Finish that line and earn my undying respect. Thanks Barenaked Ladies for giving me irreverent songs that can match just about any mood or moment. (If you want to cheat, click here.)
I had already planned on getting new clothes for this cruise I'm heading for in a few weeks. I have a few nice items that I bought for my sister-in-law's wedding, but that was back in 2005. Yes, it's been 4 years since I bought any new clothes of any significance. I usually just buy necessities like socks and underwear if I feel forced. Don't get me wrong. I love clothes shopping if I have a goal in mind (I hate power shopping with no goal.. HATE it). But money always dictates caution, and it sometimes depressed me how very stingy I had to be. This cruise and Hub's raise were just what I needed to get me into some nicer clothing! Usually I subsist on his and my sister's hand me downs.
Thank goodness I didn't go before this though. Not much of my old clothing fits very well anymore. Between the enormous knockers, the beer gut and the ever thickening waist line and thighs*, things just don't look or feel (or really even fit at all) like they used to. Not that I'm not delighted by these changes (as is Hub - see above knocker mention). It's just that it does make things a bit tricky while you balance getting things that fit now with not spending a lot of money because you'll need even bigger things later.
All this lead up is just to say that I think I finished buying what I want for the cruise today. When I went shopping with Jen and the lovely Elizabeth, I bought desperately needed bras that wouldn't hurt my poor, swollen, reddened girls. I had also bought a few larger, longer shirts and the most adorable dress on clearance at the Gap. Don't believe me that Gap has great maternity clothes? Check out these cute things! My dress isn't on there, but it's a long sundress with dark orange flowers on it. I love it. it was definitely an extravagance for me.
Today, I rounded out the bras and think I may finally have enough to get me through a few more months. It's hard when it's all hot, sweaty weather outside. You go through them quickly. Then I headed for the always dreaded.... bathing suits. aaaargh. Bathing suit shopping is difficult and expensive enough when you are looking your slimmest. Why is it that so many manufacturers think that if you are rounded in any area that you would perhaps enjoy lots of ruffles to exentuate it??? OK, I understand. They're trying to "hide" it. However, don't you think a nice slimming line would be less conspicuous than a giant bow or flaring ruffled accents that just draw attention to the bulk? Perhaps that costs too much money. It's easy to slap some flare on there.
So I ended up spending a little more than I wanted, but finally happy that I looked stylish instead of garish. God bless Target and their Liz Lange line. If you look, I got the purple "Ikat" tankini. It's very cute, but I'm feeling a little self conscious about buying maternity stuff so soon. I'll be a little over 3 months along when I wear it, but we're going to the beach again in August, and I'll need it. Will people think I'm a freak for wearing a maternity suit at this point? I tried buying a regular one - believe me, they were cheaper, but they just looked so bad.
All this angst, and I'm ridiculously happy to have it. Even though I worry, it's so much fun to shop for this changing body. I really am ok with how it looks until the doctor winds me up.
*Please note that I am petite with approximately 2 inches of waist. I'm taking that to mean I will "pop out" earlier and more severely. Either that or that 4 pound weight gain is really doing me in just as the doctor worried it would. Hello sarcasm my friend. How I love you.