Clothes Shopping and a Wardrobe Update

I can't pinpoint when shopping stopped being a fun activity and became a frustrating chore. It had something to do with me gaining weight and the inconsistency in women's clothes sizing. 

A few months ago, I realized I needed new clothes. I lost about 15 pounds over the past year. It beats having to buy new clothes because I gained 15 pounds. 

First I tried on all my jeans, shorts, and blouses and packed up the clothes that no longer fit for Goodwill. I bought two new pairs of jeans back in February. I picked up my shopping pace in the last month or so. I got another pair of jeans, three pairs of shorts, a skort, a pair of cropped pants, a pair of cargo pants, a tank top, and a sleeveless henley blouse. Finally, I got two more sports bras (nothing to do with losing weight--I just had very old sports bras.)

I could use some new sandals, but that's nothing pressing. I'll keep my eyes open. I'm also without a bathing suit, but I haven't gone swimming in years, so I'm not worried about that. 

I'm proud that I only paid full price for the cargo pants. All other items were on sale or eligible for promotions. Give me some points for being frugal.

Thoughts for Thursday

A rainy day, luckily not like last week when Ida came to town. We got off relatively easy then with a few leaks, although I was upset at the time. So many lost so much more. 

I think (hope) that Lola is getting into longer walks. Last evening we did a full loop around Oyster Shell Park, as we did this morning in a drizzle. I took her out last evening because she hardly walked in the morning. Lola has regressed; she's more fearful recently and doesn't want to walk around the neighborhood. It's frustrating. 

We're going to a potluck dinner tomorrow at the Merwinsville Hotel. I wouldn't normally go to this, but the speaker will be discussing forgotten railroad stations, and I want to hear his presentation. After some thought, I am bringing a curry-chutney cream cheese dip. I am also making a salmon cream cheese dip when we visit some friends for drinks and snacks on Saturday, after a celebration of life for my sister-in-law.  

 

I've been trying some new dishes to get out of a cooking rut. Some are successful; some are failures; some just aren't worth the work. Tonight I made Chicken Milanese a favorite I learned from Blue Apron. Unfortunately, for the first time I messed up and much of the breadcrumbs came off. Ugh. 

The latest New York Magazine has two annoying features: a three page cover that unfolds when I try to turn the pages and two magazines in one: you have to turn the magazine upside down. The Cut is the upside down magazine. It has an article "Good-bye to All Black." Subtitled: "New Yorkers, for the first time since forever, are wearing actual color."

I don't wear black. About 30 years ago, my sister bought me a color analysis for my birthday. It was in the time of Color Me Beautiful, but it was a more thorough analysis. I learned why dresses I loved didn't work on me. It confirmed what others told me about black and white (they washed me out.) I learned that colors I hadn't considered--olive green for one-- look good on me. 

I remember taking a class in New York City and a classmate told me that I was brave for wearing an orange coat. (Bitch.) Maybe I was just ahead of my time. 

Wardrobe Update

Over the summer, I took a long look at my clothes. Part of it was because I needed a dress for our niece's wedding, part was because I noticed some of my clothes were getting a bit shabby. I threw out the worst (a pair of shorts) relegated others (some shorts, skorts, and capris ) to the "around the house/dog park" wardrobe.

I tried on everything I hadn't worn in a while. I gave  away the things that didn't work for me to Goodwill. I needed to shop.

I've never been extravagant with clothes. My wedding dress cost less than $300. I buy most of my clothes on sale or at factory outlets. That's what I tried this summer. I had some success: I replaced some short sleeved and long sleeved v-neck tee shirts, found a good selection of dressier blouses, and a pair of flat sandals. There were another few finds: a teal pencil skirt and a tee shirt dress.

Then I realized that I had only two pairs of jeans. I bought five. Some weren't on sale. I decided I didn't have to wait for sales when I needed clothes. One item was a warm pair of jeans with flannel lining. I'd wanted a pair for years; Jeff had a few; he didn't have the same (mental) limitations that I did. I also got a pair of Tevo sandals.

I recently noticed that my fall sweater is looking worse for wear. I might not find another as nice as it, but I'll just have to try.

I may nurture my clothes over the long run, but they can't last forever.