Before we start…some companies I’ve been annoyed with lately:
rant/
Why the hell are some franchises (like ones in a hotel) not under the Starbucks Rewards program?
That’s just a load of CRAP. The girl told me: We’re not a normal Starbucks. We’re under the hotel.
I had to shell out $0.60 for the soymilk I normally get for free and I’m really annoyed.
Also, they don’t tell you the total before swiping your card and they don’t ask if you want the receipt.
By the time you check the receipt, you realize there’s a mistake, your drink is already waiting for you and you’d feel like a complete ass if you tell them you don’t want the drink because they charged you for the extras you normally get for free.
Starbucks, get your f*cking act together.
Their product packaging is just horrific. Who the hell is on their product packaging team?
I love using both products, but the Tarte Clean Slate primer makes you waste 20% of the product because of it’s dumbass packaging. I love the product but the packaging is just wasteful and stupid. Not buying it any more until they fix it.
The MAC longwear concealer pump just sucks. I like the product, but if I have to keep decanting it into a little tub to be able to use it, I’m not buying it any more.
Thanks Estee Lauder for buying over the company and not paying attention to makeup waste.
/rant
HOW DID THE SHOPPING BAN GO?
The whole experience feels strangely anti-climatic.
I went on a ban from November 2009 until the end of December 2010.
Now that I can buy whatever I want… I can’t choose.
Okay, that was a lie. What I mean, is I want so many things, I won’t let myself buy them all because of that ban! 😛
Better? 😉
I know there are a ton of other bloggers going through this ban right now. Some 3 months, some 6 months, and some a year.
I wonder if this is a new trend in the PF blogosphere: bans for whatever reason.
Whatever it is, I say go for it and let us all know how it turns out.
I WAS TEMPTED ON SOME DAYS, BUT NOT MANY
For my experience, it was a hit and miss. Some days, I really wanted stuff.
Other days, I went into the stores, touched every piece in there (even tried on a couple of things), but I just wasn’t interested.
Or I wouldn’t pull the trigger on my shopping ban for it. That’s how uninterested I was.
Even better, a lot of stores were really heavy on the neutrals in 2010, I guess as a sign of the conservative approach we should all take in a recessionary period?
The good news for me, is I am not really a fan of neutrals* so there wasn’t much choice for me, even if I liked something.
*Yes I own a lot of grey, but my new thing is not to buy any neutrals or solid colours. Only patterns.
I also worked a lot, and when I work, I don’t think about shopping because I’m busy working. It’s a lovely cycle.
It’s when I don’t work, that shopping temptation creeps in, such as when I am in between contracts or on the weekends.
Overall, the ban really helped.
I’ve really been learning how to keep temptation under control since I started blogging in late 2006/early 2007, but this is another level of growth in willpower I didn’t have before.
I am also not planning on specifically spending $1000 on some shopping spree at the start of the year because it would just negate what I learned from the last year.
WHAT I LEARNED FROM MY SHOPPING BAN
- I have a lot of stuff already (am getting rid of a bag of stuff soon!)
- No one notices what you wear or what you don’t wear. I work with guys, so fashion? Not many notice.**
- You can really shop your own closet (silly me!)
- Organizing your closet makes you see how much you have
- …and taking pictures of everything you own and putting it on your iPod Touch, even more so
- You don’t need only neutrals to make everything match (I wear a lot of brights together)
- Accessories are my best allies — necklaces and belts in particular
- Layer, layer, layer!
- Be picky about what you’re buying. Do you really need another solid coloured top in a different colour?
**I guess if I went Lady Gaga on them, or tarted it up they would notice. But most don’t care.
WHAT I AM LUSTING AFTER CURRENTLY
But this wouldn’t be a fun post if I didn’t tell you what I’m lusting after, now would you?
My new rules for 2011:
- Don’t waste money on items just because they’re are on sale.
- Love quality first.
- No more solid colours for the year
- No more neutrals for the year
- No repeats of stuff I already own (I am in the midst of cataloging)
- Only spend on really interesting, patterned and different pieces (not polkadots for example)
- Think about where I’ll be living by the end of the year***
- Be cognizant of spending and don’t spend in the heat of the moment on impulse (*guilty look*)
So without further ado, this is what is really high on my wish list****.
*** I won’t be subject to super long, cold winters any more, I hope.
*** Meaning it passed my criterion above. I’m going for statement pieces this year.
ABOUT ANTHROPOLOGIE
Before you all groan at the sight of the word “Anthropologie”, I totally get it.
It looks a bit like flea market stuff at times, the quality is suspect on a lot of items, and the prices are insane.
Check out this fun game by Regretsy: Anthropologie or Etsy? Can you even tell? 😛
I choke when I see a dress on there for $398 CAD. Who has that kind of money to burn?
That said, when I look at a few of their pieces, I just can’t find anything similar anywhere else, and that is what I’m going for. Special.
Also, as a fun side note, did you know that Anthropologie’s target market is women aged 30-45, well-read, well-traveled, educated and with a household income approaching $200,000? Source
Their branding is incredible, from the smell of the store down to the French flea market feel they are going for. Urban Outfitters (the parent brand) really knows what they’re doing with that store.
Now their prices make so much more sense, don’t they? 🙂
I guess I could be considered in their target market (I’m approaching 30), but when I read other style blogs, there are girls much younger than me obsessed with the brand.
I always felt like the brand was aimed towards 22 year old girls who were a size 0.
(And possibly filthy rich as well, to be able to afford all of that and make their rent).
I swear, these girls can name every piece in their closet from Anthropologie down to the season they bought it in.
Here’s what I’m interested in, but I’m holding off for whatever reason. Price, availability, or just can’t get over the $$ hump:
Anthropologie Facile Camp Shirts – $88 CAD each
Read about my obsession with the Facile Camp Shirts here.
Anthropologie – Seaside Fields Dress – $168 CAD
As mentioned before, the store is a hit and miss for me. The only item I absolutely had to try on was this dress, out of everything in the store.
It is also more than I’ve ever paid for any dress in my doggone life, and I thought I’d absolutely hate the colour combination but I loved it!
Here’s my short Seaside Fields Dressing Room Review:
The top part felt awesome. Silk, thick, ruffled, soft.
The size 6 was slightly baggy on me, and so was the Size 4, but I’d probably buy the 6 even though it was just a bit big in the hips, because I’m a rectangle shape. Better too much fabric than too little.
The skirt was nice too, but it felt more like a corduroy canvas, and the print was something I thought I’d hate, but ended up loving because it’s more of a dark purple indigo colour on grey.
(Matched my necklace that day, without any planning on my part.)
ANTHROPOLOGIE FANTASTIC FIELD SKIRT – $98 CAD
No faint of heart colours or patterns here!
This is the year of bursting out like some crazed fashion butterfly.
Okay, not really, but I am noticing that I don’t really experiment in patterns outside of my wrap dresses and this would be a nice change.
This skirt just appeared on the site, and the moment I saw it, it caught my eye.
I just need to be sure it’ll fit and if the quality will be good, hence why I need to see it in person and try it on.
I may end up hating it 🙂 Who knows?
I know BF will call it ugly* but there’s something daring about it.
Very artsy, bold, and beautiful.Plus I love poppies.
*Boys. What do they know about style? 😛
That’s it. That’s all I’m thinking about right now.
So far we’re up to $300 CAD this year plus taxes right? So $336 then.
But I still haven’t purchased a thing.
I also have my eyes on some gorgeous dresses from Sunday Brunch Dress Shop.
Yoana Baraschi All Night Long Dress – $270.20
I don’t normally gravitate towards wearing black, but this is gorgeous. Check out this beauty here.
But where would I wear it? Hmm….
Mel en Stel Cup of Tea Ruffle Dress – $350
I have wanted this dress from the first day I saw it on the site. I still want it.
PHILIPPE TOURNAIRE ARCHITECTURAL RINGS —
$I-Cannot-Afford-This
Then I take a look at beautiful things like these Philippe Tournaire Architectural Rings and I SWOON!
For some of them, it says “Consultez nous pour obtenir un devis*“, which translated into English says:
If you have to ask the price, then you can’t freaking afford it.
Move along, you voyeur.
*OK not really. Literal translation is “Ask us to obtain a quote”, also known as “Price available upon request”.
Still. Aren’t they just stunning?
If only I had a bajillion EUR. I’d snag one of each 😛
I clicked around on some of the rings and they kind of start around 1500 EUR. A bit too rich for this girl’s blood.
The way I see it, I wouldn’t be able to eat a ring if I needed the money 😛
So, what do you think about all of these shopping bans going around in 2011?
Or anything else on your mind? Rant if you’d like.
Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver.
I cleared $60,000 in 18 months earning $65,000 gross/year.
Now I am self-employed, and you can read more about 
And silly me, I thought I was the only one to come up with an idea like this! Love your posts, can't wait to see what you do next and if the 'confuse-ness' will wear off and your mind be 'clear' about spending and buying again. Got you under my Frugal section, here's hoping we all can learn from you, good luck for 2011!
My recent post Fine Ribbons and Embellishments- Nicholas Kniel
There are plenty of us who did or are doing the ban 🙂 I am pretty thrilled that I\’ve realized I have all the basics I need, and what I need are STATEMENT pieces.
Thanks for sharing your experiences! I'm doing a shopping ban too this year – since we're about to move and don't even know yet where it's going yet. Besides, I don't really need anything…What I'm having trouble with is how exactly to define it. Clothes are banned for sure, but how about other areas of the house?
hmmm…need to think about that again.
ugh, I hear you on the sbux complaint. many times I walk up to the sbux in the bookstore all prepared to buy my drink with my sbux card, when I learn that they don't accept the card. I'm already in the mood for coffee so I end up paying and not earning my stars.
& I also like Anthropolgie, but for the price of the items, I can't buy anything (maybe when I have more money and I wouldn't feel guilty). I stopped looking at their clothes (because I don't want to be tempted) and go immediately to the house accessories and beauty stuff. I love everything, but I remind myself that most products are mass produced and I would rather spend my money on a local, independent sellers. and I think if you like to go thrifting, or to estate sales, you can find very similar items for much cheaper. I guess I see Anthropologie as a flea market (like you said) without the work of scavenging through junk…
That\’s true. For me, it\’s 99% miss and 1% hit. That dress is the 1% hit, and a couple of other pieces but I am not really excited by most of their clothing. Same with urban outfitters (their sister brand).
I like local, independent sellers too, but finding these people to try on their clothes? SO HARD in cities other than Vancouver or Toronto.
I love dresses and sometimes it hurts me to see such beautiful ones that I can't afford! I work in a national park in a uniform, which is not so conducive to beautiful dresses. My collection is actually too big for someone who can rarely wear them.
I wouldn't say I'm on a shopping ban right now, except that clothing/accessories really don't fit into my budget so it gets a big fat zero. As long as I stay out of the shops I'm okay, so I just avoid them like the plague!
I hated that when I worked at places with a uniform too. I couldn\’t wear what I wanted and be comfortable. Same ol\’ uniform.. 🙂
But the good news is you save a lot of $$$ wearing a uniform 🙂
I love anthropologie! i love the black dress! I'm the opposite of you – i have to buy less prints and patterns and go for more neutrals! I'm not on a shopping ban, but a "buy-only" ban (i made a list)… we'll see how it goes.
Oh really? We should compare wardrobe notes hahaha.. All I own is solids. I need more wild prints/patterns.
Hi!
I've been reading your blog for quite some time now but have never commented. I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your posts, they're easy to read and I love that you include images! I am also on a shopping ban for 2010 (at least that's what I'm hoping for, fingers crossed) and it's been pretty tough because I've always been a fan of fast fashion. I loooove forever 21, zara, h&M, etc. etc. but I'm also liking the torture, it's sorta bittersweet. None of my friends believe I can do it and it would be great to prove them wrong. I still visit forever21.com almost daily but I haven't relapsed yet. I think the most important thing for me to do now is to shop my closet. Just wanted to let you know that you're an inspiration:)
Good luck on your shopping ban, elle. Thanks for the kind comments 🙂
I don\’t really find anything in zara, but H&M and F21 tend to have some pieces I like. It\’s just that my problem is either quality or fit. That said, I found some cute things…
I'm with you on the Mac concealer. It pumps out too much. But I can't be bothered to put the extra in a pot or anything.
I love all those dresses!! Did you end up getting any of them after all? I say get the first one for sure. It IS expensive but if you can afford it and it looks great go ahead. Plus its definitely one of a kind.
I\’ve started decanting it. There\’s no way I can use it all.. it\’s a waste
Hey,
I think its amazing that you were able to go a full year AND still set restrictions on yourself when it was all said and done. Although they are very good guidelines.
I LOVE Anthropologies, there is no store where I live and I was introduced to it only a year ago when I got a dress as a gift. It is very expensive but the items are very unique and everything would work in my closet. Although I am a little surprised but their market audience I am 23 and always thought it was marketed towards my age group.
Hah. Well. Don\’t be too impressed until you see how the next 6 months goes 😛
Re: Starbucks
Why not boycott Starbucks altogether? Their coffee is overpriced. Coffee is not a necessity, just an addiction. Besides, it's making you swear.
I find it a bit hypocritical that you want your subscriber comments to be civil and clean but your own comments are not.
Way too crude for the dress in the post. You are better than that.
I really enjoy their drinks.
It is \”overpriced\”, but I don\’t drink coffee. I drink the specialty drinks as a treat, and to cut that out would just be silly for me, because I can afford it once in a while. I\’d just be depriving myself for no reason.
I\’m just frustrated with their quirks in the stores and not being extremely clear.
I was thinking about imposing a shopping ban on myself this year, but I am looking for a job and need new interview clothes. Yes, really, I do need them (my pants I currently wear to work have rips on the bottom…no lie…every last pair).
So, there goes that ban! But, I can definitely be frugal. You're an inspiration!
I say if you need the clothes, buy them. I didn\’t need them, so I had the relative luxury of being able to be on a ban.
Props to you for not spending. My favourites are the seaside dress and the ruffle tea dress. both are cute. (although – EEK! pricey!!)
i think shopping bans are a good idea but I think it's like any goal. It is only of value if you truly committed to it. Or else, it's really meaningless.
I am not going to pay for that ruffled dress. I mean, it\’s a solid and I already have a blue dress. maybe if I could try it on, I would…. 😛 But luckily for me, it\’s in the U.S.
That seaside dress however.. I might pick that up in Feb.
The reason you have to pay extra for soy at some Starbucks is because there are licensed stores and unlicensed stores. The licensed ones are the "regular" stores and then there are the other ones that basically sell Starbucks but aren't official Starbucks stores exactly. Sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference.
But really, canceling your drink order because of 60 cents? I'm sorry, but that's kind of rude… especially since you have gotten soy free a bunch of other times. Soy milk is expensive… that's why they charge for it!
1. Still doesn\’t excuse that they should have told me when I paid with my Starbucks card that soy was not a \”no charge\”, without giving me receipt
2. You didn\’t read the post (obviously) because if you did, you\’d have read that I didn\’t cancel the drink order to not be an ass. Thanks for skimming the post.
Great post, I was wondering whether a shopping ban works, or if it just makes you store up your wants and go crazy at the end. Cool to hear your perspective.
I know everyone loves Anthro, but I am not big on it myself. It's not even the prices, it's just that my style is much more solid colors and neutrals. The store where I want everything from is Banana Republic, but I rarely buy from there unless there is a big sale. My wardrobe is admittedly not great, but it's like you said, I'm not sure how much people notice! It's an area I'd like to get more into when I have the money…we'll see…
My style is all about patterns, ruffles and wild child stuff, but some of their stuff looks really flea market as Frugal Scholar said, when you take it out of the context…. and out of the store.
The dress I tried on was really nice though, but I hear the quality is suspect in the rest of the items.
I don't mind my "Buy Nothing New" (with a few exceptions) and "No New Clothing" pledge for 2011. I bought what I needed last year and I have plenty of stuff. I really don't feel the need to buy more.
I haven't bought new clothes in months and it gives me an appreciation for what's already in the closet. Bits that didn't get frequent use are being used again, new outfits are being invented. Also, I'm fully embracing home remedies for my hair and skin and loving them. (Glad I simply wrote a list of the fancy skin-wants I craved last year instead of spending hundreds on them!)
I wrote a lot of wants down but kept deleting them because I couldn\’t justify them. I have a post coming up on Wednesday about cataloguing what I have.
Hey! I did try your shopping ban after reading your other blog Style on a String. I tried the ban from Sept. – Dec. this past year. I did have a few exceptions. They had to be like yours' good quality and under $200 to buy them. It was going really well until Black Friday got me. 😛 I got just two items that weren't on my list of exceptions. ahhhh, almost made it. Still going to try and cut down on shopping this year though. Not sure how I'm going to do it yet. Still planning. 😀
Oh, I love Anthropologie too! I didn't know their target market is women aged 30-45. Well, I fit that part (31), just not the $$$. I try to only buy the stuff on sale. They have such cute stuff. Take care and good luck with this year's shopping!
LOL!!
\”Until black friday got me\”
I didn\’t know their target market was so rich and on the older side. Seems like the girls who wear that stuff are supposed to be shopping at Urban Outfitters.
I imposed a 4 month shopping ban on myself.. but I think I'll need to start in February because I forgot one thing… Chinese New Year… I have nothing new to wear on that day… and yes.. my parents are quite superstitious and I would need wear an article of clothing that is new….. preferably new shoes too…maybe the lucky money I get from that can cover the cost? I dunno hehe! 🙁
Other than the 4 month shopping ban I am imposing on myself… I think that your suggestion of limiting my shopping budget for the year for $700 is a great idea too and I might stick to it 😀 I am trying to get rid of my habit of buying "quantity over quality" I want to start buying Quality over quantity. We'll see how that goes by the end of this year 😀 😀 😀
Anyway.. I LOVE the Mel en Stel Cup of Tea Ruffle Dress..it's gorgeous!!!
My recent post Weekly Money Check Up – Jan 17 – 23- 2011
After my recent 6 month shopping ban, I felt a lot different about spending money on clothing, shoes and accessories. Actually, when I let myself buy things in the mall (on Boxing Day no less – the day my shopping ban ended), I really really struggled with buying anything! The things I used to buy, I couldn't justify. The fit wasn't 100% right, the stitching wasn't that great, I'd have to get it altered, or it was too much money. I even scoffed at Banana Republic, and I am in love with that store! I struggled with the idea of spending money even though I knew I wanted things. But did I want them enough to spend my hard earned money on them?
So, it really made me examine what I value in life, and what I think is worth spending my money on. And clearly it is no longer clothing. Pretty crazy coming from an ex-shopaholic. I guess there is something to be said about shopping bans, and it makes me think about how I will feel after my current shopping ban is over!
I am much pickier, that\’s true. I think: Arg. Fit. Colour. Price. SO MANY VARIABLES!
That happened to me at a Starbucks in Safeway. Guess I'll have to visit an actual Starbucks.
But this one LOOKED like an actual starbucks. I guess the plan is to avoid starbucks in \”areas\” like schools, hotels, grocery stores..
Very annoying. Should be a different green or something.
I am not going to be shopping very much this year and have decided to do a shopping ban for myself this year. There are only a few things I want/will need to get. Most of it is not more 'stuff" but, some of it is.
I LOVE your idea of taking a picture of everything you own and putting it on the iPod. I had a similar idea for my own version of…. "subdued acquisition" (I can't call it a ban, I'm still getting more stuff). I laid out all items I kept in every category, and took a picture of it with my digital camera. Now I just need to develop it / upload it onto a digital device that I always carry. Btw that Mel en Stel dress? awesome! I have two layered ruffle dresses like it from Zara, but the Antrhopologie one looks much more… lush and well-made. Too bad there's no store near my hood, lol.
My recent post A tan in the dead of winter
Wow. “Subdued acquisition” NICE. 🙂 Perhaps that’s what I’m on right now.
Once I see everything on my iPod I think: oh my.. I see a pattern here. ALL GREY SKIRTS but super wild wrap dresses. Totally messed up.
I like that Russian ring a lot! (I've been to Russia last year) It's original, but I would not buy it though, I would not want something like that around my finger.. 😉
Noooo, please don't buy that anthropologie facile camp shirt! Besides, you can't buy it, because that would be against your not-buying-solid-colours-rule.
I think having a shopping ban would be very interesting for me. I think I'll try it for a month and see what happens…
Right. That\’s right.. I have a rule against solid colours. Darn it! 🙂
You have mentioned that camp shirt soooo many times! If that were me, that would be a sign to move to the next stage of buying: can i afford it? and will I get many uses out of it? my vote is for you to buy it… 🙂 just do it. i'm dying for you to have it.
i am also a big fan of that blue ruffle dress. gorgeous!
i go through what i call shopping paralysis. sometimes i so want to shop and buy and get some retail therapy, blah blah blah, but I just…can't spend any money. i'll go to the stores, try things on and be in a shopping mood, but when it comes time to buy stuff, I put it all back instead. ?? i still enjoy the experience, and if i really start obsessing about something i liked after the trip, i'll probably go back and buy it, but 9 out of 10 times i go shopping, i get paralyzed. I can trace this back to two times in my life, when i was: 1) a (very) poor grad student and 2) paying off debt. I'm neither now…so what is wrong with me?
I can afford it.. I just need to TRY THE DAMN THING ON.
I can\’t find it in the stores and I hate buying online.. so I am sitting tight until I figure out how it fits.
I think shopping paralysis happens when you are scared to let go of your money. Me, I have the opposite reaction, I just really don\’t like online shopping. I need to try on things, touch the fabrics, dance in it, sit in it, stretch.. you know 🙂
OMG. I LOVE the St. Basils architectural ring!!! SO beautiful and yet sooooo impractical. A girl can dream.
I am JUST starting to get my financial house in order– the first step has been to cut down on eating out and entertainment. I haven't yet formulated a plan of attack for clothing expenditures. I really love your idea for cataloguing your purchases– brilliant! Your blog is one of my favs.
My recent post My secret debt
Dreaming I am. I would buy the entire collection if I could 😛
Thanks a lot for coming by and saying such sweet things!
Most Starbucks that are in grocery stores/other places are unionized. It's also the reason they don't have a cash tip jar. 🙁
Drooooool over all of these beautiful clothes.
My recent post Feather Thy Nest – Bachelorette Pad Decor
Every Starbucks I\’ve been to, has had a HUGE tip jar! Are you sure?? I see it everywhere I go.
I LOVE Anthropologie. I visit it often just to meander through the racks and I too love the way the store smells (I find the Volupsa Baltic amber candle from there most closely replicates the store, but I'd probably need all 30 different candles to get it right. Sigh)
But alas, I've only bought one thing full price from Anthro. I just can't swallow shelling out $300 for a dress.
Lucky for men their sales are awesome. Pretty sure I will NEVER pay $180 for a sweater because they ALL go 50% off eventually. If you check out the blog Anthroholic, the author does a fantastic job trying on all the new pieces and alerting us all to what's on sale each week!
Can't believe the target market is 30+! understand the $200K household income though…
My recent post Spending money on time
I think the smell is what gets me too. It gets you in the mood 😛 Especially to loosen your wallet.
I do check out Anthroholic and all the 50 other Anthro-addicted sites. It’s how I saw some things go on sale.
I just discovered your blog and am so inspired and impressed! Congratulations on your achievements.
With respect to shopping bans, I tried to impose a month long ban for November, sadly it petered out for some forgotten reason. I think I might have been too strict initially about the items I would not allow myself to purchase. I'd like to try one again this year. I'm in the process of editing my overflowing closets, down to items that really flatter me and I wear. I love to shop and have a secret addiction to buying great unique items at second hand stores that I never wear!! It doesn't break the bank but does clutter up my life.
Thanks! 🙂
I think being strict doesn’t help, but I was pretty strict throughout 2010, only because I wanted to challenge myself. It was a tough struggle and now I’m back to lusting.
I’m agreeing with the irked at Starbucks rant at the beginning of your post. I was at Starbucks in a Safeway store around this past Christmas. I ordered a chai latte with no water, and they tried to charge me for the extra milk! I pointed out that none of the other Starbucks charged for the milk, but they said it was policy. I cancelled the order in protest. There was a little old lady in line right behind me, and she piped up that she couldn’t believe it either. *shakes head*
I’m loving that blue ruffle dress! I love how the things in Anthropologie are a little unique, but you’re right, they’re too expensive and the quality isn’t there on a lot of items.
I\’ve never heard about that chai latte with no water being charged extra milk!!! That is some serious nickel and diming there.
I find the reactions to those coming out of buying bans verrrrry interesting. Many people feel the same way: they've learned so much about their spending and what they have that they simply don't feel like they want to spend nearly as much as they did before.
What interesting about it to me is how I react to the reactions. I make embarrassingly little money, and I buy clothes at the thrift store maybe twice a year (and if I spend more than $50 on anything combined, I get sweaty). Anything above and beyond that (or new) is a huge treat. So when I see people coming off their bans, I'm often unimpressed. I'll grant that they did go through a trial of their own devising – it wouldn't be a challenge if they were all like me – but I feel like it shouldn't BE a challenge.
My recent post Sunday Poetry- Legend
I learned about how to shop my own closet.
I think I\’d rather thrift for items now, but I am definitely pickier for the year. No solids, no neutrals. I have a hell of a lot of grey sweaters.
I saw that exact shirt (Olive Field Shirt) in Urban Outfitters, I like it was around 45-50 dollars.
My recent post Crabtree & Evelyn- Honey & Coriander
Funnily enough, my fiance thinks all patterns look stupid, and encourages me to not wear brightly coloured patterns. He too thinks it's "ugly".
I'm not on a shopping ban (I have to lose weight, so will need to buy new things as I get to new sizes – I am limiting pants to 2 new pairs in each size though, until I reach my goal weight). Instead, I am on a limited sweets plan. I love ice cream, but I'm on a self-imposed no more than 1 container of ice cream a month. And I bought ice cream for fiance's birthday at the beginning of the month, so I still have another week to go before I can buy more (and then he eats most of it!). I am tired of being careful with food and what I really want is to have a day that I can eat whatever I want, no regrets. But then my neurologist and nutritionist pop up in the back of my mind and *poof* there goes no regrets! I would like a day though where I don't have to be anal and careful about what I'm eating. I would also like to say screw portion sizes 😛
BF is the same. He says it hurts his eyes when I wear red, green or patterns. I say \”POOHHHHH to you!!\” and I wear them anyway.
Then he gives in and admits I\’m cute 🙂
Oh! Limited sweets. I never thought about that. I\’ve been ladling the sugar into my mouth lately…
I am putting myself on a shopping ban starting next month since I've already spent around $400 this month on clothes, shoes, and makeup. D:
Hearing that it went well for you is good motivation, but ultimately I'm gonna die. Thing is, I have so-many-clothes and a bunch of them I don't wear much anymore. Time to shop my closet.
My recent post a class that high school needs
$400 is what I used to spend. I think I spend around the $200 mark now, but I really shouldn’t.
Wow. So much here. My daughter (19) is the one obsessed with Anthro. We've both noticed, though, that once you take the item out of the store (which has an incredible and coherent atmosphere), it doesn't look so great. In the states, the Anthro stores have good sales now and again.
I'm wondering if –once you break your ban–you might overindulge. Keep us posted! I'm afraid I don't have the discipline or desire to have a ban, though I've tried to learn lessons from other poeple.
My recent post Drugstores for Groceries YES!
When you remove the item, it looks like a flea market find unless you bought something really incredible you couldn\’t find anywhere else (like that dress I\’m modeling).
I haven\’t overindulged yet. YET!
I'm actually in a really interesting place when it comes to shopping bans. I've never done an official one, but I am a MASTER of saying "But I/we already have something like that, do I/we *really* need it?" and then walking away.
BUT I'm coming up on 5 years and 10 years, respectively, since the periods where I was really fiscally irresponsible and did a lot of shopping, and I'm finding that things are starting to wear out at the same time. They just can't be stretched any further. 5 or 10 years is actually really good in terms of quality in my book, but do they all have to wear out at the same time?? I don't want to be fiscally irresponsible all over again, but a lot of big and fairly essential items are coming up all at once.
For example:
Winter boots (10 years old; now have holes in them and have worn out, my feet are FREEZING)
Hiking boots (a bit of a cheat- my winter boots and hiking boots were the same pair, all of the above still applies)
Mattress (a spring broke, wouldn't have noticed other than it getting a bit saggy except that it started poking through the mattress and into hubby's butt!)
A couple of nice work suits (5 years old; bought them when I first started working, just plain worn out)
Laptop (actually 7 years old, I bought it 5 years ago used; they no longer even manufacture the operating system. It's good for a little while longer, but I can't download or otherwise install anything new onto it)
Bike (had been 10 years old, 5 years in my possession, was stolen out of our garage)
So frustrating!
Oh I see. You\’re one of those buy and wear for a billion years. But the good news is that you have the money saved, right?
We do, but it hurts to spend it on things that are so…. unfun yet un-emergency-like. It's one thing if it's like "Oooh! Vacation!" or "Oh crap! The roof just caved in!". Let's face it, mattresses and witner boots don't have nearly the same excitement/desperation factor.
I'm going to try again this year but I've bought some clothes already. Never mind, there is still Chinese New Year to begin again! 😛 But if I do see something that I would like to buy, it has to be a 'meaningful addition'.
haha.. \”I substitute in my alternate new year!\”
I imposed a shopping ban this year, only allowing myself to buy second hand, and only if absolutely necessary. Then I threw out or sold off everything that did,nt fit or I was sick looking at, or that was sooooo last year.
Anyway you guessed it, now I have nothing to wear and wish I had never imposed the ban, what was I thinking of ??
My recent post Waiting For The Rules 1 Week To Go
I had to go through and cull my closet again. 22 items in a bag. I feel better.