Fashion Fast 2013

I'm not a shopaholic. I'm not a hoarder. I'm not addicted to shopping.

But I do have a clothing habit! And no, I'm not trying to be euphemistic and prettify any problem I may have. After watching "My Shopping Addiction" and reading numerous articles and psychology texts, I can safely say that "addiction" would be a stretch.

But for some people, shopping, whether it's for clothes, shoes, beauty products, food, technology, trinkets, etc. is a way of feeling powerful again. It's a way of feeling in control. It's a dangerous counseling tool (retail therapy, anyone?) that we sometimes use as an excuse for remedying a bad day. The latter has been my issue before.

With a demanding job, several moves, personal life changes, and emotionally-paralyzing tragedies in the last few years, I simply couldn't find the energy to invest in anything that made me feel better. I would work out, but not stick to it. I started writing again, but it was all depressing and self-deprecating. I attempted to lose myself in the worlds of fiction, but found it overwhelming to read at work (as a teacher), read my students' assignments, read books for class, and then read recreationally.

 

So I shopped.

At H&M September 2012 (bought the dress: $20)

 

And usually I felt better. Coming from a family of fashionistas, I always strived to look nice. I enjoyed (and still enjoy) being put together and trying out new looks. I got a fashion design kit from my Aunt Kim in sixth grade and haven't been the same since. My mom went to FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) and always looked like a perfectly coiffed woman suitable for the cover of Elle or InStyle (my personal favorites as a teen and a now near-thirty-something). Looking good wasn't a priority. It was a passion. I can't draw or sculpt or sew or paint, but I love art. And this was the only way I knew how to make any that I was proud of. Color combinations. Mixing prints. Multiple textures. I love all of it.

December 2012 - Sweater: Target ($15); Pants: H&M ($12.95); Patent Loafers: Express ($6.99 on sale); Black Wool Coat: H&M ($30 on sale - they still have outerwear for $30 and under!)

 

 Dress: Xhilaration by Target (old); Shoes: Enzo Angiolini ($60 on sale at Nordstrom); Earrings: Target ($3.49 on clearance)

 

Hooded Brown Vegan Leather Jacket: TJ Maxx ($24.99); Orange and Brown Leopard/Zebra Scarf: TJ Maxx ($12.99)

Dress: H&M ($20 on sale); White tank: Forever21 ($2.50); Tweed Open Collarless Blazer: H&M ($34.95); Nude Patent Pumps: Target ($29.99) 

But when is it enough? I have Pinterest boards filled with outfit ideas. A photo album of favorite looks. A notebook of potential wardrobe combinations. I even have a list posted of things that still have the tags on them so I can force myself to wear them. But as I near that "something" age I parenthetically referred to earlier, I feel a pull to spend (or save) my money elsewhere. I want a house. I want to travel. I want a laptop that was not provided by the State Board of Education (well, I quite like the one they are letting me use, but a personal one is preferable, yes). I want to not work during the summer so I can concentrate on writing my novel.

And so the Fashion Fast was created. Last year I didn't shop for six months (December 2011 - May 2012) and it was a revealing time. I changed a lot in my life --- moved to a new apartment outside of the city, got a dog (Munki HarleyQuinn Morgendorfer, below), got rid of TV (Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube, baby!), cut some people out of my life, started writing again, and went outdoors more. I got clinically diagnosed with ADHD and my doctor urged me to start a diet, lifestyle, and meditation plan that has worked WONDERS for me.

And, alas, it's that time of year again. Many people make New Years resolutions that are hard to keep. "Lose 50 pounds." "Exercise 3-4 times per week." "Travel to 'insert international destination.'" "Become a rock star." "Stop blaming my parents, ex-boyfriends, and employers for all of my problems. We know it's society's bias against single women that's holding me back anyway! This year I will be a WOMAN: hear me ROAR!" But the Fashion Fast isn't really a resolution. It's more of a goal to restructure where my money goes. Will I still shop? Yes, most likely. But it will be a lot more carefully and with this fact in mind: "The average person spends 4% of their net salary on their wardrobe." If you net $40k a year, that means you're probably spending around $1500-1600 on clothes (though let's be honest, it's probably closer to $2000 when you factor in beauty products and hair care, INCLUDING trips to the salon!).

Cut that in half to $750. What would you do with an extra $750? You'd at least be able to afford that international flight. You could invest in a dream you've always had. And maybe you won't be a rock star, but you could pretend on your new Xbox360 Rock Band game.


Let's not have the "revelation" of one of pop culture's favorite spenders: Carrie Bradshaw.

 

 

I'll update regularly with outfits, money spent on clothes/shoes/accessories/beauty/hair, and trends in the new year. Let's just hope I'm also telling you all how much I love not working this upcoming summer as well :)

 

 

DISCLAIMER: I do NOT net $40,000 a year :-) I'm a 3rd year public school teacher. 'Nuff said. 





Dog Park Prep

Munki is a fan of pretending like she's going to be Speedy Gonzalez if I take her to the dog park in the afternoon. She scratches at the door, whines incessantly, and looks up at me with those big caramel eyes, imploring me to leash her up and drive her down. But alas, when we reach the park, instead of being like that Mexican mouse she is more like cat-and-mouse (sad for a dog). She runs for a good three seconds while another dog chases her and then flops on her belly under a bench in submission. This has earned her the nickname "Punki Munki" and I am left to leave only my wardrobe as some kind of hope for redemption.

Shirt: H&M $12.95

Shorts (old): H&M

Belt: Banana Republic $9.99 on sale

Purse: H&M $24.95

Shoes: Express $13.99 on sale

Sunnies: H&M $6.95

Bracelet (old but just took the tag off!): Forever 21

Scarf: TJ Maxx for $12.95

"Come on, mama! Let's go!!!"

I get a LOT of stares when I wear these to the dog park but I don't care! You can be chic even when you're picking up your pet's poop!

Polka Dots and Prints

Top: Express (old); Skirt: H&M for $24.95; Jacket: Express (old); Belt: from an Express dress; Heels: Steve Madden (old); Purse: H&M for $24.95; Sunnies: purchased at TJ Maxx for $7.99; Earrings: Target for $4.99

So my car decided to be AWESOME and have a flat tire. Apparently running over screws in your parking lot results in deflation. After DIY attempts with said-tire, I decided that like with most things that malfunction in my life, it was best to seek the assistance of a professional. Of course I did not realize my handiwork was defunct until after I'd already gotten ready to attend my teaching workshop for the day. The result above is what colleagues would have seen had I not thought that I was a master grease monkey the night before. At least I was able to snap a couple of pics before slipping back into shorts and a tee.

The night before I went to show my support for OKC (and DC native Kevin Durant) with my friend Andrea at a local bar. Here, we do the ever-classy pose of "fish face."

I had a love affair with Andrea's earrings until I realize that, as with men, that love was unrequited and they chose to stay with Andrea (who gets "all da menz" anyway :-P)

How I used my "brain" for this outfit: 

I love OKC's colors because they are opposites on the color wheel and shows a definitive contrast, which is pleasing to the eye. A warm color (such as my orange) is paired with a cool color (my blue) and communicates balance. It also communicates anti-LeBron. :-)

Dress: Pink Crayon, purchased at TJ Maxx for $20; Wedge Sandals: Express (on sale for $13.99!!!); Purse: Deux Lux purchased at Marshall's for $40; Sunnies: Franco Sarto, purchased at TJ Maxx for $10

Now, because I'm not a huge OKC fan nor a crazed face-painting man who shouts obscenities for every play of the game, I tried to think of a way to communicate my team preference in a subdued manner. Hence the blue with orange polka dots dress. Throw in a blue bag, heels, and sunglasses that I didn't even realize were the same color (don't you love when that happens?) and you get that you shouldn't ask me what I think of the Heat's #6. 

Hope everyone's enjoying the Playoffs!