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?
caroline
February 28, 2009 at 11:01 amOh mah gah….NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! You were so close! Perhaps I could rationalize had you found some adorable Jackie O dress in your fave green, but cardigans and a top in slub cotton? Uh uh. Not worth the cheating.
sharon
February 28, 2009 at 1:58 pmkeep them all. and promise you won’t do it again. promise now!
Beth Kujawski
February 28, 2009 at 1:58 pmAs someone who literally just came from a memorial service, I say enjoy the shirts. They make you happy. LIfe is literally too short. (The friend being remembered was 38.) So long as you’re not going to be unable to pay rent or Wito won’t have to go without a few meals because you bought a couple of shirts, enjoy them. Guilt-free. Promises, schmomises. No one can be perfect all the time. Just ask all those people who joined a gym on January 2 and have stopped going already.
rb
February 28, 2009 at 2:33 pmThe state of the economy reflects too few people shopping and spending. Consider your purchases your patriotic duty. Hey, you are a hero!
Mindi
February 28, 2009 at 3:43 pmConsider it a 6 week prize for doing so well. if you only spend $50 every 6 weeks, that still is a reasonable amount over a whole year.
Lori
February 28, 2009 at 6:10 pmTake them all back. It’s a slippery slope!!!
Character trumps well-dressed.
keri
February 28, 2009 at 6:21 pmyep, again…. You’re just doing your part for the economy. Shop on! Unless of course, your budget suffers for it….
pookahs
February 28, 2009 at 11:14 pmYou feel guilty because you broke a promise to yourself. Keep one cardi, return the rest. And that shirt is cute, but not like you won’t survive without it. Besides, I would DIE to have the clothes already in your closet. Go find something cool in there you have forgotten about. You are shopping just to shop, even if it is a small purchase, there is no way you need two really lightweight ruffled cardigans.
anna
February 28, 2009 at 11:26 pmHonestly, I am kinda done hearing about not shopping or shopping. I think you have an amazing closet of clothing and always look cute.
That said, I used to love your blog for Wito updates and funny glib stuff. Now it feels like it is all about how you must have $500 purses and $300 sunglasses and OMG you can’t possibly buy them until after you haven’t shopped for a self-imposed couple months. It just comes across as really, oh… geeze..boring. And a bit snobby.
Honestly, I would love to have the money to buy the stuff you have and I would spend it on such things if I had the money, I am not resentful of what you choose to buy, but I miss the fun Wito and Whoorl stuff, and stories that made me read the blog in the first place. I have to say I just don’t connect with the shopping do or die stuff.
Jessica
March 1, 2009 at 9:46 amOkay, so I can kind of familiarize. First off, I totally understand the lure of shopping. So much so that I truly have no idea what is in my closet. In addition, I am a member of Weight Watchers (which may seem like a non-sequitur, but follow me here) so I think it’s important to examine the situations in which you want to break your rules.
1. What typically makes you think of shopping?
2. What items do you really need to live on a weekly basis?
3. Why J.Crew? There are other stores, and probably cheaper ones that have similar clothing.
4. How do you feel, before during and after shopping?
Okay, and some other food for thought. Where do your clothes come from? Are they made by people who don’t pay their folks fair wages? Is the stuff in your clothes good for the environment? With as much as you spend at JCrew when you are not dieting, it might be worth it to think about that.
Good luck with making a choice. I think my overall message is that before shop dieting, make a plan and get to know your habits better so that you have better chances for success, and make sure your goal makes sense for you.
Bonnie
March 1, 2009 at 10:55 amI think you should return them… sorry! But the fact that you feel guilty about it means that you won’t feel as good wearing them as you should. And frankly, from what I can tell you look amazing in just about anything and have fantastic taste, so it’s not like it’s a rare thing to find something that looks great on you!
Heidi
March 1, 2009 at 3:23 pmI have a selfish reason for hoping you’ll return the shirts. I’m following your example and shopping fasting too (is that a real phrase?) … so be strong for me, sister!
If not shopping is what you really want — and only you can know if it is — then you’ll know what you should do.
Either way, good luck!
Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com
March 1, 2009 at 8:10 pmI’m kind of wondering what happened now!
Erin
March 2, 2009 at 9:51 amHmmmm….I commented on the wrong post. But the idea still stands.
Rayshell
March 2, 2009 at 10:04 amSplit the difference. Keep one, return one. Good luck!! :)