A friend of mine from high school opened up this question to me. Let’s see if we can help her out:

“I am starting my first “big girl” job in about a week and a half. As a young professional who doesn’t have much money starting before my first paycheck, where the heck can young women get nice, quality clothes for a relatively reasonable price?”

Simple enough question it seems. But I realized I couldn’t really help her out. I’m struggling with this issue myself. I’m tired of running to Old Navy every weekend like it’s the only store that exists simply because it fits my budget.  She continues: 

“I mean, I shop the sales and keep my email updates about what is happening at my favorite stores and love it when I can find 20 dollar pants at the Gap, but that takes lots of time and effort to search sale racks, attempt to get to a store when there might be sales going on, etc. ”

Yeah, it’s hard work to catch a bargain these days. I keep my e-mail inbox flooded with those “$15 off a $50 purchase” offers, but I never make it to the mall because it expires. Which brings about her last point:

“For people who are busy, how can you add shopping for reasonably priced clothes into the mix, especially when you are beyond the Old Navy age but not quite the Ann Taylor?  So to add this to the young mom – when do they have time for this if there are kids to take care of, deadlines at work, and meals to make?”

Your thoughts?

Where do you shop? How much do your pants usually cost? Can you buy a whole outfit for less than $100? What’s your limit when buying clothes?

And be real: do you look nice at work but during the weekend (your casual time) do you look as put together? Where do you shop to buy nice casual clothes?

Okay, no clever blog posts today.

*collective groan from the masses*

I know, I know, you look forward to my witty commentary as a way to help you escape from the pressures of motherhood and I apologize for not being able to serve you.

Today, however, is about what YOU can do for ME.

See, we are T-minus 5 days until Christmas. And I have no gift for my husband.

It’s not my fault, however, because I’ve been looking for his gift since September. It’s his fault. Need proof? Here you go:

• He has no hobbies. Except for basketball, but all you need for that is a basketball (which he already has) and some casual clothes (which he already has).
• He doesn’t watch TV except for SportsCenter or a game. All his favorite movies he already owns.
• He doesn’t care about fancy things, like cashmere sweaters, tailor-made jackets, cologne, shaving cream/aftershave, razors, anything. It would be a waste of money.
• Doesn’t like to read.
• Has enough formal clothes.
• Likes the Lakers, but already has all the Lakers gear we can fit into this apartment. Besides, that’s too much of a fallback gift.  
• Anything he needs/wants he buys it himself.  

So I’m stuck with out a gift for him. And I’m staring at his pile of presents for me, one of which is the size of a dishwasher. No lie.

I need some creative ideas, people. And fast. So if you could help me out, I will repay you. I’m not sure how, but I’ll set aside an I.O.U with your name on it.