Thanks so much, bloggy friends, for all your feedback. I just got back from Manhattan, where I returned the dress and did a few other work related things. This segues into many thoughts I've been having about this blog, my style, and my life. (Caution: possible self-awareness overload ahead).
I've been working as a professor for just under 2 years now. I complain a lot (sorry, JRu, I know that you read this sometimes), but I am a pretty happy and lucky person. My apartment is adorable, I'm in a great relationship, my colleagues are cool, my students are a riot (even when they grate on my nerves), and I have great flexibility with my time. But I haven't quite figured out my "big girl" finances yet. I have like quadruple the income from graduate school, but more expenses. And I unfortunately work in midtown, where the number of retail shops (not thrift) is ridiculous. (Also, lots of bad sandwiches). Since I have disposable income, no children, and no debts, I haven't seriously thought about how to allocate my income. And then sometimes when I've had a rough day, I'll look at clothes and all of the sudden, there goes hard earned money. Oops.
Sal, Elaine, Academic Writer and others commented that the dress might not be my style or easy to wear in multiple ways. I realized when putting away clothes last night that I have a lot of clothes. Many which I love but don't wear often. So I want to challenge myself, and use this blog as a way to stay accountable. A lot of other bloggers have inspired me to consider shopping ban, or a shopping plan, or something like that as a goal to guide my clothes spending (Sal, Alyson, and Jesse.anne.o all come to mind). I don't think I'd do so well on a total ban, and I still want to spend money on textiles as I learn how to sew, so I going to commit myself to at least 6 months of Sarah of Rhinestones and Telephone's Thrifty 365 challenge. (This would be more like Thrifty 182 but it lacks the same pizazz).
After I bought the mod-style dress (and a couple "work clothes"- all have been returned) last week, I came home and Blokey and I sat down and figured out a budget plan. We have generous allowances for food, entertainment, etc. (there's no hairshirts going on here). I am limiting myself to $20/week that can accumulate to spend on frivolous things, but it must be thrifted or some raw materials that I can use to create my own clothing/accessories etc. I will even try to make all my own non-monetary gifts (should be interesting, with a few babies on the way). I will allow myself shoes, underthings, socks, etc. and some items like workout clothes that may be better off new, but that will all have to stay in the budget. I have, of course, complete support from the fella. (He has a "fun things" budget too, but he'll probably spend his on guitar, music, and computer things).
For now, I am saving up my weekly allowance to go thrifting with Anne in Chicago in few weeks (academic conference). Wish me luck as I start this journey.
Dress: Brooklyn Industries
Socks: Target
Boots: MIA
