millie chillin with her best friend stella on her new bed...
It's week seven friends. Seven. Which clearly means we are in the final stretch, the last days, the end of the road...Not that I'm excited or anything.
Actually truth be told, I'm nervous. I feel a little squirrely lately, and I know the hiatus has tempered me, kept me in check. So without something formal in place, I'm nervous about my ability to mindfully consume.
With that in mind, I spent a little time last week (no, I didn't cheat, but almost) looking back at past Spending Hiatus posts to strengthen my resolve and landed squarely on French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld’s mantra:
Well said Madame Roitfeld...and you know what, I believe it. Despite my (strong) desire to shop of late, I fully and unequivocally agree that the less you own, the more you enjoy. I do.
Ok, now onto the almost cheat (and a proud moment if I do say so myself.) My sweet friend Whitney bequeathed her son's old toddler bed to Millie a couple of weeks ago, and I fully intended to outfit it with new bedding, because of course it was an essential purchase, no? And it would certainly fulfill my jones to shop.
But then I thought of you, and the hiatus, and I started digging in cabinets, closets, etc... where I unearthed a perfectly groovy old quilt and the two Dwellstudio for Target pillows that my lovely reader Carolyn traded me for something in the SL shop (and I had always intended to use in Millie's room but completely forgot about.)
Bed outfitted.
But wait there's more. While I was sleuthing around, I also found an old crocheted pouf in the back of the closet that I tucked next to the bed, and I moved a sweet little painting of a bunny to grace the head of her bed. There's nothing like using what you have (and already love) in new ways. It's almost as good as shopping...maybe (maybe) even better.
So, how are you guys doing in this final stretch?
28 comments:
Spending is one of my biggest issues... I don't know what to do about it. I LOVE these pics of your girls, so cute!
velvetcupcakeskvf.blogspot.com
w!ow, that is a pretty impressive re-outfitting. I wouldn't mind having that bed, myself!
Final stretch is sort-of okay. I've picked up a few veggies for the garden of-late (that really were spurred more by the "buy buy" voice than the "we need" voice), but I've steered clear of bigger "real" purchases.
Definitely feeling less frantic than the first week and slightly less covetess (not really a word, but you get what I'm going for).
There's a good article in this month's O Magazine that speaks to this topic: "The Pleasure of Pinching Pennies"
Ah you guys look lovely!
Nice re-outfitting! I've had better weeks. I picked up two books that were 70% discounted so I'm using that as an excuse.
I think this has been wonderful practice and I hope to continue to do this.
I forgot to mention how much I love Millie's haircut. If I ever chop it all off I will be taking in a picture of your daughter for reference.
That is a great quote. I totally believe in it. Living it is hard. But I know the less you have, the less to take care of, the more time to spend on things you want to be doing. I am so impressed with your no-spendy makeover!
Finding stuff you already have is the best solution! So smart of you.
I'm doing fine, especially since I allow myself my thrift store fix every few weeks.
beautiful job on the bed ~ love finding stuff i have that will work... we just did that with a typewriter...samme has been wanting one and i mentioned it to my parents who dug out from their storage my dad's old typewriter - score!
my spending hiatus hasn't been going so well - birthdays, travel, etc... but i'm determined to get back on track and restart an 8 week campaign april 1st.
j :)
congrats to you for lasting 7 weeks. i failed this week BIG time...spring break shopping for that new orleans/destin trip. we all had to have a few new things :) although i will say, it's the least amount of shopping we've ever done before a vacay. normally we go crazy. so see...there has been a benefit to this project.
btw, the bedroom is adorable.
Such a stinkin' cute bed! I haven't been on a spending hiatus, but just yesterday for the first time I felt underwhelmed about buying things that I don't truly need - even though they were only a dollar! Before I had had that feeling about brand-new retail items, but I was so surprised to experience thrifting. It's nice though - I feel like maybe I'm growing up and all of the buzz about living with less is finally starting to sink in.
you are doing so well! you are almost there!
What a DARLING bed!!! The pillows look fantastic, esp with those adorable dolls laying on them. :)
I caved and bought spring clothes for my little boys. But, actually, that's probably essential. And I purchased a small cd player for my toddler's bedroom and oh what a life saver that has been. Toddler+books on cd+plus me in the kitchen at dinner time=peace. Ok, maybe that's essential, too. But I didn't buy new bedding either, nor curtains, nor mirror nor new nail polish, and only one new pair of jeans for me which were honestly necessary. I swear it.
The bed and your "girlie" look great. Question -- off topic, is that a Noguchi lamp behind the bed?
Bg
Barbara -- oooh i would love it if it were a Noguchi lamp behind her bed, but alas it is IKEA ;-)
The Art History nerd in me has to tell you that the watercolor print of the rabbit is called "A Young Hare" by Albrecht Durer. He is one of my favorite artists and so I instantly recognized it. Here's a link to a little information. Thought it would be neat for you to share with Millie.
http://gardenofpraise.com/art53.htm
The new digs are super cute! Way to hold strong on the spending hiatus! I very nearly bought a Liberty of London dress at Target today, even though I don't have a daughter. Because who knows? I might have a granddaughter someday. Then I backed away slowly smacking my own hand and ran to the checkout aisle...sans dress. Whew...close call.
Janet -- thank you! v. cool info to have and sort of embarrassed that I didn't know that as i was an art history minor...whoops ;-)
way to stay strong on the liberty of london...so, so hard!
Joslyn,
RE: lamp - like the song says,
It'll have to do
Until ther real thing comes along.
Barbara
this makes me feel soo bad i am feeling sooo guilty i just ordered myself a custom ring..i NEVER indulge in $$$ things for myself..time to start pinchin pennies now..
so darn cute....where is the cute bed frame/headboard from?
Casey -- the little toddler bed is from IKEA too... we're having an IKEA moment in there right now ;-)
hmmmmmm i'm trying and failing...
thea.
xx
spoonfulzine
and while I'm here, I should also say...we're having a 'Draw a Bunny competition' over at Spoonful.
Come peek ;) www.spoonfulzine.com/home/
i love this -- i need to go through my closets and see what i can re-purpose. not to mention, i need to prepare for our annual garage sale -- shoot, i really need to do that.
i also feel like i need to confess -- i have not being good this time around. in the past two weeks, i have purchased a new white button-up (which i kinda convinced myself was a necessity), a lightweight sweater on sale at loft, a bathing suit cover-up, and a ring (but, i was supporting local designer at the dallas flea).
but, what makes it worse, is i have a whole list of other items i fully intend on buying. but, that is mindful, right? i mean, if it's something on my "list" i means i really need it, right? oh man, i need a therapist!
way to go......
I am proud of you! Last week I caved. I bought some clothes. I need to post that on my own blog, too. I've been a little under the weather so I haven't been posting as regularly.
Love that Carine Roitfeld mantra.
well done!
i'm a little worried about this hiatus wrapping up, too. I've got a lot of things "bookmarked" for later. I haven't looked at the folder... I just keep adding to it. i'll keep that mantra in mind when I finally do open it. and hopefully that'll keep me from going crazy!
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