More Resolutions

New Year's resolutions are silly, I know. People make a number declarations about how they will quit smoking, join a gym, and eat healthier. Others will read the classics, cut down on tv, or start hiking. A month later, old habits return and gyms make out by taking in new memberships but don't have to worry about dealing with an increase of visitors to the facilities. Wait, now that I think about it, many people make a resolution to join a gym, they don't often specify that they will ever step into it afterward, so I guess that means they went through with their plans. Just a thought.

Please don't read this as me saying that I am above making resolutions, I made two on my blog on January 1st and since then have added a few more as ways to improve my quality of life. I am a realist in the sense that I know putting join a gym on the list is a silly way for me to throw away money, but I will look into either another social sport to play, I'm looking your way broomball and touch football, or a dance class. Maybe if I find a really good deal I could find myself frequenting a pilates or yoga studio.

One of my new resolutions that I have found easy to implement and is already providing me with amazing results is cleaning for 15 minutes each day. I had read about a resolution like this before, in fact, I might mentioned this idea at least 2 other times in the blog - clearly it didn't stick. For the last few days I have gone home and done a 15 minute clean. I think I am able to get more done in that quarter of an hour than I do when I try cleaning for an hour because I knew that it would be over soon and I wanted to be productive.

If you tend to let your apartment/house/condo get messy and then feel overwhelmed at the idea of tidying up, this process is totally for you. :) I'll spare you the rest of my resolutions because A) that can be boring to read and B) in case they don't stick you won't know I failed.

Still vacation until I go to work pt. 2

As if the day couldn't get better, I did eventually make it to the mall, after a brief pop into H&M to find yet another jem. I like to enter through the Weston Hotel so that I can start my shopping by gazing into the Jimmy Choo store. Just as I was about to step off the escalator and into the mall, I had the sudden urge to blink a few times just to make sure I was actually seeing a Michael Kors store straight ahead of me. Where did this magical place come from??? And for the life of me, I can't remember what used to be in that exact spot.

Of course, I had to go in and see what it was like inside. The space was very white, bright and inviting. A saleswoman saw me enter in, wearing my typical shopping uniform- which consists of old jeans, motorcycle boots, and a t-shirt - not the most fashion forward look, and welcomed me with a large smile and warm hello. (I don't always get such a warm welcome when I look so disheveled) She continued to escort me around the shop pointing out various products that were on sale.

When I asked to try on a pair of pants, she brought in a top just so I could get a feel of what a potential work outfit would look like. She did check in on me a little excessively, but found it cute that when I let her know the look wasn't for me, she continued to let me know about future stock and whatnot that was coming into the store. As she fed me this information, she interrupted herself, saying that she should probably let me change in peace but would be waiting for me to exit to give me any final information. I found this interaction charming and not at all pushy. Thanks!

In the end, she sold me on a pair of earmuffs. They are actually lighter in person than in the picture to the left. I was drawn to the stud detailing and the oh so soft fur muffs. Again, I scored myself a 50% off deal, woohoo!

Both stores left me very satisfied and extremely happy with the service provided to me. I hope to be able to return sometime when I have cash to burn through.

The one upside of returning to work tomorrow is that I will officially work on staying on a budget as cash will probably get a little tighter in the coming year. Shaky fist to you, school books. No more splurging for me. :)

Funky Fresh

After holiday and new year sales are my favorite. They are usually better than what you can find on Black Friday and the stores are more relaxed as they last for a good week or so. This year I was able to meet up with girls on January 2nd for recreational shopping.

I feel like it is important to disclose that there are some rules to my shopping habits for this new year. From now until an undetermined date, I am only allowed to purchase professional clothing. No pink, no tutus, no short skirts, and heels can be high only if they are professional! I hope I can keep to this resolution, if you will. There is a small loop hole - if I can get more work with my part-time job, I may be able to give myself gifts here and there, but nothing in the immediate future.

One of the girls met me on the T, so I gave her a run down on my rules and asked her to smack my hand away if I started to stray. Further details were disclosed that there was a big need for new pants and some sweaters/winter tops. Every spring/summer I am sure to purchase new summer dresses, every winter, I wear stuff I bought in college - this needed to be fixed.

After a few hours of wandering through the Prudential and Copley malls I was able to come away with a great new blazer (regular $120, purchased for $65), two sweaters (each regularly $40, combined came to $30), and much needed face wash (sadly no deal). I enjoyed the experience immensely, was a little bummed I couldn't complete the look with some pants. The lack of pants wasn't because they weren't out there, the reason was because of the funk...

Specially, some funky smells in a dressing room. I had seen sales at particularly nice store and went into try on some long pants. As soon as I entered into the changing room and closed the curtain, I wanted out immediately! I just can't understand how a such a small store can let that happen. Part of me wanted to say something, but in the end I felt like I would rather just get some fresh air stat! I understand that the weather was wet and so there were a lot of factors that could have contributed to the wet dog/mold/b.o. smell that drifted in my nose. But this store has been in Boston for a long time. Why not just put one of those air freshener things in a wall outlet or something. The kind that smell like fresh laundry...

All I can say is that the store lost a potential sale simply because I couldn't bring myself to stay long enough to find a pair of pants I really wanted to keep. Oh, well. I'm sure someone else will get my business...