On Frivolous Shopping and a Lorikeet Kimono Shrug

Day 87 - Project 365 - 27th Mar 08 - LONG-AWAITED PACKAGEWhen I received the instructions: “Make sure to buy something frivolous!” - after I received a Christmas cash pressie over 3 months ago, I didn’t quite know what to purchase. My first instinct was to buy art/craft materials - or a new accessory for my camera. But apparently, those things aren’t frivolous enough.

Frivolous items, I was told by a few folks, are things that you normally wouldn’t buy for yourself. Something like a fur hat or a feather boa.

Ah, yes. Those. Definitely NOT stuff I’d buy for myself.

So, how do you actually buy something frivolous? If you won’t normally buy it, how do you go looking for it?

Then, I remembered coming across this Etsy listing by a Chicago-based craftswoman called Janet Lyn. She called her hand knitted creation, the Lorikeet Kimono Shrug.

Just the name alone captured my fancy, seeing as I associate the term lorikeet to Aussie birds that I fell in love with when I first visited this beautiful country. And, who doesn’t like the idea of wearing anything close to a kimono? That mixture of Western + Eastern imagery captured my mind and my heart.

But, I’ve never bought a shrug. Let alone, a custom-made one. So, I simply marked the item as a ‘fave’ on Etsy, and moved on.

With my Christmas money + the frivolous shopping instruction, I found myself going back to that Lorikeet Kimono Shrug listing. And, before I could stop myself from giving in to frivolity, I clicked on the ‘Buy’ button. Yes, even if it was the middle of summer here Down Under at the time!

Three months after I placed that order, the shrug arrived at my doorstep. And, of course, I couldn’t resist a photo op for my 365 project -

Day 87 - 365 Days - 27th Mar 08: LORIKEET KIMONO SHRUG

And, the back view -

Day 87 Alternate - Lorikeet Kimono Shrug (Back View)

What luxury it is to own and wear something that you know was made for you by someone. The shrug is soft, very colourful, warm… beautiful. It came with a strong scent of something I couldn’t name - but will forever associate with this item.

Although I had to wait 3 months for it to arrive, I didn’t mind so much, seeing as we were having heat waves here just a couple of weeks ago. A shrug wasn’t actually one that I’d want to wear for that type of weather. And now, it came just in time for the cooler weather. Perfect for Autumn!

How about you? Have you bought anything frivolous lately? If you were given a few hundred dollars to spend on something totally frivolous - what will you buy and why?

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This entry was written by Shai Coggins, posted on 28 March 2008 at 10:58 pm, filed under Shopping + Girl Stuff and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment or leave a trackback.

10 Comments

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  1. Denise
    Posted 29 March 2008 at 4:46 am | Permalink
    1

    oooh very nice.. next time you want something knit for you.. let me know!
    I just bought two Blythe dolls.. sort of half frivolous half investestment!

    [Reply]

    Shai Coggins reply on March 31st, 2008:

    Denise: Ooohh… really? Do you have a catalogue of stuff that you usually knit? I think that’s the thing - I don’t really know what I want when it comes to these things - until I see it. Anyway, congrats on your purchase. I have no idea about dolls and their value - but it sounds like you’re quite happy. :)
    [Reply]
  2. Nicola
    Posted 29 March 2008 at 5:44 am | Permalink
    2

    Wow, it looks awesome! I did come across an amount of money recently, but so far no frivolous purchasing. I’ve bought a heater for winter, a new iron, paid a bill, got my sewing machine serviced, a couple of much needed clothing items for work, a new kitchen knife, an extension cord, a birthday present and this cool little oil measure and pour thing for the kitchen. All very practical!! Though some things I would normally have had to really plan carefully to purchase, so the money made things easier. There is still some left, it’s stashed away for a rainy day, so maybe I will come across something totally frivolous on said rainy day and buy it :-)

    [Reply]

    Shai Coggins reply on March 31st, 2008:

    Nicola: I tend to buy practical stuff too. Or something that’s not ‘needed’ but seriously wanted and can be useful (books, gadgets, etc). In any case, let me know if you do end up with something frivolous. It’s interesting to know what folks end up buying! :-)
    [Reply]
  3. Heather
    Posted 29 March 2008 at 9:26 am | Permalink
    3

    Oh yummy, Shai, what a gorgeous shrug. I think you’ll be living in it once the weather gets even cooler. A fantastic frivolous buy. I do this every now and then, but at this time of the morning, with little sleep, I have no idea what I’ve bought. Lol. Keep up the excellent photos. ;-)

    [Reply]

    Shai Coggins reply on March 31st, 2008:

    Heather: That’s the funny thing about frivolous things - sometimes, they seem too good to wear on a regular basis. Bleech. :-p Really should just get over that thought and have fun with it while it lasts. ;-) So funny why you end up forgetting the frivolous things you buy. Thanks for your kind words!
    [Reply]
  4. Em Dy
    Posted 29 March 2008 at 12:13 pm | Permalink
    4

    Pretty. Reminds me of Joseph the dreamer and his robe of many colors. Was that a self-portrait? Nice…

    [Reply]

    Shai Coggins reply on March 31st, 2008:

    Em Dy: Yes, it’s a self portrait. And you’re right - it does seem like Joseph the Dreamer’s rainbow-coloured coat. :-D At least, I don’t think my siblings will be throwing me anywhere and selling me to strangers. ;-)
    [Reply]

    Sasha reply on April 1st, 2008:

    Hey, didn’t we already do that to you? Sold you off to a stranger who whisked you off to Australia and had 2 gorgeous little ones. Wehehe. ;)

    [Reply]

    Shai Coggins reply on April 1st, 2008:

    Sasha: If one of those people who want to insult me for marrying a ‘Westerner’ were to come and read what you wrote, they’ll probably believe you. :-p I’ve already been accused of that sort of thing way more times than I’d care to bother. Ergh.
    [Reply]
  5. Kay/Murfomurf
    Posted 29 March 2008 at 5:30 pm | Permalink
    5

    Hey- LOVE the colours of the Lorikeet Shrug! Glad you got this for yourself- it’s absolutely unique and looks much as I imagine your personality would like. I’m an absolute colour fruitcake, so I’d make something like this for myself, given half a chance. However, after numerous experiences knitting for others, I wouldn’t do it for anyone else, so you’re lucky to have contacted this craftsperson, Janet. I’m knitting a jacket at the moment from a fibre that’s 80% soy and 20% lambswool- it is soft and silky and shiny- I’m amazed! I’ll stick a photo in my blog when I’ve finished.
    Have fun wearing yoour lovely frivolity!

    [Reply]

    Shai Coggins reply on March 31st, 2008:

    Kay: Will you believe me if I tell you I’m actually a lot more shy/introverted than I look like in my self portraits?!

    Anyway, yeah, I LOVE colours too. I don’t think I can ever knit for anyone else either. I started a knitting project ages ago and I still haven’t finished it. So, no way can I knit to give/sell. :-)

    Looking forward to seeing a photo of your own handmade jacket! It sounds lovely.

    [Reply]
  6. Christina
    Posted 29 March 2008 at 9:35 pm | Permalink
    6

    Shai - that is amazing - it looks sooooooooooo beautiful on you!!!

    [Reply]

    Shai Coggins reply on March 31st, 2008:

    Christina! It’s so funny - we talk all the time and yet I got so excited seeing your comment here. :-) Thanks so much.
    [Reply]
  7. Nenette
    Posted 30 March 2008 at 3:45 am | Permalink
    7

    I LOVE IT!!! Great way to model it too… it looks so luxurious, and we see all the wonderful colors!
    I’d probably want to buy the same thing! :)

    [Reply]

    Shai Coggins reply on March 31st, 2008:

    Nenette: Thanks so much. Yes, the colours are incredible. Do let me know if you get one of ‘em too. ;-)
    [Reply]
  8. Sasha
    Posted 30 March 2008 at 10:09 pm | Permalink
    8

    Aha. I recognise that dress. I miss that dress. LOL. Awesome looking shrug! Great choice! :)

    [Reply]

    Shai Coggins reply on March 31st, 2008:

    Sasha: LOL. Yes - I sort of unofficially ‘inherited’ that dress ’cause of your over baggage. Hehe. I don’t actually wear it that often ’cause I want a better ‘cover’ for it - not my usual blazers/jackets. Maybe I can wear it more now that I have this shrug. ;-)
    [Reply]
  9. Janetlyn
    Posted 1 April 2008 at 2:03 pm | Permalink
    9

    It truly looks beautiful on you! I’m glad you like it! If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to contact me. Your satisfaction is my goal!

    [Reply]

    Shai Coggins reply on April 7th, 2008:

    Janetlyn: Thank you. It is a beautiful shrug. Will contact you on Etsy re: my earlier message.
    [Reply]
  10. toni
    Posted 3 April 2008 at 2:55 pm | Permalink
    10

    That is EXQUISITE!!! And it suits you so well!

    I haven’t been buying anything frivolous lately. I should play naughty one of these days!

    [Reply]

    Shai Coggins reply on April 7th, 2008:

    toni: Aw, thanks girl! Yes - go, go, go. Something inherently fun with frivolous shopping. I don’t do it often, but I think it’s cool. :)
    [Reply]

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