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

Counting Down 284 - Day 81

I am sad, and when I am sad, I want to shop. Why is it when I am depressed or down in the dumps for whatever reason, I turn to shopping or eating? Eating is a horrible habit to break, and I am beginning to feel the same about shopping. Why, oh why, can I not be like one of those girls I know that refuses to eat when they are depressed? Why oh why, do I gain 10 pounds (OR shop till I drop) at the slightest provocation in my life?

To know the answers to those age old questions would make me a rich woman. 'Nuff said, I am fighting my urges this evening and have to leave the computer lest I drift into the nether world of on-line shopping.

Love,
S

- 297 and counting Day 68

Today I realized I am out of the 300's and into the 200's! How exciting is that? Today is also my sister P's birthday and my sister-in-law S's 50th Birthday! Again, excitement abounds...

Sister S is not so happy about this birthday so I am trying to do something very special for her. A shopping trip is in order, plus dinner out and flowers. I want to give her something to wear that will make her feel sexy and beautiful (which she is) and something she wouldn't necessarily buy for herself. We are the same size so I think I will head to Nordstrom and see what I can find that I would love and go from there.

I'll fill you in afterwards. It will be the first time I have really LOOKED at clothes since I started. Of course I have browsed but not dug in and really tried to find something.

Something else is really bothering me right now, though. I think I mentioned how much I want a new kitchen table, yes? Well, I also want new fixtures for my bathroom. It is niggling at me to look at the old faucets since I painted and put new light fixtures in last summer. In fact I am becoming obsessed with bathroom faucets and poured through the Restoration Hardware catalog like it was jewelry! Would new faucets for the bathroom really count?

Love,
S

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