Money Money Money

I'm sad about how long it's been since I've posted here... but I've had a very good reason (don't bloggers always have a very good reason?). While I'm a terribly thrifty shopper, even thriftiness doesn't justify shopping when your income after bills and food is about $50 a month. There are birthday presents, date nights, and unexpected expenses to account for, too (Though sometimes I trick myself into thinking shopping is the top priority once the bills are paid).

My first favorite thing about having a new job is that I am done with school and have a JOB! But my second favorite thing is the freedom it's given me to spend a little bit more (and I stress little) without feeling stressed out. I have celebrated with a couple shirts from Pavement, a new purse, and most recently, these pants:

Sorry about the headless shot, it may be past noon, but I don't have my hair or makeup done yet ;)

These beauties were $15 (yes, FIFTEEN) from Anthropologie (yes, ANTHROPOLGIE). They're having this kick-ass 50% off sale items sale. The kind of sale I live for. When I have a job, and a little money to spend!

The One

Sometimes, it's okay to spend more than $50 on shoes**. When they're boots. Boots you're dying to spend the rest of your life with.

Usually I cry a little inside when we see the price tag on a pair of to-die-for boots. My usual rule is nothing over $50 for footwear -- and I must be in love to go over $30. However, it's damn near impossible to find cute, QUALITY, boots for near that price.

Enter: the beautiful, quality, boots I found for near that price! I was so fortunate at this week's extra 25% off sale at Pavement. With boots typically ranging from $200 - $400 I usually just go in to drool - even at the sale rack - but I found these (last pair! my size!) for $75 from $195. More than half off. Well under $100. Perfect fit. Adorable. I'm in love!

**disclaimer: If you live somewhere similar to Pittsburgh for cost of living, make over $30,000 a year, and don't have children, then it might be a perfectly normal part of your life to spend over $50 on shoes. Or maybe you save up and do this once a year or so. Or maybe you're married to someone who makes good enough money to keep your shoe closet stocked. If so - consider me jealous! And if so - please visit Pavement and support local business with your monies!

When it's Okay to Keep "Someday" Clothes

My husband hoards polo shirts. But whenever I suggest he wear one of them I'm met with a barrage of excuses: That one's too heavy. I don't like the way the fabric feels. That one doesn't fit quite right. In the three years I've known him, I've only seen him wear three of those polo shirts. So one day I finally asked him "what do you keep all those around for?" He gave the same excuse many of us use to justify the overload of clothes in our closet: "I'll might need to wear it... SOMEDAY."

In general I adhere to this rule:  If you can go an entire season without wearing it, you don't need it.
(ie: Go an entire summer without once wearing that tank? Time to give it to someone that will wear it.) Follow this rule and what will result is a healthy twice-yearly trip to Goodwill. And your closet will actually look better with less "filler" clothes, I promise.

However... There is an exception to every rule. And my exception to the give-away rule is this: If you have something super cute and unique that you just know will make an outfit (someday!), keep it. At least for a little while (read: one more season).

A lovely clutch given to me for my birthday two years ago was my recent exception. I kept it around partially because it was a gift, but partially because I knew someday I would have the perfect outfit to rock it with. Last week my husband and I went to the symphony and I wore this:

The dress was an exciting find at "Red Up Thread Up" (a city-wide clothing exchange) about a month ago.

The shoes I borrowed from a friend (having no idea what they would go with).

And here's a close up of the clutch and the whole look.





















In the end I managed to convince the hubby to part with two polo shirts. And me, I made use of my "someday" clutch. How about you - is it time to clean out your closet?

What Better Way to Say Goodbye?

I had to go mother's day shopping today. Usually I would have done this online or at a specialty store weeks ago, but finals kicked my a$s this semester and I only got on the ball two days before the showering of gifts and love is to happen.

A little birdie (my sister) told me that the Steve Madden in Pittsburgh is going out of business. The first pair of expensive (read: not payless) shoes I ever bought were from Steve, and I have a major weakness for their patent leather heals. So although my main motivation today was MOM, I chose my shopping location in order to say goodbye to a great love - Steve.

And say goodbye I did. With some cute, fun, comfortable red flats. I don't know the original price (I would guess around $50), but I picked them up for $15 - which was the price of everything in the store (even the boots!).  If I would have had a more helpful sales girl I could have walked out of there with multiple pairs. However when I asked her to "bring me everything you have in a 9/9.5" she stared at me blankly and said "uhh.. what styles are you interested in?"

"THIS IS STEVE MADDEN AND THESE SHOES ARE $15! GIRL, BRING ME EVERYTHING YOU GOT!" is what I thought... but in reality I just pointed weakly at these adorable flats:

Oh well, if I would have spent more and came home with more shoes I might have felt happy (I got a great deal!) but also a little bit sick (why did I spend anything on shoes I don't really need?!). As is, I feel pretty good. I spent very little and got a unique addition to my wardrobe.

And for mom? Well, I can't say too much until she opens the presents, but I think she's going to be pleasantly surprised! As much as I love shopping for myself, I love shopping for other people even more.

In My Basket

MMmmmm... The end of a long, hard day off. Shows have been watched, rooms have been sparingly cleaned, and my rested, spunky self just cooked and ate a delicious fajita dinner.

And somehow, though that should be fulfilling enough, I have the shopping bug tonight and I found myself back at the same Jcrew sale I've been bagging and x'ing out of for weeks.

And there you have it. Three shirts that can easily be justified as wearable for work or play. All on sale. All BEAUTIFUL.

Yet still, I hesitate... $70 is a lot of money for me (for us). If the total came to under $50 I'd probably be sold. And yet, what is a difference of $20, really? Apparently, it is something. Because as much as I want to open a package and feel the freshly pressed, never worn cotton, I just can't bring myself to "checkout".

Maybe a cup of tea will do for now...

Running Away or Just Running?

I haven't blogged about my shopping adventures in a while. That doesn't mean I haven't had them, I have just been a combination of busy and confused about what/why/how to share. I fear my motivations for shopping are a *bit* unjustified sometimes, and I don't want to be yet another piece of our consumerist culture.

My brain has a special form of "logic" reserved just for shopping (maybe yours does too?) that gives me thoughts like this: Once I have a fitted long sleeved t-shirt in all the primary colors I'll have something to wear under everything and I won't feel pressure to shop for that type of shirt anymore. Replace "fitted long sleeved t" with short sleeved t, tank top, and cardigan and welcome to my world. The truth is, I'll never have a perfect pair of shoes or the perfect dress for every occasion. And because I love new, trendy fashion as much as I love classic fashion, I'll never feel like any area of my wardrobe is "complete".

There are a few shopping justifications that I heartily support, including:
This is the worst week ever and I need new shoes (allowed only a few times a year!).
I'm going to a wedding where I'll see my ex-boyfriend who broke my heart and I need a new dress. And my recent favorite, I worked really hard on this project/class/relationship and I deserve to reward myself.

That's how I am feeling this week, as I cruise into the last week of the semester. As always, I reminded myself that our budget for extraneous shopping is slim to none (even more so now that we're saving to buy a house!) and I tried to think of something I actually needed. So I filled my jcrew virtual basket full to the brim with basic T's and funky tanks, narrowed it down, and finally exited the page all together, as I so often do.

After briefly feeling disappointed and thinking perhaps I wouldn't buy anything after all, I discovered a nifty website called joesnewbalanceoutlet.com. "Joe" sells New Balance shoes for less than you can find at zappos.com or 6pm.com (my go-to websites for discount shoes). They also have a "Deal of the Day" feature, on which these shoes were listed.

So when I start gardening this summer I can wear my current (five year old) tennies without worrying about the mud and muck. And I can use these new ones as a motivator to get up, get out, and get running. And while I'm running I'll try and think more about why we shop and whether blogging about it is such a good idea after all. But until then, I think I'll continue to share good deals when I find them.

xoxo
shopping girl
(just kidding! too much gossip girl....)

Originally $61.99, outlet price $34.99, Deal price $24.00.

62% Savings

Heads Up!

Banana Republic is having a fairly un-advertised sale on Saturday, March 12th. When you go in the store, you get a card with 20%, 30% or 50% off. And yes, it applies to sale merch, which (i happen to know) is ALREADY an extra 25% off. I know, because I bought a beeeeautiful LBD today:

 $49 from $110 - 55% off