But don’t worry I’m returning them, it was at Costco which is a rough place for a person on a budget- I was feeling kind of like I had nothing to wear- and that I was too chubby for my “capsule slim fit back pants”- when I spotted them a pair of “tummy tamer” black pants for 18.97!!! They came in three colors but of course I NEEDED the black- well I get them home and they are as tight as the dang pants currently in my closet!!

Soooo back they will go- I kept the tags on and placed them in the pile of things that have to be returned to Costco on the next trip- yeah this happens sometimes-

But I did want to unpack this “nothing to wear” phenomena that makes people shop when they really can’t afford it- it’s so much more then about what it’s in the closet and a lot more to do with how we feel about what’s in the closet and how we look in it!

So this long weekend I worked out 3 of 4 days – and today I’m back on my original black pants that were free in my closet even if they are still a little tight, with a looser black top a colorful scarf and a bright lipstick-

I’m trying to remember unless your meeting with Anna Wintour and the cast of Devil Wears Prada- no one cares what your wearing unless it’s shorts during a snow storm- or a winter coat on the beach- and I’m going to tackle this dang budget!

Also just bcse he is happy making- and I am so GRATEFUL tonknow him, I included a picture of Jimmy who as a Tuxedo cat is always dressed perfectly!

Stay fierce love!

February can be hard for a girl who is trying hard not to spend money because Valentine’s Day means glamour and trying to look “pretty” for some of us

My friend Lisa loaned me her CND Vinyulx nail polish and I took a shot at a home mani- didn’t spend anything and a little bit of pampering while watching a Downtown Abbey Rerun!

Now onto February goals-

1. But no new clothes or accessories
2. Limit personal spending to allotted budget (100 dollars)
3. Drink more water
4. Get on the treadmill and walk 3-4 days a week
5. Read a non fiction book

Wish me luck and Happy V day for all you romantics out there!

So something I’m learning about as I attempt my no spend challenge is that when I’m present and do one thing at a time- I’m far less likely to mindlessly shop or mindlessly eat- this lesson has become very clear with the addition of our little Kitten Nemo- who whenever you pick up your phone while petting him , he bites you…

As if to say- hey- Just pay attention to me!!

Who can say no to that face?

Soooo today I had a temptation type of day 50 minutes of waiting around for my 215 Bus home- in the past what I would do was shop while I waited much to the dismay of my poor budget- and sometimes waist line- I would shop or browse and then grab a candy bar on some high calorie on the run lunch.

Today I thought wow, I have a moment to myself after two really good meetings what if I sat down and had a delicious salad- I have the time to eat it- and pamper myself

So I did- and it was lovely, delicious and I felt like it was another way to to take care of myself- spend time on myself not money!

Lesson- we fill time based on priorities- and we can alter those if we are mindful. I’m grateful for the healthy option-

Soooo I have a Gala it sounds fancier then it is but you know what- it’s fancy and because I was committed to the gala before I planned this challenge after much thought I’ve decided to buy a dress for the event-

I’m research many options to be thrifty- there is Rent the Runway- but I’ve heard some of the dresses tend to be beat down and have stains- plus they are not so cheap- like 70- 250 in range for a one night rental?

So then I thought Consignment and am looking into that-

Then I thought buy new and Consign so someone can wear my old dress!

Is kind of grooving on this one but it’s so expensive!!!

THis challenge is HARD!

It’s those words that trigger shop-a-holics like me to buy yet another thing we don’t need-

Now don’t get me wrong I’m sure someone needs this sweater although need is a strong term, I would have clicked a month ago- but I didn’t today!

Instead I thought about the excellent black cardigan I have and the navy blue one I also have and the pink one…. but the NEW is very tantalizing….

I just have one thing that may be my undoing- I have this party in late February and it’s literally the only thing in this year long challenge I don’t have in my closet- the party is Burlesque themed so I have this idea of going as a glamour girl (since the other option seems to me wearing underwear in public and I’m too old for that shit)

So I started looking at Red glamour dresses- and fell in love with this type- this one is 249- thats 249 dollars more then I want to spend!

I’m going to check a consignment shop where I can trade clothes hoping o can find something- I’m open to other suggestions too?

I have a black boring dress I can wear- so it’s a question of ego- stay on challenge, get creative or create an exception for a dress purchase?

My worry is one exception leads to another…

If I had a friend who could loan me a dress that could work too- I’m open to suggestions!

So I spent the last two days fantasizing about a Tuxedo from this company. I decided to focus on what I could make- a beautiful lemon blueberry cake-

I’m worried this challenge could make me eat more but because I’m limiting so much I can’t also be on a diet-

Meanwhile anyone want to lend me a girls tuxedo?

https://www.littleblacktux.com

https://www.travelsmith.com/product/reversible-4-way-dress.do?sortby=ourPicksAscend&page=4&refType=4&ecList=0&ecCategory=

You see its items like this that make me gaga and want to break my no shopping for a year challenge-

It’s 4 dresses in one! So would that mean I could buy three more things? 😉

I’m going to start a list of things that I want to but when my one year challenge is over- and this dress is item 1.

The simplicity of having a reversible dress as a traveler nearly un hinges me it’s so Up my alley! I am planning a trip to Italy this summer and I can just picture myself in some piazza having coffee in the red side with sandals and a hat and then going to a fancy dinner in the black side of the dress!!n

BUt not for another 11 months and ten days!

But whose counting?

This challenge is good for me- it’s forcing me to appreciate what I have, use my imagination and taking shopping out of the equation is really a game changer- I feel less distracted when I can get over a case of the wants- like I’m having NOW!

Sooooo it turns out even the pants that fit don’t feel great- but I’m determined to NOT shop- so I used part of my 100 dollars of personal items budget for the month for these comfy pant attachments-

I have a deep incentive to lose some weight so I can get back in my clothes! And not have these pregnant lady buttons-

That said I’m proud that I didn’t break down and just buy bigger pants…

now this month it means no mani pedi bcse I spent 25 dollars on these!