Jan 15
It’s been eleven days since I started TGAAD. As with all diets, there are going to be times when I wish I wasn’t on one. Like last night, when I was invited out on a date to the fanciest restaurant in the city. Well. Ordinarily I would have high-tailed it to the mall to buy something stunning for the occasion.
But, I didn’t. I looked deep into my closet, and found a black pencil skirt from Banana Republic, and a black v-neck top with 3/4 sleeves. Even though both pieces were over three years old, I decided I could work with that. I paired them with black tights and a cute pair of black cowboy boots, and accessorized with a heavy gold chain necklace that was intertwined with black ribbon. All from my closet. I didn’t even purchase the tights. My daughter had just given me a box of tights the day before.
Even though I wasn’t wearing something brand new, I still felt like I was dressed up. And my date complimented my outfit. He said, “You look very French tonight.”
So… I stayed on my diet, had a great evening and received maybe the best compliment ever. I think I can do this for a year.
Tweet This Post
Tagged with: accessories, boots, diet, TGAAD
Dec 27
I am proud to say that I’ve been on TGAAD for one entire month now and it’s been hard, but I think if I stick to my guns…I can actually do this for the entire year!
Some of the things that have been helping me along so far are:
1. Keeping track of my daily outfits. I am actually keeping a record of what I’m wearing everyday and trying to vary my outfits as much as possible. I am aware that I’m still just wearing probably less than 10% of what I actually own, so that is motivating me to make better use of what’s been sitting in my closet and wardrobes. I’ve even taken the tags off of some new items and have finally put them to use. Something that I should have done a long time ago.
2. Over Christmas dinner, I finally had a chance to tell some other members of my family about my “apparel” diet and I could tell they were very skeptical about my plans. I am quite stubborn, so I know I will go out of my way to prove them wrong and show them how much willpower I actually have!
3. I am enjoying watching my savings account grow. I was tempted by a few sales and items that I spotted while Xmas shopping for others, but I was able to talk myself out of them. There were huge sales at H&M, a beautiful leather bag from Banana Republic that was regularly over $300, but on sale for just over $100, shoes by Marc Fisher that were $115 and on sale for $25 and the list goes on and on. I think by refraining just this past month, I’ve easily saved myself over $500.
4. I am happy with my decision to go cold turkey on the shoes and accessories in addition to the clothing. I have slowly, but surely been going through my things and trying to make use of necklaces I have forgotten about, new boots that are still in their boxes and anything else that I seem to have acquired from my years and years of overspending!
Well, there are 11 months to go, but I’m taking my baby steps and learning a lot about myself and my spending habits along the way.
Tweet This Post
Tagged with: accessories, Apparel Diet, cold turkey, temptation
Dec 24
..soooo instead of buying 1 pair of jeans, which is what I totally intended to do…I..err..umm…kind of ended up buying 3 pairs of jeans and a really cool (if I say so myself) pair of red sneakers. Do people still say “sneakers” these days?? Whatever, I’m old okay. Don’t judge me.
This brings me to my next subject: Should I include not buying shoes and accessories into the equation? Or would that simply be too much to cut out of my life at once? I mean, It’s not that I go Cr@ZZYy over shoes and accessories.. I have some self control.. Its just that…I’m unsure that if I cut everything out all at once, will I be more likely to fail or binge? Perhaps it’s as simple as limiting myself to one accessory or pair of shoes a month.
Maybe this way I won’t have that lingering feeling of deprivation hanging over my shoulders..or at the tip of my fingers [hovering ever so precariously over that mouse button] …
~Felix Navidad!~
Tweet This Post
Tagged with: accessories, Shoes, sneakers
Dec 21
I’ve recently returned from a whirlwind trip to Ontario for a family visit with the boyfriend. Like I’ve said in an earlier post, I don’t have many shopping options here in my town and most of my clothing purchases happen online. So being in “civilization” kind of put me into shopping OVERDRIVE!!! Since I normally don’t have the luxury of being able to pack up and leave town whenever I want, being in any city with endless shopping possibilities is pretty exciting! Even the most minuscule mall can give me a rush!!
One of the reasons I chose TGAAD as my new years resolution was to ease myself into it without feeling too overwhelmed. Also, I figured since we had already planned this trip way far in advance, that I didn’t want to limit myself while on the second trip out of town this year…like I said, I don’t get out much.
So..First things first: Budget, Budget, Budget! I budgeted for the entire trip. I saved up a couple months in advance, made a list of things that I really wanted to buy annnd… I didn’t bring my credit card [that part was pretty easy since it's been sitting pretty in a block of ice in my freezer for the last year and a half].
So as soon as we got into the city[Day 2 of a 15 hour drive and at this point we had been up since 4:30 in the morning], we went straight for the mall. THE WEST EDMONTON MALL!! Oh the convenience! Oh the stores! Oh the humanity!!! Anthropologie! Victorias Secret! H&M! Lululemon!! Ahh there are too many to name! ShoesShoesShoesssssss!!! The one stop shop!
It was great and I loved it, and somehow I managed to buy more accessories [scarves, hats, jewelry, sunglasses..etc] and gifts than actual clothes. In the 17 days we were gone I came home with 2 sweaters; 1 cardigan – $12.99 at Old Navy; 1 long sleeved active shirt (perfect for under my hockey equipment) and a pair of AE jeans $49.50….Huh, go figure. One of the best purchases would have to have been the most darling of egg holders from anthropologie in this fab blue colour..it was something like $16 and I LOVE IT!
TenDays until the real challenge begins. EXCITED MUCH!?!?! xoxo
Tweet This Post
Tagged with: accessories, Anthropologie, budget, Budgeting, Lululemon, mall, The Great American Apparel Diet
Sep 30
Although I have completed my year of the diet, it has still continued to influence my purchasing. In the last year I have purchased only 3 new items, all after I completed my diet. I have since purchased a pair of running shorts and a top for my upcoming Komen Maryland Race for the Cure. I had been running in cotton shorts and a tshirt, and in the muggy Baltimore, MD it left me soaked and uncomfortable. The only other purchase that I made was a comfortable pair of foldover waistband lounge pants. They were half price and fit like a glove; I couldn’t resist.
Some of the permanent life changes as a result of the “The Diet” are that I continue to read “look books” and fashion articles to discover the trend items and then use what I have in my closet to restyle what I already have. Over the last year I have purchased a a few accessories including this gorgeous belt and a brand new purse. A few pieces of jewelry like this leather cuff, tattoo necklace, and some very chic recycled mixed media pendants. The final and most important purchases were these great brooches that I use to accent my staple pieces like cardigans and jackets. It allows me to wear the same items each week, but feel like I’m wearing something new. I never had enough in the budget to buy clothing and accessories, even back when I purchased cheap clothing on clearance. I have two more planned purchases this year, a black cardigan and one in brown, to replace the ones that I wore so often and for so long that I wore out the elbows and then through the patches.
What I will continue to do is to always buy vintage, refashioned or recycled clothing first and whenever possible. Etsy, Ebay and local thrift stores are great ways to shop for eco-friendly, inexpensive clothing. If that isn’t possible then I’ll buy handmade to support artisans and crafters who still value quality and creativity. I do love a good one of a kind piece that I know I can wear for many, many years to come.
The most important lesson that I learned though, is that you can be really stylish without constantly updating your wardrobe with throw-away fashion. Don’t be a fashion victim caught in the cycle of constantly having to buy the newest, trendiest clothes. Buy a few well-made, perfectly fitted items and keep them. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise can help you fit into those pieces longer and you’ll be happier and healthier in the end. I spend so little time shopping now that I’m free to pursue all of the interests that I always wanted, but couldn’t find the time, money or energy to devote before. I’ve taken up cooking, running, knitting, crocheting, sewing, downhill mountain bike racing and spending much more time with my family and friends and I couldn’t be happier.
Tweet This Post
Tagged with: accessories, addiction, Apparel Diet, clothes, clothing diet, Consumerism, diet, eco fashion, etsy, fashion, fashionista, recessionista, recycled clothing, The Great American Apparel Diet, thrift store, vintage
Sep 15
So hello world…Today was suppose to be Wishful Wednesday..you know the thought and idea of wishful thinking because thoughts become reality. Unfortunately that’s not how the day started…it started very blah. And because I was somewhat upset and not very happy at lunch all i wanted dto do was run to Ny & Co or Marshalls and be over it. BUT! I didn’t I grabbed my sandwich I packed because that’s my other diet only eating out lunch once a week and headed over to the accessories store (Charming Charlies is AWESOME)located next door to my office. This way if i did buy something it was something I was allowed. I was extremely proud of myself because I bought nothing. Everytime I would pick something up I would ask “DO i love it?” and there was nothing in there I loved so I left empty handed (except my little plastic sandwich baggy). Believe it or not I didn’t have any regret about not getting anything, I will say I still wanted to go to Marshalls lol but I didn’t. Best part got back to work and my boss loved the narrative I wrote so the day started turning around which made me realize it really is the little things in life that makes you smile. Until Day 3….o wait so is it wrong I shop when I’m mad, would’ve really made me feel better? I think so….Until Day 3…xoxo
Tweet This Post
Tagged with: accessories, Charming Charlies, Marshalls, Ny & Co, Wishful
Jul 08
By Sally Bjornsen
Consumerism, Fashion Trends, Sustainable Fashion, The Great American Apparel Diet, eco fashion, fashion, nordstrom, recession, recycled apparel, shopping, shopping addiction, slow clothing, south coast plaza, workout clothes
O.K., I am not proud. I have told nearly every woman I know that I am simply starving on this @#$%^& diet. The good news, my incessant complaints and whines have been rewarded with hand-me-downs from friends and family (maybe they just want me to shut up). Now, these aren’t Oliver Twist castoffs. Remember, birds of a feather flock together. My friends and family have hand-me-downs with tags still on them or barely worn items that they “bought on a whim,” and shouldn’t have (you know the story). I am sorry for their mistakes, but not really. I’m glad to be the one who can take these items off their hands. Most importantly their gifts are going to good use. Just last week I received a beautiful wrap from my mother, a white knit item, just like Meryl Streep wore in the movie It’s Complicated. I am now wearing a pair of pewter Donald Pliner slides and a great pair of lulu lemon tights my yoga friend gave me (she has three of the same pair). So my point? Tell people you will gladly take their shopping mistakes off their hands. They will fell great about it, especially if you wear them again and again. Now go forth and tell the world, “I am hungry, feed me your scraps!”
Tweet This Post
Tagged with: accessories, Apparel Diet, clothes, fashion, fashionista, It's Complicated, Meryl Streep, Nordstrom, recessionista
Jul 05
It’s been a while since I updated on my shopping diet progress specifically (I blog about my clothing and fashion habits nearly daily at The New Professional), but wanted to check on in. I started on March 1, and although this group challenge ends on August 31, I am committed to completing one year of not shopping, which puts me out of commission until March 1, 2011.
I’ve cheated twice. You may remember my first confession here a few months ago, and the second was an emergency jacket purchase when I got caught in unexpected cold weather on vacation. Since then I’ve stayed out of the mall (I avoid online shopping in general because of shipping charges and fitting) and generally on my diet.
Some benefits I’ve seen from this diet so far that I hope to hold on to when it’s over:
- Time Management: After a full day of work, I barely have time for my husband, friends, my blog, and my home (even 700 square feet takes a bit of maintenance). A lot of my socializing has been relegated to weekends, and that’s also when I log in a few blog posts that I schedule to post throughout the week. No time = no shopping!
- Being happy with what I have: Having documented the bulk of my outfits over the past four months, I’ve noticed how much of my closet I just do not wear. And yet I am fully clothed every single day, usually in something different. This goes back to a previous post I did on this site asking, “how much is enough?”
- Savings: While it’s only been a few months, I already feel more free financially to enjoy things like a nice dinner out, an extra weekend vacation, or a show in the city, which I can often think of in terms of shopping trips. Previously, it was not uncommon for me to spend $150-$200 (sometimes more) in one trip to the outlets. So 1 shopping trip saved = 1 weekend trip to LA to visit friends and family. Or 1 shopping trip avoided = 3 nice dinners out with my husband.
- Freedom: Not just financially, but also in terms of how I think. It is so freeing to not have to think about keeping up with fashion. It has taken a huge load off my back…now I can put on something I’ve owned for years and think: this is me. I don’t need a new dress or new clothes to make people see me as I want them to…instead I’m more confident in the clothes I own, like I’m taking credit for my past shopping successes (and reveling in them for a whole year!).
That’s not to say I’m never tempted. Reading fashion blogs regularly exposes a lot of new fashion, stores, and styles that I had never considered before. But then I think…is that really me? Would I be able to pull that off? Probably not. Do I even have anywhere to wear it? No way. My clothes are a reflection of my lifestyle and my personality…things I’ve been pretty secure in for a while. Yes, I am all for experimenting, but I’ve done that already by pairing together items I already own in different combinations. And accessories — ooh, accessories — I’m really taking this year to assess what I have and really learn how to use accessories. I’ve purchased two belts, a pair of new earrings, and a new ring, and am always on the lookout for more to round out my wardrobe. And shoes…I haven’t put the kibosh on buying shoes either (three pairs over the past four months). But even just the addition of these few items has opened my closet up to many more possibilities.
How are you doing on the diet? What have you learned about yourself?
Tweet This Post
Tagged with: accessories, benefits, blogs, time management
Jun 08
- Made in US
- “Crafted solely in recycled EcoGold and conflict-free stones, and donates a percentage of sales to Women for Women International.”
These bright gold pieces speak for themselves and will jump out at you. Maker Danielle’s attention to detail is apparent in the placing of every last stone. The jewelry isn’t garish and made for show, it is delicate and intentional. I loved her Constellations Collection, which offers new versions of the classic astrology necklace. The star patterns are also available on rings and earrings. It’s surprising that it was the first collection for this accomplished designer.
The Leo Constellations ring.
- I would wait for an anniversary or Christmas to ask for these, with prices coming in at a minimum of $500.
- Buy at the online shop found on the website.
http://ellapoe.com
Tweet This Post
Tagged with: accessories, conflict-free stones, eco gold, Ella Poe, fashion, shopping
Apr 26
I’ve always been a bit of a minimalist. I never really took the time to coordinate accessories and I would rarely wear jewelry. The one thing that this diet has really taught me is the power of a good accessory. I have one cream colored cardigan to wear and ordinarily I would have run out and purchased several new cardigans to fill the void so that I wouldn’t be forced to wear the same vanilla sweater over and over again this Spring. That, however, would be a diet no-no. So…I purchased some really adorable accessories. I purchased several cute pins hand-made by Etsy Artisans to freshen up my wardrobe. A few even pull double duty as sweater pin or hair accessory depending on how I choose to wear it. I picked up a fun, casual pin, some bold and bright flowers, and a few more low-key, natural pins to give my sweater a little flair. I’ve also taken to wearing more of my jewelry that had been lazing about in my drawer, unloved and unappreciated. I’ve started wearing my hair in different ways so that I don’t feel as if I look like the same boring old me each day. In short, I haven’t added to my wardrobe by purchasing new clothes, but I have certainly introduced some new, fun and funky looks by working with a variety of accessories in different sizes, colors and textures…and it’s been fun.
Here are links to a few of the cute new pins that I’ve purchased and made myself that I’ve added to my collection of vintage, heirloom and gifted jewelry. I’ve included a few new headbands that I’ve purchsed as well because they really help me feel new and fresh.
Recycled Headband/Necklace
Recycled Necklace/Scarf
Petal Pin for Sweater/Hair
Owl Brooch
Lightweight Natural Pin
Colorful Hairbands
Tweet This Post
Tagged with: accessories, Apparel Diet, brooch, clothing diet, etsy, fashion, fashionista, hairband, pin, recycled, The Great American Apparel Diet, vintage
Loading ...
