I have been doing quite a bit of perusing lately, both in store (most recently whilst in Cali with A) and online checking out all the Black Friday/Cyber Monday madness of the past few weeks. And, I am saddened to say the one common denominator of 80% of the items I've been browsing has been that they are for a life I don't live, a life I wish/hope someday to live (Wishful Shopping anyone? I was able to catch myself in this delusional behaviour before actually purchasing anything so I know, at least, that I have learned something.)
- Isn't this blouse pretty?
- Ms. Andrews, please step away from the blouse...just put it down and walk away...
Talk about balance - how do you balance your dreams with your reality? How do you hope for the best, and shop for present? I find I dream shop the most when I'm feeling down and trapped by my circumstances; budget is a bit tight? Hell no! I'll show that budget by buying an uber sophisticated, formal, office-oriented jacket that has nothing to do with my lifestyle but everything to do with a confident, powerful, financially secure woman's lifestyle, so I can conquer those feelings of despondency for a few blissful moments and then, so I can take months to pay it off while it simultaneously hangs in my closet, lonely and unworn.
As with my year in Fashion Rehab, all I have really learned for certain is that the lessons will always come slowly and never in the way you think they will. Hey - just cause I'm out of 365FR, doesn't mean I have been completely rehabilitated...yet.
It's one day at a time, my friend, one day at a time.
Love, P
13 comments:
That blouse is so cute
great blog and its funny as well cause im a shopaholic as well
I totally know what you mean! Sometimes I buy things even though I really have nowhere to wear them...but I just love them so much that I can't resist. Luckily, I'll be wearing one of the items twice for Christmas :D (and it was a Theory dress for $29, so how could I say no? ;) )
http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/
Oh, I feel your pain! As a frock addict-- worse: a VINTAGE frock addict-- I buy fancy vintage frockery for a PAST life I wish I had! I long for the (highly-romanticized) days when a dame was a dame and when clothes were beautifully made, with attention paid to delicate, perfect details of exquisite tailoring. A time when ladies really knew how to get dressed-- from their armour-like intimates out!
I DO wear a lot of my vintage finery, but I also feel that it is okay to buy it because I am preserving history in doing so. Still, it leaves me with precious little to wear on a chilly Saturday of errand-running, even if I have loads of gorgeousness to wear to more formal occasions (of which I attend about 1 a year...). In fact, I have asked Santa for a VERY impractical frock for Christmas-- all because I fell for the diagonal rear seam in the skirt. The thing is, these are the only clothes that really look good on me, so it is even more disheartening to think that they are for a life I do not lead. Well, not until Santa brings me that time machine I keep requesting, anyway...
Well, it is difficult. I dream shop, A LOT, as a stress reliever.
When there's an item I LOVE and WANT but don't need, I read the customer reviews, and if I still want it, I bookmark the website links. I have a folder full of these links.
I check back on it every couple of weeks. Sometimes I lose interest in the item and un-bookmark it, or found a better item and bookmark that. Sometimes I suddenly find it on sale, in which case: if it's ~$70 or less AND I haven't bought unneccessary item this month yet, then I splurge. Because really, that's the price of 2 fancy-ish dinner out, so it's not that bad.
p.s. funny. I've been eyeing this gorgeous silk party dress for a year, and it was finally on sale for ~$50 on Black Friday. I splurged and ordered online, but then they told me it was out of stock 2 days later. So i guess it wasn't my time to splurge yet (since I haven't attended any party fancy/sexy enough for it in years). Ha!
I often have that problem as well. As far as balancing goes-some days are better than others. Sometimes I catch myself before I buy that adorable party dress, because A. I already have a couple of 'party dresses' and B. no parties to wear dresses to right now. I hear ya though, and I appreciate your honesty and the reminder of lifestyle and budget! p.s.-when I do splurge, I make sure and figure out how to wear it-usually dressing it down whatever it is:)
Oh what a sad but pretty face. Yup that's my girl! I'm a sequin fancier myself. I'm so proud of you for resisting. It's clear that rehab has taught you so much. Thanks for your wise words. You and A are inspirations!! I'm getting better myself....sigh.
I totally understand what you're talking about. Usually I'll try to rein in the impulse to buy something unsuited to my lifestyle or inconsistent with the rest of my wardrobe. And then there's fighting the justification impulse: "This is cute and I can totally make it work with the right styling." True, but then I never take the effort to do the styling that makes it work and I end up not wearing it! Argh.
Due to increasing budget problems I've had to stop buying dresses that I will only wear on one occasion. I'm re wearing old outfits but mixing them up with different accessories.
There is a really good blog where the blogger is only buying from charity/thrift stores for a whole year
inspiring and honest words, I think it hits a nerve with many fashion enthusiasts.
That blouse is sooo pretty!
I find it can be very difficult to balance the fun and sensible side of shopping. I like to keep my eye on what will be on trend for the season ahead, that way I know which clothes are going to last for longer but I can still get some fun stuff. Bright florals are my favourite choice at the moment and I know they will also be big for Spring.
I'm still struggling with this and it's one of my goals/resolutions for 2011. I enjoy shopping and find it as a way to declutter my mind and have fun. BUT! I want to buy a house/save money/and do other things with my money (travel). I've started to declutter my life/closet and have found a way to obtain things that I want: SAVE.
I've decided to start a list of the things I'd like to have and work towards purchasing those items. That really seems to take the joy out of random spending sprees, but I've gotta remember: I don't want to be like Carrie Bradshaw. She had an epiphany when she realized she had over $40k worth of shoes, but was on the verge of losing her apartment. She was quoted as saying that should would literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes!
With that said, I think I'm putting myself on a budget and hope to practice some restraint, self-control, and an increase in savings in the process.
Chandra
@ShiftC
http://www.momomod.com
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