Retail therapy

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This weekend I was a little bad and broke my budget. I blame PMS; because for me, it means I get really sad. About everything. I can watch 27 Dresses and start bawling.
After I took these photos, it started to downpour. The rain was so heavy I could barely see the roads, which started flooding in no time at all, and when I ran from the car into the house my sandals got drenched, which made me start crying, and then I went to take off my new Towne and Reese bracelets and noticed one had broken somehow and I was done for. I wallowed all night and into Saturday.
Broken
On Saturday, I went to the Mall. Probably not the best choice for someone who's already spent their budget, but there is absolute truth to retail therapy. I walked into H&M and started pulling things off the clearance racks. By the time I had an arm full of clothes I was genuinely starting to feel better.
I tried everything on and decided on one pair of creamsickle orange shorts, marked down to $7.
H&M Creamsickle Shorts
Then I went to the Starbucks in Target to buy a very budget-friendly cafe misto (drip coffee + steamed milk) but got distracted by the nail polishes and decided that I also needed one of the Essie summer shades, Super Bossa Nova. Which actually cost more than the shorts. Haha.
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The Rundown
Dress Avon Paint the Town - Sandals Frye Gerry - Necklace c/o Kie & Kate "Stormy Sea" - Bag Charm and Luck - Bracelets Towne & Reese Avery - Belt TJMaxx
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55 comments

  1. i totally know what you mean by retail therapy. i totally blew my budget this weekend too cause i was in a crappy mood and needed a pick-me-up. $7 is a really great deal though and those shorts are suuuper cute! i hope this week gets better for ya. and i totally just bought a Stormy Sea necklace after seeing it on you. :)

    cute & little
    Tru Luxe Jeans Giveaway

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  2. 27 Dresses always does me in as well. I know what you mean--sometimes a girl just needs to shop! Everything in moderation and you're good! ;-) I love your dress and sandals. Very pretty. Sorry to hear about your bracelet! :-(

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  3. I totally feel you... That's why when I'm PMSing and in need of a fix I run to the thrift store instead hehe I probably would've done more damage than you at H&M! Those shorts are super duper cute. Hang in there. I hope you feel lots better already.

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  4. Sorry to hear about your bracelet... you look adorable though! I love your sandals! :)



    Meanz (Koi Story)

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  5. I can relate to the retail therapy. Nothing makes me happier than shopping. Sorry to hear about being down, PMS sucks for sure.

    You look fantastic in your dress paired with the minty green colors. And I love your nail color.

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  6. At least your retail therapy didn't do much damage. $7 for a pair of cute shorts is quite a deal. I hope you feel better Lyddie.

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  7. Lovely shoes and necklace dear!u look so stylish.sry about the bracelet :(

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  8. Shopping sometimes can be the best remedy for a girl's blues. Your new H&M shorts are really pretty, and love the pink hue of Essie's Super Bossa Nova. You look gorgeous in that dress!

    ♥, Jamie
    www.TheFancyTeacup.com

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  9. I hope your mood gets better and you look lovely! I love the dress and accents of turquoise. Now I'm confused if I want the turquoise or white version. :)

    I better get it before the necklaces are sold out.

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  10. So sad about the bracelet :( Maybe you can... superglue it back together? I like wherever it is you took these photos. Stairs make a good background.

    Too bad about the budget, but those shorts are a great color. My budget is totally out of control this summer too.

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  11. Love your shoes! My husband just doesn't understand how shopping will really make me feel better sometimes! I love that you spent more on the nail polish than the shorts - I've totally done that before.

    Stacey
    Gray Skies

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  12. Sometimes when I'm feeling down I just like looking at stuff at the mall or Target. I even joke that I think the fluorescent lighting at Target is romantic when I want to drag my guy with me.

    I hope you feel better! Your outfit looks amazing! I love the turquoise accents and that necklace is adds a nice flair to the outfit.

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  13. My eyes can always count on a great look being completely pulled together with fab colours. You are amazing.

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  14. i adore this dress on you!! and the post before this...omg you look awesome. curves all the way girl. i wish i had that figure.

    http://styleaccordingtome.blogspot.com

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  15. love your shoes!great oufit and colors!

    http://chocolatefashioncoffee.blogspot.com

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  16. Totally know what you mean! I always go to the thrift store for a pick me up! Hope you super glue that bracelet back to fabulousness!

    <3 Sarah
    theantiquepearl.blogspot.com

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  17. Oh Lyddie this is such a wonderfully summery outfit. Girl I hear ya on the pms/crying/retail therapy--the triple whammy. How could you turn down $7 shorts?? You couldn't!

    xo,
    C

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  18. PMS is definitely something boys wouldn't be able to handle, don't you think? :)

    Sorry about your bracelet, it was such a lovely colour. :( Superglue?

    I love the new shorts and the dress - especially the sleeves! The shiny belt is great too!

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  19. Shopping is the best remedy babe! U look fabulous : )

    Happy Monday xx

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  20. So sad about your bracelet! Although it's a clean break - were you able to fix it with some super glue? Good job on not letting the retail therapy get too out of control. Those shorts are super-cute and you'll get them down to $1/wear in no time!

    Lydia x

    ps oh, PMS...sometimes I have to be careful to not tell my students that I think they're working really hard and doing a good job because then I tear up a bit. Sooooo lame...

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  21. Even us over 50s go for retail therapy...not from PMS...but from menopause!! You look gorgeous in this outfit...and it is funny that the nail polish cost more than the shorts!!

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  22. At least the shorts were on sale, right? :D
    The polish looks really pretty on you!

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  23. great pix. i love your shoes, necklace and bracelet! your essie color looks great... sorry that your bracelet broke
    xo
    MosaMuse

    MosaMuse.blogspot.com

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  24. We ALL need some retail therapy in our lives! I am loving that bag! Sorry to hear about the sandals and the bracelet, I would cry too!

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  25. Lol, awesome! Love your finds, and way to stay affordable at Starbucks! Adore that nail polish and total bargain since it lasts for a while and makes a major impact.

    alyson
    ps: so annoying iknow, but re-did my google friend connect (actually, transferred from my old blog; feeling genius, lol). check it out:
    www.theaveragegirlsguide.com

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  26. Sometimes you need a little retail therapy right? $7 is a great price to make yourself feel better. Hope you do feel better!

    xoxo,

    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  27. I did the same thing this weekend. I was in a funk, but my spirits totally lifted when I bought a pair of skinnies for $9! Chin up! For what it's worth, your photos are fab!

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  28. Sometimes the only way to feel a bit better is to engage in some angry/sad shopping! It sucks that the bracelet broke - hopefully you can just super glue it back together?


    xoxo ~ Courtney
    http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com

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  29. Hahaha ... I know exactly what you mean. I don't event try to budget myself because the 'restriction' makes me want to buy even more.
    I love you in that dress and necklace is sooo pretty. I love it.


    http://styleidnet.blogspot.com/
    http://www.filomenascloset.com/

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  30. I'm sorry you had such a bummer weekend, but I totally know what you mean about retail therapy. Everything just seems better when you're shopping doesn't it? Love this look on you btw, the pops of color are great!

    www.thejoyoffashion.blogspot.com

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  31. despite how you felt, you looked hot! boo about the bracelet :(

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  32. Great find on those coral shorts...cannot wait to see how you are going to style them. Love the basic black and white dress with all the colorful accessories!! I have found that retail therapy helps me...love the thrill of getting something new!

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  33. I love your dress and your bag, Gorgeous!
    Kisses!

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  34. Therapy all right !
    I totally understand ... understand too well.

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  35. Aw Im sorry that you were having a bad day and that one of your bracelets broke! :( You look so pretty though. I am in love with those pretty sandals. And I do the same thing, retail therepy works like crazy! ;D

    <3Chelsea Elizabeth
    http://www.organizedxxmess.blogspot.com

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  36. I hate when stuff breaks or I lose stuff - so sorry to hear about your bad day! I am, however, all in support of retail therapy, when it costs much less than "real" therapy and is probably just as effective :)

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  37. Breaking that bracelet would make me pout too!

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  38. Aw, hope you're feeling better! (I'm the same, bawling my eyes out at a pen with dry ink kind of thing.) Love the outfit!

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  39. love the dress and the green shoes

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  40. I tracked my spending habits for about two months, then totally over-complicated things for myself (do I count in expenses from work, what about credit card stuff I won't pay for until next month, etc.) and just gave up. I can't offer good advice because retail therapy totally rocks, haha!

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  41. Obsessed with those shorts. Let's see them on!

    http://blog.badjoan.com

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  42. You always look soooooooooooo good. I want your dress, ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXx

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  43. i'm feeling like that too lately. H&M is calling my name!

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  44. you always accessorize every outfit perfectly. Retail therapy makes me happy too, especially when I can find a good sale.

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  45. Some days, retail therapy is the only kind that works. And as long as every day isn't retail therapy day (or you start shopping for cars instead of shoes), I don't think it can hurt! I love those shorts--and what a steal for 7 bucks! Can't wait to see how you style 'em up.

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  46. Yes, retail therapy works, especially when all the lady hormones are going crazy. Also, I'm jealous of your orange shorts.
    I'm so sad about that bracelet, because it's gorgeous! Is there any way to save it?

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  47. Oh no, your poor bracelet and shoes! I would've done some retail therapy too - I think you bought two great items. I've heard some good things about Essie nail polish. I wish we could buy it in Australia :(

    x Jasmine

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  48. I love the shorts - what a great find! I want a greyish rose pair, so hard to find...
    Slightly off-topic, but I hate the Starbucks term 'cafe misto'. Its really a 'cafe au lait'. So confusing to me.

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  49. When I first saw the photo of your bracelet I thought "oh no it broke" but now I see it's seaparated into two pieces and it's just lovely! And what a deal on the shorts- those are worth breaking the bank for!

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  50. Miss Lydddiiieeee! You are lookin' good! I love those new shorts you bought (super envious) and those shoes are the most amazing color! I like how you opted for more than one color against your black and white dress-- the light sea colors are such a nice contrast!

    You have probably noticed I died from the blogosphere. I will be back, in one form or another, after I can get over this bump in my life. :)

    Lots of love! <333 Ali :D

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  51. Cute shorts! I am also guilty of indulging in a little retail therapy from time to time.

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  52. nice buy on the shorts and how cute is that dress you're wearing? i love your statement necklace. so so fabulous!

    spinning-threads.blogspot.com

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  53. Aww, I hate days like that :( But retail therapy really does help, and you kept it under control a lot more than I have on days like that! I can't wait to see the new polish (or is that what you have on your toes? I can't tell) - it's such a fun color for summer!

    And I LOVE this outfit - the aqua and teal look great with black and white.

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  54. So glad I'm not the only one. My bad days tend to end in Walgreens. My nail polish collection groweth. Love the blues with the black and white.

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  55. Nothin' wrong with a little shopping pick-me-up. Those sorts are like optimism in fabric form!

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