Quote of the Week.
“Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.” — Eric Savareid
Weekly Reads and Links.
1) My Year of No Shopping. (The New York Times)
2) Cuyana’s Cotton Cashmere Turtleneck is high on my winter wish list.
3) The Growing Partisan Divide Over Feminism. (The Atlantic)
4) This Saloni top has all the moody floral goodness you will ever need.
5) My good friend Sarah talks about her career as Cava’s Art Director and how she went from an unfulfilling job to her dream career. (Babes Who Hustle)
6) Ann Taylor has 50% off (almost) everything, code THATSAWRAP. I love this tie-sleeve sweater, this poplin blouse, and this eggplant sheath dress.
7) Need to restore a flat bottle of champagne to its bubbly glory? You’ll never believe the fix. (Pure Wow)
8) I organized all of my makeup extras with these mesh pouches for $10.
9) How to stand out with a cold email. (Camille Styles)
10) $10 Stocking Stuffers: a blush water bottle, a luggage tag, a cell phone grip.
11) 31 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Setting 2018 Goals. (Inc.)
12) Need an NYE clutch? This modern stone INC clutch and this $35 mirrored bag are so chic.
13) The stories about men we never tell. (Elle)
14) Twist top + moto leggings + puffer vest = attire for a 5+ hour drive.
15) How to gracefuly handle (not) receiving a bonus. (Create & Cultivate)
The Weekly Ws.
What I Wore. These Oxford Stripe Pajamas.
What My Dog Got for Christmas. A pineapple dog bed.
What I’m Reading. Six Minutes in May: How Churchill Became PM.
Photo of the Week.
If you’re not following Preppy Kitchen on Instagram, you need to. You’ve never seen baked goods like this. There’s something so cathartic about watching him frost cakes. The best account I’ve followed recently.
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I just read the book Overdressed, which looks at fast fashion and cheap clothes made quickly for us. In a similar way of the no shopping year referenced above, for 2018 my goal is to only make clothes if I need/want something. I’ve made quilts before but that’s it so it should be interesting. I was astounded by a lot of the information in the above book, especially the comment paraphrased here that most Americans have never actually seen good quality clothing, the kind that people in the 1930s saved for. This blew my mind because she was also referencing this against brands like JCrew and Ralph Lauren ready to wear. Labels that a lot of people would assume meant better quality. I bought fabric for my first dress, but with all of the holiday stuff it is sadly still just sitting there.
If you are new to sewing clothing, get yourself a good fitting book (fit for real people is a great one, but there are others). Also, you should know that most patterns are drafted for a B cup (there are some exceptions, but the Big 4 are all B cups unless they say otherwise). If you are not a B cup, learn how to do a small budget adjustment (if you are smaller) or a full bust adjustment (if you are larger). If you are plus size, I have heard great things about Cashmerette patterns. Otherwise, stick with the Big 4 patterns starting out.
I love the idea of the no shopping year, but I don’t think I could go that long at this exact moment in life (post pregnancy and almost post-breastfeeding with many body changes). I’ve done well sticking to a strict budget as I work on finding new clothes that fit. I’d love to do something like this for smaller periods of time in 2018. While I do hate the idea of fast fashion, I feel like I have little purpose for high quality clothes right now. I recently moved to a small town where I mainly work from home, and I have a toddler. But maybe Jess is saying that it really doesn’t matter if it is Old Navy or J. Crew. Honestly, I feel like I have little purpose for very many clothes at all. A few seasonally nice outfits, a few nicer work outfits for meetings and trips to my office in the city, and a week’s worth of seasonally appropriate clothes is all I need. Having a baby has really taught me this. I’ve generally been good about not over-buying for her. Seeing how many outfits she truly has out of 5-7 mix and match Old Navy shirts, 5-7 bottoms, a few dresses, and PJs has been really eye-opening for my own wardrobe!
And by a week’s worth of seasonally appropriate clothes, I don’t mean 7 pairs of jeans or whatever! 3-4 pairs of pants and 7-8 simple tops.
I had some issues with shopping too much in the past. I never put myself in debt or anything drastic, but I would impulse buy things that were on sale etc. After I got married, my husband and I had lots on conversations about finances. (Romantic I know) and I realized that I was spending alot of money on things that didn’t give me much in return. On my own volition, I started only buying things when I really actually truly need them, which I’ve found is about once every three to four months. With all the money I saved, we’ve been able to do much more traveling, which I really love, and when I do buy things I get more happiness out of it because I appreciate them.
Another fun Instagram for baked goods is @thehayleycakes. Her cookies are gorgeous!
I’d recently read the no-shopping year article as well and have just about decided to commit to it next year. I’ve reached the point where I just feel like I have too much stuff, including clothes, and the thought of all the time and money I could save by not shopping is incredibly appealing. Hoping I can continue to read your blog and not be too tempted!
Also, if you’re into baking accounts I highly recommend following Holly Fox (@hol_fox) on Instagram. She makes some of the best-looking cookies (ok, THE best-looking cookies) I’ve ever seen.
Hm. I think I can stick to no-shopping for the rest of the winter, but I’m worried once the seasons change (not fashion seasons, ACTUAL weather seasons) I’ll be sucked into a whole new cycle of spring clothes.
I did, however, make a concrete savings goal for 2018, and considering how much $$ gets sucked into shopping for both clothes and cosmetics for me, I’m hoping that keeping a focused eye on my bank account all year will be really illuminating.