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.