SwoC: No longer 21

After last week's shopping indiscretion, I feared my strength to resist other clothing buying opportunities had weakened. Walking down Fifth Avenue this evening in the perfectly breezy, sunny weather, I decided to pop in to Forever 21.... Admittedly, I was already thinking of how I would conceal my purchases from the watchful eye of my blog until after my SwoC deadline- June 30. But after wandering around the first floor of the 34th Street location, fighting my way through gaggles of tweens and their mothers - all rifling through the racks for an eyeleted summer fix for $20 - I started to wonder why I had even stepped through the door. Yeah, I'd spotted some very cute ruffly tops and a cute little pinafore dress, too, but I had plenty at home! The thought of guiltily shuffling through my front door with one more yellow plastic bag felt toxic. Out of habit, I got on the escalator to scan to goods upstairs. I noticed a few other cute-ish items, but nothing was getting me excited enough to wrestle it free from the tangle of hangers and spaghetti straps on the racks. Instead, I got back on the escalator and walked out the door empty handed.

So proud of myself, I am!

I realize my way of thinking has transformed a bit. While, granted- I did buy new clothes last week, I have begun to see the logic of not shopping just for the rush of shopping; grabbing any cheap little cute thing that catches my eye. I used to be a binge shopper. I could never go looking for one item and just buy that. I'd always have to grab 2 or 3 other things along with it- ESPECIALLY when in a bargain or cheap frills store. Now I think I'd prefer to be more selective. While still breaking my pledge last week, I did have the presence of mind to thoughtfully whittle down my purchases to just two key pieces for myself that I knew would add something to my wardrobe. Know what? It felt just as good to edit my purchases as it would have to buy everything that I would have normally. Living in New York and having the opportunity to go sample saling, I can make the money I keep out of chains like Forever 21 go further with some really quality, designer duds.

This is all not to say that I won't ever step foot in F21 again. I'm sure I'll shop there again. But it is to say that there is an awakening in me concerning shopping, or the limitation there of, that I find exciting. Petty as this topic may be, I feel as if I am getting a better grip of something in my life that needed addressing.

Lilypad

This is so neat!

Swoc: The Walk of Shame

I had a little hiccup on Friday when walking around the Nolita, Little Italy and Tribeca neighborhoods.... I went there in search of a bon voyage gift for my old boss, and somehow ended up with a few new items for myself. I know this is really disappointing especially considering how close to the end of my month of no new clothing shopping I was (I fell off the wagon on day 22).


In my defense...they were really good deals, and they're made by the eco-responsible brand, Rogan.

I also couldn't resist a glass bead necklace from the SurEvolution sample sale- *technically* this doesn't even fall under that category of "new clothes".


Nonetheless, I am disappointed in myself for not sticking to my pledge, which I was finding very satisfying and creatively stimulating. So I'm back on the wagon once again, and have decided to tack another week on to the end of my SwoC month to pay penance. I'll now been done with my SwoC pledge on June 30, rather than the 23rd, and that week will allow for plenty of time to reflect on my shopping indiscretion.

SwoC: Day 18 Temptation!

I've entered another stressful period at work, with a lot of special projects, important meetings and deadlines approaching. This kind of thing always lures me to shop. Online. Today, my friend A didn't help things by sending me an alert of the Rogan/Loomstate sample sale in NYC. Ever since receiving my Rogan for Target shipment, I've been hooked. The thought of rewarding myself for working through challenges at the office with a Rogan black label design at 75% off might prove too tempting for me to withstand. Will I make it? Stay tuned. The sample sale is later this week....

SwoC: 10-16 Another week down!

Well, I've completed my second week of SwoC, and I'm feelin' good! Though, I must admit that I felt rather uninspired when getting dressed all workweek. I did find a TON of inspiration, and a good excuse to keep with my SwoC pledge- New York City thrift stores! Can you believe that before this week, I'd never bothered to try shopping them? I assumed that all the good stuff would be picked-over beyond hope, but I was wrong. After work one day, I stopped off at some thrift stores that stand next to each other on 23rd Street. Lo and behold, I found some fabulous stuff- most of it unworn. I found both new with tags labels like Banana Republic, French Connection, Helmut Lang, Donna Karan, John Varvatos, etc., and true vintage in great condition. The prices were a bit higher than what I'm used to, but still very affordable. It made me realize, that with the high turnover of hardly-to-never worn brands in the thrift stores, there's really never any need for me to go to the actual store.... The trick is finding just what you're looking for when you need it.

Snapshots from my visit to Portland

FO: Lil'MC's Blockie Blanket

In honor of Lil'MC's first birthday, I'd been working on knitting him a blanket. I finished just in time to deliver it in person during my visit to Portland earlier this week. The shape is a bit wonky as I picked up and knit from various edges of the growing blankie (which started with the "M" square). The little man seemed to like it, which is all that matters- he grabbed it with his fists, balled it up into a huggable form, then ran his fingers over all the ridges, smiling.