I miss shopping

annagybe

So reality says I can't shop, still no debit card. Also I have no time to wear new purchases, I'm on call for three weekends between now through Labor day weekend. But I have the shopping itch. Any suggestions?

12 years ago

Shopping

29 replies

Latest reply was from MNsara

Anonymous

I say plan some fantasy outfits! Or research what your next possible purchases will be. You have a hole to shop for!

12 years ago

Glory

Veteran

Oh no! Maybe a closet clean out - you might find a hidden treasure?

12 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

What about a challenge to wear lesser worn items from your closet?

12 years ago

Lantana

Veteran

Play on line like I do. I pile my shopping cart up with loads of goodies, dream away then flick a switch when it's time for RealLife. It's fun and relieves the itch.

12 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

It is tough when it is such an outlet for you. I really like the ideas of putting outfits together or playing with polyvore and so on.

Personally, I have really enjoyed the Stylebook app.

http://www.stylebookapp.com/

Though you could easily do this on Evernote too.

I take pics of my pieces, I organize them digitally, I take pics of things that I see and file as wish list..but try it digitally with the clothes that I already own ( sometimes I decide that I don't like the piece that I thought I wanted...) and so on.

I know that this is your thread...but please indulge me. I get it a bit because now that my heavy duty treatments are over and I have had my last surgery, my bloating and weight are going down. I have also found a leather jacket that I LOVE and some other things at NAS. But I don't want to pull the trigger because my body is in flux yet again and I have no idea where it will be in Sept. UGH !! So I play and plan and put together lists of clothes that I would wear to places ( like Barcelon, if I were to go suddenly ! LOL ).

Hang in there ! : )

12 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Isabel, you have a good idea but that takes time. I know I need to do a closet purge, but see above, no time.

12 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

Oh sorry...I thought it would be something that you as you commute or a few minutes at lunch...

;-(

12 years ago

MNsara

Veteran

You managed to get your hair done and walk through Nordies presale without even shopping. What was that? Can you cultivate that?

Otherwise, are you strong enough to try things on and NOT buy? I rather like seeing, touching, and trying on new things, but finding it easier to leave them at the store these days. Your closet is in great shape (maybe TOO great -- if it needs a purge!) and so often I find new things aren't even up to the standard of my current things. So just a FEW minutes of swinging by a store and browsing might scratch that itch?

12 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

MNSara, I really think going into a store and trying things on would be very dangerous. Once I try something on, my fantasties come out in full force. "Oh, I could wear this doing, X,Y and Z. And wouldn't it be fabulous."
That's part of my problem. I have spent the last few years thinking if I dressed like X I would have a fabulous life Z. It's not to say that I don't have have good life, but I still envision something different.

12 years ago

MNsara

Veteran

Ah yes, there's a part of my closet better suited to my fantasy life 'Z' also

So, it's time for other 'hobbies' that don't take much time: puzzles (might sound lame, but Sudoku and others are quite engaging), an apartment project (closet purging, kitchen reorganization, furniture refinishing, painting, etc.).

When your time frees up, I'd highly recommend finding somewhere to plug in as a volunteer, and make connections there. Around me we have Second Harvest, after school mentoring, Dress for Success, and the other usuals. It's pretty amazing what a difference you can make in someone's life, and in turn what a difference it makes in mine!

Have you made a summer to-do list? You know, those summer art fairs, farmer's markets, sidewalk cafes, and activities you dream about all winter? You could make yourself do a thing or two or three from your list each week. That could take up any bits of free time, and you can pat yourself on the back that you're savoring summer . . .

12 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I have really been trying to fill my extremely limited free time. Today I spent the afternoon eating and drinking at the Bite of Seattle. Tomorrow, I'm going hiking.

12 years ago

Adelfa

Veteran

does your beautiful lingerie capsule need work?

12 years ago

MNsara

Veteran

Yay! Pats on the back for doing those summery things! Keep it up.

I also find quality time spent over coffee or wine with one or two of my close friends is immensely satisfying. They are NOT shoppers, and it helps me refocus on other things . . .

12 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

What about start planning your trip to Australia? Put together your travel capsule, figure out where you want to go, start making more concrete plans on where to stay etc.

12 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I, frankly, sublimate by buying $1.50 socks at Target or the corner drugstore. I probably need therapy...

12 years ago

Marley

Veteran

I do what Rachy does! Even a box of kleenex in a pretty color does the trick for me. (I know, that's pathetic.)

12 years ago

Debra

Veteran

Oooooh you are planning a trip down under, Make sure you let us all know your travel plans and maybe we can catch up

12 years ago

Mona

Veteran

Are you into cooking? I find trying out some new recipes or generally just focusing on other activities that are new to me soothes my itch for shopping.

12 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

Are you a reader?

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You need another hobbie. That's my advice! How about refreshing the look of your flat? You are there a lot more than you can wear your clothes, and will spend a fraction of the price.

12 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I make lists of the the things I need to "keep up" -house chores, garden, personal finance/business--all of those things that sometimes go by the wayside when work gets really crazy and I tend to tell myself I don't have time. But if I try to tick them off in bits of time or chip away, then when I finally have some time off I'm not so behind and can do some fun things.

12 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I understand, Anna. I tend to burn myself out on shopping, then take a break, and then a couple of months later, I miss it again. You've gotten some great suggestions here. I just wanted to empathize.

Right now I'm burnt out. I returned a bunch of unsuccessful NAS online purchases the other day and had absolutely no desire to check out anything new in the store. So now I'm evaluating my NAS purchases, doing some closet-cleaning, and turning my attention to other things.

I did just order a few new books, so it looks like I'm going to be catching up on some reading in my downtime.

12 years ago

jayne

Veteran

I go through withdrawal every month when the clothes budget is used up. But it is wonderful to see all these great suggestions for other things to keep busy with. I think I will try some. I have a specific date in late sept to go shopping at a place a bit out of my way, so I am trying to SYC until then!

12 years ago

Ginkgo

Veteran

Well, this is bringing back clothes again, but have you researched Australian and New Zealand designers you might want to check out when you visit Oz?

12 years ago

Kyle

Veteran

It sounds as though you are making some really good choices about how to spend your limited free time (being active and enjoying nature) in lieu of shopping, whether online or in stores. I think we are creatures of habit, and for some of us, shopping is one of our habits (it is for me), and an enjoyable one at that. So if we are used to getting a payoff from any given activity, and it's comfortable, moving away from it is bound to be uncomfortable. Some people say it takes 3 weeks for a behavior change to manifest as a new habit.

I think what others have said is right -- try to find a different area of focus for yourself. Be patient and kind to yourself, though, Anna. Making changes is hard.

12 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I commiserate. I work 6 days a week in the summer. Even days I have off, I do admin type work for our small business. I think the internet, YLF, watching tv (binge watching series like Gossip Girl) and reading are my main outlets. It's too hot to walk my dogs. I was really into Pinterest for a while but have lost interest lately.

12 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Well, I broke down today. I called Amy and picked her up. We went to Nordstrom for lunch. I bought some Hanky Panky undies, she bought a black pencil skirt replacement. But the real purpose of the trip was my swimwear capsule is pathetic right now. Both my swimsuits are four years old and FADED. I have an upcoming river tubing trip and probably more boat trips this summer. Nordstrom swimwear was completely picked over and only dregs were left. We went to speciality swim store. After lots of rejects. The rejects were enlightening as we could quickly eliminate many styles. I got a navy ruched more traditional tankini and a fun black, white and pink geometric tankini.

12 years ago

Anonymous

Well, I think that was smart shopping -- you had a goal and it wasn't just aimless!

12 years ago

MNsara

Veteran

Yes, new undies are usually a good choice, and if you needed swimsuits (2?) you need swimsuits!

12 years ago

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