Have you Shecky-d?

I forgot to mention that I made my bi-annual trip to Shecky's Girl's Night Out. It's a great way to find out about both local and up-and-coming clothing and jewelry designers--for a fraction of the cost--with goodie bags and free drinks!

Spring's shopping event was held at F.I.G. in downtown Dallas. Though it was a little difficult to get to, the Fashion Institute Gallery is certainly one of the cooler modern spaces nestled into the heart of the city. We were greeted by security, photographed on the pink carpet (pic to come soon!), and got our pre-ordered tickets and wristbands. We walked in to a shopper's paradise! Women were certainly the en masse, Shecky's staff members and drink waiters were all men-and didn't seem to mind being out numbered! The goodie bags were worth every penny of admission, and came in great Louis Vuitton-inspired nylon zipper bags (hello: grocery bag!). We wandered around and I rediscovered the joys of browsing and shopping-without-intent-of-purchase. It was lovely! My girlfriend picked up a cute silver cocktail dress (that I'll have to borrow, in exchange for her picking through cocktail-gate '08) from a local designer. All in all, with the XRated Flirtinis and committment free perusal of wears, it was a delightful evening!

Check out their website and see if there is an event near you!

Lent & Confessions of a Shopaholic

"Lent, in some Christian denominations, is the forty-day-long liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter. The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the desert, where according to the Bible he endured temptation by Satan. Different churches calculate the forty days differently. The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer—through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial—for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ." (wiki)

Confessions of a Shopaholic: As you could probably infer, I have a problem. However, this problem is relatively noninvasive and has been kept successfully at bay for a little over a year. (Yay!) I have replaced the urge to purchase with the urge to window shop and try on--usually in stores that are rather out of my league. I have had a flew slipups (see: cocktail-gate of 2008), but have since recognized the cues and triggers and put steps in place to avoid future misbehavior.

I will be observing this Lenten season with two things: The removal of one thing, and the doing of another.

• I will be removing ALL unnecessary shopping. Forget just clothing, I'm talking about the impulse candy in the checkout line at the grocery store, eating out when I have food at home, and careful consideration in all gift buying.

• I will be doing more exercising and being much less of a lazy slug. Becoming complacent with my figure has turned on me as of late, and I want to prevent further movement in a direction that is rather difficult to reverse.

I will do my best to update daily. They will be short and sweet. For example, today's entry would read:
"Went to the grocery store today and purchased bread and butter. Although I could probably use to restock the fridge, I have plenty of food that I have held hostage in my pantry and freezer for far too long. I passed the candy aisle on the way to the checkout and noticed that Robins Eggs have already made their seasonal debut. I feel the same way about Robins Eggs as I do about Candy Pumpkins: they are just as dangerous as heroin. I was very proud of my ability to walk in and out, and enjoyed a lovely supper. I thought about exercise tonight-and that is a step in the right direction!"

Tomorrow: window shopping while walking around the Village at lunch time.

Resolution

An explanation about my intention for New Years resolutions: I think you should make as many as necessary, to be amended as needed, added often, and the list completed by the end of January (which is the end of the retail year; how appropriate!) or, at the latest, the last day of February. Resolutions are meant to be kept; though, as with all rules, some bending does occur (sans penalty). Resolutions are to be held in high regard by friends and acquaintances, whether or not agreement is achieved (or sought). Resolutions are non-binding and certainly non-legal. Resolutions usually have a reason; however, no reason must be evident, apparent, needed, or given.

So, without further ado, a resolution:

I will not buy another cocktail dress (this year) no matter how good the sale (and employee discount), the reason (another opera with The Tenor), how magnificent I look and/or feel in it (expensive fabrics always make me feel delicious), or how I may try to convince myself otherwise (remember: Masters in counseling).