Reading is Sexy

As Gilmore Girls taught us (as if we didn't already know), reading is indeed sexy. And I can't say if I got the sexy part down, but read a lot I do. I even picked up Rory Gilmore's habit of having a book with me at all times. It comes especially in handy on days like today when I unexpectedly found myself waiting for a train for forty minutes. What could have been boring served as an excellent opportunity to read and take in the sunny day.

People say I should give in and get a kindle, but I just can't fathom it. So what if the hardcover book I insist to bring in my work bag is giving me a slight hunch? It has a beautiful cover, looks pretty of my bookshelf, and has that oh-so-wonderful smell that only books possess.

From my slight obsessions with both reading and owning the books I consume, you can see this can be a costly habit. As my mother told me my brother observed the other day when venturing into a bookstore, "Books are not cheap." No, little brother, bookstore books are not cheap. I know B&N and the rest of the big name bookstores bemoan their falling profits, but $25 for a hardcover that you will read in a two-week time span at most just isn't worth it. Especially if it's a series book. Then your budget is just screwed.

So, what is my book buying strategy? First, I figure out what books I want to read on goodreads.com. I lovelovelove this website. It lets you list and rank all the books you have read, are currently reading, and wish to read, but more importantly, it lets you see other people's reviews. I get a good sense of whether or not I am going to like a book before I read it, and that is important to me when I am spending money on a new book. You wouldn't buy a pair of shoes without trying them on first would you? Okay, I guess that is what Piperlime is all about, but they have free returns, and it's also pretty sad when the shoes don't fit either. So you get what I'm saying.

After making my lists of "to-reads" on goodreads, I then check on my favorite book selling website thriftbooks.com. They don't always have everything, and their prices on new releases often won't be rock bottom. But the books they do have are usually under $5, and with free shipping I can go a little crazy. They just expanded and now have so many more books then they did before. I recently ordered 3 books for $14.50 and of course one of them is a hardcover. All of them arrived in great condition.

Shopping for books online also allows me to indulge another one of my favorite things: receiving packages. Nothing is more fun than coming home from a long day at work and seeing that little sticker on your too-small apartment mailbox telling you that there is a package waiting. Expect maybe taking my puppy to the dog park. That's pretty fun, too.

So my book buying tips? Review the books before you buy them to make sure they are worth the cost. You can do this at goodreads.com. But beware out for spoilers! Then head on over to thriftbooks.com and see which ones they have in stock. You can add the ones out-of-stock to your wish list and they will alert you when they are in. Of course, there always is the tried and true borrowing of the books from a friend or a library, but if you are like me and must own the book (even when your bookshelves are full) then give these sites a try.

The Dress that Launched a Blog.

I'll admit it - I'm a bit of a shopaholic. But come on, aren't most twenty-something girls? The goal as I see it isn't exactly not being a shopaholic but making sure that what you buy matches your budget. And that's what I do. And that's what my blog is about. Kind of.  It's also about my life, and how sometimes a great find can put you in a great mood and kick start a great day. Because there are few things better than getting a great pair of shoes for 70% off (except for when those shoes are actually comfortable).

I recently moved to NYC after living in the literal boondocks for three years for law school. Luckily for me, online shopping got me through, and taught me the wonders of online coupons (RetailMeNot - I love you). Still, I'm quickly finding out that nothing compares to bargain hunting in the City.

Halloween is coming up quick. I am super excited (and this is where I reveal my super dorky side) for the Harry Potter themed Halloween party I am attending. After pondering how to be different and not just another Hogwarts student, I thought of the perfect costume ... drum rolls ... the Golden Snitch. Right, not exactly a Harry Potter "character", but it does provide me the chance to acquire a sparkly gold dress. I have been loving the idea of owning such a dress, but I mean, its kind of a hard purchase to justify. Even in NYC it can be hard to get enough wears out of such an item. Gold and sparkly isn't exactly professional wear, and I am out of that club stage of life (mostly). But I decided if I could find a dress for a good deal then I would be sold. I mean, there's always New Years Eve, right?

So I have been searching. And searching. I lost E-Bay auctions and have toyed with the idea of wearing a truly hideous (but gold! and cheap!) dress from Forever 21 that really got that painted-on-rubber-suit look oh-so-right. Then today, I discovered Daffy's. I had always thought Daffy's was a shoe store, but oh was I wrong. The store was full of fabulous finds, including my gold dress for the low low price of $16. Ultimate shopping win!

So my Shopaholic and Budget bank-saving tip of the day? Don't be scared of discount stores. Some can be really scary (I ventured into one the other day that I will not be returning to), but some of them are awesome! If you can get over the idea that you need to do some hunting (and you're going to be taking home your clothes in a plastic bag instead of a cute "little brown bag") then you can do great. Happy sales my friend!