My Favorite Kind of Shopping

This weekend, I found myself venturing into the city for a much-needed hair cut and color. I was supposed to have my hair done several weeks ago, but I had to reschedule and then decided to play the game of “how long can I go without highlighting my hair?”. I don’t even know why I do this to myself, because it’s a lose-lose game. The amount of money I save by waiting an extra two weeks between appointments most certainly doesn’t justify walking around with bad roots.

When I finally made it to the salon, I also told my hair stylist that I wanted to grow my hair “Kardashian long” and to please not judge me for using that as the description. I’m not even going to pretend like I don’t watch that show.

There’s nothing like having freshly styled hair to brighten a girl’s day, and being in the center of the best shopping in Boston was an added bonus. The fact that Aaron also offered to meet me and asked that I help him spend a Williams Sonoma giftcard? I basically skipped from Newbury St. over to the Copley mall, perfectly straightened hair blowing in the -20 degree winds.

I love shopping for kitchen things more than I love shopping for clothes. Most of my friends don’t understand it, but I get really excited when I stumble upon fun bakeware or a new-to-me kitchen tool. Surprisingly, however, I was totally underwhelmed in Williams Sonoma. Sure, there were plenty of nice things, but I refuse to spend $170 on a saucepan. I know those are the types of purchases that will likely last a lifetime, but I’ve had my Target pots and pans since college, and they seem to be holding up quite well considering they cost me about $49 for a whole set. Kitchen appliances, on the other hand, are a different story. There’s simply no comparison between a $30 blender and a VitaMix. That thing is a beast, and worth every penny, in my opinion.

So, I did what any food blogger on a budget would do in Williams Sonoma, and made a beeline for the finishing salt. Seriously. I have wanted this salt for months. It’s just so pretty, and it comes from Cyprus. Eating it is like swimming in the warm Mediterranean waters…at least that’s what the package says.

I also picked up some zahtar, smoked paprika (I’m told it’s a million times better than the regular paprika), and Nielsen-Massey vanilla bean paste. I think even Aaron was slightly taken aback at how excited I was over these small purchases.

It’s the little things in life. Although, jewelry’s always a good gift too.

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Do you act like a kid in a candy store when it comes to foodie and kitchen purchases? What’s your favorite place to shop?

I love love love Anthropologie (the clothes and the home section), but I only venture in there a few times a year because I literally want everything in that store. My bank account can’t handle more than a once-in-a-while visit.