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...