Edgy in Tartan Tights

Hearing the UPS truck turn down our neighborhood street instantly transports me into a young child whose birthday has finally arrived after waiting a grueling 364 days. The joy I feel when I receive a package at my doorstep, from my boyfriend dressed in brown, is intense. “Is it the boots that are going to get me through our crappy Washington fall and winter?" "Or the sweet, feminine dress in the most perfect floral pattern?" "Or better yet, my jewelry haul from a great on-line sale?” My mind races with anticipation so I run, not walk, to the doorstep eager to see what waits for me in the cardboard box leaning against the door. Because I have the tendency to buy many things in one twenty-four hour period I can develop ordering amnesia and the items in the packages delivered are sometimes a complete mystery to me. Opening up the parcel brings on a series of “Oohs” and “Aahs” as I examine each article in bliss. This little girl just had the best birthday ever!

The definition of a shopaholic is a lover of shopping or, as it is more currently used, a compulsive shopper. I do love to shop compulsively... so a shopaholic I must be. I do realize that this can come off very superficial and I am not particularly proud of my obsession to make frequent purchases. In fact, I am quite embarrassed that a good portion of the clothes in my closet still have the price tags on them and there are close to a dozen shoes that have never had their soles scuffed against the concrete. Each article of clothing is crammed so tightly on my racks that the hangers have no room to slide even an eighth of an inch. We used to joke at work that I possess such an abundance of clothes that I could wear a different outfit every day of the year without repeating an article of clothing and now I realize this jest spoke the truth.

Since I started my blog two months ago I have significantly cut down on my spending. This should make me feel fiscally responsible, but instead I have a sense of guilt that I am not fulfilling my fashion duties as a lifestyle blogger. Looking back on all my posts I recognize that the outfits that I choose often are with pieces of clothing or accessories that are no longer available even if I purchased them only months prior. I do my best to find similar items that are obtainable, but I understand that it can be quite frustrating when you see a blogger wearing a garment that you fall in love with only to find out that it is unavailable and no where to be found. 

Fashion inspiration is bulging at the seams in my current closet. The shopaholic in me wants to splurge and buy every stunning item I come across so that I can put it on the blog, but I already have so many beautiful belongings to share, like I said earlier a whole years worth, and these pretty little things deserve their time to shine on All Fred Up. Yes, I was that kid that felt horrible getting rid of toys and stuffed animals because I didn’t want to hurt their feelings and now as a grown up this warped idea of inanimate objects having emotions has transferred to the items in my closet! I can’t just ignore and disregard them because I have this hang up that bloggers should only put together outfits with clothes that they obtained just days before. This is not reasonable or feasible. I think the real issue is that I am confusing fashion versus personal style and it is actually personal style that I am portraying.  

What this long-winded rant comes down to is that I cannot feel bad for not breaking the bank for my blog. Nobody, but me, is making me feel this way, which is even more frustrating because I am the only one to blame for my neurotic episodes. The outfits I share are to inspire and guide you to find your own bravura. They may not always be the most current catalog items, but they will always be stylish. It seems like a silly time to rein in my shopping obsession right when I kick off my lifestyle blog, but it was the blog that helped me recognize that one person does not need so many belongings (we are not just talking about clothes here, people). I hope this encourages you to go through your own closet and breathe new life into the wardrobe that resides there. Only make purchases that enhance what you currently own or add a classic piece that will last you a lifetime. Shopping will not completely cease for me, remember I am a shopaholic (soon to be recovering), "hello, my name is Niki and I am a shopaholic," but I will be conscientious about shopping less and challenge myself to make sound choices when it comes to purchasing.  

Little writing outbursts, like this one, allows me to gather my thoughts so that they do not overwhelm me with confusion. As I observe the progression of my blog, I yearn for perfection and often struggle with the ideas and perceptions that continually bounce around in my head. Often, the demands I put on myself are not sensible, but it takes me seeing them in print to realize that I am over thinking things and just need to relax. I appreciate you listening as I go through the process of evaluating and improving everything that I generate.

Someday I will have resources to wear an outfit that just came off the runway during NY Fashion Week and cover it on my blog, but until then my overly filled closet with precious pieces and gorgeous garb will be my focus. And there's always my "What I Covet" series where I highlight new items that I would buy today if I had an infinite amount of indispensable income.

This was not a planned shot. Shannon caught me thinking about the next pose I should do!

Dress: Zara (no longer available, like this one even better!)  Booties: BCBG (old, but similar here)  Tights: Pretty Polly  Coat: Steve Madden (old, but similar here)  Snood: Nordstrom (no longer available, similar here) Octopus Ring: Fuego (at the time I was writing this post Fuego's website was temporarily closed for maintenance)

Photo Credit: Thank you, Shannon Vanderford