A few weeks ago I was low key stressing about Derby Fashion….I know, it’s just the Derby and people have real problems, but when I don’t look good, I don’t feel good. I wasn’t even planning on attending until the very last minute so things became a mad dash for me to find the a complete get up, including the dress, cute wedges for the grass, and of course, the hat! The Mr. and I were here, there, and everywhere and I even employed the help of my mom in the search for the perfect hat. I was swiping left and right (my bank cards not Tender) when it hit me…Danielle, you have hit one of your shopping triggers. In the past few years I have noticed that I tend to spend more when I feel something is “lacking” in my appearance. I will over shop when I probably didn’t need to as a way to try to correct something that may be off in my life. On the second day of running around Atlanta I forced myself to just stop and really think about what is currently in my closet. This is after the Mr. treated me to a very cute new dress and I bought new shoes. I was out looking for THE HAT when I thought about switching things up. Actually, it was after I saw this picture that I began to rethink my entire approach:
My original plan was to go traditional Derby in a more dressed up way, but I loved how pretty and comfortable she looked (no comment on her Beau). “Oh wait”, light bulb moment, “I have a very similar dress in my closet”….but still no hat. In my final half hour of stress before we had to leave, I told myself that whatever hat I found, be it for the dress we bought or the dress I have, would dictate my Derby look. Fed up and feeling a little defeated, I went to one final store and found a hat. We attended Atlanta’s version of the Kentucky Derby and had a blast with new and old friends.
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Through the experience I learned that I have to start making time to take better care of myself, that way I don’t have to get ready, I will stay ready. I learned from a mix of packing up my closet for the big move (another post for another day), that it is time for me to reinvest in my wardrobe. At (insert cough here) 30 years old, I shouldn’t be trying to wear the same staples from college. My style has evolved and so has my body. I also learned that along the line, I had replaced an updated wardrobe with things to make my new house a home. I was a girl with a closet full of clothes with nothing to wear because I had not taken the time to properly edit, purge, and organize. For Derby Day, I wore a dress from my own closet, shoes I already had, and a hat that, unlike the more traditional style, I could see myself wearing again. After I complete my Edit, Purge, Organize, which I will blog my way through, I will be able to make better decisions like that in the future.
Editors Note: I took the new shoes back because they worked for the new dress but weren’t really my style. With that money, I bought six new classic wardrobe must haves. Special thanks to Event Rentals Unlimited for VIP access to the beautiful air conditioned glass tent!
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The journey towards financial freedom isn’t a easy one…if it was, no one would have debt and everyone would be building wealth. Alysa’s biggest financial goal is to get her emergency fund to a healthy level so she can put more savings towards fun things. I’d say with a savings of $515.00 year to date, she is well on her way.
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