My daughter has a real talent for creating fake laundry. She looks at something, thinks about wearing it, and then leaves it on the floor for a while until she puts it in the hamper and I wash it.  (I don't wash anything that isn't put in the hamper.)  When I fold the clean laundry and wonder why I haven't seen most of these items of clothing on her since I last washed them, I start to seethe.  But usually she's not home to hear me rant, because she's gone to school already.  shopping-girl

I stopped at a nearby outlet shop recently to pick up a couple of pairs of sweatpants for her.  She is now taller than me and outgrowing all her pants. I told her she could pick two pairs. She picked out one black pair and one of a very pretty "sea green" color. Then she wanted tops.  I told her that we were only there for pants. So we paid and went home, and she got busy planning outfits since there is a "no uniform day" coming up at school. Then she said, "I have no shirts to match these green pants."

Naturally that set me off on a lecture on frugal wardrobes: "When you buy clothes, you think about what you already have that would match the new things. You don't buy a new thing that matches NOTHING you have and then expect more clothes."

Her answer: "What fun is THAT?"

I guess she's got a point there.

COUPON TIME

If you'd rather shop for fashions online than spend the afternoon on the mall, I'm with you!  Start--and finish--your shopping with these great deals.

$20 off online orders over $100 at Armani Exchange
Use promo code AX20ONLINE.
Valid through: February 15, 2009
Cannot be combined with any other discount or applied to past orders. Cannot be used towards the purchase Gift Cards.

30% off all products at Justice
Use coupon code 771.
Valid through: February 9, 2009
Not valid on electronics, music, media or gift cards.

$10 off a purchase of $60 or more at Fashion Bug
Valid online only. Use this link to get the coupon code and view terms of the offer.
Valid through: February 9, 2009 11:59pm PT

$20 off a purchase of $100 or more at Fashion Bug
Valid online only. Use this link to get the coupon code and view terms of the offer.
Valid through: February 9, 2009 11:59pm PT

$10 off orders of $40 or more at Classic Closeouts
Enter code CJEAN at checkout.
Valid through: March 15, 2009

$7.50 off 3 select Lands' End Women's Tees, Polos or Turtles
Plus $2.50 more off each additional top
Use this link to view eligible items.
Discount will appear in your shopping bag.
Valid through: March 31, 2009

VISA USERS GET:
20% off one item at Jos. A. Bank
In the Coupon Code section of your shopping cart enter code VST99.
Valid through: February 28, 2009