I think graphic tee sums things up pretty well.
Shuttered Doors
Monday, July 27, 2020
At the start of the pandemic and our "two week" lock down, which morphed into a three month lock down, I was worried about the small local businesses. Who would be able to weather the storm? I saw so many getting creative, hosting Instagram live shopping sessions, building web shops, offering curbside pick up and private by appointment in store browsing.
As much as it would pain me to see the Targets of the world replace our small businesses, there is another group, that has been struggling for sometime, the larger brands like Gap, J.Crew, and Ann Taylor. I was devastated when my town closed its Gap location, but I remember they gave fair warning; there was time to appreciate those final days and purchases. (Silly as it may seem, I was hesitant to purge my closet of the very last piece I'd purchased at that Gap, a strange sentiment, but visits to that store were a big part of my middle school and high school years.)
Since then, I've noticed closures come with less and less warning. Stores are open one day and closed the next, often with as much surprise to the employees as to the patrons. When Ann Taylor sent out their email about filing for Chapter 11 a few days ago they were full of assurances, promising a brighter future. So when I showed up at their New Haven store today, I was a bit surprised to find a tiny sign on the door stating that they were closed, and as I peered through the now empty windows I could see the last bits of the shop being dismantled. Just yesterday I was on their website checking to see if the piece I wanted would be at that store, today it's gone. Had I known my previous visit was going to be my last, maybe I would have put more than 15 minutes in my parking meter and taken the time to browse rather than making a quick exchange and heading out.
Not much of an exit for the very first Ann Taylor store which has been in New Haven since 1954. No announcement, no goodbye, just a quite disappearance.
As much as it would pain me to see the Targets of the world replace our small businesses, there is another group, that has been struggling for sometime, the larger brands like Gap, J.Crew, and Ann Taylor. I was devastated when my town closed its Gap location, but I remember they gave fair warning; there was time to appreciate those final days and purchases. (Silly as it may seem, I was hesitant to purge my closet of the very last piece I'd purchased at that Gap, a strange sentiment, but visits to that store were a big part of my middle school and high school years.)
Since then, I've noticed closures come with less and less warning. Stores are open one day and closed the next, often with as much surprise to the employees as to the patrons. When Ann Taylor sent out their email about filing for Chapter 11 a few days ago they were full of assurances, promising a brighter future. So when I showed up at their New Haven store today, I was a bit surprised to find a tiny sign on the door stating that they were closed, and as I peered through the now empty windows I could see the last bits of the shop being dismantled. Just yesterday I was on their website checking to see if the piece I wanted would be at that store, today it's gone. Had I known my previous visit was going to be my last, maybe I would have put more than 15 minutes in my parking meter and taken the time to browse rather than making a quick exchange and heading out.
Not much of an exit for the very first Ann Taylor store which has been in New Haven since 1954. No announcement, no goodbye, just a quite disappearance.
The Rundown
Leopard Dress Ann Taylor Factory
White Slides Ferragamo similar
Micro Perry Satchel Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop
Aries Pendant Necklace Mejuri
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Leopard Dress Ann Taylor Factory
White Slides Ferragamo similar
Micro Perry Satchel Rebecca Minkoff c/o Shopbop
Aries Pendant Necklace Mejuri
Midi Stackable Diamond Ring c/o AUrate New York
Necklace S.V. Decker
Gold Croissant Ring Etsy
The Sun Never Stops Setting
Friday, July 24, 2020
It wouldn't be summer without walks to the docks to take outfit photos as the sun's golden light filters through the clouds. There are likely photos taken here for as many summers as I've been posting to this blog, and there is comfort in the familiar.
The sun will set in the same direction, I can hopefully get some of it's gleam shining on my hair. The water will be still, save for the gentle sway of the old wooden docks. I've been to marinas where everything is new and concrete and they are lacking in warmth and texture. Even though I have to be careful not to wear heels that could get caught between the wide gaps in the boards and carry around the tiniest sliver of fear that I could get thrown off balance and fall into the water, this is my spot. A view I've seen nearly every day of my entire life. I don't think it's possible to tire of it.
The sun will set in the same direction, I can hopefully get some of it's gleam shining on my hair. The water will be still, save for the gentle sway of the old wooden docks. I've been to marinas where everything is new and concrete and they are lacking in warmth and texture. Even though I have to be careful not to wear heels that could get caught between the wide gaps in the boards and carry around the tiniest sliver of fear that I could get thrown off balance and fall into the water, this is my spot. A view I've seen nearly every day of my entire life. I don't think it's possible to tire of it.
Life Round Here
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
In photos, I'm pretending things are normal. I'm not wearing a mask, which I will put on any time someone walks by as I scamper out of their path. You can't see my bottle of hand sanitizer, never out of reach, tucked into yet another comically small straw bag I managed to rationalize buying. You don't know that I exchanged this dress three times, increasing from my normal size four until receiving the comfortable size eight. While I suspect Banana Republic made some overall sizing adjustments based on all the pieces I've tried as of late, I wont deny that the issue may be partly my fault, failing to maintain any routines of exercise since my biweekly classes at the Y became indefinitely cancelled.
I wish for the normal that may never return, biding here, wasting time that I will never get back, wondering how much longer before I find the strength to forge a new normal.
I wish for the normal that may never return, biding here, wasting time that I will never get back, wondering how much longer before I find the strength to forge a new normal.
Mix, Mostly Match
Thursday, July 16, 2020
I'm no stranger to the two piece set; as evidenced in my fifth grade school photo I'm wearing a matching floral cardigan and cami pair I was enamored with at the time. It's an easy sell, style them together for the ease of not having to think of an outfit, or apart to double the number of ways they can be worn.
I was initially drawn to the green floral midi dress at Banana Republic, but was even more delighted to find a similar dress at H&M at a fraction of the price. That would have been the sensible choice, yet when I spied the same pattern in the matching set, I somehow rationalized the purchase (even while the skirt alone was five dollars more than the dress, because that really makes sense H&M). Considering I could wear the pieces separately, they would make much more sense than another dress, yet after pouring over my closet, it turns out I like them together best. I should have learned from my fifth grade self, I always wore that sweater set as a pair.
I was initially drawn to the green floral midi dress at Banana Republic, but was even more delighted to find a similar dress at H&M at a fraction of the price. That would have been the sensible choice, yet when I spied the same pattern in the matching set, I somehow rationalized the purchase (even while the skirt alone was five dollars more than the dress, because that really makes sense H&M). Considering I could wear the pieces separately, they would make much more sense than another dress, yet after pouring over my closet, it turns out I like them together best. I should have learned from my fifth grade self, I always wore that sweater set as a pair.
The Rundown
Green Floral Crop Top H&M
Green Floral Midi Skirt H&M
Raffia Sandals Loft similar
Round Raffia Bag Sun n' Sand
Hair Scarf H&M
Necklace S.V. Decker
Gold Croissant Ring Etsy
Thin Gold Ring Etsy
Tortoise Sunglasses Urban Outfitters
Confessions of a Pandemic Shopaholic
Wednesday, July 8, 2020
It's hard to explain the comfort that comes from scrolling through product pages, each piece that catches my eye sparks a tiny fantasy of the future it could hold. A creamy croc embossed leather bag tucked in the crook of my arm as I head out to meet a friend for coffee; oversized cat-eye sunglasses as I sunbathe on the beach; a white eyelet dress that I'm wearing while sipping a glass of rosé on a patio with a profusion of blue hydrangea surrounding it.
It hasn't seemed to matter how many times I tell myself I need to stop shopping, I am always back, like a moth to a flame with a million ways to rationalize my purchases. Either I'm 'just browsing' and will inevitably return what I've bought, it's a 'necessity', like comfy lace bralettes, cozy loungewear, or cute face masks, and of course, the biggest of them all: 'it's such a good deal, how do I not?'
At the retailers where I typically shop, the pandemic brought forth such a copious amount of sales, it was hard to avoid temptation. Even as I purged my email subscriptions, Instagram was always there at the ready to remind me of promotions like half off plus an extra 20% (!) $70 off a purchase of $100 (!!) with free shipping and returns (!!!)
I clicked away, endlessly dreaming about places I would walk in my new shoes, how the sunlight might glint off a gold ring, straw bags full with fresh blooms from the farmers market, savoring an ice cream cone in a linen dress, being oh-so-careful not to let a drop of chocolate fall.
I'm not going to write some resolve to stop shopping, because at this point, I know it would simply be a lie. Not when I can slip into the zen of hearting new arrivals at TJMaxx and Marshalls while I lie in bed at 1 a.m. How else would I happen upon this dress or these shoes, or this bag? Besides, there is already another TJMaxx order on its way.
Rewardstyle is currently not active with TJMaxx and Marshalls, so I had to find other sources for the sake of this widget - just know that you should look for them there for the prices noted.
The Rundown
Satin Wrap Blouse Banana Republic
Jeans "Tomboy" M.i.h similar
Mule Sandals Zara similar
Springbok Clutch similar
Pearl Earrings TJMaxx similar
Gold Rings Etsy
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Waiting over here, for life to begin
Monday, July 6, 2020
Halfway through 2020 and I still feel like life has stopped. I need to accept that I need to stop waiting for things to go back to normal, because I might be waiting for a long time. The days come and go with little to mark their passing, and while my voracious shopping habits haven't quelled, the days I bother to get dressed have become few and far between.
While I've been missing blogging, it's become so difficult to find words I want to share; it's taken four days just to write as many sentences. How do I blog about life when I feel as though mine has been put on hold? How do I talk about my absurd shopping habits when I know full well I shouldn't be shopping at all?
I wish I had something to say about this outfit, but these photos were taken in mid-May, and I can't recall a single detail about this day, which probably means I got dressed for photos and little else. I can say this is the first time I've worn these pants, which I purchased last summer. I think I need to stop shopping for the office job I haven't had in three years.
Each day provides an opportunity to walk a new path, instead of the well trodden one that never takes me where I want to go. I just need to start taking steps.
While I've been missing blogging, it's become so difficult to find words I want to share; it's taken four days just to write as many sentences. How do I blog about life when I feel as though mine has been put on hold? How do I talk about my absurd shopping habits when I know full well I shouldn't be shopping at all?
I wish I had something to say about this outfit, but these photos were taken in mid-May, and I can't recall a single detail about this day, which probably means I got dressed for photos and little else. I can say this is the first time I've worn these pants, which I purchased last summer. I think I need to stop shopping for the office job I haven't had in three years.
Each day provides an opportunity to walk a new path, instead of the well trodden one that never takes me where I want to go. I just need to start taking steps.
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