Blouse: Francesca’s | Blazer: TJ Maxx | Pants: Gap | Shoes: Steve Madden | Necklace: MelodyJoy 1983 | Purse: Jason Wu for Target
It is no April Fools joke, my friends. From April 1-30, 2012, I am going on a clothes/accessory/shoe shopping hiatus. Well not exactly, but let me explain. In the past few months, I’ve kind of done a lot of shopping. A lot of in store shopping, a lot of online cute boutiques shopping, a lot of etsy shopping and I think it’s about time I check myself. So, I’ve made a deal with myself that for the whole month of April, I am going to limit myself to $100 ($35) to only spend at thrift/consignment stores. (Anything I receive as a gift or to do a review on does not count.) Do I think I can do it? Probably not, but I am sure as heck going to try!
So in honor of this challenge, I’ve posted pictures of one of the last outfits I wore on a shopping date with a girl friend. I am in love with my grey Gap denim. And I think you already know my love for polka dots. And I feel so special to have that Jason Wu for Target purse I had been eyeing, Marv gave it to me for Valentine’s Day since I couldn’t find it in stores myself when the collection came out!
And that’s all folks. Here’s to only thrift shopping in the next 30 days! Please help keep me honest! And if you’d like to send me clothes/shoes/accessories in the month of April, be my guest! 😉
P.S. I’m featured today as a Mod Mama over at Life in Mod!!
Have you ever put yourself on a shopping hiatus?
I’ve made a similar promise to myself 🙂 good luck to us!
Great challenge! I can’t wait to see how it goes.
You are looking really great Sandy! I never have a problem shopping for me (or rather, not shopping for me). But I do like to shop for the kiddo. Good luck! So far looking’ really good there!
Oh wow!!! Good for you. I’m excited to see what great stuff you find at thrift shops. I bet you’ll find some beautiful things. 🙂 Best of luck to you!
http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com
I actually have to work VERY hard to convince myself to buy anything, ever. I have gotten to the point where I talk myself out of thrifted purchases regularly, too. I suspect it will be worse now that I just weeded out a ton from my wardrobe.
BUT! I wish you tons of luck. If you need some words of discouragement when you go to purchase something… I’m here for you. (:
you look absolutely gorg, mama! Love patterns too, and love that bright pop of red color~ perfection! xO
http://www.thehautecookie.com
I love the blazer, compliments the color of your blouse!
Good luck!
Once I put myself on a thrifting ban after I came home with hamburger shaped salt and pepper shakers and a handful of other goodies that I really didn’t need. I tried to take 3 weeks off but found myself in the fitting room at Anthropoligie trying to justify paying $35 for a t-shirt! I high tailed it back to the thrift store and never looked back 🙂
You can do it! If I went six months then you can absolutely do it! You have so many cute clothes that I bet you’ll find the most fab outfits!
Oh yes, I’ve attempted many shopping bans.. they normally last for only a week. I have no self control! Haha.
Lovin’ the red blazer on you, Sandy!
xx Love & Aloha
Sandy how fun!!! I’m sure you’re all stocked up with the season’s fab purchases from (new) store shopping!! Now it’s time to get to the nitty gritty!! haha You will definitely get some fabulous finds out there… and most likely you’ll end up with a whole lot more than what you expected!! Gotta get in when it’s 50% off and $1.50 days at the Goodwill! I’m for serious!! Good luck- but ya don’t need it 🙂
Christine
DelaChic
I think this is a great challenge! Good luck girl 🙂
xo erica
I think you can totally do it, Sandy. I shop on a $75/mo budget. Exercising the self-control muscles isn’t always fun, but it’s necessary and good. 🙂
Nice outfit!
Sounds like a great idea! I might give this a go, as well =) Good luck!!
This is an adorable outfit! I LOVE the polka dots and blazer. and I should say no shopping – I try to do it around Christmas shopping time to buy nothing for myself. But am not always successful. Good luck!
oh man…I feel like I need to wean myself off of thrifting because that’s pretty much all I do as far as shopping is concerned–and I don’t really NEED anything else…but it’s so fun! well at least you can do some really fun thrifting this month and then post all your great finds! $100 goes a long way at Goodwill!
Well you are inspiring me to do the same! I do shopping hiatuses often to challenge myself to save instead of spend.
Can’t wait to see what you come up with! Love this look Sandy:)
I feel like you could probably get a TON of stuff for $100 in thrift stores! Your money goes so much further there. I’m not really good at shopping bans, so for me it’s easier to just set a budget and stick with it 🙂
-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
I looove that outfit! So cute, the colors + pattern. Good luck on your shopping hiatus! I think it’s a great idea. 🙂
I think you can totally do it! And I’m sure you’ll spend those $100 on some fabulous items 🙂
I think it’s very feasible to shop only in thrift stores for a month. I’ve often gone months at a time shopping only thrift. More power to you! You can do this.
love the idea of a shopping hiatus; i could use one as i feel like sometimes people buy just to buy, myself included. great grey denim find before you started. 🙂 excited to see what you find in the thrift shops!
i have yet to find the perfect thrifting location. love the blazer with the polka dot top…so stylish!
I am so excited to see all of the things that you find! Thrifting is so fun. Love your outfit.
Creamy
Good luck! I know how hard it can be. I been trying to be more disciplined myself. Don’t have a real challenge but I’m just trying to be disciplined in all aspects of my life. Spending, eating, exercising, etc. So far so good 🙂
Oh and love the look. Those pants and top are fab. See now I’m going to have to check out the Gap’s selection…. 😉 xoxo
i always tell myself i’m going to do one of these but chicken out at the thought of it. eek! goodluck to you! i bet your outfits are going to be even better !
http://nuhasofiyan.blogspot.com
You look chic in this outfit.
Love Print
Thanks for the comment! I love finding great finds at thrift stores. I commend you for your challenge! it’s always good to get your money’s worth and I believe thrifting and vintage shopping is a great way to do so. I love the blazer and the bag!
GREAT outfit. the polka dots! I thrift a tonnnnn. 😉
So glad you could be part of the MOD mamas!
Cheers.
Good luck Sandy with your quasi shopping ban! I admire your spirit and ability say you may cave…heck I know I would cave…and probably it would happen on the 2nd day!
aaah I should probably do the same thing. working at the mall has proven to be deadly hahaha
I’m always picking up accessories and what not on the way to and from work! it’s adding up.
I need to start thrifting more, it’s really fun!! and you can really find unique things!
great look…..prepped and polished 🙂 love the nautical color palette!
<3Amanda
feast.fashion.faves
FACEBOOK!
I’ve totally gotten into thrifting lately and found some items that are nicer than I could normally afford for $5 each! Keep us updated on how it goes!
Good luck on your thrifting challenge! I did a new-clothes ban for the last few months of last year, really enjoyed it, and just started another shopping ban. Looking forward to seeing your fantastic thrift finds! 🙂
you can do it! most months i only have about $75 to spend on clothes, sometimes $0! excited to see what u find.
Ohh.. I love that outfit! I totally understand going on a shopping hiatus! I bought so much stuff this fall and winter that I wouldn’t let myself buy anything unless it was for spring/summer…had to give myself some sort of loop hole:)
Ashley
good luck! i’m sure you can do it. can’t wait to see the results!
That’s a great challenge! But I wouldn’t really call it a shopping hiatus, especially if you’re going to be spending up to $100 at thrift/consignment stores, because $100 can buy A LOT AND A LOT of clothes. If your goal is to cut down on shopping, I would think that a thrift-only mindset would be counter-productive because you can buy so much more with the same amount of money. Why can’t you just stop shopping altogether? It’s definitely possible (and I would think it would be easy with Austin taking up a lot of your time these days!) and a month is really not that long! 🙂
Anyway, have fun with the challenge, and I’m excited to see what you end up getting on your “hiatus”
I lived in my grey Gap maternity skinnies this winter! Good luck with your challenge…I bet you’ll find some gems!
I’m no good at clothing shopping bans (the more I tell myself I can’t have something, the more I want it…and vice versa) but I do put myself on spending freezes all the time. I somehow talk myself into thinking that I will feel GREAT about my finances if I go a day without spending ANY cash and then I try to see how long I can string those days together. I usually last about five days, which is a lot shorter than a month…but it is always good to remind myself that I don’t need chocolates/starbucks/cute socks/lunch out.
Love this idea! You CAN do it! And random thought here, have you ever thought about doing hair tutorials? 🙂 I love your hair in these shots!
You can do it Sandy! Maybe I’ll get inspiration from you and curb my shopping habit too! I love this look though–you did find some cute stuff!
I have the same bag!! i LOVE it. Perfect for work when I’m only carrying my ipad. 🙂
love that blazer!
I shop a lot less than I used to, but still feel like I shop too much! Looking forward to seeing how this goes for you!
And where are your favorite thrift stores in KC? I may need to scope them out myself!
Good luck with the challenge! Thanks for sharing on Monday Mingle.
Your outfit posts always inspire me – the blouse and blazer is such a classic look. Good luck with your spending cap this month : )
I agree with Kimmie, a month is not really that long and $100 is still quite a bit. It’s a bummer that shopping can be a total addiction.
Author
Hey guys! Just wanted to thank you so much for your comments so far~!! Based on some of your comments, I’ve decided to change my spending limit from $100 to $35. I’ve realized that $100 is not really a “challenge” for a month of thrifting and I really do want to exercise self control (while not completely cutting myself off). 🙂 Thanks!!!
Love this outfit! That blazer is such a fabulous color 🙂
Annie
The Other Side of Gray
Ooo good luck and cant wait to see what you find in a month!!! I am actually also in a shopping ban since I I spent a lil too much the past couple months o_0
Good luck to you! I think having a specific timeline will help you meet your goal. I gave myself a similar challenge. I told myself I wouldn’t buy anything for me until we closed on our new home. There were some issues, and now that won’t happen until the middle of July, so I’m sure I’ll cheat. 🙂
Yay for thrifting. You can do it!
Cute look! Love your blazer!
xx
Giovanna
http://www.oliveandanarrow.com
I don’t have enough willpower to put myself on a hiatus. 😛
-Lindsey
Et tu, tutu?
a thrifting challenge! how inspired!
(something for myself to consider in
the future, perhaps)
ahhh i went on a complete shopping ban
during feb for my 30×30 challenge, and let
me tell you, it was hard. but definitely still
doable. if i can do it, you can too! lol. and
at least you’ll have an allowance–it’ll force you
to really consider every piece.
i’m not good at thrifting, so i’m looking forward
to what you find, as well as any tips you have! 😀
good luck!!
Love that top! So pretty 🙂
thanks so much for visiting my blog and for all the nice comments 🙂 i love how the polka dot adds a little fun and flare to the sophistication of this outfit! not shopping for a whole month definitely sounds like it would be really hard! i wish you the best of luck!!!
-jessica
http://runninginsideus.blogspot.com/
Great Idea! Love the pics, looking gorge xoxo
you got this, girl! p.s. LOVE the blazer!