I wanted to stick to my budget. So far, so good- I have only bought 1 pair of shoes with a gift card so far. I've also been attempting to simplify my life and pursue more of a 'minimalist' life and it's going well, but it's not been easy.

Good thing, Angie posted the link to the goals blog post. Complete mental wipe out on my goals. But I see they were:

1. To examine my wardrobe for cohesiveness and develop an overview picture in my mind.

Well, I'm in the deeps of a decluttering of my entire house and wardrobe. I think that's the first step. So some progress here. Everything had grown unruly.

2. To think (!!) before I even set out shopping.

Total F. Ok, well maybe a D–. There are some things I definitely want and the list is stored in the back of my mind - a couple more suits, funkier shoes to go with, etc. I've picked up some of those things.

3. To do No-Buy trips to stores to see what’s going on before “leaping to conclusions.”

Hmm. Another D–. I've sort of been obsessively visiting Ross after a couple of suit successes there. I'm waiting to see if more suits will come in post-season. However, I still come away with something totally off-list every time. Today, an empanada crimper.

4. To pare down my shoe collection.

Well, I've decluttered elsewhere enough to feel ready to tackle the shoes. However, I'm a feeling a nap coming on. Also, neighbor wants to go for a dog walk...

5. To grow my “punky but office-formal” capsule.

Working on that with the suits and shoes.

6. To make some decisions about all the woven shirts I have but don’t like to wear.

Still waffling. I wore my western snap button shirt to see how it goes. I hate it and the thought of wearing it, but there was a Prairie Underground era in my life where it was the bees knees. Also, the test run, I wore it to the bakery where it was extremely functional. Maybe I need to work on re-envisioning how I wear it.

On this note - while at Ross, I was standing behind a lady maybe a few years older than me who made me unhappy with her get up. She was dressed really cute. Short blond hair pinned with a small barrette, khaki trousers with braces, capped sleeve tee. This is total projection, but I was unhappy because I felt her clothes didn't account for the power that comes with age. They felt incongruent to me. Kinda dinky against her stature.

7. To repeat outfits!

I had one goal, and that was to not buy any clothes for 2014 (underwear, brassieres and workout clothing excluded). Because of the January sales, I've avoided the shopping sites, except for J.Crew, because they had a sale on lithium batteries.

I've been really tempted to buy a few of J. Crew's boat-neck elbow-length linen shirts because linen is a godsend for those who sweat, and it's hard to get airy shirts that cover the arms. When I was most tempted by the shirts, I recalled that in fact, I had purchased one (dolman sleeves) two years ago and had given it away because it made me feel frumpy. That's kept me motivated to stay away.

I'm failing so far. Haven't repeated an outfit yet. Maybe I can start with one per month (there are a few days left yet!) and progress from there.

I have been shopping more than I thought I would. So I've been buying faster through the year's list, but not off-list. Except for shoes. The wedge sneaks from Karymk, and some upgrade/replacement sandals yesterday for my black studded glads that are too tight on my instep. I plan on selling or giving away the glads, so those will be one in one out. Have yet to find THE booties and have been on return merry go round with those. Was nice to just happen upon great sandals for a steal after the boots let down and the waiting and all the work with returns.

HA! I see I already answered this last week! Some short term memory I've got (SMH).