Theory Lite and Why Nicolas Ghesquiere Is My Prozac

My new job starts on Monday and therefore, it was deemed (by me) that a new outfit was in order.* Intermix** doesn't have a whole lot of fall stuff in yet, I've already scoured the Co-Op, and a Theory suit from a recent NM catalog (skinny pant, silver toggle closure on the jacket) caught my eye. So during the afternoon's rainy spell, I headed out.

15 Theory items (plus a few DVFs and Torys) in the dressing room; 15 times I thought to myself, "So not original. And so overpriced." I tried on a shirt with ruched sides, which was cute, but so not worth $195. Then I thought "waitaminute...I know where I can get this stuff..." and I headed 5 doors down to Ann Taylor.

I'm kind of anti-AT, as a lot of people tend to wear it head to toe, and you can spot it a mile away. But I found an near exact replica of a Theory outfit I tried on, albeit a little lower on the quality side, but for $140 as opposed to $400.

I think the Theory designers moonlight at AT--kind of like when Marc Jacobs designs for himself, LV and his bridge line. But without the killer ad campaign. And Sofia Coppola.

So back to my genius purchase: the other upside (besides huge savings) is that is certainly going to help me with the other VERY BAD thing I did today...

I put myself on my very first wait list.

For a bag.

By Balenciaga.

(in black).

I typically allow myself one fabulous item per season, although this is pushing it. It was going to be my Henry Beguelins, but it looks like they're nowhere to be found--the HB stores only carry them in brown (Relish had them in black alligator-embossed, just not in my size), and if they're not the black gator ones (which makes them look completely badass), I just don't think they're worth the investment.

(They're at the top. Agree?)

So back to my bag. Justification (as I can, in fact, justify just about anything given enough time and/or desperation):
1.) it's frigging FABULOUS.
2.) It's a dressy bag which I'm pretty sure I'll be able to use for the rest of my life.
3.) It has a big B on it--it's as if it was destiny.
4.) Daphne, my saleswoman at Balenciaga in NYC, is GREAT. I had to call HB 4 times just to get them to email me a picture of the shoes, whereas Daphne could not have been more perfect.
5.) See depression asterisk below. Sometimes you just need a little something to get you over the hump. And this was a pretty humpy hump (and not in a good way).

I haven't quite broken it to my husband yet that I'm at the very top of the waitlist, which means it's probably going to be a go.

So, my love, if you're reading this, I love you. And that color looks great on you. It just couldn't make your eyes any bluer. And I was thinking, would you like me to make breakfast tomorrow? And I told you that I love you, yes?

Daphne at Balenciaga, 542 West 22nd Street, NYC; 212.206.0872

*I've also been through a fairly depressive patch lately--I think because of leaving my job after so long, which is just weird, plus the stress of starting a new one, and, more than anything else, I've just had some rough patches ever since I had my boy--kind of like an ongoing post-partum cycle. Tom Cruise knows nothing of which he speaks, that crazy rat bastard. Anyway, this one was not a very fun one. So if I haven't spoken to you in a few weeks, I'm sorry--I'm coming out now.

**God bless their discount card, which expires in September--talk about a depressive spell if I don't get renewed!!!