Fabulous Financials

A few weeks ago, I promised that I would do no shopping for the rest of this year and I’ve been true to my word.  Some of you have witnessed my temptation but can also attest to my resistance of the shopping bug.  But it doesn’t mean I haven’t spent any money.  To be honest, September is turning out to be another FUN, yet EXPENSIVE month.

I have THREE girlfriends who have birthdays this month and we kicked off the festivities with:

BRUNCH: $81

Two of us had brunch at a new spot in DC called Co Co Sala (reviewed here), which is a chocolate lover’s dream.  The ambiance, food and service were divine.  We ordered the three course prix fix with extra sides and the fiery passion mimosas.  Mmm mmm good!  On the pricey side but worth the occassional splurge.

GIRL’S NIGHT OUT: $65

I have another girlfriend who is a spoiled brat and demanded an ENTIRE WEEKEND celebration.  WTF!!  Because I love her so much, I obliged…somewhat. We kicked off Friday with a Girl’s Night Out of food, drinks, and dancing at Eden’s Lounge.

The drinks were strong and the music was LIVE.  Wine, long island ice teas, mai tais, and cosmopolitans were flowing.  Lots of music from the 80s and 90s with a little current day hip hop (if that’s what you want to call it) thrown in for good measure.  Just the way I like it.  But let me tell ya - after several hours with four other women in their late twenties and early thirties, I’ve resigned to accept the fact that I’m getting old.  Mind you, I’m still in my early thirties too, but just call me Sophia from the Golden Girls! LOL!  By 2am, I was sleepy and everyone else was still pumped with energy.  For the next hour, I was begging them…take me home, I’m old, shyt! LOL!

Around 5am, I finally crawled into bed.  The next morning, my shoulders, knees and thighs felt like I just had reconstructive sugery.  Man, I’ve never hurt so bad!! LOL!  My friends had to check on me because they thought I needed a visit to the emergency room. Ha!

THE SPA: $0

I attempted to unwind and regroup on Saturday morning by going solo for a facial.  Being the price conscious person that I am, I decided to try out this Esthetic Institute that offered discounted spa services performed by students.  Hmm…let’s just say, a $30 facial isn’t worth FIFTY CENTS if you feel UNcomfortable the minute you walk through the door.

Dusty cabinets trying to push products?

Carpets with an original color you can’t quite make out?

Students with dingy lab coats and greasy looking hair?

I’m 10 minutes early but you can’t begin because I have to wait for another customer who is already 5 minutes late??  Say that again??????

Oh, because the rooms have shared massage beds and the instructor needs to observe two students at once.  WTF?

Despite my gut instinct, I was still willing to give it a try - until - I was handed a robe and escorted to the bathroom to change.  A horrific smell met me at the door and my eyes did not deceive me.  I wanted to hightail my arse right up out of there with the quick-ness - but - I politely handed the robe back to the instructor and said…

“I’m sorry, I change my mind.  This isn’t for me.”

To which she responded “ok, thanks for visiting!”

There was no, may I ask why?  Can we make you more comfortable?  Did we do anything wrong?  Nada!  As I walked out the door, I realized that I did the best thing and made a mental note to NEVER return.

Listen here patna, if your facility isn’t clean, I’ll be damned if you’re going to touch my face!!  Ewwwww, just ewww!! *stomach turning*

MOTHER-DAUGHTER DAY: $57

After that experience, I was determined to find another way to relax.  No Saturday birthday festivities for me.  While the other ladies attended the MJB/RT concert, I decided to honor a promise to my BabyGirl that we’d have a mother/daughter day at least once a month.

We visited Madame Tussauds wax museum, the MLK memorial library, and ate an early dinner at Fuddruckers.  Strolling the streets of DC on a sunny, breezy, Saturday afternoon without a specific destination, a specific time to be there, or a care in the world was therapy for my mental and physical state.  To add icing to the cake, BabyGirl said she had a good time.  Perrrfect.

DINNER AND A MOVIE: Free Movie Tix + $35

On Sunday, the birthday festivities continued.  First, three of us hit up the movie theater to see The Women.  It was an “ok” chic flick, but not the type of movie you’d rush out to see.  It reminded me of a watered down Sex and the City - without the sex - or the city.  Yep, that’s it.  Nothing else to say.  Moving on…

We met up with another girlfriend and headed to dinner at the waterfront Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse.  The birthday girl was the only one who had not eaten at a Japanese restaurant before, so this was quite the experience for her.  When we were seated at the grill with two couples, we were a little apprehensive because we didn’t want to disturb their romantic evening with our shenanigans.  But they actually turned out to be cool people.  And lawd, was one lady talkative!  I wanted to say, GIRL HUSH!!  But you can tell when you meet someone who doesn’t get out much. LOL!

The food was delish, the conversation was light, and the laughs were plentiful.  One dude was so sharp with his crisp suit and top hat, my girlfriend told him he was “casket ready” - I’m dying laughing writing this - and he said “thanks beautiful” like it was a compliment. ROFL!  But the most memorable event of the night involved the grill fire and Ms. Mouth Almighty’s fake hair.  My other girlfriend told the cook,  [Dollar Bill voice] “You know you done fugged up, right?”  OMG!  I think I swallowed a piece of chicken whole! LMAO!!  I still wonder if he did that on purpose just to make her STFU! LOL!

Overall, it was a good night, a great weekend, and we had a ball.  Well worth the money spent.

Now back to the real world…

The CSS grind is driving me to drinking…in the AM! LOL!