Retail Therapy

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Hello everyone. My name is Katie, and I am a shop-aholic.

If I had my way, I would never repeat an outfit. I like trying new styles, and the satisfying feeling that you get when wearing a brand new piece of clothing is just the bees-knees. Seriously, they call it retail therapy for a REASON, people…

Now, I am a rational, sensible person when it comes to spending (at least, I like to think so). Although I love the latest fashions, almost every article of clothing I own has been found at a store like TJ Maxx or Marshalls. Hey, if I can get BCBG, Lilly Pulitzer, and designer jeans there, why should I pay triple the price? Case in point; I bought an amazing Calvin Klein dress at TJ Maxx (that I wore the night Justin proposed, coincidentally); a few weeks later, I was walking through the mall, and there was the EXACT dress on a mannequin for full price…ummm you better believe I felt good!

Ok, totally using this as an excuse to show off some pictures...but ***sigh*** isn't it a cute dress???

Anyway, I think it is exciting to go through the racks and find the rare gems among what is usually a lot of…um…interesting pieces…

This all being said, I took a look back at my spending patterns over the past few months (since we moved to Virginia), and I made an interesting discovery.

I have barely purchased a thing…in months.

No, for real…I’m not even joking! I purchased a pair of ballet flats because living in Virginia requires closed toed shoes, of which I have a VERY limited collection…but other than that? Zip. Zilch. Nada. Nothing.

In the past, I wouldn’t hesitate to treat myself to a new shirt, pair of shoes, or a dress if I happened to stumble upon it at a store. You have to treat yourself sometimes, right??? However, I’ve noticed that any and all purchases (other than the necessary groceries and other basics) have been wedding related. My hair flower, my cake topper, and my Save the Date’s have taken the place of my precious shoe budget. When I’m out shopping and I see something that I like, I start saying to myself, “nope…don’t do it…that is $30 you can spend on wedding things…”

This gets me thinking…am I the only one out there feeling the same way? Do you find yourself holding back on making purchases because the money could be put to “better” use? Are you also feeling guilty any time that you make a frivolous purchase in lieu of saving it for the wedding? Is anyone else out there anxiously awaiting the day when their shoe (or handbag, clothes, etc) budget is re-instated? What do you do to NOT go crazy in the meantime???