Shopping ban? What's that?

Damn me and my extremely flighty willpower. I went shopping yesterday. At Ann Taylor Loft.

But they were having a sale! And, in my defense, I bought 3 things and none were more than $10. I spent $23 total.

But why, oh why, has my willpower abandoned me? I blame February.

February has many things wrong with it:

• It's usually the coldest and cloudiest here in Arkansas.
  
• Our one winter snow has usually come and gone by mid-Feb., as has Christmas and New Years, so we have nothing left to look forward to.
  
• President's day is in February. Lots of my friends get that day off, but NOT ME.
  
  

Then again, February has lots of things RIGHT with it:

• SALES!!!!!!!

Like the one at Ann Taylor Loft. The stuff I bought was on such clearance that the Web site has already taken off the photos of it. But let me just say, I bought an amazing dress for $4.98! Photos to come!

Then again, I have been a good girl. I sold some stuff on eBay. And with that money, bought Frontline for the dogs. AND THIS DRESS!

I used to be obsessed with dresses from the 60s when I was in High School. They abounded at my local Savers. Alas, that was many years ago and the stock of mod shift dresses has been severely thinned over the years. But here I am, back to my roots, buying this psychedelic print dress! I LOVE bright colors. I just have to watch that I don't end up looking like Bozo's (much hotter and funnier) sidekick.

Naughtiness

Ya'll, I have a confession. I have been cheating on my Zimbabwe Challenge.
Up until the past week I have been doing really well. Only buying used stuff. Thrift stores and Estate Sales.

But about a month ago I started Weight Watchers after my doc told me to drop a few pounds. So far I have lost about 7 pounds. As little as that seems, my clothes are actually starting to droop, and as a result, I kinda feel like a frump now and then. Especially today. I have on these ill fitting dress pants from the Limited that I have already altered, but now I think they are beyond hope. This is a good thing. But also a bad thing. You know?


PLUS, it's starting to get really cold here, and waking up in a cold bedroom at 6 a.m. does NOT make me want to don a cute dress with tights. I want some warm-ass pants dammit!

So under the pressure of my own frumpiness (and chilliness) I went to Ann Taylor Loft today and bought a new pair of pants. They were on clearance for $19.99. Black denim trousers. There is no photo on the Loft's Web site, so you will just have to see them later!


Oh, and I bought two sweaters. Well one sweater really, because they are having a Buy One Get One Free sale right now.

So there you have it, my cheatin' heart.

Oh wait, there's more. I also bought the CUTEST new dress at TJ Maxx on Monday. It was $7.

Yes yes yes, I need photos of all these things and more! Who wants to read a photoless fashion blog? Not me!

Until then, however, I will leave you with these incredibly entertaining shots of Miss Brooke Hogan.

Really, why even bother with the pants?

And the even classier view from the back.

Notice the cargo pocket on her boob. For extra nipple storage?

All she needs is a rhinestone and feather headdress and looks like Cher has some stiff new competition!

Then again, she never really had much of chance.

Just teasing myself

I am proud to say, I am doing quite well on my Zimbabwe Challenge. The trip has been scheduled for the end of May, and so far I have over half my money saved up (thanks mostly to several freelance jobs!)

A tried and true Internet shopper, I get several e-mail alerts a day notifying me to sales and specials on various interweb stores. Nowadays I mostly delete those e-mails, as not to tempt myself, but today, I got one from Piperlime and foolishly opened it. What's this? 30% off? I clicked.


And look, just look, at these adorable shoes! God I love fringe. And teal.


It hurts me that I cannot buy these. But what makes me feel better, is at $239 ON SALE, I wouldn't have been able to buy them anyway. Now I shall just search for cheap imitations!

More: Oh shoes. How I love you. You never make me feel fat, or disproportionate. You are so pretty and I never have to get you dry cleaned.

In other news ...

Like mother like daughter. My mom loves to shop too. She recently cleaned out her closet and was generous enough to let me rifle through her unwanted duds and take whatever I thought might sell on eBay. I ended up with a huge stack of lovely Ralph Lauren, Talbots, Chicos and Liz Claiborne tops and pants to put up for auction. With this money, I shall ... well I'm not sure yet.

To Ugg or not to Ugg

It's like this:

My feet get REAL cold. Even in not-so-cold weather, my feet are cold. And in cold weather (which in AR is like 40 degrees) they are SO VERY COLD ALL THE LIVELONG DAY! I have tried countless kinds of socks and shoes. But until January I was convinced that nothing at all could keep my icy toes even a teensy bit warm. Then I went to Colorado to visit my bff Liz (oh and her hubby Chad was there too) and she sang the praises of Uggs. She, too, was reluctant to take the plunge, but did so after facing her first Denver winter. So I decided to give the Uggs a try, and wore them out one day. ALL day. OUTSIDE in the SNOW, shopping of course. I tell you, my feet have never been so warm in all their 27 years of existence.

Now, I don't LOVE the look of Uggs (but I don't hate it either.) I don't LOVE everything that is associated with them (teen celebrities, push up bras, Victoria's Secret PINK sweatpants, bleach blond, tanorexic, wannabe 16-year olds ... you get my drift) But I just can't deny the Ugg practicality. WARMTH.

So ef it! I might just do this, own this. I've got some stuff for sale on eBay (yes, the Zimbabwe Challenge rules still apply) so if I make enough dough, I just might buy some Uggs.

Here's what I'm thinkin': Gray.

Cheating

Ok, remember, I'm not buying any new stuff. Only thrifted stuff. And I can sell stuff on eBay and use the credit for new stuff. That new stuff will most likely come from eBay since that's just easier with paypal and all. Or Etsy. Don't forget Etsy!

Anways, next week I am going to visit my brother in Tallahassee. One thing I love about my brother is that he loves to shop. This has only been the case for the last 10 years or so, because as a child, he would magically come down with the "shopping sickness" everytime my mom and I, with him in tow, would set foot in the mall. Symptoms of the shopping sickness include:

• Upset stomach
• Sore throat
• Increased whineyness
• Lack of motivation
• Frequent urination

I digress. Brian, my brother, likes to shop now. He's very classic in his dress, polo shirts, khakis, plaid shirts, etc. Growing up, we bonded over many many shopping trips with mom. Back to school shopping, special event shopping, grocery shopping. We were all there, in it together, in good times and bad, in sickness and in health. So I think part of our plans for my vacation include doing a bit of outlet shopping. And I think I am going to have to put my Zimbabwe Challenge on hold for a few days. Just a few. Like, 3. I won't have a ton of money to spend, but there are a few basic pieces that I need to look for that would help further my wardrobe:

• Black jeans. Nice black jeans. I might have to spend a bit of money here, but I want some super well fitting, bootcut black jeans that I can wear in place of my semi-frumpy black dress pants. In the past, I have tried to bargain shop for said jeans, and they just end up ill-fitting and faded.
• Funky colored ankle boots. To spice up all my neutrals.

Here is a nice little photo of Brian and I from sometime last year.

And while I was parusing eBay, I stumbled upon this little number:

I don't know if it's the uber-natural looking whiskering, or the super classy dragon ass, but I think I need these jeans to live. Let's not forget that oh-so-flattering ultra low waist!

Week two: no new stuff

It's been a week and guess what? No new stuff!

I did buy a super cute kelly green dress/tunic at Goodwill on Tuesday, but that fits within the allowable parameters.

And I sold a few things on eBay, so I will have a bit of money to buy a new things, but I must choose wisely!

What do you think is an essential addition to my wardrobe?

I'm thinking about the often-referenced denim leggings. They will come in handy in the fall, with my semi-vast collection of too-short-for-work dresses.

What do you think of this pair?

Stay tuned for photos from Erin and Brittany's thirifting adventure, as well as the first photos in my new Arkie Tattoos series!

Inspired

I work for a hospice here in Little Rock. We have a partner hospice in Zimbabwe. In February, the founders of said hospice paid us a visit. They were amazing people, and it was fascinating to hear how much their daily lives differed from ours. In May, I have the opportunity to visit Zimbabwe for 2 weeks. The catch is, I need the money to get there.

I have been spending waaaay too much money lately. Clothes and shoes mostly. Stuff for the house. It always seems to help fill some kind of void. Only temporarily, of course. I should learn to fill voids in other ways, like drugs and alcohol, maybe?

So after checking out several blogs, I have decided that I can't buy any more clothes or shoes. I can swap, I can sell on eBay and use the money for new stuff. I can alter and borrow, estate and thrift. That's it. Nothing new. I really want to see how much money I will have saved by May.

I think I can get pretty creative. And I do love the occasional fashion challenge. So let's see where this takes me. Hopefully to Zimbabwe.

(I am patting myself on the back for that closing line.)