...happy accidents...

As you doubtless by now already know, I've been forcing myself into birthday mode for the last week or so.  I'm really trying my hardest to get/be excited about it...as much for Mister Man's sake as admittedly for my own.  One of my resolutions of the year was to be better to myself...and it's a work in progress.  I'm my own worst critic of course, so I'm trying to keep the judgement in check.  This whole birthday madness is just a part of my attempt to be excited about myself.  I spend so much time and energy and focus on everything and everyone else...a habit I developed in a devaluing of self manner...and am only just now learning how to pull back a bit and hold onto some of the good things for myself instead of giving them all away. 

With that said and done...I've been searching high and low for something to gift to myself.  And honestly, I haven't had all that much luck.  My Anthropologie wishlist was just one of many to be slashed to ribbons after a brick-and-mortar visit, and almost everything I thought I had my eye on has now been sent to the discard pile. After last week's failures (and major win in NY& Co), with Mister Man in tow (and his hands full of his own mini-wins) I made a quick decision to poke my less-than-petite nose into all the stores the mall had to offer.  Read: the other 30 places that I usually ignore.  What can I say, I'm a creature of habit...I tend to circle back to the same handful of places time and time again because I can usually count on them. 

Let me tell you, there's a wealth of eye candy in all those other stores!

After window shopping and try-ons in ten or so shops, we strolled on into J.Crew with low expectations.  Now mind you, I've plenty of friends who shop there pretty exclusively, and dress beautifully at that.  But the last time I was in a store (probably 5 plus years ago) nothing even came close to fitting.  The cut was, at that time, solely for those who have hips...which I don't.  So while I would admire from afar, I never really bothered to venture back in.  But this time, readers...oh, this time.  The loveliest shade of purple called to me from one of the table displays, and I couldn't resist.  Into the fitting room we strode with purple shorts in hand.  And returned, more than once...to try them on again and again and again.  Finally, I knuckled down and said yes to them... 

And while I was at...yes to these as well...

...because guess what...they fit!  They fit beautifully, marvelously, wonderfully well!  At some point in time, unbeknownst to me, J.Crew revamped and started cutting to fit my shape!  Awesome!

So out of the ashes of previously dependable wishlists, I accidentally stumbled upon a new place to scour the clearance racks!  Now if only they'd lower their price point...drastically! :)

I also debated getting these:

Little fishies!  But, I couldn't figure out if the colour worked on my skin tone or not.  Now it appears they are no longer available online, though I'm sure they'll still be in stock in-store.

So, a little early birthday shopping out of the way...

a new place to peruse from time to time...

that's a win for me! :)