The Shopping Trip

Here is the proof that I mentally survived my day of shopping with my sweet friend, Quincey. In fact, I LOVED our day together and not just because she is so fun to be around but because she found and convinced me (not difficult) to buy a lot of stuff that I feel sort of cute in. Including a renewed motivation to treat myself now-and-then, here's the list of what I came away with:

• 6 pairs of pants-1 dark gray, 1 medium gray, 1 dark brown, 1 black, 1 dark tan, 1 denim
• 4 shirts-1 long-sleeved white, 1 long-sleeved dark green, 1 short-sleeved purple, 1 red v-neck with cool sleeves
  
• 2 very nice pairs of shoes-1 black Mary Jane heel, 1 black open-toed heel
• 6 sweaters-1 black turtle neck, 1 black v-neck, 1 black short scoop neck, 1 teal short scoop neck, 1 purple scoop neck, 1 red scoop neck
• 1 very nice belt
• 2 very nice jackets-1 black, 1 medium gray
  

Wow, huh! Actually, this is just what I got from Banana Republic, a store I had never set foot in because of its reputation for being expensive. I purchased 1 item that wasn't on a terrific sale--the very nice belt--and everything was an additional 20% off the lowest marked-down price. Many of the clothes were cheaper than comparable items I would have purchased at Target or some low end store, like ShopKo. (Don't worry, I've repented, Quincey.) I was also under the impression that clothes at BR only look good on tall, size 0 people. Nope. They fit middle-aged fatties too! Yay, me! I also got 3 pairs of jeans from Nordstrom Rack.

Things I Learned from the Shopping Clinical Psychologist
You know on "What Not To Wear" when they come out at the end in the darling outfits and show you what each item cost? I am always agog at the price of one crazy expensive item-- a very plain sweater, the shoes, a handbag, or jewery. I figured out why. You can splurge on a couple of items, a very nice belt, for intance, if it is going to make the affordable, cute outfit considerably better or if it will be worn with many outfits. Totally worth it.

You've noticed my reference to some very nice things that I purchased. Because I'm not much of a shopping or clothes connesieur, Quincey had to continually remind me of the excellent quality of the items I was trying on and/or considering. It was a funny little joke by the end. I was clueless that the nicer quality of fabrics, cuts, and styles would make such a difference in how I looked and felt in the clothes.

I also learned that very nice items do not have to be expensive. Shop sales. Buy basics that will go together.

Try on outfits. I try on and purchase a pair of pants or shirt here-or-there. I try to keep in mind what I have or buy that might go with the item I'm trying on but sometimes I'm disappointed when the item doesn't look great with what I thought I would pair it with. Quincey had me try on things that I'd already decided to buy with different items to see how they all meshed. Very smart.

There is something that will look good on you. Camouflage problem spots, emphasize strengths. I am going to give up my constant desire to be a different weight, height, size, shape. Enough already--What a drain. I'm all for self-improvement but there's got to be a healthy medium between striving for something better and being happy right now.

Thanks for the schooling, Quince. It was an Awesome Blossom--extra awesome--day. You are a beautiful, smart, kind person and I love ya!