One-Dollar Wonders

I got my Solestruck order today (fast!), and tried out two more Miistas. The blue ombre booties were not comfy at all and instantly deemed "clown shoes" by DH.

The oxford version of the original galaxy booties are much more comfy. DH says they make my feet look bigger from the side but not enough to bother him. Final verdict from him: "I think I kind of like them; they're interesting."

Trying to show them with all my signature colors represented as well as a variety of bottom silhouettes. I forgot to do skinnies. I am a WEEE bit bothered by the foot profile - trying to decide if my eye will adjust. I do really like them from the front, though, and it seems like the lining is leather.

Now... I am holding that thought, because I still have blue Danskos and rafia sneakers coming on Friday!

Here are some pics in case anyone else might want to consider them. The seller was very nice and responsive, and they arrived lightening fast. These are size 8 and run about the same as a Frye size 8. They have both brown and black.
http://modelshoerenew.com/buy/.....ucts_id=71

I do really like them, however I think the shiny silver grommets make them feel too Goth for me, and the patent isn't obvious enough to make them very different from my chocolate Frye boots. Still, I happened to also find them in a light tan color not represented in my footwear at all, so I'm giving those a bash as well.

Not too long ago, nearly all my clothing was bought at the swap meet. $1 a piece - who can beat that?? But I have to confess that I haven't been to my favorite swap meet since the YLF meetup, and my subsequent trips have been largely fruitless. It's kind of a conundrum for the the One Dollar Wonder.

The biggest thing in the way is that I started my new job just after the Shoptoberfest Meetup... that means I haven't had a free weekend, which also means I haven't been able to get to my favorite swap meet at *all.* Then there is the fact that half of my days off are now taken by my Dress for Success volunteer work. When I do get to the local swap, it is not at the best hours, and I don't have as much time to browse.

Aside from the fact that I am not able to shop for a client of mine as well as I used to, the funny thing is that I'm not really missing it. I feel like I have plenty to wear, and the odds and ends I have picked up recently for work weren't really available at the swap meet anyway - comfort-centric boots, gauze scarves, my unique jackets... all in all, I am happier having plunked down the cash for these items than I would have been reeling in bag after bag of $1 items over the past month. In a way, it almost feels like cheating... instead of putting in the time and sweat to sort through everything, I can just pay more and find the exact items I want in much less time.

I still don't think I will ever want to pay more than flea market prices for some of the things I know will always turn up at the swap meet - tee shirts, thermals, tanks, shorts, leather belts, statement rings - but logically I have to admit that buying The Perfect Item is really a better value than buying many superfluous or ill-fitting or repetitive items. A jagged little pill to swallow for me after twining my identity around bargain shopping for so long.

Don't get me wrong; DH and I still live below our means. We are still big on saving, and I cut costs elsewhere... it's just... after standing for 8 or 9 or 10 hours a day all week... I guess I have more of a vested interest in saving my time and physical energy as well as saving money.

I suppose it's always a trade-off in the end, and everyone has to decide which resources are most valuable at any given time. It's taken a bit, but I think I can truly say that I'm okay with that. :)

When I posted before about my pumps bloodying my feet, Jeanne suggested I contact the manufacturer. I did so and I just saw the response as I sit here on the bus to DFS... They informed me that they will only consider a refund in the evnt of a manufacturing defect. To dtermine this I would have to ship the shoes off myself with no guarantees. Once again, I am so grateful for OTHER stores that stand behind the products they sell and create. :T.

Not a fluke that the title says "review" and not K/R. As on BJ, this jacket looks *amazing* fully buttoned up, but ten kinds of terrible any other way.

I think it may be make for someone with a long torso.

Pic 1-2: Buttoned up - true to the Nordies size chart (36=0-2), wonderful quality, heavy wool. Like a really edgy pea coat.

3-4: Totally open - see how the coat creates the optical illusion of a big, bubbly gut? Yeah, I wasn't happy about that. But if the whole thing had been sitting up a few inches higher, the bottom panels would have been pointing at my waist instead... too bad. :T

5: Half open - this exaggerates the low stance even more. My natural waist is several inches higher than the button closure, making me look all torso on top of stubby legs, even with my 3" heels on.

But if you are a tall, long-torsoed lass looking for a cool, artsy pea coat, this is definitely worth a shot.

In other news, MAN am I happy I did not order the coat from abroad! Nordstrom, you have saved me a major disappointment and headache yet again.

I actually really liked them - they are the jeans equivalent of my baggy short shorts! Angie was dead on the money like always; I found the dropped crotch to look most intentional (and least plum-smuggling) two sizes up from my normal Gap size.

I didn't buy them yet because I hope to find a deal on Ebay, but I'm feeling impatient now. Itching to get my paws on a pair!

I can't justify another denim jacket, but this is so darned cute! And cropped! It is crying out for a home with some leopard print brothers and sisters.

http://www.forever21.com/Produ.....VariantID=

They're going back.

The colors and print were what I'd hoped - cream, with the roses printed on the leather and not on fabric, but I don't like how they look with the main outfit I'd envisioned (they felt like nurse's shoes), they are too small, and there are too many quirks for me to try another size.

1) Most Bass reviews say the brand runs large, so I went down a half size. They are too tight in the toes, but oddly make my heel slip at the same time. I've never encountered this issue before.

2) Although my left foot is bigger, the *right* shoe is tighter. And shorter. But the shoes are NOT marked for size at all, so I can't even ask the seller to double check the stock before sending a new pair.

3) Although the footbed is padded, the upper is stiff. I would need to really break these in, and life's too short.

Oh well... I guess that means I cheated on SYC a little bit less. :(

Sorry if I am the bearer of bad news for anyone who was eyeballing these.

May is winding down, and while this week *should* have me ready to burst fromt he starting gates and ready to burn a hole in my bank account, I'm instead left waxing philosophical. I'd intended to stop shopping during May - and instead, I ordered floral booties, a white jacket/blazer, and a silk blouse, and a bag for a DIY project -- three of which I'm 100% sure I'll keep. I also have my eye on a jacket auction, depending on how high the bidding goes, and I still have white skinnies on my hit list.

The good? I am loving my closet right now and really excited to get dressed every. single. day. I have more outfit ideas than I can keep up with. The bad? Well, I have now spent enough that I should really, truly SYC for budjet reasons rather than my previous self-discipline reasons.

I want to spend less in June, but I don't want to make the same SYC mistakes as before, so I'm tossing around a few different ideas, which could be used individually OR together:

- Pre-plan at least 30 different outfits that I can select from throughout the month. Reasoning is to stay excited about what's in my closet and keep everything at the front of my mind.

- Pre-select 30 differnt inspiration outfits. Reasoning is to provide a challenge to replace the thrill of the hunt and shift focus from aquisition to creation.

- Choose a set of DIY goals to achieve by month's end. Reasoning is to keep me busy and off the online shops while I'm at home while still providing the thrill of the new -- and hopefully resulting in some things I can boast about. ;)

- Tracking on a calendar how many days I go *without* purchasing wardrobe items. Reasoning is to remove the sense of restriction and also create a visual representaton of my spending habits (which will hopefully freak me out enough to cool the jets).

What do you think? Are any of these positive behaviors likely to replace the other behavior? Do you have an opinion on which is best/worst? Any suggestions?

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ETA:

Harmonica just posted a comment that lit up the lightbulb over my head. She mentioned how fun it can be to keep a lookbook for inspiration - and everything clicked.

Fun? Not shopping is no fun. Sitting on my hands and waiting is no fun. I need to Get Things Done - fill those holes, fix those problems. Limbo drives me bananas! I am an ACTIVE personality, and "not shopping" is a PASSIVE exercise. I will never be able to "not shop" until that becomes a byproduct and not the goal.

I received two AT silk shirts today - I'm not keeping them, but I thought I'd share some thoughts and a pic just in case anyone else out there is considering it.

Shown in size 0T - The 0 regular was too boxy IMO. The Tall goes down to the crotch point of my jeans, which I liked. I also liked how the sleeves are full length when unrolled, and of course I loved the color. The shiny buttons were very pretty as well.

Cons for me were that the shoulder seams and sleeves were both cut too wide for me (although bust fit well) - this will likely be a Pro for many of you. The sleeves looked good rolled up, but I wanted the option to wear down as well. Since it is a tall size, the sleeves were also too long and had to be cuffed for the picture. I have also been spoiled by my other silk shirt and definitely didn't care for the shine or drape of this one as much. I also felt this one wrinkled

For fit comparison, I've also posted a split screen with the Nexx silk shirt from Nordstrom in size XS.