Loss & Gains

For the last week or so, I have been mourning the loss of something very dear to me: my favorite, very best looking, perfectly fitting jeans. That's right, ladies. My go-to jeans are no more. It happened sometime last week when I went to the restroom only to discover, to my horror and slight embarrassment, that my American Eagle jeans have a hole on the inner thigh, near the crotch area. Not good. And there is a hole forming on the other side as well. I guess I literally wore them out. They were good to me while they lasted.

The trouble since this discovery has been trying to make do without the jeans I wore practically every day. (Don't worry, I washed 'em often.) Sure, I have a few other jeans, but they are no where near as comfortable and flattering as this pair. To be honest, I even wore this compromised pair to a meeting earlier this week because all my clothes were in the laundry or still wet on the drying rack! I figured, just keep the legs crossed and no one will know. Ha! I mean, the hole isn't that big and it's in a place that is hard to see. Ok, I know, I need to just go buy a new pair. But it is so difficult to find jeans that look good and fit right. I know there are others out there who feel my pain and agree that is no easy task.

Which brings me to my next problem: American Eagle. That was my go-to brand for my go-to jeans. I knew what styles fit me, what size I wore, so I could just walk into a store, pick out some new jeans and be done. No trying on necessary. No dressing room drama. (I hate trying on clothes.) All that changed a while back when, for some unknown reason, American Eagle started cutting its jeans differently. Basically, I went up a size and still not much looks good or fits right. (Don't worry, AE! I still love your shirts, tanks and accessories!) So the issue becomes not just going out and buying new jeans but hunting down a store that carries the style/size/fit that is right for my body. Ugh, is all I can say.

On to the good news. Luckily, the weather has warmed up and I have gotten good use out of those Anthro dresses I bought. One of the dresses even allowed me to finally wear a pair of grey, slouchy Steve Madden boots that my mom bought me for Christmas. Yes, Christmas! My first time wearing those boots-- that I got five months ago and had coveted long before that-- was last Saturday. See, the thing is, I think the boots are just too cute to cover up with jeans, but I don't have any skinny jeans that can be easily tucked in. And until this coral halter top/graphic print Anthro dress, none of the dresses in my closet really worked with the Madden boots. What do you think? I like it.

Besides still being stoked about my cute/comfy/cheap dresses, I am pretty thrilled by some earrings I purchased last weekend while working the Street Fair. As I mentioned in Monday's post, I sat at a booth Saturday afternoon representing the paper at the annual street fair. As it happened, our booth was located right next to the booth of a local jewelry designer. Perfect. I probably spent two hours eyeing the merchandise before getting up, grabbing some cash and scooping up five pairs of earrings for just $20!

I'm not sure if the guy gave me a discount because we were booth buddies/neighbors, or if everyone got this deal, but he told me that if I bought four earrings (which were $5 each) he would give me the fifth free. Already planning on buying four, it was easy to take him up on his offer. I tried to pick out pieces that are different from what I already have in my jewelry box. Here's a peek at what I scored:

I have already worn the long purple ones and the blue/pearl ones. I wore the "fifth pair" today, and I have to say, these are the most different from anything I usually wear. I am not normally a hoop gal and I don't have anything in this turquoise color but I thought they looked summery and fun.

So while I may have lost my favorite pair of jeans-- and I am still considering patching the holes in an effort to hold on to them just a bit longer-- I am comforted by my latest purchases. Ah, don't you love retail therapy?

Oh, and suggestions on places that sell fabulous but affordable jeans are much welcomed and appreciated!