Goodness, it has been over two years since I have posted and what a two years it has been.  Where did I leave off?  Well for one, my template is completely gone.  When I logged in this morning, all is wiped away and there is a blank slate for me to write on.  All my pictures, wallpaper, everything, is gone.  Being a DSLL (digital second language learner for those of you not in the know) I am not happy about this.  Where do I begin again?  I think I shall spend some time 'fixing' things and THEN begin the updates about where I have been and where I am going.  Because I am not sure of the answers to either of those questions!
Love,
Susan

12 Days of Shopping

Here I am, 12 Days into my new reformed shopping life.  Here's what I have to show for it with notes about whether it was on my Must Have - First Purchase list.

• 1 pair of black Whitney Pants / Nordstrom on my list and pictured last month
• 1 3/4 sleeve Black Cotton Cashmere Cardigan with sparkle buttons / not on the list
• 1 Dark Teal Straight Lace Tank top / not on the list
• 1 Black Chiffon Cascade Ruffle Tank / not specifically on the list but similar ones pictured earlier in the year
• 3 pairs Hanky Panky underwear / Nordstrom Sale and on the list.  (These suckers are comfortable. I can't find it in my consciousness to pay $18 - $22 for a pair of underwear, but these were ON SALE for $12 and I could justify it)
• 3 pairs traditional Felina boy leg underwear / On the list and ones I have been wearing for several years.
• 2 Ann Taylor Dresses / not on the list but oh, so cute and wearable.
• 3 Bandeau tops to wear under lowcut tops / Not on the list but a basic wardrobe item and they were Buy Two get the Third One Free and only $6.
• 1 Black Lace Teddy / Also not on the list but no apologies there.
• 1 pair of Black Birkenstock sandals / not on the list but a much needed item.

Total damage for my first 12 days:  $590.08.  I had a budget of $600 and came right within the limit. I got a few things I desperately needed and will wait on all the others.  The rest of my must have list I haven't been able to find.  I have searched high and low for the perfect pair of black flats.  I have been to both Zappo's and Endless.Com, neither of which were satisfactory.  I have searched Nordstrom, Macy's, Cole Haan, Bloomingdales, JC Penney's, Ann Taylor, J. Crew (I don't think they know what flats are anymore), and several other shoe boutiques.  I did see a pair in the Tod's store at South Coast Plaza, but I couldn't justify trying on a pair of $495 flats.  That was just a little bit outside my price range!  I also kept my eye's open for a good basic white shirt, which I didn't find but will continue to look and wait for sales. 

I am satisfied with what I have, know I don't really need much else and don't have the urge to look for anything else until next spring.  My old black Coach backpack is surviving well and I have a fall back, red leather bag from Sundance that is still hip and young looking.  I am doing all right. 

Love,
S

Shoes - I've been trying to find them

Here it is, Day 7 of my new shopping freedom and I haven't come up with a decent pair of black flats.  True, I haven't been to a store.  I have been shopping on-line with limited results.  I am heading to Nordstrom today, to see if I can finally find a pair of shoes that are not too narrow, not too clunky, not too high, and not too casual.

All these requirements are here for a reason.  I have been shopping on line and nothing has been right...except the fab new Birkenstocks I received from Endless.com.  Birks were not on my "first purchase" list but I had a great pair of Thinks that I wore for years. They blew out early in my year of Cold Turkey and I really did "need" something more substantial than flip flops for walking around in, the house, the store or for casual outings.  So when I saw these great Birks on sale on Endless, I bought them. 

I have had 4 pairs of black flats come to the house and leave the house within hours this past week.  Therefore, a trip to the actual store is in order.  And maybe I will get a few pairs of underwear while I am there.

Love,
S

November 3 and oh so relieved

I made it through my last weekend with flying colors!  I spent October 28th through November 1st in Palm Springs with my GF's and held strong.  We mostly spent our time laughing, talking, eating and drinking but we did have a few moments of PSP shopping time.  We found a cute boutique, Ooh La La, where both J & K found a couple of darling things to take home. I helped find things, ran sizes but didn't try anything on.  It would have been hard, being so close to the end of the year, but I held strong.

On Monday morning I took a shower and used my Morroccan Hair Oil for the first time.  A big Thank YOU to my friend A that so generously parted with her supply to help me out.  I love the stuff, and it's just as great when I use it as my hairdresser.

When I came home, I immediately went on-line and purchased the shoes I had in my shopping cart at Endless.com.  The first pair came yesterday and are going back today.  Turns out the Shadow Shea booties are not the best fit for my feet, BUT, they are free shipping both ways and no sales tax, so how could I go wrong?  Today the next two pairs are coming and will go right back if they aren't exactly right either. 

When R came home from work, he brought out the black knit DKNY dress I had lusted for in August.  He DID go buy it and held onto it until Monday!  What a guy!!

My mail was a big surprise.  My sweet and uber supportive sister P sent me the cutest congratulations card with a $25 gift card for Target and a note about the cute hats and scarves they have right now.  I tried on her hat while in SFO for the marathon and loved it!  I actually tried one on very similar in a haberdashery in PSP and told the gals it would be one of my first purchases.  Great for bad hair days and Santa Ana wind days.  Can't wait to make the trip!

I must get to a shop today for new underwear however.  That will make my week.  I am holding off on any other purchases or must haves for now.  Not only am I extremely busy and don't have time to get to the Mall, but it is a little anti-climatic.  I don't feel the 'need' to run out and buy.  But knowing I can if I DO need to makes all the difference in the world.  I love the new freedom. 

I am wary of the stores, and I am still in shock that I held out for the entire 365 days.  For some, it may not seem like a big deal, but for me, well I can honestly say it was very difficult.  I am glad I began and finished during this time of year.  There are not as many temptations during Southern CA winters as there are in the spring and summer. 

I will post when I actually buy something, hopefully this week.

Love,
S

Moroccon Hair Oil - revisited

I have 4 days left of Cold Turkey.  I have spent the last 4 days in beautiful Monterey, CA on business.  Yesterday morning my most wonderful gal pal knocked on my hotel door and left me with a small bottle of Moroccan Hair Oil.
Oh, how I long to use this great stuff.  BUT, I will wait.  I am heading out tomorrow with my 3 bff's to spend the next 4 days in Palm Springs.  The Agenda:

• Head to Temecula to wine taste
• Ride the PSP Aerial Tramway
• Watch World Series Baseball
• Get some much needed RNR in the sun

I can wait for Moroccan Hair Oil.  But on Monday morning, before I leave PSP, I will utilize my slightly used bottle of Moroccan Hair Oil and move forward to hair bliss!

Love,
S

PS:  First stop after the airport, buying underwear!

12 days

I spent the weekend in San Francisco with my sis and my gf's.  We were there to run in a Half Marathon and do some shopping.  It was H's birthday so Saturday we spent the day at Nike Town, Macy's and etc., looking for the perfect birthday weekend wear.  H came away with some amazing pieces at Macy's, tops, pants, and too cute dresses. And I went ahead and tried on skinny jeans/jeggings for the first time. I have steadfastly avoided the style, I think I may have mentioned them in a post at some point. I am old enough to have worn them in the 70's when pegged jeans were the rage. I was MUCH younger then, could wear the style and STILL thought it made most girls (and guys) look like they had carrots for legs.  Unless you are ultra-thin, the style is not for you. 

However, I have now gone over to the skinny jeans/jeggings side.  After trying them on in a couple of stores, I actually like them. I was amazed at how my legs looked longer and leaner in them.  My gf T is not super tall and she wears them and they look great.  My mind has been changed, I think I like them.

More trying on and more investigating styles and fabrics with gf's that are honest is needed.  And I am not about to drop too much coin on something as trendy as skinny jeans, but they have been here for a couple years now and may stay another couple.  Maybe worth it to look updated and fabulous, don't you think?

Love,
S

18 Days and Counting

I was sitting in front of the computer thinking about all the work I have to do in the next 3 weeks and it dawned on me, I have less than 3 weeks before I can say I am done with Cold Turkey!  No longer will I need to explain to anyone, my hairdresser, the clerk at the shampoo counter, the salesperson at whatever store I happen to be wandering through.  No more will I be yearning to buy something and have to say, "No, not this day, week, month or year".   

But will I pull out the credit card immediately when tempted after all this time?  I don't think so.  I have listed things I've learned before this, but now I think I am even more likely to hold back.  It really does come down to whether it is a want or a need...a lust or a must!

1. Does (fill in the blank) go with what I have in my closet?
2. Does it fill a hole that I have been missing this past year?
3. Is it my style?  I have learned and blogged previously about trendy clothing.  Trends are usually not my style, unless the trend is for clean lines and little fuss.
4. I have blogged about color, will I really wear that magenta or carrot sweater/shirt or jacket that is so the color this fall? 

When I cleared my clutter this month, a lot of the hot colors were thinned.  I will have to really love 'it' before "it" comes home with me from now on.

I have come to realize that you really can have too many white and black T's.  There are just so many variations on the same shirt, and any more?  It's a waste, of money and space in the closet.

So my plan is to be meaner, cleaner and wiser in my choices.  I will at least strive to ask myself the above questions before I head to the cash register.

Love,
S

Day 23 - what do you think of these flats?

I found these on the Nordstrom website, but of course they don't have my size.  So after some searching, I found them on another site with free shipping both ways.  Let me know what you think.  I like different and unique shoes, which these are.  Plus I think the rounded toes would be very comfortable for my running feet.

This is a brand I haven't tried before, Mea Shadow.  I like the unusual lines and they have a zipper up the back.  Very cute in my mind.

Love,
S

23 Days to go

I am getting serious about finding black flats.  I have been scouring catalogs and websites. I haven't ventured into a single store...too afraid I might find the perfect pair with just over 3 weeks to go and cave. Zappo's opens on my browser now with just a letter Z.  Oh dear.

November 1st can't come quickly enough.

Love,
S

28 Days and Counting - First purchase on agenda

I have 3 girlfriends coming the end of October for a weekend in fabulous Palm Springs.  We have wine tasting in Temecula, a ride on the PSP Aerial Tramway and some pool time for sure for my Mid West and East Coast gal pals.  We will also spend some time having dinner and shopping in the beautiful and quaint downtown area of Palm Springs.  At least I will be tagging along ~ and I am always up for a good dinner with my friends.  Alas, their last day in town in is November 1st, the FIRST day I will be allowed to begin my new rehabilitated shopping life.  I will be dropping them at the airport in the morning and they won't be with me for my first venture into a store where my credit card can be actually used!

So, I have decided to make an appointment with Victoria, my wonderful bra sales person and that will be my first purchase.  I have to have new bra's and underwear!  I have begun getting a new catalog in the mail called BraSmyth.  I had not heard of this company before but it looks like all they sell are beautiful bra's and a few loungy night clothes.  But the selection is amazing!  I have never seen so many beautiful bra's and from companies I hadn't heard of in one place before.  The closest store is in New York, so I won't be shopping there soon.  But I need Victoria to help me find some things to tide me over, until my next shopping sojourn to the Big Apple. 

Check out http://www.brasmyth.com/. 

Love,
S