Bursting into flames

As in: I am amazed that my debit card has not burst into flames, considering how much I've been buying lately. I have discovered that almost no warm weather clothing I still own fits me.

So I have been shopping up a storm for clothes 2 - 3 sizes smaller: tankini swimsuit (Land's End separates, via their web outlet), skirts (4), dresses (6), tops (4), shorts (2 prs.), a fitted cardigan, and open-toed shoes (2 prs. - one in cream, one in black - of the same style). It's like an episode of TLC's What Not To Wear, except Stacy and Clinton are not showing up to grace with me a $5K debit card from VISA. (Boohoo!)

Happily every single item (except for one pair of Ann Taylor Loft shorts) was on sale. Hooray! As the local Sym's ads say, I'm "an educated consumer" (i.e., cheap).

And my favorite of the many dresses from DressBarn (yes, DressBarn has quite the selection of stylish summer dresses this year) all of which are insanely cheap ($25 - $35/ea. AND machine washable!) is this frock. I call it a frock because it reminds me of a 1950s/1960s sundress (whatever the correct era is) with a tightly fitted bodice/torso, and a flared short that goes POOF! like a Jackie O dress. (Actually, it's so closely fitted that a deep breath reminds me where each and every one of my ribs is located.)

You can't really tell from this photo, unless you click and eyeball the enlargement really closely, but it has a lovely drape and shape, and makes me look dainty (!) yet shapely. I am SO wearing this on date #3 with the engineer next week (covered by a demure black cardigan during the daytime for work).

Actually, date #3 was supposed to be tonight (Friday) but he called @ 4pm to cancel (lunch did not agree with him -- oops). I was reassured, however, by his desire to immediately schedule a raincheck, so we are doing the drinks - movie - dinner thing next Wednesday instead.

Hmmm...maybe I can parlay this into a 2-part date: drinks & movie on Wed., and dinner on Friday, since we are both old f*rts who prefer to wind down at 10pm -- not SIT down to dinner at 10. Hmmmm...

There are many more things I am pondering about this whole situation with Mr. Entertaining Engineer, but for the moment, I am too pooped yo babble forth coherently -- had a lovely dinner at Bouchon Cafe tonight with my cousin and some yummy cabernet & thanks to the magic of summer Fridays in NYC when everyone leaves town, we had NO WAIT to be seated and enjoy the gorgeous view over Central Park -- so I will pontificate in more detail later this weekend.