Oniomania, better known as Shopaholism

I. Have. Too. Much. Clothes. It needs to be said! You know you want to say it too. Say it with me! I. Have. Too. Much. Clothes. Doesn't it feel good to say it??? Isn't it freakin' liberating!?

If genes can affect weight, is there a possibility that a passion to buy (not obsession) is also caused by genes? My dad has been matched and impeccable since the early 70s. My older sister admitted to owning 100 dresses. Think about this...if you own 100 dresses, how many tops do you have? I make a strong case for genes, no? Fluctuations in weight from years back is no doubt also a partial culprit for this excess of fabric in my closet. Genes combined with weight fluctuation combined with an incapability of donating or giving away clothes  - for concern that I may again fluctuate in size - to create this chronic illness suffered by me and 75% of women in the U.S. (The percentage could be higher; I haven't done full research into the subject.) The technical term for this monster is oniomania, often referred, in laymen's, as shopaholism.

Have you stared deep into the eyes of this monster ladies? You are not alone! You are not alone!

Surely Isla Fisher - love Isla btw! - in Confessions of a Shopaholic comes to mind. Well yes and no. Yes I suffer a less aggressive strand of this illness but no, I'm not as delusional and far from reality as she was. Woman talked to mannequins! She bought clothes and accessories now and worried about food and rent later. 

I pride myself in being a savvy shopper. Read my blog Its not used, its semi-new! What ends up happening though is I own more clothes than I can wear. I have a closet that can take you from hike to cruise in a minute, head to toe. 

Eesh...and the clothes that still have a tag! Or the clothes with no tag but that I haven't worn once! How many of us are guilty of this?

Yes! The H&M top with flowers was only $10.
L-O-V-E, love H&M! The two dresses were bought

6 months ago for work. 

Now I don't know about you but I'm not going to go all hippie back and denounce material processions cause on the real, I probably won't ever stop shopping for clothes. What I would like to do though is 1) stop buying single pieces that will require another piece to make an outfit and instead complete the outfit by adding a basic and dress up with the great accessories that I also have lots of and, 2) wear what I do have. I am making a goal to wear every piece of clothing, shoes and accessory that I have. 

No! Not strong enough! I can't feel the commitment! I vow to wear everything I own by the end of this year. Anyone throwing an 80's Rockabilly Beach Gala themed party? Please invite me, I have an outfit I need to wear by the end of this year.

A Case of Arm Envy

Every time I see Michelle Obama in a picture or on TV I get arm envy. I covet Michelle Obama's arms... and her wardrobe (I'd say her entire closet but I have a feeling that standing at a height of 5'11" she probably wears a size 10 shoe, at least.) and maybe her life, for one day, just to see what it feels like to be The First Lady.  

But keeping it real here, what I mostly want are her arms. You see, my weight wasn't always average. I was heavier than I am now. I blame tortillas! Around the age of twenty I lost a significant amount of weight... ahhh, el amor. Weight that I have kept off - though I did have a period of weight gain 4 or 5 years ago while going through a depression, but that's a story for later. I digress. I have, for the most part, stayed within 10 pound over or under my current weight. What I haven't been able to lose since that initial weight loss are the flabby arms left behind. Certainly I could have done more to change that earlier but I guess doing moderate exercise to keep the weight off had been enough for me, up until now. I don't want my flab to chime in when I wave goodbye. I want Michelle Obama arms! I want Madonna biceps!

I read an article in a magazine, which I can't recall for the life of me right now but it was about Michelle Obama's arms. How some people think that her showing bare arms often was not very First Lady like and could be seen as inappropriate. Opinions are opinions. I think she always looks sharp and dressed fitting for the occasion. And no matter what you think of her choice of wardrobe, no one can deny that she amazing arms.

I Googled "how to get Michelle Obama's arms" and most trainers recommend working opposing muscles in the biceps, triceps and shoulder in one session. Here are some of the specific exercises: lateral raises, triceps kickbacks, bicep curls, extending the arm backwards, and bench dips which can be done using a sturdy piece of furniture. The first three done using dumbbells. You can Google the exercises to find out how to properly do them. Youtube has an ongoing list of videos on just arms.

One site claims that 21 days is all it takes to see a difference. I looked at my schedule and it looks like I'm available the next 21 days. Wide open. Nothing going on right now. All the time in world. So why not? Here is my plan: Do 20 repetitions daily of the first four exercises, and repeat: lateral raises, triceps kickbacks, bicep curls and extending the arms backwards. I'm leaving the bench dips out so as to not put so much pressure on my already sensitive wrists. And yes, I know, a "before" picture is needed. Ugh! I'm forcing myself to put up this picture. *Blog integrity Average Maria, blog integrity.* Please check back in 21 days my one follower. You know who you are.

The right arm before.

Its not used, its semi-new!

I am clearly aware that I don't need another piece of clothing or accessory. But I am a girl after all, the day I stop buying clothes is the day I am no longer able to walk to a shopping center. Thank goodness for online shopping! Now just as aware that I could pick one piece of clothing from my closet each day and could continue to do so for an entire year, I am demonstrably aware of my bank account.  Still, thinking cheap doesn't have to equal looking cheap. Doing things the cheap way means figuring out how to get those $200 Citizen on Humanity jeans for the price of a pair of Levi's.  

Now, you must look at me and wonder, how does she do it? Look like a million bucks every day... well almost every day - ok fine, sometimes! Here is my little secret: Crossroads Trading Co.  

At Crossroads you can buy recycled (for the environmentally conscious), resale, vintage or thrift (this is where we average Maria's come in) clothing and accessories. Personally I like to call it "semi-new".   
      
I was in the Pasadena store today and totally scored! My three scores for the day...

Steve Madden snakeskin pumps. Some chick with good taste and money to spare wore these once around the house to "break them in" before she realized they were one size too big and there was no need to "break them in." LOL! Retail they were $60-$90, I paid $18.50.

I didn't need another pair of jeans... good thing this is a True Religion skinny jean :) Retail about $130, I got them for $35. Who says NO to True Religion for $35 bucks? My looks may be average but I make up for it in brains. Haha! I don't think these were even washed before coming moa!

Finally and saving the best for last...

Theory slacks! With the tags!!! Need I say more? No way! Yes way! These retail for *brace yourself* $260 big ones. I made out like a bandit when I snatched these for $27.50. 

Find the Crossroads Trading Co. near you at www.crossroadstraiding.com