January 28th, 2009 | by Elizabeth Amber |
So Many Clothes, So Little To Wear
There’s a smarter way to shop for clothes than the way I’ve shopped all my life. This, I discovered when my best friend (BF) came over recently to help me go through my closet and come up with some “outfits.” I have plenty of clothes, it seems, but few outfits. Why? Because I buy clothes on impulse. 
On the other hand, BF is very disciplined. She’ll try on something in a store that looks great on her, and I’ll urge her to buy it. She’ll often refuse, saying, “I don’t have anything to go with it.” My response has always been bafflement. “Who cares? You’ll find something.”
So BF came over that afternoon, and like a fashion drill sergeant, she ordered me to hang my clothes in color groups. Then we mixed and matched. When we managed to put together an “outfit,” she took a photo of me wearing it, so it would be easy to remember. Along the way, I realized how many pieces of clothing I have that are lovely, but that I haven’t worn because they don’t go with anything else I have. That has always frustrated me.
By the time BF left, I had six outfits. And a shopping list. She told me to get a long, narrow, red scarf; high, chunky-heeled black shoes; a black belt; and a red camisole. “Yes sir!” I replied. I’ve gotten three of the four. (Red camisoles of the right length and decoration are hard to find.)
I’m not saying I’ll never impulse-buy again, but I’ll be doing less of it. I really learned something about shopping from my best friend that day:
1. The RIGHT accessories go a long way.
2. Buy smart—buy things that go together.
If you’ve felt the same frustration when trying to put your clothes together, invite a willing friend over to do this. It’s fun and worthwhile!
CONTEST:
My new release, Dominic, The Lords of Satyr pubs in March and I’ll offer a copy of it in next month’s blog. This month, I’m offering an autographed copy of the first book in the satyr series, Nicholas, The Lords of Satyr, since I have extras. Next Wednesday (Feb. 4th), I’ll have someone randomly select a winner from among those who leave a comment here. Good luck, and thanks for visiting the Aphrodisia Authors’ blog!
~ Elizabeth Amber
Elizabeth, that outfit looks great! And so put together. Awesome! I’m probably still a bit fashionably challenged. My idea of dressing nice (besides conferences) is jeans and a nice shirt. Hmm I need to work on this.
by Shelli Stevens · January 28th, 2009 at 12:24 amElizabeth, I’m terribly fashion challenged–I probably could use the grown-up equivalent of Garanimals
by Fedora · January 28th, 2009 at 2:36 amI’m more like you than your BF. My wardrobe is also limited with items that don’t mix and match. My problem is not impulse shopping but bargain shopping, the deeper the cut on my find the happier I am. I rarely buy anything at full price.
by Sue A. · January 28th, 2009 at 2:37 amYour BF did a great job. The outfit looks really good. For my clothes if it doesn’t go with jeans then I probably don’t need it.
On a side note Dominic doesn’t look like he needs any help at all.
by Brandy W · January 28th, 2009 at 2:58 pmThe outfit looks great. I’m usually pretty disciplined when shopping for clothes. I try not to buy things when it’s full price and wait for a markdown.
by Jane · January 28th, 2009 at 6:47 pmHey Fedora, I love Garanimals. They should have them for adults. Since I don’t work in an office, I just wear jeans or Old Navy stuff to write every day. All my ‘convention’ and ‘editor meeting’ clothes don’t get out of the closet much. Maybe now that I have a few outfits put together, at least some will.
Sue, I do the same. But sometimes that’s part of my problem. I’ll see something cute that fits well and the price is slashed. I’m sucked into buying, but then I don’t wear it because it doesn’t go with anything. Now I try not to buy, even if something’s really marked down–not unless it goes with my other stuff.
Brandy, yeah! Anything goes well with some nice guy-muscles. Glad they didn’t cover up my cover guy.
Jane, I’m working toward being the kind of shopper you are, girl!
by Elizabeth Amber · January 28th, 2009 at 8:09 pmThanks, Shelli. Believe it or not, that outfit was all different pieces I’d never put together before. It was fun to see it all work!
by Elizabeth Amber · January 28th, 2009 at 8:11 pmFashion choices are tough thats why I always wear a suit as my armour. Oh what a great friend but I so want to see those boots! Lol.
by daniel · January 28th, 2009 at 8:26 pmYour outfit looks great!
by Eimy · January 28th, 2009 at 8:31 pmI don’t really like shopping for clothes. When I do it’s always impulse buys and bargains, so hardly anything in my closet match.
my closet is so like that so many cothes in it and not a thing to wear its a mess in there.
by stacey smith · January 29th, 2009 at 12:01 amdo not no much about your books but willing to get to know them.
from stacey smith
Can I borrow your BF? My closet is in sad sad shape. Doesn’t help that I despise shopping for myself. Nothing fits.
Unlike books where all seem to fit my tastes! I read the excerpt over at your Yahoo group. Very intruging! I was engrossed and it was just 17 pages! Sounds Great!!
by Lynda · January 29th, 2009 at 12:29 amFortunately for me I’ve lost an entire closet of clothes due to a years worth of dieting so, really have nothing to wear except two pairs of jeans and a few t-shirts. So send BF over so she can help me buy new stuff – I’m fashion challenged. *LOL*
Read the new excerpt and I’m hooked – dang 24 more days until I can get my hands on it.
by Ja'niece · January 31st, 2009 at 3:08 pmWe’re supposed to buy accessories?
by Ames · February 1st, 2009 at 10:19 amI wish I have BF like yours. BTW, it’s a great outfit you have.
I always have problem putting the cloths together. I think it is great but the reaction I got suggest otherwise. So I play it safe by going with the suit.
by May B. · February 1st, 2009 at 10:51 amI really tried to concentrate on your nice outfit, but Dominic’s birthday suit kept pulling my eyes to him. I think both outfits are very well done. And Dominic has a great a…….ccesory!
by kaisquared · February 2nd, 2009 at 11:03 pmWell I do work in an office all day long but we are business casual. People make fun of me because I have no color in my wardrobe. I buy a lot of black pieces (tops and skirts/pants) because then they are all interchangable.
by Renee · February 2nd, 2009 at 11:18 pmDaniel, your use of the word armor is apt. Clothing is often armor, isn’t it.
Eimy and Stacey, you’re exactly like me. Having my BF straighten me out gave me more of a sense of control over my closet though.
Lynda, that’s another issue. I tend to vary 10 to 15 lbs year in and year out. Makes it tough to mix and match when things don’t fit.
Ja’niece, I’m totally jealous! I’m always trying to lose 10 lbs. My BF is about 30 lbs over her ideal weight, but she has decided to accept that and move on with her life. I kind of admire her attitude. She just says, yeah, I’m 30 lbs overweight, so what? I’m not unhealthy.
Hi Ames, I’m with you! But those accessories made a surprising difference. A few dollars bought 4 things that enabled me to wear clothes I couldn’t before because I didn’t have the right shoes or whatever. I love accessories, but don’t buy them very often because they seem an unnecessary expense, don’t they? I think it’s because they don’t cover much of me.
May, I usually play it safe too, but am trying to stretch my limits and wear things that are fun but not embarrassing. Sometimes it’s hard to tell. That’s what BFs are for, right? Honesty.
Hi Kai and Renee, thanks to you both for coming by after the Writerspace chat tonight! Yeah to the Dominic B-day suit, Kai! And Renee, I have sooo much black in my wardrobe. I love it.
by Elizabeth Amber · February 3rd, 2009 at 12:58 amCongrats on the latest book! And yeah, I’m gonna have to agree that Dominic rather steals the show… and the sheets apparently
by Jessa Slade · February 4th, 2009 at 6:31 pmI can’t wait to read Dominic! I love your books!
I’m horrible with clothes. I hate shopping for them. I do have a wonderful husband, who is very picky about clothes. When it comes to clothes shopping I make him go with me to let me know what looks good on me and what doesn’t. The great thing is he usually buys me some beautiful jewerly to go with my outfits.
Personally I’m happy in shorts or sweats.
by Lisa F. · February 4th, 2009 at 7:51 pmHi Elizabeth,
Haven’t spent most of my adult life getting an education and furthering it
, my wardrobe is stuck in those college years. It doesn’t help that I now work with kids so not much reason for me to be in a suit or look that well put together unless I have to go to a adults only meeting. 
Living on an island whose average temperature is in the 80s and by Hawaiiantime… they mean “slow… laid back time), suits aren’t a real norm here.
So I’m not even sure if my bfs would even know how to put together something so smart. You are just lucky that yours does.
Can’t wait for more of your books! Happy writing!
Mahalo for the many hours of reading fun and pleasure!
by Jay/Huly · February 4th, 2009 at 9:52 pmI love your Satyr Men! I can’t wait for Dominic to be released!
by Krystal · February 5th, 2009 at 1:50 amHi Jessa! I agree. With a body like his who needs clothes, right?
Thanks so much, Lisa. Wow, a husband who likes to shop. You are soooo lucky!
Hi Jay. We just friended on MySpace, right? Thanks for tipping me off about Blood Ties. I ordered it from Netflix. That guy is a hottie and a half!
Thanks, Krystal! You’re a sweetie. Good to see you here, girl!
~ Elizabeth A
by Elizabeth Amber · February 5th, 2009 at 2:17 amCongratulations, Brandy W. I made my husband stay up late to randomly choose a winner. He scrolled, pointed, and grunted. To your name! Please email me with your snailmail addy and I’ll send an autographed copy of DOMINIC your way asap. elizabethamber1@aol.com
And thanks very much to everyone else who visited our blog and commented. I’m giving away more DOMINICs on my e-newsetter at
by Elizabeth Amber · February 5th, 2009 at 2:20 amhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/ElizabethAmber/
Aloha Elizabeth,
And yes, we just friended on myspace.
Thanks again by the way!
Oh, yes, Kyle Schmid is one hottie. I just have to remember… as almost 500 year old vamp Henry Fitzroy it’s okay to drool over him.
My friend who’s much closer to him in age can drool over the 25 year old actor (who could potentially be my son, if I had been very precocious). 
Enjoy watching the series!
Mahalo again! And should you ever head in this direction, be sure to let your Hawaii fans know.
by Jay/Huly · February 5th, 2009 at 3:30 am