Did I Really Buy That?
Okay, I’ve asked myself that a million times. So today is author Cathryn Cade’s turn to tell us how she wrangles her closet to order! And when you get a chance, do check out Cathryn’s oh-so-hot HEROES!
Author: Cathryn Cade
Hawaiian Heroes III; Blooming in the Wild
Now this is an ongoing battle. Right, girlfriends?
We are constantly bombarded with the latest fashions, guaranteed to make us look younger, slimmer, prettier and more with it. Whatever ‘it’ is.
Wear this glittery full-body lycra jumpsuit with padded shoulders, and you too can be as beautiful as this model! (Hey, she lives on celery and yogurt, she fainted right after this photo session, and then we air-brushed the be-jayzus out of her picture, but never mind all that!)
I managed to avoid that jumpsuit, but I did have the denim version. I also had a pink satin dress with power shoulders, a la Dallas. But fashions change, and one decade’s ‘with it’ is the next’s ‘what the hell is that?’ Needless to say neither of these items still grace the back of my closet.
But I still buy fashion faux pas, items that look great on other women, but not a tall, plump blonde with quiet coloring. The brightly flowered silk sweater? Ouch! I could have posed as a piece of furniture. The snug T-shirt with all the Lycra? Yeah, enough said about my midsection. The swimsuit I’ve been going to fit into for ten years? Not gonna happen in this lifetime.
I’ve finally learned to have a shopping bag open in the basement for items just such as these. When it fills up, off it goes to a shelter or Goodwill, where I pray someone will wear those nearly-new items to look and feel fabulous.
I’ve made peace with my shape, as much as women bombarded by modern advertising ever can. They have a vested interest in keeping us dissatisfied. I know how to dress, and where to shop to find things that fit and flatter. Coldwater Creek, Lands End and Nordstrom’s (sale racks) are my shopping BFFs.
But I’m not perfect yet, and I’m impulsive as all get-out. So I’ll keep that shopping bag open for the fashion leftovers and faux pas to come!
How about you? What items do you need to be strong, and just get rid of?
Cathryn Cade… red hot romance!
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THE RESOLUTION TOUR – January 1 – 9, 2013
Maggie Jaimeson – Take a Vacation
Jessa Slade – Get Organized
Paty Jager – Volunteerism
Linda Mercury – Creating a Literary (or Creative) Life
Jenna Bayley-Burke – Eat Healthier
Cassiel Knight – No More Procrastination
Cathryn Cade – Take Time for those OTHER Creative Passions
Susan Lute – Reduce Stress: Find and Follow Your Bliss
Posted by Susan on January 2, 2013 at 2:55 pm
Cathryn, you are so funny…and it’s so true about the celery and yoghurt and airbrushing. Bags…as in handbags. I need to buy a whole lot less of them. I usually like the newest one for about three months. If they make it to six before I start looking again, it’s a miracle
Posted by Jamie Brazil on January 2, 2013 at 4:10 pm
We need a handbag intervention:)
Posted by Paty Jager on January 2, 2013 at 3:23 pm
LOL- It’s so true we tend to buy items that don’t really flatter us to be “in”. I go through my closet several times a year and put garments in a sack and take them to the thrift store. And there is usually an item or two that were worn once. I still have a couple items I haven’t parted with- one a dress I bought when we were visiting my husband’s family in Holland and the dress I wore to my daughter’s wedding 10 years ago.
Posted by Jamie Brazil on January 2, 2013 at 4:11 pm
For me, it’s trenchcoat I bought 20-plus years ago. I don’t wear it, don’t “need” it, yet still it stays. Why, why, why? There’s also a pair of tap shoes I haven’t been able to part with yet.
Posted by Maggie Jaimeson on January 2, 2013 at 6:41 pm
I find when I shop and buy something that ends up not being flattering it is always because I was buying when depressed. Somehow those bright colors, bold flowers — you know that hawaiian-inspired-top-on-steriods look — must have made me momentarily happy. But they NEVER look good on me. Is there an intervention counselor to stop impulse buys when depressed? If so, sign me up.
Posted by Jessa Slade on January 2, 2013 at 10:03 pm
I neeeed to get rid of several pairs of flannel pj pants where the butt is worn to tissue paper. I mean, they are just a few fabric threads from being indecent, but they are sooo comfortable.
Posted by Jamie Brazil on January 2, 2013 at 11:52 pm
New year, new pajamas. Something about new pjs makes the world seem like a better, brighter (and possibly warmer) place.
Posted by Evie Bohn on January 3, 2013 at 3:35 am
ooooo. I like this resolution, except not really. My thing is shoes. Well, boots actually and sandals. Boots all winter and spring, Sandals all summer and Fall. Id love to have about 10 more pairs of boots. I already have I think 15-20 pairs of sandals. Don’t worry I get them all on sale. But closet space is a problem. Good thing I live alone.
Posted by Jamie Brazil on January 3, 2013 at 3:15 pm
Wow, that’s a lot of footwear. And boots! There should be a way to store winter boots without taking up lots of space — like space saver bags, but so the boots wouldn’t lose their shape. I’m probably asking for something that will never exist
BTW, I admire your dedication and focus on shoes.