how much is too much...even for perfection?

How much would you pay for the perfect summer dress? The perfect summer dress is hard to find. You want that one dress every summer that is your go-to dress but isn't over used. Its special. It fits you right in every way. It makes you feel beautiful and special and confident. The colors are perfect. The length, style, fabric...all perfect. Its like finding a needle in a haystack, right? So, what if you found it!? How much are you willing to spend on it? Now keep in mind it can be dressed up and down. It can be worn for all occasions. You can switch it up so it doesn't necessarily look like the same dress every time. (which is important since summer is so short, especially in New England).

What if the dress was way more than you thought you should spend? What if it was a lot? I am curious to see who would spend the money on this perfect dress and who would just leave it at the store. What are your spending limitations?

My friend found such a dress. It has a hefty price tag. Should she buy it?

I would love to hear all your thoughts!!

why do you buy?

One thing that I hear often is, "I got such a deal on this!" Problem is, they don't love it and its not them. Everything will eventually go on sale. Paying retail is ridiculous. (Though sometimes I have to admit it feels good). But when you buy something it should be because you love it and know that it would be a good addition in your closet. Watch it and wait. There are so many things I love at work...by the time it goes on sale I realize it wasn't as great as I originally thought. I just saved myself so much money! Take the $5 you spent on that shirt that was such a good deal. If you don't buy all those "deals" you'll save enough money to buy that one amazing piece that by now is on sale! Wait. Watch. And rethink it. Make sure you love it as much when you buy it as you did when it first hit the store/internet.

Now I am a little overboard clothing wise but I like to think of my clothes as part of my closet family. Will I take care of it? Will it make me feel confident (as my friend would say "ready to take on the world")? Or was it just CHEAP!? For years I bought things because there was a great sale. Then I end up with a pile of "OK" clothes that aren't even that wonderful. I believe in investing in your closet. When you shop, plan outfits. I ask myself "what will this go with?" which sometimes works. However, its nice to buy one outfit at time (or a couple) but to have a complete outfit and then you can mix and match it later. Save up and buy seasonally. Now, I do buy sale items alone and not planned because I know it will be the best match for an outfit at home. And because its fun. But please don't just buy something because its cheap!! It probably won't do you any good. Buy because you are in love with that piece or pieces. That way you won't regret it. You will actually save yourself money and closet space.

Finally, when holding that crazy cheap sale item, ask yourself if you love it enough that you would've bought it retail. Chances are you'll know right then if its worth it and if it will be a good addition to the "family".

Now, shop with confidence!

When Jeans and a Tee are ok...

I've been watching two kids in addition to mine for the past week and for the rest of this week. We've been going to the playground a lot and its been in the 90s. As I was getting dressed this morning I realized I was putting on jeans and a t-shirt!! I stopped and thought...."am I really back to this?!" Then with confidence I replied (to myself), "yes, I am and its ok!"

I had two shirt options today. A tight black short sleeve v-neck and an Aero tee (I think I took from my husband). I looked at them both and thought about it. I grabbed the t-shirt and threw it on. It would be cooler and I won't care if its messy. I also won't have to worry about it riding up the back when I'm pushing the kids on the tire swing.

However, I didn't go overboard. For my jeans I chose super cute rolled up bermuda denim. I kept it looking pulled together for a mom with four kids on the hot, hot playground. If you're going to do a "mom" look, make sure part of it is still stylish. Like the other day when I wore gym shorts...I paired it with a fitted Red Sox tee. I didn't want to look like I just rolled out of bed either time.

Accomplished! And I had much more fun with the kids because I didn't have to worry about what I looked like and if it was getting dirty. Whew!

Anyone Can Dress

I was watching a movie awhile ago and the main line from it was "anyone can cook". That night my friend asked me for fashion advice...literally while I was watching the movie. I helped her with ideas and she picked something along the lines of what I meant. It was not something I would've ever picked out but it looked great on her and she felt really good about it. Then it hit me, "anyone can dress".

Another friend of mine is getting more noticed (in a good way) :) because of her confidence with style now. I gave her a few pointers and have shopped with her several times. She totally gets it now and looks amazing! And she can dress on her own now. (they have to grow up sometime...)

As for me. I've always loved clothes. I've always thought hard about what I wore (even if it didn't look right, I was conscious of my decision). Looking back I had no idea what I was doing. I see pictures of me and can't believe how awful some of my style choices were. In second or third grade I wore the same sweatshirt with a teddybear with 3 balloons on it. I never washed my clothes. I had a pile of dirty laundry behind my bed for years. I hated laundry. I hated style. Who cares anyway?( Although I did think that teddybear sweatshirt was AMAZING and didn't realize people knew I wore it everyday.) Then as I grew up I had silly styles. In sixth grade I tried to be a hippie. That was interesting. I started to really think about fashion in high school and then went into retail where I learned more. But it took me 8 years of retail and 4 clothing stores to actually have it click. I know my style now and I love it. It wasn't until I fully knew my style that now I can dress with confidence. Its great. So, if I can dress with style and confidence...ANYONE CAN DRESS!