OWNCloset Update

168 days since I have gone shopping! Its been pretty easy so far. Work has kept me very busy with little to no down time, and we have a terrible mall. So the combination has worked out wonderfully.

I must say, my Christmas shopping has been a lot more focused since I can't shop for myself. Its actually been quite nice.  As far as my Christmas list, its been a little hard to come up with since I haven't been in a mall to see things for my wish list.

I can honestly say I have wore clothing that hasn't been out of my closet for at least 5 years. I was able to update a navy dress with some newer accessories and even got some compliments! I also have tossed some things into the goodwill box. Because, lets be real - If I don't want to wear it this year ... I'll never wear it!

I am SUPER excited for my half way point!!! JANUARY 1st! That means I am able to go SHOPPING! But... only for new under things :) If I am unable to go on New Year's Day, I will allow myself to go over the weekend... but not twice :) Now this may be TMI - but I am seriously afraid of buying uncomfortable bra or underwear, since I will have to wait until July to replace it!

If you are just catching this blog and wondering what I am talking about check here for an explanation.

B&B weekend

This past weekend brought our first weekend guests at the inn :) My sister and her family came down to hang out and go to the football game. We went to the Tiger Walk, had great seats and enjoyed another Tiger WIN! 

Babby and Anna in her Sew Sweet Giggles shirt from a friend of mine's shop! She is also on facebook if you wanna check out the cuteness!

Watching Tiger Walk

Cheering with Mama!

A quick change of the lines and refresh on food and beverages and we are ready for Marc's sister and husband to come! Bring on the UNO!!! and lots of turkey and fun times :)

Flip Flop Mail

Check out this fun two-for-one Birthday Card!

 Step 1: Find some cute flip flops in your best friend's size. Hopefully you can easily remember their size because you once shared shoes! 

 Step 2: Grab your markers and get creative! Picking out flip flops with a white bottom means you can use any color you want! Write a message, draw pictures!

Step 3: Address the flip flops by writing directly on the shoe if its plain color, or add a label! 

Step 4: Head to the post office, and allow some extra time. Most postal workers are grumpy, and won't find these shoes as fun and creative as you did. Nor will they be as excited to 'drop' a flip flop in the mailbox!  One shoe got a priority mail label, the other got regular ol' stamps. ($2 to be exact)

Step 5: Put only ONE shoe in the mail.

Step 6: Sit and wait for the response from your best friend. (It took about 3 days ... it was GREAT!)

Step 7: Mail the other shoe .... its fun to send them separately because its 2 surprises! (I'd suggest not going on a road trip for work, and forgetting to mail the shoe ... because too long between surprises may mean your bff thinks the other shoe got lost!)

Check out this blog for the original idea of mailing a flip flop!

Cousin B!

I feel guilty that I have convinced some friends go do this challenge with me. While I don't think I twisted their arms (to hard)- i feel bad when they ask for permission to buy clothes. By no means are my rules the end all be all, so I feel bad they are suffering with me. (But, honestly, I am happy I am not alone!)

My cousin is in need of a party dress for a wedding coming up and claims to have nothing in her closet. Various reasons... Size, style, appropriate, season, color, etc...  So she went shopping! IN OTHER FRIENDS CLOSET! YIPPEE for Cousin B! While she wasn't successful, she at least exhausted all options before heading to the local mall. At the mall she found something described as a 'navy, classic, staple dress for the future'. 

While she may 'break the pact' as she stated it, I count this as a win still. Before any of us started OWNCloset, we would have never considered borrowing clothes or shopping in friends' closets as our first option.  Nor would we have bought a staple dress with the thought of wearing it again.

Yay Cousin B! Hope you splurged on some good accessories from your mom or sisters' closets! 

OWNCloset Update

278 days

39 weeks

9 months 

UNTIL I CAN GO SHOPPING! Wow, put it like that and I don't know if I will make it! It seems like forever, worse then waiting for Christmas, vacation, or your birthday. 

I'll bring you up to speed on a few things related to OWNCloset...

I can't bring myself to unsubscribe to my millions of retail emails. And it is painful when I delete an email title ... 70% off TODAY ONLY! I will say deleting email is easier then throwing away my family and friends coupons for Macy's... And knowing their is an $11.47 credit on my Macy's credit card is even worse. It's like free money just sitting there, and I can't spend it.

I can honestly say this is the first time since I was 14 that I already started a Christmas list. I don't consider clothes and accessories on my list as cheating because you are allowed to except gifts. (Check the rules, just can't lobby for them!) But, I am worried that my family may laugh, and go with other gift options to make me really suffer in my OWNCloset.... Please be nice Santa, I have been good!!!

I recently went to Old Navy to purchase a gift for a friend, and well... I am somewhat thankful I can't buy new clothes. I had a hard enough time embracing and welcoming skinny jeans to my closet.... Let alone NEON COLORED skinny jeans. But I am happy to report that I had total self control and was able to browse ANd walk out empty handed. ( Minus the gift of course.)

88 days

13 weeks

3 months ( almost) 

Of NO SHOPPING!

Busy Season

Tis the Season, and I don't hear any Christmas music. Soccer is in full swing and we opened with ACC play in Boston and Maryland. I thought BC and Miami were long road trips, but as we welcome Notre Dame to the ACC- travel will get more exciting. Between the new addition to the ACC and the Apple press conference, I don't know what is bigger in my world! iPhone 5!?!

Clemson kicked off the football season, and is now 3-0. They head to Florida State this weekend for College Game Day.  Speaking of Florida, Marc's parents are coming for a visit this weekend. We haven't seen them since the Bahamas so it will be a great visit.

Another visit that is over due is to my college roomie.  She took the OWNCloset Challenge, and I am sad to say she went shopping! Not sure if I am sad, or jealous, or both... but with good reason, she needed to look stunning at a boyfriend's family function ... so I guess we will let her slip this time.

Slipping from Summer to Fall is happening as we speak, the Clemson sunsets continue to look fabulous and the crisp fall air is rolling in.  I haven't had a Pumpkin Spice Latte yet, surprised Facebook hasn't revolted against me yet. Heavens, its soon time for Peppermint Mocha season....

Back to School NOT shopping!

The other crazy lovely ladies that are doing OWNcloset challenge with me are all school teachers. They are preparing their classrooms, working on lesson plans...err Pinterest projects and dreading the school bell just as much as the kiddos.  The best part of Back to School is tax free weekend and all the clothing sales as families stock up on new jeans, shirts, and gym shoes. This goes for teacher too! But not this year! So dig into the back of your closet, push as side the beach cover up and get excited about your TEACHER clothes!


Just remember:
1.Your kids are all new, and haven't seen your wardrobe ....unless they are on the 13 year plan.
2.You haven't seen your teacher clothes since May...so its like a fresh start.
3.Your coworkers are teachers...not stylists from People Magazine.
4.Your clothes aren't as old as your school supplies....or the janitor.
5.You won't get sent to the principals office for a repeat sweater offense.

Realizations

I was emailing back and forth with my mom about a family friend's wedding and travel plans. I immediately got excited for 3 reasons.

1. It's a WEDDING!
2. I can GO because it is after soccer season.
3. I can get a NEW dress.

I love getting new dresses for fancy events and normally start looking way before I need it. I quickly went from high to low when I realized that I can't buy a new dress. And.... gasp... I have to repeat something in my closet.  I have plenty of dresses, and don't wear them often so the repeat offense shouldn't be to big of a deal, but man I was seriously bummed out.  I posted a facebook status related to not shopping for a new dress and got instant feedback. Lots of girl friends posted or texted that I can go shopping in their closets and they would be glad to have a virtual fashion show! Instantly I was back on track with OWNcloset, and super excited that my friends are so supportive of me completing the challenge!  I only have 323 days to go...

Buffett 2012

800 lbs of sand

100 lbs of ice

24 hotdogs

6 gallons of frozen concoction

6 Buffett Veterans

4 Buffett Virgins

 Beach de Barksdale

 Boat Drinks!

 Lost Shaker of Salt Ladies

 Blew out my flip flop!

 Parrot Heads! 

 Buffett Virgin who completed her scavenger hunt :)

 Getting ready for JB to start

1 AMAZING TIME!