Saturday 9 April 2011

The List: Recap

Back at the beginning of the year I resolved to only buy 10 things in 2011. Even by my meagre buying standards I assumed this would be a challenge. Turns out its not at all! I made THIS list and I have been faithful to it. In 4 months I have ticked 2 items off, but given the nature of the items this is not at all bad going.

First I bought the boucle jacket. Ignore this dreadful picture, I swear one day I will take one with me wearing it. The material is light but with form, the shoulder pads provide structure without being horribly retro and the sleeves are that perfect -just hitting the wrist bone- length.
And most recently (in fact so recent I haven't even worn them yet...) the holy grail of ballet flats. I have dreamed of these shoes for years and they are finally mine! I feel now I have pretty much all the shoes I have ever lusted over so I really need to lay focus on clothes!
While it feels great to have made such major progress there are a couple of problems. I have two amazing, life long items. But I still don't need things like jeans that I feel comfortable in and I think look good. This is such an eternal struggle for me!

Also, I will be honest. I have bought underwear (but I don't think this counts for the list). Thats just a necessecity. Also I bought Liberty x Nike dunks. For anyone who has followed this blog for any more than a second, it will be quite clear that the idea of these trainers is about a million times removed from my normal style. I dont know what it is but theres something about them that really appeals to me. Besides, its nice to occaisionally have super comfortable sneakers for those days where you don't want to make too much effort. They are still very cute and pretty so don't judge this indiscretion too harshly! Also I'm not counting them as part of the list because they are replacing my Keds (one in, one out) and are just for when my feet need a rest. Does this count as cheating in your eyes? Given I can't find any of the things on my list, I could probably include the trainers and underwear and still get through the year with under 10!!

I know a couple of my readers mentioned doing a similar exercise. How are you finding it?

13 comments:

  1. Wonderful!

    I feel I have bough to much, even though I have only crossed three things of my eight long list. But they are so beautiful! My wonderful new clutch (Oversized envelope by Marc by Marc Jacobs), my beautiful camel trench (on SALE! By Malene Birger) and my shoes.. on the way in the post for me, classic never dying Christian Louboutins, jazz pums. I need nothing more! I am so happy :-)

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  2. I don't think that's cheating at all. You're the boss, you get to set your own rules. And wonderful purchases, especially the Chanel flats. I think I'm going to buy them next time I go to Paris, I have the feeling that my love for these Chanel flats will never cease.

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  3. Great choices! I am in LOVE with those flats.

    http://herribbonsandherbows.blogspot.com/

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  4. Your purchases are amazing, really, those chanel flats are so very beautiful. And 10 items is such an admirable number, even with some 'cheating' on the side, which I don't think you are doing. Sometimes it's just tempting to be a bit too hard on oneself.
    I too meant to buy less this year, something which wasn't working too well for me during the first two months. But somewhere in march I decided that a change was needed and I can now confidently say that I've gotten the hang of not spending; it's been more than a month since I last bought anything. Consequently I'm set on rigidly sticking to my 5 pieces a season wishlist from now on. So far I haven't even been able to come up with 5 items for this spring, which seems to me a very positive development!

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  5. I need to start this - you and Fleurette have been such inspirations for me this year, and now that exams and such are(nearly!)over I feel it's time to start cleaning out the closet in earnest.

    Not that I buy much - I simply haven't been able to afford it as a student - but I don't wear what I have and I find myself constantly lusting after pieces and not knowing if they would work! I need to hit refresh, there's so much in there I simply do not wear.
    OK. Clean-out time! (after two more papers, three articles, and finding a summer job... :)

    er, the point of that being: Thanks for the inspiration! And you are not cheating at all. Underwear is a necessity. Good underwear even more so.

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  6. Your Chanel flats are absolutely divine!

    As for myself, I haven't bought anything since quite some time now. I am saving up my money to travel. If there is one item I'd like to spend a certain amount on, it would be a silk blouse I've been yearning for for years.

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  7. wonderful wonderful investments!

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  8. You've made perfect choices! Boucle jacket is on my list too! So far I haven't found a perfect one but I hope I will!

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  9. Great items! I have those flats and I love them! And I totally understand your 'strange' liking of nike dunks because I really want a pair of golden goose francy sneakers. They're a strange choice for me, but I want them badly!

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  10. love the purchases! they look fab :) I'm attempting the list thing to stop myself from getting bored and going shopping - a hangover from my days at university. my rule is no more that 4-5 a season with an aim of 12 per year. I just bought the most perfect thin black merino knit. it's perfection

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  11. nice choices!!! (oh the nikes must be pretty)

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  12. very, very lovely items!

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  13. Thanks for all the positive comments! Im glad to hear all your resolutions are going well too :-)

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