YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50) https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 18 May 2026 20:22:32 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Anonymous on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60/page/2#post-1780787 Wed, 22 Feb 2017 18:48:29 +0000 Anonymous 1780787@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You should, Anne.  And you were not getting sidetracked at all.  These challenges are a great way to connect and offer support to one another.  anne on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60/page/2#post-1780672 Wed, 22 Feb 2017 13:20:06 +0000 anne 1780672@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Beth Ann - I'm so sorry to hear about the pay cut too. That is a sizeable chunk out of your already limited family budget. Suz, I'm doing a lot of book reading now too. Different reason though. I smashed my phone 3 weeks ago and have no Facebook, or YLF on the bus. I always find books ultimately more satisfying than online, and have spent some gift money on books and requested some of my personal reading challenge books from the library. My latest authorial discovery is Joan London, who is a writer from my neck of the woods and I am really loving (She wrote Gilgamesh (not the original) and The Golden Age) Sorry Sterling, I am getting sidetracked!  So I'm not shopping, but I am noticing a wardrobe hole - Pyjamas! I have almost never bought any, and rely on handed down items or gifts. My regularly worn summer PJ top (a handed down one from at least 5 years ago) has quite a few holes in it and is kind of droopy and is starting to get a bit annoying. Maybe I'll spring for a new one.   Suz on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60/page/2#post-1780429 Tue, 21 Feb 2017 19:43:35 +0000 Suz 1780429@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Congratulations, Sterling! You've done so well with this and I am sure you'll be more focused, going forward. I am also going to bet that this hiatus from shopping will help you develop your style. Just the fact that you are considering a new colour is a hint of that. Very exciting news!  As you know, I don't actually tell myself not to shop, I just naturally tend not to shop in the depths of winter. And so, like you, I haven't shopped for (at least) 60 days, probably closer to 90, with the exception of snow boots and a necklace.  It's funny, but I truly don't miss it when I am not shopping. But I would miss it if my wardrobe were not yet in decent shape. I think for me,  this is absolutely key. In the past I might have tried not to shop, but at that time, I had some significant wardrobe holes, so not shopping led to a lot of frustration -- not being able to wear certain pieces because I didn't have their partners, etc. Now that my wardrobe's pretty much complete, I like to shop at the start of each season to refresh, and also to update (often via sales) the essentials and basics like (for me) simple crew neck sweaters for winter (essential) or socks or undies (basics). And mostly I like to enjoy my clothes and put my mind towards other interests in the months when I'm not actively buying. I get a lot more reading done!  :)  Elizabeth P on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60/page/2#post-1780415 Tue, 21 Feb 2017 19:19:51 +0000 Elizabeth P 1780415@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Good for you Sterling!  Sounds like this exercise is paying off for you. It's great hearing from others how the process is working out as well. Not so much for me :)  I will post about my colossal fail at some point, but life has been so darn busy, I don't seem to be able to pull together the time.  But I am very happy about my "fail" purchases, so it's all good.  Anonymous on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60/page/2#post-1780365 Tue, 21 Feb 2017 15:28:07 +0000 Anonymous 1780365@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Beth Ann -- I am so sorry to hear that your husbands salary has been cut.  You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.  May good things come your way soon.   And I never thought to check the crotch seams of the pant for wear.  I certainly will be from now on.   I'm 5'10" (or 5'9" if you speak to my gynecologist).  The skort might be too short for me.   texstyle on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60/page/2#post-1780362 Tue, 21 Feb 2017 14:42:32 +0000 texstyle 1780362@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sterling - the skort is above my knees by maybe 3 inches or so. I am about 5' 7" for reference. Beth Ann on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60/page/2#post-1780361 Tue, 21 Feb 2017 14:40:44 +0000 Beth Ann 1780361@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sterling, so glad to hear that your shopping fast has brought you more calm and focus!  I"m currently on one myself, but out of necessity. My husband's income was cut (along with the salaries of 90 other professor colleages) by 35 percent 4 days before Christmas.  I even returned some of the gifts I had purchased.  Fortunately (or unfortunately, since the bills were still coming in), I had purchased a couple of mid season refreshers and replacements in early December.  I have a conference to attend in March, and some of my spring/summer items are wearing out (I've learned to check for wear in the crotch seams of pants at the start of every season), but I'll really need a plan.  However, I've already noticed that I don't really miss shopping, and I think that a more focused approach - and a just say "No" approach might work out fine!  Your experience encourages me. Anonymous on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60/page/2#post-1780314 Tue, 21 Feb 2017 10:38:24 +0000 Anonymous 1780314@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Texstyle -- congratulations on the skort.  I really like the idea of one.  Where does the skort fall along your knee?  Is it short or about knee length?  I think this would be a great addition to my summer wardrobe, depending on length.   I understand Shedev.  I kinda like the idea of buying just two items in each category.  It makes a lot of sense and limits overbuying tendencies.   Ryce -- wasn't Smittie's comment right on?  I felt exactly the same way when I read it.  It was so true and yet I still felt helpless in deciding upon a solution.  That may be why I am stalling on developing my wardrobe plan.  It just isn't gelling in my brain.  I have "ideas" but not fully formed ideas.  I'm continuing to flesh it out slowly.  Very slowly.   Penny -- I found myself on what felt like a treadmill of constant shopping, constant impulsive buying, constant returning.  I was literally always on the search for the next thing without ever taking the time to enjoy what I already had.  I literally thought that was normal.  I thought it was normal because it seemed most (not all) of my friends did exactly the same thing.  Although I had no idea that this was going to be one of my end results, it feels like such a relief to step off the treadmill.  I am genuinely afraid that when I resume shopping, it will be business like normal and I don't want that.  Thus, I developed a list and I will shop solely from that list.   Penny on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60/page/2#post-1780298 Tue, 21 Feb 2017 05:34:38 +0000 Penny 1780298@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sounds like you are in a great place! And it makes me think that I often spend so much time shopping for a specific item (and return virtually everything, often ever finding the item), and barely have to put any effort into happening upon something that I love and that's a perfect fit for my wardrobe perhaps once every few months, like when casually strolling through my favorite consignment shop. Makes me wonder why I can't be more patient and wait for those moments rather than scouring websites (although I do enjoy the search!) Anonymous on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60/page/2#post-1780209 Mon, 20 Feb 2017 20:27:26 +0000 Anonymous 1780209@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've been following your journey with interest, Sterling.  Thanks for sharing your thought process - it can be really helpful to hear how others approach an issue.  And the discussion you have generated on this and the previous threads has been informative and at times entertaining.  (Of course, I could say that about the majority of threads here in this thoughtful - in both senses of the word - community!) Anyway, when I originally started reading your updates, I never seriously considered that taking a declared "time out" from shopping would be a useful tool for me.  But I strongly identify with the issue you have been addressing - as smittie expressed so well when she said "thinking you have a plan, but the plan is actually just a collection of whims."  Oh my gosh - YES - that is so true of me! More and more, I am thinking of hopping on the train for a defined period of time.  Thanks for the inspiration. Now I am off to collect me thoughts about this. shedev on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60/page/2#post-1780158 Mon, 20 Feb 2017 15:10:25 +0000 shedev 1780158@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I feel pretty ready to be done with the fast. After buying way too many shirts last summer, a couple of which were purged at the end of the season, I did a good job buying my fall and winter 5s. I decided to limit myself to a couple of any type of item. For example, two tees, two jeans, etc. I have a fairly large wardrobe so overbuying new items in a season just leads to them getting lost in the crowd, so to speak. texstyle on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60#post-1780154 Mon, 20 Feb 2017 14:55:44 +0000 texstyle 1780154@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Way to go Sterling!  I'm not on a fast, but on a diet I guess. :-). I spent time trying on my skort with various tops the other day and it was just as satisfying (if not more) than buying something new. I found I had many  more choices in tops to go with it than I thought. And I learned that I actually don't mind a full tuck with this skort - I haven't done a full tuck in quite some time. Anonymous on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60#post-1780089 Mon, 20 Feb 2017 10:30:44 +0000 Anonymous 1780089@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Unfrumped -- your post especially resonated with me this morning.  This winter has been mild and I have finally accepted (and embraced?) the climate I live in.  I too only wore some of my sweaters once or maybe twice.  Even light weight sweaters seemed to hot at the office.  I love the look of sweaters; I just cannot wear them for more than a few weeks a year.   I've also started the process of cleaning and putting away the clothing that that will be put away for the season.  I haven't had to cull any clothing this year (that is probably still coming), but I full understand the guilt of passing along a " perfectly good" sweater that I never needed in the first place.  I've never completely made peace with that, but I always tell myself someone may really need and appreciate this so much more.   I WANT to develop a more season-less wardrobe.  I have been thinking about this over the past couple of years.  I think it could be reasonably possible in my climate if I use layers during the winter.   What did you mean by this:  The driving factor is fit and proportion.-- meaning, if I find a top that is the perfect shape and length for say pencil skirt , and a different one for pants, I need to buy and wear the very best ones and not add meh ones just to have spring, fall, winter ones.  Are you saying you should buy both tops because each serves a separate and distinct purpose????  IF so, I fully agree.  Another lesson I learned from YLF.   Anonymous on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60#post-1780088 Mon, 20 Feb 2017 10:23:05 +0000 Anonymous 1780088@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Barbara Diane -- Unsubscribing was the first thing I did!  I couldn't stand seeing all those emails in my inbox.  It was more about the intrusion than any real purchasing fast.  Some of those companies were sending me multiple emails in a single day!!!  I'm sorry you got sick.  I hope you are feeling better.  Being sick while traveling is the worst.   RunCarla - Congratulations on the success of your new sweater and sneaks.  They were successful because they were not impulse buys.  I'm finding it is the impulse buys that fail me so miserably.  I hope I too will be come more mindful as I go forward.   Jenni NZ -- I cannot tell you how many times I buy something and then come home to discover I have several very similar items in my wardrobe.  And it is so unconscious.  I have no idea until I get home and open my closet.  I split my wears!!  I once bought two nearly identical shirts (both of which I adore), but the average person cannot tell them apart.  I bought them because the price was too good to pass up and I felt it was such a win for me.  It is silly in retrospect.  I only needed on and the first one was a "10."  The second one is an "8" at best.  Jenni -- I think a separate, complementary post on purging is a great idea.  Now that I am wearing, really wearing, my wardrobe I am finding pieces that just are not cutting it.   Thank you, Karie.  Your support is so greatly appreciated.   Joy -- I am so sorry about your fall.  I hope you recover soon.  I think the unexpected benefit of stepping off the buying treadmill is the fact that we are really wearing what we already own.  The actual wearing of my wardrobe is helping me identify real (not imagined) wardrobe holes.  I am pretty thrilled with this.  I hope you find the perfect red shoes.  I find red shoes to be an elusive item.   Barbara Diane on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60#post-1780074 Mon, 20 Feb 2017 06:11:29 +0000 Barbara Diane 1780074@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, great job Sterling and everyone. Whether fasting or not, we're all learning things. I keep unsubscribing more and more as I tell the truth that I am unlikely to buy something online from X company. And I feel lighter each time.  I was actually hoping to get some shopping done while away, but I got sick so we cut the trip short. My mom lost weight so I benefited with a nice blouse and an exercise-in pair of pants. Best news is that I am being much more picky than I would have been. Still not sure if I will shop to fill in some winter holes. I wish I could magically make them appear - and they would fit and look great.  Not much energy for shopping right now, and I haven't gone naked yet, so it's not like I absolutely need something. But there are definitely a few big holes. At the same time I'm starting to think about spring/summer. This is the first year that I put my S/S clothes away, so it isn't easy to review them to see what I need.  Carla on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60#post-1780065 Mon, 20 Feb 2017 04:28:29 +0000 Carla 1780065@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Shopping has remained mindful, since I broke my fast. The blush sweater has been worn 4 times, and the new sneaks more than double that amount. I still want to add blush sneaks, but haven't found the perfect pair. Did a lot of shopping, but walked away in the end since items were not a '10'. Jenni NZ on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60#post-1780063 Mon, 20 Feb 2017 04:08:35 +0000 Jenni NZ 1780063@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi Sterling, I am still fasting too. Chose to go to a mall again yesterday ( it was very hot, the mall is air conditioned and only one room in our house is) to look at Autumn trends and see how I could pick said trends up in stuff I already have. Thought about buying some lovely silvery grey trousers ( on sale in a fave shop ) but they were a bit cropped, which I don't really want going into a cooler season. Did not therefore even try them on. When I got home, remembered I already have some with wide cuffs not that different. In the past, I would probably have got excited because they were a good brand I like and have stuff of, and a good colour. Then after buying them, I would have realised I had others similar AND that cropped was not so practical for the upcoming season. And that was what always happened. I would have then "split my wears" and bemoaned that I have too many clothes. I did try on a different navy pair, do not have a thinner material navy pair only a thicker one for the Autumn/winter. They were great material and shape but too low-rise. Sigh. I can wear other colours I have with my navy tunic. There was heaps of lovely flowery boho-y stuff, peasant- type blouses. I have quite a bit of that stuff already. So now I've seen all that, should have fun planning some outfits. I kind of feel like I "need" some thinner navy pants, but do I really need them? One great thing the fast has done, and I might do a separate post on it, is enable a little purging. Because there is not new stuff to choose from, there is only the slightly older stuff, then some of that gets tried and doesn't actually fit or I realise there really is an issue with the piece. So the stuff is slightly less tightly packed! Karie on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60#post-1780060 Mon, 20 Feb 2017 04:05:57 +0000 Karie 1780060@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Good job! I'm right there with you, girlfriend - my shopping fast is still going strong. Anonymous on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60#post-1780034 Mon, 20 Feb 2017 02:14:47 +0000 Anonymous 1780034@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sterling, you are shopping ban inspirational! It is wonderful that it is getting easier. This week, except for Fabbers helping me decide to keep the HEWI booties and EF top that I had purchased last week, I have done very well. I even had a coupon that I used for a shirt for DH. After a fall on the ice and painful persistent hacking cough, I've stayed home and done no shopping. Like Janet, I have enjoyed wearing what I have and taking stock of what I really need to replace or to look for for spring/summer. Red shoes are first on the list after this shopping diet ends. I am discovering that I have enough to not get bored or have laundry back ups and can finally concentrate on better quality, fewer and better thought out purchases. unfrumped on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60#post-1780019 Mon, 20 Feb 2017 00:44:15 +0000 unfrumped 1780019@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Congrats, Sterling! And what Janet and Smittue said. I tend to graze for tops and pullovers. This winter was mild, and it was astonishing how I only wore some of my sweaters once or maybe twice, and now it's already time to put the heavier ones up. I culled several but I still like the others! So I will have to dig deeper on which are truly favorites or second- stringers and why. and maybe deal with the guilt of passing along a " perfectly good" sweater that I never needed in the first place. I am still on the trail of a more season- less wardrobe , using underlayers in winter. The driving factor is fit and proportion.-- meaning, if I find a top that is the perfect shape and length for say pencil skirt , and a different one for pants, I need to buy and wear the very best ones and not add meh ones just to have spring, fall, winter ones. So what Janet said-- as I did been doing my slow wardrobe edit I've been able to see some true holes amongst the duplicates and redundant items. Then what Smittie said-- shopping less frequently makes it feel so much better, and more of a treat, to go hunt for something on the list and maybe find the item. So my downfall is buying something similar to what I have instead of the needed item because I was not just waiting , Or looking more effectively for the hard- to- find items. Apparently I like " easy shopping" but my actual wardrobe needs are more challenging ! JAileen on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60#post-1779987 Sun, 19 Feb 2017 20:59:39 +0000 JAileen 1779987@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sterling, I kept the denim skirt that wasn't the long one and didn't have a tie belt. Here are some pics: <a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/denim-skirt-styled" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....irt-styled</a> Anonymous on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60#post-1779980 Sun, 19 Feb 2017 20:18:35 +0000 Anonymous 1779980@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ms Maven -- I think shoes ARE SO IMPORTANT.  If my feet hurt during the day, it seems to affect my entire body and brain.  Buying shoes is the biggest challenge I have found because I do try them on.  I prance around the house and sometimes they seem perfect.  Then a few days of wear in the office, they are pure torture.  I wish you the best of luck in finding shoes that meet your needs.  (Oh, and I have accepted the fact that shoes will always dominate my clothing budget because they are expensive and so necessary).   Perhaps your scarf and jacket will be there in a couple of weeks.  If not, I always say to myself something better is just around the corner.   Hi Kiwigal.  Although I wasn't purchasing, I was still scanning all the retail sites in January.  I just really stopped this past week.  This was an expected result of the purchasing fastt!!!  BUT it makes not buying thing even easier.  I also spent less time on YLF just because I got really busy at home/work.  I only had a half hour or so to check in.  I checked in quickly just to see what everyone was doing.   Mindful purchases are the way to go.  I have had too many impulsive buys that just didn't work out for me.  NOTE:  I am not saying sale items anymore.  They were really impulsive purchases that never fit into any type of plan. So an interesting side affect:  my BF was out shopping and found four or five shirts that he really, really wanted (on sale!!).  He thought it through and concluded that they didn't need them and left without them.  I had no idea he was even listening to me.  I was so proud of him.   Sal on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60#post-1779964 Sun, 19 Feb 2017 19:46:31 +0000 Sal 1779964@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well done Sterling and all. I am not shopping right now, but I am browsing, mostly online.  As I said on Janet's thread I plan mindful purchases that create long term happiness - I have had lots in the past, pieces I still love pulling out after many many wears.  There will be some show ponies too, but very few.  And while socks or layering tanks in themselves are not exciting, having a quality ones that make life comfortable does make morning dressing a happier experience:) MsMaven on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60#post-1779961 Sun, 19 Feb 2017 19:39:34 +0000 MsMaven 1779961@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love reporting in--it does help.  I had two temptations this month: both sales. First was the Neiman Marcus sale catalogue with a scarf a color of purple I like but is hard to find. There was also an unusual lightweight jacket. But, I resisted. If it is meant to be, they will still be there in a couple of weeks. Now comes the announcements of the President's day sales. I'm going to try to not look.  I haven't been motivated to go out shopping--too much rain and too much to do right now. Also, my weight is still up--ugh. And it is all around the middle. I don't want to buy larger sizes for now. My biggest waste of money is on shoes. I keep trying and buying. My feet are getting worse and I have spent too much money on shoes I've only worn a few times. So, before I even shop again, I'm going to spend some time on Barking Dog shoes. I will also shop in person, but often stores don't have my difficult size. Still, I could eliminate many mistakes if I take more time. Thank you Sterling, for your accounts and input. And thanks to all the rest of you who are doing serious thinking about what and why we buy. approprio on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60#post-1779954 Sun, 19 Feb 2017 19:22:50 +0000 approprio 1779954@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks for the reminder Sterling! I'll return to that resale thread in a little while once I've figured out my game plan. Anonymous on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60#post-1779930 Sun, 19 Feb 2017 17:47:12 +0000 Anonymous 1779930@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Approprio -- I think this is a brilliant strategy:  I've been thinking about how I should revise my own strategies in this venture. For me, it's all about finding focus and managing my resources better. I don't want to make any more ill-considered or impulsive purchases, but I do want to be able to swoop on those special items which would ordinarily be beyond my budget when I see them at an accessible price. IF I had to articulate my future strategy, I think it would exactly match your statement.  And I am so glad the shoes worked out for you.  They were meant to be.   I hope you post your final decision as to how you plan to resale some of your items.  I was interested in that post, but I don't remember a final decision on your part. There were some very good suggestions.  I may attempt to sell some coach bags this year.  The coach bags don't meet my current needs any more (too heavy).   Anonymous on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60#post-1779929 Sun, 19 Feb 2017 17:44:33 +0000 Anonymous 1779929@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Janet -- I think you are doing great!!!!  Buying two things in January (on sale, if I remember correctly) and only one thing in February is just great.  I have returned things if the tags have been removed if the quality of the garment was not that good.  It rare for me to return items without tags though.   Your comment about "cooling my heels on what I am now mentally calling "mindless shopping" clears my head to better identify actual wardrobe NEEDS" interested me.  I am not mindlessly shopping, but I haven't actually identified anything that I actually do need.  I hadn't realized just how well stocked my wardrobe really was.  Most of my needs are already met.  I just to wear them.   This statement is SO TRUE:  Another jacket -- as much as it may inspire my lust -- won't make it easier to dress every day, it will just give me more choices when I already have an abundance!   Anonymous on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60#post-1779928 Sun, 19 Feb 2017 17:35:45 +0000 Anonymous 1779928@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you, LisaP and Anne.   Dottie -- I am so happy to hear that I inspired you!!  I have had some remodeling work done in a bathroom.  I stopped cleaning altogether until the job is done.  Hopefully that will be by Friday of this week.  Then I am going to clean and clean and clean.  I too intend to take it one room at time.  My goal is to clean from the ceiling to the floor.  Everything.  People told me there would be dust.  I never imagined how much dust.   Bonnie -- I never felt you failed.  I felt you found some items that you needed on sale.  Had that happened to me, I would have done exactly the same thing.  It is the strangest thing.  I have had the same color palette for all time (black, white, red or pink).  It served me well.  I am actually considering YELLOW and navy.  Yellow is a very new to me color.  It was one of Angie's early posts that featured a yellow top and I never stopped thinking about it.  I won't wear yellow with black (bumble bee look), but I will definitely wear it with pink and navy.  I'm going to build my spring/summer wardrobe around a base of what I already own.  Congratulations on your shopping reset, Catty.  It feels really grounding.  I was amazed at the benefits of not shopping.  For me it was the buy/return cycle that was just exhausting and demoralizing.  I am starting to see a few warm weather clothes around, but like you I want to wait until I have a larger volume to chose from.   Creating a real plan is a lot harder than I think it should be, Smittie.  Janice from the Vivienne Files and Angie make it look so easy.  It is my goal to go very slowly and very intentionally.  Each new piece will fit into a framework.   Congratulations on the weight loss and the fortitude to decline shopping the Patagonia sale, Jaileen.  I am glad you did find a skirt you liked. Which one did you keep?   Kkards -- I am still working on a plan.  I know I need at least two new bottoms for work.  I am thinking along the lines of ankle length (not cropped) and slim fitting.  I want basic colors, but no more black for summer months.   Cynthia -- I think planning to spend money on your future house as opposed to impulsive fashion buys is a sound plan.  I love my house and nothing delights me more than to do upgrades.  Money that was saved in January and February is being used to get some painting done on the exterior and I remodeling one bathroom.  If I survive the bathroom project, I think this is my last house project in 2017.   Anonymous on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60#post-1779918 Sun, 19 Feb 2017 16:57:56 +0000 Anonymous 1779918@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Nice. And you speak for me too - I could have written those words myself.   Dottie on "Progress Report on Shopping Fast (Day 50)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/progress-report-on-shopping-fast-day-60#post-1779913 Sun, 19 Feb 2017 16:43:32 +0000 Dottie 1779913@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Your shopping fast has really inspired me and I'm quietly going about the same.  In addition, I'm doing some early spring cleaning - room by room - and getting rid of things we don't need or use, sorting and organizing, and feeling much "lighter" overall.