Thursday morning, 9 am: I can't believe I'm saying this, but I am really excited to go shopping with Tamika Maria Price (http://www.tamikamariaprice.com/ and http://www.alinechicago.com/ ) at Macy's! I'm never excited to shop, but I am today!
9:45 am: Driving out to meet Tamika, I realize the unfamiliar feeling in my stomach is Fear. About shopping! Silly right? Every day, I do things that frighten others. Public speaking, singing in public for hundreds? Bring it on. Bugs, spiders, wild animals - eh, no biggies. Leading groups, starting a business, parenting sons and teenagers? Tough some days, but not scary. Shopping for clothes for me? Terrifying.
Why? My fears include spending too much money; not finding what I want and wasting time; not knowing if I'm buying the right clothes or styles or colors or sizes; being frivolous, spending time and money on me instead of others.
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12:30 pm: I had nothing to fear! It was great to shop with someone who knows what she is doing! Tamika worked the sales, came with coupons, helped me find my style, knew my colors and took care of me! I have 17 awesome items plus accessories, and here is what I learned:
1. Try Multiple Sizes. I tried on 3 different sizes of clothes, depending on the type of item and the designer. Thankfully, my shopping consultant planned for this, because I would not have. And it's not just because I am a petite on the bottom, and regular sized on top, it's because each designer is just a little different. The pair of jeans I bought - I tried on 3 pair, in two different colors. I liked the indigo in one color, but the same size in a maroon was too big. Go figure.
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2. Break Your Own Rules. I operate under certain rules when it comes to clothes and shopping, and I am not even aware of those rules most days. What colors go with other colors, what shoe color or accessories go with certain items, etc. Tamika helped me examine those rules while we worked together, and stretch my comfort zone just a little.
3. Go ahead and shop once in a while. And shop multiple stores. As we walked to our second stop, Tamika asked me where I usually go to shop. I looked at her blankly, because there is no "usually go to shop". I shop when I have to, and I shop on-line with a few retailers whose sizing I can rely on, like Eddie Bauer and Coldwater Creek. The problem with that? All my clothes come from the same two stores, which gets a little predictable and boring. I will still rely on my favorites, but I will also go in person to shop at least once a season, to try stuff on and see what's available.
4. Buy a few new things every season to keep your wardrobe and style fresh. I wore an ensemble this past Sunday: my new favorite white-with-black-stripe shirt and new statement necklace with a slim black skirt, black cami and sandals I already had. A couple of new pieces updated the whole look. Looking great doesn't have to break the bank.
5. Stay focused, and shop with a list. Go with a plan and a list. You never know what you may end up with otherwise! But of course, when a really great sweater presents itself, fabulous and on sale, consider going off the list just a little, and try it on!
And for the best shopping trip ever, take Tamika with you!!!
