The Ban

Two months and a few days have passed since I started a 3 month shopping ban. I know 3 months is not a lot, in my case, it is. The best thing is I have not had a real urge to buy anything. 

Here is how I have kept strong for 60 days and counting:

1. Unsubscribed from over 30 newsletters.
2. Partnered up with a buddy who is also going for the same goal, in my case Lydia. You feel "supervised".

3. Taken to the tailor several garments to have adjusted.
4. Stayed away from "shopping buddies", you know who those are. You don't need to be tempted.

5. Decluttered. Donated. Recycled. Started with cosmetics, earrings and shoes and have a world to go.
6. Stayed away from the mall. 

7. Told everyone that I am on a shopping ban, so they can help me stay focused. You need support, or I do.
8. Read articles of the downside to shopping or just watch The True Cost.

9. Left my credit card in a drawer at work.

10. Photographed the items I wanted to buy and instagrammed them. Made me "feel" I had them. 

11. Shared either via Whatsapp or Instagram those items I really liked with friends whom I think would like them. I know I am bad influence, my theory is that if they buy them I can borrow from them.

12. Made plans: stayed busy and created opportunities to wear all those clothes hanging there. There you have less time to go to the mall or browse on line. 

13. Used cash being saved towards important things. Used part of the money I did not spend on clothes to pay for this year's fire insurance policy and similar. I am also making additional payments on my credit card.

Just a few more days to go.

Shopping ban in full throttle

A month and a few days have passed since I started my shopping ban. While it may not seem much for you, in my case, it is. The best thing is I have not had a real urge for buying anything. 

Above are some of the things I fell in love with during the last few weeks, keep on reading to learn why I instragrammed them. 

Here is how I have kept strong for 42 days and counting:

1. Unsubscribed from over 30 newsletters.

2. Taken to the tailor several garments to have adjusted.

3. Made small attempts to declutter. Started with cosmetics, earrings and shoes and have a world to go.

4. Begun telling everyone that I am on a shopping ban, so they can help me stay focused. You need support, or I do.

5. Left my credit card in a drawer at work.

6. Photograph the items I'd like to buy and instagram them. It makes me "feel" I have them. 

7. Share either via Whatsapp or Instagram those items I really like with friends whom I think would like them. I know I am bad influence, my theory is that if they buy them I can borrow from them.

8. Make plans: stay busy and create opportunities to wear all those clothes hanging there. There you have less time to go to the mall or browse on line. 

9. Use the cash you're saving towards important things. This may come as a surprise, because you'd think I was saving this cash. But I used part of the money I did not spend on clothes to pay for this year's fire insurance policy. Instead of letting it sit in my bank account I used it, if I left it there I would have felt tempted.  I am also making additional payments on my credit card.

B I N

Zebra print heels Bershka, similar - Black bucket bag Moschino here

Olive green trousers Burberry similar here - Black lace ruffle collar button down shirt Natural Exchange similar short sleeve here

BIN, BIN, BIN...

I am sooo avoiding the "buy it now" signs. Seventeen days into the three month shopping ban, I have:

1. Unsubscribed from over 30 newsletters.
2. Taken to the tailor several garments to have adjusted.
3. Made small attempts to declutter. Started with cosmetics, earrings and shoes and have a world to go.
4. Begun telling everyone that I am on a shopping ban, so they can help me stay focused. You need support, or I do.
5. Left my credit card in a drawer at work.

Tell me what you do to ignore all those tempting BIN signs ?

Linking up to The Mix 

It's sooo Over !

My shopping ban is over. 

It began in January 2010 and was supposed to end in 

December 2010.

It was difficult.

I stayed away from shopping malls, 

I unsubscribed from many online sites in order to avoid 

temptation of sales and discount coupons.

I began going out without cash or credit cards. 

I would do "imaginary" on line shopping: fill up the cart and then log off.

I stopped buying fashion magazines.

I began to clean out my closet and try to wear all that's in it.

I got rid of shoes, clothes and handbags that were no longer 

in use or even in good shape.

This helped me save money.

Money I used for fixing up my car and try and 

finish paying for it sooner than later.

It was going well until I succumbed at a 30% off sale.

A friend asked me to join her in finding the perfect duvet.

Happens the department store was on sale.

It was crowded. Hell crowded.

When my eyes met up with an aqua PURE DKNY convertible cardigan.

Originally priced at 225.00 USD, 

available to me at that moment for only 15.00 USD 

In that specific moment my shopping ban passed away.

Slowly, painlessly.

GONE !

YAY, here's my sinful silk and cashmere cardi:

- Black trousers

- Black v neck top Merona

- PURE DKNY aqua cardigan

- Rhinestone and lace necklace Forever 21

- Black pumps Bata

- Yellow patent tote Liz Claiborne

I have to admit I feel a little sinful.

I know have clothes and shoes to last me a lifetime.

But, it was an opportunity I could not pass!

Right ??!! Right??!

Shopping Ban UPDATE !

As I continue my shopping ban I FINALLY got the month where ...

I CAN BUY SOMETHING !

Y E S

In March I can buy 2 items. 

The bad thing was that I felt I HAD TO. I HAD TO BUY my 2 items.

So, I did:

- White shirt with silver motif Forever 12

- Black sleeveless cardigan thingy 

It was not something I needed :o(

I have yet to pick out those 2 items that will leave my closet because of the two new ones... it's also in the rules. (RULES AT THE BOTTOM OF POST)

I read all your comments on my last post regarding how my shopping ban was coming along, thank you !

I am happy to see that others have accomplished it, that it is possible !

my shopping ban rules

1. I will not buy anything during the month of January 2010 

Update: Did not BUY ANYTHING!

2. In February I can buy one item

Update: Travel parenthesis here. 100 USD spent.

3. March I can buy 2 items but, 2 items of the same kind must leave my closet

Update: It's mid March and I have NOT decided what to BUY....

4. April no purchases allowed

5. May, June, July : one item per month allowed

6. August, September, October: 2 items per month

7. November, December: one item per month

Shopping Ban...

Yes dear, my shopping ban is frankly still in effect...

True, I made a small parenthesis for my last vacation, but to be honest I held back A LOT.

I did not buy things on impulse and thought about each of my purchases.
Here's two of them:

Bag was 28.00 USD and Leather belt was 12.00 USD

In all, I spent probably 100.00 USD - which I think is rather amazing !

Now back home, I continue to stay away from malls, delete newsletters and work my full closet. 

I have noticed that I am a little more interested in DIY projects and other things.

Of course now I have a little more cash at hand.

My credit card is getting in shape and I am using that extra money to do minor repairs on my car, which were badly needed.
Little unnoticed things continue to show up during this ban... all positive I must say.

A shallow enlightenment, I may add.
So, to bring you up to date, this is what I vowed to do:

1. I will not buy anything during the month of January 2010 

Update: Did not BUY ANYTHING!

2. In February I can buy one item
Update: Travel parenthesis here. 100 USD spent.

3. March I can buy 2 items but, 2 items of the same kind must leave my closet

Update: It's mid March and I have NOT decided what to BUY....

4. April no purchases allowed

5. May, June, July : one item per month allowed

6. August, September, October: 2 items per month

7. November, December: one item per month

Any of you lovelies in a shopping ban ?

I'd love to hear from you ! 

Closet Edit : Boring Wear...

As I continue my shopping ban I have been wearing new items that had the tags on and others I seldom wear.

I have made it a "goal" to empty that closet where I keep new items and unworn, so I have been sporting things that have not seen the light in months.

Below are some of these and you know what ? they are boring !

So as you read this, they have been washed and packed and probably on their way to a better home...

One of the things that I notice out of this set, is that these items were either a bargain at time of purchase OR they were gifts.
The items that left are ill fitting - bra strap popping out, uncomfortably showing too much cleavage, too tight, too loose, fabric too thin, plain unflattering.
I had been delaying getting rid of these pieces I have no reason why as they were not working for me.
I want clothes that I look good in, period.

This shopping ban is helping me in more ways than I thought and so is this blog.

I can look back and see what works, what doesn't and keep track of it all...

How do you chose what to keep and what to give ?

Brown, red, turquoise top - GONE     Light turquoise Lacoste polo - GONE

Yellow tube top - GONE          Green, yellow and white top  - GONE

Brown Bongo top - GONE    Brown and pink top Aeropostale- GONE

Green top - GONE            Rose Top and Bolero wrap - GONE 

Seeking Inspiration on the 27th Day of My Shopping Ban

You may recall that I decided to go on a self imposed shopping ban for this year.

The ban consists on not buying shoes, accessories and of course clothes, I made the following "guides" to be followed:

1. I will not buy anything during the month of January 2010

2. In February I can buy one item

3. March I can buy 2 items but, 2 items of the same kind must leave my closet

4. April no purchases allowed

5. May, June, July : one item per month allowed

6. August, September, October: 2 items per month

7. November, December: one item per month

So far, in this month I have purchased 0. So I have been controlling myself a bit.

Now, I still do not know how I will handle upcoming vacations, do I assign a budget ? How would you do it ?

Anyways, as I continue with my self imposed ban, I was looking for some inspiration and found the above picture from the Philip Lim Fall 2009 Collection... and here's my summer version:

- Brown pants GAP

- Fuchsia Uno core ruffly top

- Beige cropped jacket Ann Taylor Loft

- Brown stretch belt 

- Silver Matte sandals Payless

- Yellow bag Lulu brand

- Silver Chanel wannabe earrings 

- Almost all my silver bracelets

You know, this whole set looks a lot better in "person" - meaning that the photographed version is not that flattering.... 

Plaid Monday and Shopping Ban Update

Yes, I have been shopping my closet.

I pulled out a pair of shoes I had not worn for almost a year and a plaid top that had also not seen the light of day for some time... 

- Black and white plaid top Emporium brand

- Black skirt Target

- Beige leather shoes Nine West

- Beige XXL Bag Urban Expressions

- Accessories: gold bangles - gift from Grandma, Gold Jade set (earrings, ring and bracelet) -gift from Mom.

In regards to the shopping ban, so far so good !

Oh, and I have other tips to help me continue with my shopping ban: 

1.Go to malls without your purse. 

I am serious. Do not take money with you.

Because of my job I have to visit malls, so you can only imagine how tempting this is... so no bag. It helped.

2. When you see something you like, mentally to find a piece in your closet that is similar to it. Most of the time, we already have a "look a like".

Are you also in a shopping ban ? How are you coping ? Any tips you can share ?

Windy Morning...

Check out the hair.... it was really windy this morning !

I am on day 8 of my shopping ban, now since the weekend is coming, I know that things will get tougher.

I have been deleting all emails from F21, Charlotte Russe, Rue Lala, Bluefly, you get the point. I think this is a way to control my online shopping habits.

We'll see how that turns out.

I am currently pulling stuff from my "second closet", which is actually a closet that sits in a room that is being used as an "office" by my H - I decided to take over the empty closet in that room last year.

I use this closet to:

1. Keep all the new stuff I have bought: belts, dresses, pants, bags. It all goes there before I wear it for the first time, then it goes to the regular closet in my bedroom.

2. Keep items that need to be repaired/taken to the seamstress.

3. Keep items that I have worn once or twice (like jeans/jackets) but, that I know can be worn again before going to the laundry/washing machine.

4. Keep items that I do not wear that often or that have not been worn in a year or +.

So, as a first step in this shopping ban, I will be "shopping" FIRST from this closet. This should help me get rid of some items. For example the top I am wearing today is not that flattering. I figured that this is maternity wear (my mom got it for me on a sales rack and did not realize this) and since I have a good friend who is pregnant, she should make better use of it.

Today I wore:

- Jeans Talbots

- Beige tank

- Long sleeve top - brown, red, beige, turquoise) by Sweet Pea

- Brown suede studded peep toe flats by Kenneth Cole Reaction

- Bronze tote bag Elvis Presley

- Silver tone and gold tone bracelet by Charriol 

H and I are taking a long (6 hour) drive to another "state" in my country. It's green, full of flowers, mountains... good, really good gourmet food.

 We rented a tiny cabin and taking the dogs with us, which should be fun.

We should be back on Sunday night.

So... what are you doing this weekend ?

It's 2010 !

I still have not fully recuperated from that terrible bronchitis that took me down  a few weeks ago ... so I stayed home on these days off.

As I mentioned earlier I usually do not torture myself with end of the year resolutions.

However this year I would like to try something different.

This year I will try to:

1. Let Go - as the saying goes:

" Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. 

You have to let go at some point in order to move forward."

2. Shopping Ban - but, I make the rules. 

Making my own rules may sound as cheating, I know. But, I have to set a realistic goal - one I can achieve. 

I know me and I know my limitations. It's not that I lack self control but, shopping for me is also a way to distract myself and release stress. It should not be, but unfortunately it is and that I cannot change overnight.

I also do not know how to handle shopping situations while being on business trips and also on vacations...

So, my ban goes as follows (suggestions are welcome)!

1. I will not buy anything during the month of January 2010

2. In February I can buy one item

3. March I can buy 2 items but, 2 items of the same kind must leave my closet

4. April no purchases allowed

5. May, June, July : one item per month allowed

6. August, September, October: 2 items per month

7. November, December: one item per month

Well, on the first days of this year I wore:

- Jeans Talbots

- Brown top Punto.com brand

- Green peep toe flats Payless

- Bronze tote bag Elvis Presley

Later on I decided to let the jeans go, it was wayyy too hot !

Being sick around the house is not much fun. But, I had to get dressed.

- Short Jeans

- Grey t shirt Mood Swing

I love tee's with a message, don't you ?