Judy, what luck! Great point about the difference between admiring and acquiring. I go back and forth on actually spending money and acquiring things, and doing some "online window shopping" where I scan my favorite sites and add to wishlists. Right now I'm tempted to buy all sorts of things I've had on my wishlists for a while because of my new-found confidence after soaking up all these YLF tips, but I really don't *need* that gorgeous silk dress I've been lusting after and I need to get my budget and closet in order! I'm not on a shopping ban but I think I'm going to finish unpacking in my new apartment and try to shop my own closet before I open up those wishlists again!

Oh Laura that is reassuring to know you experienced the same thing too!

The only mag I subscribe to (a fashion mag!), arrived today, so I'm sure pouring over its pages over the weekend will give me a bit of a boost.

And hopefully over the weekend I can catch up on heaps of stuff that I've missed here.

I am really enjoying following all of your exploits and lessons as you go through this period of self-discovery and restraint. Thank you all so much for sharing it with us on the forum!

Laura, I don't think you should feel like it is your responsibility to keep people going on the challenge; you each need to concentrate on yourselves first, and then support each other when you can. But you know, if someone decides to fall off the wagon, that's just the way it is. Five months is a really long time, and shopping is not like drinking or smoking; it's not going to hurt them to do it.

That said, I would love to see as many of you as possible make it to the finish line, so good luck!

I do have a challenge I would love to see you guys embrace: I want to see you really "shop your closet". Dig deep and find an item you forgot about or haven't worn in ages, the one that is practically new it has been so long since you wore it. And put together a brand-new outfit for it with what you have. That, to me, is the true value of SYC. Show us what you can shop for right, you know, in your closet!

Judy - what luck! That's a happy kind of surprise to have

I was returning my first eliminated white watch to Nordstrom yesterday and really enjoyed looking at all the fall things with my SYC eyes. I can admire them, and the possibilities they inspire. But I was able to remind myself how full my closet is, how we have only just begun fall weather and I have not even dressed in true fall clothes yet. . .

I guess that was an admire vs acquire experience. It also must have been a good strong day for me. . .

Kristen - are you issuing an SYC Orphan challenge. . . ?? (Heck, it could be the SYC Orphan #1 challenge, as I imagine most of us could wear orphan after orphan after orphan if needed

I love that admire vs. acquire idea. I'm so glad you guys are experiencing it.

MNSara, I guess it could be an orphan -- or just a long-forgotten beloved piece. Especially with the weather turning, there are likely many items in our closets we haven't worn in a while which deserve a fresh look to them.

I like that challenge... it can be our next weeks challenge. orphan week at YLF