The Great American Apparel Diet
no buying for one year

Dec 24

Oops..

By Susie Hanna Consumerism, perspective, shopping 4 Comments »

..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!~

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Tagged with: accessories, Shoes, sneakers

Nov 09

Woo-Hoo – Week One Complete

By Admin Uncategorized, diet, fashion, shopping, women 1 Comment »

It’s official – I made it through Week One and I’ve only got 51 more to go. What was I thinking? I wonder especially because I’m neither a frequent shopper nor much of a fashion follower. I ended up with a subscription to W magazine last year and every time it arrived I thought, “What am I going to do with this?” My husband and I joked that it was sent by my mom or brother as a subtle reminder to step it up a notch, but regardless, I enjoyed my fashion peek while it lasted.

So how did I get through the first week? I told my oldest daughter, Margaret (she’s seven going on 35), all about the “diet” (not a top 10 word at home, but I made an exception) and she kept me honest over the weekend. We went shopping for her new sneakers and leggings at three stores (Target, the Gap and Macy’s). I kept stopping to admire random things that I wanted to look at and maybe, even purchase. Um, but that’s right, “You CAN’T” she reminded me at EVERY second, glance or even, “ooh, isn’t this cute!” comment.

We made it through shopping hell, but not without a million questions, “Can you get new shoes? What if your feet grow? How about underwear or bras? Your socks – you love socks and (most important), can you buy ME new clothes?” Yes, yes, and yes. Thankfully, Margaret doesn’t need anything right now, because she is all business about the apparel diet.

I was left thinking after we got home – Why the sudden urge to purchase? I wish I were 2 or 3 sizes smaller (third baby = 3x the weight) and have enough “big girl” clothes to last until I am 60+, but I kept seeing things that would be perfect for the fall/winter and hell, even for a tropical vacation (that we aren’t taking!). The shopping trip left me with some “consumerish” things to think about and more important, a lot more money in my bank account. Thanks Margaret!