The Great American Apparel Diet

no buying for one year

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

• share:
• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this
• Recommend on Facebook
• Share on Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet this
• Follow this posts comments

Tweet This Post

As I descend into my sixth month on the clothes diet, I’ve caught myself reminiscing about my last trip to a mall. My friend Tina and I were quite bored after lunch one afternoon and had some time to spare, so we ventured to a relatively new mall that was close-by, but rarely possessed anything either of us could afford. Being that I was on the clothes diet and she has been trying to cut back a little, we made a pact. We could look at all the pretty things we want, but if either of us tried to make a purchase, they would be allotted one smack and a stern “NO”.  There would be no rationalizing a purchase here, nor any mindless spending.

Soon, of course, we found that this formerly extravagant mall had fallen on (slightly) tough times, allowing more affordable stores into their hallowed halls. (I might add that you can now cue Joe Jackson’s “Captain of Industry (Overture)” to play in the background of this paragraph.) Upon our realization of the mall’s new persona that was filled with the likes of Forever 21 and Anthropologie, we ran around like kids in a store that sold not just candy, but also some forbidden fireworks and other explosives.  At this point, the clothing racks were flooded with echoes of oohs and aahs. Fingers were pointed at sparkly trinkets, and puppy dog eyes gleamed in the face of plumed fascinators. But all was forgotten as an apple-red tweed jacket lined with navy tartan and a portion of Paddington Bear’s soul quickly caught my canine sight, overshadowing any reflections from the other doodads. Light shone from its threads as swirling, twinkling colors straight from the opening credits of Family Affair settled upon its countenance. It was the apple of my eye, and as said eyes glazed over and my drool washed ashore, Tina sensed my weakness very quickly, pulling me aside to look at floral frocks to which she knows I would never feel betrothed. This brought up another point of conversation, a story from our teenage years.

Soon pointing a rigid finger at a bowl full of jewel encrusted, tiger bedecked rings, and glitter nail polish, Tina squealed, “Tabatha, I neeeeed these things,” mocking a former incarnation of herself who was also blinded by the light of fashion. We chortled at Tina’s quotation of that hidden and buried inner girl that had once picked up a bundle of tchotchkes in a Claire’s Accessories, making the exact same proclamation, one of need rather than desire. However, we knew deeply that neither of us had really grown out of the inane love spell that we first noted while perusing those novelties during that hazy memory of a spring evening. The little girls within ourselves would never let us forget those sparkled yearnings.

Luckily, through our wit and self-deprecating humor, we made it out of the mall with nothing but a discount Erlenmeyer flask that I had, as I explained to Tina with her lips already poised for a “NO”, been searching for over a six month period. Right now I still think about the jacket, and if I hadn’t been on the diet I know that I probably would have returned to romantically whisk  it off its hanger. But I can rest easy knowing that I now have money to spend on making memories at summer concerts for the Psychedelic Furs and the Go-Gos that would otherwise have been spent on my addiction to tweed. This is at least a great solace.

• share:
• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this
• Recommend on Facebook
• Share on Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet this
• Follow this posts comments

Tweet This Post

Last week I begrudgingly made the trip down to Nordstrom to get a pair of boots repaired.  It wasn’t until I got down there that I realized how deprived I feel having not purchased a thing since last fall.  These old duds are not  getting “newer.”  I have found that clothing, unlike wine, doesn’t get better with time.  I can attest to that fact with my patched up jeans.  When I say “I can wear clothes” I mean it.  I own a mail and gift shop here in Seattle and my job is physical.  My clothes experience some wear and tear.  I guess I never realized it as much as I do now that I can’t just replace my old things with new ones.  Which brings me back to my story. 

So, I’m in Nordstrom having my boots repaired and my eyes start to wander.   I was like a biggest loser contestent standing at a counter full of fresh baked goodies dripping with chocolate.  Here’s what I saw, in case you have been locked up in your house for six months afraid to step foot in a store.  Brights, stripes, ruching, asymmetrical pleats, skinny jeans and feminine eighties stuff.  Anyway, the experience made me dizzy and sweaty. Feeling the panic rise I got out of there as fast as I could, but not without a longing glance at the Brass Plum shop.

Walking briskly down the mall toward the parking garage I suddenly realized that I could zip right into the Victoria Secret store.  No guilt (underwear is kosher on this diet), no panic, pure underwear pleasure.  I dove into the store… and what to my wondrous eyes should appear? A sea of color, satin and lace.  I would have nuzzled my nose in the stack of panties fanned out on the table if it weren’t for the crowds.  What a joy, what a relief what a magical place a panty store can be!  Who knew?

Well, needless to say I stayed in VS far longer than I had planned.  I touched, inspected and fondled every piece of everything there.   Once tactically and visually satisfied I slapped down my $25 in exchange for five pairs of new panties.  I bought a bright pink number, a black and pink lacey thing, a straight up black pair of briefs and a crazy bright candy striper kind of thing and a leopard print pair that is sure to make my husband go wild.  It was glorious! 

But… I did notice something strange.  I normally wear a size medium underwear, occasionally a large (for good measure).  But it seems, in the last year, underwear has gotten bigger.  Hmmmm.  Vanity sizing in underwear? It seems the old large is the new small. 

Anyway, sizing aside, I feel fresh, confident and updated in my new undies. My only regret?  I can’t wear them on the outside of my jeans.

• share:
• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this
• Recommend on Facebook
• Share on Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet this
• Follow this posts comments

Tweet This Post

Okay, I thought I was just going to log in and just write about a success and go to bed, however it sounds like I am going to write a little bit more. So, I just read about two dieters that quit and boy can that be discouraging for us newbies. I want to something I just learned tonight in my addictions class for all us that are new to the diet. Relapse is to be expected when you are trying to kick the habit. Understand I am not saying that you should expect to fail but that we are going to it just means that we need to recognize that it can happen and we need to recognize the triggers and come up with ways to deal with the urge to buy that new dres. Believe me I so badly wanted to stop on my way home from class and buy myself something new because I had stayed up most of the night writing a paper and usually when I accomplish a task that gets me one step closer to my goal, I want to myself something new to wear.
I was like Pavlov’s dog salivating because the paper was done and I was thinking I’m one less paper away from my Master’s Degree and I deserve a little sumthin sumthin from one of my favorite clothing stores. Then I reminded myself, I am on a diet!

So, as I was driving home tonight and feeling tempted to stop at the mall, I decided to identify my triggers and one of them is that DSW, the mall and Marshall’s are all on my way home from class. It made me realize that I need a new route and that I definitely needed to come up with a different type of reward system.

I know I’m new to the diet but I also want to encourage other newbies like myself because it helps me to stay on track.

I am not expecting to relapse but I know it’s a possibility. Because I am so committed to this diet I am paying attention to the triggers and I am realizing and learning that there is a whole group of supportive people on this site that will help to get me back on track.

Maybe at some point they (the two who left) will come back. Is that possible Sally? Can they rejoin?

Thank You for the welcome! I am very close to celebrating my 1-week anniversary! As we say in the Army, HOOAH!

• share:
• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this
• Recommend on Facebook
• Share on Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet this
• Follow this posts comments

Tweet This Post

My sister is getting married this December and I am her maid of honor. I have a fitting for my dress next week so I needed to get a pair of shoes for them to know the dress length. Thankfully my mom is paying for the dress and shoes since I am strapped for cash at this point in my life.  Since I had today off this was my only chance to go shopping before the fitting.

I tried to convince my sister that black shoes would be fine, that way I could wear a pair I already had, a pair that I have only worn once before for my fiance’s mom’s wedding.  But no, she really wanted us to have silver shoes. Which is fine I guess, I shouldn’t turn down a chance to buy shoes especially when I don’t have to pay for them!

So today while walking through the mall, it hit me as to what I have gotten myself into. I walked past window after window of new fall fashion and my heart sank. I don’t think it really occurred to me how much I loved fashion. I think I love it more than design. The worst was the New York and Company window, with its bright oranges, yellows, blues and reds. The mix of sweaters and leggings and scarves. Oh sigh.

Successfully, I made it through the whole mall not buying anything! I ended up finding a pair of strappy silver shoes at DSW and was then able to head home.

I think I may have to avoid the malls though from now on. It is way too tempting.

Have a Wonderful Day Ladies!

Ali

• share:
• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this
• Recommend on Facebook
• Share on Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet this
• Follow this posts comments

Tweet This Post