I suck. I completely suck donkey ass.
I was doing so well! 6 weeks in and not a thing bought! GAHHHHHH, I am a truly sick individual.
You see, I had an out in this whole No Shopping Adventure. In my possession was a J. Crew gift card from Christmas that I was hoarding for the perfect opportunity. A pinch hitter, if you will. When times got tough and I was jonesing for something new, I could pull that bad boy out and hit the racks.
I knew exactly what I was going to buy today. This cardigan.
(On sale for $34.99!)
You know, the cardigan wasn’t really doing much for me on the website. Gray, ruffles, tissue tee material…it’s okay. I noticed it went on sale this week, so Wito and I took a little trip to J. Crew this morning. I tried it on and well, the clouds parted and I saw the light. It’s so cute and chic and perfect for my daily life. I had about $50 left on the card – I was just going to purchase it and run.
Until I saw the exact same cardigan in the most lovely shade of pink. NOT the shade shown on the website, but a deeper, lovelier, PERFECT PINK THAT I JUST HAD TO HAVE. DAMMIT!
Then, Jay (the greatest J. Crew associate ever – damn you, Jay!) brought this top to the dressing room.
Also, on sale! In slub cotton! I WANT TO GO ALL THE WAY WITH SLUB COTTON.
I spent 50 dollars over the amount of the gift card.
Did I mention that I’m a huge failure who sucks donkey ass?
The shirts are still in the bag. I think I might take a couple of them back. I can’t believe I actually feel this crappy about breaking my no shopping mandate. What is happening to meeeeeeeee?
What would you do? Say screw it or take two of the items back?
Sparrow
February 27, 2009 at 6:30 pmYou could always just wait until the mandate is over to actually wear them. That could be your own self-inflicted “punishment” for breaking your mandate. That’s what I’d do.
Jen
February 27, 2009 at 7:18 pmI’d keep the cardigans (really cute). The shirts aren’t doing it for me, I would return them.
What was the no-shopping goal? 2 months? If so, you almost made it, so don’t kick yourself, something is something.
Karen
February 27, 2009 at 7:52 pmFyi, returning items that you bought on sale is like losing money. It may not seem that way at first but it truly is. You’ll see it my way if you really analyze the situation after a couple of drinks. And really, in this economy, can you really afford to just throw money (saved!) away by returning those cute clothes? I didn’t think so! Now wear them with a smile! Plus, you helped out the economy by being a good little consumer and shopping at J.Crew is like standing behind the president(‘s wife’s shopping choices…). You should pat yourself on the back :)
(now go watch the news, do a shot every time you hear “financial crisis” and come back and read this and it will make perfect sense ;)
Lindsay
February 27, 2009 at 8:16 pmHmm, so I guess I need a little more information before offering some “helpful” advice. heehee.
So what was your original reasoning behind the no shopping thing anyway? I had the impression that it was not a financial decision, though if I’m wrong about that and it WAS all about the money, you may be happy to hear that I vote for KEEPING all the shirts. $50 is not too much money, and you’ll likely never miss it.
However, I’m thinking you had some other rational for this pursuit. I don’t pretend to know what that was (thinking you had too many “things”, thinking you spent too much time and effort on shopping? I have no idea – and I am SOOO not judging you here, just to be clear – more like projecting thoughts about ME onto you). In any case, assuming the reason was not financial, I’d actually vote to return them. You’ll feel better. Although, I have to note that if you really want to break a shopping habit, I’m not positive this “what I’m not buying” feature (which I LOVE) is the most productive, as you actually have to SHOP (on the internet, but still) to do it. Same comment goes for shopping with gift cards, or shopping on the internet and having your husband buy the (PRETTY) things you pick out.
Actually, that entire last paragraph has TOTALLY BUMMED ME OUT.
I’ve changed my mind. Keep EVERYTHING! No matter what! Have fun! Keep writing lovely blog posts for me to read! All the best to you and yours! etc etc etc. :)
NEWMOM
February 27, 2009 at 8:20 pmReturn one of the shirts. That way you are demonstrating will power, but still getting a treat. HOWEVER, keep the other shirt for a week-10 days IN THE BAG. Think hard about whether you really want it. If after that period you still love it, then keep it.
One Crazy Chick
February 27, 2009 at 8:51 pmI say f**k it! You’ve already done the deed. Keep them. Plus, I was secretly not shopping too but I only lasted 2 weeks…you, YOU lasted 6 whole weeks. So, clearly, you don’t suck nearly as much donkey balls as I do.
Alexis
February 27, 2009 at 8:57 pmDon’t be so hard on yourself! You’re bound to slip up every now and then, and who cares? Besides, when you’ve got fantastic salespeople showing how amazing you look, it can’t be helped…it just can’t.
kat
February 27, 2009 at 9:04 pmhello! keep them!! they were on SALE. wouldn’t you feel more guilty if they were NOT on sale right? so really…you HAD to buy them!
… maybe keep them but not wear them for awhile. so it’s not like shopping. it’s like..saving. for a rainy day!
Andrea
February 27, 2009 at 10:56 pmAt first, I was totally going with keep ALL the shirts! Mainly because I personally hate returning things. But, honestly, you will probably feel better if you meet yourself halfway. As in, only spending the amount on your gift card or lower (because gift cards don’t really count). Stick with the pink shirt….who needs more grey in their life right now?
nic
February 28, 2009 at 5:24 ami’d say keep them. if this was a diet and you went overboard one time – you can’t take it back. returning it doesn’t mean you didn’t but it in the first place. just get back up on the horse and extend your end date further. plus having them around will remind you of it, and perhaps give you more resolve to stick to it.
Corey
February 28, 2009 at 6:22 amKeep them & consider it doing your part for the economy.
Carolyn
February 28, 2009 at 7:55 amKeep the pink (cause you love it) and return the other two–do you honestly REALLY need them? Stick to your resolution, you’ll be happy in the end! OR, you could send them to me….that way you still get the happy feeling of buying something and the better feeling of giving a gift. I think you should go for option #2. :)
sunny
February 28, 2009 at 8:06 amkeep the gift card stuff and return the rest. you find something even cuter when your shopping ban ends, I know it. And you’ll feel great buying it.
Geralis
February 28, 2009 at 10:00 amReturn! You can do it! You are stronger than the shirts. What will be better, shirts or that feeling of accomplishment at the end? What do you want to make you happy, stuff or something you can do?
(They are adorable though! Love seeing all the stuff you find. Unfortunately, I’m in Canada so no J.Crew here)
Allison
February 28, 2009 at 10:49 amYou do NOT suck donkey ass! In fact, I see it as a rather heroic act, actually. You see, in this time of economic crisis, you went against your shoopping ban in order to *stimulate the economy*. You have done service to your country. America is counting on you to NOT return the shirts to Michelle Obama’s favorite store!