Search: label/shopping%20ban

Saving and Spending

by Sal on December 6, 2010 · 47 comments

A reader sent me this question via e-mail after reading our discussion of women and money:

I’m spending within my means and always pay bills etc., but I spend mainly on clothes and accessories and I don’t have any savings to speak of, which is worrying me. It doesn’t help that I’m a post-grad student on scholarship. I find that I’ve developed this attitude where I think, “When I start earning real money, then I’ll start saving,” which, of course, is a very dangerous one to have. (What if I never earn “real” money?!) I don’t own a house while most friends my age do, so I feel I’m a bit behind.

I was wondering if you can share with the benefit of hindsight with shopping ban, etc, what helped you to gain control over your spending? I really need help to shift my attitude from wanting new, nice clothes all the time, to being happy with what I have and getting my priorities right – but how not to “want” is my stumbling block. I can only go a couple of days/week or so before I want something new again, even if it’s just 10 or 20 dollars!

I could completely relate. If I’m being totally honest, my spending is still a little wacky, too. The constant influx of newness from the bajillion style blogs I read makes it hard to quench that want, want, want feeling.

I pay all my bills on time, save for retirement, save for personal reasons, have a Roth IRA, a pension, minimal credit card and no other personal debt … and yet I would never hold myself up as a paragon of financial responsibility. Mostly because I believe that every person should decide for herself how money should be spent or saved. But since this reader asked for my input, here are some things that I suggested to her, all of which I do myself and some of which might be helpful to some of you folks, too. Especially if you find yourself in a constant, unstoppable state of lusting and shopping.

Cut back on blogs, catalogs, and mags: When the temptation of seeing new things is removed, the urge to shop diminishes. Simple as that.
Make saving automatic: I have $30 per paycheck deducted and socked into a savings account at a credit union. It’s not my main bank and I frankly have no idea how to withdraw money from it! It’s building slowly, but it’s there. If you can take money right out of your paycheck, you won’t even consider spending it.
Make a list of unworn items: This is a huge one for me. Whenever I buy something new, I add it to this list. And whenever I do outfit brainstorming, I go through my closet and add to the list any items that are underutilized. Whenever I get that aimless urge to spend on something, ANYTHING, I look over my list. Because it is long. I have lots of stuff. And remembering that I have fun, new or newish items that are yet to be worn curbs the spending urge.
Create a savings goal: When I have no real reason to save, it’s much harder. I was able to sock away money for our Iceland trip fairly quickly and easily. Whereas just putting it aside for … a rainy day? Car repairs? The future? If you want a house, make a house fund. If you want to travel, make a trip fund. If you want lasik surgery, make a lasik fund. Imagining a larger goal can make saving less difficult.
HALT: This is an AA trick that I’ve mentioned before. If you’re itching to spend, ask yourself if you’re also feeling hungry, angry/anxious, lonely, or tired. All of those emotions are triggers for addictive behavior and sometimes just identifying what you’re truly feeling can help you dampen the urge.

My shopping ban taught me that my money issues have to do with control. If I can’t control my money, I feel powerless, frustrated, and rebellious. So putting a “no shopping” rule on myself just backfires and I end up overspending once the ban has lifted. I’ve had to find other ways to work around my urges. If you’re wired like me, some of the ideas listed above may help.

But if you’re not, they may not. When you feel caught in a non-stop spending spree, how do you motivate yourself to step back and reconsider? What are you saving practices?

Image via giftmonger.

{ 47 comments }

Women and Money

by Sal on October 11, 2010 · 92 comments

Body image is very personal. VERY. Issues of shame and guilt and self-worth swirl around when body image is discussed, and many women are reluctant to share their inner thoughts for fear of being judged. My hope is that the more we talk about how we view our bodies, how we feel about them, and how we wish we could feel about them, the more that reluctance will ebb.

Spending habits are also very personal. Issues of shame and guilt and self-worth swirl around when finances, shopping preferences, and money matters are discussed, too. And my impression is that leveling judgment on a woman for her weight or stylistic choices is considered by many people to be cruel and inappropriate,* but those same people may feel perfectly free to chastise her for blowing a paycheck on a new pair of heels.

Why is that? Why are people – especially women – subject to open scrutiny and critique for how they manage their finances? If someone else spends her money differently from how you spend yours, does that affect you directly in ANY way? Why does it matter to you? I suppose I could understand reactions of outrage if people found out that Melinda Gates spent 70% of her money at Prada and Chanel and gave nary a dime to charity. But even then, it’s really none of our business what she does with her dough. Her money, her choices.

Two years ago, I began a 6 month shopping ban. You can read the epic saga right here, but, in a nutshell, I was shopping and spending unchecked, causing financial damage, and feeling utterly lost and out-of-control. So – as many style bloggers have done before me – I decided to create a self-imposed ban. I knew quitting cold turkey would just backfire, so I allowed myself $10 per week to spend on used clothing, shoes, and accessories. Nothing new for 6 months besides gifts.

I did it entirely for myself, because I was feeling awful about my relationship with shopping, not due to any outside input. It was fun and it was hard and it was weird and Already Pretty readers had varied reactions. Many were supportive of my project, many more fascinated by my progress, and a small minority quite judgmental about my slip-ups. And since then I’ve become wary of posting about my finances and shopping habits, or publishing photos of my shoe collection, my closet, and my jewelry. Because whenever I do, sprinkled in amongst the inquisitive, friendly, and respectful comments is the inevitable handful telling me that there is clearly something wrong with me, that I need to seek help for my shopping addiction, that I am setting a bad example for other women simply by owning so much shit.

And I’ve justified myself until I’m blue in the face – it’s my hobby and passion, the blog is my side business, I have both the money and storage to support my shopping preferences – but I honestly don’t understand why I should have to do so. What I do and don’t do with my money is my business. No one knows how much of it I have, or where it goes, or why – not even my husband. I cannot wrap my head around the hostility that my vast shoe collection prompts from a certain segment of the population. I’m not spending anyone else’s money on those shoes, or storing them in anyone else’s home. Where does this disgust and resentment come from?

These may seem like questions with obvious answers, but I’d like your honest input: Why are women so harshly judged for how we choose to spend our money? Why is it so distasteful for a woman to be observed using her disposable income to buy clothing or shoes or accessories, or anything related to style, fashion, beauty, or appearance? Why do people feel so free to hand down judgment and unsolicited advice about financial management? What do you perceive to be the differences between how people judge men and how people judge women in matters of money?

*Not all, obviously. Cattiness still exists, of course, and plenty of people of both genders feel free to judge on weight, style, and outward appearance alone.

{ 92 comments }

Reader Request: Regrets, I’ve Had a Few

by Sal on April 7, 2010 · 42 comments

Reader Chandra had this request:

Can you tell a story about an item or items that you purchased and then regretted? A story about something that was a little pricey would be great. What were your reasons for buying it? Why did it turn out to be the wrong decision? What did you learn? Did you sell the item to recover the cost?

So, let’s talk about these boots:

Yes, they’re fabulous. Yes, they’re red, my all-time favorite color. And yes, they’re by John Fluevog, one of my all-time favorite shoe designers. But this photo, from back in early February, documents the first time I’d worn them in nearly two years. If I recall, they were at least $275, maybe more. And, for me, that is a LOT OF MONEY.

What were your reasons for buying it?
I’m thinking it was probably depression. These were purchased long before my shopping ban, with a credit card, on impulse. I have no idea what, specifically, was bringing me down but I’m quite sure it was “retail therapy,” as they say.

Why did it turn out to be the wrong decision?
Well, “wrong” might be a bit strong. I do love these boots. A lot. But they don’t quite fit with my style. At least, not often. These boots are once-every-two-years boots, and I should NOT be spending nearly $300 on a pair of boots unless they’re getting worn a few times a week. Every week. And even then, I should think twice. My budget just can’t sustain that kind of purchasing.

Also, these boots hit my calf at its widest spot. And since they have a heavy lug sole and big rounded toes, that means they are among the least flattering shoes I own. If they were expensive and seldom-worn but super flattering, they’d be less of a regret. But that’s a triple-whammy right there.

What did you learn?
As I said, these boots have a place in my wardrobe, but not at that price. What I learned is that, if I’m going to lay down major bank for ANYTHING, it had better be extremely useful, durable, work across seasons, and fit well into my personal style. And I definitely ask myself those questions now before making a major purchase.

Did you sell the item to recover the cost?
Nope. Though I definitely do this, especially with Fluevogs which tend to fetch a decent price on eBay. These particular boots still hit me right in the heart and I don’t feel ready to part with them, even though they take up valuable storage space. If they’re still lurking around in another couple of years and I am sick of them, they’ll go up for sale.

Shopping regrets happen, and although I generally love what I buy and return only things that don’t fit or look a mess on me, I’ve definitely had my share. How about you? Anyone care to share a shopping regret? Here are Chandra’s questions again, if you want to cut and paste them into your comment:

What were your reasons for buying it? Why did it turn out to be the wrong decision? What did you learn? Did you sell the item to recover the cost?

{ 42 comments }

Shopping Ban Update: One Year Later

by Sal on March 26, 2010 · 108 comments

(For the entire Shopping Ban saga, click here.)

I think we’re overdue for a shopping ban update, but things have been a little wild and wooly lately, as you’ll soon read … so hopefully you can forgive the lapse.

When last I wrote about my post-ban activity, I’d been having a tough time saving. At this point, I’m having a tough time checking my spending … but I have done A LOT to ensure that I’m saving more. As usual, though, I’m gonna hit you with the bad news first.

I got an unexpected wad of tax return money a few months back, and although I had grand plans to pay down some debts and sock it away for an upcoming trip, that didn’t happen. Not a dime of it remains. And, as often happens when I encounter a large windfall, I have had a hard time reigning in the spending of my miscellaneous income SINCE then. The Sunday Shoes feature will continue full force for many, many weeks to some thanks to the recent – and even ongoing – binge.

And it may sound like rationalization, and maybe it is, but let me tell you, my dears, it has been a tough six months. Tough. My sister became very ill over the holidays. I was having almost daily panic attacks for a while. I became depressed and gained unexpected weight. I found out I’m glucose intolerant and basically need to stop eating sugar and carbs. I became an insomniac quite suddenly, partially due to chronic back pain. I’ve been battling some … ehem … ladyparts problems for nearly a year. I fell out with several close friends within the space of a few months. All of that on top of working a full time job, keeping up the blog, Shop Local Shops, style consult clients, reader mail, and several other projects I’ve got in the hopper. Not to mention going to the gym four times per week, trying to maintain a social life, and tending to my marriage.

Now I don’t use this space to vent or throw myself pity parties, and as I said above I realize that none of these events entitles me to an endless shopping spree. Nor will any of these events be made better by an endless shopping spree. But at a certain point? I’ll do anything to make myself feel a wee bit better. Shopping helps, at least momentarily. Bringing something undeniably good into my world, treating myself to something that makes me feel pretty – all temporary balms. Is that healthy? Fuck no. But I’m not binge drinking or smoking weed or hurting anyone. I’m paying ALL my bills, I’m not debting a dime, and as you’ll see below I am actually saving far more than ever before. So I’m gonna cut myself some slack and hope that better times are coming, and with them, decreased shoe purchases.

Now. Let’s talk accomplishments.

Many of you recommended funneling money into a separate account, one that I couldn’t touch. That is the smartness. And, as it turns out, I had an account just waiting to be used. When I took out my car loan at our credit union, I had to set up a savings account there. It had been languishing with the requisite $10 in it, and I figured it would be the perfect place to squirrel away some cash. Mainly because I have NO FLIPPIN’ IDEA how to withdraw anything from it. I’d have to actually go to a branch and talk to someone, and even then I’m not so sure I could pry the dollars loose. Ideal, no? I’m only socking $30 per paycheck into that account, but it’s been really fun to see the balance grow. And I hope to increase that amount soon.

I have also been able to save in my normal cash savings account on a regular basis, and without making too many shoe-related withdrawls. In fact, I had enough in there that, when HM and I finally settled on dates for our upcoming trip to Iceland (!), I could easily fork over the $800 without feeling as if I had emptied my personal coffers. I will now have to put some focus on saving for the remaining trip costs, which is already proving difficult. But I am excited to travel for the first time in years, and that’s a big motivator. (See this post for an explanation of why I have been loathe to travel recently.)

Finally, my car loan AND student loan will both be paid off within the next month. I’ll still have a my credit card debt, but once that’s gone I will be free of personal debt. And what’s more? I am excited to have cash freed up that I can start putting into my various retirement accounts. Yes, indeed, I am excited to save!

I have hope, ya know? I’m still in a tough spot right now, but it doesn’t feel permanent. It feels like I am in the middle of some hard life changes and turning to an old addiction to ease the transition. I am aware of what’s going on, and why I’m buying, buying, buying. And that awareness has gotta be worth something.

- – - – -

Once again, I’m going to ask you all to be respectful and kind in these comments. This is a difficult and deeply personal matter for me. More so, in some ways, than body image. In my last post on this topic, I got an outpouring of support and incredibly helpful suggestions, which I both appreciated and applied (as you read above). But in the past, I have been lambasted and judged for my honesty in these shopping ban/financial posts, so I am eternally wary. As I said six months ago, you may think countless nasty things about me because of how I’ve handled my post-ban behavior and finances, but I will not publish those nasty things here under any circumstances.

{ 108 comments }

Outfit Roundup: Week of October 4

by Sal on October 17, 2009 · 31 comments

Printed polyester dress, thrifted at Savers
Spectators, John Fluevog Kristens
Faux pearl drop earrings, mcfarlanddesigns
Faux pearl bracelets, self-made

This fab frock was a shopping ban purchase and I’ve been waiting and waiting for the right weather conditions to wear it. The details would be lost if I layered too much, so I needed it to be cool but not cold.

I’m pretty sure this dress was a costume for some theater production. Handmade, no tag, and when I bought it there was a piece of masking tape at the collar with “Linda” written on it. I remember doing that back in the dark ages when I was in plays … so I’m thinking costume.

Also, welcome to my living room. I’m depressed to report that – since it will soon be too dark and cold to do my outfit shots outdoors after work – you’ll be seeing a lot more of it.

You’ll probably be seeing a lot more of my cats, too. Though, as you can see, I gave Simon a stern talking-to for sauntering into my shot.

Red drapey cardi, gift from my mom
Red tee, overdyed by me
Long pleated skirt, thrifted
Black scrunch boots, Diesel Go-go
Brooch, gift from my mom

So many of my funky drapey pieces look really odd in photos … it’s a shame, too, because I’ve made several myself and I just KNOW they’re going to look all wiggy when I throw them in front of the camera.

This one is not self-made, but instead a generous gift from my mom. Its drapey-ness complemented the pleasing motion and drape of the long pleated skirt, a very lucky thrift find.

Khaki blazer, thrifted
Gray sheath dress, thrifted
Gray tights, Target
Gray boots, Aldo last year
Insane necklace, Custer Street Fair

This necklace was $5 at a street fair this summer. It was even longer and crazier when I bought it, but since it hung down to about hoo-ha-level, I thought I’d shorten and de-crazify it a little.

This is my trenchcoat. I ADORE IT. I had one I’d thrifted a few years ago, but the sleeves were too short and that drove me bananas. This one is a bit big, but I actually like that about it. The slightly loose fit, exaggerated shoulders, and high-waisted belt make me feel very Kate Hepburn in it. The reason I’m showing you this coat – which, incidentally, was thrifted for $4 – is because I threw on that scarf to fill the neckline. But it ended up going beautifully with this outfit:

Scarf, a gift from K.Line
Magenta dress, Talbots last year
Olive tights, Target last year
Gray booties, Nine West last year
Bracelet, thrifted

I have worn this exact outfit, minus the scarf, before … but I can’t seem to find documentation. So here it is again. Love this combination of colors.

Eesh, I’m going to miss outdoor outfit shots.

{ 31 comments }

The Psychology of Enough

by Sal on October 12, 2009 · 36 comments

A while back, a reader asked me how to gauge the accumulation of a satisfactory and sufficient wardrobe. She was hoping to curb her shopping habit, and looking for guidance. As someone who shops frequently and spends almost constantly, I felt a little ill-equipped to weigh in. How could MY advice on the psychology of enough be valid, when I push on that concept all the time? Furthermore, I think this is a highly personal issue that will feel different for each of us. My “enough” and your “enough” may be quite different … just as my “enough” and Beyonce’s enough may be quite different. And that’s down to taste, needs, financial means, available storage, and temperament.

However, I do know a little about shopping dangerously, over-acquisition, and the struggle to discern need from want. My shopping ban taught me many things, even if it didn’t quite change my behaviors. So here are a few questions that I ask if I’m trying to gauge whether or not the wardrobe limit has been reached:

1. Are you feeding the hole?
Do you shop when you’re feeling bored, sad, anxious, exhausted, angry, lonely, or stressed? What ELSE is going on in your life right now? If you’re feeling lost and empty, you may be shopping to try to fill a hole in your soul with STUFF. Knock it off. Soul holes can suck up a lot of shoes and never get full. While stuff is fun, and can definitely boost self-esteem when it helps us look our best, it is not gonna cure anything. Address the real issue(s) head-on, and lock that credit card in a drawer.

2. How’s your inventory?
Is your closet harboring 25 unworn items with the tags still on? Do you know what you own, or are you constantly buying doubles? If you shop often, keep a running list of new, unworn items. One way to slow the urge to acquire is to force yourself to see what you’ve already, recently acquired that is still languishing unused.

3. Got storage?
Reasonably, we can only own as much clothing as our homes will hold. If you’re piling stuff on dressers, hanging it in the shower, and tucking it in the linen cupboard because everywhere else is full, it is time to stop buying. Or time to instate a “one item in, one item out” policy at the very least.

4. What’s your goal?
Do you want to have every trend at your fingertips? Every “classic” piece ever deemed “classic” by a fashion guru? Do you want to be equipped for any stylistic emergency? (That’s MY downfall right there.) Wanting to have solid basics, or enough good bras for a week’s worth of wearings, or at least 5 pairs or shoes that are comfy and cute is reasonable. Wanting to achieve some lofty, costly, impossible stylistic goal isn’t. Examine your motives, and set goals that mortal humans can achieve.

5. Are you grateful?
Serious shoppers are often so focused on acquiring the next item that they don’t stop to appreciate the bounty already available to them. Are you grateful for what you already have? Do you utilize it, care for it, take pleasure in showing it off? Spend some time LOOKING at your existing wardrobe. Make lists of possible outfits utilizing items already in that closet. Understand that you could probably live two to three years without buying a single new item and still look chic and stylish.

I don’t always follow this advice to the letter. Not all day every day. But I learned it all the hard way, and know, intellectually, that it holds true. Hopefully it can help a few shopaholics out there gain some perspective.

“Enough” is tricky, and it’s different for each of us. But unless you have unlimited funds and unlimited storage – unless you’re Scrooge McDuck and living in a black hole – there is an “enough” out there with your name on it. Now, all you’ve gotta do is define it for yourself.

SO! How do YOU know when enough is enough, shopping-wise? Is it just a feeling? Do you take cues from friends and family, or self-monitor? Anyone out there feel like they might never feel sated?

Image courtesy VancityAllie.

{ 36 comments }

Shopping Ban Update: One Year Later

by Sal on October 2, 2009 · 91 comments

Here goes …

One year ago, I began a 6 month shopping ban. You can read the epic saga right here, but, in a nutshell, I was shopping and spending unchecked, causing financial damage, and feeling utterly lost and out-of-control. So – as many style bloggers have done before me – I decided to create a self-imposed ban. I knew quitting cold turkey would just backfire, so I allowed myself $10 per week to spend on used clothing, shoes, and accessories. Nothing new for 6 months besides gifts.

It was fun and it was hard and it was weird and Already Pretty readers had varied reactions. Some were supportive of my project, some fascinated by my progress, and some mean about my slip-ups … which is why it took me until now to give a real update. And when it was all over – back in April of this year – I went to SF and shopped my little heart out with Audi to celebrate my freedom.

And then I continued to celebrate.

And seem to be continuing, even now, to celebrate the end of the ban. Which is to say that, although I have not dented my savings – the $1,300 that I wanted to keep as my safety net – I have not actually saved. Which means a LOT of money has gone out the door and a LOT of gorgeous things have been procured. And a LOT of guilt and anxiety over it all has been experienced.

To be clear, a portion of my paycheck goes directly into retirement accounts. I have a pension. HM and I have a joint savings account to which I have contributed faithfully, every month. My credit card is still hidden in an undisclosed location, I have been paying it down, and will not retrieve it until it is paid off and an emergency arises. Lest you think I am utterly incapable of fiscal responsibility, I share with you these facts.

And yet, I have not put one thin dime into my personal savings account in six months. And despite the aforementioned guilt and anxiety, neither has eclipsed my desire to spend. I feel like I am still rebelling against those self-imposed restraints, still panicky at the idea that, any minute now, my ability to buy things I want and love will be stripped away.

I said to Cal, “I think I need another ban.”

And she said, “Um, I think what you need is ANYTHING BUT another ban. You purged for six months and have been binging ever since. Try another tactic.”

I said to Trinknitty, “I have such issues with shopping.”

And she said, “Seems like you’re fine with shopping. You love doing it, it’s your major creative outlet, you’ve got the space for your acquisitions, and you’re not putting yourself into debt doing it. YOUR problem is with saving.”

And it’s good to have friends with brains, who understand me and can lay down the law. Talking to them forced me to do the thinking I’d been avoiding for so very, very long. So here comes the really personal, confessional style stuff.

Cal and Trin are both right. Although I learned a lot from my shopping ban, and it was a journey that taught me about my reasons and triggers for spending, and it put me in a better financial place, the bottom line is that it didn’t actually CHANGE my behaviors. It gave me insight, but it did not change me. And another ban will not change me, either. The root of my problem isn’t shopping. I love shopping and have the financial and storage capacity to shop regularly and allow myself to enjoy it. I express myself through my style, and making that activity forbidden just makes it all the more tempting.

I have money problems. I have had money problems since I was 10 years old and discovered the power of money and started taking $20 bills out of my dad’s wallet on the sly to buy candy. The main problem I have is that the act of spending money is strongly linked to both independence and power in my mind. I love to feel independent, love to feel powerful … so spending whenever I want to is a behavior I find hard to keep in check. Whenever I make a large or unnecessary purchase, just before I hand over the debit card or click “buy,” I actually do hesitate. But then an insistent voice pipes up, saying, “HEY. It’s YOUR money. You can do whatever you want with it.” And I buy. And I feel momentarily in control, and independent, and a little rebellious. And I have not figured out what, if anything, can be done to create balance.

Other contributing factors:

I don’t get a lot of buyer’s remorse: I LOVE the stuff I buy, and only return it if it doesn’t fit. I’m not buying willy-nilly, I’m buying quite mindfully.
I don’t enjoy saving. I get no pleasure from seeing a big balance in my savings account, and am yet to feel like my savings are a great accomplishment or asset.
I am not emotionally in touch with any savings-related goals. I’m in a place where building my wardrobe and exploring my style is pretty close to top financial priority. (I realize that will change as I age, but for now … that’s where I’m at.)
Two years ago, my house was broken into and both our cars stolen. I was in NYC visiting friends at the time. I am STILL scared to travel for long periods, freaked out about leaving my home unattended, which means a fairly normal savings goal for someone in my position (travel) is actually a bit repellent to me.
I am stubborn and have a hard time changing my own behaviors.

Trin also said, “Just pick an amount to put into savings every paycheck. Anything outside that, you get to spend.”

It is a simple plan, and for a while it worked. I have backslid since then, to be completely honest, but I still think this is still my best option. And I am doing it now.

I don’t need to shop less. I am the only one who gets to decide when I have enough shoes and dresses and necklaces. And as someone who regularly donates clothes to charity, gives items away to friends, repurposes items, and sells on eBay, it is likely to be an endless cycle of things I love coming in and things I’m done with going out. And that’s completely fine, considering my life and lifestyle. What I need to do is spend the money I have earmarked for SPENDING, and save the money I have earmarked for saving.

So that’s where I’m at. I am yet to connect with my emotional motivator to save money, but I’m going to try to just make saving a habit. Not necessarily conceptualize it as saving “for” something, but just saving to be wise and prepared. I want to make my peace with this aspect of being an adult that has simply never clicked for me, but I don’t really know how or when that will happen. Still, I need to prime the pump and become accustomed to regular, uninterrupted saving. And the plan of simply saving a chunk of each paycheck and spending the leftovers seems simple and makes sense.

So here goes …

- – -
Not to be repetitive, but while constructive comments are always welcome, spiteful ones are never welcome. You may think any number of nasty things about me because of how I’ve handled my post-ban behavior and finances, but I will not publish those nasty things here under any circumstances.

{ 91 comments }

Random Outfit Roundup: June, Part I

by Sal on June 18, 2009 · 56 comments

Click to zoom, kittens. And let me know if I have anything in my teeth …

Green blazer, thrifted
Magenta shell, thrifted
Navy skirt, Ann Taylor
Gray Tsubo Acreas

This outfit was NOT what I had in mind. I’d paired the skirt with a magenta button-down and gray obi belt, but was too lazy to take the belt and shirt off to apply my newly-bought deodorant … which left weird grease marks on the shirt when I jammed it in through the open placket. Bah!

However, my last-minute substitutions worked out just as well, I think.

Oooh! And check out the crazy detailing on the butt of this skirt:

Nothing like a little butt-contouring to make you feel like a flirty femme!

Yellow houndstooth blazer, Futurelint‘s Etsy shop

White tee, American Apparel
Khaki high-waist skirt, Old Navy
Patent magenta pumps, Nine West
Slinky belt, thrifted

I had been eyeing this blazer on Futurelint’s Etsy for some time, and when I stopped by her vintage/garage sale a few weeks back and it was still available, I snapped it right up. The blazer buttons asymmetrically, a detail that I just love, but unfortunately loves me not: I look positively linebackerish. Unbuttoned, however, I think it looks totally adorable.

I felt very Mad Men putting this outfit together, but it may err more on the side of 80s glam … I’m good with either.

Navy ruffle dress, Liza Reitz
Patent magenta pumps, Nine West
Hammered silver cuff, some boutique in Madison, WI

So I realize there’s not much to this outfit, but couldn’t resist showing off my new Liza Reitz ruffle dress. I feel like I’ve been in love with this dress for my whole damn life, though it’s really only been a year. Once the ban ended, I made a point of moving this item to the top of my wishlist. Liza sells her gorgeous wares as custom pieces out of her Etsy shop, and I sent her a note asking if I could make payments on a ruffle dress. She said yes, and I began the process of measuring my body from all imaginable angles. I did it all wrong, and got a very sweet note from Liza saying something like, “Huh, well these are interesting numbers … maybe you could try measuring THIS way instead because I don’t think it’s possible for someone your height to have shoulders that broad …” She was patient and lovely and, above all, made me an utterly gorgeous custom dress that I will wear for decades.

Check out the ruffle detailing on the hip (left photo) and shoulder (right photo):

Such love for this frock. Many compliments were garnered and I felt prettier than pretty wearing it. Please stop by Liza’s shop and order up a dress for yourself. This woman is going to be hawking her wares to musicians and movie stars any day now, so get ‘em while you can still afford ‘em.

Oh, and I got some new pink shoes, as evidenced by the past two outfits. They’re getting mad love, too, despite making me walk like a drowsy baby giraffe wearing a blindfold.

Sweater Tank, Nine West via Marshalls
Silk skirt, Garnet Hill
Dansko Nylas
Bracelets, years ago from The Bibelot Shop

And THIS is one of those pre-made outfits that I mentioned earlier this month … where I just throw on an embellished skirt and matching top. But look at that skirt, will you? So pretty with the little stripy pleat and the flowers, no? Just had to share.

Pink blazer with grosgrain placket, thrifted
Navy dress, thrifted
Gray platforms, Kenneth Cole Rocky Canyon

As you can see, my newfound love of blazers continues to grow. I’d passed over this pink blazer on a previous thrifting trip in favor of a beautiful black one, but this time around I was SEEKING color.

And that navy dress still makes me feel awesome about my legs … until I sit down in it, and remember that it rides up so high that the world can see my undies, butt, and lower abs. And sometimes bellybutton. Wore this while having coffee with Sarah Von and her BFF Darcie, and treated both of them to a little more Sal than they’d bargained for. Sorry about that, gals.

Neon yellow Theory cardi, thrifted for like $4(!)
Gray tank, American Apparel via Yque
White cigarette pants, Banana Republic
Gray platforms, Kenneth Cole Rocky Canyon

So I DID go back to BR and buy these pants in white, and they are even trickier than their black counterpart. But I still love ‘em. I’m making my silhouette a little more bowling-pin-esque from time to time is actually kinda fun. And I’m pretty proud of myself for wearing them without getting spaghetti sauce, motor oil, Sharpie, and/or balsamic vinaigrette on them. At least, not yet …

Also madly in love with this highlighter-colored cropped cardi. What a find, no? Think I should try wearing it with these pants? Probably yes.

{ 56 comments }

← Previous Entries