I'm a clothes whore

Let me tell you a story.

Once upon a time there was a girl. Not only was this little girl the oldest of six kids, but she was very tall, pretty much from the get go. When this girl hit 12 years old, her growth skyrocketed. In three years she grew over eight inches. She has stretch marks on her lower back. (my husband used to ask if I was sure that they were stretch marks, not scars from my mother beating me. haha, funny. and they really are stretch marks.) As a result of this crazy growing, on top of having five younger siblings (meaning a shortage of money for new clothes), this girl rarely had pants that were long enough. Or shoes that were big enough. Luckily, during junior high was the roll your pants and stuff them into crazy colored socks phase. But that phase did not last to high school. The girl gave up trying to find women's jeans long enough and looked to mens. Which really weren't flattering, but at least they were long enough. Five years ago, the girls shopping options were minimized by living over seas. She discovered shopping online, and at the same time discovered jeans that had a 36" inseam! Oh the joy and happiness!!! (enough with the third person, going to first person....)

For the first time in my life, I had jeans that were long enough. And I haven't looked back. As time has progressed, I've learned more about how to dress myself. While I buy my share of cheap stuff, I have learned about buying quality if you want it to last for a while.

And, I admit, I love shopping. My jean purchases are still mostly online (except for the jeans I picked up at Nordstrom Rack. $176 jeans marked down and down until they were $32. AND they were long enough and fit my waist. it was like the jean genie had placed them there for me, just waiting for me to find them.) and many of my other clothing and shoe purchases are online. Because many times, when you're six feet tall, your shoe size is usually pretty big.

Anyway......

I have now become this person that really cares what she wears. I like having nice shirts for every day wear. I like wearing skirts. I like to do my hair almost every day. Why?? For so many years I felt awkward. I know I always looked halfway put together. Since I have become more aware and have made more of an effort to dress a certain way, people sit up and take notice of me. They take me seriously. I find that I feel really good when I dress well. When I feel good, I have more confidence, I have more motivation. I have fallen in love with wearing heels. I love two inches or higher.

There is a down side. I spend too much on clothes. Every time I get near an H&M, or Ross, or Marshalls, or get an email from J. Crew with an extra 20% off their final sale........my will power goes away. I do my best. At least if I'm shopping at J. Crew I'm only shopping the sales AND using the extra 20% (or if I'm really lucky, 30%) off.

Right now, there is this one dress that I am really coveting. It is perfect for fall. It's a fantastic color on me, and it's way cute. The price is just a little high. I have yet to have a good reason to get it. I'm just waiting patiently. Maybe it can be my Halloween costume..........