Day 116: Wary Christmas

A USA Today article points out that November-December sales of women's clothing fell 23% over last year as people worry about their financial futures. I estimate that my shopping last year probably accounted for at least 1% of sales locally (kidding!... sort of; except maybe the sales for my local J.Crew and Ann Taylor). Should I abandon The Challenge and do my part to bolster the flailing economy?

Read the USA Today article here.

Day 111: Cranberry Bog, er, Blog

I've been on a huge cranberry and wine kick for a little while now, and I'm not talking about fruit or beverages.  In my opinion, these rich reds are sexy and sophisticated.  I'm thinking deep red may be the new purple.  My new preference started out small, with a shade of nail polish, and grew from there.

             

Maybelline Forever Strong nail polish in "Time for Wine"

Victoria's Secret dream angels demi bra in "wine"

Yankee Candle housewarmer candle in "Cranberry Chutney"

IKEA Sanela curtain in "dark red"

Barefoot Merlot

Day 107: Playing Pretend

I guess some may refer to it as "window shopping," but I've really been enjoying "pretend shopping" online as of late. J.Crew sent me an email yesterday that it was the final day to receive 30% off an order totaling $150 or more. I spent more time than I would like to admit trolling the sale section of their website and putting everything my heart desired into my "shopping bag." Hello, the stuff was already on sale with an ADDITIONAL 30% off! So in the end, I had over $400-worth of stuff in my shopping bag, then I wittled it down to less than $300... I could have gotten SO MUCH for like $200. One great thing about J.Crew is that even though they try to pretend a camisole is worth $195, eventually they mark it down to like $20. Why would anyone buy anything full-price there?

Anyway, I was wicked tempted to just throw my CC number in there and snatch up those steals. I even saved my order. But then the BF and I went out to dinner, came home and started watching tv... and I just kind of forgot about all that great stuff. Moral of the story? I guess I don't really NEED any of it, and once again was almost carried away by some enticing marketing.

Day 101: Aaarrgghhh!!!

One little slip, and it seems I've opened the floodgates! As you will recall from my last post, I just could not resist slipping some workout clothes for myself in with an order of Christmas presents online. Well yesterday, I wasn't even shopping for anyone else, and I spent $118.05 on new under-things at VictoriasSecret.com. Before I hit the "Purchase" button, the angel on my shoulder asked, "Do you really need any of this?" and I replied, "No.... But...." and the rest is history.

My reasoning: I had so many offer codes and a $10 gift card, I ended up getting a free pair of underwear, 20% off my entire purchase, free shipping AND the $10 applied to my order. I COULD have spent almost $190 for the exact same order. Oh, AND I linked to the website through my Visa card page, so I got double rewards points for the purchase (it's like an additional 2% off!). See? I'm actually SAVING money.

Believe me, I even sound lame to myself right now. Bottom line: Victoria's Secret marketing team, YOU GOT ME!

Day 94: Confession

Ok, I am feeling huge pangs of guilt, so I need to confess. My BF requested some very specific items from Nike.com for Christmas, and the website is running a promotion right now. If you spend $125 or more, you receive 20% off of your entire purchase (use code NIKEGIFTS at checkout). Being a sucker for a discount, and only buying $78-worth of merch for the BF, I threw in a couple of items for myself: a pair of workout pants and a tank top. They were both already on sale and I got the additional 20% discount. If I return them, I think I forfeit the discount on the gifts. I really really think I'm going to keep them for myself. I feel terrible though!

Day 93: Celebrate!

I've made it past the three-month mark! For me, this is a huge accomplishment, and I'm really getting used to my situation. I'll admit to the occasional wayward thought ("Hmmm... would I really need to tell anyone that I bought myself ONE pair of shoes? I've been so good; I deserve a treat!"), but I've held strong. Even with my company holiday party tomorrow night, I haven't even thought of buying a new outfit.

Part of the reason I am feeling so good about The Challenge is that it is so much easier to stay within my budget now. I haven't had to change anything else about my lifestyle; I've gone to Puerto Rico and Boston, done a good chunk of my Christmas shopping and have been buying WAY too many beauty products, but I've still had money leftover at the end of each month to put into savings. Now I feel secure enough financially that the BF and I are replacing the HORRIBLE futon with a real, honest-to-goodness sofa. We've shopped around some and have decided what we want; all that there is left to do is go buy it!

Day 85: Perennial Dilemma

Every year around this time, I remember a huge problem. I have nothing to wear! For work, I'm fine: I mix and match pants, textured pants, tights, boots, pumps, cashmere sweaters, cardigans, coats, scarves. But every week, Friday night inevitably rolls around, and I'm stumped! I end up wearing the same "going-out" outfits every weekend: skinny jeans with tall boots or bootcut jeans with pumps and a v-neck, long-sleeved shirt or sweater. BORING! Unfortunately, I don't see much else I can do. The objective is to temper warmth and praticality with femininity, style and a touch of sexiness. Maybe the key is great accessories? Oh and of course, grey boots! Here are my picks:

1. Toscana Shearling Gloves, J.Crew now $112. A little touch of fur always glams up winter outerwear, in my opinion.

2. Double-cloth Tulip Coat, J.Crew $330. I love the color of this coat. It would really brighten up my usual winter neutrals.

3. Ariella Collection Brushed Dome Ring, Nordstrom $48. Classic and lovely, and I need a cocktail ring in gold metal.

4. Mod Croc Clutch in Eggplant, Forever 21 $16.80. I don't wear purple, but it is huge this season, so here's a non-scary way I could incorporate it into my wardrobe. And it's more interesting than basic black.

5. Dolce Vita Boulevard Boot in Grey, Urban Outfitters $178. Yes, these would just encourage me to stay in my skinny-jean-tall-boot comfort zone, but they are perfect boots! I love grey because it can go with black, brown and everything else, and I could also incorpate this pair into my work wardrobe as a way to continue wearing my skirts and dresses.

Day 76: Catch Up and First Snafu

Setback:
Yes, it's been QUITE some time since my last post. I have A LOT to catch you up on. First of all, let's reveal the "snafu" and get it out of the way. Remember that black-tie wedding I was attending? And how I was supposed to watch what I was eating in order to fit into my dress? Well, I didn't watch what I was eating, and in a panic, I went to Nordstrom and bought Spanx. Two pairs because I didn't know what size I'd be. BUT I ended up wearing a different dress and am returning the unworn Spanx, so they really don't count.

P.S. I bought the "Higher Power" Spanx, and they are stupid because they have a huge seam down the front of them, which you could see outlined through my dress! Terrible!

Travel:
Part of the reason I've been remiss in my posting is because I've been on the road (or in the air, if we want to get technical). The BF and I were in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico from 11/3-11/7. It was hot, humid and awesome. On that Thursday, we visited Old San Juan: toured a fort, had lunch, visited some outlets. Ralph Lauren, Burberry and Coach. Very tempting, and I did buy something, but it's a Christmas present, so it doesn't count.

This past weekend, I flew up to Boston to visit my college friends. They took me to Mint Julep, a boutique in Harvard Square that they rave about. It lived up to the hype. I saw some big, Dynasty-esque gold earrings that I loved. And there was one Shoshanna party dress that we each picked up in turn because it was so fabu. But guess what? I'm still going strong!

Day 56: Kate Moss Christmas 2008 at Topshop

The Christmas 2008 Kate Moss Topshop Collection launched today.

I'm not really obsessed with anything in the collection, sadly. What I am obsessed with is almost everything Topshop is selling under their "Premium" collection! I will take one of every dress, top, coat and jacket, please!

Day 55: Over-the-knee Socks

I must admit, I'm digging the thigh-high-sock look. Thigh-high boots? A little scary. Thigh-high socks? I think I could rock them, a la Carrie Bradshaw in the Sex and the City Movie. Picture them with a pair of lace-up booties and a short skirt - so school-girl sexy! I'm not sure when in my life this look would be appropriate, but maybe brunch (if I was actually inclined to dress cutely) or a casual drink or dinner out.

Day 50

It's spreading!  A friend and coworker, Jess, vows she is not buying ANYTHING for the next month.  Wow, that's rough.  Other retail outlets are becoming my refuge from the clothing stores during The Challenge.  I can't imagine if I wasn't even allowed to go to Ikea on Sunday and spend $30 to give the bathroom a mini-makeover.  Is Jess crazy?  Or SO SANE?

Day 48

Classic tall Uggs in grey! I want, I want, I want!!!

Day 41

Success!  I was at my parents' this weekend, and maybe I do have potential as a vintage shopper.  I "shopped" in their closets.  I have a black-tie wedding to attend in less than three weeks.  My bud Trish lent me two dresses to try out as wardrobe options.  Both are gorgeous dresses (one she even found while I was with her at - what else? - a vintage store!), but I wanted to make sure I exhausted all my resources. 

My mom and I pulled out all the gowns from the high school and college proms and formals my sister and I went to.  A lot of them were distinctly "high school" or "prom:" either from the juniors section of a department store or covered with rhinestones or a super bright color.  But I tried on my senior prom dress, a sleek, silver, strapless, floor-length gown.  Very simple and classic.  I had good taste when I was 17!  The fit is a leeeeetle bit tight, so I will either need to be careful what I eat for the next few weeks, suck in the entire time or invest in some spanx.  But with The Challenge still going strong, I can't just trot out and buy new underpinnings!  I guess watching what goes in my mouth is the cheapest and most-logical option.  Plus, the BF and I are going to Puerto Rico the Monday after the wedding, so eating healthy for the next few weeks will be like double-dipping.  Look good at the wedding, look good on the beach.

With all the excitement of finding another outfit option, I started looking through other things hanging around the house.  I ended up bringing home a pair of white, opera-length gloves with pearl buttons (fake, I'm sure) at the wrists; a swingy, roomy gray coat that will work for formal options (I always struggle with what to top my nice dresses with on chilly nights) and a small, preppy bag that I can use to tote my gym clothes.  Oh, the coat was my grandmother's... I am SO vintage!

Day 37

Can't stop reading this blog: http://rantingsofafashionaddict.blogspot.com/. I am so envious of Fashion Addict's flair for vintage style! She is one adorable Canadian.

Day 36

Lately, I've been thinking about vintage fashion. Maybe it's all the Sex and the City I've been watching or The Rachel Zoe Project, but either way, I wish I were one of those women who could carry it off. Whenever I am in secondhand stores, I think, "Is this cool? Or does it just look used?" Even though I myself merely aspire to be a funky, downtown-cool chick, for those who actually are, check out this link: http://www.malenasboutique.com/. I went to high school with Malena, and she was a friend of my brother's. I think it's awesome that she's introducing some vintage style to our old hometown (for reference, preppy stand-bys Abercrombie, J.Crew and Gap were the most-popular labels among my classmates).

As you know, I'm trying to curb clothing purchases, so maybe I will cut my vintage style teeth at my aunt's house. She never ever throws anything away if it can be salvaged; she's held onto a custom-made jacket she had made in Italy probably 30 years ago along with boxes galore of other items. Could be some hidden treasures somewhere in there... if I can recognize them!

Day 31

Am I a shopaholic? My boss sent me this link: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26840446/ which details a test developed to identify "compulsive buyers." The test is made up of six statements, and you have to rank on a seven-point scale how strongly you agree with the statement. My results:

1. "My closet has unopened shopping bags in it."
Ha! Zero points for this one. I open my shopping right away! Except for that one bag from Target with a pair of leggings in it that I bought a month ago. Ok, 1 point.

2. "Others might consider me a 'shopaholic.'"
I don't think people consider me a shopaholic. I hardly ever buy things when I go shopping with friends or family. I'm more of a shopping loner. But...coworkers have caught me with shopping bags after lunch on many occasions, who knows what they think? 1 point.

3. "Much of my life centers around buying things."
Yes. I love buying things: for myself and for others, as gifts. It's a form of entertainment, and it feels soooo good. But I have balance too: work, relationships and hobbies (reading, running, traveling when possible). I'll give myself.... 4 points.

4. "I buy things I don't need."
Doesn't everyone? 6 points.

5. "I buy things I did not plan to buy."
Yes. Magazines in the grocery store checkout? Check. Clothes so on sale I can't pass them up? Check. Anything that strikes my fancy when I'm really hungover/still drunk? Check. But at least I don't collect sofas, like my mom. 5 points.

6. "I consider myself an impulse purchaser."
Isn't this the same as question 5?? 5 points.

Score: 22 points. Woohoo! "Respondents who score 25 or higher would be considered compulsive buyers," aka, NOT ME.

Day 30

!! One month down! Only eleven to go! I've found a band-aid for my self-inflicted non-shopping wounds: Sephora.com. I can seriously spend hours "window shopping" there. When I find a product I think I may like, I wander over to MakeupAlley.com and read some reviews. If I find good reviews, I put the product in my Sephora list of favorites to purchase later. (My list of favorites is getting pretty long.) I placed an order Monday evening for Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, Bare Escentuals Essential Brow Kit and Frederic Fekkai Sheer Hold Hairspray - all new products to me, but hey, gotta spend >$50 to get the free shipping! Plus, they throw in SO MANY samples. I'm getting three samples PLUS one "deluxe" sample PLUS a seven-piece "ultimate eye sampler." According to my tracking number, my package should be arriving today. Yippeeeeee!!! The great thing about online shopping is you have the gratification of placing the order, the anticipation of waiting for your order and then the gratification of receiving and opening your order.

Day 24

I think when all is said and done, I'd like to break my shopping fast here: http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=7. Hello? A Jimmy Choo OUTLET? Whoever heard of such a thing? I google-mapped it. It will take me four hours to get there, so maybe I'll make a weekend of it: take a friend, visit the bro in Manhattan (he'll probably be up for a shopping excursion), maybe Bed, Bath and Beyond... I don't know, I don't know if we'll have time.

Day 22

For all you J.Crew lovers out there, check out this blog: http://jcrewaholics.com/. I tend to shop at J.Crew a LOT, mainly because their reductions on sale items are positively dizzying. However, JCrewaholic had an entry asking readers what was their favorite ever J.Crew purchase. The question gave me pause. Out of all the money I've spent at J.Crew, I can really only think of one t-shirt and one cardigan from there that I've LOVED. I WANT to love my J.Crew ballet flats and cashmere sweaters and headbands, but the ballet flats aren't that comfortable, the sweaters don't fit me that well and the headbands give me headaches! Don't even get me started on the pants; I don't think I own one pair because they NEVER work for me.

I've always had this general feeling that J.Crew (like so many other clothing companies) only designs clothes for people who are basically fashion models anyway: TALL and slim to the point of boyishness. Their clothes are definitely not designed for my short, curvy figure. And no, I'm not using "curvy" the way magazines do, as a euphemism for "fat," I just have hips, a bust and a butt... as I'm sure many other women do!

Well, it turns out that Jenna Lyons, J.Crew's senior VP of design, is six-foot tall and has no boobs. Go figure! Maybe I need to scrap my career path, go to design school and take the helm of one these companies, just to have clothes that fit me well! Or, J.Crew's CEO Mickey Drexler got his MBA from Boston U, my Alma mater; maybe I can track him down through our alumni network and tell him my woes.

One thing I'll give J.Crew: their swimsuits. I do like their swimsuits. And right now, they have a TON on sale, many pieces for $9.99. You can get a whole suit for $20!! Argh, I'd usually be all over that. The only balm for my sting is to know that next year at this time I can go hog wild. Couldn't I just abandon The Challenge this one little time?

Day 21

Sex and the City: The Movie comes out on DVD today. I can't decide whether or not to buy it. I wasn't really blown away by it when I saw it in the theater, but I would like to see it again, and I do have every season of the TV show on DVD... do I need to round out my collection with the movie?

I think I will hold off for now. For some reason those four characters are a very bad influence on me. They make me want to toss reason and foresight aside, maxing out my credit cards buying Jimmy Choos, Manolos and Christian Dior handbags. And then they make me want to create drama in my relationship, thinking "Who needs men!? We have each other!" Luckily, I haven't ever followed through on either of these urges. Yet.

Day 20

...yes, 20! I think it's getting easier to be less preoccupied with shopping. As long as I don't think about it. I stumbled across this blog, all about shopping: http://blog.cleveland.com/shopaholic/ The writers are based in Cleveland, but they mainly talk about mainstream stores, so everyone who's been to an American mall can relate.

Day 17

Got to thinking about my Christmas list. I figure that since this is more of a personal-finance challenge, I can still RECEIVE new clothes, I just can't BUY them. So BF, if you're reading this, make note: a Christmas shopping spree would be well received.

Day 14

Those marketers are hella smart. Yes, I see those people walking around with the orange Banana shopping bags, which means only one thing - SALE. Yes, I'd normally hightail it over there to check out the racks. NO, I'm not going to fall for it this time. HA!

Switching gears, here's one of my favorite blogs: http://www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com/

I find it so inspirational. Like maybe one day, I could be walking down the street, and someone noticing the tiniest detail of my outfit will fall so in love with it that he'll have to photograph it and share it with the world. It's like that part in Confessions of a Shopaholic when Becky Bloomwood reveals her secret wish that someone will put her in a magazine as a "girl on the street" and identify the label of every item of clothing she's wearing. Highly unlikely, but motivation to leave the house looking put together!

Day 13

Just realized that the pants I'm wearing today are forming a small hole on the knee. While I do feel validated in my purchases when I actually hold onto them long enough to wear them out, I'm a little nervous. What if all of my clothes are worn out in a year... I will have nothing appropriate to wear to work and will subsequently be fired. And broke. Do all paths of this experiment lead to me being poor?

Yesterday, I talked about how many clothing-related emails tempt me on a daily basis. You know what else I think is problematic? Store credit cards. I think my mom has one for every store she's ever shopped in. I have four: Banana Republic, Express, Gap and Nordstrom. Is four a lot or not? I can't even gauge because I'm not sure what shopping habits are normal, and when I reflect on my shopping role model (my mother), I'm pretty sure her habits are a bit extreme. Sorry mom!

Day 12

Voicemail from my mom: "Hi, I'm sorting through this stuff and found a coupon for 20% off at Ann Taylor. Do you want me to save it for you? Call me back."

I am bombarded like this all the time. The stores that send me emails are Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, Intermix and South Moon Under, and I also get updates from Shop it to Me. Every email exclaims "One Day Only!" "Fall Must-Haves!" "Free Shipping!"

Side note: today I carried a new suede bag from Anthropologie - purchased pre-Challenge. Apparently I will never run out of new things, and now you know why I started this experiment.

Day 11

I wore a new cardigan on Wednesday night (bought pre-Challenge, of course!) and, within an hour of my putting it on, my bf noticed there was a good-sized hole in the sleeve.  Grrr!  So today, I took the cardigan and the shirt to return at Gap and headed to the mall.  

First stop was Gap, and I just headed straight to the checkout counter with my return.  The girl in front of me was buying a really cute cardi, but I did my transaction and left.  The key for me is definitely to put my blinders on and ignore all clothes as much as possible.  Anthropologie next with the cardigan; I exchanged it for a non-holey one and jetted.  When I walked past J.Crew, I looked at the window displays and thought, Ha!  You're not going to get me with your over-priced clothes with stylish-sounding names.  "Jackie Cardigan" my butt!  I did buy a few things at the mall: a shower gift at Crate & Barrel and wrapping paper and blank cards at Hallmark.  Then went to Trader Joe's before heading home.  

I should confess now that there is one VERY BAD consequence of The Challenge, and that is that I feel justified in giving in to non-clothing temptations.  Starbucks, lunches out, junk food... Yuck.  At the end of this year, not only will I be poorly-dressed and out of date, but I will also be fat and STILL poor!  What to do??  I need some kind of joy in my life.  Any suggestions for something that feels like a treat but doesn't affect my wallet or waistline in a negative way? 

Day 9

I am starting to think that The Challenge is going to be even harder than I anticipated. I mean, it's only been a little over a week, and I'm already starting to covet things. Today, I watched the new Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo, and even though her style is not my aesthetic, I was envious of all the shopping and oooohhing and aaaaahhing over beautiful clothes, jewelry, shoes and handbags. (Actually, she doesn't say "oooh" or "aaahhh," she says "die," whatever that's supposed to mean.) I did admire Zoe's wide-leg-jeans-and-platform-shoes combos. SIGH.

Day 7

3:30 pm
My bargain-shopping-extraordinaire colleague brought her Ann Taylor purchase out to show me. It is a super-cute skirt, orange with white rings printed on it - very mod. And she got it for under $13! Yowsa. The one downside, she said, was that she didn't try it on and isn't sure it will fit exactly right. Also, it's a size 6, and she's usually a 4. Now that I think about it, maybe The Challenge will rid me of the sense that I need to buy things because they are "a bargain" when I really don't need them. How many of the things I own did I only want when I saw how much money I'd "save?" Hm.

2:18 pm
One of my colleagues apparently just returned from a shopping-filled lunch break, and I can overhear her showing off her final-sale skirt from Ann Taylor. I envy her the thrill of the hunt.

9:02 am
Yesterday was the first time I faced my demons and walked into a clothing store. Along with my Banana Republic credit card bill, I received a $10 reward card. I think I earn one every time I spend $200 on my BR card. Anyway, I also received an email from BR for 30% off any purchase for that day only! Before you start thinking I'm so weak as to be lured into a store for any old special, know that I actually needed to buy a gift and 30% + $10 off at BR was perfectly timed. I went during my lunch break, and I was a woman on a mission. I made a beeline for the accessories, picked up the gift item and went straight to the cash register. At that point, I was held up a little bit because there was another customer ahead of me, and of course the sale jewelry was within arm's reach of where I stood waiting. Major temptation. A pretty cocktail ring, in a small enough size, on sale, and would be 30% off?? Looking back, I kinda wish I'd just bought it - but I didn't! Go me. Successful and selfless shopping excursion.

P.S. They wouldn't let me combine my coupon and reward card... I guess a follow-up trip to spend the $10 will be forthcoming.

Day 6

Horror! I found a shirt purchased in June that still had the tags on it! I totally forgot about it after I bought it. The saving grace is that I found the receipt (sometimes I'm actually more organized than I think), and there's a 90 day return policy. Of course, my first instinct was to return it ASAP, but then I started thinking, "Hmm, well maybe I should try it on... see if it looks good with anything I own..." And then the angel perched on my other shoulder said, "Absolutely not. It's very much a summer shirt, summer's over, and you completely forgot about it anyway! You'll have to save it until next summer, and you probably won't remember to wear it then either!" Consensus: I'm returning the shirt. But I may try it on first, just to make sure.

Day 3

I am wearing a new t-shirt today. And I wore a new tank to the gym this morning. But don't worry; I bought them over the weekend, before I began The Challenge. I think I will miss the feeling of a never-worn-before item, so I'm trying to savor every moment today. Wow, this t-shirt feels gooood. Ok, lame.

Day 2

5:56 pm

Phew, made it through day 2!  So far, not painful at all.  The worst part of The Challenge right now is anticipating the withdrawal symptoms.  Looking forward and thinking about when the seasons change, I know I will be tempted by the new clothes in stores.  And the end-of-season sales... I'm a total sucker for those!

If you're curious about the article that inspired The Challenge, it can be found here:  http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/LearnToBudget/12NewNeedsThatDrainYourCash_Slides.aspx

9:15 am

Last night, I had a vision of myself a year from now. I was wearing the palest blue jeans, all-white cross trainers and a long-sleeved pastel floral shirt. And I had a frizzy perm. Yikes! Then I realized that to dress like that, I'd have to actually go buy those clothes, which isn't happening. At the end of this, will I find myself nominated for What Not to Wear?

Day 1

I read an article today about the 12 modern day "needs" that drain our bank accounts.  One of them was clothes!  Aren't clothes one of the basic necessities?  You know... food, water, shelter, all that?  But the author pointed out that we mostly own and buy clothes that we don't NEED, and how often do you wear out your clothes anyway?  The article also quoted a financial expert saying that most Americans could last a year without buying any new clothes.

Hm.  That bit got me thinking.  How long could I last without buying clothes?  Could I last a YEAR??  I keep pretty close tabs on my finances, so I went back and did some calculating.  In a year, I spent almost $2,500 on clothes, shoes and accessories.  That doesn't seem THAT bad, but think of what I could do with an extra $2,500: pad my retirement savings, upgrade my cell phone, buy an actual sofa and throw out this God-awful futon...  So, I am accepting the challenge.  No new clothes, no new shoes, no new handbags, jewelry or sunglasses.

Sigh... I am already fantasizing about the wardrobe updates I had been planning.