As many of you know I am really interested in the idea of buying things made in America.  The Seattle Times wrote an article How to Dress Like an All American with Brands made in the U.S.A.  Here’s a snippet.

Finding U.S.-made items is a challenge, but it is possible to dress from head to toe in U.S.-made items. Here are four pieces made at home:

Jeans

True Religion is a young brand, founded in 2002. Items such as the Billy-Body Rinse jeans are made in the U.S. These jeans are made with 72 percent cotton, 28 percent elasterall. It is a low-rise fit with 7.5-inch front rise and 12.5-inch back rise. The legs are straight, and the dark rinse features soft brown thread and shiny copper rivets and button fly. Back pockets have flaps that close with a small button. Available in sizes 0 to 12, sizes are listed by waist circumference. $216 at truereligionbrandjeans.com or True Religion stores.

Top

Carve Designs is a California company that manufactures several items in the U.S., including the complete High Point Collection which features tees, hoodies and jackets. The Halifax jacket is another option. This soft shell jacket is made for cooler weather and has a double breast and zip close. It is made with soft-shell nylon bonded with long hair fleece. The fit is close and hits at high thigh. Color options are chocolate or black, sizing is small to extra large. $228 at carvedesigns.com.

Purse

reMade USA is a San Francisco company that turns old leather jackets into fashionable bags. Ready to Order bags include The Sutter Clutch, a 12-by-7 handbag made from “random scraps” of leather jackets. The bag closes with two gold snaps and has a leather hand strap. The bag takes three weeks to complete and finished bags will vary. Available in black or brown, $125. Another option is to supply your own leather jacket and place a special order. Prices vary; remadeusa.com.

Shoes

New Balance manufactures many of its shoes in New England, including the 993s. These high-performance running shoes have a suede and mesh outer and a shock-absorbing sole. Available in gray or black for $139.99. A pink version also is available for $149.99, benefits the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, and allows for personalization on the tongue. Message options include “Survivor,” “In Honor of,” “Running for” and “Lace Up.” Available at newbalance.com.

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We just wrapped up the last poll. It sounds like we mostly feel, compulsive, impulsive and erratic when we shop. Hey, I thought this shopping thing was supposed to be fun and not make our hearts race. Many of us said we were also strategic but that definitely fell down the list from the more poignant adjectives above. When did shopping go from being something that fulfills a need to something that gives us a rush? I guess this is what happens when humans no longer hunt their prey—now it’s just hunting for bargains. Is it the fight or flight instinct that is carried over from our ancestors that gives us the urge to go out and forage at Marshalls? Slaying the dragon at Macy’s? I don’t know but I think it’s something to examine and consider. I say, take a deep breath and ask yourself when you are tempted on impulse to buy something you cannot afford or do not need… “can I live without this.” Only you know the answer.

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The Great American Apparel Diet got some good news coverage in Colorado this week.  Our very own Birdie Carpenter was front and center.   See the article below and video here.

Go On A Clothes Shopping Diet To Save Money

 Got A Colorado News Tip For CBS4 Denver? Share It Here

Reporting
Suzanne McCarroll

DENVER (CBS4) ― Coloradans are taking a stand and finding solutions in their effort to Beat the Recession. Visit our Beating the Recession section. 

A new campaign to save money is spreading, not only in the U.S., but in other countries as well. It’s called the Great American Apparel Diet.

It’s free to join and people pledge not to buy any new clothes for an entire year. Those on the diet say it’s good for the environment, good for the wallet, and promotes a healthier lifestyle.

There is a growing trend to resist temptation to squelch the urge to shop.

“You remove the temptation, you don’t think about it, you don’t expose yourself to that environment,” Birdie Carpenter said.

Carpenter has not been in a mall for months after going on the diet.

“It really appealed to me because I have a lot of clothes,” she said. “I’m always getting rid of clothes and then replacing them.”

Now she finds herself with more money and more time.

“I can actually do something fun, active and outdoors,” she said. “That seems like it makes more sense.”

While the diet has followers throughout the U.S., Europe and South Africa, CBS4 found many shoppers who are appalled by the idea.

“It sounds pretty silly to me,” a shopper told CBS4.

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Old habits die hard.  I officially have been off the The Great American Apparel Diet for 26 days now.  I wish I could say I have put all my new rules into place and that it is all smooth sailing, but that would be a lie.  I seem to be back to my old tricks, spending an inordinate amount of time thinking about, shopping for and discussing apparel.  The good news is I have a keen awareness of my behavior, where before the diet I did not.  I have had to catch myself on numerous occasions behaving like the shopaholic I used to be.  Buying in a frenzy only to return the item the next day.  Going out to run an errand, say grocery shopping, and finding myself in a store surrounded by beautiful apparel (how’d that happen?).  But the one thing that has really come into view since I have been off the diet is how much internet shopping attracts my attention.  It is such a hot button for me.  It used to be you had to get dressed, get in your car and drive to the mall, now all you have to do is turn on your computer.  It’s like cat to catnip, crack to an addict, blood to a mosquito.  You can shop naked, in your underwear, on the toilette, it doesn’t matter.  They will take your money regardless of what you’re doing on the other end of the high speed internet.   You know the drill.  I am planning this week, tomorrow, to turn off the e-mail sites that offer the high-end discount deals like Hautelook.com, Gilt.com, RueLaLa, etc.  It is just too damed tempting and I don’t have the will power to look and not to buy.  Wish me luck!  Your fellow lifetime dieter.

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Every year when I go to my annual checkup I fill out a questionnaire that asks “how much alcohol do you drink a week.”  Now, I find this question about as awkward as “how many days a week do you floss.”  I drink a couple of glasses of wine a night and on the weekends it’s no holds barred.  That said, I don’t think I’m an alcoholic.  I don’t fall over drunk, make out with strangers or wake up in someone else’s bed.  I think I am a typical working mom who drinks wine to pass the time and to forget the details of life for a while.  Is that so wrong?  According to the stupid questionnaire and my tee tolling  doctor, more than seven 6 oz. glasses of wine or beer a week is much too much.  Have you ever seen six ounces of wine in wine glass?  Of course not, bartenders and sommeliers would be fired if they only poured 6 oz. into a glass.  For the record 6 oz. is  called a “taste.”  Who are these people, these arbiters of appropriate wine consumption and teeth flossing?  Where do they come from? Obviously they are nobody I know!

The other day I was scanning the web and came upon an online article titled:  “Are you a Shopaholic.”  Yikes, according to the questionnaire in the article I guess I am.  Of course this reminded me of the alcohol questionnaire at my doctor’s office.  According to the following questions (and you need to answer “yes” to four of the questions to qualify) I fall smack dab in the belly of the shopaholic zone.  I thought I would share with you what I found. 

Take this Quiz: Are you a compulsive shopper?

True or False? Evaluate the following statements:

1. When I am feeling depressed, I usually go shopping.

2. I spend a lot of money that I do not have on things that I do not need.

3. I get a rush when I make a purchase, but I “crash” soon afterwards.

4. I have closets full of clothes that I have never worn, and countless gadgets that I have never used.

5. I often feel reckless and out of control when I shop.

6. I lie to my friends and family about how much money I spend.

7. Even though I feel very distraught about my debt, I still shop.

8. I feel emotionally upset and disturbed by my own shopping habits.

9. After a big shopping trip, I sometimes feel disoriented and depressed.

10. My shopping has caused problems in my personal relationships in one way or another.

Did you answer “True” for four or more of the above statements? If so, it is possible that you have a real problem with compulsive shopping.

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Hey dieters the polls are in and the department store wins with the T.J. Maxx, Ross type discounters right behind her.  I was surprised to see that online shopping came in behind the discount brick and mortar option.  But then again not so surprising.  Have you ever ordered a pair of pants online?  Nothing like a few online mistakes that will send you back to the Lucky or Levis store for a pair of jeans that fit.  Boutiques came in next to last with the big box retailer in last place (The first and last time I bought something at a big box retailer it was a swim suit, I was in a panic.  I was horrified to find that every woman over 60 had the same suit that year).

We have a new poll this week that hits right at our emotions…how we feel when we shop.  Arghhhh.  This is a hot topic that seems to surface a lot in our posts.  I can’t wait to hear what you have to say.  Happy dieting!  Sally

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Ok. Just went to Newark on Alaska Airlines, and lost that yellow coat I bought. My client says it is pay back for cheating, some kind of punishment from the universe. I don’t think filling out the “lost and found” form online with Alaska will do me any good. I really don’t think I will ever see that coat again. Shoot!

How much more time do we have left? I talked to Stephanie Greco the other day, and we are both so ready for this to be over. But….I am glad I did it. I really do see how many clothes I do have and I have been wearing them. And I think I will be a better shopper when this all comes to a close. So, when is that? I am going to take that day off to shop.

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A few days ago, Sally came to my shop and gave me a fantastic sweater. She also gave me a blue 3/4 sleeve top…on the tag is says “Anne Fontaine Paris” and that make me feel fancy. Her website is annoying, though. Sorry Anne Fontaine! The wrap around sweater has beautiful flowers on the shoulder and the tag says Taxi CDC. Never heard of that one…doesn’t sound fancy. After going to the website I see it is a recycled clothing company, which I love! Now this sweater is my favorite sweater! I almost wore it two days in a row. This apparel diet is turning out pretty good for me. Thanks Sally! I owe pictures of my Via Spiga faux shearling coat from Bluefly and these two things, too.
Now, off to work on the redesign of my website www.beautyalert.biz because we have three gorgeous doctors who recommend our system!

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Hi. OK, the coat came from Bluefly.com and it is so fantastic. It is faux shearling from Via Spiga. I saved 39% by shopping at Bluefly.com. That is what is so hard to resist. I will try to make this my last cheating expedition. I am sorry. It won’t happen again. I don’t know what came over me. Now, off to blog about my new mascaras at www.beautyalert.biz/blog

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