American Apparel

Urban Outfitters... I'm leaving you for American Apparel. I'll visit every so often and see if you skirts are still just barely able to cover my butt cheeks and whether or not you're still making ill-shaped cut out style tops... Ok, I'm being harsh. I still love Urban Outfitters. For the most part though, I am interested in getting away from details and strong preppy/hobo trendiness influences. I am in love with huge baggy tops over tight bottoms and tight tops over big flowy pants. And I love rompers/one-pieces/jumpers/onesies whatever you decide to call them. Harem pants I love. High-waisted bottoms, basic pieces cut extra long or short, loose vs. tight and layering are doing it for me. Plus - I'm just dyyyying for summer to come... Yesterday I was beckoning summer by putting on my new sleeveless chambray jumper, flat stringy sandals and floppy straw hat and doing a ritualistic dance in my living room. (Actually I just got my husband to take some photos of said outfit.) I picked up this jumper yesterday and I adore it! It's so cute! Comfy! Flattering! Fun! Summery! I got it in 'black' (white with overload of black flecks) and I think it looks nicer on me than it does on the model in the photos on the American Apparel site. Sometimes it's a little frustrating when you want to see a garment and every photo they shoot had the model raising her arms or yanking on the fabric... At least for longer garments they post a length measurement and a good description. Reviews are also often bountiful and helpful.

My goal for the year to not spend more than $53 a month was going quite well. I was feeling so frugal that I stopped counting every cent and dollar I was spending. This year, I've only bought 2 takeout coffees. I have seen a couple movies at the theater and did a small bit of clothes shopping in January. I've been pretty good! But now I've made another purchase from American Apparel, including my new jumper. There are books and movies I want and they are actually 'good for my career' type stuff so I don't see these as 'guilty purchases'. But a purchase is a purchase and if you don't need something it technically is a guilty. (Not so much guilty as not necessary.) So will probably just continue to make my own coffee (with my adored moka pot) and walk to work and try to be frugal but reasonable with my purchases. Maybe I'll add it up and see how much I've spent. But not today.

Through American Apparel I also discovered Viva Radio which I am really digging. They are very specific about what gets played when during air time. I've enjoyed some slow punky techno rock stuff and also listed to some soul and now it's some twangy, slow love song stuff. I love music but I don't have much of it coming into my ears on a regular basis. I am excited that I've found this way to listen to music I enjoy and so far I've only recognised one song and then one artist. It's all new for me which is brilliant. I like to listen to 'No Coincidence', a techy dance song by BeatBurrito which I love to listen to when Viva Radio isn't making me happy.

Pictures! These are me sporting a crazy pair of sunglasses I found on e-bay that I've been waiting for summer to wear, my chambray suit/floppy hat summer combo and a jumpsuit I got in January form UO paired with a vintage beaded belt. I had to order it online and I got it a size too big. I didn't want to deal with returning it and I don't mind the oversized nature, but I have to tape the front opening to my boobs to keep the top on. Also the photos are completely unedited, I could not be bothered.