Defining Accessories, Basics, & Necessities

My, my, I'm quite pleased and pleasantly surprised at the positive feedback for TCB. Thanks! I need all the support I can get. As I think about not shopping, I feel like I'm ending a passionate love affair or at the very least a really great friendship. I get a little queasy and nervous at the thought of no. shopping.

I only have a few more days to plunge right in or call the whole thing off. Lord knows if I was working right now, I'd go on one last MAY-JAH shopping spree. I would burn my credit card up in Nordstrom, Ann Taylor, Loft, F21, J. Crew, Banana Republic, and a few of my favorite boutiques. Woo! Just the thought gave me such a rush! Who's idea was this again? Oh yeah... *virtual side-eye to my bff*

Oh well, let's move on. I wanted to define accessories, basics, and necessities. I have allowed these three items to stay on my list because I know who I am. If I try to stop shopping as in not buying anything, I'd fail a month into the experiment. And if I have to spend an entire year wearing only the clothes I own, I'm going to need a new broach, scarf, cocktail ring, or necklace every now and then.

I like to have a lot of basics on hand and I mainly purchase those on sale. Yay me! Basics for me are the layering pieces like camis, tanks, and tees.

And finally the necessity category, underwear. When I was employed I bought two sets of underwear every payday. I'm sorry but I am weird about my underwear. In my opinon having too much underwear is a very good thing. When I go away for the weekend, I take at least four extra sets. I once was stranded on a business trip two extra days and some of my coworkers made it known that they were wearing the same underwear. Smug little me sat at breakfast smiling because I was so fresh and so clean clean. Sing with me: "Ain't nobody dope as me I'm dressed so fresh so clean..."

I plan to be very honest on my journey and if I buy something, I'll blog about it. Hopefully along the way I'll discover other hobbies or perhaps have a life changing epiphany.

Welcome to The Closet Boutique

The Facts:

• I'm a shopaholic.
  
• I have a lot of clothes. No. Really. A LOT of clothes.
  
• Shopping is my sport, my drug, my love, and sometimes my best friend.
  
• I shop when I'm bored, depressed, happy, angry, etc...
  
• I don't need a reason or special occasion to shop.

How 'The Closet Boutique' was born (I blame my gray dress):

Hours after searching for a particular gray dress, I stood among piles and piles of clothes, shoe boxes, handbags, and more clothes. My entire closet stared back at me and I was defeated. There were clothes covering my sofa in the living room and I had not even searched my four laundry hampers. Yes you read that right. I have four laundry hampers. After a lengthy search, I found my gray dress along with some other clothing I completely forgot about. There were items I did not even remember buying. Having found my dress I began the arduous task of putting my closet back in order.

Fast forward to a few days and I was chatting with my bff and told her about my search for the gray dress. Laughingly, I told her that I could hardly step inside my closet (walk-in closet). She said it would be interesting to see if I could make outfits with just the clothes I owned and cut back on my shopping. I spent the next few days brainstorming and 'The Closet Boutique' is here.

One Year. One Shopaholic. No Shopping???

Seeing how shopping is my drug, I can't just quit cold turkey. I have to set some guidelines in place. Starting January 1, 2010, I'll maintain my style wearing only the clothes in my closet.

Here Are The Guidelines:

1. I can only shop for accessories, basics, and necessities.


2. If I do shop my spending limit is $50.


3. The item (s) must be on sale, and be able to work with my current wardrobe.

I'll post pictures of my daily outfits and journal how I feel about not shopping over the course of the year. Something tells me this will be a lot harder than I think. Wish me luck!!