This no-shopping break has had some unforeseen benefits, one of which has been a boost in willpower in areas not directly related to clothes--namely, food.

Anyone who has made even the most tentative of acquaintances with me knows that I have an entire mouth full of sweet teeth.  In fact, candy is how I met one of my good friends at work.  I kept stealing some from a bag near his desk, and eventually it dawned on me that I should say hello to offset the unabashed rudeness of absconding with candy every few hours.  Somehow, miraculously, that turned into a friendship.  Thank you, Nestle.

However, candy and sugar is not always good--my waistbands have given me ample evidence.  What's worse, I know I'm addicted to sweets.  I absolutely cannot resist them when they're around.  It's like they release culinary pheremones when I come into their presence. 

BUT NOT ANYMORE.  Exercising self-denial in sartorial matters has apparently seeped into my sugar problem, which is quite surprising.  My roommate baked chocolate chip cookies this evening, and I didn't even care to eat one.  They're sitting in a box on the counter, and I haven't even sneaked a crumb yet. 

Instead, here are some of the choicest fruits of my labor:

 

In my closet, there is an inordinate amount of toile and stripes--especially the latter.  This glorious image is the marriage of these two worthy prints.  Everything about this combo seemed to work.  The patterns got along swimmingly, the skirt is nice and swingy and short, and that top is so sinfully skin-tight that it tucks without a problem.  I love that shirt.  I wore it when I met St. Vincent, which has imbued it with magical properties.  The day it gets a hole is the day I die a little inside.

Right here is the last time that dress shall ever be seen (at least around me).  I'm donating it.  I've had enough of it.  It's very pretty, makes my waist disappear, and is appropriately short, but it wrinkles like crazy and has this horridly scratchy tulle underskirt that makes my skin crawl while I'm sitting at my desk.  The top underneath, however, is staying forever.  It's part of a vintage skirt-and-blouse top I bought last year, and while I rarely wear the bottom half (it's a little...snug), I find all kinds of excuses to pair the three-quarter-sleeved button down with everything.  Look at that pattern!  They're little hats!  How can you NOT adore it?

 

That palette has me drooling.  The mint, the coral-y pink, the soft gray--they're all so perfect together.  It's like they're singing in some heavenly choir.  The cardigan is a recent find from the thrift store, and I couldn't be happier with that $4 investment. 

Only 83 days left!