After my semi-disappointing Thursday night date unpacking my first Stitch Fix box, I took the opportunity to do some shopping after work on Friday night. It wasn’t the kind of “woe is me” shopping you do after trying to buy a bathing suit (ugh, but what is?). My Stitch Fix experience actually played into the trip in a completely positive way: it made me more aware of what I was looking for and how I wanted it to fit me. I met my husband at Nordstrom Rack with a renewed sense of shopping self and some unspent dollars in my figurative pocket.
Stitch Fix sent me a Daniel Rainn sleeveless V-neck blouse in a pattern that I didn’t care for, but the fit was great. At Nordstrom Rack I found an entire section of Daniel Rainn petite extra small tops at over 50% off. Score! I know I said I wouldn’t continue to buy the same shirt in different colors, but in this case I made an exception because I loved them both.
I’m a sucker for a good paisley. Old lady florals and paisley patterns are relevant to my interests and I love them dearly. I really like the black base on this with subdued tones. It whispers instead of shouting and I dig it. It was also only $24.97 so I was left with enough in the budget to get her a little friend…
Yes, it’s the same shirt in black. But black is super versatile and with the paisley pattern you can hardly tell they’re the same shirt. And say hello to those too-light Stitch Fix jeans (yep, I took these pictures on the same day). This blouse was also $24.97 and I paired both with my tortoise Stella Fossil watch with crystal dial. That watch goes with almost everything and I can’t recommend it enough (though I do recommend looking for it through an outlet or reseller to save some cash).
I can’t explain quite what I like so much about this Valette Lurex pullover sweater but I sure do. Though it looks white in the photo, the pattern on the front is actually a metallic threading that’s a little bit bling-y but still toned down and I dig it. It was $36.97 and I’m looking forward to experimenting with patterns or chambray underneath. As a side note, if you’re curious about my boots, they’re Coach Mirriam Leather Riding Boots. I got them for a song last spring at DSW and they waited several long months before I wore them this fall. They’re simple and a great color. If you can wait out boot season with hope in your heart that your size will remain, keep an eye on the clearance rack for the ones you love but can’t afford.
I picked up one last item on a Target trip on Sunday night. I’ve been looking for chunky sweaters to top my layers with that don’t double as a robe and I found a great one. The Open Cable Cardigan is on sale on Target’s website for $17.48 but it was on the clearance rack at my store for $7.48. It’s thick enough to hide the sleeve lines on my layered shirts but light enough not to leave me sweating profusely. The color is “camel” according to the Target website but I’d describe it as a mustard-y brown. A dijon, perhaps.
All this clothing-buying is directly counterproductive to my current KonMari obsession with purging. But is it? Marie Kondo tells you to keep the things you love and get rid of the things you don’t. I got rid of LOTS of clothing that didn’t ‘spark joy’. That didn’t mean that nothing would ever make me feel again. Just like you shouldn’t stay with a romantic partner (or friend, for that matter) who doesn’t fuel your engine, you shouldn’t feel that you have to keep the same wardrobe for your whole life just because it is still wearable. Some day it might not give me the same rush any more and at that point, it goes. But only after I give it a proper goodbye.
xo,
J.