9.12.24
Shopping

You know what? I wondered where that Gary Janetti book came from. I actually didn’t realize that it was the new one, truly I thought my dog took it off my bookshelf and brought it into the mudroom where you left it (he’s been known to do things like that). So I’m glad you mentioned it in your last letter. I took it to the beach the next day and read the whole thing! Everyone got a little bit annoyed with me as I ignored them all and laughed out loud with Gary on his wellness retreat in Italy, and got sentimental with him about Brad. 10/10 recommend.

Ok I think we need to talk a bit more about the shopping bans. 

You and I agree that we both have a bit of a disorder in regards to the shopping. We are constantly buying, always returning, forever texting one another with links to ridiculous things we have purchased with captions like “why am I like this?” or simply “IDK”.

Sometimes when it’s all gotten a little out of hand, one of us will announce it’s time for a shopping ban, which generally has loose parameters that keep us from shopping for clothing, but all other categories are up for grabs: things for our houses, things for the children, etc. This “shopping ban” continues until one of us inevitably breaks it, and then it is over.

The thing I’d like to dig into is a me thing, not a you thing. I understand why you do all the shopping, the things you have in your closet are your hobby, and somehow the rounds to FedEx, UPS, and trying to figure out how to return DHL is all a part of your daily routine. We’ve analyzed all of this before.

But for me, I just don’t really know. I don’t even particularly enjoy changing up my outfits every day. If I have something I love, I wear it to death, and I’m ok with that! But somehow I insist on scouring the internet for the best pieces of used Zimmermann, when in reality this is how I want to look (this is a real life screen grab of my ‘style’ board on pinterest). Really couldn’t be further from my closet full of wacky colorful items.

I want to look simple, easy breezy, effortless, and like I know myself!! It’s chic.

Case in point: this summer I purchased several new pairs of silly shoes. Partially because of the weddings, but we know that is only an excuse. Yet, day-to-day, the only shoes I have worn all summer are old and simple: a pair of Birkenstocks purchased 3 years ago (which actually were a ridiculous investment as the specific collab pair I purchased have a slight croc enhancement and cost 5x what a normal pair would, but I have gotten my cost per wear way down!), and these very simple $14 sandals that I got last summer. I love them both, they both feel like “me”, they work with everything I own.

Alison Bornstein’s book has been sitting on my kindle for about 6 months now, just waiting for me to dive into this project of cleaning out my closet and setting some shopping rules for myself. I think she will coach me into settling on three words to define who I am when it comes to clothing, and then I will magically know what to buy, and most importantly what I really do not need to buy (and then return). I know it will help, remember that time that we made inspiration boards for fall and made outfits with things we own x things we were going to buy? I thrived that fall!

Anyway, I was the one that broke the ban this time around. It dawned on me that my summer closet is very white (which is ok), and I actually wanted to wear black, so I bought this. It hasn’t arrived yet, but assuming it looks how I think it will, I believe you’ll see me wearing it several times a week until it gets too cold. It will “go” with both of my pairs of shoes, after all. Oh also, these, which I think fall in the category of things I will wear every day, so I will allow it.

I’m back on a self imposed ban for now, but I can’t wait to see what arrives at the office with your name on it. When can you come over to help me clean out my closet? According to my pinterest board, I only need to own about 6 things.

X

Francie