Something strange is happening...

The more complicated my life becomes, the more I have tended to shop of late.  I am able to justify buying just about anything as a NEED (even though I know I don't need it) and it's starting to make me feel uneasy.  Sick. Guilty.  I am experiencing major buyers' remorse, hiding the purchases from myself and pretending they were never made.  For the first time in my life I have items in bags tucked into the back of the wardrobe, unworn.  I am the sort of person who only used to buy things she loves and could not wait to wear them.  I then continue on with my love of the item and wear it to death for many months to come on high rotation.

I haven't been able to figure out whether I am buying things emotionally or buying things that I don't truly love.  Or maybe I'm hiding the items because I feel so guilty about buying them, as there's more important things I need. 

I tend to get swept up in the emotion of the purchase without thinking it through. And it's only happened to me for the first time in the last few months.  I was never THAT kind of shopper.  Never the girl with a wardrobe full of unworn clothes.   I've bought hundreds of dollars of make up even though I basically only wear tinted moisturiser and mascara.  Eyeshadow doesn't suit me (or I don't know how to apply it), yet I have 3 Nars duos somewhere over the Pacific Ocean making their way to my already overflowing make up drawer.  And this continual guilt has made me feel guilt about going on holidays in December, even though I've not had a break or a holiday in over 20 months...

What I wish I'd done was purchase a Yves Saint Laurent Ovale Arty ring instead of the mountains of junk I've purchased of late... at least I've lusted over the ring consistently since April.  It would have been cheaper too...

images from blogdesushi.com and saks.com

No shoes!

I couldn't fall asleep on Sunday night.  It was past midnight and I couldn't get comfortable.  The room was too hot with the heater on and too cold without it (note to self get an electric underlay).  So what does one do when they cannot sleep?  One plays solitaire on their iPhone OR browses eBay on the evil eBay app.  Australia must be the only place left in the world that doesn't have a Zara store (although rumours have been swirling for years that it's opening "by the end of the year").  I think the story is that the family that owns 80% of the chain stores in Australia has the licence for Zara Australia and doesn't want to damage his other brands, so he refuses to open stores down here.

It also occurred to me that I haven't purchased a pair of shoes allllllllll year!  I guess the YSL Lauren that I purchased in December did their job in making me feel guilty about such a huge splurge (but they were 50% she says!).  I am so in love with these boots that no other shoes have been able to come close.  I have worn them to death!  Cost-per-wear-theory-winner!

So what does a girl who hasn't purchased a pair of shoes all year do?  She purchases TWO pairs whilst battling insomnia!

I've had my eye on these for ages.  The chances that a seller had both in my size up for the auction at the same time was just an omen.  Don't you think?

48 hour rule

I have done well in sticking to my shopping matra of late - not falling into the trap of OMG I love this I need it NOWWWWWWWWWWW.  You get it NOW, then you realise it doesn't really fit, you overpaid, it doesn't really go with other pieces in your wardrobe.. it's unsuitable for the climate you live in, damn.  Credit card hangover.

What I do now, is I find something I love, I get excited, try it on then PUT IT ON HOLD for 48 hours.  Search the net for similar or same item, create outfits in my head.. or in polyvore.  Check out some street style websites for inspiration.  (yes, the shopping process is a very complex one..), then I swipe.

Case in point.  The wonderful YSL "Lauren" booties.  Love at first sight, but a very considered purchase. 

Come April 2010, and as Melbourne winter sets in rather quickly, I cannot wear these with my layered outfits, skinny jeans, woollen opaques and minis and sass & bide "rats".  Remind me to get a new pair.  Mine have well and truly seen their use by date.  But heck they've been worn at least once a week for 18 months!

Some inspiration:

French Vogue

jakandjil.com