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.

Antique Elegance

Happy weekend to you!
Today and tomorrow are dedicated to Antique Elegance--a fantastic show in Richardson, Texas.
There was a fabulous fashion show this morning that spanned from the late 1700s through the 1960s. Pictures to come...
If you haven't had a chance to come by, you still have from 10a-5p tomorrow.
I'll see you there!

If you don't have a chance to make it, I'll have a writeup with highlights next week.

Ack!

How has it been a month since my last post?!

Resolution 2: Blog more!

And I'll definitely be keeping this one!

Pretty in Puce

A quick look at First Lady Obama's Inaugural outfit tells us a few things about her personality that we previously may not have known:

1. She is not afraid of some daytime sparkle. (Yay! Let us all follow suit!)
2. She is brave enough to try colors previously only worn by Pixar characters (see: Mike Wazowski in Monster's Inc.)
3. She does not have to wear schmancy designer labels to feel fabulous. (Isabel Toledo dress, JCrew gloves, Jimmy Choo shoes. See also: interview with Leno outfit)
4. She is classic with a twist. (Like Jackie O. meets an Uptown girl)
5. She plans on keeping us surprised with her fashion choices throughout the Presidency.

I, for one, very much look forward to what fashion wheels she will get turning and what fads she will lead.

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).

Absent but not Gone

Hello my magpies
I'll apologize for my absence, but I don't think an apology is really what you are looking for. An explanation may provide a bit more useful: I work in retail and the holidays caught me quite by surprise this year (although the Christmas music starting November 1 should have been an accurate cue). Then it was time to go home and spend the Holiday with my lovely family and boyfriend. New Years quickly came (as it does every year, without fail), and here we are at January 13. I should mention that I was full of grand intention of blogging much sooner than today; however, I fell rather ill on Friday and spent the majority of the past five days in bed or on the floor of my bathroom. However, with the help of The Tenor (for kindness and TLC) and CityDoc (for 2 liters of IV fluids, Phenergan, and assorted antibiotics), I'm finally in the seated position. I will be bringing you my 2009 predictions as well as the usual banter that fills these pages.
Until then, ciao!

Forgotten Laura Hunt followup post

Sorry all! I did go to the Laura Hunt estate sale--and...well...it was slightly anticlimactic. Nothing too expensive. Nothing so extreme. Nothing Rococo and ridiculous. Just some basic furnishings from a few homes that she had done and will be redoing soon. Sure, there were the $10k Lion's Head Tavern doors from the early 1900s and the $8k chandeliers, but that was to be expected.
The only thing I am KICKING myself for is there were two vintage, used Louis Vuitton trunks going for $150! I have never seen the prices so low, and I completely missed the opportunity to own these beautiful leather pieces! I'm going to have to remember to call her office tomorrow and see if they are still available.....