Sense of Self or Completely Cent-less?




Bloom Zebra Red Rose Romper w/ hat


My little niece is growing up so fast!  She is 9 months old now and brings nothing but joy and happiness into everyone's life.  But who knew babies could be so fashionable?  OMG!  There are clothes designed for children . . . BABIES . . . that cost as much as a pair of heels for me and you.  WHAT!??!  Who can possibly afford to pay those prices when children grow out of their clothes at a rapid rate?

I remember something my Mother taught me.  My sister and I would each get a certain amount of money before each school year that was ours to spend on clothes, shoes, ect. as we wanted. My sister (very independent, stubborn, and cost-efficient) would come home with 30 great outfits.  Myself, however, (very independent, stubborn and cost-efficient as long as it's not pertaining to my clothes, shoes, purses, or home decor) would come home with 10 FABULOUS outfits. 

My philosophy was (and still  is at times) "If it's on the sale rack, it's because nobody else wanted it either!"  When I was little, Mom would say, "Okay, but I'm only buying one pair of Guess jeans for you."  Remember when Guess jeans were the bomb?  LOL  I would wish I had parents who spoiled me and bought me whatever I wanted like everyone else's parents did!  Famous last words for a child.  Mom would reply "You are growing too fast.  When you stop growing, then I'll spend that kind of money on you and your clothes and shoes." However, the joke was on ME!  By the time I stopped growing, I was making my own money and bought most of my clothes.

I believe in spending, but I believe in spending consciously.  For example, I think it's impractical and silly to spend so much money on children's clothes, at any age, when they continue to grow and develop.  Not all your baby clothes need to come from Jack and Jill.  Christmas, or a baby's first birthday is a possible exception.  Not giving your children everything in the world builds character and a sense of pride.  If everything is given to you, then what can you truly appreciate and be proud of?

Likewise, when it comes to my current spending habits, I believe in being very disciplined and cost-conscious with my finances for most things I buy. I pay close attention to my spending on most things so I can spend money on the things I really want, which is typically something that will look fabulous in my closet (or going out on the weekends!).

In order to be truly fashionable, it takes time to develop your sense of style.  Style comes from trying what trends are in at any given time and what works for YOU.  Even copying someone else's style for a while is okay until you find your own natural look.  It doesn't evolve overnight.  It's not supposed to.  Personal style comes from building of your own character and then discovering your own sense of self, or maybe self-confidence. 

For me, that sense of self came in part from not always getting what I wanted as a child, but always wanting more.  "Shoot for the moon, even if you fall you will land among the stars."  If something is worth having, it's worth working for~ right Momma?  I look back and thank my parents for instilling in me and my sister a sense of "self."  It's fashion on a whole new level, perhaps even the best kind.