Thursday, December 22, 2011

All About the Options

by Stephanie Beck

My dad used to say the guy who bought a car with all the options was a sucker. The classics are called ‘classic’ for a reason and it’s because they are necessary, never go out of style and fulfill all basic needs.

My husband disagrees. He says the person who buys a car with all the options, but gets the sales guy to throw them in for a good price is the one who drives away with the wind in his hair from the open sun roof, his ass warm from the heated leather seats and a fake flashing light to keep away the morons who are tempted by the leather.

The whole idea of something being optional centers around that it’s just not necessary. When I read a recipe and it says ‘nuts optional’ I assume the recipe is just as good without it. In some cases I think the nut option is delicious, and others it’s highly overrated...my friend, f/f romance writer, Sullivan Hart would agree with that notion.

With endless color charts and silliness in some options, sometimes I wish them away. I don’t really need to have five thousand options for colors to paint my house. Yet...the freedom in choice is so addictive and strengthening. Options and the ability to make our own decisions is part of what makes us human and exciting.
What would life be without options? Would you like fries with that? I get some of my biggest self brownie points when I say, “No, I’ll take the fruit instead.” No choice between ‘decaf or regular’--we’d all just be grumpy or bouncing off the walls. And a world without ‘boxers or briefs’...I simply don’t want to be a part of a world without that particular option.

**When was the last time you splurged on an ‘option’? Did you add chocolate glaze to your Christmas cookies when they didn’t really need it? Did you buy that extra candle with your purchase of ten dollars or more?  Share your tale of decadence and be entered to win a Christmas prize pack including some of my favorite indulgences. 
Make sure to leave your email address!**

Panties Optional by Stephanie Beck

Blurb:

Maggie Chase has a wild night of passion planned with the help of Madame Evangeline’s dating service, 1NightStand. A single night with an incredible man, what more can a busy girl ask for?

Sam Peterson requests that Madame Evangeline help him find a woman who isn’t after him for his money. Maggie may just fit the bill, but with her list of fantasies in hand, she may be more than he bargained for.

Forever isn’t on either one of their minds, but maybe it doesn’t have to be.

Christmas Sneak Peek:
“Maggie Chase?”
“That’s me,” she said, adjusting her purse higher on her shoulder. The big tote didn’t quite match her outfit, but the sexy clutch she preferred wouldn’t have held a change of clothes and her toothbrush.
“Follow me, please. Madame Evangeline has arranged for your caller to meet you in the lounge.”
Lounge. Which meant they were going to the super-fancy part of the Castillo. She loved how decadent she felt within the expensive, gorgeous walls of the hotel. Rare art and beautiful fabrics surrounded her at every corner. As an interior decorator, she recognized them for the treasures they were. Could they have held back on the gold plating? Sure, but it suited the hotel and Vegas lifestyle.
As they meandered through the crowd, Maggie wondered why she wasn’t more nervous. One-night stands and paid escorts never entered her normal strategies for getting laid. Not that she expected the guy waiting for her to be some gigolo, but still, hooking up with a stranger to get string-free sex should have felt at least a little wrong. And maybe it did. Maybe that little bit of naughty provided the catalyst making her so hot.
Her escort stopped short, and Maggie nearly tripped. She grabbed the booth end before she fell on her ass and embarrassed herself, while forcing her heels to stop before she impaled the poor man. The stilettos were tall and wickedly sharp. They were plain wicked, but that didn’t mean she wanted to draw blood with them.
“Mr. Peterson, allow me to introduce Ms. Chase. If either of you have a need, wave from here. I’ll be watching.”
With those instructions, the liaison walked away. Despite the dim light, Maggie could see the man across from her. A stranger. A hot stranger wearing a gray shirt too nice to be called casual but far from fussy. He stood and offered a hand, showing a slim-to-the-point-of-scrawny frame, but when he leaned forward, his face, lean like the rest of him, made her breath catch.

20 comments:

  1. Oh that was a clever post! Optional extras - not sure it really counts but I spent almost $50 in Macey's and so almost qualified for $15 off. I had to spend a few dollars more. Yes, I went for chocolate. I could have looked for something less fattening and more useful but no - that Godiva bar just leapt into my hand. Then into my mouth - just like magic!

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  2. I love the options choice. That's like getting a Christmas gift all year round. I have been shopping at Walgreens lately and receiving the Jingle Cash. Depending on how much you spend you get so much off your purchase the following week with the coupon. I love coupons...LOL

    Merry Christmas!!!
    koonie2888 at yahoo dot com

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  3. Stores here this Christmas had the option when you buy $50 get 15% off. So I bought the extra item to get the 15% off.I also try the different options in recipes.to see which ones I like best.

    Happy Holidays!
    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

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  4. Thanks for stopping, ladies! I'm sooo with you with the coupons and the spend so much, get this extra deals. Even though I know the company more than made their money off me, I still walk away with a spring in my step :)

    Stephanie Beck
    www.stephaniebeck.net

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  5. I always splurge when I go to Starbucks on Sundays. I'm already consuming a large amount of calories so I just add more by getting whole milk, whip cream, and an extra shot of syrup. Yeah it costs more and is much fatter, but darn it's enjoyable.

    Happy Holidays!

    joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com

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  6. Several years ago, I bought a new computer with extras, then I decided to add a new upgraded printer and a cordless phone set for my office. Basically, I did an office upgrade and loved it.

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

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  7. Okay...here's what I did today. I promised my sis in law that I'd make her Amish bread and the bread will of course rise better in the warm kitchen so why not make chocolate chip cookies. and won't they be better with cocoa and slivered almonds...a little cinnamon and nutmeg? AND while they bake...cocoa Krispie treats made with ACTUAL chocolate marshmallows and chocolate chips...does that count at decadent? lol Ok gotta go punch down my dough

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  8. Mmmm, an extra shot of chocolate and real whipped cream. Upgraded electronics--wonderful use of the 'option'.

    Thanks for stopping by!
    Stephanie Beck
    www.stephaniebeck.net

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  9. The Yankee Candle company is issuing some amazing coupons this week. So after I snagged a couple of candle deals for my sister's, I snagged one just for me.


    caity_mack at yahoo dot com

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  10. A good bottle of buttery Chardonnay, crusty bread, salty olives, triple creme brie, something decadently chocolate for dessert, warmed massage oil and a backrub with all the fixins.

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  11. I had ice cream with dinner tonight. Does that count? I'm going to say it counts LOL.

    My van, however, was a splurge of the sort your husband likes. I knew what I wanted, knew what my old van was worth, and knew that my husband wanted me to buy used and not new. We ended up at a dealership (his idea), they not only had the van I wanted (exact color and option level), but even my husband admitted the used ones didn't come close to measuring up. Then the salesman blue-booked our old van and accidentally offered us the "personal sale" value as our trade-in (more or less double what he should have). Needless to say, we got the new van.

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  12. About the last spurge that I can remember is getting the 3G on my Kindle. Even though pretty much anywhere I use it will have Wi-Fi access, and of course I already have tons of books on it so I always have something to read, I just wanted it "just in case". Books & reading are definitely something I splurge on.
    Happy holidays!
    manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

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  13. I always splurge on books. :) If I need to spend an extra couple of dollars to get free shipping, I will. It usually works out cheaper in the long run. :)

    Happy Holidays!

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  14. I haven't indulged myself lately, but after reading your post I feel the need to!

    elena(at)elenagray.com

    Happy Holidays!

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  15. So many wonderful little (and not so little) indulgences! They make life sweeter. I'm also a sucker for free shipping....one more little thing to save an extra few dollars--totally worth it. Thanks for stopping by, ladies!

    Stephanie Beck
    www.stephaniebeck.net

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  16. I added a red satin pencil skirt to my online shopping cart because it put me over the $100 mark on my order. By doing so I got a $20 gift card to use on a future order. I'm a sucker for those kind of indulgences. The red skirt wasn't in my purchase plan but I'm glad I got it. Everyone needs a red skirt. ;)

    geishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com

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  17. LOL Fun post! Just yesterday we browsed the after-Christmas sales and the sweaters at Eddie Bauer were 50% off, so of course I had to buy two since it was like paying for one! Plus I bought a new coat I didn't strictly have to have...both definite optional indulgences! :) laurakayeauthor @ gmail.com

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  18. I recently bought an extra 5 pairs of socks, to get my shipping upgraded to priority for free. Now that I'm trying to fit all those socks in my drawer, I'm wondering if it was such a good deal.

    drainbamaged.gyzmo at gmail.com

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  19. I buy shoes...boots. You know it doesn't matter if you loose or gain weight...your shoe size stays the same! So, I recently...ok, last week...purchased this FAB pair of black knee high suede boots when we were out doing some last minute Christmas shopping. They were on sale...sooo cute! I couldn't help myself. I probably should have wrapped them and put a tag on the box that said from Santa, huh? ;)

    barbbattaglia at yahoo dot com

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  20. Thanks for stopping by and sharing all your favorite indulgences! The winner of my goodie bag is Cathy M. Cathy, I'll be emailing you soon! Happy New Year, everyone!!
    Stephanie Beck
    www.stephaniebeck.net

    ReplyDelete