I love your "always buy the t-shirt" philosophy! Economy Candy (though I haven't been in years) is a true NYC cultural institution of awesomeness. PS sounds silly but one of my top style/shopping lessons is also "I can appreciate it without owning it myself" — such a small but impactful thing to remember!
Today kicks off no-buy April for me! I’ll be doing the assignment of trying on summer clothes and for an added bonus, consigning what no longer “sparks joy” at a local shop.
My friends and I have a saying “under $20 and it’s practically free” which is how/why I justify so many second-hand purchases that genuinely add up and clutter my closet.
Unsubscribing from marketing emails was such a game changer for me in reducing my purchases. Also love that you have a Tumblr friend! My boss met his wife on tumblr and we talk about the old tumblr days often. 💕
Several inexpensive purchases do add up to a large amount quickly and they take up extra room and time to care for.
I grew up shopping the clearance rack for everything and it has taken A LOT of work to change my habits from hoarding the markdowns that are “meh” for me but a great deal (80% off?! HAVE TO HAVE IT!) to buying something I love, even if it’s full price and accepting it may be on sale in 2 weeks.
At some point I want a Lauren Manoogian sweater. Also I love Magasin and the breadth of her links, and yeah I'm not in her price bracket for spend BUT the community around her chat is also SO helpful for finding pieces at different price points and recommendations. Something it do be about the community too but also Laura has good taste.
Wait that candle making class looks so fun and honestly pretty reasonably priced! Maybe I’m just used to the outrageous prices here in NYC. saving that link!!
I love getting cute homemade candles from Etsy and small businesses but I also have some cheap TJ Maxx ones in the mix
Great post! I appreciated your thoughts on appreciating pieces. It’s a great reminder for me next time I find my very own silk jelly belly scarf. I appreciated the ~assignments~ after your rationale, too! I am trying to ask myself if I would pack an item if I was going to move as my new litmus test. Starting a no thrifting for two weeks ban today, because I have a similar pattern with little purchases adding up.
did a 75 day no-buy (clothing/shoes/accessories only though! not strong enough to stop buying takeout and random lip gloss from cvs) this year and broke it once (a fancy bra - completely impractical, love it and do not regret!). then had a hard swing into "i can BUY STUFF NOW?!" right after it ended hahaha. but at least i really enjoyed both shopping experiences since the no-buy - one was an all day trip with a friend to get her a fun wedding outfit, and other was vintage shopping in my hometown with my mom. both felt like special ways to mark the end of the no-buy. I do feel a bit more pause than before so maybe it kind of helped? tbh jury's out hahah
Totally agree on the complete mismatch between the Nets and their merch!! And can't wait to read the 'always buy the t-shirt' post now, I agree 100% even if I haven't read it!
I love your "always buy the t-shirt" philosophy! Economy Candy (though I haven't been in years) is a true NYC cultural institution of awesomeness. PS sounds silly but one of my top style/shopping lessons is also "I can appreciate it without owning it myself" — such a small but impactful thing to remember!
Today kicks off no-buy April for me! I’ll be doing the assignment of trying on summer clothes and for an added bonus, consigning what no longer “sparks joy” at a local shop.
Good luck! Summer clothes are hard for me (in that I have trouble finding ones I like, so when I do I really want to get them)
I am also doing a "no buy April!"
We won't get summer weather until late June, so I think this month is the best month to resist buying things!
My friends and I have a saying “under $20 and it’s practically free” which is how/why I justify so many second-hand purchases that genuinely add up and clutter my closet.
Yes! When there’s enough under-$20 it stops being “free”!
Unsubscribing from marketing emails was such a game changer for me in reducing my purchases. Also love that you have a Tumblr friend! My boss met his wife on tumblr and we talk about the old tumblr days often. 💕
Omg that’s amazing.. I’ve never heard of a successful tumblr romance before
I went through a SERIOUS unsubscribe spree this month and opening my email to few messages feels like a lifted weight!
Two of my friends also met through Tumblr and have been married for 5+ years now! They were on the Springsteen fan pages.
omg thats the best
Several inexpensive purchases do add up to a large amount quickly and they take up extra room and time to care for.
I grew up shopping the clearance rack for everything and it has taken A LOT of work to change my habits from hoarding the markdowns that are “meh” for me but a great deal (80% off?! HAVE TO HAVE IT!) to buying something I love, even if it’s full price and accepting it may be on sale in 2 weeks.
Yes! “Hoarding the markdowns” even if they’re not what I actually want
Perfect example: I just found these earrings for $25 at a thrift store!! https://maisonirem.com/collections/earrings/products/earrings-koa
I am really tempted but definitely not something I see myself wearing regularly.
This is my go-to button down and it was like $8 at goodwill😂 but I GET it! I have so many button downs I need to stop myself
The best button-downs are from thrift stores!
Loved your assignments and how you kept it moving! It’s amazing how that desire just fades away
It is crazy how quickly it goes away!
I love Economy Candy it’s just so much fun. Love that you have a hat 🧢 and enjoyed this read ❤️
At some point I want a Lauren Manoogian sweater. Also I love Magasin and the breadth of her links, and yeah I'm not in her price bracket for spend BUT the community around her chat is also SO helpful for finding pieces at different price points and recommendations. Something it do be about the community too but also Laura has good taste.
Agree! To all of the above
Wait that candle making class looks so fun and honestly pretty reasonably priced! Maybe I’m just used to the outrageous prices here in NYC. saving that link!!
I love getting cute homemade candles from Etsy and small businesses but I also have some cheap TJ Maxx ones in the mix
I know! It’s cheaper than going out to dinner most places right now 😬
Great work, thank you.
Thanks!
Great post! I appreciated your thoughts on appreciating pieces. It’s a great reminder for me next time I find my very own silk jelly belly scarf. I appreciated the ~assignments~ after your rationale, too! I am trying to ask myself if I would pack an item if I was going to move as my new litmus test. Starting a no thrifting for two weeks ban today, because I have a similar pattern with little purchases adding up.
Ooh, that’s a good litmus test!
did a 75 day no-buy (clothing/shoes/accessories only though! not strong enough to stop buying takeout and random lip gloss from cvs) this year and broke it once (a fancy bra - completely impractical, love it and do not regret!). then had a hard swing into "i can BUY STUFF NOW?!" right after it ended hahaha. but at least i really enjoyed both shopping experiences since the no-buy - one was an all day trip with a friend to get her a fun wedding outfit, and other was vintage shopping in my hometown with my mom. both felt like special ways to mark the end of the no-buy. I do feel a bit more pause than before so maybe it kind of helped? tbh jury's out hahah
75 days is hard! I do think the in-person aspect can make it feel more intentional and enjoyable
Really enjoyed this. Gave me something to think about. Thank you
Totally agree on the complete mismatch between the Nets and their merch!! And can't wait to read the 'always buy the t-shirt' post now, I agree 100% even if I haven't read it!
The merch is *so* bad I don’t get it 😭
This is brilliant! Love all the tips.
Thanks, Sarah!