The crazily expensive pumps that I bought in the sale

Here I am, lying on the couch at eight o'clock in the evening, while Jon has already gone to bed because he is still struggling with a serious jet lag. A bit bored, I open my laptop and check if the sale in America has started yet. I always find it a treat to browse online shops here, as many brands are cheaper than in Europe or not even available to us.

Unbeknownst to me, I click on designersale and end up at Macy’s (you know, that gigantic department store where they sell just about everything). And while I click through the pages somewhat absentmindedly, my eye suddenly catches halfway down the page: this can't be true! My absolute favorite Balenciaga pumps are in the 50% sale! From the moment I saw them live on the feet of the Van Lexmond sisters, I dreamed of these beauties. But way too expensive, so I had immediately dismissed this dream as a deception.

These highly sought-after shoes never go on sale, so I knew right away: this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Quickly, I click on the shoes and let out a small squeal of joy: THERE IS STILL ONE PAIR AVAILABLE, EXACTLY IN MY SIZE! With a heart rate of 110, I click on the shopping cart and before I know it, I'm entering my credit card details. At checkout, I wake up from my daze: sale or not, it's still a hell of a lot of money for a pair of shoes... But yes, they are sold out everywhere AND now also on sale. Would I still want those pumps so badly if they were sitting in front of me on the shelf? While the angel and the devil on my shoulders continue to debate, I receive an email confirming my order. Damn. There goes my entire vacation budget. For one pair of shoes that I wonder if I really need.

This whole incident would never have happened if I had to physically go to the store to even find this offer, if it hadn't already been snatched away by another eager shopper right in front of me. I make a pact with myself that I will first look and feel very carefully if these shoes are really that dream, and otherwise they will go back. Tomorrow, I’ll just go to bed early with Jon and turn on airplane mode on all internet devices in the house...