shopping & charity?

so. i've been spoiling myself a little bit this week. i rarely spend money on myself these days... so getting a couple new things is ssoooo exciting! and you know whats great? i didn't pay full price for these finds. i didn't even pay sale price. that's right friends... i payed clearance price. i am getting good at shopping this way, now that it's my only option...

remember those mary-janes from top ten [it's almost] tuesday? you know, those $85 mary-janes? well, meet my new $30, Steve Madden mary-janes. i know you can't see the whole shoe... but you can imagine cuteness right?

whilst shopping at good ol' Old Navy i came across this pretty bag... marked down to $25... good deal right? and to my surprise... when the salesgirl swiped that tag... you know what i saw? $12.49. don't you love when that happens?

... in related news.... Old Navy is accepting donations in store for Haiti disaster relief. they have huge crates and a list of desired items. Aeropostale is also about to start their Teens for Jeans promotion- if you donate a pair of used jeans for charity & Haiti, you can get 25% any pair of Aero jeans. isn't that great? what a great way to merge two feel-good activities. i love to shop, but i know it is always important to recognize that i have it pretty darn good compared to the rest of the planet. i am completely blessed and grateful for all that i have... and lately i have been praying for the strength to surrender myself and lend a hand to the many people who need my money more than i do. aaaaaand now i feel guilty about the mary-janes.