Sorry I haven't posted for a couple of days but I have had the most horrendous migraine.
I have come to a decision and it has been very difficult because I know how much time and trouble and support you have all given me. I looked at the posts and the responses left it pretty much even on both sides so I guess I get the casting vote.
As much as I do not want to let you down I have decided I will allow myself ebay swaps.
There are three reasons and thanks to Heather for pointing it out.
1. My original intention was to spend less money. In June I lost a quarter of my income when a newspaper I worked for slashed its freelance bill overnight (thanks Trinity Mirror!). I am good with money but I had frittered a lot away on anything that caught my eye. I figured that I could use the financial loss as a blessing. I could stop buying clothes which more or less plugged that gap and at least I would have more time with my children.
2. The title of my blog is workthatwardrobe which means it is payback time. It is time for my wardrobe to look after me. I can use the items in whatever way I wish. If that means ebaying/swapping them then so be it.
3. A confession. I have more than a quarter of my wardrobe that doesn't fit. Before I had my kids I was a size UK 8-10 (US 4-6). After four kids I was left with the baggy body of a size 12-14 (US 8-10). When my youngest started nursery I decided to get rid of the flab.
I am only 5ft and half an inch and every pound counts. By June 2004 I lost 20 pounds and got back to my original size. But then I couldn't stop. By mid 2005 I was under 8 stone and a UK size 6-8 (US 2-4). I was eating three meals a day but they were tiny and my three times a week 3-mile jog had increased to 10 miles - before breakfast. I was obsessed.
I had never been thin in my life. And here I was 39 and in the best physical shape ever. But at what price?
I hated going out. I denied myself anything other than food that had a purpose. I wasn't much fun.
I got my fun by shopping. How wonderful to walk in a store at sale time and pick up all those fantastic bargains that were still left on the shelf because they were too small for mere mortals. Pathetic huh?
Then in September 2005 when my husband and I returned home from La Manga in Spain where we had enjoyed a holiday to celebrate his 40th birthday everything changed. In the early hours of the following morning my youngest son started to have an asthama attack.
I took him to one hospital and then had to take him to another. He was kept in for a few days and I stayed with him. I couldn't run. I couldn't find my vital food. I just had to eat whatever was there and be with my son. That was the most important thing.
By the time we had got home I was exhausted. I forgot to leave the alarm clock on for the early morning runs and ate normal meals. Three years on I am a UK size 10. About right for my height. I run whenever I can but never more than 3 miles now. I could probably do with losing a couple more pounds off my hips but then my bigger hips make my waist look smaller.
What I am trying to say is I have lots of clothes that no longer fit and quite frankly I don't want to fit into anymore. The price is too high to pay.
So if you forgive me I am ebaying them. I am working my wardrobe but I will not spend a penny on clothes for the next 299 days.
I wore this outfit on Wednesday when I worked in the prison.
Gap Jeans
Shirt, local shop
Vest, Oasis
Jacket, dyed peach French Connection
Cowboy Boots, Dorothy Perkins
Bag Sainsbury's
Necklace, Virgin Vie
