the calendar says it is spring, but the weather doesn’t agree. at least there are tulips, lilies, and pastel lace lovelies from lonely lingerie to get through these gray days.

you might have noticed a lack of shopping posts over the last few months.  one of my resolutions was to go three months without buying any clothes or accessories.  the apartment renovations and carrying two mortgages has been $$$, so this was one way to help relieve some financial stress.  i’m happy to report that i have mainly stuck to that resolution, with the exception of one $60 j.crew sweater.

before the shopping ban started on january 1, i found this gorgeous celine tote on the realreal for a fraction of the store price.  i know i have another burgundy celine bag, but i just love them both so much.  i also sold a few other bags so my overall number has remained the same.  man, I will justify anything won’t i?  🙂

i had been looking for wool panty hose all winter until i came across the brand swedish stockings at reformation in nyc.  the store was sold out of my size, so i checked out their website.  swedish stockings is the first sustainable hosiery brand, and the lovely packing and overall experience sure beats trying to find the right pair of hose at bloomingdales (the last time i was there, i was stuck behind a woman for 20 minutes who refused to complete her transaction without her hosiery stamp card…it was special).  i ended up getting two pairs, and will report back on how well they hold up.

i never used to believe in spending money on flats, because i typically just wore them to the ground.  however, two things changed.  first, i stopped wearing heels with the same frequency and decided to spend more money on things that i used often.  second, i found that none of my flats lasted longer than a year.  i decided to try splurging on this classic pair, in hopes that i can least get 3-4 years out of them.  if i still have this blog then, i will report back.

they sure are pretty, aren’t they?

after selling a few of my bags on consignment, i wanted to replace them with something simple, lightweight, and a bit unique (i.e. i don’t see multiple women wearing it every day on the subway).  before my shopping ban took effect, i decided on this acne musubi bag in this beautiful tan/caramel.  the single shoulder strap is so comfortable, and there is a detachable small pouch inside to keep small items.

i’ve used this bag for about a month, and i still love it.  my own reservation is the black interior, which makes it a bit difficult to find some things that are not in the small pouch.  however, i think a simple bag organizer could solve this.

lately, i’ve been thinking a lot about this article.  as a big fan of ann patchett’s books, and her store parnassus books in nashville, i loved how eloquently she described the lessons learned from a self-imposed shopping ban.  i have had shopping ban flings in the past, but decided after we got back from greece that i was going to do one in earnest for 2 months.  this means no buying anything not from a grocery store except to replace something empty or beyond repair.

since a lot of the content on this blog has been cataloging my new purchases, i will do my best to fill the next few months with other things.

first off, this gorgeous pair of slingbacks i added to my collection this spring.  the heel height is perfect (3.5″) and they manage to be both sexy and work appropriate.