clothes *****

Anybody else? I am a veritable clearance rack FIEND these days. I've been thinking about picking up a skirt for work now since November. I actually did buy a skirt before Christmas, but I returned it because I decided I wasn't going to get to wear it long enough, and because it wasn't on sale. Buying things only on clearance has become a sort of mission with me now. I finally found my skirt yesterday - originally $40 at Macy's, clearanced for $8. I bought a pair of white pants from Sears for $4.50 and brown ones from Mandees for $7... I am trying to defeat the impulse to buy stuff just because it fits. I tried on a pair of pink jeans from the clearance rack yesterday, they were Liz Claiborne, $11, and a size FOUR -- but I had to stop myself. As cheap and small as they were, was I really in need of a pair of PINK jeans? So I moved on, and wound up finding a dress from Boscov's for a wedding I'm going to on the 11th, on clearance for $12.75!! And it's a really cute dress, too. It was the only one they had, no tag on it even, and it JUST BARELY fits but that's how I buy most things so that I can try to get more use out of them. Topped off with $15 heels from Payless, who is doing buy one-get one half off so I got a purse too for $14 - 1/2 = $7. One thing is for sure - I won't be ordering anything by mail anytime soon. My pants range from a four (which I think the stores mislabel on purpose so you see a small number and buy it just so you can claim to wear that number) to a size eleven, depending on where they were made and who's selling them, and my tops from a medium to an extra large. So I really have to try everything on. Not that I mind trying clothes on these days, it's a far cry from how it used to be. And all the sale stuff is awesome too - I never got deals like this back when I could only shop at three stores - and all three stores knew they could charge whatever they wanted because they had me over a barrel. My closet now is stuffed and I think I'm in good shape for the next two months... once the weather warms up I'll have to go on another hunting expedition. I'm looking forward to it - who would've thought? I hope you've all been able to find good clearance racks, too! Jen

AMEN SISTER! I am so glad I'm not alone! I ask to go shopping these days and it's "Hey, lets go see what's on clearance at...." I am actually seeing stuff go on clearance now that seems like it just came out.... unfortunately most of the juniors tops are about as wide as my pinky so well there goes even LOOKING there but the jeans, hey when you can pick them up for $10 and they aren't even on sale.... go to Salvation Army, there's bound to be something there! I shop and shop and shop and shop and my kids only THOUGHT they hated the clearance racks before now they KNOW! L&H Gayle

Jen, I'm going to Alaska in a couple of weeks and dreaded spending money on really warm clothes when I live in the desert. I knew that whatever I bought wouldn't get worn after the trip. Luckily, it's the end of the cold season (such as it is) here and I got tons of clothes for very little money. I think I got about 800.00 in clothes for less than 100.00. I even bought an 80.00 cashmere sweater for 6.00. The best part is that there were no tears in the dressing room. Nothing at all was too small. A couple of things that I tried on were too big. I'm used to trying on item after item and having almost nothing fit and leaving depressed. I also buy clothes snug so they will last longer. Happy shopping to you! Connie

Me, too, although I have to say I'm having even more fun WALKING the Malls! I was on my feet constantly moving for well over 3 hours yesterday, got back to the car not even winded or sore in the least...THAT is a miracle, simply a miracle for a woman who less than a year ago was winded after 10 steps, TEN STEPS, and had to sit after 5 minutes on my feet because my ovaries felt like bowling balls. It's a blast. I love to shop these days and am picking up some stunning bargains, but what I really love is the HUNT -- walk, walk, walk...can't get enough of it! Thanks Jen, have a great day! Maureen

It IS all about the hunt! I feel like a tigress, approaching the racks, skimming over the clothes trees to find the ones that say __% off... And you're so right about the stamina. I'll buy stuff in the very first store and truck it through the whole mall with me instead of doing a once-over and mapping out an exit strategy to ensure I did as little carrying as possible. So many things are so much more fun, now, and I'm such a happier person. Even something like shopping at the mall - it used to be like psyching myself up for a marathon, and that was when I only shopped a handful of the stores. My immediate reaction to things that required a lot of walking was hesitation.. and I couldn't admit the reason to my friends and family so they'd just think I was a downer. Everyone says I'm so much nicer now, but the truth is, I've been relieved of so much of a burden - physical and psychological. Have a great day! We're supposed to get 6-12 inches this afternoon, and I'm going to be able to shovel it out without killing myself. Hooray! Jen

OMG!!! I'M SO GLAD TO HEAR THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE!!! I HAVE BECOME A SHOPAHOLIC!!! I USED TO NEVER LIKE TO GO SHOPPING AND WOULD WIND UP BUYING THINGS FOR OTHER PEOPLE BECAUSE I HATED TRYING ON CLOTHES THAT JUST MADE ME MORE DEPRESSED....NOW - I CAN'T WAIT TO HIT THE SALES RACKS. I WENT THIS SATURDAY AND FOUND CAPRIS MARKED DOWN TO $5.00. I BOUGHT 7 PAIRS TO WEAR THIS SPRING. OH AND BY THE WAY...SIZE "8"!!! WOO HOO!!!! THAT IS FROM A SIZE "22/24". I REALLY DID NOT NEED THEM, BUT COULD NOT RESIST. I EVEN BOUGHT TWO PANTSUITS! THEY ARE SO CUTE!! THIS TIME LAST YEAR, THAT WOULD BE THE LAST THING ON MY MIND!!! LTS, LTS, LTS.....LOVE TO SHOP!!!!!

I am sticking to yard sales right now. I got 2 pairs of jeans, size 9 for $2.00 each. As I can wear jeans to work, it is a good deal for me. And fortunately I have an acquaintance that is cleaning out her closet for me and they are 8's and 10's (mostly dresses.). The 14's have gone into a box in the closet and the 12's will follow soon. Why buy new clothes when you will only wear them a short time?

So glad to know that I'm not alone! I see clearance signs and I go running, I see sale signs and I'm running too. I Have a really bad shopping habit right now. In 2 weeks I bought 22 outfits. I didn't think I was going to go down any more sizes but now that I'm having the belt lipectomy down I'll probably go down one more size. I'm wearing a womens 4 and a juniors 5 now. I'm hoping that all the clothes I just bought will still look ok after my surgery. I'll be so bummed if they don't. But then again thats another reason to buy more I think a need to attend a few shopaholics meetings. Kelley 265/132

I am so glad I am not the only one. I have so many clothes. I have promised myself that I was not gonna buy anymore clothes until I got to my goal weight, and guess what as soon as I hit the store, I go straight to the clothes dept. And I have gotten so many hand-me-downs from realitives. Now that is what feels good. I am finally smaller than someone that I can get clothes that are too small for them, and they are nice things. I could go dressed to the nines everyday. And shoes I have had to buy another shoe rack and could use the third. I just cannot seem to help myself. But I say hey it's better than buying and eating food, cause before that use to be all that I found in the stores that fit.

Oh geez...could I ever relate to this! I live 10 miles south of Atlantic City, and there is a new group of outlets there called "The Walk"...all top designer store outlets. I am always buying clothes...I'm addicted. I actually have to avoid the area at times because I just want to buy everything I try on. My clothes, too, range from a size 4 to a size 8, but I'm small on the top so sometimes the smalls are too big and not everyone makes extra small. I'm good for winter clothes, and I did buy some summer things because of my trip to the tropics. I am eyeing some spring clothes now, as I do like to get dressed up for work. My favorite store is Banana Republic....and they have an outlet at "The Walk." Got a $150 sweater for $20, among other things. I seem to find a lot of things there that are my style. The Gap is another favorite for more casual things. I also like the Newport News catalog...got a lot of stuff there that I wore on my trip. Wouldn't it be cool if we could all get together and go shopping??? That would be awewome. Tomorrow is my one year anniversary....and I never did lose that last 10 lbs that I want to, but I'm working on it. I have a consult with a plastic surgeon on 3/22, so we'll see after that. HAVE FUN EVERYONE!! Joan