A very good friend of mine, Christie, has begun a blog to journal her goals and adventures over the course of the year. She has made this year a dedication to healthier and more environmentally and community consciousness. Her first goal is a 28 day health detox that she is working through, but I think the most interesting (and difficult) is her decision not to shop for the entirety of 2012. She and her husband, Evan, are allowed to buy hygiene items, food and entertainment (such as going to the movies) but nothing frivolous (clothes, purses, general junk). They each have 3 strikes should something come up and 3 gifts for their birthdays, anniversary & holiday. It is a way for them to focus on the things that they already have in their lives and recognize that there is a difference between want & need. While I fully support Christie in her efforts, I will 100% admit that this is a challenge I would probably not succeed at accomplishing. I will, however, enjoy reading about it as she takes it on.

For years I have been lamenting the lack of petites sizing in designer jeans. I have been buying jeans and having to have a foot chopped off the bottom and the knee taken in because my knee is where all the tall people keep their thighs. It’s been frustrating. But yesterday I was out shopping and I discovered that – GASP! – Sevens, Citizens of Humanity, Joe’s and AG have all designed petite lengths in their jeans. It’s amazing. Of course I bought 2 pairs. Inspired by my purchase, I headed into Ann Taylor LOFT and found a few pairs of pants in petites that DON’T EVEN NEED HEMMING! Miracle of miracles! This may be a first for me. Pants that didn’t require a trip to the alterations place! Hallelujah! It’s all pretty thrilling stuff.

So I just wanted to put it out there that someone has been listening to my denim prayers and even though Ann Taylor LOFT has had petites for awhile, this was my first venture and I liked it a lot.

There must be some good juju out there because I’ve had a string of good luck the past few days, not the least of which is jeans for a shorty like me!

*Disclaimer: I still had to hem the jeans, but only by an inch or so, and I didn’t have to recreate a knee where there wasn’t one.

So yesterday was a pretty lazy day. My main event was walking 20 blocks carrying a large laundry basket that I had to return to the Container Store. (It wouldn’t fit in my closet, so I needed a smaller one.) When I arrived, I couldn’t help but pick up 4 additional baskets when I purchased my new laundry basket… So instead of breaking even, I owed $10 more. I have a minor obsession with organizational objects, specifically, baskets. (Though I am obsessed with the elfa system, and if I could, I would get the whole damn thing.) Upon finishing my transaction I contentedly carried my new laundry basket back to my apartment and was pleased to find that it fit perfectly in my closet. Laundry day is going to work out just fine.

In three short weeks I’m moving to New York. I’m from Atlanta, and I have a feeling that the cold weather is going to be a shock to my super southern system. After securing an apartment (that’s a whole other story) I’ll soon begin my travels and job hunt in the big city. I’ve never fallen in love with New York the way some people seem to… I had an internship there a year and a half ago, and three months seemed good enough. Yet, here we go again. I’m approaching this adventure with optimistic skepticism. Welcome to my chronicle. Cue the music.