Taylor, all I will say is: do you want it more than that bag your husband promised you?

Ahhh. Good question Judy. I am so instant gratification!!! I have to think about this HARD!!! It is simmering in the back room...perhaps I will just get over it in a couple days!!
I haven't even mentioned this to him")

Omg that ATL trench is SO FAB...ulously horrible! Yes, it's a blight on humanity...I think I may have to buy all the sizes just to keep it out of circulation.

Iron gray with metallic shimmer...pfft, who are they kidding?

mpj...hysterical!!!

Taylor, never fear! I will buy that fab trench so you won't have to.

Because I am a GIVER. I will sacrifice for the SYC team!

Haaaaa:) I only wish that would take away my urge!! You are FUNNY
You should really go check this out!!! You must put this on and roll back the sleeves...SO FAB!!! Looks great with skirts and dresses, your many heels that I have seen...oh I could go on and on:(

You ladies are a riot! Stay strong, Taylor! We're rooting for you!

Hey, did anyone have Taylor down as the "Kramer" in the SYC pool?

Is there a secret pool out there???? Is there a prize involved???

I'm starting to wish there were, Miss I-Have-a-Trench-on-HOLD!

Eyes on the (handbag) prize, Taylor!!!

Taylor, in the spirit of helping you stick to it: yes, the trench is lovely. But do you like it as much as this?:

http://www.louisvuitton.com/we.....#038;buy=1

There will always be more fab trenches. How many opportunities will you have to get hubby to buy you a Louis Vuitton bag? Plus, think how fab your lv bag will look hanging off your shoulder in whatever trench you buy after you've mastered your urge to give up the lv bag for this particular trench!

Be strong, Taylor. That trench may be a fraction of the price in January. Don't forget the shoes AND the bag.

What Joy said! Everything at Loft that I think I can't live without ends up still being around for way cheaper several months after I buy it :-/ So just wait until January and if it's meant to be you can get the bag AND the trench!

I put that trench on hold when I bought the aqua & green top because it is so hard to find petite coats. I am waiting on my $40.00 Loft cash. I also have a code to use 25.00 off 50.00 if anybody needs it I got it when I got the tops.//But if was going to get a new handbag this would not even be an options. Forget it is there.

Melissa, Thank you for your very sweet and wise support!! and reality check!!
Thanks Debora for the support
mpj, must remember the prize
Joy and Kate..You are both SO right..I can probably purchase in Jan for next to nothing:)
Renee, It is just becoming a memory now...what was I thinking!!:)

Taylor you of all of us are in the lion's den of retail temptation ... now I see why having a retail job could be so hazardous, to actually get to walk around in that trench and not be able to buy it! Honestly I would spend my whole paycheck each month.

Really though the LV bag and shoes and your husband's undying respect are worth more than a $135 trench.

Wow Taylor I didn't realize you truly are in the lions den there, faced with fun retail to tempt you all the time Good for you,holding out! It is a lovely coat, but I agree with the others and say you should hold strong for the bag instead

I am slowly getting over my first hump which is the first two weeks of pain.It's not so much the not-buying, but knowing that I CAN"T buy even if I look. My husband is ready for me to fall off the wagon just so I stop complaining.He did agree to two exceptions to this ban, which for me will last until Dec 1(my birthday) and not the end of the year like all you other troopers.
Exception 1--if I find that Massimo Dutti jacket I craved and lost, or one similar.
Exception 2: a white bikini as a reward for my working out this summer.He is very much in agreement for this one

Carry on ladies!

Taylor that trench is awful, terrible colour! Am I helping? x

Taylor,I would love to check-in more often but with a toddler and a baby,I hardly get time.Today the older one is off to school,so I have some time off.The trench looks good,but I was wondering if u really NEED it?pardon me if I sound idealistic.In the past few months,I have realized that I buy things either 'coz they are cheap or I like it.I have now moved past buying things only coz they are cheap.On a deeper level,I feel that most things that I buy,only make me happy in the store. Once I get it home,most things dont get worn.
For me,this challenge means looking at all the things that I have.It is not about depriving myself,but making a conscious effort to wear all the clothes that I have.The more I look at my clothes,the more combinations I can think of.There is a backless top that I loved in the store,but now I am hesitant to wear.I am still clueless about what is stopping me.

Yay Taylor and everyone!!

I'm doing fine, partially because I have not had the time to shop!! I am really starting to get nervous though about my upcoming trip to Italy. I'm not sure I have everything I need for the trip. I don't really have a cute flat I can really walk in for hours and hours. I don't know if I have a super versatile dress that can go from day to night. Or a pair of pants that will really be suitable. See, I'm starting to get a little concerned this was bad timing for this!! BUT, I really would love to be able to pack for this trip from what I have. I really may have to buy a pair of shoes, though.

Rosie, didn't you give yourself permission to buy shoes ... but it has to be in Italy? I know everyone's going to say this is a bad idea, but I would wait til you get there.

Sadly, Laura, it was a black handbag.

I will scour my closet, first, though, for shoes that will work. There must be SOMETHING in there.

Laura thanks for the understanding, working pt in retail does not make this easy:(
PF...with all your hard work I bet you are excited to get a new bathing suite!!
Thanks Louise..your right...UGLY trench anyway:)
Ruchi., you asked me the million dollar question...do I need this trench...hardly!! I have many!!
Rosie, shopping in Italy doesn't count...that is a given")

No problem yet though it took me a while to delete this beautiful black dress' picture on a Macy's email ad. Sigh. I think I'll just stay away from the mall except when I go back to return Brianna's and my non fits from NAS. Deep breath.

Why is it that I am tempted to declare that a uniform of denim shorts, black opaque tights, black scrunchy boots & a billowy cream blouse should be my go-to outfit for September? Currently, I only own black tights and pair of denim shorts. I'm going to keep strong and see what I can put together from my wardrobe at present.

Taylor, that's a cute coat (I have last year's olive green model and frequently receive compliments when I wear it), but compared to a LV bag?! Not even close.

I would love to participate in the challenge, but I would start September 1st and go through December 31st--is that allowed? The deciding factor came today: when I told my SO about the challenge, he said "You could NEVER do that." What more challenge do I need than those words?

Taylor-March into work and put that coat back on the sales rack! Do not model anymore clothes for anyone. Way too tempting. Although the coat may be nice now, think of how much NICER it will be to not only OWN the LV bag from winning the bet with your hubby BUT ALSO the years and years of full on gloating rights.

Never again will he be able to stay ANYTHING about your shopping. That is worth passing on the coat and any other lovelies that make their way into the store these next few months.

Sihaya, Hanging tight...good for you:)
Dawn, It makes perfect sense, the minute we can't buy something, we know exactly what we want to buy!! hang in there:)
Jonesy, I don't think there is a problem starting in Sept...heck I am just trying to get through each day:)
Lisa, Would you mind meeting me at mt house and hanging out with me till Dec.!!!:)

You know, Taylor, this thread has been really interesting in that I get to see into how others feel about shopping. After reading your posts and thinking it over, it really started to sink in for me just how difficult this challenge is for you. I think it might be like if I had/chose to give up reading for a while--I'd be climbing the walls!

Anyway, I just wanted to take a minute to say that I am amazed that you took this on and I am so proud of what what you have accomplished so far! Good for you.

Thanks Melissa.!!
I am sure giving up reading would be extremely for those who are voracious readers, as is my hubby. Shopping is not only my hobby , but fashion and clothes are my passion,:)