Clothes-aholic in reform?

I have to admit, whenever I see the hoarders shows on TV I think of my own closet. I can honestly say I have clothing from Junior High still in my closet because I emotionally can't part with them. People, that's from TEN YEARS ago! So can you imagine what all I have that's less than ten years old I have yet to get rid of that's taking up closet space. And with my job at Nordie's my closet is expanding even faster then I'd imagined. So it's probably not shocking when I tell you that I also had to take over half the laundry room to hang clothes since they won't fit in my closet anymore (in my defense we have a TINY bedroom closet). 

I'm not exactly positive why I have such a difficult time getting rid of old or out of date items, maybe it's the fact that trends reappear every twenty years or so and I'm hoping they might come back into fashion? Or maybe it's because when I was growing up my parents never wanted me to get rid of anything that still had some use left in it? Either way a D.I. run was necessary. I spent over three hours cleaning out and sorting into every corner and depth of my closet. And guys, it was pretty sad.

Adi and Aspen displaying just how large ONE bag was in real life size. Awesome models don't you think?

I'm pretty sure the D.I. guys were thinking I was moving or something based on how many clothes I was getting rid of. Or that I was just crazy. But either way now I have SOOO much more room for new (more in fashion) clothes that I actually like to wear. And I don't even have to use up my laundry room space anymore!

This is just ONE bag from my closet clean out

So, I hereby swear that clothes I do not wear at least once a year without shame* will be removed from my closet and sent where they will do more good than collecting dust.

Am I the only one with this hoarding of clothes issue? My husband thinks its just me, but I can't be alone in this right?

I am Melissa, and I am a clothes-aholic. And I probably will never reform based on where I work...


*i.e. worn in public confidentally

Merchandise breaks the Monotony

Don't you feel that increasingly more as an adult that each day starts to blend into the other. Especially working in retail because of working five days a week and the always working the weekend: my life tends to become rather monotonous.

Wanna know how I break the boredom (which really ISN'T boredom but pure constant busy-ness)? Great fashion finds like...

Ugg boots for $50 (regularly $250)

Joe's skinnies (I could live in these) $40 (regularly $80)

And a Tory Burch dress for a killer $45 (regularly $425)

And yes, I drive my husband nuts with my closet growth. And even worse I drive him insane by pointing out people-EVERYWHERE we go-wearing Nordstrom's clothing that I can guarantee I've put away at least three times each day. But my husband loves how all of his coworkers comment on how "hot" his wife is, and "how did you get a woman like her?" I think it definitely makes up for...everything...shopping wise.

p.s. doesn't shopping just make you feel happier about your day? Anything to make me feel better about my habits.

Brazilian review

actually turned out to be a good experience! I went with my best bud/roommate from college Sasha to a quaint little spa and salon in Murray area. Of course I was soooo nervous before because we'd both heard absolute horror stories about others experiences. So I think the start was more painful because I was tensed and anxious. But once I relaxed it honestly didn't hurt. Of course, this is coming from someone who has quite a high pain tolerance. So take that as you will.

Besides the painful aspect of it, most people who knew about my appointment were secondly worried about the privacy aspect of it. But anyone whose ever gone to an OBGYN for a pap smear or yearly checkup have had to be naked like that before and it isn't that bad. Plus as the girl who did mine said, "[they] see it all day, everyday and [they] don't care."

Honestly it was an experience I plan to repeat frequently. Because let's be honest, shaving down there is not a pleasant habit. Once you start you have to continue with quick return of hair, ingrown hairs, and razor burn. I think no longer!

p.s. If you ever see groupon's or living social deals GET IT. Best deal ever!

Dear Valentine

We had a great little rendezvous with our friends Chad and Lisa at my absolute all-time favorite restuarant Red Rock. Fried Green Tomatoes, fresh brewed Cream Soda, and Goat Cheese Salad. 

My valentine's outfit was from some inspiration I saw on J.Crew. The only thing I didn't have was the silk looking shirt which I successfully found at my first ever trip to the new H&M. 

Don't make fun of my attempt at modeling my sassy outfit. I'm not good at that. Maybe practice?

Either way my husband thought I was pretty stinking hot.

And I promise I'll improve the photography shots I take of my outfits. I can do better.

Fashion Alert: Gap Outlet

For all those chic girls who LOVE sales on top of sales, today is the LAST DAY to get an extra 30% off anything and everything at the Gap Outlet.



All you have to do is enter NEWYOU at checkout and cha-ching. I have to admit I already indulged in not one but two pairs of these cream cords that were not ten dollars, but $6!

What could I possibly want two for you ask? Well, I'm going to be making my own colorful cords in the next week or so, so stay tuned! This could be the craft project that is over my head...

deals and steals: Maxi Skirt

Remember how I said we stopped off at Nordstroms? Well, that wasn't completely an unplanned shopping trip.

I found this beauty online, and truthfully have been searching for an affordable cute maxi skirt that fits well for quite some time. So of course I was overjoyed after I got the hubs to agree to take me.

Lily White Maxi Skirt $26

Imagine this in a heather gray and you'll fall in love. Perfect fall color to pair with bright, rich sweaters and chunky brown belts. Plus when the only other maxi skirts (the few) that I've been able to find are around $50, it made me feel like this was a COMPLETE steal at merely half of that.

Would you ever wear something like this? I do have to admit it exudes a slight hippie aura, but truthfully its so comfy and goes so well with multiple looks that I just can't make myself not wear it almost every other day.

Fashionista Feelings

Remember when I blogged about this great find?

Kohls: Lauren Conrad Blouse

Well I finally found those photos of when I first wore it...

plus my newly (now old) dyed hair.

I feel quite confident in it+my dyed hair. It's lightened up quite a bit since then.

Maybe its time to dye it again!

p.s. I can't help but feeling like I'm this girl when I take fashion photos.

Kohls:Lauren Conrad blouse

You know what is better than finding a great cute shirt that you can picture yourself wearing with a lot of different outfits? 

Finding a CHEAP one! 

Originally $45, on sale for $36, plus back to school 20% off, plus a 20% off coupon, plus a $10 off coupon, makes this shirt even cuter than it already is!

It sounds like I coupon. I promise, I don't.

That's one thing I LOOOOVE about Kohls. You can walk in find something, and walk out with it for only a fraction of the cost. LOVE.

p.s. can you figure out how much I paid for this shirt? I can tell you it was less than 1000 pennies. 

Amazing eh?!

My brain fart day this week

My sweetheart came done to p-town today to bring sweet Adi to see the vet (she licked the stitches to much to where her insicion was starting to open). In addition to being worried about that, today has been an interesting and cynical (on my part) day.


The awkward:

I discovered this morning one of my favorite perfumes smells like it's rotten. Sad.
I forgot to shave my legs this weekend. Sorry to the guy in modern dance who had to support my nasty hairy leg today.
As I was sneaking my shorts down to cover my unders while walking to my first class, I outright ripped my pocket seam...oops. So now I have a gapping hole in my pantalones.
Lipgloss exploded onto the kid next to me in my religion class as I was trying to apply it...how do you possibly clean that up with only one tissue?
Sorry to the guy who gave me car advice and then I called my dad to ask the exact same question. It's not that I don't trust your opinion...its just that a girl needs to call her dad first.

And the epitome of awkward today, I had an awful time balancing while changing for dance in the bathroom stall and therefore was banging quite a bit on the walls...and someone banged back from the other side of the stall. What do you say after that, hello or sorry?


The awesome:

On a whim I suggested we watch an episode of 24 last night since I'd heard it was good...and now we're addicted. Already six episodes down, only 196 left.
I listened to Sara Bareilles the entire drive down to school this morning. I love her. She makes me happy.
My english professor completed her email today in ergophobically yours. How freaking awesome is that? I love english professors.
I found this drink called Muscle Milk in Macey's grocery and LOVE it! Plus it gives you 25% of every vitamin or mineral for your daily need.

And finally, I got another pair of TOMS today. They are so comfy! I think they kind of look like elf shoes, but they are so stinking comfy. When will my obsession end you ask? I don't know.

Overall, a great and awful day all at the same time. I just have felt...off. Oh well.

Happy Wednesday!

-M

p.s. I LOVE it when everyone updates their blogs. 

...so update!

bargain hunter:TOMS

Truthfully, I resisted for a LONG time against getting TOMS. Everyone had them, they weren't that cute...etc. I just found reasons to not like them. But like a lot of trends and popular things, there really are reasons why they are so popular and continue to be a high craze.

Since I finally bought my first pair and have broken them in, they are SOOO comfortable. But the price was still a little much to swallow. So when I heard from a friend at work that she found someone who buys TOMS straight from the factory in bulk and then sells them for $25 a pair, I was like 'Sign me up!'

She gave me the contact info, I dropped by this nice lady's house today after school and bought two pair for me, and two pair for a friend.

They had everything from the classic toms, to a couple patterns, to the glitter toms, to the wedges. All under $35 a pair! So truthfully, I feel a lot better about these TOMS that I just got, then my first pair from Nordstrom.

But I guess it took me actually finding a pair that I liked the look of to be open about the brand in general.

Is everyone else like me where they resist the popular movements, or do you jump on the bandwagon quickly? I think I can attribute it to my stubborn nature. :)

Yay for TOMS!

-M

p.s. if you live in Utah and thus would like her contact info...I may be inclined to give it to you. If you ask nicely :) 

want it...need it?

Ok bargainistas, is this something I should jump on immediately?

J. Crew Asymmetrical Ruched Bandeau Tank

org. 88.00 sale 49.00

I LOVE this swimsuit, but its still quite a chunk of change...ah I just know how hard it is to find cute swimwear especially when its swim season. And we now live somewhere that has an easily accessible pool until late Sept. and opens early May. So I need another swimsuit right?

I am resisting spending the money, but the color and cut is so cute!

advice?