the essence

Confessions of a (could be) shopaholic

If you know me, or have been reading for awhile, you probably can tell I enjoy shopping. It's a very good thing that I'm so good at sticking to a budget or I could go c-r-a-z-y spending. However, I consider myself a shining example for savvy stylish shopping on limited funds.

Exhibit A:



The dress. The shoes! Let's take a closer look at those shoes:



I love them, they're so very Sex and the City!

Cost? $300! Okay, they were $300 and I got them for (this deserves a drum roll)...$20!!! When I was in Orlando this past weekend my mom & I were strolling park avenue in Winter Park & outside one of the snooty boutiques they had a little table filled with expensive shoes for just $20. And, these little beauties were one of the only pairs on the table in my size. Plus, my mom was there to help talk me into buying them. It was a sign.

I think they make me about 5 inches taller! Ray likes them because they look "real." You know, as opposed to fake shoes. Really, what he means is he likes the screws around the sole because it looks like it's not glued on (even though it probably is).

Then, I found that wonderful little white dress at Target today for just $10! It has wonderful structure and lining. You couldn't make this dress for that inexpensive unless the fabric was given to you!

Now, my IKEA finds from last week. I spent just under $60 and had a ball. I actually didn't wait until Thursday to make the trip but instead took Kate with me & stopped after dropping Addison off with my parents. I had some time to kill before making it to my chiropractor appointment & just couldn't resist making the trip.

I only had about 2 hours so I didn't even make it all the way through first floor, even with my list. That's okay though, with the new building and all of the items in the store it starts to make feel sick after about an hour or so.



Can you believe how much you can get for less than $60?!? Most of it was of a practical nature - I finally got the new spatulas & wooden spoons I was after, as well as some curtain rods, sheets to make curtains and some fun stuff too, like adorable pastry cutters and an electric milk frother!

And, now, my fun mad money is gone. What else can I sell on craigslist???