redtagcrazy.com

current sale alerts blog my account

Have you ever thought about all the different kinds of things people collect? Have you ever had to endure a viewing of Aunt Millie’s precious chipped china collection (along with the lengthy explanation of how Great Aunt so and so carried a tea cup across the ocean single handedly… through a hurricane… while fighting influenza…in her bare feet…)?

What motivates us to begin and continue a collection? Why does one subject or item call to us? Are we just obsessed with stuff? Or is there a deeper reason? Is collecting objects, as English Professor Kim Herzinger says, a way to “relieve a basic sense of incompletion brought on by unfulfilled childhood needs”? Say what??

Truthfully,mac makeup, I think the real reasons are rather simple; such as stress reduction and relaxation, a basic interest in a topic, knowledge and learning, nostalgia, competitive challenge, profit or investment, a special bond with the collection, personal pleasure, social interaction with other collectors, recognition by other collectors or non collectors, or simply just the desire to possess.

And while our collections are special to us, they may seem to others surprising, juvenile,cheap mac makeup, or dare I say, strange.

To help me illustrate just how vast and varied the things are that we love, I asked friends and family to share with me the collections closest to their hearts. Here is a compiled list for you to peruse…

Bottle caps, Barbies, Victorian Dolls,mac makeup wholesale, Books, Pokemon Cards, Mario Cards, Annie Memorabilia, Yu-Gi-Oh Cards, Star Wars Memorabilia, Nutcracker Memorabilia, Old Books, First Edition Books, State Spoons, Children’s Books – Nursery Rhymes and Award Literature, Pocket Knives, Guns, Movies, Watches, Flip Flops, Snow Globes, Pressed Coins, Old Crock Pots, Stamps, Fairies, Refrigerator Magnets from Visited Cities, Baseball Caps, Skeletons from Mexico, Water Pitchers, Edwardian Lawn Dresses, Antique St. Louis Crystal with Gold Etching, Ladybug Things, Spoons, Santas, Elvis Memorabilia, Foreign Currency – Coin and Paper Money, Hats and Patches from Law Enforcement Agencies, Volkswagen Memorabilia, Shot Glasses, Bookmarks With Neat Sayings, Hats, Chinese Hats, Limoge Boxes, Rocks, Teddy Bears, Sea Glass, 8-Track Tapes, Old Tonka Trucks, Eighties Movies, Sneakers, Family Pictures, Elephants, Marionettes, Finger Puppets, Napkins from Restaurants, Antiques, Stuffed Monkeys from Fairs, Frogs, Precious Moments Figurines, Antique Tea Cups and Saucers, Bells, Glass Animals, Cars, Disney Movies, Angels, Stickers, Pigs, Apples, Cookie Jars, Salt & Pepper Shakers, Jewelry Boxes, Picture Frames, Odd Lamps, Old Cameras, Turntables,

Dust, and Bills.

By now you are no doubt wondering, what is the point of this blog?! Well, I will tell you.

Although still in the beginning stages, it occurred to me that my growing array of Designer Denim has surpassed the role of mere items in my wardrobe. They have become something, oh, so much more to me. I have a special bond with them. Putting on a beautiful pair of jeans relaxes me. I have an interest in the topic of all things denim. I love learning about and becoming more knowledgeable about denim. It gives me personal pleasure to slide on a lovely pair of jeans each morning. I get a thrill out of the competitive challenge in finding them at a price affordable for me. I enjoy social interaction with other collectors and the recognition from fellow collectors and non-collectors (thank you CC girls!). When I see a beautiful pair of denim, I have the desire to possess them. And yes, they do give me a “sense of completion”, even though I seriously doubt I had very many (if any) unfulfilled childhood needs!

Ok – maybe this blog has been one huge justification to validate my growing desire for designer denim. And I can actually live with that. But, as my final justification I will leave you with this thought.

Teddy Bear collecting has a loyal following from Moms to busy professionals, according to author Patricia Twitchell. Even I briefly considered collecting teddy bears after a boyfriend gave me one as a gift (but, it didn’t work out so I ditched the idea… and the bear).

Therefore, I will give you the 8 reasons Ms. Twitchell believes people desire to collect Teddy Bears – although, I have made a few “key” changes by substituting the word “Teddy Bear” for something infinitely more Dear.

1. (Denim) satisfies the soul.

2. People who collect them had a (Paige) or (Joe’s) who encouraged them.

3. People like the feeling (Denim) gives them.

4. (Jeans) are great conversation pieces.

5. Most everyone loves cuddly (Denim).

6. (Denim) is a good investment.

7. (Jeans) make great listeners. (Alright, this may be reaching – but come on, how much of a better listener could a stuffed bear be?)

8. Its fun!

Enough said?

HAPPY DENIM SHOPPING

Here is a look at my blossoming denim collection;

Minus my new Luckys which were out being hemmed.

(And my best bud in the upper left hand corner, who wanted to be in the picture!)

Oh and, additions from Denim Day on the way :

Windsor Aristocrats, Honey Joe’s Jeans, (and a pair of rogue Sadie Straight Leg William Rast)

redtagcrazy.com

current sale alerts blog my account

And that is not a reference to the military term.

March 29, 2009

6:20am CST

You know what I’m talking about, Denim Day. It’s Spring Break here at Tulane University in New Orleans and lucky for me, my RA duties called me back to school for the second half of the break. It’s exactly 6:26 AM and I am sitting at the front desk of my dorm waiting for the minutes to go by, counting down to the start of D-Day. I don’t know how this worked out, because I chose to remain on campus for the second half of the break in August, long before I knew anything about online sample sales, before RTC had even open its doors. On top of that, I chose today’s 6am-12pm desk shift before D-Day had been announced.

Maybe I’m crazy (okay, there’s no doubt about it, who am I kidding), but this is such a momentous day. The first and last (so far) time I bought jeans on RTC was the Rich & Skinny Sweet Jeans in Trippin Wash. It was a huge crush at first sight, and I had to have it, even though I hadn’t really figured out my size yet. I was so excited to get the pair, but it wasn’t meant to be. The jeans were too tight, but I couldn’t bear to part with them, so I didn’t send them back. Instead, I tried to tell myself that I’d give them away as a nice present to a friend, but really I’m going to keep them. They are a reminder of my error, and well, what if I do lose some weight? Who am I kidding? I love food, and food loves me. Those jeans are just too pretty to give up.

6:43am CST

I’ve decided to take the plunge again today. D-Day is too special to pass up. I get paid every other Friday. It’s too bad that today is not payday. I meant to save up for D-Day, but the auto-ship time was closing in (no one can blame me for that purchase), but then a few other things came up yesterday. There was a Zlush fitted tee with ruching on the sides. It was less than $10 (alright, $10 + change with 99 cent shipping), but I kept hitting the BUY IT button and the page would not load. Was that a sign? Oh well, there were plenty left in the size and color that I wanted.

Then a new item came up, the most adorable Aude Elizabeth Cami. What with the previous buying fiasco, I didn’t hit the BUY IT button this time. Of course something else had to pop up to force me to cave in, the LinQ Short Sleeve Bare Shoulder Top. I don’t remember why, but I had passed it up once before and I didn’t want to risk doing that again.

My mother gave me some money before I left home. I’m sure she meant for it to last me through the rest of the semester, or at least a month, but I made sure to go to the bank yesterday and make a deposit since “saving up for D-Day” did not work out as planned.

7:23am CST

It had been my intention to pass the time away before the onset of D-Day by watching a movie, or some Asian tv-series drama (I just finished a Hong Kong drama called Heart of Greed II and was going to start on another one called Precious and Extraordinary). Not surprisingly I find myself too giddy for D-Day to concentrate on something like that. So to compensate, I’m blogging out my excitement, being a creepy lurker on the Chick Chat (it’s weird to me that my comments just barely outnumber my visits, but this site is always up so I hardly log out), getting completely caught up on the blogs, and trying out some of Aase’s suggestions. I have next to no exposure to non-mainstream music (the radio stations in my car are set to whoever plays the latest hits, mainstream rock/alternative, and a local New Orleans station. I do have fairly eclectic tastes when it comes to music, but don’t ask me any questions. I like most music that I hear, but I will almost never be able to identify the artist, album, or title, let alone recite lyrics. There aren’t too many songs that I can sing along to (again, don’t ask which ones those are because I don’t know),mac makeup, but I can hum along because that’s usually all I’m good for. I’m not completely useless, I promise. I do recognize when I’ve heard a song before. For instance, I am currently listening to various songs by Goldfrapp. I’ve never heard of them before, but I’ve totally heard Strict Machine before.

J

7:55am CST

I can’t believe it, but I’m actually talking on the CC.

8:17am CST

Denim Day kicks off with the Lucky Brand Jeans Sweet n Low Long Pant. Being able to see a pair on Jaime’s butt when the jeans first go up is really cool. No internet searching or waiting for a blog to go up with pictures is a major plus. These jeans look really great. In a medium wash, you can make them into an anytime of day go-to jean. Make sure you size down on these. The only thing you’d deliberate is whether to hem them to wear with flats or heels.

8:39am CST

A few people have mentioned that they are limited to only spending RTCash today. I should really start blogging more. I only have 3 up right now (if this D-Day blog goes up, then it’ll be more of course).

I haven’t sent anything I’ve bought back. Even if they aren’t perfect, I love them all. I already mentioned the R&S jeans I bought. The Aude Lolita Burnout Polo is a bit tight (especially the arms), but I figured I’d just sleep in it to stretch it out. It’s not really working, but it’s super soft and comfy, so I’ll just keep wearing it to sleep.

The LinQ Diamond Quilted Cami was unexpectedly big since all my previous LinQ purchases had been so TTS (skirts I bought a size down after hearing what others had to say). The material is uber stretchy and normally I wouldn’t mind, but the straps were too long and the cami wouldn’t cover my bra. I think I have something against returning items I’ve bought, but I washed the cami and stuck in the dryer on delicate and it came out much improved.

9:05am CST

Wow, the second pair of denim to go up is already gone. It was such a crazy sale,cheap mac makeup, only $35 for the Adriano Goldschmeid (AG) Legend Flares.

Then the cutest pair of DVB by Victoria Beckam “Audrey” Pink Signature Jeans came up. I wish I could get them, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing them. I’m 5′2, so these cropped jeans would be a skinny, cigarette on me. I’ve got a big booty so I try to not call attention to it (plus I usually have major gaping-at-the-waist issues), but I love these jeans. The black hardware is gorgeously classy!

9:26am CST

I’m listening to San Diego’s Star 94.1 radio station. Jeff and Jer are talking about Gown Town, which is an amazing idea (I moved and changed high schools senior year so I didn’t want to go to prom, but if I had,mac makeup wholesale, I would totally donate). Women (and men) donating prom dresses are describing them over the radio. So now, I’m just waiting to hear Jaime’s radio debut, as she was interviewed about RTC. (Gown Town is wonderful, but it’s 9:35am and I want to hear JP’s lovely voice)

9:51am CST

Oh no! Jaime just said that the radio station said they ran out of time. I know they were talking up a really great cause, but I only listened for RTC and Jaime. It’s okay, the time passed by quickly and the next item will come up soon.

10:28am CST

A pair of Joe’s Jeans The Socialite went up, and all hell broke loose, jk. I didn’t realize it at first, but the page needed refreshing a few times or I got behind on the CC. Then a sizing chart went up. It was really hard to keep up with CC because everybody was trying to figure out her size in these jeans before the next girl could do the same. 14 pairs have already been snatched up. I’m holding out for a pair of Joe’s myself. Question is, do I get The Honey to fit my booty, or will The Provocateur have minimal gape-age and not require hemming?

I asked on CC and it seems like I’m going to be glued to my Macbook all day. 3 people told me to go with The Honey because of no gaping + it hems well. 1 person told me that they had no trouble with gaping in The Provocateur. What if I need a nap? My desk shift ends at noon, but my alarm went off at 5:30 this morning and my desk shift before had ended at midnight. Meh…what’s a little bit of sacrifice on my part for the sake of RTC?

11:04am CST

I had just checked to see what sizes were left in the Joe’s Socialite (forgot to scroll down), everything said “gone!”
I freaked out a little thinking I’d missed the new/next item and hit refresh. There were still 2 minutes left. Of course, I wouldn’t have really missed the next item, unless it sold out that quickly.

Scratch that, the next item is the pair that’s up now is the AG Jeans Dakota Medium Wash and at a crazy sale price of $35, they were gone in no time.

After the AG comes the Aristocrat Denim Windsor Baltic Jeans. This bootcut jean looks great on Jaime. She knows it too, because she’s taking a pair home with her. Many of the other RTCrazies agree because 14 pairs were bought already in like 10 minutes!

One of my friends walked by the front desk and I just had to share with her my excitement for Denim Day. I’ve have been sitting at this desk for over 5 hours, and not once did I watch any Hong Kong drama. I was that excited for today. She asked if I’d bought anything yet: nope. She was impressed, but she still thinks I’m crazy. I had 10 hours worth of desk shifts yesterday, and all I did was watch Hong Kong tv-series.

Here’s a little tidbit about me. My obsessions or addictions, whatever you want to call them, come in waves. That’s the best way that I can describe them. I really get into a certain thing for a while. It might be for a couple weeks or a couple months, but then I cool down. Usually, it’s something I already enjoy doing, like reading fantasy, reading romance (notice that I split up the two genres), or shopping. I get into overdrive mode where I do an extra lot of it in a short period of time.

Sometimes I discover something new, like going to coffee shops to study. I’d been to coffee shops before, usually not for coffee and never for studying. Then I tried it, and for the majority of one semester that was my go-to setting if I needed to get work done. Maybe it was because I had just gotten my driver’s license and a car (I think the car came a couple days before, but I was also 20 years old), so being able to drive anywhere was a novelty to me. Whatever the reason, every time I wanted to go somewhere do some reading or study for a test, a coffee shop was the place I first thought of.