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I’ve gotten a bit materialistic over the last few days, so I thought I’d create a really visual post.

Mom and I spent some time (read “most of the day”) shopping. She gave me tons of help, replacing underwear that I shrank in the outdated drier at my rental house and jeans that had become see-through from too much wear.

She also helped me stop up on some new clothes  for the great weather we’ll meet when we get to France. I got tops that look exactly like Paris in Spring. I’ve noticed that my style has gotten more classic and much more feminine.

The trend that I adore right now is the decorative appliqués and feminine flourishes on tank tops. I’ve been struggling to find anything that works for my body type. My chest, well, exists, and the tops are made more for flat-chested girls, those 1920s flapper bodies that are still the model for fashion design.

I found some tops that work—frills and a bit of flash, floral prints that always catch my eye. (Mom found this one.) There’s just enough shape in them to flatter the parts of my body that I love (since I’m learning to do that): shoulders and hips.

We did a bit of wedding shopping, too. Unfortunately, the shoes I got for the wedding are too small. I’ve been looking for wedding shoes, but I wasn’t wowed by anything. The peacock feathers have given this wedding a fun flare, so I thought

Score. Deep blue pointy-toed heels that are only about an inch or two with support…perfect for a whole day in heels. When we popped into Icing, Mom found the perfect purse with a vintage feel to it, also on sale: a golden, rectangular design that will actually hold everything.

When we got back from our shopping expedition, another purchase was waiting on me. I'll put out a warning:

FOR GIRLS' COMFORT ONLY

Boys are welcome to read, but you may not like it. You should read it anyway and get over it. You could marry one of us one day. Learn this now.

I am tired of tampons: of the mess, of the cotton, of the waste of materials, of the purse and pockets the require. I'm making every effort to be sustainable and conscious of my impact. I'm also very conscious of the impact "female sanitary products" have on my wallet each month.

Enter the Diva Cup. The concept has been around for 75 years, and this company made it modern: top-grade silicon, hypoallergenic, sanitary and budget-friendly. For less than $30, I am set until it wears out, until I have a baby or until I turn 30–whatever comes first.

It holds up to one ounce and, even though your flow feels like a disaster some days, that's approximately 12 hours (that's right) of coverage. That means for an entire day gallivanting around Europe or an entire night of sound sleep, I don't have to worry about leaks, infections or allergic reactions.


It's a bit like getting your life back. So thanks, Mom and Dad for the financial (and fashion) assistance. I don't say that enough, and I get more than my fair share between wedding plans and loan help. I'm blessed with parents that instilled a strong understanding of work ethic, budgeting and finding ways to help others. I may not come out ahead this summer with a bigger bank account, but my bills and debt are steadily dropping. (No thanks to Ball State's out-of-state tuition and my need for loans.)