I own the greatest pair of sunglasses ever! It’s absolutely lovely, it has old fashioned wide rectangular frames handcrafted in France of buffalo horns, and it’s made by famed New York eyewear designer Robert Marc. It‘s classic and simply gorgeous.

It’s not buyers’ remorse I’m feeling today, it’s just sheer guilt for how much I shelled out for it. My mom would probably disown me if she knew, surely she taught me better than to spend over $500CND on a pair of sunglasses! I come from a culture where modesty and frugality are considered high quality traits. My mother doesn’t even believe in sunglasses, she maintains her mother never wore sunglasses a day in her life and yet lived a fulfilling “optical life”

In my defence, I resisted! Initially I was going for a Kenneth Cole classic from last season for under $100. Then I went into this swanky eyeglass place for a bit of look-see. Dale, the sales assistant treated me like we were old pals, he made me wear these Gucci, Chanel, Versace, YSL and whatnot frames then declared he had the perfect sunglasses for me! I tried on the Robert Marc frames and knew there’s no going back, I looked so good in them, Dale said it made me look like Grace Kelly, Yes, me. Look like Grace Kelly! He said to get a few silk scarves and I’ll be transformed into a most stunning fashionista, “who needs ‘extreme makeover?’” He said.

“But the price” I grimaced, he said I needn’t look like every other Gucci sunglass wearing person in the city, implying a uniqueness I can only get with a Robert Marc. I’m black, I live in a city where everyone else is Caucasian or Asian; I didn’t know I had to get any more unique. I took my sister to see it a week later and she thought it was amazing. I’ve been deliberating for over a month and yesterday I decided to finally make it mine!

I read an article that pointed out that I actually save money by not indulging in certain things; I don’t go to the gym (save on membership fees), I don’t take Yoga or Pilates classes, I don’t do fancy coffees or lattes, I don’t have pets or children, neither do I have some glamorous addiction, which all translates into lots of money saved. So I guess splurging once in a while hurts no one.

PLAYING: Yeah - Usher f/ Lil Jon & Ludacris

READING: Brick Lane – Monica Ali

WATCHING: 1-800 Missing

QUOTE: “She saying come get me, come get me”