one week down, 51 more to go......

I have made it seven days without buying one thing for myself!!! Man it was a lot harder then I thought it would be, temptation is everywhere. Even Daden's choir practice is only 5 blocks from both Urban Outfitters, and Anthropology my two favorite stores. Not to mention this really cool inexpensive jewelry store that I have heard raves about. I didn't even get to go there before my diet started :( *sniff*

But in some cases I surprised even myself. For instance today, as I was shopping at Target for some upcoming birthday parties (yeah, they are tomorrow, that's how I roll) I remembered that Erin and I had decided to wear black long sleeve shirts under our Halloween costumes. I don't own a black long sleeve. So I immediately changed directions and headed to the apparel section. As I stood there $10 t-shirt in hand two thoughts floated through my head:

"Hey it's only $10! And it's for my Halloween costume so it's not really cheating right?"

"I don't need this! I won't ever wear it again, I never wear long sleeved tees. I should just borrow one from my sisters."

I am extremely proud to report that the latter though won out and I left Target without a black long sleeve tee! I was a little shocked at how quickly my brain said "hey it's only $10 bucks, and you need it!" When really, I don't need it. I have NO need for it at all! I am hoping that in this year I can retrain my brain. No more wasting money on stuff I don't need!

It's going to be a long 51 weeks........

Do I need to go on a diet?

So I have been hearing about it more and more. The newest thing in diets. It grabs my attention every time, and I am forced to mull it over in my brain. And every time I come to the same conclusion. I think I need to diet.

It's called The Great American Apparel Diet. You can read about here: http://www.thegreatamericanappareldiet.com/

Basically it means no buying for one year. Nothing. No new purses, coats, cardigans, jeans, or shoes. Most people are excluding socks and undergarments. I mean you pretty much can't go with out those if they honestly need replacing. There are as many reasons for joining the movement as there are people in it. Some wish to reduce their carbon foot print by consuming less. Others wish to get their budget in check. Some are in protest of the gluttony of consumerism that has gripped the world today. Each reason is personal, each is valid.

But why does this intrigue me so? Is it the challenge? My husband thinks I can't do it, and I admit that part of me is scared that he is right. Which opens a new train of thought: am I so obsessed with my wardrobe that i can't go a year with out buying something new? It's not like I don't have enough to last me a year, far from it. The idea has spurred me to take an honest inventory of my closet. I have included it here:

T shirts: 44

Sweatshirts: 27

Jeans: 21

Pants: 4

Skirts: 18

Shirts: 45

Jackets: 27

Coats: 4

Scarves: 20

Shoes: 46

Tank tops (layering): 18

Sweaters: 22

Shorts: 12

Dresses: 26

Purses: 5

I think I can make it. Who's with me?