November Shopping Challenge - YouLookFab Forum

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November Shopping Challenge

Bonnie

Veteran

I added three items this month and have reached my goal of 36 items for the year. I've been really happy with this challenge because I think spreading the shopping through all of the months of the year has reigned in my tendency to shop emotionally. Limiting my purchases to three per month has make me more thoughtful. Because I went over several times, I am now through for the year and I'm OK with that. Last year I made some bad choices during the Holiday sales.

I found my wide leg blue jeans this month (three were sent back), the perfect for me red puffer I've been looking for (saw it on a Suz post), and the elusive perfect shoe for my new skirt (flats did not work for my feet).

This is the first year that I finished all of my wardrobe and holiday shopping for the family before Thanksgiving. It feels great! How are you doing?

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The Wide Leg Jean

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TNA botanie puffer Packable, goose-down puffer jacket

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Vionic Jayce Bootie

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Shopping

29 replies

Latest reply was from jussie

notsaf

Veteran

Congrats, Bonnie -- these all look like they will work hard for you, especially the boots!

karen13

Veteran

Congrats and great picks! I’ve been doing the same average 3 a month and agree whole-heartedly it worked well. I too have been Much pickier than I have been in the pas

how is the width/fit on those boots? They look great on you!

Anonymous

Your thoughts on spreading out your shopping really hit me - I too am an emotional shopper, and not always in a good way. I have been toying with the idea of making 2020 a no-shop year completely - just as a reset. I don't think I could assign a number of pieces per year as a target or goal, so I think I may forge ahead with my plan

Joy

Veteran

You have such good observations. I bought nothing in November but December when I am looking for gifts I usually find things for myself too.
Limiting to 3 items a month has kept me from buying much but so far it did not encourage me to pay more for better quality. I also challenged myself to buy “greener”...no polyester or viscose or cotton for the environment. Do more hand washing and less dry cleaning. I have stuck to that and read more labels and intend to shop most at second hand shops in the coming year. My problem is to find the items I want in the colors I want. Congratulations on finishing your gift shopping. I have barely started but have a few things that need to be wrapped and sent.

Bonnie

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notsaf: Thank you. I think the boots will be worn often. They are so comfy.

karen13: Picky is good when shopping, there is just so much tempting stuff out there. I wear an 8 1/2 or 9 and went with the larger size. They feel really comfortable on my foot with a high arch and wider toe box.

lisa p: I didn't think I could stick with 36, 3 per month, either but I did pretty well only going over a few times and then skipping Dec. No Shop sounds really hard to me but maybe a One in - One out year would work. Good luck with your 2020 Goal!

Joy: Thank you. I think you and I are in about the same place with items we added five years ago needing replacement whether for wear or style updates. I admire you for your lovely second hand finds. Eliminating dry cleaning is a great goal. I've been trying to do my part for the environment by making better choices and wearing everything I buy at least 30 times.

Helena

Veteran

You are just lovely Bonnie - fantastic discipline and great final pieces.

I really like this 3 items per month guideline - it seems like a reasonable number, with enough allowance for spontaneity without being undisciplined. I think I will make this my 2020 goal!

slim cat

Veteran

Lovely pieces - all things look great in outfits. Report on boots more later - I'm looking at similar style black boots ( padding, comfort, arch support, softness of leather.?..).

Cardiff girl

Veteran

you look you look smashing,modern,individual and elegant,good shopping!

Sal

Veteran

You look great Bonnie in all these looks and your additions are useful and stylish.

I have added 37 and am done for the year too!

rachylou

Veteran

You look just so. What fabulousness. Proof there’s something to the curated wardrobe.

Have done no shopping at all. My efforts to get people to give me their wish lists at the beginning of November has failed once again! lol

Cee

Veteran

Brilliantly done, Bonnie

Bonnie

Veteran

torontogirl: Thank you. The numbers seemed to work with my goal of having a nice variety of items, wearing everything 30+ times, and keeping things fairly current. I would definitely recommend it.

slim cat: Thank you. I would definitely give these boots an A in the factors you mentioned, but I only wore them in the house for 6+ hours. I'll report again after they go on an outing.

Cardiff girl: Wow - thank you for the great review.

Sal: Thank you and it does feel good to be done, doesn't it.

rachlou: Thank you. I've given up on lists although I did enjoy reading them when I finally got them, one of the gd's asked for the most interesting items - last year it was pole dancing heels. I've simplified things by giving the males Patagonia better sweaters and the females cute high top sneakers.

Cee: Thank you.

All: Bonus photos of our walk today on the beach (with snowy plovers) and visit to the Monarch Butterfly Grove - they look like dead leaves in the middle and upper right in the photo of the eucalyptus tree.

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nemosmom

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Love your additions this year, Bonnie! You have added some really fantastic and fun pieces, and stayed on target with your goal.

I bought two bottoms for myself last week that I am still waiting to arrive. I will tackle gift lists next!

Love your photos - I miss the CA coast and watching the plovers bob up and down while they run in the sand! There's nothing like the smell of the eucalyptus trees in damp weather = the best!

Style Fan

Veteran

Great additions, Bonnie. Your jeans look very fab. I might have to try those boots. I am craving combat boots but finding a comfy pair is so difficult.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Hi Bonnie, looks like an excellent year. I have just bought my 22nd official item for the year. I took my mother-in-law shopping today as she is less keen to drive far now she is 83 and one of her favourite stores is about 20 minutes drive from her house. So I went and picked her up. It was a big success as she bought 2 tops and 2 pairs of pants. I had specific requirements for a mesh top with short sleeves if possible. I wanted olive but that has been difficult to find, and they had a nice one in black, sadly long sleeves but a very fine mesh. So I bought it and think 30 wears will be easy, which I want to get out of everything.
I was aiming for 30 items for the year and if I would also count the gumboots, the 2 silver clutches which I was to choose from for DD1’s wedding, the silvery wrap, a bronze summer handbag and 2 beanies then I am at 29. It gives me a tiny bit of leeway if I don’t count all those things
I love your red puffer. I bought my first ever puffer this year, reversible, and have enjoyed the 4 wears so far( too hot now).

Bonnie

Veteran

nemosmom: Thank you. Bottoms are the hardest for me to fit. Good luck with your order. The plovers are fun to watch chasing the waves and the eucalyptus smell was divine today after our rains.

Style Fan: Thank you. These boots are very comfy, they are made of a soft leather, and have zippers. I'm really impressed with them. They sell them on Amazon, too. The photo is different but are exactly the same boot.

Jenni NZ: Thank you. I think you have had a very busy shopping year with being mother of the bride and traveling to Asia for the ceremony. 22 or 29 is very impressive with all of that going on this year. It's nice that you live close to your mother and can help her with shopping. I used to live in the desert, 107F highs for most of the year so had little use for outerwear. Now, I live on the coast and puffers are perfect.

Vionic Women's Holden Jayce Ribbon Lace Up Boots - Ladies Boots with Waterproof Leather Upper and Concealed Orthotic Arch Support

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Bijou

Veteran

I love the new skirt on you - it looks so fab with your boots too, festive and fun and able to be dressed up or down, you really could wear this anywhere. Your cherry red puffer is also a brilliant colour on you.

Runcarla

Veteran

Have you ever had boots like your new ones before? I don’t think I’ve had a pair since uni, but I’ve been wearing my new ones non-stop since I got them. I have yet to style them with a skirt, but it is in the plan. Thanks for your inspo pics.

Though I have stuck to a budget rather than place a number on my annual purchases, I am at 34 items with no immediate needs, though I do have my eyes on a pair of red shoes and my search for new specs is taking all my shopping energy. FWIW, I replaced almost 1/3 of my garments and increased my total numbers a little.

What percentage of your wardrobe did you turn over? Do you think you will apply the same strategy in 2020?

Susie

Veteran

You finished your shopping year with a bang! What great pieces you added. All are interesting yet versatile. Love the boots with the skirt and the puffer is so cheerful!

Anonymous

Great job! Very inspirational. Your comment about "making bad choices during the Holiday sales" did not fall on deaf ears.

cheryl

Veteran

You are adorable and it sounds like a great shopping strategy that really worked great for you.

Bonnie

Veteran

Bijou: Thank you. Wearing skirts is new for me and I'm really enjoying the fun styles. I'll probably be dressing down more than up but I do plan to wear it New Years Eve.

Runcarla: I have never had lace up boots before either and I know I will wear them often this winter/spring. I'm looking forward to seeing your skirt styling. I probably have a larger wardrobe than you, but my move to a much cooler place made it necessary to add warmer clothes to my SW desert wardrobe. I've built my wardrobe over the past 4-5 years and feel it is the right size for me. I'd like to do a one in one out year but we will see.

Bonnie

Veteran

Susie and Cheryl: Thank you so much for your kind words.

Sterling: I think I just get caught up in the excitement and buy thing I don't need. I have a closetful of dressy things and not enough clothes for my lifestyle which these days means warm things.

Anonymous

Love your beach, and your skirt outfit with the moto and boots! Bad A tooth fairy- in a very good way:)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You are sooooooo KILLER stinking cute! I can barely stand it

Very impressed with your organized and disciplined - yet emotional shopping. That’s the way to do it. You did brilliantly, stuck to your plan, and have reaped the reward. WELL DONE!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You look great in all your outfits - love the wide jeans on you, the leather jacket is excellent with the skirt, and the shoes look perfect. Excellent wardrobe management too!

Bonnie

Veteran

suntiger: Love the tooth fairy comparison and after 6 years in the desert I've become a connoisseur of beaches.

Angie: Thank you for your kind words and for inspiring me to make sure I have the essentials to make the wild cards work.

shevia: Thank you. I really think that this has been my best shopping year with more thought given to what I need rather than than just seeing something on someone and thinking that looks great, I need that, too.

kellygirl

Veteran

You have such a great style and such a beautifully curated closet. I'm not sure why, but I thought you were an Aussie so consider me surprised to see that you are on the CA coast! Gorgeous new additions and I love your discipline. I really need to try something like that. I am a stress shopper so figuring out how to overcome this is no easy feat. You are inspiring me!

jussie

Veteran

That first outfit is so great! And I really love the boots. I want some.