Facials - a friend gave me a $100 gift certificate that she wasn't going to use. It was to a fancy pants spa with lots of different services. I chose a facial just to see what all the fuss was about. It was ok, I suppose, but after I was done I walked out, thinking to myself, "people spend A HUNDRED DOLLARS for that??????"
Basically everything at Sur La Table, a fancy pants French version of Williams Sonoma in Houston. It was fun to go in a look around; my daughter and I found a display of coffee machines that started at $1500, going up to about $4k. There were cups/stirrers/sugar/creamer out, so we made ourselves some coffee from the display. I chose the most expensive machine, of course. Sales lady wasn't too happy with us - apparently you're supposed to ask, although there was no sign saying as such. Yes, the coffee was good. But not that much better than my $30 one at home.
Years ago on Oprah, I saw a group of stars talking about experiences that changed their lives. Julia Roberts talked about how she visited Tibet, lived with the people in their huts, ate their food, helped tend goats, care for babies, etc. Oprah turned to Billy Crystal and asked him to share. Without missing a beat he replied, "I shopped retail once".
Every time I'm in a nice store and I see all the full price, expensive displays of whatever, I wonder who on earth pays full price for this stuff? I've done it on occasion for loved ones, not for me, and just don't do it any more.
I have a friend with connections who got me and three friends one night in a beautiful suite at the Waldorf in NYC. Cost us about $80 apiece. I'm glad I did it, will never in my life forget this breathtaking hotel with it's art deco ambience, but would never pay the full price for it.