D minus 307 Day 58: Ahhh, Christmas

Well, I made it through the gift giving and taking with nary a wistful glance, but with a few sighs of relief. I cut down on my shopping, only purchased a couple of small gifts for R, and one each for the boys. I allowed myself to receive 3 gifts; one from my dearest friend - (a beautiful plate with freshly baked banana bread), and a fire pit for our backyard from the Christmas Gift Exchange with family. The 3rd gift was for both R and me and was created with great care by oldest son and his GF. They put together a special basket with microwave popcorn and popcorn holders to eat it with, a copy of "Up", and a gift card to one of my fav restaurants. You can't turn a gift like that down! Oh, and two new tree ornaments, "I 'heart' my Grandma/Grandpa". Very cute and they are residing on our tree this very moment!

We spent the holidays with hubby number 1 and his family. I know that is strange for most people, but with son #2 home for Christmas, son #1 and gf being with the 'Dad's' family, it just made the most sense. We had a good time in the mountains at their vacation home and spent a good two days eating, drinking and laughing. Just the way holiday's should be.

Son #2 and I went to Best Buy AND the Mall on Sunday. He had a few return items to take care of and we wandered around the sales for a bit. Not a thing hit me as a must have, but I must admit The Gap had so little merchandise, it was hard to be enticed. Nordstrom was busy and I found a non-sale dress (of course it wasn't on sale) that I stopped to admire, but I didn't even check the tag. Still on course for success. I'm not even in the 200's yet, meaning it has barely been 2 months!

I really feel so much better with this new appreciation for non-consumerism. I honestly don't know how I will feel later but for now, this is making me very happy.
Love,
S

Countdown 322

I watched Julie and Julia yesterday. It was a howly kind of day, wind was blowing, non-stop rain, and it was the perfect day to stay indoors, light a fire and watch a really nice movie - which it was. I've read both books, My Life in France and Julie and Julia, but it was well before I started this project or had an inkling I was heading in this direction.

I think it struck me how alone Julie was in her attempt to make all those recipes in 365 days and how the blog was her salvation. Now I know she had her husband and her gf (and in the book, her brother for a lot of the time), but she was still alone in her single mindedness to finish her project.

I have told few people about what I am doing, or not doing as the case may be. I am having trouble deciding whether to tell people or just kind of ignore it. I don't know many that would understand. It has been met with some nods of the head and "Oh, so you are really doing that", type reactions. But I am not even down to the 200's yet and it IS hard. I am glad Christmas is in the first 1/4 of the project, rather than the end.

S

326 - Day 39

Oh, the holidays. I love 'em. The house is decorated, I have made one batch of caramels and am planning a second batch for tomorrow. 75% of my Christmas Cards went in the mail yesterday. I have a list of holiday favs to create in the kitchen and our plans are firm for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I should be set, right? Not so fast...

I am beginning to feel the "Christmas Noose" tightening. Aaarrrghhhh. I want to shop. I want to spend a day at Fashion Island in all the unique and funky stores. And it's not that I can't do it. Shopping for others is a pleasure unto itself, right?

It has only been 39 days, not even two months since I began. I am finding it much easier to shop on-line and be done with it all. But I so love the atmosphere, and I really want to not pay shipping.

Love,
S

Day 334 Countdown - Gifts!

I headed to the mall today to work my way through The Gap. I had a 25% off card that is good for today through Sunday and thought, what the heck. R was with me and we ended up buying him a couple of 2 for 1 shirts. The last time I was in The Gap they were running that same offer which makes me wonder if it ever went away. The cashier asked if I couldn't find anything for myself and I told her I wasn't shopping for myself today. R began to explain and realized it wasn't worth it, lol.

The bottom line is I found multiple items that would be great for stocking stuffers! There is a lot this year that I think would be good for small gifts for the boys. I didn't buy anything yet, but I am definitely heading back. I have always rewarded myself when shopping for my family with a little something for ME. I am sure I will find many little somethings over the next couple of weeks but I will satisfy ME with a skinny sugar free cinnamon dulce latte (my new fav), and call it a day.

Love,
S

Day 333 - New info from my sister

I just found out from sister 'P' that she is selling PartyLite Candles. I LOVE those candles and they have been my candle of choice for many years. As I was decorating the house on Sunday, I put out a snowman holder that requires one of the PartyLite 3-wick giants. The holder is supposed to have a red or green candle. All I have is a lite blue one. I kept thinking, "If I buy a red candle, I can use it all year and it is for the house, right?" Then I discovered P is selling them. I didn't cave, I am using the blue and have it with another decoration that repeats the blue and it will be fine. But that is one purchase I wish I had known I needed. P mentioned she started selling PartyLite right about the same time I started my Cold Turkey so she didn't even want to tell me.

Sigh, I hope she is still selling them next year.

Love,
S

336 Countdown - The Holidays

When I started this project, I thought I had plenty of clothes in my closet that would last throughout the coming year and I could just wear them. And I do. I certainly didn't foresee NOT being able to wear them. It is Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend and I am beginning to panic. The holidays are here, and I have already gained 10 pounds of ugly fat since last August! A series of vacations, business travel, illness, surgery and back pain have kept me from my usual 40 mile a week runs and I have put on pounds! My 6 pairs of jeans in my drawer are increasingly tight and I am SO uncomfortable. I gave away all my stretch Chico's clothing over a year ago and have nothing that doesn't bind my waist/hips. Not that I want to go buy bigger clothing, I have worked too hard for too many years to do that. I just need to refocus my brain on my healthy eating plan and stick to it.

So today I am counting points again, keeping track of my water intake, and saying no to R when he suggests his brilliant homemade pizza for dinners. Chicken breast, brown rice and veggies, here I come!

Day 341 - Mexico Would Have's

R and I spent a glorious week in Cabo San Lucas and I came home with one thing; I bought some Mexican Vanilla at the Duty Free Store in the airport. The vanilla is a high concentrate, great for baking and is not available in the US. Not a 'banned' purchase for my household if you ask me.

I looked at baby things, but came home with zero, nothing, nada. At this point, I am not feeling any pain when it comes to abstinence. I can only hope the next 340 days will be as easy.

Love,
S

Day 350 - Mexico Bound

Whoo boy. Spent the day washing and then packing what to take to Cabo in the morning. R and I decided to not take communication devices so I won't be posting until I get back.

What was interesting was the "what to take to a Mexican Resort" dilemma. I know it's November but I can wear white pants in Mexico, can't I? And I have had a very hard time deciding on shoes, which I would think would not be a problem. I don't know if we will be dancing at The Giggling Marlin (or wherever the hot spot is now) or hiking the hills. And this vacation is one where I can't just say, "well if I don't have it with me, I can just buy it there." That has always been my mainstay when packing. Oh, I can just pick up something there...not this time.

Day 353 - Must have necklaces

So far, this non-shopping mind-set has been easy. But I must say, I am totally into the new mixed media necklaces that are out this holiday season. JCrew has some great ones, but all the department stores are featuring some great pieces. If they are in style next year, I'm getting one!

PS: OK, so I can't figure out how to put the picture on the right page. It worked once, but now I am just too tired to fiddle with it. The necklaces are pictured at the bottom of the blog. I love them!

Love,
S

Day 356 - Mission Inn Half Marathon

I ran a half marathon in Riverside, CA yesterday. I ran well for not training much this past month, but what I really want to talk about is the aftermath of the run. Downtown Riverside is very quaint, with hip shopping and cool little sidewalk cafe's. All of which opened early for the crowds of runners. It's the shops I want to mention. The friend I was with wanted to shop and didn't know I am on a no-shopping crusade. I quite easily walked into stores, window shopped at others, and saw artwork and eclectic clothing and jewelry, on-sale no less, and did not bat an eyelash.

I have decided finally, to count down for the year. My sister said she thinks it would motivating to see the numbers shrink and I agree.

Day 6 / 359 - One Week

It has been one week since I started this project. Most would think that a week without shopping is not a big deal. And normally, I would agree. It's hard when I am bombarded with "Special Sales" offers from my fav on-line catalogs; J. Crew, Garnet Hill, Zappo's, etc. So, I went through and removed myself from their email lists with the promise of never having to see those "Special On-Line Offer" campaigns again. Free Shipping? For me, NO Shipping is the new mantra.

Baby steps.

Day 4 / Day 361

I still can't decide.
I went to Nordstrom today. I took 'R's shoes to the repair shop next to Sears at my mall and the easiest way back to the car was through the mall and out Nordstrom. (And if you believe that, I have some beachfront property in Floriday to sell you!) I am such a sucker for their sales. My oh my, but they had the most beautiful purses on sale. I got a latte at the cafe before I headed in, fully intending to make my way directly through to the parking lot. But I got sucked into the purse tables. They had tables and tables of beautiful soft leather handbags. There was a pale pink Coach that I had never seen before. The shoulder strap/handle was braided and it was as soft and whisper light as a snow flake. Then there was an eggplant - the new color this year - bag from Juicy that was just delicious! Oh, how I would have LOVED to be the new owner of that purple bag.

I made my way to the jewelry counter and the sales girl noticed my Lori Bonn 'S' necklace and just HAD to show me the new silver thread bracelets that you can put charms on. There is an 'S' charm that matches my necklace and all sorts of stones to mix and match. I tried to find it on-line so I could post a picture but LB doesn't show it on their web site. Oh well, you will have to imagine it because I walked away.

Day 1 OR Day 365?

I can't decide whether to count down or count up. For some reason counting down seems better to start, but I think it's going to have to be counting up. So I guess this IS day 1.

Yesterday I meant to post an addendum to my Friday post. After 'R' discovered I couldn't use gifts for a year, he went ahead and gave me my Christmas present. That way it was technically before I started and I could wear it now. For my birthday this year, 'R' gave me a beautiful necklace and earring set of Murano glass, that I just love. He was saving the bracelet for Christmas but I forced his hand. Now I have a bracelet to match the earrings and necklace. And of course I love it. See picture below. He isn't as thrilled with the 'no presents' aspect of this project as I am, but I would rather stop cold turkey, thus the name of the blog...

Subject: Holiday Cheer Before I Begin

My husband and I just got home from the grocery store. I am in the mood for baking. I made pie crust this morning and needed apples for the pie. The subject of Christmas came up while we were wandering through the aisles and 'R' mentioned he wasn't nervous about the season this year. I told him, of course not! You won't be buying me any presents, no pressure there. His reaction surprised me. WHAT??? I can't give you any presents?

So here's the deal with presents/gifts. I may receive any gift and won't turn anything away, but I may not use it until my 365 days of Cold Turkey are over. This is my rule and I am not ready to bend it before I have even begun.

Now, back to the apple pie and the brownies I am making.

$ More Days

What I really meant was 4 More Days. But the number 4 and the dollar sign are the same key, how is that for subliminal messages? This is Tuesday and I have until midnight on Saturday, Halloween, to finish up any spontaneous shopping I might be so inclined to do. Truthfully, when I mentioned this project to my girlfriend today, she thought it was an interesting idea (not mine and not original I want to add), but thought I was being overly harsh by not allowing myself to use gifts during this year. I explained it is part of doing without. GF that she is, related the "no gifts" rule to being on a diet - everything can be related to food at some level - and having someone sabotage your diet by offering a plate of fresh brownies while trying to lose weight.

I thought it was an interesting comparison so I am using it. When anyone offers a gift, I will explain I am on a shopping 'diet' and not allowing that in my menu of choices for now. We'll see how I feel in June when we have our anniversary. Or in September when it is my 55th Birthday.

Counting down to November 1

Today I bought a new purse and another pair of boots. These are boots I have been wanting for several years. Ever since Frye brand came back on the scene, I have been searching for the perfect pair...like I had in my 20's. Can you believe I want a pair of boots I wore in my 20's? Hey, at least they aren't suede Desert Boots.

These are called , "Collegiate". How perfect is that? They are plain leather with a rounded toe and about a 2.5 inch heel on top of a stacked leather sole. Really they are more of 1.5 inches, with the stacked sole. I had a difficult time deciding the color. I wanted the light tan, but bought the brown instead. I thought it is a little more versatile and I like dark colors anyway.

I also bought a cross-body handbag. It is really cute, I hope, and is a Fossil in a great olive green. Both items are coming from Zapppo's so it will be easy to return if they aren't what they look to be. I LOVE Zappo's.

More great news today. 'R' and I are heading to Cabo San Lucas for a week in November. The shopping Gods will really be tempting me when I cross the border. Absolutely NO Mexican jewelry, blankets, scarves or pottery. Nada'!

Today I spent part of the day going through catalogs. In this order: Anthropoligie, Chico's, Garnet Hill, J.Crew, Nordstrom, Patagonia, and Spanx (I get it in the mail for some reason), and Sundance. Why, do I do this? I love looking at all the great things for the holidays. And those layered necklaces, with pearls and glass, are driving me crazy! Some of them are absolutely stunning.

Macy's had 2 full page ads for black holiday clothing. My color of course. Problem is, we don't really do Christmas or New Years parties anymore...most of our friends, if they have a party, are very casual. Jeans, of which I have plenty, and sweaters or tanks with lightweight sweaters or jackets. I throw in black velvet tops sometimes and that works but heels and stockings? Never. I can still dream about office parties and gala affairs. I just don't live that reality. And besides, I have plenty of velvet and silk classics to last a lifetime.

I am feeling like I have already started this project, but hey, I have 13 days left to if I need/want to shop. Maybe I will find a couple of "have to have" pieces to add before I go Cold Turkey.

Getting Ready

Today is October 17, 2009. I am getting my self as ready as I can to begin my year of "Cold Turkey Shopping". I got the idea from a couple of Blogging Girlfriends that wanted to try 'rehabbing' their shopping for 365 days.



Honestly, I tried to get my girlfriends to do this with me. The first decided it is one thing in her life right now that gives her enormous pleasure. Another offered to try it but for only 6 months. And the next one said she doesn't have a problem shopping. The lasts comments were met with much amusement by her daughter and husband that started giving examples of her shopping exploits, but that is another story.



I haven't blogged before, I don't really know what I am doing...But this is going to be my diary so to speak of 365 days of no shopping.



I am not going to be as strict as the two ladies that gave me the idea. For one thing, I am a marathon runner and HAVE to purchase new running shoes when mine wear out. It is a safety and health issue! I also work in a professional setting so I WILL be replacing my makeup and hair spray when they are gone. But I have committed to no new colors or new products to try.



Here are my rules:

• No shopping for myself for any new clothing items; including shoes, stockings, lingerie, work clothes, running clothing (except shoes and possibly running socks), hats, scarves, gloves, coats, casual clothes, purses or any accessories. No new jewelry!!


• No household items; including candles or holders, pillows, sheets, towels, artwork, cookware, glassware or dishes and no new linens.


• No flowers for the house but I may buy plants for the outdoors since my husband and I are still replanting from last winters fires.


• I may purchase gifts for others, after all, I will be a first time grandmother in February!


• I may not use any gift given to me until after the 365 days are up.

My husband (as you can imagine) is all for this 'experiment'. I will be going through a year of no gifts for Christmas, Valentines Day, our Anniversary and of course another birthday. Did I say I am writing today to mentally prepare myself? I am! I have taken a couple of precautions, though. The other day I bought the boots I have been wanting for 2 years and also a cute pair of short booties for good measure. I replaced my old worn out wallet with a very hip Marc Jacobs studded number, and threw in a cool pair of sunglasses from Marc Jacobs at the same time. I bought a another new pair of jeans, this time 1968 jeans from The Gap. Honestly, I have more jeans right now than I have ever owned including two pairs of Cookie Johnson jeans. Another reason to start this program before my closet and drawers explode!

I hope I am ready.

Count down to start day is 14 Days, November 1.