This is Suitcase in the foreground looking out of his favorite window in our house. It's the largest one in the living room that doesn't get opened quite often because it's so big and faces the neighbor's house side directly and looks into any open windows they may have open. Lately though, I've noticed our new neighbors have a new little cat that is seems to only get one window to peer outside from, so this little cat stares out all day with the widest, concerned blue eyes I've ever seen. This little cat is terrified of any movement, probably because it's still getting used to the new house smells and sounds and people outside. Now, I've been trying to get Suitcase to notice this little cat for a while now just because I know Suitcase will probably think this new cat is for him. My Suitcase is an alpha, he believes that anything inside the house is his, and anything outside the house is infringing on his territory. His favorite thing to do is sit in one of the half a dozen windows open for him at a time and just observe his quiet neighborhood with occasional people walking. Finally, after weeks of trying to make him see this new cat, he saw it yesterday and it was this beautiful little cat moment where these two kitties who are never going to meet finally saw each other. 

Why am I telling you this instead of talking about something about clothes and sales and shoes? Because these private moments at home are more valuable to me these days than what used to be the thrill of the sale hunt. We're gearing up for another Black Friday and Cyber Monday shit show and I can see the promos pile up in my Inbox, all calling for my attention with discounts and the promise of a stylish me. All I feel now when I see promos like that is just a pit of nervousness in my stomach because it makes me remember the 15 years of debt that I got myself into with credit cards. I was in deep, about five figures, which in some parts of the U.S. almost buys you a house. It took sweat, blood, and so many tears to get out of it and now I just couldn't give a fuck about shopping like I used to.

I want young people growing up and starting their careers to know that you don't have to have the most designer-y pieces ever to be a confident up-and-comer in your workplace. You shop smart for specific things and know your style. Recycle your clothes, sell what you can, donate what you can. Instead of paying attention to promos and sales, focus on your people skills. Your life isn't going to change with that new top/jacket/purse/pair of boots, so just unplug.

If you read this far and are rolling your eyes, well let me tell you there is a literal sea of other blogs you can go to for gift guides, the same "candid" pose down the street with the blogger adjusting their glasses in such a way, and a real tone-deaf recommendation to "invest' in clothing and shoes. Thanks for stopping by!