'Helpful' Confessions of a Shopaholic

There is no doubt that by any standard, I not only spend too much money on clothing and accessories for myself, but also on my child. However, I do think there is a lack of understanding of the part of most people about where the deals really are! Sales, overstocks, last year's version, eBay, online coupon and promo codes, Ebates, credit card rewards programs, extra percents off, etc... are all things you must be familiar with in order to, simply put, not get screwed while shopping ... especially when online shopping (which as you know, is a personal fave of mine!)


So many times, my mom has ordered something from Ann Taylor, LOFT, Talbots, or Banana without a free shipping or discount code! And I'm like, "What? You NEVER do that!" But she just didn't know!



Same goes with my J.Crew wardrobe obsession... while I adore shopping at JC, both online and in the store, it is a rare day that I purchase anything full price (or even close to it!) which is what allows me to buy so many pieces and spend so much time shopping without running out of money on the first summer sundress! I enjoy shopping, so for me, this is fun and kind if a hobby! Snagging a great deal gives me a high... I know this sounds like an addiction...hmmm... it probably is. Shh, don't tell!


Some people just simply buy things they like when they see them, never concerned with the fact that it's half-price the next week or whatever. That drives me crazy!! If that's you, that's great that you can sleep at night, but I certainly would not be able to! Obviously, part of the equation of getting a great deal is just experience in knowing what merchandise is going to stick around to make it to the sale, and what pieces most certainly will not!! There are tricks to the trade, but luck and timing also have a lot to do with it! A blog I read daily to make sure I'm getting the best deal on my JC purchases is jcrewaficionada.blogspot.com! It is the BEST BEST BEST site for discussing JC sales, deals, specific items, fit, colors, etc... plus any time there is a great Banana or LOFT, etc... deal or coupon, someone always lists it there, too! I also love dealigg.com to find promo coupons for shopping online! Another aspect to snagging great deals is having the time to research and obsess over it!

Part 2 - Coming Tomorrow - "Confessions of a Shopaholic - Best Dress Baby"

What I Think About (are you prepared?)

A look into the thoughts that just pop into my head throughout the day. Some mundane, some funny, some gross. I carried a piece of paper around with me today, and these are some of the things that I wrote down:

* What did we do without Tivo? Seriously... I don't remember.
* What did we do without cell phones? I can't even comprehend this idea.
* Just because it's hot outside, does not automatically give everyone the go-ahead to wear short-shorts .... it may be hot outside, but not everyone is hot enough on the outside to pull off super-short shorts in a size too small.
* I really wish Sharon and Nick would just get back together already on the Young and the Restless... and not just because I like watching them make whoopee, but I really don't like Phyllis.
* The pool opens this weekend! Sweet! Ahh! Put down the coconut toasted marshmallows NOW!!
* Why did gas prices go back up? Damn!
* It smells like a crap-sicle in our backyard. Gross. I think it's because the farm behind our property has cows. Can't wait till it gets warmer...
* Why is there a huge sticky spot on the wood stairs heading upstairs? I don't even want to know.
* Be sure to put butt cream on Connor before nap and bedtime ... working on a tiny spot of diaper rash!
* It's time to take your NObama stickers off your cars, minivans, and SUVS. Seriously, give it up, you lost.
* Why do we pay all this money for satellite and cable TV, but there is nothing on. I've watched Tory and Dean, The Cosby Show, What I Like About You... this is bad. Why don't I just go to bed?

Wally World

I was in WalMart today, and I have to say, I was quite shocked (in a good way!) I usually try to avoid this place... especially since I heart alternative wonderlands like Target, etc... but it was unavoidable today... so we went! There was a super-cute coat and a backless / strapless bra with tons of gel padding! There were really nice looking black picture frames and great glass-looking plastic wine glasses for outdoor entertaining! Awesome!

Not that I'm going to go wardrobe shopping there by any means, because God only knows Wally World will never be a replacement for Pottery Barn, J. Crew, or Baby Gap, but in today's economy, who isn't looking to save a few bucks on everyday luxuries?

I Just Decided

While on a long, brisk walk around our neighborhood Friday morning in an attempt to both burn calories and catch some rays simultaneously (never stop multitasking!!) I made a parenting decision - of sorts.



About half way through our walk, I first heard, then saw, some little boys (hoodies) playing around in their yard. Oh what wonderful parents! Having your children play outside instead of those violent, fat-ass and carpal tunnel inducing video games all the kids (and some dads!) are obsessed with! Not exactly!!

They were playing what looked to be a game of "run around and pretend to shoot my friends" with what I'm assuming (and hoping) were fake guns. Said guns, however, looked real enough to stop me in my tracks for a couple of seconds while deciding whether to run the other direction, or smile and quickly scamper past. I chose the latter, all the while keeping a close and judging eye on the boys.

I know it seems crazy to immediately think that maybe a child has found his dad's shotgun in the garage - the one that was supposed to be locked up and unloaded - but how many times do you hear about that crap on the news? A kid thinks they are playing an innocent game with their brothers and friends and someone ends up hurt or dead!? Why are toy companies making such realistic looking guns for children to play with? (And, like I said, I'm taking the liberty of assuming these were, in fact, toy guns!! Who knows!?)

Those who know me, both from this blog and personally, know that I am not overly sensitive to things like this ... but these were no fakey looking guns!! (aka: Nerf, Super-Soaker, etc...) They were long, brown and had moving parts!! It was a bit disturbing to say the least.

So, long-term-parenting-decision #1: No guns!! Squirt guns ... fine (especially when used to squirt neighbor's cat who poops and digs in garden), but very-real-looking, scare-the-neighbors-half-to-death guns... NO WAY!!

Mother's Day!

So, of course I didn't have time to write an entry on Mother's Day because I was WAY too busy getting showered with gifts and kindness and compliments and having my feet massaged while shopping with someone else's credit card.... wait, that was in my dreams before I woke up. Uhm... so that wasn't exactly it. We had a great day though! We went to Panera for breakfast and Jamie watched Connor while I ran out to do some errands without my little sidekick! After Connor napped, we headed over to my aunt and uncle's house for some drinks and dinner! My sister Lisa is also back from Butler for the summer, so we took the opportunity to take some really silly pics (as seen below!) She is going to be my motivation (one of them) to get moving this summer - aka: training to run a 5K before summer is over! I've been seeing tons of people on my neighborhood hauling ass around the block and it makes me feel like I should be doing something more athletic .. so I shall ... try...


Our family!


Me and Lisa ... stopping to smell the flowers! ha!

Just the girls!

My first family! ;)

Me and Sis!