...That's not great.

Well, then. Merry Christmas to me!

I won something pretty darn cool! Thanks to Susan of Friday Playdate; I'll be stylin' in the new year with a $100 giftcard from one of my favorite stores, LOFT (formally Ann Taylor Loft).

Five things I'm coveting right now.

Should I or should I not? That is the question.

1. These architectural prints from Crate and Barrel. I pretty much want to live in those houses.

2. This striped cardigan from JCrew. What can I say? I'm a cardigan whore.  

3. In other cardigan news, I would like the "Tick Tock Cardigan" from Anthropologie.

 

4. One can never have enough handbags. you know? I want this one in gray. 

 

5. I also need a new pair of jeans and have heard good things about the new models from The Gap. We shall see.

You know it's bad when you stop dreaming about it.

The past few months I have been trying to be more conscious about my spending. We've never really had a budget, per se, but since the summer I've kept a Goodle Docs spreadsheet and tracked all my spending. Much like a food diary, a spending diary really causes you to ask yourself when holding a potential purchase in your hand (or seeing it in your online shopping cart), "Is is worth it? Will I be happy about this at the end of the month?"

Now the next part The Sister will not like.

I have really cut back (next to nothing, really) in my clothes, shoes, etc. spending. I completely cleaned out my closet (well, she'll like that part) to see what I want/need in terms of clothes. I tossed out all that didn't fit, was no longer my style, even things that still fit but I didn't feel great in.

The truth is? I still have alot left. (Note to self: YOU DO NOT NEED PANTS.)

Now, I have BEEN shopping. I found I had three pairs of brown pants that I could not wear because I did not have a pair of heels to wear them with (none were the correct height). I shopped around and found a great deal on a pair that I love. I do like the feeling of browsing, trying on, and not settling for items that are ill fitting or not the right color.

My efforts are paying off - my monthly totals have dropped. It's not like I ever spent a HUGE amount, but a couple of things here and there add up. I also have been avoiding Target like the plague. You really can't walk out of there for less that $200.

And just when I thought I had really left old habits behind, I find it has not truly left my system.

Last night I had a dream about shopping. An actual DREAM were I shopped and PURCHASED things. Who has heard of such a thing?

This latest development has confirmed I've moving in the right direction.

Either that or I'm bat-shit crazy. It's a toss-up, really.

Overheard: too long for Twitter, but this needs to be recorded for prosperity.

Scene: Victoria's Secret at Northgate Mall as I am trying to purchase some unmentionables.

Victoria's Secret salesgal (20-something, blonde and about 106 pounds soaking wet): You need a gift receipt? (This is said more as a statement and less as a question.)

Me (30-something, blonde-ish and more than 106 pounds soaking wet): What? You don't think I can pull this off?

I hope I have scarred her for life. And, for the record, I can TOTALLY pull it off.

Five for Friday: the BlogHer edition.

So, you many have heard about this little conference, BlogHer, that is happening this weekend in San Francisco. This means two things: the action around the internet is S-L-O-W and I am totally jealous about not being there.

But, alas, Daniella and I have made a pact to go next year. (BTW, Dani is FABULOUS - she has an adorable daughter about my daughter's age, she's an attorney, and her shoes? FLAWLESS.)

Here's the five things I'll be doing this weekend to take my mind off the fact that I'm not at BlogHer:

1. Taking the kids to Solar Fest. Sustainable living, baby!
2. Returning to the Nordstrom Sale. I dropped by today (not much real shopping, however) to meet a friend and her child for lunch. I've got my eyes on these in brown. Honestly, I don't really need any clothes (definitely no pants), so the shoes will probably be it, if anything.
3. Paint a wall or two in my living room. Something in a light taupe ("Portabello" or "Craft Paper", perhaps?) from Sherwin Williams (my paint brand of choice).
4. Babysit my friends' kids tomorrow night. This will actually be pretty easy, since they get along so well with my kids, as they basically grew up together in daycare. Bonus? We get a night of babysitting in return.
5. Sleep in obnoxiously late on Sunday. I've been a single-parent since Sunday, and I'm ready for a break. Or at least a nap.

It's no fancy BlogHer schedule, that's for sure.

What I learned last weekend.

My son's pre-school graduation (which was really nothing more than a bbq with a side of slip-n-slide) would actually make me tear up. My baby's going to kindergarten in less than 2 months!

I really enjoy sitting on my deck reading.

Bubba REALLY enjoys slip-n-sliding.

Pioneer Woman's Crash Hot Potatoes are DELICIOUS.

If given the opportunity, my daughter will wear a princess dress for 48 hours straight (even to bed).

See you next weekend!

Oprah's list be damned.

Apparently, Oprah doesn't want us ladies to be shlumpadinkas. (Yes, she is powerful enough to be able to make up her own words.)  As part of a recent episode (Shlumpadinka Makeovers), Oprah directed her minions to make over some shlumpadinka ladies, and instead of taking women to Neiman Marcus or Nordstrom, they went places more readily available (via location and price) to the masses (like JC Penney, The Gap and Sears).  All hail, Oprah!

Further, her stylist Lloyd Boston unveiled his list of ten wardrobe must haves:

1. Trench coat.
2. Black (or white) turtleneck.
3. Black trousers.
4. Tunic.
5. White jeans.
6. Dark jeans.
7. Black dress.
8. White denim jacket.
9. Black skirt.
10. Timeless cashmere sweater.

The only thing I really have to say is OMG, WHITE JEANS.

Moving on.

Now, you know the internets would have something to say about this.  And, BOY, did we ever.  Susan of Friday Style tasked us with coming up with our own list of ten must have wardrobe items. 

Here's my list of 10 wardrobe must-haves.

1. Dark jeans: high and low (one for heels, one for flats).  I love trouser jeans - especially ones that I can wear to work, too.
2. Black trousers: high and low (see above).
3. Turtleneck. Black is a great color to start with, then go for a punch of color.
4. White t-shirt. Make sure it's not see through and is nice enough to be worn on its own.  Choose a neckline that works on your body; whether it's crew, scoop or v.  Expand the colors to include black and brown.
5. Button-up shirt. The length of the sleeves will depend on your climate.  White is a great color to start with, but blue and grey are also lovely.  And, yes, the Oprah shirt, is a fantasic option.  I have it in light blue and pink checked, natch.
6. Khaki pants. These can be whatever color works for your style (I have khakis in tan, brown, and black).
7. Twill jacket (could also be a tailored jeans jacket). Dressy enough to pair with trousers, but could also work with the khakis or jeans. Would also look great over the button-up, white t-shirt or turtleneck.
8. V-neck sweater (not black).  Something in silk and/or cashmere. 
9. Three-season coat. This could be a trench coat and think about doing this in a bright color like blue or red.
10. Scarf.  Oh, how I love my scarfs.  I have them in wool and jersey.  Susan provides a great tutorial of ways to tie scarves, so there's no excuse for not being able to figure it out.  This can really sophisticate an outfit.

Now, I have a few more additions for those of us whose work wardrobe must include some dressier items.

1. All-season suit, preferably in black.  You may be able to combine a pair of the black pants from above with a matching suit jacket and save a bit of money.  Be sure to find the fit that works best for your body.  You'll have this suit for a while.
2. A dressy sweater set (not in black).  I prefer a sleeveless tank under a full-sleeve button up sweater.  You can easily break these two items up and combine with the other shirts above. 
3. Pin-stripped trousers.  We've got to mix it up a little bit.
4. Patterned top.  This can be a jersey knit or another stretch fabric.
5. Non-black suit jacket. Could be houndtooth, could be velvet.  Will be lovely, for sure.

And for the few summer months here in Seattle.

1. White poplin trousers (please make sure they are lined!).  They make everything else in your wardrobe look summery.  Somehow, white poplin trousers = perfect!  And white jeans = hideous.
2. Short-sleeved "stuff": a button-up, sweater and jersey knit.
3. Capris and/or knee length shorts.  I'm in my early 30s and no one needs to see my upper thighs unless we're on vacation.

Finally one "bonus" item.

1. "The Dress".  You may have noticed that I haven't previously listed a skirt or dress.  Frankly, I'm not often caught in one.  But I do think that it is important to own a few that look and feel great on when you need to wear one.  And, for the record, if you are a person that likes to wear skirts, you can easily switch out the khakis or jeans from above for a jean or khaki skirt.  Don't worry, I won't be offended.

Next up?  THE SHOES (via the direction of Merry Mishaps).  Which to me, is as important as (if not MORE important) the clothes. Because no matter what shape or size I am, I can always find shoes that fit.