I've always prided myself on shopping for deals, a near outright refusal to pay full price for something. Admittedly though, I often lose touch with sensibility when I say, find a skirt with an MSRP of $88 at TJMaxx (linking Marshalls because they still have some in stock) on clearance for $10 and I feel like I've just saved $78. Not that I would have ever paid that, and really I only saved $10 since the original TJMaxx price was $20. However Gilt is selling it for $50, which kind of means I saved $40. Therefore, when I buy a pair of sunglasses for $80, I like to apply that imaginary $40 as a discount. Since the sunglasses were originally $190... well you know where I'm going with that; how could I not justify $140 sandals? (Marked down from $169 of course!)
I'm pretty sure this is how Kohl's entire business model works, and I feel too savvy to fall for their savings gimmicks, yet I still manage to fall for my own.
Time has been moving quickly this year. Contrary to the believe that it would be passing slowly with so little to differentiate between the days, it turns out the less I need to do, the less I want to do, and large swaths as what could only be described as 'nothing' consume the days before I even realize the daylight hours have dwindled away.
Which is likely why when my sister and I went to visit the rose garden at Elizabeth Park we'd missed the roses. And why it's now taken nearly a month for me to post these photos.
However, the heartbreak I feel every August, as the skies start to darken before 8 p.m., is right on schedule with the deluge of Nordstrom Anniversary sale posts (pandemic be damned) only this year as the summer winds down, the loss of trips not taken, swimsuits not worn, and events not attended feels even more profound.
The Rundown
Dress "Milanira" Joie
Strappy Slide Sandals Zara similar Straw Box Bag Zara similar
It hasn't seemed to matter how many times I tell myself I need to stop shopping, I am always back, like a moth to a flame with a million ways to rationalize my purchases. Either I'm 'just browsing' and will inevitably return what I've bought, it's a 'necessity', like comfy lace bralettes, cozy loungewear, or cute face masks, and of course, the biggest of them all: 'it's such a good deal, how do I not?'
At the retailers where I typically shop, the pandemic brought forth such a copious amount of sales, it was hard to avoid temptation. Even as I purged my email subscriptions, Instagram was always there at the ready to remind me of promotions like half off plus an extra 20% (!) $70 off a purchase of $100 (!!) with free shipping and returns (!!!)
I clicked away, endlessly dreaming about places I would walk in my new shoes, how the sunlight might glint off a gold ring, straw bags full with fresh blooms from the farmers market, savoring an ice cream cone in a linen dress, being oh-so-careful not to let a drop of chocolate fall.
I'm not going to write some resolve to stop shopping, because at this point, I know it would simply be a lie. Not when I can slip into the zen of hearting new arrivals at TJMaxx and Marshalls while I lie in bed at 1 a.m. How else would I happen upon this dress or these shoes, or this bag? Besides, there is already another TJMaxx order on its way.
Rewardstyle is currently not active with TJMaxx and Marshalls, so I had to find other sources for the sake of this widget - just know that you should look for them there for the prices noted.
Halfway through 2020 and I still feel like life has stopped. I need to accept that I need to stop waiting for things to go back to normal, because I might be waiting for a long time. The days come and go with little to mark their passing, and while my voracious shopping habits haven't quelled, the days I bother to get dressed have become few and far between.
While I've been missing blogging, it's become so difficult to find words I want to share; it's taken four days just to write as many sentences. How do I blog about life when I feel as though mine has been put on hold? How do I talk about my absurd shopping habits when I know full well I shouldn't be shopping at all?
I wish I had something to say about this outfit, but these photos were taken in mid-May, and I can't recall a single detail about this day, which probably means I got dressed for photos and little else. I can say this is the first time I've worn these pants, which I purchased last summer. I think I need to stop shopping for the office job I haven't had in three years.
Each day provides an opportunity to walk a new path, instead of the well trodden one that never takes me where I want to go. I just need to start taking steps.
The Rundown Linen Puff Sleeve TopH&M Marina PantAnn Taylor Strappy Slide Sandals Zara similar Straw Box Bag Zara similar Gold Necklace Belonged to my Grandma similar Gold Twist Hoops Thrifted similar Gold Rings Etsy Sunglasses H&M similar
I'm not always on top of things when it comes to shooting holiday content in a timely manner, aka, before the actual holiday; I usually drop the ball when it comes to taking photos on the actual holiday as well. However, approximately one month later is when I can get it together and share what I wore for Christmas Eve.
I'm sure you know I've got a bit of an affinity for Banana Republic and may have over done it when it came to purchasing holiday styles; I first bought the velvet cami in navy, but then decided I also wanted it in taupe, only to conclude that it would just be foolish to not have the matching midi skirt as well.
As Christmas Eves go, having 30+ family members gathered in a space where the oven has undoubtedly been on all day, means that sleeveless tops, bare legs, and open shoes are easy to get away with, even if I have to be extra bundled up outside. I did have a cardigan, but I barely needed it all night.
Thankfully my delays in photographing this outfit worked in my favor, as we had that warm weekend, and I was not freezing to death shooting this outside. Perhaps we can forget this was meant to be Christmas outfit and instead repurpose it for early Valentine's Day? You can even still pick up the top and the skirt in a gorgeous deep red at a delightful 60% off.
The Rundown Velvet Cowl-Neck CamisoleBanana Republic Velvet Midi SkirtBanana Republic Asymmetrical Strap Mules Zara similar Scalloped Clutch Matine similar Pave Disc Earringssimilar Fresh Water Pearl NecklaceS.V. Decker Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York Thin Gold RingEtsyvia Ellyn Blue Jewelry Nail Color "Bubbles Only" Essie
This year I adhered pretty strictly to the holiday shopping rule of one gift for others, one gift for myself. I feel like the sales were just relentless, both before and after Black Friday, and temptation was everywhere. The biggest splurge being this croc embossed Loeffler Randall bag. When I was in New York with Cee we spotted it in Bloomingdales, and I couldn't stop thinking about it. Then there were sales on sales and I managed to get it for half off.
Of course it paired perfectly with my other new closet additions, and this outfit practically put itself together. While sandals would not be my usual choice for December, and I'd likely roll my eyes at anyone else wearing cropped pants and sandals in 40° weather, getting a manni/peddi was the first stop of a busy day and I'd sooner have freezing ankles and toes than a ruined pedicure. Besides, with the worst of winter yet to come, I need to get all the wear I can get from these faux leather pants while I still can.
