Late nights are not my friend these days and last night was no exception. I fell asleep early with my kids, say 9pm, then I woke up at midnight and I could not get back to sleep. So I get up, flip on the tv and set my laptop on my lap of course. I was flipping between What Not to Wear (TLC) and International House Hunters (HGTV- sigh, dare to dream that I too will one day have a house in Cognac France) when I thought, oh let's see what's going on with my old friend JCrew- just looking of course. I arrive to 30% off- and the adrenaline started rising. I quickly scurried through the sale section, giddy as I filled my basket. I headed to checkout with $1,000 of merchandise. Then I pruned it down to $220 of "essential" items and started the process. I got to that final final screen where with free shipping and extra 30% off I was at $159 when I stopped the madness and asked myself a few questions. Will the asymmetrical bow sweater in fawn make me a better person? Will the black wool twill cropped pants change my life? Do I really want to blow it at this point? The answer was NO on all counts so I red X'd out of the screen and shut-down my computer.........phew. It was a quick gravity check that when I think that I am doing well with the no shopping, that my shopping demons are right around the corner. I think my next step is getting a handle on what I have- I have been so busy with work and life, my wardrobe is still in chaos (think multiple closets, rooms, piles- several NWT, never been worn). The ironic thing is I have been wearing the same jeans, fleece and Ugg boots in the bitter cold winter, especially on my three days that I work at home- not a stylish outfit in sight.
So my next step from here is to try the New Year purge/ inventory and really figure out what I have. That will help me manage in the future what I really NEED. GigiofCA and Fabulous Florida Mom have both recently discussed their shopping rules on their blogs, which I think is something that I really need to implement in my life. So that's where I am gang- I am in a place where I need to dig deep and focus inward literally and mentally and look at what I have instead of outward at what could be. Any ideas and/or encouragement are greatly appreciated.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Let me tell you how it will be; there's one for you, 19 for me
cause I'm the tax woMAN, YEAH, I'm the tax woMAN. (sung at the top of my lungs like the good Beatles fan that I am). Sorry gang- this is what happens to tax accountants that program software this time of year when the 60+ work week sets in- we get SILLY. Happy New Year- I have fallen so far off the radar, I thought I would try a quick post among the madness- I am missing all of you in blog land. Here's a quick update on my end. Santa was very good to me- both hubby and my brother had J Crew booty under the tree for me- too much in fact. My mother-in-law got me a gift card to Antrho- I am saving it for the thaw, which is MONTHS away at this point. When the time comes- I will need to be accompanied by a chaperon (that's you Hermie) as per the rules, I can only spend the card amount. The great part of this business is that I have not had time to think about shopping. The downside would be the 5+ pounds that I have packed on since this shopping hiatus has started. A few of my dear friends even suggested that I am subconsciously gaining weight so that I can't fit in my clothes and need to buy new clothes- GASP- I SHOULD HOPE NOT. All theories aside, in a complete panic I joined weight watchers at work and I ordered a meal delivery service until I get things under control (1200 calorie low-fat vegetarian- it's pretty good). I'm trying not to beat myself up- I don't have enough time for the gym or cooking right now- so I am doing the best that I can. On the bright side- the no shopping has allowed me to plan a long weekend to Disney world with my mom and kids- all for less than a monthly bill from jcrew. That my friends feels REALLY GREAT (especially with the subzero temps and mounds of snow around the Chicago area). I'm certainly not "cured"- I have leafed through the January catalog more than once, enjoying the pretty pictures. OH- I almost forgot- Mickey sent me a 2010 planner- a nice little surprise. I guess that he hasn't been following my blog- I am grateful nonetheless. I also must confess that I broke a rule- the Daddy/daughter dance is coming up and my 5yo has sensory issues with clothes. Basically she only wears knits/ extra soft cotton/silk. I would say a majority of her clothes are crewcuts. I did a quick search for a dress- couldn't find anything so I defaulted and ordered a crewcut dress that was knit AND looked special occasionish. (the ruffles are over the knit body)
But the shopping Gods were watching. She tried it on and it runs very TIGHT- not to my sensory girl's liking, so it will go back. The irony, she dug around her closet and pulled out the silk polka dot crewcut dress that she wore to the dance last year. Works for me and I will try not to slip again. So I guess that is enough brain dump for now. I hope all is well. My parting question for everyone- while I am trying to manage chaos/ achieve more balance in 2010- what are your tips and tricks? I'm liking this meal delivery service- but it is cost prohibitive on a long-term basis. What's everyone doing out there to make life easier?
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