Day: 169
Outfit: 168
This is what I wore last night:
Saturday night also saw the opportunity for an outing of this beautiful clutch bag that my lovely friend Helen got me for Christmas last:
Isn't it fun?! I have a bit of a penchant for clutch bags and this one is a real winner. I often think that I should only really wear it with plain block colours but last night I felt like a bit of a clash and I think this worked.
This is what I wore last night:
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| Outfit No 168 Kimono Jacket - (2011) Dress - Tophsop (2008) Boots - Aldo (2013)
I haven't worn this dress in years. Once upon a time it was an absolute favourite so I'm glad to have reignited the love for it. I particularly like the collar detailing:
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| Rosie Clutch for The Rose with No New Clothes Bag - Accessorize (2012 - gift) |
So how am I REALLY getting on? I reached the FIVE MONTH mark a couple of weeks ago (Bloody hell!) and, in that time, I haven't bought a single item that I can wear, not even so much as a pair of knickers!
Not. A. Thing.
Nothing.
Nada.
Nout.
This is coming from the girl who, pre-Challenge, only had to catch a glimpse a desirable item of clothing to plan an entire lifetime of outfits based around it and be gripped by an overwhelming, and completely irrational NEED to HAVE it. Cue the sickening and entirely unenjoyable walk to the cash desk and the enormous cloud of guilt that wouldn't dissipate for days (or at least until the next gorgeous silky number caught my eye... *sigh*).
I have always had a mild obsession with clothes. My childhood friends had to veto my long winded descriptions of imaginary outfits whilst we played out our playground 'grown up' lives (my fashion oriented chatter was getting in the way of the very important task of lighting up candy cigarettes with tic-tac lighters).
I can still vividly remember pretty much every outfit I (and others) have worn on any vaguely signifiant occasion. In fact that's often HOW I remember and distinguish events.
I can still vividly remember pretty much every outfit I (and others) have worn on any vaguely signifiant occasion. In fact that's often HOW I remember and distinguish events.
'Oh, yeah, that was the night that she wore that green empire line dress, with the red Steve Maddens?'
Is that weird? I can't be the only person who does this?
Often I have the idea for an outfit before I have even seen the items that make it up. So it is pretty cool when it comes to fruition! The first time I remember doing this was for my first school disco at the age of 11 (suffice to say it included a maroon gypsy top and butterfly clips).
So, how have a coped with not being able to add to my collection for the past 5 months? Has it been easy seeing other people buying lovely things? How is my wardrobe holding up under the pressure? Have I even sorted it out yet? (No. Ssshh.) Have I ever come close to cracking, giving in and aborting the mission?
The 1st couple of months were a breeze. I was still high off of the excitement of The Challenge and had bought enough new stuff during the the Preparatory Shop to stave off my cravings for a while. I guess you could say I relished it a little.
Packing is so much easier! After all, I now have a catalogue of tried and tested outfits to consult (namely my instagram profile) when I'm at a loss, in a rush, or too tired to think clearly (which is often the case). It's like my own version of Cher's high tech wardrobe in Clueless (which, incidentally, has now been made a reality by Facecake... a bit too gimmicky methinks but you don't know how we will be shopping in 20 years time).
'What should I wear today?'
Cue a quick flick through my photos during which I always see something that makes me go 'Oh, yeah, I forgot about that! What can I team it up with to make a new outfit?'
Or 'That was perfect as it was, let's give it it another outing!'
I sort of recycled Outfit No 95 last Saturday night when I wore it with killer hills instead of flats to make it Outfit No 161:
I really love this spotty jacket. I love how outrageous it is and there is something very special about wearing something that once belonged to your mum. I remember her getting ready to go out of an evening wearing this number and like to imagine it still smells of her perfume. It doesn't. It reeks of mine.
Things break.
My much loved bird necklace snapped in two and left a bit of a void as I have nothing else quite like it in style. I love what it did to jazz up a t-shirt or t-shirt dress. Sad times.
I've mourned the death of not one but TWO pairs of sunglasses in the past month. Thank goodness I've got another couple of pairs to see me to the end of The Challenge, but with my apparent trend for breaking them that certainly isn't a sure thing...
Things get lost.
Don't ask me how, but I have managed to lose ONE blue suede shoe. One morning, a couple of months ago, my friend Harriet dropped me a text in the morning to see if I wanted to go to a gig in Camden that night. I was already out and about working and NOT dressed for a gig, wearing heeled courts and a blazer. Pre-challenge me might have popped into a shop and bought a more suitable outfit. Ridiculous, I know. At least I had flats in my bag so I was able to make myself a bit more comfortable but I still felt weird. It's so true that you dress to suit the occasion. I felt like I was dressed for the wrong one. Anyway, a couple of drinks and some great music from the Chromatics soon got me in the right frame of mind but unfortunately also made oblivious to that fact that somewhere along the way one of my heels had fallen out of my bag!
Very sad about this. I loved those shoes. And now I have one loner blue shoe sitting in my room and torturing me to buy it a friend. But. I. Can't.
Rain happens.
I got absolutely soaked in a freak torrential down pour last month. It was when we were still in the height of summer so I saw no need to carry a brolly. Turning back home wasn't really an option if I wanted to catch my train so I had make my way to Kings Cross looking like a drowned rat and couldn't even buy replacement dry clothes at the station. Screw you Challenge!
So, yes, of course, there have been times when I've nearly cracked.
A couple entirely by mistake, like when I'd absentmindedly chucked something or other into my basket, like some jewellery in Superdrug (they actually have some pretty little things), forgetting that it's prohibited and then been horrified to discover what I'd done when I'd reached the till.
I recently fell in love with this watch in Miss Selfridge and CONVINCED myself that to buy it would not be breaking the rules of The Challenge.
It's a watch and I NEED a watch.
Well clearly that's a lie because it has been 5 months and this so-called need hadn't really occurred to me until now.
I ran the idea past a few of my friends who backed me up.
"Oh a watch totally doesn't count. It's a necessity. How else will you tell the time?'
Err...using my phone... like I have done for about the last 3 years.
I was obviously just in need of a shopping fix and looking for loop holes. How did I know this? Because, for the first time since starting The Challenge, that awful feeling of guilt was starting to creep into my stomach... I did NOT need it. I function perfectly well without a watch. In fact, I have several perfectly good wrist and necklace watches in my jewellery box that I never wear because I've never bothered to replace the batteries. This was not need. This was just want. I'm proud to say I backed away, vowing to get my arse in gear and sort out those I already have. I haven't yet, of course. But I will. Some day.
Watchgate is not the only time that I have found myself searching for ways to get my shopping fix. I got a new baby recently in the form of a beautiful little macbook air. Well, one does not spend a tidy sum on a computer without getting a safe and pretty (obvs.) case or sleeve in which to house it. Of course, to buy a laptop case would not be breaking the rules, but, excited by the warranted shopping trip, the hunt for the right one found me in the Orla Kiely shop in Covent Garden cooing over a gorgeous leather number...
In my defence it WAS reduced, from something like £90 to £45, and WAS absolutely beautiful, but the whole time a voice in my head was saying, '£45 for a laptop sleeve is RIDICULOUS, you could make one that's just as nice for next to nothing,' whilst that all too familiar guilty feeling was starting to creep in.
I must have gone in and out of the shop about 7 or 8 times, trying to make a decision about what whether or not to purchase. I think the sales assistant thought I was trying to steal it.
In the end, it wasn't the right size for my computer, which is probably the only reason I didn't buy it, but I'm relieved. That was exhausting. I am absolutely insane. I have NOT missed that shopping sickness that I used to give myself on a regular basis and that little episode of it was just enough to remind me why I'm doing The Challenge.
Instead, I made my own sleeve using some fabric I had lying about the flat :)
At those moments when I've felt like I really want to pack The Challenge in my pride has always gotten in the way. They say pride comes before a fall but I'd say it has served me pretty well here. If I wasn't blogging about The Challenge there is absolutely no doubt that I would have caved a long time ago. Knowing that you guys are following my progress has meant that I can't give up. That would be way too embarrassing. You'd all KNOW. That's why I started the blog in the first place. Making a (very) public declaration that your going to achieve something makes you work ten times harder to achieve it. To have discovered that I really love blogging has been an absolute bonus; I just wish I had the time to post more regularly.
The support, encouragement (and stick) I have been getting from friends, relatives and even complete strangers has been incredible. It's amazing how many women feel consumed by the need to consume and, although it was never my intention, it is pretty cool to know that I have encouraged some people to shop a little less wildly (but maybe dress a little more so) and rediscover the contents of their wardrobes (even an old speech and drama teacher of mine ;) Hi, Heather!).
But I never intended for this to be a worthy 'make do and mend' blog (not that there is anything wrong with that at all, the hoarder in me thrives on the mere possibility of a make do and mend). I LOVE shopping. Clearly. It is, after all, my love of shopping that brought me here in the first place so I'd be total hypocrite if I started to knock it. What I don't like, and what inspired me to take on The Challenge, is my incredibly unhealthy relationship with shopping.
It is pretty delightful (although the dripping irony is not lost on me) that a kind of accidental byproduct of sharing my journey on The Rose With No New Clothes has been to introduce others to a world of shopping that they never thought possible. It is hilarious how many people have gotten in touch to say that they had never bought a THING from eBay until they started reading my blog and now they can't get enough (Whoops!), that they wouldn't have thought to shop in a charity shop until they saw all the gems that I've picked up in those over the years, that they didn't really appreciate the glory of snake print until I sang it from the rooftops, the list goes on! I'm just glad that someone out there is getting to have fun shopping...in...ahem... shops. I'll have to stick to my wardrobe for now...
The 1st couple of months were a breeze. I was still high off of the excitement of The Challenge and had bought enough new stuff during the the Preparatory Shop to stave off my cravings for a while. I guess you could say I relished it a little.
It really is fun making outfits out of what already own. I have no more of the nasty guilts, yet every time I rediscover an item I forgot I had, or even style something in a different way, it feels like I HAVE been shopping! Now I really understand the notion of Shopping Your Closet because that is EXACTLY what I've been doing! The Challenge has forced me to rediscover my love of putting things together. I've become braver and more creative with my clothes again; something I think I had lost in the last couple years of work stress.
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| Outfit No 142 - Taking on the world Shorts - TK MAAX (2013) Camisole - Primark (2008) Shirt - Topshop (2009) Leggings - Primark (2013) Pumps - Office (2013) |
Packing is so much easier! After all, I now have a catalogue of tried and tested outfits to consult (namely my instagram profile) when I'm at a loss, in a rush, or too tired to think clearly (which is often the case). It's like my own version of Cher's high tech wardrobe in Clueless (which, incidentally, has now been made a reality by Facecake... a bit too gimmicky methinks but you don't know how we will be shopping in 20 years time).
'What should I wear today?'
Cue a quick flick through my photos during which I always see something that makes me go 'Oh, yeah, I forgot about that! What can I team it up with to make a new outfit?'
Or 'That was perfect as it was, let's give it it another outing!'
 |
| Outfit No 95 Batwing Jacket - Inherited from my mum Dress - Tesco (2011) |
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| Outfit No 161 Shoes - Marks & Spencer (2009) |
However, of course, as time has gone on The Challenge has presented me with various mini challenges of its own making and has, of course, taken its toll on my wardrobe somewhat.
I hadn't ever realised, until my feet were under the spotlight of The Challenge, just how SORE I am on pumps. For most of July and August it was too hot to wear anything but sandals or little flat pumps, so my staple Office pumps, in both nude and black, and my trusty Topshop Happy Sandals (which you are probably sick looking at) have taken a royal beating.
The Topshop sandals are really starting to look rather sad now and don't have much life left in them, I reckon :(
Aesthetically, the Office pumps have survived pretty well, nothing a spot of shoe polish won't sort out, but they STINK. Sorry, but it's true, and what is the purpose this blog if not to share the harsh (and smelly) reality of a year of no new clothes? Now that I think on it, this has never really been as issue before because ordinarily I wouldn't think twice about stocking up on cheap little pumps 2 or 3 times a year... I bet you don't either. Perhaps this is necessary rather than frivolous?
Before starting The Challenge pumps were on The List and I made sure to a get a couple of real leather pairs instead of my usual cheapy Primark numbers (I still have a trusty, hardly worn, pair of these which should keep me going for a another few weeks, thank goodness) in the hope that they would last longer but I guess I didn't really consider the whiff factor...
I've literally just googled 'smelly pumps' and essential oils seem to be the way forward. I'll let you know if you I come up with any genius solutions. Feel free to send any my way! I suppose that's one good thing about the early advent of autumn; I'm back to boots. But what am I going to do come spring?! I have to make it to April remember!
I hadn't ever realised, until my feet were under the spotlight of The Challenge, just how SORE I am on pumps. For most of July and August it was too hot to wear anything but sandals or little flat pumps, so my staple Office pumps, in both nude and black, and my trusty Topshop Happy Sandals (which you are probably sick looking at) have taken a royal beating.
The Topshop sandals are really starting to look rather sad now and don't have much life left in them, I reckon :(
Aesthetically, the Office pumps have survived pretty well, nothing a spot of shoe polish won't sort out, but they STINK. Sorry, but it's true, and what is the purpose this blog if not to share the harsh (and smelly) reality of a year of no new clothes? Now that I think on it, this has never really been as issue before because ordinarily I wouldn't think twice about stocking up on cheap little pumps 2 or 3 times a year... I bet you don't either. Perhaps this is necessary rather than frivolous?
Before starting The Challenge pumps were on The List and I made sure to a get a couple of real leather pairs instead of my usual cheapy Primark numbers (I still have a trusty, hardly worn, pair of these which should keep me going for a another few weeks, thank goodness) in the hope that they would last longer but I guess I didn't really consider the whiff factor...
I've literally just googled 'smelly pumps' and essential oils seem to be the way forward. I'll let you know if you I come up with any genius solutions. Feel free to send any my way! I suppose that's one good thing about the early advent of autumn; I'm back to boots. But what am I going to do come spring?! I have to make it to April remember!
Things break.
I've mourned the death of not one but TWO pairs of sunglasses in the past month. Thank goodness I've got another couple of pairs to see me to the end of The Challenge, but with my apparent trend for breaking them that certainly isn't a sure thing...
Things get lost.
Don't ask me how, but I have managed to lose ONE blue suede shoe. One morning, a couple of months ago, my friend Harriet dropped me a text in the morning to see if I wanted to go to a gig in Camden that night. I was already out and about working and NOT dressed for a gig, wearing heeled courts and a blazer. Pre-challenge me might have popped into a shop and bought a more suitable outfit. Ridiculous, I know. At least I had flats in my bag so I was able to make myself a bit more comfortable but I still felt weird. It's so true that you dress to suit the occasion. I felt like I was dressed for the wrong one. Anyway, a couple of drinks and some great music from the Chromatics soon got me in the right frame of mind but unfortunately also made oblivious to that fact that somewhere along the way one of my heels had fallen out of my bag!
 |
| Outfit No 86 Trousers - H&M (2013) Shoes - TK Maax (2009) Tee - Primark Necklace - Had this for YEARS... ...this may be the only time I have ever worn it |
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| Accidental Tube Coordintion |
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| Blue Suede Shoes |
Rain happens.
I got absolutely soaked in a freak torrential down pour last month. It was when we were still in the height of summer so I saw no need to carry a brolly. Turning back home wasn't really an option if I wanted to catch my train so I had make my way to Kings Cross looking like a drowned rat and couldn't even buy replacement dry clothes at the station. Screw you Challenge!
So, yes, of course, there have been times when I've nearly cracked.
A couple entirely by mistake, like when I'd absentmindedly chucked something or other into my basket, like some jewellery in Superdrug (they actually have some pretty little things), forgetting that it's prohibited and then been horrified to discover what I'd done when I'd reached the till.
I recently fell in love with this watch in Miss Selfridge and CONVINCED myself that to buy it would not be breaking the rules of The Challenge.
It's a watch and I NEED a watch.
Well clearly that's a lie because it has been 5 months and this so-called need hadn't really occurred to me until now.
I ran the idea past a few of my friends who backed me up.
"Oh a watch totally doesn't count. It's a necessity. How else will you tell the time?'
Err...using my phone... like I have done for about the last 3 years.
I was obviously just in need of a shopping fix and looking for loop holes. How did I know this? Because, for the first time since starting The Challenge, that awful feeling of guilt was starting to creep into my stomach... I did NOT need it. I function perfectly well without a watch. In fact, I have several perfectly good wrist and necklace watches in my jewellery box that I never wear because I've never bothered to replace the batteries. This was not need. This was just want. I'm proud to say I backed away, vowing to get my arse in gear and sort out those I already have. I haven't yet, of course. But I will. Some day.
Watchgate is not the only time that I have found myself searching for ways to get my shopping fix. I got a new baby recently in the form of a beautiful little macbook air. Well, one does not spend a tidy sum on a computer without getting a safe and pretty (obvs.) case or sleeve in which to house it. Of course, to buy a laptop case would not be breaking the rules, but, excited by the warranted shopping trip, the hunt for the right one found me in the Orla Kiely shop in Covent Garden cooing over a gorgeous leather number...
In my defence it WAS reduced, from something like £90 to £45, and WAS absolutely beautiful, but the whole time a voice in my head was saying, '£45 for a laptop sleeve is RIDICULOUS, you could make one that's just as nice for next to nothing,' whilst that all too familiar guilty feeling was starting to creep in.
I must have gone in and out of the shop about 7 or 8 times, trying to make a decision about what whether or not to purchase. I think the sales assistant thought I was trying to steal it.
In the end, it wasn't the right size for my computer, which is probably the only reason I didn't buy it, but I'm relieved. That was exhausting. I am absolutely insane. I have NOT missed that shopping sickness that I used to give myself on a regular basis and that little episode of it was just enough to remind me why I'm doing The Challenge.
Instead, I made my own sleeve using some fabric I had lying about the flat :)
At those moments when I've felt like I really want to pack The Challenge in my pride has always gotten in the way. They say pride comes before a fall but I'd say it has served me pretty well here. If I wasn't blogging about The Challenge there is absolutely no doubt that I would have caved a long time ago. Knowing that you guys are following my progress has meant that I can't give up. That would be way too embarrassing. You'd all KNOW. That's why I started the blog in the first place. Making a (very) public declaration that your going to achieve something makes you work ten times harder to achieve it. To have discovered that I really love blogging has been an absolute bonus; I just wish I had the time to post more regularly.
The support, encouragement (and stick) I have been getting from friends, relatives and even complete strangers has been incredible. It's amazing how many women feel consumed by the need to consume and, although it was never my intention, it is pretty cool to know that I have encouraged some people to shop a little less wildly (but maybe dress a little more so) and rediscover the contents of their wardrobes (even an old speech and drama teacher of mine ;) Hi, Heather!).
But I never intended for this to be a worthy 'make do and mend' blog (not that there is anything wrong with that at all, the hoarder in me thrives on the mere possibility of a make do and mend). I LOVE shopping. Clearly. It is, after all, my love of shopping that brought me here in the first place so I'd be total hypocrite if I started to knock it. What I don't like, and what inspired me to take on The Challenge, is my incredibly unhealthy relationship with shopping.
It is pretty delightful (although the dripping irony is not lost on me) that a kind of accidental byproduct of sharing my journey on The Rose With No New Clothes has been to introduce others to a world of shopping that they never thought possible. It is hilarious how many people have gotten in touch to say that they had never bought a THING from eBay until they started reading my blog and now they can't get enough (Whoops!), that they wouldn't have thought to shop in a charity shop until they saw all the gems that I've picked up in those over the years, that they didn't really appreciate the glory of snake print until I sang it from the rooftops, the list goes on! I'm just glad that someone out there is getting to have fun shopping...in...ahem... shops. I'll have to stick to my wardrobe for now...
Over & Out
M x
M x
