Treat yo self

There are many ways that people choose to indulge. Some people get their nails done (ladies mostly? Though...who am I to really say?). Some people buy fancy cars. Some lie on their couch and do jack shit. Some ducks swim in gold coins...

On an episode of 'Parks and Recreation' from this season, Donna and Tom introduced us to an annual event call Treat Yo Self day. On Treat Yo Self day they indulge themselves in things they wouldn't normally. It's the one day of the year where it's OK for them to buy 1000 thread count sheets, and say 'YES' to champagne and try on tuxedos/crystal encrusted beetle pins.



Interesting concept.

As a single person living in New York City, I find it hard to relate to Treat Yo Self day. Not because I'm a simpleton who doesn't believe in self-indulgence.

Actually, it's the opposite.

New Yorkers who are single, and don't have responsibilities besides, like, paying rent, and looking cute treat themselves to everything all the time. Starbucks coffee. Bagel sandwiches. Take out lunches every day. The newest clothing trends on a whim. Fancy dinners because it's Tuesday and steak on Tuesday, if it isn't already, should totally be an American custom.

That being said, Debbie and I were very taken by the idea of 'Treat Yo Self Day' and decided we needed to embody Tom and Donna. We needed to do this.

It's been an interesting process for us. When there are so many possible ways to treat yourself, how do you go about doing it? There are so many options but...what's the ULTIMATE indulgence? What is our equivalent of crystal beetle jewelry and fancy suits? Here's what we've been doing.

Treat Yo Self night 1:
Treat Yo Self night 1 took place at my apartment. It was a Friday night and Debbie and I decided that the optimal way to indulge would be in sweatpants. I mean, elastic waist bands are the epitome of luxury, don't you think? You don't think so? Well...you can show yourself the way out.

Once we were appropriately dressed, we ordered in some tasty BBQ Queens-style, drank some homemade cocktails, sliced some cheese and finished up 'The Wire'. At the time, it seemed appropriate (and fancy). At the time it seemed like the only way we COULD treat our selves.

(Artist's rendering of the night. Yeah...there was an artist there...)

But...we knew that we had more work to do and "Treat Yo Self" as a philosophy and a way of life couldn't be fulfilled in one night (even if it was a Friday night). Pajamas were comfortable and indulgent but...what about material indulgence? What about shopping? What about spending money in a frivolous way? Yeah we'd paid for dinner and cheese...but everything else we already owned...everything else was too EASY.

Treat Yo Self Day 1 (because there will obviously be more)

So, we decided to do a Treat Yo Self Day...obviously. Part 1 was going to be a MASSAGE because a) they cost money and b) are indulgent and c) are awesome and d) I could really go for a massage right now. HMM. We purchased a stone massage through Groupon EXCEPT...they were booked on the Saturday we'd allotted as 'Treat Yo Self'. RUDE. What else could we do to treat ourselves...

This is what we decided on:
Brunch - with booze! And doughnuts! And various seafood elements (out of season no less!)

Shopping - In Queens...uh. Well, yeah. We realized at some point during the day that shopping in Queens is almost punishment, as opposed to a treat but...in the end, after a trip to TJMAXX where I almost got snow boots (huh?) and Debbie almost got a glass jar for flour (really?) we dropped big bucks at Century 21 where Debbie got a FANCYYYY Michael Kors watch and I got TWO watches (why have one watch when you can have two? that's a thing, right?). And measuring cups. And cheese knives that have mini cheeses for the handles.

(SOMETHING like this)

Drinks - At a LEGENDARY Queens establishment (by "legendary" I mean that I've heard of it / stand outside it when I take the q101 bus from Ditmars to my place). I got a Dirty Shirley - yeahhhhh. Debbie got a Manhattan (irony? UGH. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!?!). And we had this awesome fried mozzarella in tomato sauce dish cuz, you know, we were so hungry.


Fancy Dinner - We went to a place in a) Tribeca (fancy) called Landmarc. We split a b) bottle of wine ( fancy) and had c) steak (fancy) d) sweetbreads (fancy) and e) foie gras. WHAT?!It was really tasty. We both wore our new watches (well, I just wore one of them...ahem).

TWO PARTIES - Really cool people often have more than one social engagement on a given weekend night. On Treat Yo Self day, Debbie and I were in their company. We had a karaoke engagement followed by a Mardi Gras party (where I ate a lot more cuz, you know, I can do that...).

In conclusion: food, shopping, friends, alcohol, meat (oysters, crab, steak, goose, chicken, lamb, lunch meats - I consumed all those things on Saturday) = how I treat myself. Stay tuned for upcoming events!