They were all things that I needed. Really. Or at least they're all useful.

I did have a TJ Maxx gift card. Xmas present from the 'rents. I promised msyelf that there would be no clothes shopping. I mean, I can always use more cold weather running gear, but I really do not need any clothing items. Or socks. So I stuck to housewares and I actually did quite well here. I got two cannisters for my flour and sugar, a set of glasses, and a teakettle.

I was getting really tired of crumpling and uncrumpling the sugar bag when I make my coffee in the mornings. Isn't it better to store your sugar and flour in an airtight container anyway? I have a smorgasbord of wine glasses and one pint glass that I got from the brewpub a few blocks over, so I figured I ought to have more than one glass to drink out of (since I prefer them to cups anyway), and it would be nice if they matched as well.

But the teakettle was the big score. I love my french press, and the availability of hot water from the coffee maker at work is fantastic, but how to get hot water at home? Microwaved hot water doesn't stay hot. And there's something just yeesh about it. But a teakettle! This dawned on me about a week ago. Gets the water good and hot, so you get a better brew and the coffee is good and hot to boot. *fist pump*

I was smart enough to park in a central location, so I dropped those bags off at the car and then went to Old Navy. I didn't really expect to find anything here, but I wondered if they might have a sweater I'd like, for work, since it's winter and all. I just bought three sweaters from there not too long ago. All the same style. Two turtlenecks in different colors and one v-neck. They had a handful of those left, in some less-than-desirable colors and sizes. But they had one cream-colored turtleneck in my size. The only one in that color happened to be the right size. It was a sign. I then thought that it would go great with some brown pants, so I looked for brown pants, but they didn't have any that weren't waaaay too long for me.

Hanging above all the pants, though, were button-down shirts which were 50% off! My closet has nothing but button-down shirts in it. But these were half off! So I picked out two stripes and one solid. I mean, I needed that one solid one because it was jewel-toned (green) and for choir when we don't wear all black, we wear black pants with jewel-toned tops. So I needed that one. See? And the other two were darker, more winter-appropriate colors. I can't keep wearing the bright orange one and the bright green one through the winter. Oh yeah, and one cute tank that I can't wear until the summer but hey, it was only $7. The chick at the register said she bought the same one, too, and yeah she couldn't wear it until the summer, but it was only $7, ya know? Yes. Yes, I know.

DSW, well, they were having an additional 50% off all clearance prices, so it would have been a crime not to stop in there. I immediately picked out one pair of black shoes. For work, of course. Less clunky than my clunky black ones, but still wearable in the winter unlike my Skechers. With a heel, even! A little one, but a heel nonetheless. And it would be prudent to have a brown pair as well, so I picked out a brown pair. Which reminds me, I need to try them on with work pants to make sure my cuffs aren't dragging. With all the cash I spent, I'm feeling a little guilty (and re-calculating, and seeing that I probably shouldn't have spent any of that money in the first place). These are the most likely to get returned. Except that I just tried them on with all my work pants and they're great except for with the ones that are a little too long/wide in the leg anyway. So much for that return.

And then today, after a run in the 40-degrees-and-rain in which I wasn't at all uncomfortable except that my hands were chilled, I went shopping for running gloves. My friendly neighborhood locally-owned running store only had two kinds, both of which were over $20! I mean, yeah, they're made out of some fancy fabric and they wick and whatnot, which is what I need them to do, but not if I can get these or these which are still cheaper even after you pay for shipping. I was gonna try a few other running stores in town, but I think I'm just going to order online instead.

I believe I've done enough damage. I'm fulfilled for now.