Don't get me wrong, I do love shopping for cute things, clothes, cosmetics, perfumes, and kitchen stuff (last one pleases me the most as there's no fit-don't-fit dilemma). The question is "how much one person or one family needs?" Or, how much can fit in my budget? And the decision making question: how much can fit in my home? Usually, all those questions are followed by a comforting my mind statement: I lived without it for so many years, so I can live without it for another few years... On that happy note I usually leave the store. My rare moments of shopping therapy are most of the time just window shopping: Coach for a little luxury, Nordstrom to try a few pair of designer shoes, a new make up and a perfume spray on my wrist, and I finish my "shopping" extravaganza at Williams Sonoma... an eye candy.
Last weekend I joined my friend Lisa and her family for a out of town trip to shop with her daughter for a new clothes. You know, occasion or no occasion, teenagers always have a need for a new pair of shoes (didn't buy this time though), a few new sets of shorts, skirts, tops, dresses, etc. And we went wild, at least that's what I think. We had a lot of fun in a dressing room while our teenager tried all kinds of cute clothes. Two shops later our happy teenager went with her dad shoes shopping while Lisa and I went window shopping a few stores until we got to the Williams Sonoma. And there we were among shiny pots and pans, colorful dutch ovens, high-end electric appliances, tools and gadgets for any job in the kitchen...
.
Then Lisa decided that I deserved a "small surprise" for "babysitting" her teenager,
I was humbled, and very happy at the same time. Munching on a future recipes in my head, I came home with a big box.After following a few steps to prepare the oven before first use, I started baking, roasting, grilling, toasting, broiling...And so far I love everything that comes out of the oven, except when I burned a toast - I didn't realized how fast it cooks! It's a big step forward from what I am used to, and no wonder it's called "smart oven" with all that IQ and everything.
My oven found it's home on the kitchen counter top, and each time I use it, or even look at it, I think with a warm smile and a deep gratitude of my friend.
Thanks you, Lisa, for your generosity, for a very warm gift,
and most of all, for your gift of friendship and happy times!
See you,
Marina
I wish I had your degree of self control my friend - shopping means a lot to me ;)
ReplyDeleteLove the present, most thoughtful!
Cheers
CCU
I lost interest in shopping some time ago. I guess I reached the breaking point when enough is enough...:) But I still love kitchen stores, and shoes!
DeleteHehe I wish I shopped less! Although nowadays I am very choosy about what I buy because we have no space here :P I'm secretly chuffed that you got a Breville because that's an Australian brand :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a cool brand Breville, I also have juicer and love how it works. We use to joke about outstanding German quality, now Australia is on the top of the list! :)
DeleteCool gift. I sometimes enjoy shopping but most of the times I hear my mother in my ear saying "what a waste of money" and somehow that spoils it.
ReplyDeleteFunny, but I hear the same in my ear. :)
DeleteThis gift means that your friend really appreciated what you did for her and this is really important Marina! Most of the times people take for granted other people or the things we do for them! Congratulations to you for your new oven, many happy bakings, but most of all congratulations for your friend!
ReplyDeleteThank you Katerina for such a sweet comment. :)
DeleteThat's a great little oven you received!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim! I enjoy it very much: it is smaller, and it doesn't heat the whole house when it's on, which is very important during hot summer days! :)
DeleteI've heard those things are amazing- what a great gift! I'm with you- I rarely shop... except for groceries which I am as bad with as some people are with hand bags. Groceries are my weakness and they don't add to clutter so no one is any the wiser (except my bank statement) :)
ReplyDeleteI switched to cash, and it works much better: I am more mindful of what and how much I am buying. :)
DeleteYes a really nice gift! I am not shopaholic too. The only thing I really enjoy buying is food! We really could go without buying clothes and other accessories for a long time! Pretty amazing I much people spend and buy things they don't really need!
ReplyDeleteand don't have space for that either! Did we just figured a formula of clutter?! :)
DeleteFortunately, I'm largely (but not entirely) without the shopping gene. Buying food is the one area where I go out of control. After you've used your new gift for awhile, I'd be really curious to hear how you're liking it. I've sometimes thought of buying one of these for those times when we need an extra oven. I'd never install a second oven because almost all the time one is enough - and we don't have the room. But sometimes it'd be really convenient, and the Smart Oven sounds like a terrific idea. Good post - thanks.
ReplyDeleteThan you for your comment. I knew how this oven works, my friend has one and I've used it there. But I will make a post later to tell about different options and how it bakes. This oven doesn't need an installation, it's a counter top. Very convenient for a few people as I don't need to turn a big oven on just to make a dinner for three. And my big oven doesn't work properly, I have to move baking dish several times to ensure even baking. I baked bread it this little one for the first time, and it came out evenly baked. I was very happy, finally my bread is the same color on each side! :)
DeleteVery cool Marina, looks like fun!
ReplyDeleteIt is a lot of fun indeed. It makes a huge difference! I will make another post on it in near future and show some pictures too. :)
DeleteA very thoughtful friend you have. Friendship is a two way street and you and your friend have demonstrated that.
ReplyDeleteYour smart oven looks cool. One question, does it self-clean?
Hello Marina,
DeleteThe above comment at 2:58 PM is from me, don't know what happened.
Norma Chang
:) no, Norma, it doesn't self clean but it is very easy to wipe.
DeleteNice oven! My weakness is groceries. Not really a problem as everything I buy is eaten :D
ReplyDeleteSince I started to use cash while shopping, my waste in the kitchen is very small. :) I use to buy a lot of food too.
Delete:) I am happy you are happy!
ReplyDeleteMmm, it's "delicious"! :)
DeleteWow. What a thoughtful friend and a terrific thank you gift.
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen. Yes, she is an amazing friend, and fun! :)
DeleteWooow, what a great gift :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Joanna! :)
Delete