Regulating my "Wants"

Everyone ought to be aware of the popular discussion of "want" vs "need", wherein we discuss the basic necessities each person is in need of, and the objects we desire.  Obviously, if you are reading this blog, you are probably not very good at limiting your expenses to mere "needs", given that those would be the most basic clothing you could find at Goodwill or Wal-mart (or something). Let's face it, if you had to determine your "needs", they would be minuscule and you would be miserable every time you looked in the mirror. So, the key to happiness (and minimalism) is finding the right balance of "wants" and "needs", wherein you fulfill your "wants" without going overboard and just "wasting" (a big taboo nowadays).

I read an interesting article called "http://20somethingfinance.com/control-wants-impulsive-buying/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+20somethingfinancecom+%2820SomethingFinance.com%29" target="_blank">How to Control your Wants and Impulsive Buying" on 20-something Finance, wherein the author creates a Google spreadsheet for all of his "wants" (such a masculine thing to do...) and then reviews them a while later to see if he still wants it.  It's not a new theory, as I have read several different ways to "hold off on buying" and "revisit the desire", but this is by far the most organized and eye-opening method so far!

...Why is it eye-opening? Imagine if instead of just pointing at things in a magazine, or adding things to your wishlist at a store, you pretended you were creating a "gift registry" for yourself.  You make this grand list of all the things you covet, and then a week, a month, a quarter later you review the list to see if you still want those things. I don't know about you, but I actually created a gift registry when I got engaged and I still don't know why I put those things in the registry back then...I mean really? Do I need a food scale? Have I ever used the digital food scale I got 3 years ago? Of course not. It sits in my kitchen, waiting for the day I decide to put batteries in it and put it to good use....

I imagine it is the same with my ordinary wants, it's just difficult to control impulses so I think that next year I shall do what has been impossible so far:  control my impulse spending.  I will make it a habit to list the things I want, and then see if I still want it after, just like this guy ;D

Look forward to the next post!

But I want it! Shaped Swimsuit from Land's End

Now I might be getting a little a head of the seasons here (I'm still freezing in my sweaters and scarves) but this "structured" swimsuit really appeals to me! I like that it's a halter, that it has underwire (and the option of adding padding to your chest ;D), and that it has this classic look.

I don't swim much, so what happens is that I buy a swimsuit and it lasts me years. And by years I don't mean a handful, I mean years and years.  So I rationalize that spending $29 on a flattering swimsuit will pay itself back in a few years (haha).

However I don't understand the sizing. Is "4" seriously the smallest size they have? O.o; And what is that equivalent to?  And what do they mean by short torso? How do I know if I have a short torso? What is a regular torso length?  What about people with long torsos? o.O; 

Any ideas?

But I want it! Paul & Joe CAT LIPSTICK in Clair De Lune

Get it here!

Have I mentioned that I have always loved cats? I find this soooo cute, and at the same time I think that it's too cute to use. Hm. Maybe with a lip brush?

But I want it! Spiked Mat!

My my how I've been gone.

But good news is that I have been working hard (~60 hours a week) and not shopping (too) much, which translates to not spending too much money, thus earning me more money :) This is all because I have been super sick and have watched many movies in the comfort of my own home (with layers of blankets), such as The Social Network, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Knight and Day, The Other Guys, Due Date, It's Kind of a Funny Story, and Black Swan. None of which had anything I could relate to my blog, though (such as dress style). I need to watch more movies about the past. I was thinking about watching The King's Speech soon, have you seen it?


--
Anyhow, this is what I really really wanted for Christmas:

Spiked Mat and Bag (Organic) $29.99 at Amazon

I saw this last year in Finland and wanted it but didn't want to pay 80+ euros for it. Now the little Swedish stores in Beverly Hills still sell them for about $70, but on Amazon there are a lot of good deals on the product! I picked out this little Organic mat and I think it will be perfect for me!

For those of you who are not in on the craze, the directions state to sleep on the mat, but when I was in Finland I understood from the demonstrations that it has a very relaxing (acupressure) effect if you just lay on it for 10-20 min before going to bed (on the floor). The little spikes (plastic or rubber) hit your acupressure points and help you release any pent up stress and it's supposed to be good for your posture and improve blood pressure as well (what I need, I always have cold hands and feet). 

Please let me know if you've tried this! I plan on ordering this asap!

But I want it! Kate Spade Ribbon Coin Purse in Red!

I'm debating over this purse...after you apply discount code NEWYEARS25 the price goes down to $39--which is a very reasonable price! Even for me!


What do you think? I prefer garnet red...I think the fuchsia will be hard to match...

But I want it! J Brand black jeans!

...Or do I?

J Brand 910 Super Skinny Jeans

I tried on this pair at Neiman Marcus outlet on Sunday and I liked them...I really liked the price (50% off $99 = $44.50 + tax)--which is waaaaaay better than the normal $160 price tag.  I've been dreaming of the perfect black denim, but this pair, though it fit well, didn't scream LOVE (the way I imagine it could...?)

I tried on an even better pair about a week ago at a boutique....It was also J Brand, but the inseam was about 29" (too short for me, but I'll take what I can), the price was about $40-50, and the material was oh so soft. I have no idea what it was called (must be from an older collection) but I assure you the only reason I didn't get it was because the size was a few numbers too large. They fit me, yeah, but I was bloated from PMS at the time and will they fit me after a few washes?

Those of you who have purchased J brand before, help me; do the sizes run small or large? Do they stretch a lot? Should I go one size down or buy the perfect fit? The ladies at the boutique couldn't help me so I let go the most wonderful pair of black jeans ever.

a little SOFT on a cold and dreary Saturday

 

Before yobo got back I got so sick of not shopping (not entirely true, during the three weeks he was away I purchased a vintage wallet--that I haven't shown you yet!) so I made a bulk order (free shipping~~~) from the $15 store. I had planned on ordering with friends, but really? I mean I can find enough items for just me so it's alright....lol

Romeo & Juliet Double Breasted Army Sweater, Tart leggings, Aldo boots

...These are not great pictures, because...well...I was running late in the morning (as usual), and I figured that with the cloudy/rainy weather it wouldn't make a difference in lighting anyway. Plus I am not going to take outdoor pictures in the rain (anyhoo) so I took these at the end of the day (night).

I'll show you the rest of my bulk order as I wear them, I'm not really into showing you my "hauls", I don't think it means much if I never wear the piece, or end up giving it away (or returning it!). In a nut shell I bought a cardigan, a rabbit fur vest, two sweaters (I thought three but I made a mistake...maybe I need to put in another order...?), a coat, riding paints (I shouldn't have assumed that my weight gain put me at Medium...I regret not getting small) and a pair of heels (which looked so much better in pictures but oh well). It just shows that you should always know the brand before you buy it online, because I don't regret any of my Romeo & Juliet purchases (5 out of 7) since I already know what the quality's like, but I should have done more research on the other two brands.

...I will show you, however, the earrings I'm wearing :) I'm really satisfied with this purchase:

F21 earrings for about $4.50 

I'm wearing the pair on the bottom left.

Oh and if you wondered, it turns out I didn't really like the coat I got by Tulle, I like the color and everything but evidently it doesn't suit me (said yobo). I might go hunting for another one if it gets any colder (it probably will). I want to buy another Miss Sixty coat, but this time in black. I would consider Steve Madden. Perhaps. What do you think? Those Forever 21 coats were nice too...

Shopping for winter at Forever 21

I was looking for that white dress and while I tried looking on Forever 21 there were some pieces I could not ignore (and now I want them...):

Satin top $27.80

This looks very blue to me, but if you say so F21. Actually last winter I bought something similar for my MIL, it's more figure-flattering in that it's not so wide that you have to put up your arm just to look thinner. Obviously I'm going to have to find another brand with the same thing.

Interesting Neckline-Top $19.80

Oooooooo....I like.

Puffy-sleeved cardigan! $7.50

For that price I want this in Taupe (pictured), Navy, and Black!

Puffy-sleeve short sleeve sweater $10.50

I know you're all wondering why this is $3 more than the cardigan--beats me! All I know is that I want this isn Charcoal (pictured) and Black.

Cable Knit Cardigan $28.90

I'm a big fan of cable knit cardigans/sweaters, and I wore them a lot as a kid, but I just think since they are chunky they just make you look chunky-er. Not flattering. But I still want one....so I actually ordered a sweater and I'll let you know how that goes...

Dress $19.80
You know I used to love wearing these types of dresses. Now I don't have any. :( I like to wear them with long/short sleeves underneath....

Tiered Dress $17.80
I want this in black...but you can't see the tiers in black so I'm showing you the grey...But go check out black, I think you'll agree that it looks better.

Puff Sleeve Cropped Blazer $29.80

Can't get enough of puff sleeves!

 

Navy Full Skirt $12.50

Prices at F21 are whack. And this comes in red too. Not sure why I want this for fall, but I do.  

 

Pleated mini skirt (Burberry style) $8.50

I've wanted one of these for a while now...considered making one myself but...no (I really do hate sewing that much).

 

Cool Zip Pants $13.80

I want this...in taupe...maybe less "cool" and more equestrian. I'll take black too. Ahhh...but the price!! I'll have to go try them on....

 

Hidden Button Coat $42.80

I'm going to sell my Miss Sixty coat from last year and I actually bought a coat that hopefully looks like this one (got it online). If it doesn't I'll let you know if I want to sell it....lol

Tweet Coat $32.80

And if it doesn't look like that then I want this.

fdCut out booties $24.80

It's funny how the same pair in black makes me think S&M. This pair I like though, and even the price is decent so I'm going to go try this on one of these days...

Faux leather belt $3.80

I've given up on finding pretty real leather belts. I'm going to hunt this one down.

What are you shopping for this winter?

White dress of a White Gumiho

After I had posted about My Girlfriend is a Gumiho I received a request to find a similar white dress to what Gumiho wears in the beginning of the TV show. My first instinct was to go on Polyvore, but as you'll see below I looked all over ._.

Fox by kuriku featuring a dot dress

with sprinkles on top pocket dress in white
$48 - shopruche.com
Dot dress »

Magali Pascal Off White Napoli Dress
$290 - itsthenewblack.com.au
Vneck dress »

White One Shoulder Dress
$23 - metroparkusa.com
One shoulder dress »

Religion White Lace Cookie Dress
$165 - frockaholics.com
Lace dress »

SLÄTTHULT
$7.99 - ikea.com

Small cap sleeve dress of white lace shirt
fashion4us.com
Cap-sleeve dress »

Snow White Arctic Fox
wallpaper-s.org

animal ears brown hair fox ears fox tail hair over one eye japanese...
danbooru.donmai.us

Arctic Fox in Snow Photo, Animals Wallpaper – National Geographic...
photography.nationalgeographic.com

fox hand drawn drawing
paintingtheroseswhite.com

It was surprisingly difficult to find cute dresses on polyvore so I went on YesStyle to find alternatives:

Choya White Dress for $32

I think this one is the most similar one I could find...

Tokyo Fashion Slip + sweater set for $28

I think this combination is so cute :)

2 Piece Chunky Sweater plus ivory slip by Envy Look for $48

Hmm...I'm not a fan of chunky sweaters but evidently long sweaters plus ruffle dresses are all the rage.

 Layered tank dress by Star.Mimi for $22.50

Another layer-able ruffle dress. 

Efashion Knit Dress for $28

This is so cute in navy!

Turtleneck tank + long sleeve dress by Loyer.mod for $35

A nice fall alternative.

Ivory slip + furry sweater by Hue It Girl for $25

The sweater reminds me of a fox...xD

 Sleeveless Dress by the looks for $62

Another cute knit alternative.

Then I remembered the beso launch and tried it to find:

 Esprit for $83.50

Ralph Lauren RUGBY for $149

target="_blank">Lulu's for $59

BCBGMaxAzria for $51.99 Charles Anastase for $615 Rusty for $29.99 Erin Fetherston for $346 Adam for $295
Please let me know what you think would be the cutest! Are you looking for a plain white dress too? Or do you have the perfect one already? For me, I think the one I've been wearing will suffice since I'm not a big fan of wearing white.