Shopping without Emma!

For the new job at Silverado I had to go buy some new jeans, shoes and a belt. They specifically wanted me to have dark indigo wash jeans, all black "athletic" shoes, and a black leather belt with a silver buckle. Sounds pretty easy right? Not so much. It took me about 2 and a half hours to find exactly what I needed. I can't even imagine what it would have been like had I taken Emma with me. She's generally pretty good in malls, but only for about an hour before she wants out of that stroller. Not having to fit the stroller into dressing rooms was fabulous as well. I first looked in New York & Company for some jeans. The prices seemed lower than normal so I gave a couple pairs a try. Apparently they like to run small on their sizes. I tried on a size 6 short, which is my normal size just about everywhere. I'm even a 4 in some places. These jeans "fit," in the sense that I got them all the way up, and could button and zip them, but not without sucking in my gut to the point of breathlessness. Once I had them completely up, I let my gut out, and by golly was that an awful sight! I'm talking one GIANT roll hanging over the edge of the pants. It was incredibly uncomfortable. On to the next store I went! I found myself in Forever 21, feeling rather out of place. I'm not the clubbing type, nor do I really have the body for the clothing- thanks Emma! Much to my surprise I found a pair of jeans that fit pretty well in the correct wash. They are a bit too long but fold nicely under. They were only $12.50 so I bought two pairs. That was a relief. I felt like I was getting somewhere. With jeans out of the way, I was in search for shoes and a belt. I saw Lady Foot Locker and thought I'd give it a shot since it was right there. Sketchers was right next door, and I find myself wishing I had gone there first because their prices are probably better. Oh well. I bought a pair of entirely black Chuck Taylors for $44.99. Hey, they're technically "athletic," right? I won't return them no matter what my new empoyers say. That's the best I could find for what I could afford. I hate that I have to buy all these things before I'm getting paid. I understand *why* but I still wish I didn't have to. My credit card didn't appreciate it. With shoes taken care of, I remembered my mom telling me that New York & Company was having a belt sale. As much as I didn't want to go back to the store that made me feel like I'd gone up 2 sizes without realizing it, I went back. I grabbed the first belt I saw that matched the criteria, and it also happened to be the least expensive of the bunch, coming in at $16.95 before the 30% off. I grabbed it and got the heck out of the mall - well, after I stopped at Auntie Anne's, of course! When I checked my receits at home, I noticed they charged me $19.95 before the 30% off, which made me a little mad, but it's not worth going back because the mall is a good 25 minute drive from here.

I tried on my little ensamble when I arrived home, and it all works pretty well together. Silverado will be supplying me with a white button down shirt (which must be pressed and cleaned before each shift - professionally!) as well as an ugly south western style mini vest. Whoopdeedoo. I'll look like a fool, but I'm getting $10/hr for it, so what gives.