I love it - bj111 ! The creativity on this site is just fabulous !!!!

PF, you are soooo right ! No stone throwers here at all. Ironically, a lot of good came out of it, one being that while I was home, alone and very weak during the day and the other nights that I couldn't sleep , I started web surfing and ended up here. YAY !!!!

Queennie - great idea , maybe I could submit to flexible spending account !

In the end I am one lucky and privileged lady who NEEDS nothing and has more than enough.

Laura - Good for you! You stuck with getting just what you needed. (Thanks to Kristen - that' s what friends are for

Dawn - the dress looks totally beautiful. Looking forward to seeing it on you!

QM - I feel your pain! I had one cut, years ago, that was so short in back that I was actually in a bad mood everytime I felt or saw or combed my hair -- for about two weeks!

Isabel - not to worry, backpacks for hiking are *gear*, even if it's high end gear!

Jonesy - I'm another "saving the Sunday best"er here. This year, I'm really trying to make good use of those favored items. It doesn't make sense to have some great pieces that hardly have any wear before they feel dated and I'm movingon to other favorites.

Ladies, all of your discipline is impressive, and though I have not joined the cause, you have given me food for thought, and I am looking for ways to wear neglected items. Laura, interview clothes are not especially fun, and perhaps that can help make things a little better. Kim, when I am not happy with my hair, I find it difficult to feel good about the way I look overall, and it's upsetting. I empathize and think we've all been there at one time or another.

These threads move so quickly! I'd been looking for this week's and just found it.
It was fun reading all the posts and nodding in agreement.
I'm still in, mostly because I avoided any shopping this week unless it was groceries. The weather has just begun to cool, so most everything that isn't sleeveless or shorts is like something new. That will help. I've discovered that I need tunics and if I were not doing SYC, I'd be out there looking.
I'm also getting tired of my shoes and can't wait until it cools off enough to wear boots again.
Edit: I'm also a victim of Sunday Best , having been brought up that way. It's sad to not get use out of things you love before they become outdated, don't fit, or get moth holes. I'm trying to change my ways. Angie's party dresses and skirts with denim are an inspiration.

OK, I had a *teensy weensy* setback this morning

I had to go to a new town for an appointment and I had heard they had a fabulous op/thrift store... I arrived a little early for my appt, so decided to have a look through this famous store.

Well, with the loose change in my wallet I bought a $3.50 shirt. So I guess, officially, I broke SYC, but I also think that a one off in this situation isn't such a big deal, especially when spending the $3.50 on the top means I didn't go to the bakery next door and buy something incredibly sinful to eat LOL

Am I forgiven?

*I* forgive you, Theresa but then I have had to *customize* SYC myself. I am not a SYC purist, but it has served me really well -- and that's what it's about *for me*. . .

This is a gem of a thread! Definitely makes me think about my purchases a little more carefully. I'm not SYC but I have been trying to get some use out of the orphans and "Sunday bests." Funny thing, I encourage my girls to wear whatever they want so they can enjoy it before they out grow it. I should listen to myself sometimes. My BFF and I were laughing at an outfit she pulled out (never worn) and now terribly dated. Saved for the donation pile!

Theresa, all is forgiven! Welcome back to the fold. How did you feel after you bought the shirt and brought it home?

Thanks girls - glad I'm forgiven!!

Laura that is a good question! I certainly don't feel the *high* I used to feel when shopping - but this particular shirt I bought was to wear over my swimmers when I walk to the beach (I live one block from the beach and over the summer hols will no doubt be down there every single day!), so its almost more like "gear" than something I can wear fashionably IYKWIM.

I must admit, the thrill of shopping has really disappeared because over the past couple of months I have realised just how discerning I have become when I'm shopping, so haven't had much success anyway, and now that I'm really out of the habit, it just doesn't hold the same allure to me anymore.

In fact, its at the point where I'm hankering to do more sewing, but I need to get to the fabric store and I'm avoiding that because I never leave there with just the things on my list LOL (And my laptop still needs replacing!) Although perhaps this is the ultimate test - has SYC changed my shopping habits enough that I can walk in, buy the fabric I need, and leave... I just doubt it because once I'm exposed to all the creative options, textures, colours etc my brain really does disengage!

I may venture out tomorrow so will keep you posted on the fabric store experience!

Yes SYC has definitely changed me.I sat with tons of marked down shoes in my amazon cart for three days, wasting endless time going back and forth about them, only to close it out without buying a thing in the end. Have I totally gone insane? Today I went to TJ Maxx INTENDINg to break the ban and buy some shoes to celebrate making it two months, and I didn't! I did buy a new work-out bra and some hose, but those count as gear and underwear. I did also buy a black belt, which I sorely need since my current belt keeps slipping over my pants and looks incredibly sloppy.
Not that the feel of the new cozy sweaters didn't call to me, and the handbags scream to me from across the store...I actually did not even go to the bags at all since I planned to buy some hose, a workout bra and a pair of booties.I stayed in the areas where I planned to shop, which NEVER happened before SYC ban. So I am still in, and learning to become a more discerning shopper as everyone is saying. My closet still feels full and that makes me want to be more careful about adding unnecessary stuff to it. Working on my own Sunday best problems! My favorites are getting alot more wear these days