9-28-2025 MY WEEK: confessions of a shopaholic

 sib and i had a blast on tuesday - thinking it was the last tuesday of the month, when our local thrift store has everything 50% off. it wasn't this day, but sib got lucky with some sewing supplies, a colorful multi-pattern maxi skirt for a carrie bradshaw outfit she's been attempting either make or recreate,  and a knit dress for the upcoming colder days. i flopped with getting a pair of too tight vintage donna karan wool pants, but sib has hope to adjust them during her sewing projects. fingers crossed. i won't fret - they were $1.99. we did good though, very mindful and demure - we left behind a slouchy y2k leather purse, a velvet square patter maxi skirt, isabel maranta style boots, and many ralph lauren dresses, as well as roman pillar style candelabras and dvd players we didn't want to try and see if they worked (i'm in the search for a blu-ray addition too). 

our shopping spree did not end there - we had a whole afternoon agenda. next stop was dsw - i am on a hunt for platform jessica simpson heels - sib has a towering black suede pair, and claims their comfort is unmatched. unsuccessful - none were to be found. how hard could a staple be found?! clearance section was tempting, but the prices still too high. sib caught her eye on a pair of platform plaid converse with a little bow in the back. 

next stop: a walk down the plaza to marshall's. here's where the damage was done: shoe section, clearance - one pair of steve madden color block kitten sandals, size 6 1/2. i could pull that off, right? being a size 7? try-on confirmed this. even though the price for clearance was still pretty gut-wrenching. $32 is not really a steal. but these heels being the only ones on shelf in a justifiable size - that's what got me. onto the jewelry section: the cutest brass gold color bracelet shaped like a belt with working buckles for sizing. i'm a slut for unique jewelry! grabbed it. 

finally, a walk to seasonal decor, and a search for a good fall candle. none were pumpkin-y enough, but then sib spotted a nest candle. i was unaware of the iconic beauty of nest - until sib and i walked down 5th avenue on black friday last year and every bushel of christmas plants smelled intensely - christmassy. we were in love. we scoured the internet - to discover that nest has a fragrance of 5th avenue to promote their seasonal scent. this particular candle was incredibly expensive, and over the holidays we searched all over kohls and other local spots they may have it, and we never went as far as ordering one online. however, we stopped in our tracks when sib picked up the intricately designed green and purple box, and smelled the pistachio fig candle. just opening the box, the whiff of coffee caught my attention. years ago, bath and body works had a coffee candle that they discontinued. not that hot cocoa shit they still have on shelves, a coffee candle that smells so strongly of coffee, my room smelled like a coffee shop even days after lighting it. 

how to justify a smaller size one-wick candle and its $24 pricing? sentiment, perhaps, or the joy in those premium things. we giggled after these purchases, claiming we sound exactly like the main character from confessions of a shopaholic, justifying her ridiculous purchases. 

we eased out - at spirit halloween tapping our feet to activate the jumpscare of the decorations. has anyone seen this year's display of a haunted subway? bestie nicole, we're boarding onto the metro to madison scare park! only bought purple string lights, and wrapped up with dinner of caramel kettle corn and watching reruns of america's next top model. i think that solidified a good start of the week.

the rest of the week saw similar action.

we got drinks with bestie viki and matea at immigrant son brewery. maybe the plans on skiing this winter and pilates classes come to fruition.

saturday morning, sib and i had to go out to the fancy suburbs for a community yard sale. one man's trash is most likely our future tchotchke! sib and i both got a couple rings, some records and cds, and a book for free. as if we need more of these items.

boyfriend and i went to his sister's birthday party for a bit, then dipped out to see the guardians make it to post-season games. yay!

finally, the weekend, september, and festival season all came to a close at the grape jamboree, and we gorged on fair food, wandered by shops, and to no one's surprise, thrifted. i got a pair of golden sandals with embossed soles, and a cream cashmere sweater. boyfriend got a customized bobblehead, and sib found black sesame seeds. a win for all!

this week's looks

i'm trying to incorporate more of the day-to-nite looks, swapping only a few items to customize them per daily needs, rather than completely changing throughout the day. it's not being an outfit repeater - i think that people with most style repeat their items worn - just are creative in making it feel fresh. 

monday i wore this houndstooth black and white top, paired with a bright red cotton maxi skirt. shoes: white loafers. bag: uniqlo tote. 

tuesday for work i wore a knit blue shade tank, and flowy tadashi pants. platform loafers for shoes and uniqlo bag, with some cord bracelets. 

minor changes for shopping spree - grey house pants (tadashi ones are so long i need heels to wear them). skechers for the miles made while we shop.

wednesday for work i wore a studio ghibli tee, wide leg distressed at the bottom jeans (american eagle), and my coral puma palermo's. added a bunch of colorful bracelets, rings and diamond studded earrings.

thursday for work i wore this subtle striped brown blouse, and a calving klein pink denim skirt and doc martens fisherman shoes, alongside uniqlo tote, a goldfish chain and my rings. not visible are my teacup and saucer earrings

friday for work i wore this chunky sweater from target, american eagle jeans, and my red mary jane flats. uniqlo bag, urban outfitters sunglasses, a long bird necklace (a la tumblr 2013).

for drinks with the girls i did a day-to-nite thing and kept the jeans and shoes, added an asymmetrical crop top and a black and brown vintage suede blazer. purse is ralph lauren and i added a red and gold rose necklace.

on saturday i pose with my channel orange latte at the stop light, guarding my newly acquired francoise hardy, hawaii five-o and edith piaf records during the community yard sale. i am wearing a tennis dress (with built in shorts!), puma palermo's and a pastel colored crossbody coach bag. had a coral jacket to patch the shoes, but it was so hot it was completely unnecessary. 

for the birthday and baseball game, i wore a vintage cami with lace front, american eagle bellbottoms, and a vintage indians shirt, that was most likely for kids. calvin klein leather purse, steve madden sandals. 

sunday i wore a forever 21 top and bottoms, van gogh tote bag, and zara slides for the grape jamboree. had the chance to adorn myself with my latest finds - the rings :)

what am i looking forward to this week?

ladies and gentlemen, we're under construction! 

unexpected home improvements and renovations inspired sib and i for some massive decluttering at home. our priorities consist of utility and comfort, and our little outings are put on pause.

but friday we're treating ourselves with a night out at the museum again for the october mix, celebrating hispanic heritage month. i need to put my salsa skills to use. it's now or never.