with this) cold weather clothes (especially COAT) and footwear, and,
instant – no-work weight reduction
WELL over the gifted amount but while we’re dreaming, I’m reducing prices in my head, too
I need a new wardrobe, but I would really like a new purse, some shoes, and a Digital SLR camera. Then I could have a nice lunch too. And maybe a new phone…not the free one that comes with my 2 year agreement.
I’m not going to add up the totals.. just guess. But here are a few:
New Stainless look energy star stove
A really good digital video camera
New, comfortable AND stylish shoes all around (except sneakers since I got some of those)
A black opal piece of jewelry (always wanted one.. opal is my birthstone)
And I’m going to assume there is an art store there that has Eyvind Earl prints in it – already framed, and I’m going to buy my favorite one.
That should probably take care of it.
I probably don’t need clothes but would likely buy some anyways. I think I’d also go for a kitchen aid mixer, a new Ipod something, a whole bunch of books from whatever book store is there, a couple new lenses for my camera. That should just about use it all up.
I would take my happy behind to the first jewelry store I saw and buy a few nice things. Then I would take myself to Auntie Anne’s and buy pretzels with the rest and just bask in the glow of my new bling and the buttery goodness of the AA pretzelness!!!
Fancy-pants washer and dryer with steam. We were there this morning and splurged for the $1000 set, but coveted the others….
Hmmmm. It would involve buying handbags and shoes, and a diamond ring. Is there anything left? That purple jacket at Lane Bryant that I refuse to pay $160 for, or however much it was, would probably go home with me. And some Godiva. And some bath stuff from Bath & Bodyworks. And maybe a nice iPod and a speaker thingie. Then I would go home and soak in the bubble bath, eat chocolates, and admire my diamond ring and listen to music.
I was going to say clothes, since I am tired of my clothes, but then I read all the other comments. I take it back, I want all of that stuff. All of it! Also, do cute baby clothes count as stuff for me? I know when I buy them now, I count them as stuff for me since Elizabeth certainly doesn’t NEED them, I need them.
Erno Lazlo facial products. They are uber expensive and used by marilyn monroe and audrey hepburn
Purses (real ones)
I’d rather use the money to pay my bills (that’s my lotto fantasy – I can pay my bills and pay off my house, done!), but if I am FORCED to spend it on myself… It’d be furniture, I guess. Dining table & chairs, desk, new bed (this one my ex picked out and I hate it)…& I’m well over the limit.
OK so my mall would have a Dell outlet and a crafters emporium LOL
I will have a brand new, all singing all dancing laptop. A Sizzix Big Shot Express & probably $500 worth of crafty stuff. Oh. There is a MONSTER fabric store where I can buy all sorts of different colours of felt which I will spent $300 on… so that’s probably $2500. Now… what will I spend the other $500 on… hmmm… I will have to think about the other $500
Oooh, what a fabulous game!
I’d buy a ton of fabric and quilting notions to feed my new addiction. And maybe some embroidery stuff too. Then I’d hit the bookstore and get anything that looked neat. I’d definitely be in the big girl clothing store. I could really use some new shoes. And that houndstooth peacoat is just fabulous! Of course, I’ll need a matching hat. And I simply have to prepay a haircut, manicure, and pedicure for when my two hours is up!
PS: My husband read my response because he couldn’t think of what to get me for Christmas. I found a gift certificate for a manicure and pedicure in his jacket today. This game officially Rocked My World!
clothes! i’ve lost 35lbs and as much as I adore wearing my jamma pants all day with my hubs Tshirts, it’d be nice not to look so frumpy when I leave the house.
I’d buy my hubs new tools… he just got his master electrician license, and he deserves it
And for Miss Rowan I’d buy her clothes not that she needs them, and tons and tons of new toys of course.
ooh and kindle… and a new lap top.
Sadly, I would buy new kitchen appliances, although that $$ wouldn’t quite cover what I want. It’s boring and practical, but the last “big” thing we need in our remodel.
Williams & Sonoma for one or two REALLY nice knives and a full set of all clad pots and pans. That would just about take all $3,000 but if there were any left I’d buy a little sparkly pendant that could be worn with anything.
Oooh, I feel so freakin’ greedy but…
I want a new pair of steel-toed doc martin boots. I’d love to get blackberry service for a year (I’d just use the gift card to prepay for service). I would swing through Apple and pick up a car adapter so I can use the iTouch in the car. I would get a new outfit or two. I would love a set of thumb drives that can hold photos so I can have an additional backup and get them off my computer. I think I’m reaching $3000 soon?
Amazing luxury sweaters that will last decades, and a 400 pair of la canadian boots, and just about and a fancy mac lap top. This is fun!
fun game! Some clothes (especially nice jeans and cardigans and socks and a new wool coat) and shoes. A 20s-style felt hat with a flower on the side. Cat toys and treats. Picture frames. A small, Calder-style, mobile. A Cuisinart with the ice-cream maker attachment. A good vacuum cleaner with a hose for vacuuming the couch. A full-length mirror for my bedroom door. A popcorn popper and a pie pan and an eggbeater and some casserole dishes and a new Nalgene. A bathroom scale. Bedroom furniture (a bed frame and headboard, a nightstand, and a low cabinet or a chaise lounge). A DVD player. LOTS of books and music.
I’d either go nuts and buy clothes and shoes, and wii, and stuff from every store, OR…
One little blue box. Aqua. With a white ribbon. For ME, not Narda, for ME….
Oh, I could use clothes and shoes, but I’d probably head to Sears and get a new fridge so I could move my house one to the garage to replace the old broken one that no longer keeps milk cold enough because with the amount of milk we go through, I really need a second fridge to store it and miss it. Then, I would get a new vacuum since mine is broken and again is sadly missed. And, that probably exceeded my limit, but then I’d buy a nice big waffle iron or several because I like making waffles, but my iron broke today and also just having one makes it go so slow. Then, if I were the lucky shopper of the day and got to double my winnings, then I’d probably get a few really nice outfits and shoes and make up then use the rest on some jewelry. That was fun! Hope you are settling in and remember all change, even good change is hard and stressful. Take Care, Deb
Surprising how many of us want new fancy laptops!
Me, I’d probably go for some new clothes and shoes without looking at the prices. (I never pay big bucks for clothes) But if I got frustrated finding what I want that fits (tops are a problem now), I might just go to Williams-Sonoma and splurge on new cookware and knives. Oh, and a bottle of Dom Perignon– JUST BECAUSE!
Yes, now that I think of it, if this dream came true right now, I’d go for the cooking stuff and Dom, cuz trying on new clothes, even if I could afford them, would be terribly depressing right now…
Hope things are going well for you guys. Sending much love and holiday spirit.
My dear sister, niece, nephew and my 2 BFF’s came over today and put up my house lights and my tree! So I’m getting into the spirit, slowly, but surely. This week, physical therapy on my knee and another draining of fluid from my surgery. Ugh. So thanks for the fun fantasy game!
xoxo
Oooo, I love this question. I would buy a Mac too. And a pair of Uggs, because i have always wanted indulge in those fuzzy ugly boots for walking around my house, but cannot justify it. Ooo, and a shitload of bras.
Here from the Ungame. Thanks for letting me play. XO
I’d visit my foot guy for a new pair of shoes ($900 – don’t ask), heck I’d get 2 pairs – one brown and white – the white doesn’t last long enough.
Unfortunately, I’m not in a shopping spirit at this point. I’d probably cash out the rest and put it in the emergency savings fund. You know – the unemployment status and all.
Good news, you know that elusive Epic Systems? I had a telephone interview last week. It’s for a trainer position. Bad news – 80% travel, but for a job that I can take anywhere, I’ll do it for a couple of years. They said I should hear by the end of this week if they want me back for an in-person interview. Wish me luck.
I would hit the electronics store and splurge on a new camera (15+ MPs, AND video mode, oh, how I miss my video abilities on my s3…), then some nice lenses, then a gift that mostly fits the bill, I would get a *BIG* screen TV for our living room, LCD/HD, 55+ inches, lots of games for the Wii and xBox, and if there was anything left over, which I highly doubt even with the sales going on, I’d see if I could get a better computer with the protection plan that I had on the last one.
yep, greedy me…
really, I would be happy with just the camera and some lenses!
I would use it for a down payment on a new car…. a 2010 Subaru Outback – green – to be exact. I’m so damned tired of not having a car. Oh no wait – 1500 toward the Subaru and 1500 toward a new roof. Homeownership definitely has it’s downsides. I love you and am so glad that ya’ll made it to DC safe and sound.
If I didn’t HAVE to worry about those practical things up there, I’d go clothes shopping esp. at VS for loads of fun lingerie. And my mall would absolutely have an Anthropologie store…. mmmmm…. yes…
Hummm. I’d have my wood floors refinished. In all honesty, that’s all I really covet. I have a very generous hubby and a zest for shopping so I already have everything else I really want.
My fantasy mall would have a Sephora, a Bloomingdale’s, an Anthropologie, an Hermes and a Neiman-Marcus. It would also have a whole street of cute little shops uprooted from Paris and airlifted over here. Also a really good movie theater and a nice little sushi restaurant.
I would purchase Dansko black knee high boots, then I would summon the assistance of others to help find several pairs of pants (work pants, casual pants, jeans) that fit properly in a large group effort (hopefully that won’t take too long).
I would throw the rest of it at the spa, first with a nice deep massage, a facial, and then I’d have them cover me in wonderful-smelling essential oils and wrap me up like a burrito. I have a weakness for the wraps. I fantasize about being a burrito with wonderful garnish around me, prepared for some giant who is waiting to gobble me up – weird I know, but it makes me smile. Ooops – I think that’s more than two hours.