Clothes that fit

Losing a significant amount of weight is a blessing and a curse. It's great because you love the new you, and you look fantastic. But it's awful trying to find clothes that fit.

For years, I HATED to shop. Hated it.

It wasn't so much that I was unhappy with myself physically. Or couldn't afford to go. It just seemed like nothing fit right. Pants would fit in the hips but be a mile too big in the waist. Or they'd fit the waist and be hella tight around my thighs. Shirts would be too long. Or the shoulders would be too narrow. The shoes would hurt my feet. And to exacerbate that, no one (not even supermodels) look good under those fluorescent dressing room lights. It would look so good on the rack, but make me look like a clown, or a kid playing dress up.

Shopping was a torture, even after I lost 20 pounds a few years ago.

But then, I found Ann Taylor Loft. This is going to read a lot like an ad, and I'm sorry about that. But I just love this store. Every single thing in there is cut for my body type. Everything. I can just pick up something in my size and know that it fits without even trying it on. It's expensive, but it's made well and doesn't fall apart in the washing machine.

The last two times I went they were having an amazing promotion ... for every $50 you spend, you get TWO $25 off cards, to be redeemed at a later date. So when I went this weekend, I had six of those bad boys to use. I wound up getting $150 off my order, and let me tell you, I cleaned up — two new pairs of dress pants, a black wrap dress, three skinny belts, four new tops, a green print skirt, two necklaces and ANOTHER coupon, this one for 20 percent off my total order on my next visit.

So after I get my hair and nails done this week, I'm going to be good to go for my new job. My first day is Oct. 20, and even though my new boss will be out that day, I'm going to be meeting a lot of the school administrators and staff. Thank you, Ann Taylor Loft, for helping me look good for this. Now that I'm in PR, I'm going to be putting a lot more effort into my appearance, so I'm sure I'll be a frequent visitor.