What do you want? Stuff@Night readers share their favorite splurges

by Heather Bouzan, 03-24-2008

THE IPHONE. Super-fancy underpants. The triple-chocolate-orgasm-fudge-explosion ice cream that’s forever leering at us from inside its frost-bitten glass case. What do they have in common? All three rank on our list of must-have splurges. But what about the rest of you? We checked in with some enthusiastic bar patrons at Vox Populi to find out.

Julie Dunn
Age: 27
Occupation: medical researcher
From: Quincy
What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve ever splurged on?
It was probably a gown for a gala I went to a few years ago. It was at the Four Seasons for the March of Dimes, so I had to go all out. It’s charity, so it gives you an excuse to splurge.
What’s your favorite place in Boston to splurge?
Either the Coach store in the Pru or someplace great to go out with friends, like Excelsior for cocktails and appetizers. More than a material thing, I’d rather spend money on creating a great experience with friends.
What’s your favorite thing to splurge on?
Makeup at Sephora and really good wine and chocolate. Those are my three big things.
What’s your biggest “dream splurge”?
Trip around the world, hands down — with all my friends.
What’s your most recent big purchase?
My condo.
What are you saving for right now?
I am saving up for a really great European vacation that will include a lot of wine and chocolate tasting.

Kevin Loughlin
Age: 26
Occupation: sales
From: Newburyport
What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve ever splurged on?
I just went to the Bahamas. I spent about nine grand down there, so …
What’s your favorite place in Boston to splurge?
Abe & Louie’s.
What’s your favorite thing to splurge on?
Sporting events.
What’s your biggest “dream splurge”?
A boat. I really want a boat.
What’s your most recent big purchase?
I bought a Lexus.
What are you saving for right now?
A beach house.

Lisa Del Toro
Age: 30
Occupation: flight attendant
From: Winthrop
What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve ever splurged on?
I went to San Diego for mussels. And fish tacos. I’m a flight attendant, so it’s not a huge splurge, but it was just go there, have dinner, come back.
What’s your favorite place in Boston to splurge?
I like Fleming’s, as far as a restaurant goes. Oh, and Nordstrom.
What’s your favorite thing to splurge on?
I like to splurge on myself. I like massages, I like pedicures, I like manicures. I think it’s important that if you’re going to splurge on something, you should splurge on yourself.
What’s your biggest “dream splurge”?
If money’s not an object, Bali. I would like a cabana on the water. I’d like someone bringing fresh seafood and fruit daily. I’d like to hike up a volcano — which I’ve done, actually. And deep-sea fishing.
What’s your most recent big purchase?
My car.
What are you saving for right now?
A house.

Chris Scully
Age: 32
Occupation: antique dealer
From: Winthrop
What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve ever splurged on?
Rims.
What’s your favorite place in Boston to splurge?
I’d say Urban Outfitters.
What’s your favorite thing to splurge on?
Clothes.
What’s your biggest “dream splurge”?
A ski house. Or a helicopter — that would be even better.
What’s your most recent big purchase?
An antique chest of drawers.
What are you saving for right now?
A ring. And a house.

Kara Henson
Age: 29
Occupation: sales coordinator
From: Back Bay
What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve ever splurged on?
A couture gown; it was a Valentino.
What’s your favorite place in Boston to splurge?
It would be Louis Vuitton.
What’s your favorite thing to splurge on?
I would say travel.
What’s your biggest “dream splurge”?
I guess jewelry.
What’s your most recent big purchase?
A bag — Fendi.
What are you saving for right now?
Real estate.

Chip Flowers
Age: 33
Occupation: attorney
From: Back Bay
What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve ever splurged on?
Probably an unplanned date with a former girlfriend of mine. I surprised her with a trip to this wonderful resort in Mexico.
What’s your favorite place in Boston to splurge?
The Gucci store. If you can’t spoil yourself there, where can you? And Saks, too.
What’s your favorite thing to splurge on?
A suit. There’s nothing better than a quality Armani suit.
What’s your biggest “dream splurge”?
The biggest dream splurge would be a villa on the French Riviera. And then, of course, in the back yard would be a vineyard. If money wasn’t an object, that would be the first thing I would buy.
What’s your most recent big purchase?
A Gucci trench coat. That was nice.
What are you saving for right now?
I am saving up for a nice, expensive Parisian vacation. A nice two-month vacation in Paris.

Carolyn Schwartz
Age: 26
Occupation: sales manager
From: Back Bay
What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve ever splurged on?
A dress from Saks — it was Diane von Furstenberg. And I never wear it. That’s what makes it outrageous.
What’s your favorite place in Boston to splurge?
Urban Outfitters.
What’s your favorite thing to splurge on?
Definitely clothes.
What’s your biggest “dream splurge”?
A house in Miami or the Greek islands.
What’s your most recent big purchase?
Diane von Furstenberg luggage — but I got it for a really good deal. I’m a splurger, but I try to find really good deals.
What are you saving for right now?
To buy a condo.

[Photos by Melissa Ostrow]

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Stephen said:

There is no attorney licensed to practice in Massachusetts (who would be 33 years old) with the last name of Flowers. So aside from being obnoxiously pretentious, "Chip" is also a fraud.

massbbo.org/bbolookup.php

March 30, 2008 11:17 AM

Heather said:

Kevin Loughlin is one sexy betch..who in fact fulfilled his biggest splurge dream and went and bought himseld a boat just 3 days after the interview. muust be niice.

March 31, 2008 1:12 AM