Cardigans.

I apparently have a problem.
A sweater problem.
Most specifically...a problem with cardigans.

This apparent problem came to light while shopping in Park City over Labor Day weekend with the five hundred thousand other people who decided to journey to the Outlets.

J Crew was having a fantastic sale.

I love J Crew...like love, love it.

I may or may not have sacrificed eating at times last year to buy a few items.

I went throughout the store without Deakon, which in and out of itself was mind-boggling exciting.

So much so, that I just kept grabbing and grabbing and grabbing.

I've perfected drive by clothes shopping.

A learned technique I'm sure most mothers acquire after several failed attempts to shop/try-on/buy in the same outing with a toddler...albeit a special needs toddler who has very LOUD reactions to the stroller when it slows down and stops.  (And, by LOUD, I mean like social services referral kind of LOUD.  I've also perfected a drive by grocery shopping technique, but I digress.)

So, I've got my gat, oops...purse and I'm locked and loaded. My arms are full of items I was certain I needed very badly (I'll have you know I did stop from grabbing the bright citrus yellow pea coat...it was difficult).

Anyway...as I am waiting in the forever long line, my damn conscious decides to make an appearance and I begin to feel guilty about spending money on myself. So, I looked in my arms and began the dreaded decision-making process.  As I filtered through the stuff, I noticed a pattern: gray light-weight cashmere cardigan, dark navy ruffled cardigan, creme tied cardigan, gray (yes, again) animal print 3/4 length sleeve cardigan...with a couple random tee shirts thrown in for good measure.

I thought, "Hmm...these cardigans are really cute, and I have lots of them...they must be in or something this season." Completely unobservant of the fact I was already wearing a newly bought Nordstrom's Sale find, that just so happened to be...a cardigan.

I, much like a toddler attempting to put toys back at Target, began setting aside items I deemed not absolutely necessary (because really people...the dark navy ruffled cardigan IS a necessary item).  By the time it was my turn to check out, I managed to have only four items in my possession; two cardigans, a tee shirt, and a tank. I was fairly proud.

As the cute, trendy, skinny, twenty-something , blond girl at the counter began folding my items, she glanced at them, looked at me, and said, "Um...do you happen to be a teacher?"

"Wow," I thought. "How in the heck did she know that?"

(And...for the record...I am not a teacher, but work at a school...so the ID counts:)

I replied, "Yes...I actually am."

She smiled knowingly and let me know that teachers who show an ID get an additional 15% off at J Crew every.single.day.all.year.long.

-Jackpot-

So...I am feeling pretty dang good as I begin to walk through the massive amounts of chaotic crowds to find Blair and Deak. I was soooo sure Blair would be so super excited about my purchase..(said very genuinely and completely without any ounce of sarcasm).

When I found them, I began relaying the awesomeness of the 15% off score I had been offered by the very nice sales person at J Crew.  I then mentioned how I could not understand how she knew I would qualify for this discount.

Blair gave me one of those looks and said, "Umm....maybe the fact that you are wearing a cardigan, and wanted to buy like 500 more was a real good clue."

Then he laughed at me.

Rude, I know.

I was mad for a sec, but then I thought it was funny.

I do only buy cardigans.

In fact, I wear them 75% of the time. I don't care if it's 92 degrees...a cardigan is even-tempered.

I feel balanced when I wear a cardigan.

I even feel a little cute.

I love them.

And, yes, maybe there are lots and lots of professional women in the education industry that enjoy themselves a cardigan or two...but, that doesn't mean they don't still rock.

I even think they are kind of sexy with the right pair of heels.

I am in that stage of life.

The "Cardigans are Sexy" stage of life.

And....I love it.

I might just buy another one tomorrow.