Death of a Name-Brand Snob

Well, it was a long, slow death. But she died happy. No, I didn't lose a beloved relative, I'm talking about my inner name brand snob. The one who, in college, happily paid seventy-five dollars to have her hair highlighted, and had to have clothes from American Eagle, Gap, Abercrombie...you get the picture. My inner name brand snob used to walk into AE and not just buy a shirt or sweater, but pick out a mannequin I liked and think, "Hmmm, I'll take all that in a size two." (the me who wore a size two has died, also, but thats another story!) She also would take the long route to anywhere in Johnson City so that she could drive-thru Starbucks for a double tall extra hot caramel latte. When her niece was born, she indulged in BabyGap khaki shorts and flowered onesies for a three month old.

The death began slowly and gradually enough. First, she got married, and got a little older. She realized she didn't like to be walking around in a t-shirt she paid over twenty dollars for, only to see a group of 13 year olds wearing the same one....goodbye, American Eagle. Then came the epiphany that you don't need blasting rock music, a smog of cologne, and posters of half-naked people in order to shop...adios, Abercrombie. She started buying her niece stuff that was on sale.

You know, JCPenneys really wasn't that bad.

Next she had a baby, and started noticing that JCPenneys had really good sales if you watched for them. And hey, Proffits put coupons in the Sunday paper! With the money she saved, she could afford to have baby's picture made more often. She bought a coffee maker for home, and you know, the flavored creamers are pretty darn good.

Then baby number two came along.

Okay, so lets drop all the 'she' stuff. You know I'm talking about myself. And today I bought new outfits for my daughters and my niece to have their picture made in.....at Walmart. (gasp!) And you know what? They are really cute! And I got them all for less than $25 dollars.

(Stands up) My name is Rebekah, and I buy off-brand clothing for my children. I've been doing this for about three months now. It used to be just every once in a while, but once I started, it was hard to quit. First it was just clothes, now it's food, too...the other day I went grocery shopping and came back with more store brand items than name-brand ones....and they were good...

Okay, all joking aside, I'm not going to sit here and tell you my kids never wear Gymboree (cutest clothes ever!) or BabyGap (you're never too young to be preppy!). But I will tell you I have never paid full price at Gymboree, and only once at Gap and that was for an Easter dress. Luckily, my big sis is a name brand snob, and I get her hand-me-downs. All the prestige with none of the price, hehe. Me, I go for the outlet stores and clearance racks. (Even at Wally world- today I got Bella some adorable pjs for $3, and socks for $.75 a pair!)

And you know what? It hasn't killed me yet.