Renovation Week Begins

I've been wanting to get social again for a long time, but the thing holding me back was my wardrobe. I've been really fucking tired of my clothes for a long time, long enough now that they themselves are looking tired, too. I just haven't really had the money to go shopping -- it's hard to go out and spend $40 or $50, get one thing, and go "well, that's this month's mad money budget blown", and you know you're barely making rent.

The last couple of years, spent way underemployed after a series of questionable judgments by yours truly, resulted in most months being pretty hand-to-mouth. "Extra money" was one of those things of myths, like unicorns, flying pigs, and good government.

Now, though, things are finally easing up. The new problem? Losing weight. Not gonna invest in clothes that'll become so emotionally valuable to me that I stop losing weight so they don't start looking frumpy. No way, man. Instead, I have discovered something I've not done since college years: The almighty Value Village!

Th king of thrift stores -- a privately owned chain of thrift brilliance. This weekend I paid them a visit and gave myself the $40 I can afford to spend (after buying a couple used DVDs, new undies, and new bras, which I bought from a fancy department store, of course, new) on new clothes. What'd I get from VV? Cute new tan-and-cream pinstripe straight-leg trousers, a great cream structured chenille mock-turtleneck sweater, and a very academic looking 3/4-length hooded duffle-type caramel-coloured coat. Total? $37.09. (No signs of wear or stains or snagging on any of the clothes, like they're frickin' new! $9.99 on each the sweater and pants, and $14.99 on the heavy winter coat that makes me wanna take a long walk on a snowy night!)

Next week? The half-off-everything sale. I already have a sale-beating strategy that I'm keeping to myself, but I'm aiming to spend $100 or more, which, if I'm lucky, will yield a very sophisticated and sleek new me. Someone I've felt like for a while on the inside, and really resent not matching on the outside.

Now, if you're one of those "it's what's inside that counts" rainbows-and-kittens rose-coloured glasses types, let me say this: Great notion, unlikely in reality. Yeah, you have to love what's inside, but there's so much to gain from loving how you look, and not feeling like your image is some kind of rebellious statement you have to feel all defensive about. Feeling defensive is no way to life. Love how ya look, do it the way you wanna, and if you feel great, then that's what it's about -- not about fitting in with the fashion cogs of the world. But you have to be able to work it, you know? And I haven't been working it for a while now. Starting to... but haven't been.

I'm also buying two pairs of shoes, which I'll shop for after I get a new wardrobe. And I'm going to give myself caramel/red highlights. It's the makeover-myself week I've deserved for a long, long time. I have great taste... I've just been broke off my ass and all my once-nice clothes are showing their age. It's hard to feel like hanging out with people or meeting new people when you're not happy with your exterior. It's not cool.

And I'm SO cool. I've just been hiding it or something. My hair's cute and textured short, boyish looking right now, and I'm losing the weight (18 lbs last weigh-in, and I'll weigh myself next weekend again... expecting a good week there) and getting energy back again, so... it's time. I figure for about $300 to $350, I'll have a whole new me. It'll be great. (Including cute new workout clothes and sneakers, is the plan. And yes, "new" workout clothes. Used clothes are one thing, but used "get sweaty time after time" clothes? Icky!)

Yesterday was an awesome day. I did the shopping thing, got the clothes, got new bras I've needed for a long, long time (which is a posting in itself; another time!) and panties, and the first real winter coat I've had in about three years or so. And I did a great hike, some photography, a nice breakfast out, a visit with a friend, shopped the public market, and put about 85 kilometres on my scooter. Who says you can't have a full day being single and alone? Excellent day. This feeling like my "old" self thing is really working well. And being single's finally getting fun again. It's a beautiful thing.