scrapin’
I know I said that I was going to set up a special account devoted to being able to shop for better clothes. I really intend to do that. Because I just did something that really made me realize that just because it’s not at the top of my priority list, I’m not allowed to dismiss it as unimportant.
I just pulled a black Sharpie marker out of my desk, and used it to fill in the places on my black belt that have cracked and are showing the bright brown fibers underneath the finish of the belt. It’s passing, but I still smell Sharpie marker. Which reminded me that before I left home for work today, I took two safety pins and pinned up the hem of my right pants leg so that the hem, which has fallen out in the front because the thread has come out, wouldn’t fall. I would have worn the other clean thing I have, a skirt, but its hem has fallen out too, and because of class, studying, and cleaning, I haven’t had time to do my two weeks’ worth of laundry (or the inclination to do any mending, which might be good, ‘cause hems are not my forte). All day I’ve been hoping that no one would see the two very small shiny dots at the bottom of my pants leg - if you look, you can see the spot where the safety pins are grabbing the fabric from the inside of the pants leg. They are very small spots, and my pants are gray, but come on. I’ve got to do better than this.
I have dresses and suits that I don’t wear. I’ve got jewelry from an ex that I don’t have any inclination to wear again. I have a few other little things I have no intention of using again. I think I might get on EBay or Craig’s list or even on the phone to a consignment shop, so that I can get my shopping fund started. Because this is ridiculous.
If this makes you laugh, it’s OK. One of these days, I’m going to think this is funny, too.
Girl, I have two decent pair of jeans that I can wear to work. On one pair, the knees ripped from overuse and I just kept rockin’ em as if they came that way. No one seemed to notice and I even got a few compliments on my “cool” jeans. You gotta make somehow, I feel your pain though. I miss my Kenneth Cole clack and Bannana Republic sweaters, those were the days.
Comment by Rad — July 17, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
Girl, I confess: I laughed. BUT only because as I read that, I could feel the safety pins holding up the hems of my jeans. I was just caught out, too, by one of my girl friends. Apparently I’m as poor a pinner as I am a hemmer
Oh and I think my cloth belt is starting to lose grommets but since I only use it for one pair of pants, I refuse to get another one. Good luck with that shopping fund!
Comment by Msminiducky — July 17, 2007 @ 12:33 pm
This post brought back many memories. I used to spend every dime on my daughter and nothing on myself. She was a cutie pie while I walked around looking like Frumpella. Those are days I want to soon forget.
Nowadays, I stick to classic staples, then mix/match and accessorize. You’d be amazed how many outfits you can create with 5 or 6 timeless pieces.
And shoot, I still use a safety pin every now and then for a missing button on my pants. Too lazy to sew and way too lazy to drop them off at the cleaners.
LOL @ the sharpie. Now that’s ingenious! LOL but I’ma need you to spend $10 on a new belt. Target, Ross, Marshall’s, and TJ Maxx are the HOTness. Don’t sleep!
Rad is about to make me think your name is “Girl.” All of his comments start off that way. It makes me laugh. LOL
Comment by Single Ma — July 18, 2007 @ 8:20 pm
um… actually, that was a new belt, it was just cheap. $7 at pay/half. i bought it in a pinch because my good belt from
lerner’snew york and co. was misplaced that day…Comment by Sistah Ant — July 18, 2007 @ 10:12 pm
I like to use tape sometimes instead of safety pins.
Good luck on building the wardrobe budget. Don’t underestimate it’s power in your life. An old friend told me once, don’t dress for the job you have, dress for the job you want. He used to dress better than his boss and was routinely picked to give presentations to clients which helped him get his name out there and build his reputation. Think of it as an investment in your career if that helps you motivate. After all when you picture a businesswoman, what is she wearing? (And why do I picture SingleMa in my head when I think ‘businesswoman’? heh heh)
BTW, I had crazy negative worth when I finished college, about $20K in loans and $5K in credit cards. I’m over 10 years out of school, and all the loans are gone. I have $18K in new debt, but if you work at it, you’ll take it down.
GOOD LUCK!
Comment by mapgirl — July 19, 2007 @ 11:30 am