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Retail therapy: it’s how I stay sane when I have to work late nights, file our taxes, or deal with extreme stress. I used to be THE Amazon whore, and was getting a package from them nearly every week (thank you Amazon Prime). Just lately though, I’m out of control with the Etsy.

You don’t know Etsy? “Your place to buy and sell all things handmade.” In other words, kind of like an awesome mash-up of craft fair and buy-it-now eBay. And I am in looooooove with it. I just wish I was talented and crafty enough to be selling my own stuff on there. Until then though, I’ll buy other people’s handiwork. And buy, and buy, and buy!

Last summer, I bought a few pieces of jewelry and some cool purse accessories, like a business card holder and some cute pouches, like this one. So cool for carrying odd little items, like receipts and business cards, an iPod or cell phone – even tampons! Then early this year (one of those nights when I was at the office until 3am), I bought some more jewelry. I got these gorgeous little earrings, which I’ve been wearing non-stop. A few weeks later I picked up this pretty bracelet in my favorite dreary-yet-elegant colors – can you believe it was just $10??

More recently, it was back to dlpom‘s shop to buy more earrings. I also branched out into more types of textiles and got a totally groovy-looking scarf. Just a few days later I decided I couldn’t live without this little diaper pouch, and goodness knows I can never have too many damn earrings! I even ordered a necklace from one of my favorite sellers to send to my niece for her birthday – no link, on the off chance she might actually read this post!

What will I order next? Who knows? But I’m sorely tempted by this pendant, this crazy companion cube, and this necklace (my birthstone!). Then there are the custom-made clothing items, like the fun baby items here, the funky retro dresses and skirts here, and the absolutely breath-taking, avant garde tops and tunics here.

I just can’t get enough Etsy. It’s easy to shop without feeling guilty though:

1. Items are generally not that expensive (depending on how you shop, of course).

2. I’m supporting independent artisans and crafters.

3. The stuff I’m getting is, for the most part, really unique – even one-of-a-kind – which makes me feel less like a zombie consumer.

4. I’ve been working hard and gosh, I deserve some goodies!

So…yay me, and yay Etsy!

I’m a vivid dreamer – I dream almost every night, and I often have really clear, realistic, intense dreams that leave me breathless when I wake up, convinced for a few minutes afterwards that they were real. Strangely enough I don’t think a lot about what the dreams mean. I have certain dreams regularly, but I assume they’re the same dreams that everyone has more than once – that I’ve signed up for a class and forgotten about it and the day of the final has arrived; that I’m flying; that I’m being chased by something. There are a few other strange ones that I’ve had off and on over the years, like the dreams that my teeth fall out. But rather than puzzling over the symbolism of that, I’d assumed it was related to how horrible my teeth actually were. This theory was borne out when, after having several root canals and new crowns last year, the teeth dreams went away.

I frequently dream that I’m trying to find a (public) bathroom – usually to pee, but sometimes to take a shower. Either I can’t find the bathroom at all, or I find one and all the toilets are filthy and non-functioning, or they work fine but the stalls are all so low that you can see each other when you’re sitting on the toilets. The Dream Moods Dictionary tells me that these bathroom dreams are related to my “instinctual urges” and “need to cleanse [my]self, both emotionally and psychologically:”

To dream that you are in a public restroom with no stalls, signifies your frustrations about getting enough privacy. It may also indicate that you are having difficulties letting go of old emotions. If you reveal these feelings, you are afraid that others around you will judge and criticize you.

To dream that you can not find the bathroom, signifies that you are have difficulties in releasing and expressing your emotions.

(Dream Moods Dictionary)

Recently I’ve had recurring dreams that I’m kissing someone other than my husband. It’s usually a man but once it was a woman! In the case of the man at least, it seems like it’s someone famous. I’m not sure who the person is though, as I can never remember exactly what he (or she) looked like after I wake up.The website linked above suggests that dreams about kissing a celebrity have to deal with idolizing someone I already know. It also says that my dream about kissing another woman (which, by the way, was extremely hot) represents “self-acceptance.” Whatever! I think it means I’m kind of kinky.

Happy Valentine’s Day, and sweet dreams!