You have to weather the storm.

Ah, glorious sunshine. I walked outside today in nothing but a thin sweater [and a wool vest, but who's counting] and thought, "Wow, it feels so amazing outside!" People were walking down the street in gauzy linen and floppy hats, smiles grazing their faces like a gentle breeze. And then I looked at the thermostat and realized it was 48 degrees outside. But it was sunny. To a Floridian, that's about enough reason to wear flip flops in an ice storm.







[Wearing plum H&M sweater, wool striped vest from Anthropologie, cream tank from Sway in Berkeley, Silence + Noise jeans, Zigi Soho clogs, gray fringe purse from H&M, Naked Label stone necklace and Harmonica necklace.]

I feel, like how winter leads into fall and rain leads into sunshine, I am coming through some major contemplation into a time of rebirth, creativity, and fresh starts. So excited for what's to come, what may come after that, and for the constant pursuit of life. You know, actually living.

 

I haven't taken any pictures of my outfits in a week... mostly because I have been wearing the same thing over and over again. It is cold, wet, and as always happens when February finally rolls around, I have over worn all of my sweaters. Nothing new to see here folks! Move along, move along.

I did happen to go to a fantastic Super Bowl gathering last night - football shaped Oreos and a Steeler's necklace adorned cat in all - where I witnessed some awesome football fashions. My friend Cielo... takes the cake. Even if the Steelers failed to. You can't win 'em all.

[caption id="attachment_1402" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Yes, she wore her Steelers chef hat and apron almost all night long."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1403" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Grimacing."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1404" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="How many Steelers fans and chihuahuas can one couch hold?"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1405" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Love."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1406" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Teaching the Norwegian our Super Bowl ways. "][/caption]

I failed to get a picture of myself and also of the cat. The cat was really the winner of the night. He wore his dangly necklaces with such finesse.

On another note, my umbrella turned inside out today and my knitted cap fell in a puddle.

Here's hoping for brighter days and goodbye to football keeping us warm and distracted.

BEST Super Bowl Commercial of the night [in my opinion]:

The book is done. Well, through the first round of edits and has been printed out for the first time... all 153 pages of it [single spaced]. I chilled a bottle of champagne to toast myself, but left it in the fridge and passed out on the sofa watching "The Informant". My mind, and subsequently my wardrobe, have been cocooning. I've been thinking of nothing but these characters, unless the real world [ahem, my job] forced me to do otherwise, and have been wearing nothing but leggings and warm sweaters. I feel like my the 15 year old version of my husband that wore the same outfit every day for two years. My fashion statement has been my lack there of.

A peak inside my mind:

























Wearing black leggings, black crocheted and fringe tank dress from H&M, grey mystree sweater from Anomaly, and black Dolce Vita moto boots.

[If you're curious about any of the images, just ask.]

I found interesting reading Hilary's post where she talks how this journey has changed her way of shopping in a way that now she does not feel obligated to shop or hysterically needing to buy. I feel the opposite, which is interesting because we went through the same regiment and yet we came out with different views or somehow distorted views. I realized that going on a shopping diet is like going on a food diet -- a true estimate of your own will -- Well I always failed at diets because in the moment you tell me I am on diet I eat an entire chocolate cake. The only reason why I was somehow successful with my 91 days of no shopping is: time, money (lack of), lack of fashion in stores, I live in Tallahassee and more than anything a disgust for consumerism and trends.

These forces still push me to be a diligent shopper but the point is that I want to buy clothes and redo my entire wardrobe, because I feel it still sucks. There is this insatisfaction that pushes me to look, always look and maybe touch (buy). So, I have a dilemma now. I have seen pretty dresses, pretty shoes, pretty jeans and scarf that I want....but....I am struggling..struggling because I just can't buy..I just can't justify spending money in clothes, because I feel they are useless. I feel I should save money, pay travel expenses to go to conferences, or buy plants for my garden. So what is the line? How much is too much? How much should I save for clothes and the rest for more useful items? This is my struggle these days, just because I need to come up with a struggle beside sitting in my office, reading all day...You know...PhD students without a life beside books = a need for superfluous hobbies such as talking about shopping.... Anyway, the point is this one. I have never really being a shopaholic. neither I am frugal with my money. As a matter of fact I am very economical. I think because I am European. We don't have credit cards. We buy when we have cash. So there you go if I end up with few more items in my wardrobe it will all 'budget' with at the end of the month. [are we all full of excuses?:)] BUT remember Month of February only 2 items allowed.

You see? I went to look at plants for real:)



Wearing Uggs, Yoga pants from Victoria's Secret, Leather Jacket from this place in Montecatini, purse by UO, hat by Forever 21 and Indian scarf.

"Is there anything so wrong with that?"

Watched Confessions of a Shopaholic again the other night. There was one scene during the movie where Rebecca Bloomwood, the affable main character who has a dire addiction to shopping that threatens to ruin her well-dressed life, describes the joys of shopping during a Shopaholics Anonymous meeting.

"The experience is enjoyable. It's more than enjoyable. It's beautiful."



[Wearing Zigi Soho clogs, old Guess jeans that have shredded themselves, white cowl neck sweater for Alloy.com, tan chiffon coat from Lucky, brown studded belt from Wolfgang, and silver fringe earrings.]

I have never been as far down the rabbit hole as Rebecca Bloomwood, but I can relate. There is something inherently satisfying about "swiping" that card and bringing home something nice, shiny... new. However, like in the movie, it's an empty promise. It's a hallow high. And it threatens to destroy your finances while filling your closets with unneeded items that end up cluttering your mind, as well.  And, unlike how Carrie in Sex In The City famously said, shopping does not equate to cardio.

I am happy to say that I'm much much MUCH less of a shopaholic than I used to be. It took a massive clean sweep and 91 day break to realize how futile it all really was. I thought after Gin and I's first trip to the stores I would be forced to restrain myself to keep from falling back into old ways. Instead, I just don't even think about it that often. I think it's good to update your wardrobe every now and then, insert some interesting pieces for a fresh approach, but that's pretty much it.

Fashion is an amazing thing. Gross over consumerism is not.

Oh, and don't forget, come out to the Clothing Swap at Anomaly in Five Points for some "free" new clothes! It's a great way to cleanse, refresh, and donate all in one fell swoop!