7 Stages of Anthro Shopper Mind Control Disorder

The Ugly Duckling Effect: 

Anthropologie Mind Control In Its Most Insidious Form

I purchased these necklaces at separate times, months apart, but they have something in common -- when I first received them, I HATED them, my husband REALLY hated them and even my cat looked at them with clear disdain. I thought they were cheap looking and of very poor quality, and they weren't even worth the sale price, and . . . (fill in the blanks with further ranting).

Saga Necklace

Providence Necklace

Well, I'm laughing now, because even though I still think they are cheap looking and not even worth the sale price, and my cat thinks they would make a better cat toy than a necklace, I've been brainwashed I wear them all the time and have gotten more compliments on these necklaces than any other necklace I've worn.

"Ack! What ARE you wearing?"
(Even my cat hates it.)

So the moral here is, before taking an item back in a huff, follow the 7 Stages of Post Online Shopping Disorientation Disorder. (See also Anthro Shopper Mind Control Disorder):

Drapey Bubbled Tee,
Saga Necklace
AT Outlet pants

Providence Necklace,
Target top,
AG Stevies

1. Rejection. Give it some time. (Leave it in the package at the top of your closet and forget about it.)
2. Rediscovery. (Oops. I thought I already returned that.)
3. Dependency. Try it on again. (You have no control over this action.) Stage 3 is one of the longest phases of this disorder. Your feelings towards the ITEM will vacillate between NO, yes, no, maybe, NO, yes, m-a-y-b-e as you try it on, and put it back in the package in a cyclical manner that is OUT OF YOUR CONTROL. (You may experience feelings of helplessness and guilt during this stage.)
4. Justification/Rationalization: Remember it when you put together an outfit that needs "something more" to lift it out of boringnessness. (Examples: You NEED this. So MANY things will go with it. You bought it ON SALE.)
5. Critical Mass. Put it on and go, "Wow Hmm, This IS kind of nice." Think about it some more. (It's Anthropologie after all, ergo it HAS to be  pretty and of the highest quality! (PUT IT ON, keep it . . . .)
6. Point of No Return. (Get it? No return. har, har) Show it to your significant other/cat/dog all styled up. (The first few times he will still hate it, but then it will gradually grow on him and he will hate it less.)
7. This leads to the final stage -- Acceptance, and the slow dawning realization that your Ugly Duckling item has INDEED become a Swan! In fact, it was a SWAN all ALONG! (Or your standards have lowered, and you, AND your friends/family have no taste.)

Note: If you never make it past stage 2, or are easily able to overcome initial stage 3 tendencies, it is time to send it back -- it is truly ugly and/or doesn't fit.

Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever tossed an online purchase to one side, while saying to yourself, "That's Going Back!" only to find that you end up loving it after all?

This Passerine Tee is SO Me

Passerine Tee, AT outlet "pants", Tom's wedges

I bought this top on sale recently despite the mediocre reviews. I put it in my wishlist from the first moment I saw it, (I love cool, flowy tops like this.) and was thus disappointed to see the armhole reviews.

Warning --There ARE armhole issues that are easily solved by:

1. Buying it on sale. (NOW, does it REALLY matter as much?)
2. Wearing a camisole (I do this anyway.)
3. Refraining from raising your arms at work, especially in front of your boss. (Who cares if someone sees your cami in a non-work setting -- flap your arms at will.)

It's now one of my favorite shirts. This is my casual work look, but I especially love wearing it with jeans. I'll have to post a "going out" look rocking the stabilizer boot soon. That's something for all my imaginary readers to look forward to, now isn't it?

Further Procrastination: Drapey Bubbled Tee Outfit

Drapey Bubbled Tee,
Providence Necklace

I've now moved from the bed to the couch. Still bored. I thought about checking out an ebook but then that would cause me to not do my work, which I'm not doing anyway, so I'll just keep playing on my computer, lucky reader. I have the whole week off, so I can just procrastinate another day.

Before, tearing my tendon, I was in pretty good shape. I ran, exercised and led an active lifestyle. Now I just sit around, watch my muscles atrophy, and eat. Here are some headless photos of what I used to look like, or rather what I hope I continue to look like sans regular exercise routine. (As I'm typing this, I'm eating a Ghiradelli Intense Dark Twilight Delight.)

I found it to be easier to get ready in the morning if I just quickly snapped a blurry shot of favorite outfits with my old Apple 3G iphone. Thus, no more (or fewer) "what did I wear with that"  or, "what in the world am I going to wear" moments as I'm frantically clawing through/throwing on clothes at the last minute.


I love shoes as you can see in the background of some of these photos. I'm pretty much limited now to tennis shoes, and knee boots when I'm in a matchy mood -- if only the stabilizer boots came with changeable colors like Timex watchbands, there would be no end to what I could put together.

I did drag myself out on my crutches to the 50% off sales room at Anthropologie this Sunday, because well, did you hear me? 50% off salesroom!!! My husband dropped me off up front, helped me pick things out, and then stood in line for me. What a saint! When I asked him if I should try things on, he told me he would just take back what didn't work. So far, there's one yuck, one maybe and the rest "works." :D P.S. Crutches are really useful when trying to look through a packed sales room -- you can pull the sympathy card, AND no one can get in "your shopping space" because you are taking up so much room with your crutches. Heh, heh.

So, did you score anything good during the sale? Does anyone else drag their poor husband out shopping on a regular basis? Anyone else have a husband as great as mine? :D

Sincerely,

V.B.