MY KINGDOM FOR A COAT

In October 2010, I bought the world's most perfect coat. The J. Crew "icon trench" in a camel-colored wool-cashmere blend. It was gorgeous, soft, warm, and fit me perfectly. Even the sleeves! I wore it every day for three and a half years, until The Coat started falling apart. The wool was worn out on my left side, where I carry a shoulder bag, the sides were dotted with tiny holes, and the lining more or less in shreds. "Please tell me you don't wear this to work," my mother recently said. But I do: once a week or so, I just can't resist. I'm a short person, guys, with particularly stumpy arms. Fit-wise, this coat is a unicorn.

Enjoying my coat in its heyday.

Three and a half years isn't so long for a coat, but I loved my J. Crew icon trench enough to want another one, lack of longevity and apparent shoddy manufacturing quality be damned. Naturally, J. Crew has stopped making it in petite sizes. I tried the new version in a regular fit, and it was a boxy mess. Time to look for something else.

Stupid regular-length sleeves.

I set course for the land of Puffer Jackets, ordering the exorbitantly priced Ghost Whisperer Down Parka from Mountain Hardwear.

The picture failed to tip me off that the Ghost Whisperer Down Parka is fitted for a teenage boy. Returned. I didn't want a puffer anyway. I continued alternating my ski coat and beloved tattered trench for the morning commute, alternating my look between "prep school teenager" and "chic hobo." But with the average temperature hovering around nineteen degrees these days, I wanted a permanent solution.

Finally, I went coat shopping with my mom last weekend and tried on every single coat that the Short Hills Mall sells. In case you don't believe me, I tried on coats at: Nordstrom, Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus, Reiss, Coach, Talbots, and Brooks Brothers. NOTHING.

Well, guess what guys. We live in a world of modern technology, but I didn't even need to live in 2014 to find my precious: I turned to a website founded in 1995. No apps. No Etsy. I found my coat on good old-fashioned eBay.

EBAY!!!!

I didn't have to settle for some non-J. Crew non-icon non-trench. I found my exact coat, new-with-tags, in a petite size, for the same price I paid back in 2010. And I ordered it. It arrives next week.

Heavenly choirs, angels sing.

If the sleeves are too long, I will cry.

Self Treated

I don't know why I call my mother when I'm wondering if I should get something. Actually, I know exactly why - because she'll tell me to get it.

Treat Mah Self?

I've been treating myself lately.

I like to do this when Dan's out of town working, as going home to an empty apartment is no fun. So on Monday I stopped by Mermaid Oyster Bar and slammed back a dozen oysters and a champagne cocktail. TREAT YO SELF.

I then treated myself to a new dress and blazer from J. Crew, in a twenty-minute shopping spree that I'll hopefully be able to explain more next week.

I got a manicure.

But you can't JUST treat yourself with clothes, massages, and mimosas, or approximations thereof. You need "fine leather goods."

So... do I buy this?

It's so pretty! It's not even that expensive. I don't need it... but...

Treat myself?

Dubious Honor