-190 Happy Mothers Day!

I broke one of my rules today.  I accepted a gift.  R brought home flowers today and I absolutely love them. 

Happy Mother's Day to me and to all my Mother Friends!

Love,

S

-179 Frustrated?

Ok, so after making a big deal about doing so well mentally and feeling pretty good about my CT decisions yesetrday, today I am ready to hit the stores.  I couldn't find a thing in my closet that made me feel good.  I hate it when I put almost everything I own on, and nothing feels right.  Why are some days like this?  It doesn't occur that often but when it does, out comes the credit card and I head for whichever store is the closest.  But that was before Cold Turkey Shopping.

Today, I hate my closet. 

I have extended my hair appointments to the maximum allowable weeks between color treatments, according to the American Society for Better Looking Women in Their 50's.  I can't hold out any longer and I am off to see my miracle worker, Julie. 

Maybe a hair treatment will be just the ticket to help me forget my awful closet.

Love,
S

-180 - Counting down is hard to do...

I have been just horrible at writing lately. I don't know if it is the spring air and the sunshine keeping me outdoors but I have not had an inspiration lately. And I haven't had anything to say. Maybe I am really in the groove on my Cold Turkey and beginning to feel less involved in my retail habit.

I really believed that until I went through the JCrew catalog today. What is it about shoes that really gets to me? I am feeling sorely lacking in fresh summer footwear and it is really bothering me. I have been evaluating the difference between 'wanting' and 'needing'. Of course I need nothing!

But a girl can always want...

Love,

S

Day -193 A Trip to my home State

I am well below the 200 mark now, YAY! I need to get this posted before I forget...I was just in Washington State with my family and had several opportunities to do some serious shopping. If you have ever been in Oregon or Washington for any length of time, you must have shopped at a Fred Meyer Store.

Fred Meyer takes me to my childhood. I have been shopping there as long as I can remember. They are a cross between Target, KMart, JCP, Macy's and Safeway. I don't really know how to explain, but they have something of everything and things from all types brands. They are better than Wallmart (where I REFUSE to shop and shall be a post for another day), and not quite as "big box" feeling as a Target - even the Targets with groceries. And yes, they do have groceries. And a fresh bakery, gourmet cheeses, good seafood and a fine selection of unusual organic choices in all departments.

I love walking through the electronics, the household items - where I purchased new pot holders and kitchen towels for my Mother - the garden department and the clothing. I could have shopped all night, if I had allowed myself. But alas, with Cold Turkey Shopping, I went in for what I needed, and went out without a look. Last year, pre- CTS, I spent time and money on soy candles with organic cotton wicks to bring home. I am still burning them. I am saving them for as long as I can, knowing I can't just run out to 'Freddies' and replace them. At least not until next November 1st and then only when I get back to Washington. Sigh...

If you make a trip to the great Northwest, be sure to stop in and browse in the first Freddies you come across. I guarantee you will buy SOMETHING.

Love,
S

-207 Fun Flats and Floating Florals

Oh spring. I love this time of year when all the new fun shoes and beautiful dresses begin showing in the stores. Trouble is, I don't usually wear completely flat shoes and rarely wear dresses, especially not floral dresses. But, in a fit of trying to be more 'fun, springy, fresh, what-have-you' I purchased, pre-Cold Turkey mind you, a couple of print dresses I thought would add some lightness to my normally conservative and solid colored wardrobe. So here I am, in the midst of Cold Turkey and there is nothing I hate more than those 2 dresses purchased last spring/summer.

I tried, I really did! One of the dresses I have worn twice and both times I have felt like I was not myself. The other dress still has the tags on it. I hesitate getting rid of ANYTHING right now. Who knows? Maybe in a couple of months, one or both of those dresses will fit the bill for an event.

Have you ever gotten rid of something in your closet and then looked for it later? Clean closet remorse is one thing I certainly don't need right now! Nope, everything is staying, even if I haven't worn it in a couple of years, or never.

Love,
S

-213 Month 5 is over!

I realized this week I am just finishing Month 5 of Cold Turkey Shopping. WOW! Honestly? I didn't think I could do it. When Nordstrom starting calling last month and I had to hang up on my personal shoe shopper, I thought "Well, that's ok, I am not going to buy those Cole Haan heels anyway." But when my personal BRA Sales lady called...now I know, not everyone has a 'personal bra sales person' on their blackberry call list. But I digress. I had to tell her I didn't need anything. I didn't quite tell her I am not shopping. I don't really want her to throw my number and name away. After all, she has been finding the perfect bra's for me for the past 7 years! How could I let her go? It's almost like letting my hair stylist go. Not gonna happen! So I just told her that I didn't need anything right now. How disappointing is that? To tell your special sales person you don't 'need' anything? It was very hard!

So I am out to dinner with a some colleagues tonight and told them about
Cold Turkey Shopping and how it started. That is when it really occured to me that I am almost halfway through this experiment. I am near the downhill side of my goal. And more importantly, I have survived the winter doldrums. This is the second highest quarter of my shopping year! If I can hang tough through the winter, then maybe I can make it through August and the close out sales. But I don't want to get ahead of myself.

One quarter at a time.

Love,
S

-233 Is Renting considered Buying??

I haven't written but once this month. That is because I have not been thinking much about shopping. I have had the occasional twinge, like when the new Garnet Hill Catalog showed up in my mail box, and for some reason opting out of email alerts for sales only lasts about 3 months. I am getting them all again.

I haven't written because I have a new GORGEOUS baby girl to think about. She is my first grand daughter and I think this is going to be fun! My dear friend sent me a book by Lois Wyse, "Funny, you don't Look Like a Grandmother". This book has been a hoot to read and it gives me pause to know that I can actually shop again for someone other than myself. Let's face it, R isn't that interesting to shop for and my two son's? Not so much.

But I still have twinges on a fairly regular basis. Especially with the weather getting SO nice and the leaves on my roses in full spring mode. I have a very good friend that is getting married this summer. What makes this so special is she is getting married in my backyard! We are getting the yard ready for an elegant party, think "Father of the Bride" elegance. The front yard is my priority and I just made a deal with our gardener today to get the palms planted and the river rock put in place. But honestly, my mind has been wandering around the thought that I have absolutely NOTHING to wear to an evening outdoor wedding. We are talking white lights and roses everywhere, a sit down dinner for 80 and a dance floor on the second level. I need to find a dress! Which brings me to an interesting subject. I found a designer web site that RENTS dresses for a nominal fee. You have to apply to go in and peruse their site but they have amazing deals for a fraction of what it would cost to buy a dress. The site is www.renttherunway.com.

Check it out and I DO want to hear if you think renting would be breaking my oath of poverty.

Love,
S

254 - Day 111

Ok, so I really, really, really want those Cole Haan shoes. I am thinking I should go try them on and then if they hurt my feet or don't fit right for whatever reason, I won't keep thinking about them. Trust me, I have NOTHING in my closet that even remotely resembles them.

I must stay strong...

Love,
S

-258 Day 107 It's all about shoes

Well I must admit I bought something. Not what you would think, but it is still something. I am in a book club with a group of running pals and I took the book with me to North Carolina for a biz trip. I left the book in the hotel room (at least I THINK I did since it isn't in my suitcase) so I went to Borders and bought a new one. There, I said it. I am feeling a little guilty, but it was unavoidable. Whew, now that's over, let's get down to what is really on my mind.

I got the new Nordstrom catalog in the mail and there are two pairs of shoes in it I am absolutely dying to own. Yes, I know, I have plenty of shoes and shoes I don't wear, but these. Ah these would take me entirely through spring, summer, fall and beyond. The first pair are Cole Haan Verona T-Straps. They come in black and brown and are SO me! I will try and post a picture if I can figure it out.




The second pair are Jimmy Choo's red patent Lace Mary Jane. They are the perfect pump and so sexy in red.
Let me know what you think.
Love,
S

-271 = Day 94 WOW

I am in the beginning of this venture. And what a beginning it has been. I haven't had the luxury of telling my friends and family (except a small few of you) about my project and what I am doing...or not doing as the case may be.

I believe that much of my shopping behavior is tied to my well-being or state of mind at any given moment. Like, when I am feeling really thin because I have lost weight, I want to go try on clothes and see what smaller size I can fit into. OR, when I have gained weight and can no longer fit into those smaller clothing sizes and I have given all my normal size clothes to the Goodwill, I shop for something that fits. So you see, my mental state is much in tuned to my shopping habits. Or vice versa. There is also this time of year when I begin feeling a somewhat limited by what I can wear. I mean, who decided you can't wear white between Labor Day and Memorial Day? I see women wearing white all year round in Orange County, CA, but I just can't bring myself to do it! Yikes! What is it? I know the fashion police are not going to bring me in, but I still can't do it. It is the same thing with open toed shoes. No place in November through March for sandels, but the moment it stops raining, out they come. Atrocious!

Anyway, last time I wrote, I was sad and wanted to shop. Now I just have the winter doldrums and want something fun to tide me over. Reviewing my CC bills over the last few years, February through March are my big months for Nordstrom and Me. I think it is those doldrums. And unlike "other people in their quest for not shopping", mine is not because I NEED anything. It is just to make an otherwise dull week seem brighter. And what is the harm in that?

Love,
S