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By Shanna, October 31, 2009 3:38 pm

It’s amazing to me how I will use any excuse to shop.

I’m happy –so I shop. I’m sad –so I shop. Events, birthdays, meetings, new months, new seasons, whatever — I shop. And sometimes I shop because I saved money. If I go to the grocery store and plan to spend $75 but I only end up spending $50, I’ll take that $25 and buy new earrings.

So today when the dude at the Genius Bar told me he’d fix my laptop for free, I almost made out with him, but then I took that money “saved” and blew it at H&M on tons of accessories.

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By Shanna, September 30, 2009 1:12 am

Green. Sustainable.

I attended Chicago Gourmet over the weekend. The word gluttony seem soft compared to the amount of food, wines, and spirits I indulged in (all in a days work!)  As I was making the rounds on Saturday, I heard those buzz words being dropped by everyone. the fish was sustainable (hmm not organic?) the produce was organic, anytime you paused to investigate a product, the vendor would quickly point out it’s “green” qualities – whether it was organically produced, a sustainable farmer, or even locally grown – considering the quantity of yum yums I ate and drank, I’m sure I’ve completely off-set my carbon foot print.

These sizzling hot  buzz words are tossed around like pennies in a pond – almost mindlessly. Which is curious to me since the philosophy is to prolong a better quality of life. Life of ourselves, lives of others, animals, better quality of plant life and earth – to have a healthful existence. I know these merchants are just simply giving me the spiel that sells.  The most interesting discussion happened during a tasting & panel discussion called “Green Wine-making, Why it Matters”.  

Each attendee had six wines – 3 reds and 3 whites each were an example of a certain type of farming philosophy or practice – organic, sustainable, bio-dynamic.

I am frequently take when these words are used as cheap talking points, a marketing ploy to lure people in.  And let’s face it. I’ve fallen for a ploy or two. Every industry seems to be grappling with that going green means to them.  I’ll admit I don’t much about bio-dynamic farming and I’ve read a bunch since and it seems old-world meets mythology.  

The panel consisted of  master sommeliers Fred Dame, Alpana Singh, Serafin Alvarado and Fernando Betata. The panel was well balance (just like a good wine). Fred was outspoken and had a very realistic view about wine-making business – it is a business.  Serrafin joked he wears green underwear and would discuss the impact of going green. Fernando and Alpana maintained a middle-of-the-road attitude.  

Organic, sustainable, being green doesn’t always mean better (and it doesn’t mean worse). These labels are just that – labels we slap on everything to set it apart, to make a distinction, but the label isn’t doesn’t provide absolute proof of superiority.  Wines – organic, sustainable, or bio-dynamic – should be evaluated the same as any product.   As for businesses, they are investing in themselves, their product, employees, and their consumers — the organic label comes with a heavy certification price tag and rules & regulations.  It’s a choice. It’s a commitment. But it doesn’t mean better.

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I am no wino, though I am sorta a winette – I’m infatuated with being a sophisicated wine drinker, but I’m not there yet.  

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By Shanna, September 17, 2009 4:23 pm

$111.99 bucks saved.  I paid $10. Are you freaking  joking me? 

More amazing then the cost of this one tube of acne cream, is the fact I got a refill – so 4 tubes total – yup $487.96 (less than I paid in parking tickets but still) – that’s a LOT of money for a small tube of of pimple cream.

why the heck am I talking about my skin care?

Health care – the affordablity, the lack-of, health care – has been in the news a ton. In fact Obama is bowing out of heading to Copenhagen (I heart the Olympics…especially diving….xoxox  - but I don’t think Chicago is gunna win the bid).

Anyway, back to healthcare.

I would have never guess in a million years that this cream would cost over $120 a pop.  And because I have insurance, I only pay a mini-fraction of the actual cost.  Granted, I guess I do pay every month  ($100 or so) to have health insurance….which makes me think.  How much does medical care really cost?  I’ve always had health insurance and it’s always worked out for me.  But we all know medical companies and insurance companies aren’t exactly hurting money-wise. 

So how much did my tube of cream really cost? If I’m paying the insurance company $1,200+ a year for coverage, and I paid $10 for every tube of $120+ acne cream – what’s the profit?  Most products, especially when produced in bulk can cost pennies compared to what they are sold for. 

If I had the time, patience, and the actual-know-how, I would try to figure out the profit. But I’m lacking in all those areas (and currently in clear skin…but not for long!)

I bring this whole issue up, because for the first time I actually get why people are fussing over stuff in Congress. I understand why people are frustrated with their lack of care and the cost.  I’m not sure I’m 100% on board with universal health care but I definately think maybe more transparency (ooo buzz word) is need within the medical / insurance industry.

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By Shanna, September 16, 2009 8:52 pm

Smoking is so taboo.

I’m a sorta-smoker, a fair-weathered smoker. I can take it or leave it. Sometimes I smoke daily, sometimes I go weeks without lighting up. It really depends on my mood and my wallet (since cigarettes are almost $10 a pack in Chicago).

In college we had to smoke 25 feet away from the dorms (which we never did). Then smoking was banned in bars and restaurants. I was at a bar in Upstate New York the first time I realized I was the only person smoking. Some random girl politely told me to be careful or else I could get in trouble – so I ducked into the bathroom to finish. I use to hate having to leave the bar to have a quick smoke between bars, but now I love it. It really is wonderful to go home without smelling of smoke from head to toe.

I feel like people forget that smoking is a choice.

Recently a couple rental car companies decided to officially ban smoking. The fact that you could smoke in a rental car was news to me – I always remembering seeing no smoking signs all over every rental car I’ve ever driven. Regardless, they are now enacting a policy that will fine renters $250 if they smoke in the car. I have yet to find out what the procedure will be in determining this. A heavy smoker might stink up the car without smoking in it. We’ve all walked by these people, they seem permanently surrounded by a billowy cloud of smoke. I doubt rental car companies go so far as to say you can’t smoke at all while renting the car…

This morning as I got ready for work, I was watching the Insider – and the debate of the day was “Should Patrick Swayze Have Stopped Smoking?” I was shocked by this. We all do things everyday that are horrible for us and we are – all in a sense – dying every day. We all have choices and personal responsibility. I make choices based on what is best for me, at the moment. An outsider might disagree with my choice, but that’s their choice not mine.

It is absolutely the right of any establishment to make any sort of rules they want and people can chose whether to patronize them. But there is a fine line of discrimination that comes into play. It’s OK to say no one can smoke but it’s probably not OK to say that orange colored t-shirts aren’t allowed. I hate to sound argumentative (a tad trite) but why not? In general, I find orange to be an ugly color but establishments aren’t banning smoking because they necessarily think it’s better for their consumers lungs they are doing it because it’s better for their wallets and image… I doubt banning orange will have quite the same effect.

But maybe that’s me being cynical.

photo by Ana Labate

UPDATE

Ryan Air so proves my point –it’s all about the $$$. but I guess that’s not really a new revelation is it.