Friday, January 29, 2010

want it. get it.

I'll be out of town rockin' out at a bachelorette party this weekend and so wanted to get this weekly feature up while I'm still in town. I've been wanting a studded skinny belt. I think I saw a few online at Banana Republic and J Crew at one point, but couldn't find them when I checked today. Fear not, ShopStyle to the rescue! I could dedicate an entire post to this website, but that is for another day.

This Linea Pelle skinny hip belt is available here, for the hefty (for a belt) sum of $120.


Admittedly, this belt could probably be worn for the rest of one's life. But still, I mean really, does anyone else get even the tiniest bit nauseas thinking about spending $120 on a belt? If you like the look, but not the pit it gives you in your stomach thinking about potential buyer's remorse try these:

Forever 21 - $7.80

New York & Company - $12.95 (on sale)


And don't forget to have a good weekend!

cheater, cheater pumpkin eater

It is soooo cold out. I gave up today. I gave up on trying to find something cute to wear. I'm a cheater. I'm a fraud. Whatever. I'm not wearing this. I wore it last week to a business dinner. Today, I'm actually wearing Uggs, jeans, turtleneck sweater, and a fleece. I am actually warm at the office for once though.

Shoes: BCBG
Dress: Ann Taylor
Jacket: BCBG

Thursday, January 28, 2010

three degrees

That is what my car says the temperature is outside right now. WTF. It is "I feel like I should just lay down and give up while walking across the sea of asphalt that is a parking lot to my office" COLD. 

Note to self: wearing dress and tights in 3 degree weather is not a good idea. FREEZING.

This outfit did not photograph well with an iPhone and an office bathroom. Maybe with all the money I save this year, I can buy a nice camera and a tripod? Our other digital camera is on its last legs too.

Boots: Old Navy
Tights: probably Target and they are maroon despite whatever color they look in this picture
Dress: Gap, it is navy blue wool and has cute pintuck/button placket that you can't see, sad.
Tee: Express
Necklace: Target, I think

I tried a white button-down shirt with this outfit and while it looked OK, all that layering was making me feel constricted and I felt like I couldn't move. Hence the tee.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

what a day!

Whew! What a day I've had so far. Between puppy barf in a cup holder (GROSS) and a possible job interview (yay, but can't talk about it because DO NOT want to jinx it), I've had a full day already. I finally made it to the office less than an hour ago and need to leave by 5:00 to go to my first Korean language lesson. My in-laws really only speak Korean, so it would be lovely to be able to participate in a conversation instead of sitting at the table with them and not knowing what the hell is going on. Awkward. Hence, the Korean language lessons.

OK, on to the main event. We've started packing. Moving day is Feb. 6. It will be a challenge to continue to come up with interesting outfts as my closet slowly gets packed away into boxes. I have found some items though that I have forgotten I even owned ... like the 50 cute tops mentioned by Kate in a comment to an earlier post.


Shoes: Cole Haan Ambrose, purchased at Marshalls for $50 when I probably did not have $50 to spend, but they were such a good deal it felt like destiny
Pants:  JCrew matchstick cords, on super sale, like I paid less than $30 for these
Blouse: Arden B, from a loooong time ago, see Kate, I do wear stuff from Erica's favorite store
Cardi: Express, also from a loooong time ago, the jeweled buttons have seen better days I think

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

back on the wagon

Going cold turkey, I was bound to fall off the wagon. I will keep track of my indiscretions on the right side of my blog so you can all feel my shame. But then you can read my post and see the adorable outfit I put together with one of those indiscretions and rejoice in the glory.


I'm a walking Gap, Inc. ad today. I think this outfit looks better IRL. Do you think it needs a belt? Skinny? Wide?

Boots: GoJane birthday purchase, twice in two weeks people
Tights: Target
Skirt: Gap wool mini, this has been a great basic item
Shirt: Gap indiscretion, used my Banana Republic rewards and picked this up for $7.99. I love it and can't wait to wear it with some liquid leggings
Vest: Faux fur from Old Navy, again twice in two weeks

Despite my fall off the wagon, it looks like I'm starting to get over my phobia of wearing the same item too often!

tuesday temptation

Ever read Lucky magazine? Where they can put together a month of outfits with like three, or some other ridiculously limited number of pieces that is in actuality more than three? I tend to over exaggerate. Ask Gus. Here Shopbop (one of my favorite websites for fashion inspiration, BTW) puts together the ultimate winter closet. 14 pieces and more than 12 looks. I'm particularly in love with the striped dress. I wonder if I could wear it without looking like a zebra or a convict that just escaped the work house. Oh yeah, of course I love those boots too. Click here to see all 12 plus looks.


Monday, January 25, 2010

rainy days & mondays

It rained pretty much all weekend here. Today it's snowing a bit.


Boots: Steve Madden Intyce. Previously labeled the "We can't go on vacation" boots because after I bought them Gus said "well, I guess we can't go on vacation now." Jerk face. In fact, we did go on vacation that year ... we went to Vegas and got MARRIED and whilst sitting in Caesar's Palace at a slot machine some woman came up and complimented me on these boots. Gus found that ridiculous.
Jeans: Old Navy skinnies. Purchased as a replacement for some black Express skinnies that I think I got too fat for.
Vest: Romeo & Juliet Couture. Purchased at TJ Maxx on a day where I was feeling especially sorry for myself for not being able to find a new job.
Tee: Vince. Super overpriced tissue tee.
Necklace: Forever 21. Cannot say anything bad about this necklace. I like it and it probably only cost like $10. Cost per wear, it's definitely paid off.

Here's to a good week!

weekend triumph

This was a pretty economical weekend for me (us). I picked up a wedding shower gift ($21) for a friend at Patina and a couple air-tight canisters ($35) for the pantry at Home Goods, which BTW is one of my FAVORITE stores. I also bought a gas station cappuccino on Saturday morning (along with some gas), mostly because I needed to treat myself since I had to WORK, on SATURDAY, GRRRR!! Oh yeah and I bought tea and a doughnut on Sunday because I had a meeting at a coffee shop at 2:00 and I hadn't eaten yet at all that day and it was making me CRAZY CRABBY, which is NOT A GOOD THING. Just ask Gus.

But here's the TRIUMPH of the weekend! When I woke from my regular Sunday afternoon nap, still feeling a little crabby because I was just waking up, I managed to convince Gus that he DID NOT need to spend money by ordering Jimmy John's because I could DEFINITELY make something with the ingredients in our pantry. And GUESS WHAT? I came up with some concoction, using some ground turkey, cream of mushroom soup, carrots, onions, and celery. Sounds gross, but Gus loved it and it didn't cost us any addtional $$.  Jimmy John's was sure hard to resist though because I LOVE JJ's. I always get the Vito. So delicious. So bad for you.

But wait! One more awesome thing I did last night while not watching the Vikings because it was making me way too nervous (heartbreaking loss BTW), I planned out meals for this entire week. Headed to the grocery store after work! GO ME!

Saturday, January 23, 2010

a little help from my friends

Now that I have nine followers, I should be able to get a little help, no? I need help putting together an outfit for a friend's bachelorette party in rural MN. Now I spent the first 18 years of my life in rural MN, but as a high school kid I wasn't exactly clued into the nightlife.

I'd like to wear a cute dress that I've been saving, but the bride said to dress casual. I mean the dress isn't uber fancy, but it is probably not "casual." But maybe if I threw on a more casual jacket. Here's the dress. Too much? Alternative outfits? Black tights and boots?


As you can tell, I really want to wear this and just may even though the bride told me to dress casual. Or is that bad?

want it. get it.

A while back I tried starting a look for less type blog. Blogs like this seem to be a dime a dozen. But, I like the thought so want to incorporate it once a week here. Here's your first edition of "want it. get it."

This little lovely, the Captured Gems Bracelet from Anthropologie is $178. Now even if I wasn't particpating in this challenge, I would NEVER EVER IN ONE MILLION YEARS buy this bracelet for myself. UNLESS, it was for say, my wedding, which already happened, in a Mercedes in a drive-thru in Las Vegas and there was really no jewelry involved accept for the rings we picked up at the gift shop. Or it might make a lovely bouquet wrap.


If you want the look, try the Rhinestone Seduction bracelet from Forever 21. For little over 4% of the cost of the Anthropologie bracelet, you can have this, which retails for $7.80. I know. It's gold and not silver, but did you read it's ONLY $7.80!


Have a great wekend everyone!

Friday, January 22, 2010

to infinity and beyond

I love the idea of the infinity scarf. But really? For the most part it is just a long scarf with the ends sewn together. NOT ROCKET SCIENCE, PEOPLE! So as much as I love the ones seen at Urban Outfitters, Banana Republic, or Limited, I could not justify purchasing one when I knew that even with my meager knitting skills I could make one all my own. However, Limited does have them on clearance right now for $9.99 plus an extra 40% off, which means I probably couldn't make my own for less than that given the price of my VALUABLE VALUABLE time and the cost of yarn.

With a pair of size 10 needles and some old yarn that I purchased with every intention of knitting a blanket for my parents and despite starting twice gave up both times, I made myself an infinity scarf. Did I mention that I can only knit square things? Blankets, scarves, dishcloths, etc. WAIT! That's a total lie and a half. I can knit HATS too! I just really shy away from sweaters or anything that has to actually FIT someone. 


Sorry for the blurry pic. I still haven't fully embraced my bathroom photography skills and like to just take a quick shot and get the heck out of Dodge.

Boots: Target Frye knock-offs - v. comfy, good purchase if you are in love with the look of the Frye Harness, but not the price.
Tights: Kohl's Simply Vera - they're tights, not much else to say
Dress: Forever 21 - it's blue and it has pockets, haven't worn this dress since April 2008 in Arizona
Cardi: Banana Republic, on sale, awesome, love this, wear it probably two or three times per month if not more
Infinity Scarf: Hand knit by moi! GO ME!

TGIF everyone!


Thursday, January 21, 2010

signed, sealed, delivered

We have officially signed a lease and mailed our hard earned money for security deposit, first month's rent, pet deposit, and some ridiculous move-in fee. WTF? I've been a total stress cookie (STRESS COOKIE, for emphasis) since after the holidays desperately reading Craigslist trying to find a place for us that would be in a suitable location, of suitable decor, and would allow Carleton Rover (aka Carl Rove), the absolute cutest, most adorable, sweetest, cuddly little pup EVER. EVER. SERIOUSLY.

TAKEHOME MESSAGE: If an ad on Craigslist seems to good to be true, it is. It is probably a scam. It is probably someone who will send you an e-mail telling you that they have to move to Scotland (or Honduras or West Africa) because they need to save the heathens, help some sick kids, or mine some petroleum, and they would love to have you rent their house but since they are out of the country maybe you should just send all your most very personal information and your first born child (kidding about the first born) along with a security deposit ... THEN AND ONLY THEN will this person mail you a key to the house. Are you kidding me? WTF?

Please for the love of all things created by God or evolution or the Big Bang, do not fall prey to one of these scams!

may it please the court

I'm an attorney. As such, I'm required to dress appropriately (aka conservatively) for certain things ... networking events, interviews, COURT APPEARANCES. I kind of doubt any judge is going to compliment me on my super duper cute OTK boots (that I don't have because I am not supposed to be buying anything this year) or my adorable patterned tights. And while I feel pretty good dressed up all adult and lawyer-ly, I MISS MY LEGGINGS, tunics, high boots, etc. I hate looking/feeling like a cookie cutter lawyer wandering the skyways.

But, we do what we have to do. Here's the uber-conservative dressed up ready to represent YOU look! You know you want me to be your attorney.

Pumps: BCBG
Hose: JCPenney
Dress: Banana Republic
Jacket: Thrift store
Necklace: Forever 21 mixed chains -- this is my trendy, stick it to the man because I need to EXPRESS myself and I have to wear this all-black, possibly going to a funeral outfit, to network with a bunch of lawyers accessory. TAKE THAT!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

change your stripes

By embarking on this challenge, I am changing my stripes. I am becoming more conscious about how I am spending my money. And in honor of this, here's a very fitting outfit.


Shoes: Think these were on sale at Macy's or probably Marshall Field's. Good height, comfy, and I wear them probably once every couple of weeks.
Tights: Old Navy
Dress: Expess, blue zebra print, hence the post title, but I just realized that you totally can't see the stripes in my crappy iPhone pic. Trust me, they are there.
Necklace: Forever 21, purchased when I was on a kick for long necklaces awhile ago, but I've only worn it twice now. I love the dragonfly.  Here's a closer pic.







Tuesday, January 19, 2010

tuesday temptation

Last Tuesday, I posted about a pair of delightful shoes. I covet these shoes and will probably continue coveting them for the next year I suppose. Alas, the TUESDAY TEMPTATION was born. Every Tuesday, I'll post one thing that I really really really want, but can't have.*

Here's what I'm wanting NOW ... drumroll please ... I would like a pair of over-the-knee boots. Don't judge. I'm almost certain I can pull these off without looking like a hooker, but of course if I can't than at least I can stop thinking that I want a pair? I have extra special affection for these.



They can be purchased here. And it looks like they are even on sale from $199 to $119. Old self would be all over that like a fat kid on cake. I mean they are ON SALE!

The dilemma ... whether or not to try them on. Trying things on is NOT AGAINST THE RULES and if I can't pull them off without looking like a streetwalker, then I can stop obssessing over them. (FYI - I actually had DREAMS about the Steve Madden Intyce boots before I pulled the trigger. Gus likes to remind me of this as a testament to my craziness) But what if they look super hot and cause me to have dreams like the ones just mentioned? AAACKKK!
*Tarcy is also keeping track of the thing she really really wants, but can't have. You can check her out here.

skol vikings!

A little purple and yellow in honor of the Minnesota Vikings! Pants on the ground! Go Favre!


Someone caught me taking a picture of myself in the bathroom. I proudly kept on shooting despite how silly it probably looks to be taking a picture of oneself in a work restroom. It's the only place that there is a good mirror!

Boots: Love these. Purchased from GoJane.com. V. comfy. Birthday purchase pursuant to challenge rules.
Tights: Who the heck knows? Probably from the $100 store aka Target, where you can't seem to leave without buying $100 worth of stuff that you  may or may not need.
Dress: Limited. I wear this pretty often and by pretty often I mean like once every four months or so. I do really love it though.
Belt: Old Navy. I picked up 3 other ones in different colors a few years ago when they were on sale. Great purchase.
Jacket: Target. Again GREAT PURCHASE! While I don't wear it often, I'm certain I can wear it FOREVER or at least until it falls apart.
Necklace: Express. Jewelry at Express is so overpriced. But I loved the little bird pendants.

Coming up next ... the Tuesday Temptation!

Monday, January 18, 2010

monday confessions

In an effort to hold myself accountable, here's what I spent $$ on this weekend:
  • $10.31 got me shared nachos, flautas, and guacamole at Cantina #1 and a non-shared (obviously) Corona Light. PLUS quality girl time with a couple of good girlfriends that I hadn't connected with in a long while.
  • $3.25 to and fro on LRT with crazy Viking fans both directions including a girl with a really annoying voice that made me want to hurl myself off the train several stops before my usual stop. Skol Vikings!
  • $6.47 got me and Husband sausage pizza and crazy bread from Little Caesar's
I know the pizza thing is really against the rules, but I was craving pizza and even though I was willing to go to the grocery store to get frozen pizza and make it in the oven, Husband informed me that frozen pizza was $4 at the market across the street so I might as well just get Little Caesar's. Plus, I did have a coupon for FREE CRAZY BREAD that is only good Sundays/Mondays. So there.

AND, I walked around the Mall of America with the girls and did not buy one thing ... besides the food mentioned above.

just another manic monday

Here is my outfit. I tried to come up with three interesting (we'll use that term in its loosest sense) things about each piece. Read on to see if I have succeeded ...



Boots: Chinese Laundry

1) Inspired by the boots worn by Blake Lively (hers were grey) on an early episode of Gossip Girl.
2) Took two wayward purchases of grey suede OTK boots from Steve Madden and lots of internet research to figure out which boots were actually worn on Gossip Girl - by which time, Chinese Laundry was sold out of grey, hence the black.
3) What, you might ask, became of the other two pairs of grey suede boots purchased from Steve Madden? One pair sold on Craigslist and one pair sits in my closet begging to be worn.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Do your research! Don't buy something online just because you think it might be the item you saw on a television show. Google the sh*t out of it, post on Makeup Alley, and if you love Gossip Girl style check out Shop Gossip Girl.

Jeans: Gap Always Skinny

1) purchased on a semi-lark. Wanted distressed skinny jeans (aka ones with holes in them already), but  saved $10 getting these and will probably wear these more. GO ME!
2) Should have purchased a 2 rather than a 4. THEY STRETCH! Saggy butt in skinny jeans at end of day = NOT SO ATTRACTIVE!
3) Received a $20 Gap store card for purchase of denim due to in-store promotion. Resold said $20 card on Craigslist for $10.

TAKEHOME MESSAGE: People will buy just about anything on Craigslist. See #3 under Boots.

Sweater: Limited

1) NEVER purchase anything at Limited for full price. There are coupons out there I PROMISE you. They send me one like every other day. E-mail me, I will send them to you.
2) Purchased on sale (see #1) because it seemed like a good basic piece that could be worn ALOT. Guess what? IT IS, IT IS!
3) When shopping at Limited, I try to only pick up basic pieces. Pieces that people will not automatically recognize were purchased at Limited. As an aside, I do this at IKEA too.

TAKEHOME MESSAGE: For the love of all things holy, DO NOT purchase an item at Limited unless there is some sort of discount and the measly 10 or 15 percent discount for opening a Limited charge account does not count unless you are spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars!

Faux Fur Vest: Old Navy

1) This, my friends, is the coup d'etat. LOVE IT.
2) Purchased several years before Mary-Kate (or was it Ashley) made them trendy. I only reference the Olsen twins because I recall seeing a picture of one of them wearing a faux fur vest and it reminded me that I should really get mine out and try to incorporate it into my wardrobe. Someone entirely different could have made them trendy.
3) Didn't wear it for several years until Mary-Kate made them trendy, but now LOVE LOVE LOVE the style so much that I had to purchase another faux fur vest from Forever 21.

TAKEHOME MESSAGE: Sometimes, just sometimes, you purchase a piece that you don't wear for several years and then find out you LOVE IT! This makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside and SO FASHION FORWARD because you already owned the piece before it got labeled as a must-own by US Weekly or some such publication.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

swap it out

I'm not allowed to purchase new (or used) clothing/shoes/accessories for 365 days. But, I am allowed to swap/trade! I am so glad that some ambitious Twin Cities gal started up this Meetup Group. So so so EXCTED!! CANNOT WAIT FOR THE FIRST ONE! I was thinking that there needed to be a group like this in Mpls-St. Paul, but I am administratively challenged and did not have the patience or initiative to start it up on my own. Plus, if no one came, I would probably take it irrationally personally and be really sad and assume people just didn't like me. Just couldn't put myself out there like that. Silly willy, I know. But never fear! Someone braver than me has made one of my dreams come true. Thank you Twin Cities Clothing Swap Meetup Group organizer! Ms. Twin Cities Clothing Swap Meetup Group Organizer (sung to the Real American Heros Budweiser tune, of course), we salute you!

Friday, January 15, 2010

book 'em dan-o

While I haven't gotten rid of my Netflix subscription, I have challenged myself not to buy books and instead hit up my local library. I just got my library card last summer. Eeek! Had some time before picking up Husband from work yesterday so wandered into the library. Here is what I learned ...

1) Library self-checkout IS NOT fast and easy to use. I tried it one million (or three or four) times before I gave up and used the guy at the desk.

2) Library is not like Half-Price Books where I just keep buying books thinking I will put them in my "to be read soon" collection. I kept wandering the bookshelves picking up books that I have been wanting to read and then realizing that there was no way in H-E double hockey sticks that I was going to read them all in a three week loan period.

3) There are cops at the library - real cops. They will take you out in handcuffs. I saw this. It happened. I'm not sure what you have to do at the library to get taken out in handcuffs, but watch yourself. It happens.

4) Odiferous people who follow you really closely down the aisle (or many aisles as the case may be) while you are perusing the audio books are undesirable. Seriously. Give me some space. Or take a shower.

5) Just because I hate to end on an even number. I paid $2/hour to park at the library. What does this tell you? The library is NOT entirely free.

outfit of indiscriminate purchases

I discussed my indiscrimnate purchasing practices earlier. This outfit has been born out of some of those purchases.


1) I *heart* Ronson Boyfriend Blazer - These are trendy. I don't really know if they are classic. I wasn't going to buy into this trend until I saw this one on sale at JC Penney for 50% off. In fact, I even bought it in a M because the XS was too small and there was no S. In summary, I purchased a trendy piece at the end of the summer that may be ill-fitting simply because it was 50% off and this is only the second time I've worn it. I will bold that because it really is the take home message.

2) F21 Tiered Skirt - During my regular perusal of various store websites, I saw a cute outfit at AnnTaylor.com. It was the skirt with the little flippy things on it (either you know what I'm talking about or you don't, in which case it doesn't matter) and kind of a big chunky knit cardi with one jeweled button. I wanted to try to recreate that outfit so I found this skirt at F21 for like $11, which in my previous world was practically FREE. Of course, I never did recreate that outfit and now this is the FIRST time this skirt has come into play in my wardrobe.

3) NW Boots - Lo and behold, these boots were definitely not an indiscriminate purchase. I stalked these at three NW stores here in the Twin Cities metropolitan area and finally pulled the trigger on them when they were on ridiculous sale online. I've had them since last fall and I LOVE THEM. ALWAYS.

4) Accessories - F21 necklace that you can't really see but I promise it is cute and my smurfy blue tights from ON.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

herein lies the dilemma

So I started this challenge for the following reasons:

1. To combat indiscriminate purchasing - I have been known to buy things because they are on sale or only $20, whether I need them or not. 

2. To save $$ by curbing practice mentioned above

3. To limit wardrobe additions, given our downsize from a 1,200 sq. foot condo without enough closet space to an 800 square foot loft with even less closet space

So, what is a girl to do when she gets her $20 BR Reward? It is like free money, but I would probably have to shell out a bit of cash to cover the difference since the terms and conditions of the reward require the purchase to be more than $20. This would obviously be against the rules. However, since it is like FREE MONEY* (do you hear me? FREE MONEY!), I would still be staying within the spirit of the challenge.

Thoughts anyone?

*Yes, I know it not really FREE MONEY. It is the reward for using and abusing my Visa. It was not free.

on the fence

Not sure how I feel about this outfit. I kind of like it, but I'm not in love with it. I do, however, applaud myself for getting some use out of this dress. I really like it, but it's red so only wear it every so often for fear of people thinking that I wear the same thing all the time. One of my biggest fears (besides failure and sharks) is that people will look at me and be like ... didn't she just wear that last week? Irrational - I KNOW!


Boots: Old Navy, got them during the Suff & Save, pleathery, but actually really like 'em - v. comfy
Dress: Limited, purchased on sale for V-day 2008, but it's too damn cold in MN to wear sleeveless in Feb. even inside the lovely restaurant where your boy made reservations
Cami: Limited, so I don't show too much of my non-existent cleavage at the office, these seamless camis GREAT investment
Jacket: F21, not a huge fan of this jacket, can't believe I really purchased it, so now am just trying to make some outfits with it.


Bun Mi. Yum mi.

No less than 12 hours after I posted my new revised rules re: eating out, I found myself here. Yummy, delicious, Vietnamese sandwiches ... going here was NOT MY IDEA. Of course, when Husband suggested it, there was NO WAY I was going to refuse. Here's what happened -

We're looking for a new place to rent. Had an appointment at 7:45 p.m. Husband picked me up from the office at 6:15 p.m. and did it really make sense to try to run home and make dinner after a 1/2 hour commute back to the city? Not really, right? Right? Plus Carl the puppy was with us. So I suggested going to Petco to return these puppy wipes that are supposed to rid pup of dander, but don't, and now I want my money back. Unfortunately, we had already missed the exit for Petco. I then suggested we go to Java J's, which is dog friendly, and grab a sandwich. Husband reminded me that sandwiches there are kind of expensive. THEN Husband suggested that we go to Bun Mi.

So I guess I lose points for actually suggesting sandwiches in the first place. I wasn't even that hungry though and had we gone to J's I would not have eaten anything. But I CANNOT pass up Bun Mi! Seriously. Lucky for us, Bun Mi is easy on the pocketbook. I got a sandwich and glass of water. Husband got the combo, which comes with fries and a soda. Total cost = less than $12.

AND the place we looked at was pretty fantastic and hopefully we will be submitting an application TODAY!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

the rules revisited

Tarcy put together some really comprehensive rules. Yes, she is a lawyer. I did not put much time into my original rules posted here. Here I am revisiting my rules ... being a bit more thoughtful and less of a spaz. Since my biggest vices are eating out and shopping, my rules are focused on such.

1. I am not allowed to purchase new (or used) clothing, shoes, undergarments, accessories, etc.

2. I can purchase cosmetics (makeup, lotions, etc.)

3. I am allowed ONE (1) free day – your birthday – on which you can purchase any amount. My birthday is already over. Sad.

4. Shopping on vacation is allowed. Thank GAWD. Going to Vegas and Korea in 2010. Shopping needs to happen there!

5. Eating out ... here's where I start getting tricky with the rules.

a. Eating out should be limited to legitimate celebrations for others (i.e., friends' birthdays)

b. Eating out on my b-day is allowed. I already did this. HA! Brunch at Ike's on my birthday!

c. Any other eating out should be limited to twice per month. So you girls that want me to hook up for lunch or dinner, get on the calendar now or you might have to wait!

d. Happy Hour is allowed. Thank GAWD.

e. Eating out for business/netwoking purposes is allowed. Gotta keep my clients happy!

f. Asking Husband to take me out to dinner is not allowed. Suggesting Husband order pizza or Jimmy John's is not allowed. If Husband really wants these things, I am allowed to indulge with him. It just cannot be my idea.

g. We are often on the go. Husband likes the drive-thru. If I am subjected to the drive-thru because we are driving somewhere, I will only order from the $1 menu, where possible.

So far the eating out rules are the most challenging. I wasn't even sure I was going to include them in the challenge. It's going to get harder if we actually move into that building above Sawatdee. I LOVE PAD THAI and TOM YUM! LOVE LOVE LOVE. NOM NOM NOM.

That is all.

shopping the closet

My closet is where I'll be shopping for 2010. I've been trying to get creative, but it honestly isn't that easy. It takes time and effort. Both of which I have little of between new puppy, working weekends, home hunting, and job hunting. But here you have it .... today's OOTD.


Yes, this is the bathroom at my office. I know. It's not sexy. The dirty details ...

Boots: Nina, compliments of my friend Karin, who has a friend that gets sample shoes all the time
Skirt: BCBG, from a trip to San Francisco, needed the special touch from my mother-in-law to get it to fit correctly in the waist
Sweater: Expess, BORING
Belt: Limited, BORING, but not as
Necklace: Target

My favorite part about this skirt is the back. This is a terrible picture, but I love the ruffle.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

thou shalt not covet


Want these ... want them bad.  Cannot have them. Sooooo pretty. Distract me from wanting these please.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

the test

With the need to work on Saturdays and a new puppy, my desire to shop has definitely be curbed. After work, I just want to run home and snuggle the pup and Husband. Next weekend my girlfriends want to get together for margaritas and shopping at MOA. This will be a good test of my spend-free willpower. If I can do this, I can do ANYTHING ... including finding a new job in 2010.

Friday, January 8, 2010

RAOK

I posted the other day about my birthday coupons. Turns out that I had already thrown out the one from Limited in my effort to spend-free. Then as a RAOK (random act of kindness) I gave away my Banana Republic birthday code to a fellow MUAer (MUA = Makeup Alley, one of my HG (holy grail) websites for all things fashion and makeup related). She just e-mailed me that she got a beret with the code. I feel pretty good about it and only a little bit sad that I won't be purchasing anything new from Banana.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

birthday shopping

One of my favorite hobbies whilst stuck on the cube farm is reading fashion blogs and online window shopping. Two plus closets filled with clothes, more than 150 pairs of shoes, and I still maintain the desire to keep shopping. Given this challenge, I should probably get a new hobby. Tarcy's rules allow for one free day on your birthday and mine is on Sunday. I'm going to hopefully use my $15 birthday coupons from Limited and Banana Republic to pick up a couple small things. Birthday challenge is to stick to less than $30 (or $15 after discounts) at each store. These boots are also on my birthday radar.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

my challenge my rules

Still week one and I'm still designing my challenge. I better put the rules out there to hold myself accountable to this task. I've taken some liberties with the original Spend-Free rules to better suit my needs.

1) No clothing, shoe, jewelry, or accessory purchases. For the girl with more than 150 pairs of shoes/boots, I anticipate this not really being a problem. Or I'll just be wearing alot of black.

2) I am allowed to eat out for legitimate celebrations or if Husband is so hungry and in such a rush that a drive-thru is in order. In the case of the latter, I will only order off the dollar menu when possible and steal some of Husband's fries and Diet Coke.

3) I am allowed to spend money on toys for Carl Rove, the newest addition to the Chunglund family.

4) Also allowed are gifts for others pursuant to the original Spend-Free rules.

5) We are moving into a studio loft. I imagine we are going to have to get creative with storage and purchases may need to be made. These are allowed. How else will I store my 150 plus pairs of shoes?

Instead of donating to the United Way, I'm starting a vacation fund. We are headed to Korea in August 2010!

Monday, January 4, 2010

first weekend

My first spend-free weekend.

New Year's Eve - Heineken and champagne

New Year's Day - McChicken, gas, car wash, and Chinese buffet

Jan. 2 - Dog treats, Caribou, chair massage, and Hawk's

Jan. 3 - Groceries

Overall, not bad. I am modifying my rules to make an eating out exception. While I will try to stick with the no eating out, unless it is a celebration or an organic sustainable restaurant, when it is just me, it just isn't reasonable with Husband. We've been on the go so much that it has required quite a few drive-thru stops. We're working on it.