misosouper, a shopping blog

A few years ago, I stumbled upon Alice’s site The Carrotbox while trying to replace a beloved jade flea market ring. I scored my ring, then another in Murano glass, and another in regular glass, and another in plastic…

She’s got a lot of goodies, and I’m particularly tempted because I only wear non-metal jewels on my right hand. (Curious, I know. But I like the juxtaposition of delicate wedding band on left hand, and chunky fun ring on the right. Not that wedding rings aren’t fun. But I digress.)

Like this wooden gem: so sculptural and low profile. She’s got limited quantities, so you better beat me there.

In honor of Earth Day: a lamp made out of rope that would look fabulous suspending a CFL bulb.

As I was poking around my local Anthropologie last week, I sidled up next to a girl wearing a yellow cami-grey skinny jean ensemble, finished off with a pair of impossibly chic printed flats. Because she dangled a Neiman’s bag from her finger, I assumed the shoes were too spendy for my feet, and let her go without as much as a compliment. After I got home, some internet sleuthing revealed that her shoes were from Target. So I salute you, unnamed shopping buddy with great taste: you’re not only chic but cheap, a girl after my own heart.

Easily mistaken for breath fresheners, but oh, aren’t these bathroom soaps lovely?

We’ve never gotten around to buying a dining room table, probably because when you’re cheap, it’s hard to justify spending upwards of $2K on something you only use a few times a year.

Our justification has arrived, in the form of a sleek, linear design that opens to reveal a regulation-size pool table, so that I can host a dinner party, then hustle all my money back when the dishes are cleared. We’re cheap, remember?

(FYI…I e-mailed the company for info on US retailers and prices, and didn’t receive an answer. So file this under the category of you-can’t-afford-it-if-you-have-to-ask.)