On Getting and Giving

I started this blog in March as a minimalist fashion experiment. After years of apparel gluttony, my closet was a burgeoning burden. Frustration, guilt and an abject lack of closet space led me to this Pinterest image. The closet light went off: I didn't require hundreds of binding garments to live an inspired life. I edited my wardrobe by 80% and committed to wear only the 35-40 items hanging in my closet, supplementing basics once a season. Gone were the nights of trolling JCrew.com in a pinot noir haze, virtual cart piled high with heather gray vintage wash V-necks. From now on I would be fully present, fully mindful and fully aware of my tendency to equate online shopping to emotional fulfillment.

Nine months later, thick in the holiday season, the plastic meets the pavement: Six weeks of free license to massage my acquisition muscle under the guise of giving. Unlike years past, which netted a handful of mini mascaras and long discarded tunic length tops, I approached Cyber Week with a list of holiday and household necessities and pre-determined destination URLS. I pulled a big trigger on two matching big boy Britax car seats at a deep Amazon discount ($265 savings), snapped up the family Christmas card at Minted (25% off), plucked two perfect pairs of Freshly Picked baby moccasins (20% off sale) and bought a boatload of BabyGap (a bargain at 50% off [for cardholders]). 

It is 100% possible likely I am projecting passion purchases on to my children. Damn it if my boy doesn’t respect a fresh pair of kicks. Tonight he yelled “I love my new running shoes, mommy” as he sprinted down the Downtown Mall in his High Risk Red Puma Suede sneakers, which keenly offset his grey and red stripe BabyGap soft pants, color block crew neck and denim puff vest. What can I say? I heart outfits.

Earlier I overheard my husband proudly tell his parents “Jenn scored some really great deals for the kids on Cyber Monday.“ My heart swelled. So what if shopping is my love language? Now that I’ve stopped shopping for myself, I’m grateful to have a sweet team of people to love on. 

Outfit Details: On Mommy: BB Dakota jacket (2012); TJMaxx black knit turtleneck (2014); Forever21 skirt (2011); DKNY tights (2015); Loeffler Randall Matilde Boots (purchased in olive 2012, dyed black in 2015); Stella & Dot pendant necklace; David Yurman Classic Cable hoops. On Ashby: Target baby top and leggings; Freshly Picked leather moccasins. On AJ: Carters sherpa lined hoodie; JunkFood for BabyGap Captain America t-shirt; BabyGap Playtime Favorite pants; Puma Suede sneakers