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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

SYC for real - honestly!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Calling all my YLFers to help me NOT TO SHOP! Hubby and I just got the cost of a significant home repair we need to have done and need to proceed.

So I cannot afford to shop other than to replace undies and socks! Truth be told, my fall/winter wardrobe is in really good shape and I don't need anything anyway.

My downfall is online browsing which leads to online shopping. I've "unsubscribed" to the various sites I like to peruse to avoid further temptation.

If you see me ask about an item for me or can hear me drooling on the keyboard over an item that sweet Angie posts, please send me a cyber SMACK and tell me to KNOCK IT OFF!!!

Shopping

40 replies

Latest reply was from Transcona Shannon

ramya

Veteran

Awwww Shannon... Tats bad. But the positive part is you
already have a fab magic wardrobe.
Dont ya worry we will remind you.
A trick i use is to keep my credit card in my wardrobe back
home. And carry only debit with me.
And I dont shop using my debit card.

Maybe you can try something similar that works for you:)
All the best

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Will do! Anything to help! I haven't really bought anything for like 2-3 months now except for one skirt which I may or may not keep (the Rachel Roy). I think it makes it easier if I don't pay attention to being on SYC, you know what I mean? It's like if you say "I'm on a diet", you suddenly get hungrier. Last time I tried SYC I bought even more stuff because I wanted to have everything in place before I had to stop shopping. So that didn't work very well. But now, I have the motivation to save money for the baby, plus I'm too tired to shop, plus anything I'd buy now (maternity) won't fit me next year after I have the baby. So it makes it a lot easier to avoid shopping.

You do have a really fab wardrobe, so that helps. Are you including thrifting in the shopping ban? Unsubscribing to sites helps--out of sight, out of mind. I find that Angie's picks and people's K/R's here are also big temptations. What if you put money in a jar (or keep track of it electronically) every time you are tempted to buy something but decide not to? It could add up fast! Good luck!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Thanks Ramya - I keep my credit card at home too so that definitely helps.

Natalie - yep, I'm including thrifting in this shopping ban as well. Those can add up before you know it. Angie's picks are always so fantastic - they are definitely a temptation.

Every time I see something fabulous posted here, I'm going to look in my closet to see what I have that's similar. For example, I was eyeing those cute pointy toed animal print booties that Angie just posted as a Fab Find and thinking how those would work well with my style....but then I thought "no", I have my animal print Doc Danielle's which I love and are uber comfy so why would I buy the other ones?

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

Shannon - I am also on a serious SYC as of October 1. Unsubscribing to e mails helps, deleting your credit card info from the store sites that tempt you may help as well. That's a good idea to try to see if you have something close to the item you are coveting. I've told people both at home and at work that I'm on a shopping ban so that if a package comes to either place, I know I will have someone call me out on it. Be strong - we can do it!

Glory

Veteran

sorry to hear about the home repair. Will certainly try to help steer you back to your own closet! From what I have seen you have some wonderful treasures in there!

Inge

(website)

I'm an awful enabler, but I promise I'll do my best for you, Shannon:-)

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

Me too, me too!!! I've even been blogging about my attempts to not shop, but don't see much improvement. Please, follow my blog and post! Maybe we can support each other!

Sylvie

Veteran

Got it. No encouragement. I think your wardrobe is in very good shape though Shannon. Taking a break till next season is a very sensible plan.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I'm behind you! You do have wonderful clothes to draw from already.
I found it helps if I tell myself that 50 fab outfits repeated 6 or 7 times a year is more than enough. That equates to roughly 15 warm weather looks, 15 cold weather, and 15 transitional or temperate climate outfits (and add 5 more to whatever dominant season you have). Surely most of us have this many - and more!
I like the idea of trying to replicate what you might be tempted by with what you already have hanging in the closet, too.

missvee

Veteran

Uh, oh this could be a real challenge for you, the queen of thrifting. But if anyone can do it, it's you. Your wardrobe is in really good shape heading into winter, so you'll have lots of options to choose from. If you get bored, I liked Mo's challenge of wearing all her jewelry or shoes within a certain time period. That seemed like fun!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I'll do it if you help me. I went overboard in Vegas, so no more for me for the foreseeable future.
Today I returned the DJP burgundy boots to Nordstrom. I did some browsing, even stopped at Macy's. I even ate lunch at Nordstrom. Bought zero.

Anonymous

Me too I'm addicting to shopping online and my problem is even worse because I remember my credit card number. So,I can even purchase things when I lay in bed already( don't even need to look for my purse:)). I think I should get rid of my iPhone and iPad. That's the only way to help me not to shop online I think

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Shannon (& anyone else who doesn't want to shop) why don't you take this time to catalogue your wardrobe? Instead of looking online you could take photos of all your clothing & accessories. Bonus would be you could post lots of pics & we could all have fun virtual shopping without buyers remorse.

Nicole D

Veteran

I have my credit card number memorized! Makes it so easy to shop online anywhere anytime! But seriously, you can do it! It is a shame to push some amazing stuff to the back of your closet in favour of the latest acquisition- so shop your awesome closet and always look wonderful! I will join you (after this weekend when I go to Ottawa and can hit some of my fave shops from my youth).

catgirl

Veteran

I will support you! I'm a failure at SYC, but I do feel I was a LOT more picky and restrained on the CA trip than I expected. That was part of a larger epiphany I'll share in a separate post.

You know I'm good at calling you out.

Mona

Veteran

Shannon, It is good that you are satified with your fall/winter wardrobe. That means taking control of impulse purchases. Don't worry we will try our best.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Have I told you all lately how much I LOVE Y'ALLL!!!!!!

With this kind of support, I feel much stronger.

Caro - you are BRILLIANT! I love the idea of taking pictures and cataloguing my wardrobe. Not only will that help me keep track of what I have, it will make my wardrobe seem more exciting and still give me something creative to do.

Inge - you are the sweetest enabler (do yellow striped sweaters and cobalt blue KS pumps ring a bell???? - lol)

Mo - if anyone will be able to give me fabulous ideas on how to do this, it's you! I will definitely be calling upon your knowledge from time to time, if you don't mind. Since our dominant season is fall/winter, I will see if I have enough to put 20 outfits together (I'm sure I do). This gives me a great place to start.

missvee - you are right that it is going to be a challenge. Thrifting for me is not just about finding something, it's a hobby. But I'm going to be replacing my thrifting/shopping with a better, healthier hobby - fitness. My Rachel Roy skirt that I got through NAS and hasn't been worn yet, is uncomfortably tight and I cannot/will not replace it with a larger size.

Una - I know you'll call me out - lol! And you are EXACTLY what I need for this. Counting on ya girl!

Linda, pastrygirl, Anna - sounds like we're all wanting/needing to take a break from shopping. Care to join me in a SYC Support Group?

Thanks for the encouragement ladies and yeah...I also know my credit card number by heart...

Deborah

Veteran

Late to the party but you can enlist me as another supporter of your SYC. You have such a wonderful wardrobe with heaps of variety and choice. Lots of options for remixing and you look totally fab in everything you own.

Re Caro's brilliant idea, if you happen to have an Iphone or Ipad, Stylebook is a fantastic free app for managing your wardrobe.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Wishing you strength!! And hey, you could always just go with 10 outfits repeated a dozen times for the dominant season Just depends on how much variety we crave. The point is that we often have enough but just don't stop to see it (I'm VERY guilty of this).
So I guess we can add you to the OctNOber side

catgirl

Veteran

Then there's NOvember, DON"Tcember, and JaNOary....

Mochi

Veteran

Febuaren't (Not to be mistaken as Fabuaren't)

Don't let it become Flatbroke,areyou?

(forced, very forced)

BethL

(website)

Veteran

I'm sorry to hear about the home repairs, Shannon. I need to do this, too; I'd love to be part of the support group. I, too, like Caro's idea. I'm off to check out Stylebook now.

Anonymous

I am in with a SYC ban. I just pulled out my fall winter clothes and discovered I have way too many items. I donated 4 bags and still have tons.

I have been on two recent weekend getaways which I could do more of if I redirected my 'allowance' to experiences instead of things. Of course I want to look nice but I feel like I am shopping for amusement

I like the catalogue idea

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, if you need some smacking just ask!:-)
Seriously with your fab current wardrobe what else do you need! You can also try to think when tempted by something - what piece from my closet would I give away to get this new thing? If nothing then you pass.
I hear you on temptations only too well but hiding CC can do the trick too - and not going to the actual stores.
Good luck - you can do it!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You have already unsubscribed to the shopping sites - that showed will and determination! I am sure you can do it, and by focusing on your closet you will, without a doubt, come up with even more awesome outfits.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Mo - definitely add me to the OctNOber group...and Una, you made me laugh with your monthly NO's...which I will be participating in BTW.

You're definitely right Mo about wanting to constantly add variety and new things and then I end up with items I've hardly ever worn. Must follow Angie's advice and WEAR THE HECK OUT OF MY CLOTHES!!!

Thanks Deborah, Mochi,Beth, A, Sveta and Shevia - the more support, the better!

Debbie

Veteran

How long are you on SYC? If you place a reward at the end it might help.

cheryl

Veteran

You can do it and as everyone else has said, you already have a fantastic wardrobe and look great in what you already own.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

You can definitely do it. Cataloging the wardrobe could be fun, also maybe a challenge to make different combinations out of what you have in your closet? There are so many cool ones that different bloggers have done.

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