A REFLECTION....

A few weeks back, I noticed that the Anthroholic blog link was not working. It was stating the blog had been made private. Not being an Anthro-blogger, and only a casual fan of the line and site, I mentally shrugged and removed the link. Little did I know of the massive shit-storm that had struck the blogging community.

While browsing another fashion blog, the author made reference to Kim and their IRL friendship, and how devastating what Kim had done was to her personally. "WTF? Kim from Anthroholic? Fraud? How can I find out more?" Googling 'kim anthroholic scandal' unleashed a plethora of posts and reactions.

The basic gist: she had set up a "personal shopper" service through her blog, where she would purchase Anthropologie items and ship them to help individuals defray shipping costs to their countries, or by hunting out difficult-to-find items for them. For a fee. Now, this practice isn't completely unheard of in the blogging community, particularly with Anthro-bloggers. The vast majority of fashion bloggers are warm, friendly, and generous to a fault. And that's why Kim's actions caused such an uproar.

She'd pocket the money, and use whatever excuse possible to put off her clients for as long as possible. Reading the accounts of her victims, and believe me, they are indeed victims, she acts like a middle schooler who's trying to con the teacher into giving her more time to complete an assignment.

From the information I've read, I'd classify her as suffering from oniomania, or shopping addiction. Let me stress that I am not a qualified mental health expert, nor do I know Kim personally. I'm just saying, as a casual observer, if she isn't intentionally defrauding these individuals, then oniomania makes sense. I have had episodes of oniomania, which I turned to as a means of easing my depression, which could have spiraled rapidly out of control, had I not sought the help of medical professionals.

As a member of the fashion blogging community, I can't help but think that the materialism and flippant use of words like "need" and "want" can contribute to this disease, or even feeling like keeping up with the Jones'. I will make a point of being real with you readers about my spending, lusting, and manner of obtaining the items I present on here. This scandal has bothered me greatly, and I hope the best for Kim and her victims. May they recieve restitution, and may she find the help she needs.

Rainy Day Blues

Last week, we were inundated with rain. Bleck! I love laying on the porch chairs, bundled up in a throw, glass of pinot at my side, as the lightning storm rolls through. Even if it's just rain, it's beautiful to sit and watch.

However, when I'm running errands, it's not so peachy keen to dash through the puddles. I've been meaning to get a good pair of Wellies for some time now. I wanted them for some riverside research I wanted to do, and having them for a rainy day would be nice.

So, I took these pics a few days ago. I'll catch up on a few other OOTD tomorrow. I've got the day off (hooray!) to catch up on all the domestic stuff I let fall by the wayside the last two months.

First shot, my best asset. Thank goodness these pictures are smaller than on my computer. I'm packed into those pants pretty damn tightly. I've gained a needed twenty pounds in the past year, and now my pants don't fit any better than a tourniquet.

DORK. I like striking a pose, but I never remeber when the flashes go off, so I keep getting caught in these weird poses. Make ya holla fo a dolla!

Blazer: silence & noise

Top: Forever 21

Jeans: Kohl's

Shoes: WalMart

Earrings: art fair find

Ruh-Roh!

Since I started this silly little blog, I decided I should get an idea of how the bigger, badder bloggists do it. So I've been reading a ton of fashion and crafts blogs. I Am Style-ish, the (chloe) conspiracy, My Mama Made It (I like saying "momma" instead), Pepper Design, just to name a few.

Something I've noticed, while thoroughly enjoying the wit, humor, and creation of these darling blogs, is that most are married, some have children, and some proclaim their religious faith very openly and without shame.

Uh oh.

Compared to their socially acceptable values, I'm screwed. I talk about my partying, my wild-child past (erm, present, kinda), my boozing, my crazy amazing life. I've never felt an inclination to be wed. I only recently (and reluctantly) accepted the fact I'm going to be a mother. (No, I'm not preggo, but the more chubby cheeked cuties I see, the harder it is to resist.) I believe in God, but I have too many conflicts with the religious background I was raised in to feel comfortable to practice my faith. And in the Judeo-Christian community I live in, my religious and personal beliefs are very much looked down upon.

So, I guess what I'm getting at is that I'm not going to be PG or PC. I've said it before, I'm not ashamed of my life and I won't make apologies for it. Sure, right now, I feel like the oversexed, attention-seeking, rebellious, naughty younger sister in the blog-o-sphere, but what the hell?

I'll stick to what I'm good at.

Hold on tight.

It's going to be a hell of a ride!