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SYC: Can it be week 7 already?

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Hi ladies - We are closing in on the two-month mark! Goodness! How time flies when you aren't having fun

How is everyone doing? Isabel's thread on unintentional Old Navy purchasing was hilarious! After resisting the huge Nordstrom purchase and everything!

I am fine, shopping is about the furthest thing from my mind, although I have to admit that I am slipping a bit in the style department. I went to the antique mall yesterday in gear!! Ugh. I actually went home and changed. Part of it is feeling like I have gained a couple of pounds and want to hide. Need to fix that next. I'd love to feel the same way about food that I feel about shopping. That is much, much harder.

Okay, enough about me. How is everyone else faring?

General

28 replies

Latest reply was from Laura

Anonymous

I've managed to check out the fall offerings at the mall without buying anything, but it wasn't easy with the fantastic sales. I'm trying to extend SYC to my pantry for meals. It's amazing how much is in there "in case someone comes over". It needs to be used.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Oh Laura, I'm sending you hugs, you know shopping is such good exercise, between the stomping between shops and stretching in the changing rooms it can be quite a work out.

I've managed to put on four pounds in seven days whilst on holiday *shaking fist at the artisan breads* and my clothes just don't quite fit the same *grrr*

Week seven - well done girls.

Queen Mum

Veteran

I am feeling really good actually. I'm still finding new combinations in my closet that I want to try out. Without the distraction of shopping I'm really coming to terms with how many items of clothing I really need and drafting "shopping strategies" that will be put in place come January.

I got my shopping fix in on Friday after discovering on Thursday that my oven had quit working.. so that was fun. (of course a leather jacket would have been much less expensive I actually made more of a production out of the oven shopping than I normally would have... I just needed the shopping experience I guess.

I forgot to mention also last week that I friend gave me a gift card to NY&Co as a thank you for watching her little boy and honestly I'm not even tempted by it right now. I've tucked it away and will pull it out in January. It is a good feeling to not have that burning a hole in my pocket.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Once again- I bought something this week. It's getting a little ridiculous, isn't it? I had to return one of my summer dresses that ripped in the wash (Kenneth Cole had excellent customer service and not only took it back for a full refund, but also comped me the shipping), so I replaced it with the denim version of the DKNY dress that everyone loves (but hates the khaki color of). It was on super sale at Macy's. I worked so hard to build that summer dress capsule- I can't let it fall apart, especially since I can continue wearing them for a couple of months still.

bj1111

Veteran

like R&J, i have overindulged (ok, binged) on food over the labor day weekend and it hasn't stopped. at least i didn't go shopping.

unfortunately, all my good behavior from the previous few months is all for naught. sad really, since i had just managed to squeeze back into a pair of pants that i haven't worn outside the house despite getting it last fall. our house is on some spatial vortex where all pants/skirts that fit in the store shrink instantly in the belly as soon as i bring them over the threshold so i can no longer button them and not look like an extra on the latest hip-hop video.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Oh I am glad (sad) to hear I am not alone in the eating department. Julie is right. Not shopping is really taking a toll in calories that would formerly have been burned off and now are instead settling in for the long haul.

What's worst is that given the restraints of SYC, I need to feel like I can wear anything in my closet, and I don't. And believe me, yesterday the thought of running out and buying some sort of babydoll/sack dress type garment to wear over leggings did cross my mind!

So Joy, your focus is now shifting from Shop Your Closet to Eat Your Pantry?

Isabel

Veteran

I will be back in at around 5 pm EST - that's when I will be returning "THE" tunic.

Will this be a movie some day ? SYC, EYP ( Eat your pantry ).

Inge

(website)

I hear you on the food part, ladies!! I'm not participating in the SYC, but have had no budget at all to shop for a while + extra freelance work stress + looking for a steady job outside of the house stress is making me reach for (comfort) food all the time. Not good... (Laura: today totally felt like a "I need a sack dress"-day here too!-)

I'm really impressed with all your continued efforts though!

And Khris: love the sound of that dress in denim (but I also love it in khaki on you).

Kate

Veteran

Haha, Joy, I've been doing something similar - I get almost all of my vegetables weekly through my CSA membership (community supported agriculture), and allow myself to buy the other veggies and all the fruits, dairy, and bread I need weekly. I only buy non perishables when they are on a really good sale, and then I stock up. This saves me lots of money, and keeps me "shopping my pantry" rather than buying new pantry items each week.

In terms of SYC, though I'm not fully participating, I'm doing a good job of sticking to the list of what I need. So far this month I've ordered a ton of boots online, but they've all been return. The only purchase I'm keeping is a pair of Loft skinny jeans I got for under $10, which will replace one of my pairs of Forever 21 skinny jeans that are too short. Not bad... I only have 3 gaps to fill (cognac boots, brown pencil skirt, brown v-neck tee), and I'm finally starting to feel good about where my closet's at.

PalmFronds

I am still chomping at the bit about half the day, then okay for the other half.
Last week JUST whe I was about to drown my sadness about shopping(ridiculous, isn't it) by heading to TJ Maxx for a throwdown of the old credit card, two things happened:
1)I got an email from Nordstroms that my backordered pants were being shipped, so THERE will be my thirst for something new satisfied, and it was bought in July so I am free and clear.
2)My sister gave me a work bag of hers, which for me is now "new"

Isn't that funny how it happens sometimes?
I have found that I am actually tending to other aspects of my presentation since I cant shop: I finally got back to my dentist for a check up and also will be having my eyes checked tomorrow. Still going through the closet for alterations.
And yesterday I had a swap with some friends and was VERY picky about what I picked up. You would think I would grab everything insight, but instead I am definitely becoming much pickier.
Glad to hear for the most part everyone is hanging in there.Some of the falling-off-wagon threads have been hilarious to read, and encouraging to see people picking themselves back onto the wagon.Carry on fab ladies!

Laura

(website)

Veteran

It is fun, isn't it PF? We're all hitting our stride, falling off our stride, getting back into striding again ... such is the muckity muck of life. I love how two items appeared in your life just as you were about to fall off the wagon. That has already happened to me, multiple times. To quote from one of my favorite Euro dance tunes ... Things that make you go "hmmmm"!

Inge, so glad we can be sack-dress twins. I am in the same freelance working-job interviewing space too. Good luck to you!

I really want to think about how to extend SYC to food. I would love to feel freed from wanting to eat (when I'm not hungry) the way I feel freed from wanting to shop! Anyone with deep thinky thoughts on that subject?

bj1111

Veteran

no deep thinky thoughts here...i'm still coming down from a carbo high and need to lie down (er, pass out).

Inge

(website)

I have my fingers crossed for you, Laura!

I'm definitely keeping an eye on this thread, very interested in any thoughts on the eating thing too.

Lynne

Veteran

You go, girls! The common thread I've noticed is that everyone has become more discerning and choosy....and that's a really good thing!

Louise

Veteran

As you all know I had a blip last week but am still continuing on with the challenge. I'm really glad I haven't been shopping so much as I've had a couple of vets bills x

judy

Veteran

" I would love to feel freed from wanting to eat (when I'm not hungry) the way I feel freed from wanting to shop! Anyone with deep thinky thoughts on that subject?"

Laura, have you read Women, Food and God ? The title is a bit off putting, but I found it to be revolutionary in helping me be more aware of why I might do things compulsively, not just with food, but anything. It's well worth a read. Here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/Women-Fo.....1416543074

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Laura, I'm detoxing for a week on vegetables, rice etc to realign my eating habits. I need to cut out the sugar and reduce the carbs because I'm having serious cravings. The turkish delight in the cupboard is not helping.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Oooh, I love Turkish delight.

Maybe a carb detox is in order! I like that idea!

Judy, I have read that book and liked much of it. Unfortunately it just hasn't clicked with me like SYC has. Might be because you can't turn away from food completely. You need to eat, and you need to make a million eating decisions a day. The potential for messing up is much greater. I feel like my eating habits are way, way ingrained - much more so than any shopping habit.

To me it's something inside you that just clicks and then you get it. I wish there was a button I could push!

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Oh, and another book: Appetites, by Caroline Knapp. Subtitle: Why Women Want.

Just got it from the library.

PalmFronds

For some reason forgot to mention that I had also started a lower-fat diet at the same time as the SYC plan. Not LOW fat, just lower fat--so I buy nothing that I know has more than 15% saturated fat per serving, and I have upped my veggie/fruit intake by atleast double. For about a week all I could do was complain about all the stuff I was "giving up"--my shopping, my chocolate cake, my sausages etc .For me it actually works well somewhat, being intense about everything at once. Makes me feel like I am on a "program" of some sort for myself. At first it really stank(al I wanted to do was drive to the store and buy a huge hamburger then swing by the mall...), but now I am doing really well. By now really fatty food actually upsets my stomach since I have been on lower fat foods. Low carb would be tough though, I am backing out of that one!

PalmFronds

Reiterate: it is really tough to make those eating habit changes up front. I think I almost broke down crying in the store when I realized I could not have my favorite breakfast sausages anymore...but it does get easier

Jonesy

Veteran

I'm doing okay. I thought I was going to be tempted by the Tucker for Target collaboration that just came out this weekend, but almost all of the clothes are polyester, so it was a non-issue! One thing I noticed: We went to a wedding this weekend. About two days before the event, I decided I didn't like what I was going to wear. Normally I would have rushed out to find something new, but this time I just had to settle with my original plan. And actually, it was fine.

Lisa

Veteran

Just cheering on the SYC-ers, keep it up, two months is a great accomplishment. And extra kudos to those who fell off the wagon, but got right back on.

Anonymous

I just caught up on Laura's SYC thread from last week and want to say that my love of fashion and need to check YLF has not diminished because it gives me ideas of new ways to use what's in the closet. AJ is a great inspiration as are the challenges. Of course Angie and Greg's takes on Fashion Week are a bonus and way of anticipating what I may want to look for in January. Others of you (such as the bag thread) are giving me ideas of things to put on the list now and stalk. Maybe turquoise bags will be on deep discount in January? One can hope.

Anonymous

Oh, 6pm.com is really testing my resolve with a Fossil sale today...lots of nice bags in turquoise, teal, yellows, greens....
http://www.6pm.com/search/bran.....ales/desc/
Must be strong...Please tell me that this brand is not so fab and that I can do better.

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

Hey Girls,

I posted this thread the other day:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/syc-week-7

So as you can see, I'm with you now till the very end! And interestingly, in the past 7 weeks I have only bought 2 pairs of shorts and 1 scarf, so not really that much anyway.

But, in relation to my dying laptop, I've spent the day doing as much techie type stuff as I know - which isn't much LOL, so hopefully I have delayed its death a little longer! (I wrote about what I did on my blog, so if anyone does know much about computers, please have a read as I'd love some more suggestions!).

I even just deleted a few emails from my favourite stores regarding their sales, without even opening them! And at the shops today I wasn't even tempted to go looking at the clothes section - so I'm pretty proud of that - of course having these larger upcoming expenses certainly is good motivator!

I'm very intrigued by your talk of diet being affected - I hope this follows through to me too - I've been bingeing on unhealthy snacks a lot lately...

taylor

Veteran

This has been fun to read...eating instead of shopping.~ shop your pantry ~.....that is hysterical. I am on a shopping binge lately...I don't know what has come over me.

Laura , and the rest of you who have really hung in there amaze me beyond belief. You are all so strong. Like PF I started to get a bit sad too

..Laura has made me promise that when we get together in the future coffee/tea and cake are on me:)

You ladies are my hero's...")

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Well I don't know that I deserve many kudos as I've just been shopping for the house this week. Finished our new guest room and bought bedding, plus a rug, and a dresser (a 40s antique) for my son's room, so I could move his delicate, antique highboy (read: not boy-friendly) dresser into the guest room. Then I bought some fall decor - branches of acorns, a vase, river stones, at Crate and Barrel. I have to say, my house never looked better!!