5.02.2013

6 Months, No Shopping

Yup...you read the title of this post right.  I have made a decision to not shop for clothes, shoes, accessories, basically anything that goes on my body for 6 months.  I started yesterday, so I am officially on day 2 of 184 days.  When I told a close friend this, she asked what was my MO? So glad she asked because I have a couple of reasons I wanted to go on a shopping spree freeze.

1.  I would like to save more money.  Don't feel like I need to sell you on this one because don't we all feel better with our next egg growing and safely resting in the bank?

2.  We are really enjoying the process of fixing up our house, and the only way to do that is time, money, and blood/sweat and tears of course (you know tears are always involved in my life).  Our little home needed so much love when we moved in, and looking back over the past year at the transformation has made us so proud, but also has us constantly making plans.  I really want to save our spending money for the house, not my wardrobe.

3.  I don't need any more clothes, shoes, or jewelry, especially for special occasions.  Every time I go through my closet (I did recently for my upcoming closet sale) I am shocked at some of the things I have that I don't wear because sometimes I feel like I just have too many options.  The amount of costume jewels, sequin pieces, special occasion heels and fur I have alone is enough to get Cher through a couple of concerts. 

4.  I rarely gravitate towards practical items, and I am feeling the need to take stock of my items and really figure out what wardrobe staples I might need.  But I also know that what is a wardrobe staple for one gal might not be a wardrobe staple for me.  For example, I have seen traditional khaki pants in many of the lists I have found for wardrobe staples.  I have never met a khaki pant I liked, so they are just not necessary for me.  Now I will say I don't have a white button up that I just love.  That I could put on the list.  But I feel like I really need a shopping freeze for an extended period to identify what my closet is lacking. 

4.  I want my closet to feel like a place I would want to shop.  A friend and I were recently talking about our special occasion items and the notion of creating a closet collection that is carefully curated with things you love.  I also have heard people talking about your closet being your own mini boutique where you love everything in it because it has a place and a purpose.  Right now my closet feels a bit like the picture above.  There is a lot catching my eye and the closet is full of color, pattern, and fun, but a smidge over stuffed and in need of some thoughtful organization.  

5. Last, but certainly not least, shopping really should not be that important.  Fashion is certainly one of my favorite interests, and I am always working on my personal style, but really it should be no big deal to go 6 months without shopping.  I know it will be tough because I am not used to it, but when did I get it in my mind that I needed to shop a lot?  Certainly being in the blogging world feeds this mini addiction so many of us has, but there are so many people out there that do not shop for years at a time, and shopping is not a necessity.  So I am hoping this will be a little lesson of self exploration.    

So I really want to take the next 6 months to hit the reset button.  Take time to really sort through what I have that I love, come up with an organization solution, and then decide if there really is anything I need.  I am hoping to share my experiences along the way, and I am hoping that my outfits get a little bit more creative since I won't have any new shiny things to put in rotation.  So what do you guys think?  Good idea or am I crazy?  Any of you all put yourself on a shopping spree ever?  Maybe a strict clothing budget?  Want to join in the fun?  One thing is for sure, I will need all the support I can get.  Wish me luck…J   

P.S.  Have you entered my latest giveaway yet here?? 

14 comments:

  1. You go girl! I love having my budget to stick to each month - it makes me really think long & hard about whether I LOVE an item or am just getting it because some other fashion blogger convinced me it was cool... I pretty much have a 1 in/1 out policy right now as I learn what is truly my style & get rid of the items I have been lugging around & not whole heartedly LOVING. Can't wait to hear about your thoughts over the next 6 months!
    xx

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    1. Glad to hear that the strick budget has been working. I think it is so important to really figure out what your personal style is and curate your closet to match. I am excited, but need all the support I can get!!

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  2. Good luck! I tend to be terrible with shopping bans and budgets - I do them, but more often than not break them haha. But yeah, that whole nest egg thing is definitely something I need to work towards too. Plus, 'shopping' your closet is great - it can be so easy to just buy new things, whereas re-mixing is where the fun is! :)

    life-etcblog.blogspot.com.au

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    1. Re-mixing is relaly where the fun is. Sometimes I find I just get in to fashion ruts, so anything that encourages me to mix things up is a friend of mine. But I might be cursing myself in a month. We shall see:)

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  3. Whew, you are my hero girl! I'm just aiming for one month and then see how it goes from there. These points are really great though and I think that they are very applicable!

    Chelsea
    Haute Child in the City

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    1. Well I have tried one month an failed before, so we will see how I do this time around. But you have to start somewhere. Hope you are having a lovely day!!

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  4. Oh my gosh!!! What a crazy awesome goal! I wish you all the luck. :)
    www.shannonheartsblog.com

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    1. Thank you sweet Shannon. It is a little nuts, but I am really excited...for the moment. In a week or two I might feel differently:)

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  5. You can totally do this!!! Keep your vision on creating your dream home and distract yourself with other more economical activities. When I have an urge to shop late at night, I exercise instead and I've read a lot of books in my desire to not swipe my handy magic money card. Have fun remixing all of your current goodies.

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    1. Have I mentioned how wonderful you are lately. These are such great tips, and I am thankful to have your wisdom and encouragment. Happy Thursday!

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  6. I did it for a whole year in 2011, with some exceptions. I believe I allowed myself to purchase ties, socks, and two pair of shoes. It helped a LOT! It mostly helped with cleaning out my closet, because you realize what you don't wear instead of piling new clothes on top of them. Now, since it's over, I can control my impulse buying a lot more than before, because you realize it won't bother you as much not to have that "must-have" item.

    Best tip to offer to your success is to just stay away from temptation. Not shopping isn't hard if you don't put yourself in that environment. Avoid malls and shops like the plague!!!

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    1. Thank you so much for the tip...I think you are right. Keep yourself out of those challenging environments is a smart tip. Thinking if I decide to enter in to the land of temptation I will leave all forms of money behind. My friend was shocking about wearing a sign that said "Don't sell me anything." Might resort to that later during the freeze. Happy Thursday!

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