In which I ponder shopping
So lately I've been in a funk (whine, complain, yada, yada) and generally when I'm in a funk, I shop. Some of my worst purchases have come at a time of emotional fragility. We aren't even going to TALK about the flouncy black illusion petticoat I bought two years ago. (And if you're trying to picture it, don't think it was a demure crinoline. Oh, no, my friends. It was like a square dancing petticoat on steroids. I couldn't even close my closet door once it established a nest.)
Anyway, in the interests of fiscal responsibility I have been trying to analyze my spending patterns and shape them more wisely. I have discovered that I am a binge shopper. I will go for months without buying anything important, then suddenly I have half the living room redecorated and am getting thank-you notes from White House/Black Market in the mail. (Is it wrong when a retailer sends you birthday cards?) I spend more when I'm emotional, although this time I have curbed myself sufficiently to buy one magazine--Red!--and...good heavens, I think that's IT! There are no shameful surprises lurking in my closet as evidence of my feeling lowly, which I have to say I'm feeling rather proud of at present. I'm vastly impressed by the people who put themselves on spending freezes, but I am SO not one of them. I could never be constrained by the idea that I can't spend at all, but reading blogs by people who have taken the plunge to cut off their clothes shopping has inspired me to at least be more organized about mine.
Enter the iphone. I have made a list on my notepad of my clothing wishes. (It's organized AND it's attraction thinking, I figure.) I have tried to puzzle out the empty spots in my wardrobe and decide what best could fill them. So my list is a hodge-podge of flat equestrian boots, patterned blouses, and dark jeans, but at least I am not walking into a store in a state of trembling vulnerability. I'm hoping that having the list will keep me on track to finding precisely what I need to expand the wardrobe I already have. (Although a totally impractical sequinned cocktail dress is sometimes JUST what a girl needs. I make no promises.)
So how do you shop? Are you organized or do you just troll around for what looks good?
Anyway, in the interests of fiscal responsibility I have been trying to analyze my spending patterns and shape them more wisely. I have discovered that I am a binge shopper. I will go for months without buying anything important, then suddenly I have half the living room redecorated and am getting thank-you notes from White House/Black Market in the mail. (Is it wrong when a retailer sends you birthday cards?) I spend more when I'm emotional, although this time I have curbed myself sufficiently to buy one magazine--Red!--and...good heavens, I think that's IT! There are no shameful surprises lurking in my closet as evidence of my feeling lowly, which I have to say I'm feeling rather proud of at present. I'm vastly impressed by the people who put themselves on spending freezes, but I am SO not one of them. I could never be constrained by the idea that I can't spend at all, but reading blogs by people who have taken the plunge to cut off their clothes shopping has inspired me to at least be more organized about mine.
Enter the iphone. I have made a list on my notepad of my clothing wishes. (It's organized AND it's attraction thinking, I figure.) I have tried to puzzle out the empty spots in my wardrobe and decide what best could fill them. So my list is a hodge-podge of flat equestrian boots, patterned blouses, and dark jeans, but at least I am not walking into a store in a state of trembling vulnerability. I'm hoping that having the list will keep me on track to finding precisely what I need to expand the wardrobe I already have. (Although a totally impractical sequinned cocktail dress is sometimes JUST what a girl needs. I make no promises.)
So how do you shop? Are you organized or do you just troll around for what looks good?
Comments
Unfortunately, I can,
Unfortunately, I can, usually, never go out and buy what I am looking for. I very rarely find it. I do have a couple of online sources where I go troll the sale sections and pick up cute things. And I do go hit the mall and have certain stores where I find things, but I cannot go with a 'plan' or a list because I end up frustrated on a fruitless quest. Its better to just wander... (there was only one time I had a quest that came to fruition, and that was in a foreign country)
It depends on what I need. If
It depends on what I need. If it's clothes and I need a few new outfits for work, I'll look at sale items and try to match up a few outfits that way. Right now I need some shirts that go with two particular pairs of pants so I'll be on the lookout for them. But shopping isn't recreational or fun for me. I'd rather save up and buy books :)-MarissaBossier City, LA
I'm curious to hear if the
I'm curious to hear if the list helps or hurts. I love my wishlist, but since I love knocking items OFF of it, I feel like it can be a bad influence.
Nothing (well, almost
Nothing (well, almost nothing) makes my little heart happier than trolling around the mall looking for clothes/shoes. Especially since mall time is Mommy time and I'm usually by myself. A rare treat in many ways.
Usually I am a focused
Usually I am a focused shopper-what we call "seek and acquire" missions. I need navy slacks-I go buy navy slacks. Then I leave the store...unless I see tops and shoes that go with the navy slacks.And of course I can sense cashmere at 200 feet-sale cashmere from across the mall.But I don't "go shopping" unless there is a specific need. I don't find it relaxing, and it is never my recreational choice.