Hi, My name is Karats and I have a problem...

I shop too much and eat too much. Luckily these two warring instincts keep each other in check. That next scoop of olive oil gelato can consign that Tracy Reese dress to the donation pile. Living in NYC only makes the balancing act even more delicate.

There are a lot excellent blogs out there, many of which I follow, but I would like to think I bring a different perspective on things.

So without further ado, I'll kick of with my observation from yesteday: size inflation and gelato.

I went to the Tocca sample sale yesterday. They had a $15 room which was brilliant. I picked up only 4 pieces largely because I found I was a size 0 Tocca. I find this hard to believe. A few years ago when I was heavier, I was a 4. Without losing weight I somehow became a two. Then I lost a bit recently and am now wondering what's next. Some stores are doing the 00 thing. Others are sticking to their guns (H&M). This makes things very hard for the rest of us right?

I went in to try the new V&R stuff on early last week and the size 4s were not working for my hips. Or forearms for that matter. When something doesnt fit your forearms, you know you are barking up the wrong tree. In a nutshell: I hate walking in someplace and not having the faintest clue what size to try on. 0? 2? 4? 6? C'mon marketing people? I've usually left before I have found the answer. Except when you have a $15 room. Then you have 30 minutes.

As for gelato, in case anyone got weirded out by the olive oil gelato reference in my intro, it is heavenly. I reiterate what EVERYone before me said. Try it. Its counterintuitive, but rediculously delicious. I had the same experience recently when a dessert I ordered came with salted caramel ice cream. Other family members ordered their version with vanilla, questioning the salted caramel flavor. Needless to say, there was a run on my ice cream as the vanilla sat and melted. Try it, you might like it.

Otto (Mario Batali Village Pizzaria) makes things easy for you. You don't have to commit to a big dish. There is a single-scoop gelato on brioce for $3.50. Sort of like an ice cream sandwich. It hits the spot but well portion control. That was where I tried the olive oil. I had pumpkin yesterday, and now I am a BIG fan. There was a gorgonzola dolce flavor that I want to try next, along the same principle.