I don’t know what it is about summer, but I always get the urge to go shopping once the weather starts to warm up. Maybe it’s because I know a break from work is coming, and maybe it’s just that the heat makes me crazy. But every year right around this time, I start feeling an almost uncontrollable urge to spend all of my money on things I don’t need.

It’s a problem, really.

This year, Corey and I are a bit short on funds and I really can’t run around town satisfying my crazy, inexplicable need to shop, so I decided to do a little imaginary virtual shopping instead. I know what you’re thinking – I’m going on an imaginary shopping trip and only giving myself $100? I don’t know – I like a challenge. Plus, I figure keeping it to a reasonable number ensures that even if I do accidentally hit the “purchase” button while I’m browsing (what? It happens!) it won’t be the end of the world.

So, if I had a hundred bucks laying around my house right now, here’s what I’d go buy. I limited myself to home-related items only, though, because if I could include clothes and/or beauty products the money would be gone in about a millisecond.

(Alarm Clock, Target, $9.99)

I think these vintage-looking alarm clocks are incredibly cute, and Corey and I have been looking for one to replace the efficient-but-super-ugly alarm clock that currently lives in our guest room. I love how this one is slightly more modern thanks to the lack of numbers and crisp white color, but the lines on it are still a bit old-fashioned and adorable.

(Bubble Pitcher, West Elm, $19.99)

We are in desperate need of a new pitcher since our old one cracked, and I think this one is perfect! I love the shape of it, and I love the bubbled-glass effect. Pitchers are incredibly important in our house during the summer because we have a pretty constant supply of sangria and strawberry lemonade at all times during the warmer months, so we definitely should replace our old pitcher soon – and this one is on sale!

(Schooner Melamine Salad Plates, West Elm, $2.99 each)

I’ve had a huge crush on these plates ever since West Elm started selling them earlier this year and they’re finally on sale! I think the nautical look is so incredibly cute for outdoor pieces, and I love the look of these melamine plates! These are just the salad plates (and I’m including two of each design in my total, which means the total is $18) but they also have corresponding melamine dinner plates that are white with a cute lime green rim around the outside. How adorable would a set of these be on an outdoor table for a nice, al fresco dinner? I’m getting hungry just thinking about it!

(Painted Amaryllis Spoon Rest, Anthropologie, $10.00)

I am in love with this spoon rest! We have a plain ol’ stainless steel spoon rest hanging out on our counter, and I’d love to upgrade to something pretty like this! The colors in it are beautiful, and I like that it has such a busy pattern, because it would hide the food so much better than our plain, stainless one – I feel like I’m constantly cleaning it!

(Etched Elephant Pillow, Urban Outfitters, $29.99)

I have a thing for quirky throw pillows (as well as a thing for elephants) so this adorable little elephant pillow totally speaks to me. I think it would be such a fun touch for our couch along with all of our other throw pillows – we could use a nice black and white pillow in the mix! I love how graphic this guy is – and he’s pretty cute too, no?

(Teal Stripe Serving Tray, Target, $9.99)

I love this striped serving tray from Target – it would be perfect for some grilling or even just to set out on the table to hold some cute planters or something. I love the colors in it, and I’m always a huge fan of stripes!

And that’s one hundred (imaginary) dollar spent! Now let’s just hope I can resist actually pulling the trigger on buying any of these things – and maybe this little virtual shopping trip will satisfy my urge for a little while!

Am I the only one who gets an urge to shop around this time of year? What would you buy if you had a hundred bucks lying around?

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