balancing act

I went to the tenth circle of Hell mall the other night and, because I foolishly entered without a clear idea of what I wanted, spent 45 minutes wandering around touching things and getting a headache. In the end, I bought only a grande vanilla soy latte, no water (which was repeated in a completely different way by the baristas, because they like to make you feel like you're always wrong) and savored it all the way home, away from the mall air.

Here are the things I specifically did not purchase:

• A lovely sheer ivory & baby blue bustier that didn't have a very distinct system for boosting my yays ~ $74 saved
• A smooth, shimmery chic black cardigan ~ $68 saved
• The most darling halter dress, white with giant happy orange flowers, that I would never wear because it requires a no-bra confidence I don't possess ~ $100+ saved (it was Michael Kors; my eyes glazed when they realized there were three digits involved)
• An adorably kicky skirt featuring flowers along the hem and a liner to give it swing (I might still talk myself into this for our trip to Vegas; and it would look positively charming on me in Paris & Amsterdam) ~ $68 saved [for now]
• An elegant champagne-colored quilted jacket on the clearance rack ~ $196 saved (I'm really not kidding; perhaps it featured actual Champagne in the pockets?)
• A cute yet fashionably grown-up hoodie, charcoal gray ~ $64 saved
• An assortment of the exact same t-shirts I have an army of in my closet ~ 5 x $20 saved

And so when I popped into Goodwill for a moment this afternoon, these items felt meant-to-be in my world:

• Tommy Hilfiger brown leather shoes (I didn't get a good shot of the very cool wedge heel) ~ $12.99
• Poppy-red Old Navy short trench ~ $8.99
• Frommer's Irreverent Guide to Amsterdam (I can't wait to read what cheeky ideas it has!) ~ $1.99

Aren't I the best shopper you know? Send me your list of must-haves and I will get right on it.