https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:58:08 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up/page/2#post-2167843 Tue, 26 Jan 2021 14:38:04 +0000 Helena 2167843@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How beautiful! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up/page/2#post-2167791 Tue, 26 Jan 2021 04:49:55 +0000 Gigi 2167791@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love the shirt!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up/page/2#post-2167787 Tue, 26 Jan 2021 04:35:02 +0000 rachylou 2167787@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Quite a beautiful shirt! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up/page/2#post-2167695 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 21:58:10 +0000 cat2 2167695@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I clicked on the link and loved the Wine on the Porch classification! The shirt looks great, and it’s nice to have some reliable basics. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up/page/2#post-2167692 Mon, 25 Jan 2021 21:40:42 +0000 Jules 2167692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just to update (and keep myself honest maybe?), after nearly a year of barely shopping for clothes I found myself with the wantsies. Suddenly everything Old Navy and even SportChek (?) was advertising to me on Instagram looked AMAZING somehow. But I had been hoping to get away from fast fashion and start buying mostly local/ethical clothing when I actually need to again. Anyway, I remembered I had asked my husband for gift certificates to a local store (<a rel="nofollow" href="https://envelopstudio.myshopify.com/">https://envelopstudio.myshopify.com/</a>) for Christmas and my birthday. The owner/designer makes beautifully tailored shirts. I have one and it's been a favourite for close to 10 years, even through some weight &amp; body changes. It's a huge step up in quality &amp; detail compared to most of my items. He also carries some complementary cheaper items he doesn't make. I've been struggling with what to do about leggings to wear around the house after my old ones finally wore out: local and sustainable versions are very pricey, but I just feel no corresponding additional joy from looking at them the way I do with better quality "real clothes". So I rationalized a bit and using my gift certificate chose one of the in-house tailored shirts on sale, along with two pairs of fleece leggings and some pull on ponte pants. I have money leftover to check out his spring collection, or go in when stores reopen to try on some of the jersey stuff I'm not familiar with (again, jersey basics don't give me joy the way a nice shirt does, but knowing his work they may have potential).<br />His stock photos aren't very good unfortunately but here is the shirt I chose. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163359 Fri, 01 Jan 2021 22:06:09 +0000 Gretchen 2163359@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great example of a silver lining from the pandemic. Thanks for sharing!</p> <p>I've been on a use-it-up kick with respect to home goods. During the shutdown I centralized the various places we had office supplies or toiletries, and have vowed to use them all. (including the roughly 10 million hotel pens that somehow multiplied in the bottom of my work bags). Interested to explore new other ways to apply this mantra! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163268 Fri, 01 Jan 2021 17:02:41 +0000 Jules 2163268@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for all the wonderful feedback &amp; ideas too!<br /> Edit to add, the buy local Facebook group I am on made the news (sorry if it’s paywalled):<br /> <a href="https://www.thestar.com/business/2020/12/31/facebook-group-helps-local-east-end-businesses-connect-with-customers-during-lockdown.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.thestar.com/busine.....kdown.html</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163265 Fri, 01 Jan 2021 17:00:36 +0000 Jules 2163265@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha, I didn’t know if the serviette thing would land In my house growing up it was one of the few things my dad would get ‘sniffy’ about - he’s the American immigrant, while my mom has both English and French Canadian influence, so there were plenty of small differences like that but for some reason ‘serviette’ drove my dad nuts. I think it’s ‘serviette’ deep down in my head but I usually say ‘napkin’. I think we’re slowly but steadily losing the British influence in our language and getting more American. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163238 Fri, 01 Jan 2021 15:51:30 +0000 cindysmith 2163238@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oddly, I don't find Amazon's prices to be all that great. It's REALLY easy to find a better deal elsewhere.<br /> I've been on a "use it up" kick this year. I have an entire Bath &amp; Body Works store hoarded in my home that definitely needs to be used up. I'm slowly making my way through it, and have taken inventory to make sure I don't go out and buy stuff that I already have a LOT of (like body wash, which I thought I needed, so I bought some and then discovered that it was hair conditioner that I needed!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163233 Fri, 01 Jan 2021 15:44:18 +0000 Angie 2163233@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We always say serviettes... :)</p> <p><b>Jules,</b> WELL DONE! You did great! I'm glad your local community is helping you fulfill your no waste goals. I have friends in CA who are using a similar FB resource.&nbsp;</p> <p>I am huge on Zero Food Waste. It's a passion and we've done particularly well this year. Grocery store runs kept to a minimum, being creative with leftovers, using what we have, and making do as nutritiously as possible. It's a VERY good feeling. The fact that we live in a small space helps too. We can't store a lot!&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163187 Fri, 01 Jan 2021 09:45:47 +0000 Jane 2163187@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Serviettes / napkins - goodness this causes my mum to become very sniffy - we use napkins apparently, but I do forget, which can be A Big Thing!</p> <p>I really like your approach. I am nodding with you on being able to buy most things locally. It is amazing how much stuff I can accumulate over the course of just a weekend, and then how much time is needed to manage it - dusting, storing, clearing out etc.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163179 Fri, 01 Jan 2021 07:12:40 +0000 Kate 2163179@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a wonderful post, Jules. You've inspired me. And thanks to TG for the original inspiration. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163159 Fri, 01 Jan 2021 03:38:12 +0000 Jaime 2163159@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the idea of use it up and buying locally. I realized that no matter how many times I am tempted to try new things, I tend to reuse the same products over and over again - and use them up. I want to reduce (but not eliminate) my experiments with new grooming products this year. Thanks for the reminder.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163137 Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:43:11 +0000 LaPed 2163137@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hah, Jules, DH is French Canadian so just about everything is a serviette here: napkins, towels, dishcloths... :D&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163124 Thu, 31 Dec 2020 23:32:21 +0000 SarahD8 2163124@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well done, Jules! What a positive and helpful post. I am also keen on using things up, for me this comes out most in the kitchen (I've been very influenced by Tamar Adler's first book, An Everlasting Meal). But you're so right that it applies in the closet too. I have a few sweaters that have worn through the elbows or developed other not easily fixable problems and I'm planning to use them to reinforce the elbows of other sweaters! (I have very sharp elbows, apparently.) And I'd like to turn the scraps into a blanket for our new cat who is a huge muffin maker. :-)</p> <p>On a less happy note I share your frustration about failed wardrobe basics purchases. It literally took me 12 months to replenish my warm socks supply! And the model of underwear I've been wearing has changed so I forsee a frustrating search for replacements ahead. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163119 Thu, 31 Dec 2020 22:18:33 +0000 Jenni NZ 2163119@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great post Jules, I have tried to do similar. We have hardly been very sustainable since when we built the new house in 2018 we bought nearly all new furniture to suit it ( as the furniture that suited our 1957 house looked all wrong), but we did go through all our other possessions quite thoroughly then and I have been very careful to not clutter this house the same way after we gave away stuff. I did buy some martini glasses for DH’s James Bond party but at least I am using the 2 prettiest ones to make ordinary drinks like juice look fancy!<br /> As for serviettes, that’s the word we use here! ( Original British colony). A “napkin” is a baby’s diaper here! I did buy paper serviettes on the James Bond theme too- I found them online via NZ contract bridge suppliers! Seen at front of pic. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163118 Thu, 31 Dec 2020 22:14:37 +0000 Gigi 2163118@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very inspirational! Since I have lived in tiny apartments all my life, I have used that same mantra and have gotten very creative with how to meet needs without buying something new. I just don't have the space for more stuff, so I keep new purchases to a minimum (although I do splurge on clothes). It can be very rewarding to find a use for something that was just sitting there, such as your cocktail napkins!</p> <p>I especially like how you have been able to support small businesses during this time and how you are finding ways to rely less on Amazon. I have tried to buy more locally for some time now, but I am trying even harder since the pandemic hit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163115 Thu, 31 Dec 2020 21:55:43 +0000 Suz 2163115@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your Best Year Yet. There are a bunch with that title, but this is the one TG recommended and I still use:&nbsp;</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.ca/Your-Best-Year-Yet-Successful/dp/0446675474">https://www.amazon.ca/Your-Bes.....0446675474</a></p> <p>You just made my day with the word "serviettes." I don't think I have heard that since my mum died.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163091 Thu, 31 Dec 2020 19:25:52 +0000 Sal 2163091@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting and inspiring Jules. I think having a bit more time and focus - leads to lots of wonderful things. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163085 Thu, 31 Dec 2020 18:33:54 +0000 Jules 2163085@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What's the review book, Suz? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163082 Thu, 31 Dec 2020 18:31:07 +0000 Jules 2163082@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>La Ped - I also resolved and managed to use up some random candles I had hanging around! Another item was some cocktail size&nbsp;cloth&nbsp;napkins. I think they were a wedding gift, from 16 years ago, and never used. I thought "well these are nice and sustainable but who has cocktail parties anymore?". Well, I've been meaning to get off paper napkins for years, and decided I might as well try these.&nbsp; And they're actually pretty much perfect for daily use - they fit nicely in my napkin holder, and the small size is practical for simple family meals and the way we use paper napkins, ie/ not in our laps like big dinner napkins. Or serviettes as my mother would say ;)</p> <p>After writing this post I was wrangling some reusable bamboo rounds (like the cotton makeup remover ones) just out of the wash, and thinking not for the first time that I needed some kind of small flat rack to to dry them on. Lightbulb moment -&nbsp; I already have such a rack, in my kitchen, it's called a cookie/cooling rack! Works perfectly for the job. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163077 Thu, 31 Dec 2020 18:25:51 +0000 Suz 2163077@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a positive and uplifting post! It sounds as if you did really well with your goals and made the most of what was at times a frustrating situation. I love the sounds of your local FB group.&nbsp;</p> <p>Also, <b>TorontoGirl</b> has been inspirational for me, too. It was she who suggested a yearly review manual a few years ago that I have depended on since -- I supplement the process with other questions and prompts but the book she suggested remains the core of my personal review and it has made an enormous difference in my life!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163061 Thu, 31 Dec 2020 17:43:14 +0000 rachylou 2163061@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What suntiger said. Love this! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163048 Thu, 31 Dec 2020 16:48:04 +0000 LaPed 2163048@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is great! That mantra is always in the back of my mind, though I don't always succeed. Like you, I've appreciated the increased focus on local sourcing this year. The US Postal Service is so overburdened right now, I'm trying to avoid mail order as much as possible.&nbsp;</p> <p>I've absolutely had the same experience with you when trying to replenish with "upgraded" basics. So many sock and underwear experiments do not succeed and end up being a huge sunk cost! Even worse is when a favorite is discontinued and you have to trial-and-error your way to a replacement. I agree that it's worth having "backstock" in certain categories.&nbsp;</p> <p>My newest "use it up" commitment is burning the many candles I've collected over the years that have been collecting dust in the pantry. No special occasions to save them for, so why not a candlelit dinner every night? ;)&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163041 Thu, 31 Dec 2020 16:27:56 +0000 Carla 2163041@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gotcha! &nbsp;Community problem solving is the silver lining of the pandemic. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163037 Thu, 31 Dec 2020 15:52:59 +0000 Jules 2163037@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Runcarla, at the beginning of the pandemic a (totally lovely) local business owner started a specific facebook group to promote local storefronts that had gone online during the first shut down. It became a lot more than that, a source of community and even joy for both customers and business owners. Sites like not-amazon and other local directory sites did get promoted as well, but it was really nice to have the dialogue and see so much love for our community. And I was very close to quitting facebook before the pandemic but it has its uses. It felt like it returned to its original draw of bringing people together rather than just constant sharing of memes, divisive politics, etc. Oh and this group had a firm "positive recommendations only" policy - no complaining about bad experiences, very little off-topic digression allowed, etc.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163033 Thu, 31 Dec 2020 15:30:53 +0000 Carla 2163033@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Is this the site you used? &nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.not-amazon.ca/">https://www.not-amazon.ca/</a></p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163031 Thu, 31 Dec 2020 15:28:03 +0000 Jules 2163031@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh slim cat, I'm no believer in complete deprivation! I definitely made some fashion purchases that were "wants", rather than needs&nbsp; - specifically shoes, which I find easier to buy than clothes these days, due to some body dissatisfaction/fit issues, but don't truly have need for. On the other hand a little past excess came in handy this year, as my gym shoes were left at my workplace gym, so I "used up" a pair of New Balance shoes I bought for style purposes but didn't really love. Which of course completely justified the cute Merrel sneakers I bought instead </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163028 Thu, 31 Dec 2020 15:20:19 +0000 slim cat 2163028@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very inspiring story - so glad you are finishing the year on a positive note! I've tried to do the same "use it up" but occasionally have fallen from the wagon ( some little shopping therapy, random purchases ).</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2020-the-year-of-use-it-up#post-2163010 Thu, 31 Dec 2020 14:32:51 +0000 Helena 2163010@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh gosh, I couldn't be happier to somehow warrant a footnote in this awesome success story Jules!!! This is wonderful! Isn't it amazing how some "old school values" like the old 'waste not want not' adage served so well this year. I managed to sell DH on the amazingness that is leftovers this year, and I am sure our waste was greatly reduced as a result. And nothing makes me happier than empty shampoo bottles and one-in-one-out replacements :)</p> <p>Hooray for using what you've got, sharing with the neighbours, supporting local, and reducing waste!!!&nbsp; </p>