I stocked up on my usual kind of socks, underwear and white T-shirts in the M&S Menswear Sale.

Everthing major can wait till January when the prices go down. Will probably upgrade my aging smartphone, and horribly tempted by DSLR cameras, getting fed up with my current pics.

In other news, my new girlfriend Girl B loved all your Mecha OMG Bunny pics (she used to have a pet rabbit). I found it hard to drag her away from the computer...

I'm thinking about getting another spoon necklace, but I'm waiting until I get my final confirmation about graduating. (Who knows when that will be since one prof is being extremely slow.)

I haven't brought anything specific as a Christmas gift to myself but I will admit to spending more freely the last few months than I normally do. So between a mousie print, a smartphone, some work clothes, yarn for a sweater and socks, books I haven't gotten around to reading, and who knows what else, I think I've got myself well covered. After spending my vacation time between the old and new jobs being productive, I'm so looking forward to having a long lazy New Years weekend at home.

We have a house rule: no buying yourself treats right before your birthday or Christmas. So no. But a coupla weeks ago, I warned The Fella I was breaking that rule: a style of top I love went on crazy sale so I bought three colors. He didn't care and would never have known to buy them for me anyhow.

Actually, I did the same thing as Senyar right before my birthday: I bought myself several new and pricey bras, because no one else will buy me those.

After Christmas, I'm going to buy myself an iPod. Fiiiiiiiinally! I've been putting it off because the touch screen doesn't register my hands --- but either the newer models are different or I am, because my nephew's iPod worked fine for me. And then I'm going to buy myself some new music!

I was down in SF last weekend and saw someone with these. Had to have them, so went to the first bike store I saw and got some. They make me want to ride even when it's cold and dark, because they are so cool!

(Also got a used 260GB ipod, used, a few weeks ago.)

I bought myself a T-shirt - I got one for my brother and loved it so much I thought, ooh, I need one too - and then I decided on the spur of the moment to mail it to a friend instead. Said friend is not expecting a Christmas gift from me and I'm really happy I did that. I might buy myself some shoes after Christmas, though. I really want some short boots that are comfortable enough to wear all day at the bookstore. This is assuming that I don't have to buy myself a new fridge for Christmas. :( The fridge part is working okay but I don't think the freezer is holding a consistent temp at all. Sigh.

I spent more than I should have on a bottle of wine to go with my Christmas dinner.

I went in to Lush and came out $50 lighter, but with lots of bath products. I do love a long soak in the bath, and these will last me until mother's day, when I will get more.

Not yet, besides emergency provisions. So not feeling it. It will probably be something infinitely practical like extending the warranty on my computer or some such sensible nonsense.
But if I knew of something that would definitely delight me, I'd be all over it.

Lost my phone and so had to get a new Android thingamajiggy. >=(

I'm not happy about it, though. Neither the money nor the new OS. I miss the elegance of WebOS. At least I still have my HPad. Cards and stacks! The phone is huge, too. And I need to figure out how to jailbreak it so I can tether, as I need internet on my 2hr (ea. way) commute. (Also, I think it's on Gingerbread. Do I update to Honeycomb or whatever *before* jailbreaking or what?)

Other than that, I haven't spent any discretionary money since Thanksgiving, with the exception of a holiday floral arrangement sent to someone special. ^_^
(I mean, "special" goes without saying. I don't break my own rules for just anyone.)

I have no idea what I'll do for food over the holidays. I will almost certainly actually be home. Is there anything left in the grocery stores? Maybe I can defrost some ancient stuff from the freezer and actually COOK for once.

I bought a 2012 calendar. Paid full price (shocking.) I spent an hour online picking it out then was able to go to a local store to purchase. It's a series of flower radiographs. I'd link to it but I have dual catlap and cannot get up to find it till they deem movement acceptable.

TheophileEscargot, that's nice news about the new girlfriend :)

I did the remaining Christmas shopping today, which was remarkably painless (even got something for my dad, a.k.a. the man who has everything he wants!), and I wanted to celebrate by buying a garment for me, as I've shrunk a bit recently and have taken loads of non-fitting stuff to the charity shop (thrift store). I thought this plan was going to fail but in the last shop I went into I found a very nice wrap top, in the sale. So, that.

We need a new oven, kettle and toaster, but that can wait until the January sales.

Every year, there is something under the tree for me from "Santa". It is almost always something I see while out shopping for others and that I buy on impulse. This year, it is a chunky loop scarf I found at the J. Crew outlet.

I'm getting a massage in a couple hours. And then I'm going to collapse.

I haven't bought anyone Christmas gifts this year, never mind myself. Apart from a few token items for the kids, we pretty much aren't doing Christmas this year - our total focus is on getting this fucking house finished and, anyway, I work full-time and then spend 6-7 hours a night working on the house, plus 12-14 hours a day on weekends (sooooo tired, all the time), so have no time for shopping even if I had the inclination.

On second thought - yeah, I'm getting myself a house for Christmas ;-)

Apart from a few token items for the kids, we pretty much aren't doing Christmas this year

Last week, my niece and I were chattering about Christmas gifts and my sister/her mom (with whom we are spending Christmas Night) piped in "I'm so over it. I'm not doing Christmas presents AT ALL this year except for [daughter]. And I don't WANT any, either."

I told my sister "You're going to love your gift from me. It's hardly a present at all*!"

Her totally earnest response: "OH YAY!"

*I made her a cocktail-hour-in-a-box: a bottle of Lambrusco, a jar of homemade smoked paprika almonds, a homemade basket sized to fit a packet of cocktail napkins, and --- of course --- a packet of cocktail napkins. Just the thing when you want an excuse to have some friends over for wine but don't want to run to the store.

Of course, this is the same sister who once told me, "I got you a two-pound can of yeast for Christmas." I responded, also totally in earnest,"OH YAY!" We get each other.

Nope, haven't bought anything. But the mister and I have decided at after the holiday we're gonna go spend a few bucks on ourselves. On what I'm not sure, but I could definitely use a new pair of jeans.

Yep but as it is likewise of the underwear ilk, not disclosing details.

Actually, I think I'm going to return mine. Jon got an iPhone for his birthday, and impulsively, I made it two. Thing is, I have an iPad, and, as cool as the iPhone is (I love asking Siri questions), I really mostly use the iPad. So I think it's going back, and I'll just get a regular phone. That way we can cancel the extra data plan and texting, which we really don't use, saving $55 a month. It may not sound like much, but over the course of the two year commitment (fucking AT&T), it adds up, about $1300. Funny how those "small" bills add up.

Lot of unexpected expenses lately. New bedding/mattress covers ($600 -- gulp);car repairs ($300); Junkluggers to remove old sofa and, as long as they're here, nonworking air conditioners ($300); carpet cleaning ($?). It makes it impossible to save. But what can you do? Life is expensive.

I did get some cute snow boots (red and black check), though, and we'll probably get a new sofa or pair of recliners. What the hell. It's only money.

My birthday was in November, and the husband thoughtfully told me to order a proper winter coat from LL Bean. It came and was too big and a terrible color, and I looked like a fat frog, so last week I drove an hour to an outlet center where I exchanged the coat for store credit, got a coat I was happy with, some other items, and then hey, outlet, got a pair of shoes and a few clothing items for myself.

Driving the hour home, I realized it was the holidays so stopped off in town for some office gifts and all.

I've got lots of presents under the tree, apparently I have Santa snowed, but I've overdone for recent birthdays and anniversary, so I am resisting the impulse to compensate.

I will focus instead on maintaining a positive-ish attitude during the two night holiday confinement at the in laws.

I sort of feel left out Christmas morning (the boys have presents, but now that I'm single there isn't anything for me to open until we go to my mother's later). So I decided that if I got myself any little things, that I would wrap them and put them under the tree. I'm dying to wear a beautiful silver and stone necklace I got on ebay, but I have to wait for it! :^)

Like TheoEsc, I may make the leap to a real DSLR camera next year.

I got myself some new underwear that were on such a good sale that I couldn't resist. 7 for $15 all plain colors of cotton!

I want a million things but I have been really lucky with the Chanukah presents so far. My bf got me a book I didn't even know I wanted but then stayed up late reading, my sister got me a lipstick that I have been jealous of my friend for owning, and my mom is getting me a Birchbox subscription (or so she says if she can figure out the internet). My dad was super generous and since he was opening a museum exhibit that needed tvs, he bought an extra one for me. I hope he isn't making it up that it was discounted and not a big deal.

If I am feeling like I need one more big present after Jan 1, I am planning on getting a vintage Edwardian ring I saw on Etsy that I have been thinking about a lot and luckily so far isn't taken yet.

mygothlaundry, I have been wearing these black ankle Target boots way more than I thought I would because they are really comfortable and seem to go with everything.