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blabbers remorse!

Traci

Veteran

What was I thinking? Putting it out there that I was going to limit myself to 12 items in the next 12 months? Going in I already knew that I'd likely only make it through winter and spring would sing to me so sweetly and I'd cave.

I just had my first test and so far I'm just barely passing, but it's by a thread!

You all watched my boot trials. In the midst of that, I went back to school shopping with my kids. I'm not proud to admit that I was sizing up my oldest daughter's purchases to later steal when I'm feeling desperate.

Then I came upon a pair of slim cropped trousers in a color that goes wonderfully with my wardrobe. Well, slim trousers were on my list of 6 items I'd been looking for and they were only $25! Problem is they need to be hemmed and am I really going to blow my second purchase on a pair of questionable target slacks?

They came home. I felt ashamed. I reminded myself that y'all don't really know my closet well enough to know if I cheated. I said I'd hold onto them for a week and decide if they were worth hemming. I pinned them to see if I could do the job myself.

Then I started considering sending the boots back. I only realized how great my current boots are when I took pics of them all lined up next to the new boots. The new boots just didn't hold a candle to my existing boots.

So now I'm back on track. Am I going to let the Target slacks hold one of my 12 places? They fit well, but just in wearing them long enough to pin them they'd creased terribly. Also, they're a lovely sienna color, but if I'm only going to have two pairs of slacks this year do I really want one in a color?

Well, let me just peruse Nordstrom...and there they are. My slim cropped pants, 50% off, in the same cut as my wide leg slacks, so they're likely to fit nicely. I haven't owned a pair of black pants in several years. Those easy Nordstrom returns are really spoiling me.

Decision made, boots go back, target pants go back, Nordstrom pants get ordered and if they are great they will take my first spot of twelve for the year.

I'm just holding on by the skin of my teeth! I think the pants will be a wiser first purchase choice because their cropped length means I will begin wearing them now. The target pants, when pinned, looked smashing with my oxfords.

If you're still reading, thanks. I don't mean to bore you, just trying to keep myself accountable! It's going to be a long 12 (6?) months at this rate!

Shopping

17 replies

Latest reply was from Traci

Sheila

Veteran

You are one honest, honorable woman! I'm sitting here, commiserating with you and also feeling guilty for my own inability to stick to a budgetary diet. I think you're doing the right thing--reflecting about what you REALLY want, making tough decisions. These are character-building exercises that all thoughtful people must go through. Usually it gets easier when we practice it regularly. Best of luck to you, I think you're on the right track.

KathyL

Veteran

Good for you for holding strong, Traci! I think this just goes to show that if you stick to your plan, that you will end up with pieces that are 10s instead of almost perfect pieces. You are certainly only accountable to yourself in the end, but I do find that posting on here makes it more concrete. Good luck with the rest of the year!

Anonymous

Oh Traci you are hilarious! I love the stream of consciousness thought process going on here (sometimes I think of the forum remembering something random I said, and then holding me to it)!

Actually, it seams you have learned a ton in a short amount of time. Not settling for the boots, OR the sienna pants....and I'll bet you send the Nordstrom pants back too if they are not 100% perfect. I think you're doing great!

Thistle

Veteran

Great decision! If you are only buying 12 pieces, each one has to really count. Better quality pants will serve you longer, hold up better, and most likely look much nicer.

Interesting that you learned how nice your current boots. It is always nice to appreciate what you have, and knowing the ones you own are already so much nicer makes the return easy.

Great job sticking with the 12 items!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I appreciate your accountability.

I guess I don't understand why the boots are going back in favour of the pants. Boots are generally harder to find than pants.

Traci

Veteran

The boots going back was all on their own merit. Not in favor of the pants. I'm not limiting when I buy the twelve, so I could have both the pants and lots and still technically be meeting my goals.

The low quality of the boots did them in in the end. If they had been high quality I'd have kept them and worn them as a signature piece for years.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Traci, I love your thinking process here. LOVE that you are focusing in the end on quality. That is the whole point of this exercise and you are rocking it so far!!!

MNsara

Veteran

Wow, Traci! Quite the change up - and it sounds likes it's exactly what you needed to do to be happy about your purchases.

By you explaining your process -- how you brought these things home, checked them out thoroughly and then seeing how they don't meet your requirements, are sending them back -- I can see how your 12-item limit is really giving you new standards by which to choose. And I think it's great!!! I'm SO excited for you because you get to try, analyze, and keep only the best

Deborah

Veteran

Traci I love your process. I quite like taking things home and trying them on and really assessing them in the comfort of my own space and with my other clothing. I find I actually return a lot more than I keep at the moment as YLF has really helped me focus on what I do and don't want in my wardrobe.

I think in the long run you will be really pleased with both yourself and your wardrobe.

I also love your accountability and how openly you have shared. I think you are just gorgeous:)

Gaylene

Veteran

*pinning a gold star on your shoulder*

Good for you, Traci!!! Hang in there-- it does get easier, but It makes you so aware of how easy the marketplace makes it for us to cave into buying items that catch our attention but which, ultimately, don't do a thing for our image or our wardrobe. And, if you put it in perspective, even if you end up with more than 12 items, you'll still have made a major change in your shopping habits.

I like to think of the process as taking back my right to choose, instead of being manipulated by the marketers.

fern

Veteran

Good for you, Traci - and thanks for taking us through the process with you. I learn so much here. I loved the boots, but we can only tell you how they look - you are the judge of quality.
Another "limiter" for me - even if I try to do 12 for 12 - is I might add a minimum price. I just think so much more carefully before purchasing expensive items, so it's a good extra "check" for me to spend more money. I guess I need to learn to use that level of scrutiny, even when the price tag is lower.

Lyn D.

Veteran

I admire your resolve Traci. I also like the idea of limiting items purchased in theory, and I am going to try it too for 2013.
It is a great way to cut back on impulse purchases, and even if we do buy an item without the required thought , it is fine to return something after considering it at home and on the forum.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Good job Traci. I'm kind of sad about the boots, I thought they were unique but poor quality is a turn-off indeed.

I can't say how impressed I am by your 12 by 12 resolve. I would be proud of myself if I could do 36 in 12.

missvee

Veteran

Such a good post ! I think we all need a reminder now and then to choose quality and not be dazzled by price. Even if you don't quite make your 12/12 goal you've given yourself a useful template for future buys.

anne

Veteran

Traci,

I am really impressed. Thanks so much for sharing your though processes. I have just started with 12 for 12 ( I am doing it for the year, not month by month) myself and wonder if I'll manage to keep to it!

carol3012

The day that I start becoming too addicted to fashion, I'm totally going to try employing this tactic. XDD Teaches you the value of clothing in your wardrobe and on your wallet.

But way to go! Glad to see that you're keeping up with your plan And remember, all long term goals will always have setbacks~~ The most important part is that you pick yourself up and keep going anyway Shame is just part of that cycle.

Traci

Veteran

Gaylene said:
"I like to think of the process as taking back my right to choose, instead of being manipulated by the marketers."

This is the reason I decided to do 12x12. Somehow it feels more freeing to me to limit the number of items. I've been failing at shopping my budget for the last year. Sticking to a total dollar limit seems like a great idea but in practice it makes me feel all sorts of terrible ways. I thought about doing something like 12x24 or 12x36 but I don't think I'd feel the freedom of the 12. Even if I were to buy one item this year in the realm of what I consider an insane amount for me to spend on one item, and the rest of my items in my splurge domain, I'd still come in having spent much much less money than I did last year.

We're tightening out belts to be able to be able to shift our priorities this year. Somehow 12x12 feels like a way of doing it where I still feel like I can indulge. A $ limit just makes me feel oppressed, which counterintuitively makes me want to buy more and hoard it all.

Thanks for going through the process with me. This is a huge shift for me, but I think I'm ready for it, and I know if I'm not y'all will be ever so gentle with the scoldings:)