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Mrs. Buttons, Clearwater, FL Age and Occupation: 24, "Working on it" Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Financial Services Engagement Date: June 13, 2009 Wedding Date: May 2010 Venue: Carlouel Yacht Club About Me: I'm a self proclaimed perfectionist and a professional nomad (seriously, I've lived in TX, WI, MI, FL, NC, and now VA!). I love wine, cooking, curling up with a good book (nerd alert!), spoiling the furbaby, and of course, the wonderful Mr. Buttons! We are planning a lighthearted and whimsical wedding (with a good deal of DIY projects) in Clearwater, Florida, but from a distance of 800 miles away! We are looking forward to sharing our day with our family and friends, and most importantly, starting our lives together as husband and wife!
About Mrs. Buttons

Retail Therapy

February 7th, 2010 @ 1:30 pm by Mrs. Buttons

Retail Therapy :  wedding dress Card B001

Source

Hello everyone. My name is Miss Buttons, and I am a shop-aholic.

If I had my way, I would never repeat an outfit. I like trying new styles, and the satisfying feeling that you get when wearing a brand new piece of clothing is just the bees-knees (haha, see what I did there?). Seriously, they call it retail therapy for a REASON, people…

Now, I am a rational, sensible person when it comes to spending (at least, I like to think so).

Although I love the latest fashions, almost every article of clothing I own has been found at a store like TJ Maxx or Marshall’s. Hey, if I can get BCBG, Lilly Pulitzer, and designer jeans there, why should I pay triple the price? Case in point; I bought an amazing Calvin Klein dress at TJ Maxx (that I wore the night Mr. Buttons proposed, coincidentally); a few weeks later, I was walking through the mall, and there was the EXACT dress on a mannequin for full price… ummm you better believe I felt good!

Retail Therapy :  wedding dress Img 26701

***Sigh*** Isn’t it a cute dress??? And… at a mere $35, I am so much more excited about it than if I had paid $150!

Retail Therapy :  wedding dress Img 26801

Anyway, I think it is exciting to go through the racks and find the rare gems among what is usually a lot of… um… interesting pieces…

This all being said, I took a look back at my spending patterns over the past months (since we moved to Virginia), and I made an interesting discovery.

I have barely purchased a thing… in months.

No, for real… I’m not even joking! I purchased a pair of ballet flats because living in Virginia requires closed-toed shoes, of which I have a VERY limited collection… but other than that? Zip. Zilch. Nada. Nothing.

In the past, I wouldn’t hesitate to treat myself to a new shirt, pair of shoes, or a dress if I happened to stumble upon it at a store. You have to treat yourself sometimes, right??? However, I’ve noticed that any and all purchases (other than the necessary groceries and other basics) have been wedding related. My hair flower, my cake topper, and our Save the Dates have taken the place of my precious shoe budget. When I’m out shopping and I see something that I like, I start saying to myself, “nope… don’t do it… that is $30 you can spend on wedding things…”

This gets me thinking… am I the only one out there feeling the same way? Do you find yourself holding back on making purchases because the money could be put to “better” use? Are you also feeling guilty any time that you make a frivolous purchase in lieu of saving it for the wedding? Is anyone else out there anxiously awaiting the day when their shoe (or handbag, clothes, etc.) budget is re-instated? What do you do to NOT go crazy in the meantime???

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40 Responses to “Retail Therapy”

1 2 

1.
mimi06d
Member
mimi06d (message)  646 posts, Busy bee

I feel like this all.the.time.

 
2.
Ms. Library
Member
Ms. Library (message)  1,250 posts, Bumble bee

Agh I always have that soundtrack in my mind! “Noooo don’t do it! You need to pay for X, Y, and Z!” It’s a little annoying, but it means well.

 
3.
Member Icon
Member
marcam882 (message)  296 posts, Helper bee

Wow Miss Buttons, you read my mind. Seriously, you’re a psychic. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to a Barney’s sample sale and said- put those $200 Manolo Blahniks, that’s the cost of your wedding bouquet plus a BM bouquet. Putting everything in terms of wedding costs definitely helps to curb my spending.

 
4.
OurFutureIsBright
Member
OurFutureIsBright (message)  138 posts, Blushing bee

You’re definitely not alone! ALL of my money goes toward wedding stuff. We didn’t include things like invitation, save the dates, etc. into our budget so that we could spend more on other items and are paying for those out of our ‘everyday money’ so I hardly ever buy anything else. But, I don’t mind so much.

 
5.
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Guest
bohemianbailie

I feel like that even when we go grocery shopping or say when getting gas I curse my car for not getting o say 100 miles to the gallon!!!!

 
6.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Trail Mix (message)  6,312 posts, Bee Keeper

Totally! I was just saying to Mr TM how I can’t wait until the wedding is over so I can go shopping again!

 
7.
Miss Hot Wings
Bee
Miss Hot Wings (message)  2,213 posts, Buzzing bee

oh woman! I know the feeling exactly. I actually had to give in and get some new things because I had not bought much because of the wedding. Everything is for the wedding. I won’t know what to do with myself after this. haha

 
8.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Socks (message)  1,323 posts, Bumble bee

Yes!! I can totally relate! Even going out to dinner once a week makes me feel guilty! I admire your ability to find great things at TJ Maxx, I’ve never had the patience to sort through all of it, but more power to you!

That CK dress makes me want to go out and shop now! It’s beautiful!

 
9.
redsoxgirl8
Member
redsoxgirl8 (message)  221 posts, Helper bee

I now get my shopping “high” from rubber stamps, pomanders and shepherds hooks! My wardrobe is suffering!

 
10.
Miss Elephant
Bee
Miss Elephant (message)  6,177 posts, Bee Keeper

I know how you feel!! I was just going through my closet thinking I need some new clothes, but instead I went shopping at Michael’s for the wedding.

 
11.
HunnyBear
Member
HunnyBear (message)  616 posts, Busy bee

It was sooooo hard for me to not go out and buy myself something nice after getting my bonus at work this year! I’ve definitely curtailed my shopping (although I do treat myself every now and again) but everytime I shop I think…what wedding related item could this cost go to instead? Sigh…I can’t wait till I can shop again!

 
12.
artbee
Member
artbee (message)  6,643 posts, Bee Keeper

i just had a “honeymoon shopping spree.” a bunch of sun dresses at ross for $10 each! always a good reason to buy clothes. i don’t think we’ll ever get back to being able to splurge on “us” again though (unless we randomly get rich somehow)… after the wedding we’re hoping for baby. expenses never end, but it’s all worth it!

 
13.
Mrs. Star
Bee
Mrs. Star (message)  2,057 posts, Buzzing bee

I, for one, am very happy to have my extra cash not going to the wedding anymore! I hear ya, lady!

 
14.
lilyfaith
Member
lilyfaith (message)  5,478 posts, Bee Keeper

Yep! And I’m a Shopaholic too! I do most of my shopping online now, which has severely limited how much I spend. And when I do buy clothes, I know exactly what I need, and that I am getting the best deal possible.
It’s a far cry from the days I used to haunt Anthropologie and Nordstrom. Somehow it’s harder to say no in person…

 
15.
Marinara
Member
Marinara (message)  392 posts, Helper bee

Same thing here! It’s been really nice to see that I really can cut back on buying stuff and still feel good. But last week I had to say to myself: OK, YOU NEED SOME NEW STUFF. What’s the point of suffering for 6 months so that you can have more flowers at your wedding?? So I went on a mini-spree and feel so much happier. (I serrrriiiously needed a few new staples). It’s all about balance!

 
16.
Guest Icon
Guest
Miss Sundrop

It is about balance… I haven’t purchased much either due to wedding funds. I will probably go crazy after the wedding!! Of course, after our bank accounts resurface…

 
17.
Member Icon
Member
KMSull (message)  6,442 posts, Bee Keeper

Oooh me! Athough I did buy myself 3 new things at Marshall’s cause a) I was getting engaged that night b) they were super cute c) they were super CHEAP! And I seriously am so in love with all 3 things I bought.

 
18.
Miss Buttons
Bee
Miss Buttons (message)  5,046 posts, Bee Keeper

@Miss Hot Wings: @Miss Trail Mix: We should go on a shopping retreat…haha

@redsoxgirl8: Haha, exactly! Boooo if only I could turn my Michael’s purchases into something I could wear…

@artbee: YES! I was just thinking about that recently…that is going to be my “shopping” for a while….

 
19.
Miss Shortstop
Member
Miss Shortstop (message)  97 posts, Worker bee

I rationalized a BCBG dress I wanted, because I would be wearing it to a wedding related event such as bridal shower or rehearsal dinner. Other than that, yes, I have been limiting myself much more to save money for random wedding expenses! Yay!

 
20.
LoriLori
Member
LoriLori (message)  727 posts, Busy bee

Ditto. No shopping. Nada. But if I saw that dress I’d snatch it up. It would be perfect for after the wedding or next day’s breakfast.

 
1 2 

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Mrs. Buttons
Mrs. Buttons

Mrs. Buttons, Clearwater, FL Age and Occupation: 24, "Working on it" Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Financial Services Engagement Date: June 13, 2009 Wedding Date: May 2010 Venue: Carlouel Yacht Club About Me: I'm a self proclaimed perfectionist and a professional nomad (seriously, I've lived in TX, WI, MI, FL, NC, and now VA!). I love wine, cooking, curling up with a good book (nerd alert!), spoiling the furbaby, and of course, the wonderful Mr. Buttons! We are planning a lighthearted and whimsical wedding (with a good deal of DIY projects) in Clearwater, Florida, but from a distance of 800 miles away! We are looking forward to sharing our day with our family and friends, and most importantly, starting our lives together as husband and wife!

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