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SYC Check In

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Is it officially week 2?
I had a moment of weakness last week when a top that I have been wanting from The Gap was marked down really cheap, plus has an extra 35% off. But I still didn't have the money at that time, so I let it go. This week is my birthday, and I am waiting to see if I get some money from my mom (I usually do). I went round and round and round over what to spend it on, or if I should even spend it at all. I had one of my summer dresses give out on me a couple weeks ago- first it got a small hole, and then an epalette lost the decorative snap, plus it's getting a little big. I've decided that the most reasonable thing to do is replace the dress, since a perfect summer dress that I have been wanting from last summer is now finally marked down enough for me to afford it and summer dresses are hard for me to find (and I spend so much time in them). I have asked for one clothing item from my husband for my birthday also, but we'll see.
Anyone else tempted?

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22 replies

Latest reply was from chewyspaghetti

celia

Veteran

I went by GAP and fell in love with almost all of the new colors there.Especially a coral cardigan that I've been searching for 2 years.But I'm trying to hold on because I want to be able to control myself.
Oh,and the flared jeans are also something I really look forward to.

crwilson

Veteran

I'm still in but I haven't found the contentment I was hoping for. I have worn - or tried to wear - some clothes that have been hanging in my closet for awhile, and I've discovered that I still have things in there that don't fit well or that somehow just don't work for me.

One thing I've already realized is how susceptible I am to outside influence. I just read Angie's post on spring trends and started longing for trouser jeans and flared jeans and more pants (and need I even mention a PB blouse, even though I hate blouses and never, ever wear them?). I was shocked at how quickly my mind moved from - I love these new looks - to I "need" a pair of trouser jeans, at the very least.

Then, when I look at what I actually enjoy wearing, it's definitely NOT jeans or pants, no matter what their cut. So I hopefully will have saved myself some time and money by recognizing that and not running out to buy those wide-leg pants that I adore on others.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

CRWilson, I think we all fall prey to that suggestibility at times. Good for you for recognizing it! I am on a budget for the year so it's not a strict SYC, but I am staying on track and making yet more returns by mail. I ordered a black skirt from Athleta and it's quite snug. I debated on keeping it and then thought about the mantra of great fitting items I love and it didn't qualify, so back it goes. Same with a CK bra. I already owned one in a different color so I thought it would be a no brainer. Guess again - it's made differently somehow and the cups aren't even the same size and shape when I look really close! Crazy. So back it goes, too. At this point, I am praying my plain white v neck tee from BR is a keeper and I can stop this mail order madness. The upside is this gives me more budget back for those cage wedge shoes I'm dying to pair with my BF shorts.

And that brings me to the heart of it. I could have had random 'almost' items I surely wouldn't reach for in the end. But by being stricter with my checklist I will instead end up with some shoes I just love that I'm sure I'll be wearing quite often. It's work to deal with all these returns, and it's a drag, and it costs a few dollars as well, but in the end I won't end up with stuff I don't love that will just be waiting for the eventual closet purge. Not to mention, it leaves me budget room for a cuff bracelet I've been wanting to find as well!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Ulta was running a special on my skincare, which never goes on sale. I made it to the mall, got my products and got out. Luckily the mall they're in doesn't really have the type of stores I usually shop in, so not a huge temptation.
I'm trying to fill up my weekends with activities so I stay out of trouble. Next weekend will be a real test, as I'm going to my hairdresser. She's in a big high-end mall with tons of temptation. The salon is next door to Nordstrom, and often the fastest way to get there is to go through Nordstrom.

MsMary

Veteran

I am just starting officially this week, because I was on vacation last week and wanted to be able to shop a little. I did pretty well -- came home with a lovely set of silver-and-abalone shell jewelry for a total of under $100, and a tee and a tank.

It was actually really good to be away and break the looking-at-stuff-and-having-to-buy-it cycle I'd been in. I started to get drooley over a few things last night, then I just said "oh,yeah -- I'm not buying anything," and it was pretty easy to close the browser and get on with life!

Kate

Veteran

I haven't been to any malls, but I have looked around online. I installed the amazon wishlist add on for firefox (http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/.....=200420360) so that when I see something I like I can save it there, and come back to it after SYC and see if it's still around. It's more long term, and less tempting, than putting it in the virtual shopping cart. Luckily, there isn't much in stores right now that I love, so that makes it a bit easier for the time being.

catgirl

Veteran

I am doing okay so far, but I went thrifting with consignment $, which was within my rules. I am having fun digging things out of my closet that I've thrifted and forgotten, so it really is like shopping my closet. In addition to buying stuff, I like to browse when I have free time, which I fear will be my downfall. I'm going to try taking those free moments to exercise, so I can buy some new spring clothes after my birthday.

Stay strong, peeps -

cciele

Veteran

I resisted a Hautelook sale on the Furies line (my harem pants are from the Furies). At >75%, it was sooooo tempting. But so far, so good!

Scarlet

Veteran

Oh, a new SYC, count me in. No temptation because I haven't had time to see a darn thing. So far so good.

Lisa

Veteran

I'm doing well so far. My winter wardrobe is in good shape and it's pretty cold for a while so I should make it through at least Jan ok without temptation. Once spring items start popping up in stores, I'm going to have a harder time. The past 10 days have been the longest I have gone not shopping in probably a year or more.

I have started looking at more photos and brain storming ideas in a spreadsheet to come up with new outfit combinations. This made me realize I have way too many clothes for winter. I can go a month easily without repeating an outfit. And I have already repeated two of them. Now if I could figure out how much to really keep I would be able to purge my closet quite successfully before the YLF swap. But I’m not sure how many combinations would suffice? Two weeks of outfits before I have to repeat? Three weeks of outfits? Hmm…

kimlee

Veteran

The first week went really well for me. I suppose that was due in large part to being eager to succeed at the challenge. This morning was a bit of a challenge as I did not like anything that was hanging in my closet. So I had my hubby pick out something for me to wear. Lo and behold, I liked it - pic will come later. I am hoping that every morning will not be like this.

I went shopping with my mom over the weekend and the temptation to shop was HIGH! But I soon realized that a lot of what I was looking at did not a) fill in the wardrobe gaps in my closet or b) fit the style that I am trying to define for myself. It was a bit of an eye opener, how much impulsiveness is in me.

Tanya

Veteran

I have been doing pretty good. I went to the mall last weekend to exchange my Express turtleneck that I ordered online for a different one ( it had a snag) and help a friend do some shopping. We went into many stores and I found some cute things, but nothing that really rocked my world to make me seriously tempted.

Kim

Veteran

Good week for me, but I was *sorely* tempted by the Gap 40 percent off online sale. I had to look and they had the black perfect bootcut jeans in my size for $20.00!! I had said a while ago I wanted a pair, but really they are not a "hole" as such, I already have bootcuts, and I have black skinnys and black cargos, so I don't "need" them...

But I WANTED them very much!

Somehow I managed to close the browser and keep my commitment. It was a close call! LOL

That's only week one! Yikes!

catgirl

Veteran

Good job, Kim! *shoulder pat*

Marley

Veteran

I'm doing great so far! Have not even been tempted. I am already noticing a difference in how much time I have in my day (time that I used to spend browsing on-line or in clothing stores!) I've been spending that extra time doing some deep cleaning as well as visiting with friends and family. It has been really good for me! I am liking my wardrobe and feel absolutely no need/want to buy anything - OK, except for the Frye Rorys in sand - but I'm pretty confident that I won't buy them - cuz I don't have any money!!!

Megan

Hi SYCers,

Can I join in too- albeit a little late?

I tried to do SYC last time but was too new and my summer wardrobe (which hadn't been YLF'ed yet!) had too many holes for me to be able to be successful.

I've been on a spending fest lately- (damn you Ebay) and I really don't have the money for it and spending heaps of time shopping online is such a waste! I'm back to work and uni after summer vacation on Monday and really need to get myself into gear! I actually think I'm heading towards being a compulsive shopper! I don't get myself into debt but I think I really need to think about WHY shopping is so rewarding and fun.

I want to try SYC-ing until 1st March and then re-evaluate.

ETA: I just unsubscribed myself from loads of emails- I had no idea that there were SO many that I received each day/week

Mellllls

Veteran

I have been so busy that I haven't even thought about shopping. So I am doing great. Although, seeing this post reminded me that I was supposed to get my nephew's baptism gift this week. So I will be shopping tomorrow but for a specific purpose that is not for me hmmmm, now what to wear to the baptism.....from my closet.....

Also, initially I was planning not to shop my closet, just shop my budget. However, my closet is COMPLETELY full at this point, so now, I am not planning to buy anything until I make space. So my focus has changed. I tried on a lot of my clothes for my husband last week to see if I should keep them but unfortunately didn't get rid of many things....

Kari

Veteran

Well, as some of you know, I was heavily tempted by a sale that Carissa Rose had - except that the top I wanted turned out not to be available in my size. It was just not meant to be!

I'm still enjoying incorporating my new Christmas and birthday gifts that joined my closet in December into my daily wardrobe, which makes SYC a lot less challenging for now. I'm also working heavily on my healthy habits goals and have been a frequent attendee at the gym, so hopefully the concurrent weight loss will allow me to bring some items back into rotation that are currently out of commission.

I have had to pop into a mall to refresh my tea stash at Teavana, but parked at an end of the mall that has stores I don't really shop at, so I just ducked in and out of Teavana without a glance at anything else.

And the YLF swap is coming up fast - hooray!

Anonymous

So far so good for me. But I'm giving serious thought to giving myself a pass to pick up a few spring items at Ann Taylor Loft while they are having a 40% off sale. On the website there is a cotton blazer and a couple of cardigans that would fill some already identified holes in my spring/summer closet.
My SYC plan was to shut down spending on winter items and focus on spring and summer (where my needs are the greatest) I just didn't anticipate finding spring basics on sale so early!
If I decide to do this I'll go to an ATL in a shopping area where there aren't any other stores that are tempting.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I am shopping my budget, as Mellllls put it, but with all the returns I don't know whether to count the shipping back or not. I have spent just over half of my 2 month budget right now, not counting return shipping costs. I'm really happy with the things I have gotten this month and I'm liking the idea of giving myself this alloted amount. It somehow gives me permission to think about those $100 or $200 items because it would simply be using most of the budget at once. Whereas before I would think, that's too much for *one* thing. Funny how mind games can help us

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I have purchased some gear (rain boots, running tights) and thing for my house (towel rack, salad spinner). At some point soon I need a new running bra and shoes, so those purchases are OK and within my rules.

I did buy a loungewear item recently, but it was well below my $35 limit.

I think once spring start to arrive I'll be looking for new printed dresses. It's easy to pass on them now, because, my lord, it's still Jan. and I can't imagine buying something for spring/summer so early on!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

We are actually having some very springlike weather right now, and it's a good reminder of how much use I get out of my summer dresses. I used my birthday money to order a replacement summer dress for the one what is ruined. I ordered two sizes, so hopefully one fits.