It's The Final Countdown!

Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it. -Greg Anderson

Two days and counting! It is true, my hour of triumph and reward is drawing near after so many months of restraint and strong will. Well….maybe not really. In addition to my slacking on my posts the last two months (mea culpa, mea culpa), I also am guilty of seeing the light of temptation at the end of the tunnel, and it was all just too much to bear. But let’s not jump ahead too quickly. I shall start where I left off in mid-October….

My big “fashion event” in October was my work’s Fall Gala. Having already attended my fair share at this point, the new frock supply was running thin, though not enough time has gone by to begin recycling past worn dresses. So back to the borrowing board I went and thanks to my lovely friend J, I was able to wear the most stunning, flowy Yves Saint Laurent number and topped (or bottomed as the case may be) it off with some Prada shoes from my darling friend M. Thanks ladies! So do I plan to lay down some serious cash for the next gala in the spring? Oh contraire, my friends, I have another plan. I have discovered that often times vintage boutiques will loan out formal wear for just such occasions for a small portion of the cost of purchasing the dress. Brilliant!

As the time of allowed shopping was more and more within my reach, I began to plan and research what purchases, or investments as I now like to refer to them, I might make in January and early 2011. Not a good idea. November was somewhat torturous in this regard, but due to planning a fund-raising event in addition to my normally cramped schedule, I was able to stay strong. Thanksgiving came and went without a hitch. Then it was December and the holiday season began. A time of year when one is forced into stores in order to acquire gifts for friends and family. I have always spent way too much at this time of year as I inevitably picked up a few items for myself during these missions. Though this year’s shopping included no major guffaws, there was a lovely long beaded necklace and a fab vintage dress that I will inevitably wear to one of the four, yes four, weddings we will be attending in the coming year. In efforts of honesty, not justification, these illegal purchases totaled less than $100.

After December 25th, I concluded that my year had pretty much ended. Come on! It’s so close! I jumped on the “jeggings” bandwagon and picked up a cheap solid black pair that I have worn pretty much every other day since they were purchased. And then there was my self-issued reward for a year (ok, 11 months) of restraint. After much time spent thinking about exactly what I wanted, I am in possession of what I call my “big-girl-bag”. Oh the softness of the leather and the intoxicating smell. It is beautiful…simple, structured, classic.

A big thank-you to everyone who voiced their support and offered encouragement during this experiment. In a previous blog, I stated what I felt I had learned from this. So how will I go forward from here? Well, I have decided that I should have a fashion motto and I think I found it while reading an article in Vogue regarding what a young American woman learned during her time in France and Italy in the 1970’s. “Be crisp, tailored, and simple. Never skimp on shoes. Always wear perfume.”

Merci mon ami! A Bientot!

Tuckered Out

There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it. -Oscar Wilde

Let's not beat around the bush. I cheated last week. I cannot tell a lie. I mean, isn't that one of the major points of this blog...to keep me honest. I had heard whispers about the Tucker for Target line a while back. I had hoped upon hope that it wouldn't come out until 2011. This is part of a project Target does with established or up and coming fashion designers, where for a limited time, they offer a lower end version of their line. Some past collections that I have enjoyed are Erin Featherston, Rogan, Paul and Joe, and the great Alexander McQueen. I have always been a fan of Tucker's main line, but obviously when you have to go on a financial diet, you are not in a place to be spending $200+ on a blouse or $300+ on a dress. Thus you can understand my excitement over the Target line.

The line debuted mid-September. I went online a few days after to check out the situation. Most of the smaller sizes in the items I liked were already gone. I had to act fast! Then I spotted a happy little magenta blouse with a flower pattern scattered across it. The adrenaline started pumping. I was clicking "add to my shopping cart". Then I was putting in my credit card information. I did hesitate for a moment before I hit confirm, but not for long. It was done. I felt guilty, but excited.


The blouse arrived a few days ago. As soon as I tried it on, I knew I had made the right decision. It would look good loose with jeans or trousers, or tucked into a pencil skirt. The feeling of guilt creeped back in for a moment, but I quickly dashed it away. After 8 months of not buying so much as a pair of socks, this $29.99 limited edition blouse was a mere stumble, and also maybe just enough to get me through these last days.

Three months to go readers....

Passe Fashion Night Out

What a deformed thief this fashion is. -William Shakespeare

So here is the conundrum. What does one wear out for fashion week when they have no current fashions to choose from? I know...I have some serious crosses to bear.

It all started when my darling friend F, who works in the fashion industry, invited me to join him for a few parties. How could a girl say no to that?!? During the day at work I tried to get a visual of my closet and quickly came up with possible outfits only to just as quickly eliminate them. When you are going out for an evening celebrating everything that is new in fashion, how can you show up wearing something from two seasons ago. First I decided something vintage was the way to go. Then the next look I contemplated was simply urban with skinny jeans and a great jacket. Then I got home and actually looked in my closet and realized I hated everything! After a good half hour standing in my underpants sipping a cocktail, I knew something had to give. And then I gave myself a reality check - no one was going to give two craps as to what I was wearing to any of these parties when standing next to a colossal, glowing-skinned 18-year old model.

I remembered this pair of skinny tan trousers I was recently given by a friend who was moving. They are Helmut Lang, and are actually men's pants, so obviously this was one skinny man. His loss was my score! As one would expect from Mr. Lang, they are simple, clean and really go with everything. Step one completed. As I thought it not wise to show up topless, I went to the depths of the back of the closet in search of a top. I pulled out a cute little camisole that I got in Paris and haven't worn in at least a year. It's simple draping perfectly offset the crisp fitted pants. A leather jacket and some big platform shoes and I was set to go.

No, you obviously won't be seeing my picture in any magazines or on a best dressed list, but I felt comfortable, chic, and most importantly I felt like me.

Canada...A Departure

This post is a bit of a departure from the usual theme of this blog. I was actually asked to be a guest blogger for my friend Kate Sullivan's blog. Does this mean I am actually getting good at this whole blogging thing? Am I in demand?!?!?

So this month's post is merely a link to her blog (which is great and you should check out even when I am not writing for it!).

http://kickinoff.blogspot.com/2010/08/oh-canada.html

Enjoy :)

The Halfway Mark

Fashion fades, only style remains the same. -Coco Chanel

Oh dear Lord, yes, I can see the light!

It has officially been 6 months sans shopping. Hard to believe how the time has flown. It has definitely not been easy, which some of you can certainly attest to, but I have managed to keep my focus and avoid temptation. There are certainly parts of me that miss the thrill of wearing something new. For instance, we are going on holiday next week for which I normally might have bought a new piece of clothing. And part of this holiday is an event for which I definitely would have purchased a new dress...and possibly some shoes too!

So I thought this would be a good point to share some of the wisdom I have gained from this experience. Shoes are the most vital part of my wardrobe. As I get older, I fully recognize that my mother was right (oh dear!)...you should always invest in a good mattress and good, quality shoes. Once I start shopping in 2011, the majority of my shopping budget (yes, I will be putting myself on a budget) will be going towards replacing some worn out shoes. I have also learned the importance of finding a good tailor and a good cobbler. When you buy quality shoes, you can add even more to their life span by having that special someone to re-sole and repair them. Another thing I will need to stock up on? Underpants! For those who questioned this, no, I have by no means "run out" of presentable underwear, but I also discovered I have a few pair on their last legs as well as a few pair I hardly ever wear because, to be honest, they aren't very comfortable by the end of a long day. I could also use a new pair of jeans, though I have discovered a denim repair shop in my neighborhood which I am going to try out on two pairs that are in pretty good shape other than a slowly wearing out ass area, so we will see what sort of magic they can perform. Lastly, as Madame Chanel so rightly noted, you can't go wrong with a classic shape that will simply never go out of style!

But other than these few staples, even after 6 months without a single purchase, my wardrobe remains rather well intact and not really lacking. I can also honestly, yet somewhat sheepishly admit, that there are still items in my closet I have yet to wear since this experiment began. So with 5 months to go, I will keep in mind the clothes I still have yet to wear and look forward to rehabilitating my closet by replacing these few key and essential pieces.

Oh, and this weekend I received what I would like to think of as a reward for a job well done thus far. My darling boyfriend bought me these adorable little classic Spanish espadrilles for a mere $26 dollars.

The path to a man's heart may be through his stomach, but a woman's is definitely through her well-dressed feet!

Using My Talents For Good

Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months. -Oscar Wilde

One of my boyfriend’s many endearing qualities is that he is very much a “guy”. This translates into many great advantages such as he is always there to fix things, he is a grilling master, he doesn’t mind dealing with the more disgusting household chores, and serves as my own personal live-in spider killer. Lucky for me, this dude-ness does not translate into an insane love of sports. Phew! But with the aforementioned advantages there are also the inevitable challenges. There is often confusion as to what qualifies as a dirty clothes hamper (hint – it is not on the floor next to the bed nor on the bathroom floor where one has literally stepped out of their clothes) and sometimes the necessity of a shower needs to be pointed out. Only sometimes, and these are challenges we are working on.

But what I am writing about today is his lack of acknowledging when the need to buy some new clothes has reached near code red urgent levels. I am sure sometimes it is simply feeling as if there just isn’t enough time to devote to something so menial, but when I casually mention that maybe a little shopping expedition is in order and this is met with a blank stare while wearing a thread bare T-shirt with visible holes that is his “favorite”, I know that something must be done. My man has a very informed, classically cool and relaxed sense of style, but sometimes some assistance or a loving push is needed to help with necessary re-stocking. So a plan is made to take a nice scenic drive outside the city followed by a stop at the discount outlets at Woodbury Commons.

I embark on our journey that Sunday morning with an excited feeling in my stomach at the prospect of this allowed shopping experience! Having never been to this mecca of shopping before, pulling up and figuring out where to begin can be a little daunting. A sudden summer rainstorm forces us into John Varvatos. Not a bad place to start, but no prizes found. We venture into a few more stores with no luck, until we reach J Crew where some new T-shirts are purchased, which surprisingly do not include holes but are still deemed winners by my man, and a very comfy pair of linen pants to beat the summer heat.

The day rolls on without too much luck until we arrive at the Barneys outlet store. As you may have gathered from past posts, Barneys and I have had a long and wonderful, if not somewhat dysfunctional, relationship. It is very love-hate due to the fact I have no business shopping at a store that sells clothing at such a price point, though I have usually been restrained enough to keep my trips to visit this tempting lover to the downtown Co-op store and the annual warehouse sale. I will say that I have never regretted a purchase I have made at Barneys and those pieces are in consistent rotation in my wardrobe. But enough reminiscing about my past transgressions, on this day, I went nowhere near the women’s section and kept my steal-like focus on the task at hand.

At the Barneys outlet, many options were looked at and evaluated before a rather sizeable pile was taken back to the dressing room for further assessment. Discoveries were made, such as RRL and Generra fit him really well and Steven Alan and APC pants need to go at least two sizes up from what one would normally wear unless you are going for that look that leaves no question as to which side you tend to put your package. Though it was difficult to narrow it down and still stay within budget, cuts were made, and we left with 3 great button-downs of differing styles for differing seasons and a simple pair of trousers. The final stop was a trip to Theory for a pair of fitted pants that still left him with his dignity, oh, and an ice cream to share for the ride home (yes, one to share…a lot of dough had been laid out and one has to make cuts somewhere!). And even though I went home empty handed, aside from the ice cream, the pleased expression on my love’s face served as the ultimate reward for a job well done!

Oh Strappy Summer Sandals, I Think I Miss You Most Of All.

Shoes are like tires for New Yorkers. You have to rotate and replace them on a fairly regular basis. -Nicole Taney

It has now been four full months of no shopping. That's right, not a lick of money has been spent on clothes, shoes, scarves, hats, necklaces, sunglasses....sigh. And to look on the bright side, only seven months to go. Double sigh!

I have had a few people ask how much money I have been saving. To be honest, I have seen very little difference in my cash flow (repeat to yourself over and over - I love New York, I love New York, I love New York). The difference is that I am not spending money that I don't have, ie. using my old nemesis, the evil credit card. My credit card is truly for emergencies only now and I hope to keep it that way. And for those of you wondering, come January 1, 2011, this does not mean an emergency sale at Bloomingdales. Just wanted to clear that up.

But spring has come to NYC and summer is just around the corner! The city is alive with flowers and birds (yes, I know you all in the country have that in spades) and the ladies of the city are out and about in their summer finery. The parade of flowing dresses, fun hats, big sunglasses, and new sandals...new sandals....oh, new sandals. Sandals and flip flops may be my favorite footwear of all. After years of abusing my tootsies by shoving them into pointe shoes, oh how I relish in these little shoes that let your toes be free! I begin the de-hoofing process in March, so that by April and May my toes are polished and shiny and the winter doldrums have been scrubbed, sloughed and buffed off my feet.

My friend and office mate R, came into our office last week with not one, or two, but three new pairs of summer shoes. The catalyst for this spending was some pesky tendon pain and the need for shoes with a slight wedge to help to combat it. And though, I was completely happy for R and not jealous at all (no no, not one bit), I did find myself missing the days of finding really great excuses, er I mean completely necessary reasons, to purchase a new pair of shoes. Or two or three. Yes, it is true, I have an arsenal of sandals from years past in my closet, but my shoes tend to take quite a beating on the mean streets of New York and some are looking slightly worse for wear. When I think about what I will be buying at the end of this social journey of mine, shoes are one of the first things to come to mind.

So this summer I will march on in my sandals from seasons past, but next year I can guarantee there will be some new recruits. And just like our young men that have recently descended on our fair city for Fleet Week - they will be very, very cute!


*Note - for those of you who are still allowed to shop, shoes pictured are (listed from top to bottom) - Marais USA, Rachel Comey, Seychelles

Breakin' The Law

I can resist anything but temptation. – Oscar Wilde

I recently returned from my first business trip. It was two days in Boston that was mostly pleasure plus attending a ballet premiere and the party after. That last bit was the work part in case you were wondering. I had been looking forward to the trip for weeks and the beautiful summer-like weather we were having leading up to my departure only added to my excitement. So when we stepped off the train into blustery winds and an increasingly cloudy sky, I knew I was in trouble. Yes, I had looked at the weather report smart-ass, but after 90-degree days, I guess I had a hard time remembering what 50 felt like when you are dressed in only a blouse and cotton pants.

I immediately pulled out of my bag the little ¾ sleeve jacket I had packed, as well as a scarf and tried to think warm thoughts. My colleague and I agreed to get settled in our rooms and then meet back in the lobby to go out for a late lunch. The picturesque 15-minute walk from Back Bay to Boston’s South End was filled with goose bumps and chattering teeth, and this was at 4pm!! What was I going to do that night when the sun went down and the temperatures dropped even more? I had to think fast!

After returning to the hotel and quickly pondering my options, I ran back out and headed toward Newbury Street. My friend K had mentioned this place and it was coincidentally only 3 blocks from my hotel. The first thing I saw was Burberry. Then Armani. And Marc Jacobs was there too. Time was of the essence. I had to act fast. These were clearly all unrealistic options at this moment, so when I finally saw an H&M, I ran inside. While on the phone with previously mentioned friend K, she told me that being cold and suffering was not an option and it would not be wrong for me to grab a little cardigan. In that brief moment, K proved yet again why we are such good friends. But I didn’t see anything I really liked there and time was running out. And then it started to drizzle. Had I brought an umbrella on my trip…of course not! A quick decision needed to be made. Into Marc by Marc Jacobs I trotted and found an adorable umbrella for $19. And I purchased it. And yes, it felt good.

Honestly, being that I had been thrown into the lion’s den that is Newbury Street, I thought I was pretty strong. I still ended up getting a wicked cold upon my return to New York, no doubt from my lack of warm clothing while traipsing around Boston in the cold and rain. At least my super cute new Marc Jacobs umbrella kept me somewhat dry. I mean, you don’t want me getting pneumonia or anything now do you? I thought so.

Dresses and Sweaters and Chokers, Oh My!

Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society. - Mark Twain


My friend L is leaving New York and moving to La La Land. Pout! But to help to heal our wounded hearts, and in an effort to make her moving load a wee bit lighter, a few of us ladies planned a little clothing swap. The night would inevitably result in new clothes for me that totally fall within the parameters of my personal challenge. Hooray!

We gathered last week at L’s fab Tribeca apartment for an evening involving champagne, impromptu fashion shows, and Lady Gaga - basically, a typical Wednesday night for gay men everywhere. The guests all showed up with our little tote bags of clothes. Our hostess, on the other hand, brought out a duffle bag that could possible have transported a body at some point. As everyone took turns showing her items that were up for grabs, we got a little glimpse into each person’s fashion past. For instance, in the not so distant past, I apparently had quite the affinity for chokers. And my love for sunglasses has not diminished, even though my taste in them may have changed.

L’s bag of treasures turned out to be a gold mine for me. Little James Perse tees, a Katayone Adeli tank, and even a cute little Twinkle dress all came my way. Jackpot! As the vino continued to flow and the level of laughter and frivolity increased (not related I am sure), we all wondered aloud why we had never done something like this before. What fun! What scores! But wait…we aren’t going to have fun little evenings at L’s apartment anymore as she is moving far, far away. Sigh. I will just have to wrap myself in that super soft, cute little swingy black cardigan I grabbed up before anyone even had a shot and cry myself to sleep.

Style Inspiration Brought To You By National Bohemian

High school, those are your prime suffering years. You don't get better suffering than that. -Little Miss Sunshine

Yes, that is quite an appropo way to describe my first two years of high school. Miserable people finding their only contentment in their attempts to make me feel small and inadequate. But lucky for me, it was short lived, and I spent my junior and senior year at a performing arts high school, with all the other misfits that didn't fit in at their "regular" school either. I look back on my time there as one of the more defining moments in my young life for many reasons. In addition to finding a haven of acceptance and proximity to talented artists of differing genres, I was also being exposed to a world outside of my slightly sheltered suburban upbringing. Being 16 and spending your days and nights in a city defined by Poe, crab cakes, "Hons", excessive crime, John Waters and Natty Boh is a learning experience all its own. Why all the nostagia? Well, I am currently en route to an alumni function at said alma mater, where inevitably everyone will be dressed to impress with the main ambition to wash away any memories of our awkward younger selves.

And how did all these urban eccentricities define the adolescent sense of style of yours truly? As I recall, I was over-worked and rather tired in high school, so comfort was key and being it was the early 90s, this translated into grunge unfortunately. But then my high school BFF M, led me down the garden path (or at least that was how my parents saw it at the time), and in came the years of goth clubs and industrial music. Oh yes, you saw correctly my faithful readers. I was slightly tragic! (see aforementioned suffering theme.) I may have been one of the first, and possibly only, goth ballerinas! This lasted a few years, and despite outward appearances and associations, a lot of fun was had, in addition to some rather interesting fashion statements which usually involved fishnets and some sort of pvc material. Rebellion and angst in the form of a spider web mini dress and combat boots.

But alas adulthood and professionalism beckoned, and to be honest I was kind of tired of all the effort with the requisite eye makeup, so a bit of social conformity took place around age 24. The travels in Europe and move to France helped to solidify my love and appreciation for the art of clothes. Though I must admit, as iconic and classic as the essence of French style is, when it comes to inventiveness and self expression via fashion, New Yorkers win hands down. One of my favorite things to do in the summer is sit at the outdoor cafes and people watch. You can almost imagine the passers-by individual stories. The Upper East Side mom with two kids, nanny, logo bag and massive diamond in tow. The 40-ish Tribeca finance guy with a young impressionable amazonian model on his arm. The Williamsburg hipster in skinny jeans and Amish beard who abides with 6 other dudes in a built out loft that in actuality would comfortably sleep 4. The Hell's Kitchen out of work actress in a dress, heels, and thick nude Danskin tights racing to her next audition at a "I hope I get it" kind of pace. Oh how I love them all!

And for this 30-something Brooklynite's style du jour? There is a part of me that realizes and frankly enjoys that my life is probably also obviously displayed by my outward appearance though I hope I will continue to surprise and mix it up from time to time. Black nail polish, bondage collars and excessive velvet probably won't make a come back for me, but never rule out a nice beehive and cats eye bejeweled glasses, Hon!

A Mention for Unmentionables

Brevity is the soul of lingerie -Dorothy Parker

I have received a lot of questions from people since I started this blog. They run the gamut from the obvious..."You mean you can't buy anything?? Not even a purse or a pair of sunglasses?" Not surprisingly, these types of questions come from my female friends. Then there are the less subtle questions such as, "So, um, I mean, are you naked when you are writing the blog or just generally." I think we can all guess which gender has brought up such thought provoking inquiries. But interestingly, one of the more popular questions has been based in true functionality. "What will you do about underwear?" My response - well, I have a lot.

Apparently this response was not sufficient. People wanted proof. So to my unmentionables drawer I sauntered to do a tally. And what did I find? Some 60+ pairs of knickers of varying shapes and sizes. They range from pretty lacy items to functional cotton, barely there anti-VPL numbers to novelty pairs I have received as gifts, comfy boy briefs to overpriced pieces I have purchased to assist in the art of seduction. Some are certainly in higher rotation than others, but when you have such a breadth of repertory to work with, I suppose the casualty rate is somewhat diminished.

It is funny, of the many thoughts that crossed my mind when embarking on this venture, this was certainly not one of them. I thought about the shopping trips with my mother that occur virtually every time I journey home. The lazy weekend afternoons of wandering around the boutiques of Brooklyn or an extended lunch of window shopping in the City. The idea that there might be a special event for which I could not purchase a new knock-em dead dress. Never once did I think...what if I run out of underpants!?!?!

For me, this is where the basis of this personal challenge becomes very clear. Nine times out of ten, when I have purchased clothing in the past, it is not out of necessity but out of pure luxury. Now I am not saying that from time to time a girl doesn't deserve a treat, but my closet is the proof of the virtual candy store I have acquired and felt in some way I deserved. My goal over the next year is to change my thought process and use what extra funds I do have to achieve larger goals. There is a saying that notes the American philosophy of living to work compared to the French philosophy of working to live. I want that joie de vivre that I know can only fully come when I am free of the burden that my debt has inflicted on my life for the past too many years.


In the meantime, don't worry Mom, I will have on clean underwear in case of a plane crash or a sudden paparazzi ambush.

And excuse me, now that I have completed this post, I need to put my clothes back on and start my day.

What Really Makes My Heart Go Pitter-Patter

In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.
-Coco Chanel

First the Barneys Warehouse Sale and now New York Fashion Week...Temptations the likes of which I have only read about in biblical times! Thank heavens the majority of it is still housed a safe distance away in Bryant Park and has yet to enter its new home right outside my office window.

In all seriousness, this challenge would be a lot less interesting and well, challenging if I lived in say Dubuque, Iowa. For instance, my very fashionable friend K, moved out of New York almost a year ago and when she showed up to my house for a visit last summer she was wearing a polo, khaki shorts, and sneakers!?!?! Quelle horreur! Now I am not saying that my dear friend is any less fashionable, quite the contrary. And I know she still totally turns it out, but probably only on special occasions or on trips back to NYC (also a special occasion I might add). And why this change of a-dress? Simply put, it just doesn't matter there like it does here. Fashion in New York is just part of the general zeitgeist whether it is conscious or not.

So now that I have alienated and possibly insulted some of my readers, let me elaborate. I leave my house in Brooklyn promptly at 9:00 am every morning to make my pilgrimage into the City. Obviously most people have to be somewhere at a certain time Monday through Friday, so you tend to ride the subway with the same cast of characters. There are some I am sure I ride with every day and I could literally bump into them on the street and not put together the connection. Then there are the ones that really stand out. There is the tall, lanky, pointy-nosed version of Dita Von Teese with her black Betty Page bangs and ponytail, sky high shoes, and all black ensembles that always have some added funky twist. The gentleman in the fitted blazer, cashmere scarf, skinny jeans and impeccably polished shoes who has obvious similarities to Daniel Day Lewis in either Gangs of New York or There Will Be Blood-yes, mustache and all. Now for my favorite. She is Tilda Swinton-esque with cropped reddish hair and angular strong features. This winter she has been sporting a dark purple velvet coat over some sort of skirt or dress, opaque tights and big chunky shoes. Oh and she tops it all off with a black fur chapeau and a canvas Sotheby's bag which serves as her purse.

From my descriptions, one may come to the conclusion that none of this crew is obviously attractive, but they put it all together in such a unique and thoughtful way that you (or at least I) can't not be drawn to them. And even more importantly, their style works because it is just them. Their fashion is an example of their life, work, and personalities in the most fabulously effortless way. Also, it must be pointed out that none of them are obviously wealthy either as they tend to rotate around the same basic staples that they know work for them and express their sensibilities, and if there are labels anywhere they certainly aren't obvious. At a recent annual luncheon for donors at my work, I saw the age old example of money not being able to buy style. And I have never seen so many women trying so hard in my life!

So in an effort to "shop my closet" as they say and still keep up with my City, what will I be expressing for the next year in my day to day wardrobe? I am really loving the menswear look that was a staple on the runways for spring 2010 and seems to be carrying over onto the Fall runways as well. So limits be damned, I will shop my BF's closet in addition to my own and work an effortlessly chic, tailored yet bohemian, Charlotte Gainsbourg style.

Oh and sorry, Dubuque. It wasn't personal.

The First Week

There was a reason for the cost of those perfectly plain black dresses. -Dorothy Parker

Yes, I realize, this is the easy part. I mean, it has only been a week right?!? But don't speak too quickly, because the skeletons of my previous existence have already begun to rear their ugly heads. For example, I received a notice in yesterday's mail that the annual Barneys Warehouse Sale was about to commence. For New Yorkers, this event is right up there with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Yankees opening day. It is a voracious land of chaos staged in what was once the Barneys Co-op store downtown. Racks and racks of bargains lie before you and if you are lucky enough to get out with a Dries van Noten blouse, Vince trousers, oh, and your life still in tact, then it was a successful venture. But alas, I was a good girl, and the notice of this sale went directly into the trash.

So how shall I resist a constant bevy of temptations?? Step 1, I have removed my evil credit card from my wallet. I haven't done anything extreme like cut it up and I know where it is in case of an ACTUAL emergency, but I also know where it is not when I see a pair of boots that my wardrobe has been lacking for so long, and that's in my wallet. Step 2, I will not torture myself. No going into stores or buying fashion magazines...what is the point really? Also, if I am limited to working with what I have in my closet for the next 11 months, then I cannot be influenced by the current trends and must create my own "looks" for the coming seasons. My BF has recently realized that Step 2 will be affecting him as well. You see, my fondness for the art of purchasing extends beyond my own closet as I often buy clothes for him as well. I feel if you have a talent for something, you should really help those who may lack said talent. It is only right to give back ;)

Oh, and for those of you who had requested a photo of the dress from the previous post, here ya go!

This was sadly taken by yours truly in my bathroom full length mirror after my BF's birthday dinner. Clearly no one at the party got the importance of taking a full length picture of my outfit!

The Last Hurrah

Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination. -Oscar Wilde

Dead woman walking.

Knowing that these are my last days of freedom, and lucky for this New York girl it is also SALE time, I decide I deserved one final performance! So when I got a postcard in the mail that one of my favorite Brooklyn boutiques, Bird, was having their bi-annual sale beginning January 29th, I saw this as an sign. So yesterday after work I headed over to Bird for those last smells, the last feelings of beautiful new fabric between my fingers, the final site of a store perfectly curated with beautiful pieces of art.

So here's what I took to the dressing room: a super soft cotton gray "sack" dress, a silk black and gray geometric print shift, and a classic pair of black Thakoon light weight wool trousers marked down from $700+ to $175 (as a side note, my BF thinks it is ridiculous when I site what the original price of an item was and then the sale price - I just chalk this up to the usual ridiculous male behavior and their utter lack of understanding of the importance of a good bargain on a quality item). The gray dress looked wretched and showed every lump and bump (and I am not talking about the good ones). Now I have a theory on really great black pants...you can never have enough, and when you find a great pair it is your duty to buy them. Clearly this thought process is one of many that has gotten me into this mess in the first place. These were really great black pants and even better, they were more than long enough for my lanky Olive Oyl-esque frame. I tried them on 3 times but in the end regretfully declined in favor of the mod little silk shift dress and some fun accessories that will hopefully assist in diversifying my wardrobe over the next 11 months.

My total bill you might ask?? $175 - which I thought was pretty damn good considering this was my "swan song" as my friend R put it.

So tonight my BF is taking me to dinner for my birthday and I will wear my dress and relish for the last time in the exhilarating feeling that comes the first time you wear a new garment. Then I will spend the next 11 months trying to figure out what else causes me to achieve the same euphoric feeling for free!

Check out my "swan song" purchase:
www.shopbird.com/product.php?productid=19099&cat=319&manufacturerid=&page=4

And so it begins...

I've never been a millionaire, but I just bet I'd be darling at it. - Dorothy Parker

I have made many ultimately lame attempts over the past few years to cut down on this nasty little habit of mine. It has come time to face facts though. As good as I may think I look doing it and as fabulous as it might make me feel, this downward spiral has got to come to an end. Smoking you might say? No, I quit that years ago. Drinking? Nope. I feel I have a healthy relationship with my booze (and honestly may need them to provide me with necessary comfort over the next 11 months). This vice I speak of is my shopping habit. I don't believe I am a shopping addict per se, I just have a serious problem budgeting myself and living life within my meager means. Let me shed a little light on my situation.

Due to the choices I have made, I will never make a lot of money. Now don't get me wrong, I am fully proud and committed to the life I have chosen. During my years as a dancer I managed to navigate my career in a way that I was paid to do what I love and travel the world at the same time-but moving all the time does not a healthy savings account make. Then I moved to New York City 5 years ago, where I started teaching ballet in the public schools which is obviously beyond rewarding for the soul, but not so much for the wallet. To add to this, New York is a city where unless you work in "big business", you will never quite be able to get ahead. Now I am not blaming NYC. I have made the choice to reside in the most glamorous, cultural, fascinating, and exciting city in the world (according to me!) and I wouldn't trade that for anything. This city has also presented to me many amazing and genuine friends, a wonderful boyfriend and an adorable dog, as well as the opportunity to land my dream job at one of the foremost ballet companies in the world.

My problem is how to financially manage this chosen existence. I will not mince words...I am clearly crap at it. For those of you who have seen my closet, the facts of my overspending are abundantly clear. Simply put, I do not make enough money to spend what I do on clothes, shoes, and accessories. So my friends, I present to you a self-imposed challenge! Marked by my 33rd birthday on January 31st 2010, I will not purchase any clothing for the rest of this year (11 months). At the suggestion of a friend, I will be keeping this blog to keep me honest and make me take ownership of this hair-brained idea (hmm...maybe I don't have control of my drinking, cuz clearly I was drunk when I came up with this insane challenge).

Now let's establish the rules (totally ripped off from another who tried a similar experiment):

1. No exchange of currency may result in the purchase of an article of clothing.

2. Gift cards, gift certificates and merchandise credit may be used to obtain merchandise including clothing up to and not exceeding the total value of the certificate or credit as long as I am not the purchaser of the certificate or credit.

3. Gifts of clothing may be accepted.

4. Used clothing may be traded in or consigned for credit toward the "purchase" of other used clothing.

5. Articles of used clothing may be traded to friends and/or family in exchange for other used clothing.


And what might you ask will happen if I do not follow these rules? Shame, shame, shame!!!!!

So stay tuned. I promise I will get better at this witty banter via the computer thing!