Ugh, yesterday was one of those painful shopping days, the kind that make you wonder if it's even worth it! I started off by trying on all my new dresses again (none of which have been officially worn yet) and finally accepting they were ALL too big already. So I packed them up with their receipts for return/exchange. I also reconsidered a pair of hot-hot-hot red patent wedge sandals; they're 4-inch platforms and the style was not right at all with the style of the dresses -- and without having the dresses, there was no reason to keep them.

So I hit the malls. Several malls, in fact. First was Target, where I returned a pair of too-big rainboots (kept the smaller ones, yay, I have rainboots), and impulse picked up a sweater and a top. Stopped in to see my girlfriend at Coach (boy, all their bags are ug-LY this season), tried on a ton of stuff at AT. Next was the Container Store where I got two storage boxes for the living room -- different styles because I couldn't decide and wanted DH's opinion. Then I went up to the outlet mall and returned one dress at my beloved AT Factory. I also had mega-coupons for the Banana Republic and Gap Outlets.

I think it was the outlet mall that was my mistake. It was crowded and crazy and nothing really quite fit right. Turns out that I am in that between-size zone; the 14s are either fitting perfectly or are turning too big, but the 12s are too small still. And the sales weren't good enough to justify picking up the 12s now so I'll be ready when they fit in a few weeks.

To make matters worse, I completely ignored all of Angie's shopping advice from this week's post and bought some things anyway. And I had buyer's remorse the whole drive home. I tried everything on again when I got home, and sure enough, almost everything is back in its bag for the next return.

And today DH and I are going to our local mall, where I have more returns to do at AT Loft and Nordstrom. It is just about the last thing I want to do! I'm so tired of things not fitting right, of having weird combos of clothes in my closet, and nothing but black pants. And with 20 more pounds left to go, and especially because my body is undergoing some rapid shape changes now that I'm doing daily yoga and other exercises, I cannot justify buying anything that isn't on deep, deep discount. Online shopping, which has always been such a pleasure for me, is impossible right now. I honestly have no idea what size I am, or what size I will be by the time the clothes arrive. I have to take two of everything into the dressing room with me. (Which did not help my frustration yesterday. Had to try on twice as much, and neither was quite right!)

On the plus side, I did get a pair of adorable mid-heel tan-and-black spectator pumps for $11 at the Naturalizer outlet, lots of desperately needed new underwear at the Jockey outlet, and a cute denim skirt at AT Factory. (Which might go back too until I can buy it for the summer at my final size, and hopefully on sale.)

Anyway. It was very annoying. And I knew you guys would understand my need to vent. Glad I got it off my chest, because I have to do it all over again today! Sheesh.