The no shopping challenge

At the start of this year, I definitely fell off the budget wagon, and it seemed the longer I was off, the easier the excuses as to why my purchases were totally and completely justifiable, would come.

So I've decided on a month of no shopping. Not even if I have a gift card, because that never works out. Case and point this outfit: I had a gift card for $20 to the Gap. I was going to get the floral shorts which were on sale for $20. I became obsessed with having the denim jacket. It's nothing like the denim jacket I presently have, it will go with everything. It's so unbelievably soft and comfortable. It's 35% off and I have a gift card.

I've also decided that there will be a reward, this Linea Pelle leather bag that I adore. It's very expensive and more than I'd normally be comfortable with spending, which is why it is the best motivator for this challenge. I know, rewarding no spending with excessive spending makes no sense, but the truth is, the money will actually come from blog generated revenue! Yes, two years of affiliate links will get you one shiny new leather bag.

So that is the challenge. I hope I can do it.

garden-2.jpg garden-3.jpg garden-6.jpg garden-4.jpg garden-5.jpg garden.jpg garden-1.jpg
The Rundown
White Eyelet Top Gap via Coco's similar
Floral Shorts Gap
Denim Jacket Gap
Yellow Flats Mia similar
Bag Tahari c/o TJMaxx similar
Necklace Made by Me similar
Bracelet TJMaxx similar
Green Onyx Ring c/o RedEnvelope
iPhone Case Kate Spade
Sunglasses Ray-Ban Emma

51 comments

  1. YAYY! I love this look! And wowie, good for you, I would never survive. I guess this means we should avoid shopping on meetups ;)
    http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

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  2. Good for you! The no shopping month I think it awesome, it teaches to be creative and literally shop in your closet. Plus having such a great reward will help!

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  3. congrats on starting your no shopping, and setting an exciting victory/motivation gift! :)

    adore these shorts == have the same pattern as pants. Love.

    alyson
    www.theaveragegirlsguide.com

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  4. you can do it lydia! those shorts are fabulous. loving the colors and print. looks great with that denim jacket :)have a great week.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  5. Good luck with the challenge!! I know I probably need to do that. Ugh. So hard though. Love this look. Those shorts are so cute!

    Amy


    Fashion and Beauty Finds

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  6. You have inspired me! I'm on a month of no shopping too - I've been needing it! Good luck, girl :)

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  7. love that floral print from Gap! and good for you - no shopping for a month is going to be a challenge, but in the end, you will prevail and feel so great!
    tiffany
    www.hydrangeasandhandbags.com

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  8. The floral shorts are so cute! I have faith you can go without a month of shopping! Just don't set foot in any stores to tempt yourself :)

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    Target Giveaway!

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  9. You are not the only one, Lyddie... I can understand your shopping ban and need to be careful myself!
    We all know that we dont _need_ a new dress, skirt, bag...

    Keep us posted how it goes. Gorgeous reward indeed!

    Annette
    Lady of Style

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  10. Love those shorts!! And wow, what a great challenge!! xo, Julie
    www.fromproseccotoplaid.com

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  11. Cute shorts and I love the denim jacket. I have a denim jacket which I've had about 8 years I may have to stop in the Gap!

    Good luck with no shopping and every girl deserves to splurge on a cute handbag every now and then! :)

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  12. You can do it dear and a Linea Pelle bag is a fab reward!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  13. Good luck on your challenge! A month isn't bad. You can do it. Just fill your spare time with baking and cooking and reading instead, muwahaha.

    And that bag is such a good reward! Reward systems are the best, and totally effective.

    I really love all your bright accessories here--green, blue, yellow, all so lovely.

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  14. Love this look from head to toe.. No shopping is a good thing and can be fun... time for a remixing challenge and creative look at restyling what you have. It can be fun if you decide that!

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  15. I am proud of you. You have more than enough chic ensembles in your closet to remix from. And wow the payoff will be great!

    www.soworkweekchihc.blogspot.com

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  16. This is an adorable outfit. Love the floral shorts and the denim jacket! I'm pretty sure I would fail miserable at a no shopping ban, but good luck with your challenge! :)

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

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  17. Good luck and good for you putting yourself on a shopping ban for the month. It will help you get creative in shopping your closet and then get rewarded at the end of the month with your new bag!

    Super cute shorts too :)

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  18. You totally deserve that pretty bag after this month of no shopping is over :) Truth is, I had expected it to be over $500 when I clicked that link, haha. $200 is not so bad considering half of the blogosphere is toting around those ridiculous expensive Rebecca Minkoff or Micheal Kors bags! Anyway, I'm justifing things again, haha. Good luck with the shopping ban! I just finished mine and was succesfull :) So I rewarded myself with a citytrip in June. Can't wait! x

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  19. Good luck, darling on your challenge:) You can do it! Btw: I love your shorts. Kisses

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  20. Lovely floral look with a twist, Lydia.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  21. Lovely summer look.
    Good Luck with the no shopping!

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  22. It was certainly worth it - what a lovely outfit!

    www.mancunianvintage.com

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  23. I'm right there with you..lately, my budget is nonexistent (even though I am struggling to pay things called RENT)...so I have also placed a shopping ban on myself! We'll see how it goes...but I will use you as inspiration!

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  24. I think you can do it - and that purse will be an awesome reward...I need to out myself on a bit of a shopping diet soon, I've been totally unrestricted lately.

    Courtney ~ http://sartorialsidelines.com

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  25. Those shorts are so beautiful ! Good luck on your challenge, I admire you for trying...I know I could never make it !!! Kisses

    Fashion and Cookies
    Fashion and Cookies on Facebook
    Bloglovin

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  26. Good luck with the shopping ban Lyddie - I battle with this myself and need to reign myself in as well. I have clothing I have not worn yet and other items I've worn only once - which is really insane. As long as I stay away from the stores I'm fine - but let me go near my favourite stores and I totally lose it most times.
    Love the outfit!

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  27. those shorts are it!
    Xo, Megan, www.TfDiaries.com

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  28. Best wishes on carrying on the challenge!

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  29. I love how everything works well together! Your women denim jacket compliments the print of your shorts while the bright pop of color on your shoes is also found on the print. Perfect!

    Btw, you have a heart shape face? Reminds me of my grandma and aunt, they too have a beautiful heart shape face.

    Would you like to exchange links with me? Let me know and I´ll be happy to add your link on my partners page.

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  30. Such a great look! Love it! The jacket was a solid investment for the summer weather!

    Good luck with your no spending challenge. One of goals for me eventually. The hardest part is sticking to budgets i set. lol

    I need to start pinning your looks on my boards for inspiration. Especially with how you rock bangles!

    Brandy
    willbakeforshoes.com

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  31. Well, not to be an enabler but the jackets ARE completely different ;-)

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  32. You can definitely do it!! And I'm sure you'll come up with all sorts of great remixed outfits in the meantime! That bag is so cute and will be a great reward when its over :)

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  33. Oh wow, this outfit has some incredible details. I LOVE the shorts and can't wait to get some more floral shorts myself. These are perfect! The bracelet and bag are awesome too.

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  34. Beautiful shorts girl!! And good luck with the no shopping/spending money!

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  35. Since you arent buying, enter my giveaway for a flowerbud J crew inspired necklace on last Fridays post. Thats not shopping right? Not if you win!

    I wanted the dress in the print of your shorts so bad but it disappeared so quickly...the print that got away.

    HOTPINKstyle

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  36. Those shorts are so cute! V. Nice!
    I am giving away a necklace on my blog you'd love....
    xo Morgann

    www.glitterinthegrey,com

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  37. Beautiful look, I'm in love with your floral shorts!!!


    www.plogstyle.com

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  38. love is something that makes me fulfill my destiny as a human being, to marry is the greatest hope that I hung far above the sky where I say a prayer to the Lord. thanks for the article interesting. continued success yes for CERT

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  39. I know exactly the shopping place you're in right now... purchasing is such a slippery slope, when you're in a store it's so easy to justify spending money on things you know you don't really need because you like them. I think I spent most of the past three years doing exactly that myself! This past November I finally decided that enough was enough. My closet was overflowing with things I wasn't wearing nearly enough... and so I just stopped shopping. Between November and March, I bought almost nothing. It was challenging, there's no doubt about it, but ultimately so rewarding, both personally and financially {and I got to buy something at Celine, which was huge for me, being someone who could never seem to save money.} My impulse to add new things to my wardrobe has decreased a lot. Good luck with the challenge - I can't wait to see you carrying that beautiful bag!
    xox,
    Cee

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  40. Aw girl you got this! I went a good 4 months without buying any clothes for myself and it felt really good! And I'll agree with Cee - my impulse to buy new stuff for my wardrobe has DEFINITELY decreased!

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  41. You can do it!!! I definitly know that it is VERY hard to not shop at all for a month, but I have total faith in you! I set the same challenge to myself at the beggining of this year and lasted abut 2 months and a half without shopping, but now I am off the wagon and buying like crazy ;)

    www.thejoyoffashion.blogspot.com

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  42. I have advise... do not go to the mall and if you go, leave your purse at home. Do not open mails with offers and discounts and don't visit blogs.
    There is too much temptation out there!

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  43. good luck on the challenge
    love this jacket and shorts though
    brett

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  44. Love those floral shorts! So cute:)

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  45. amazing layering and print mixing!

    xoxo linds
    my style blog :: Ruby Girl

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  46. Your willpower rocks and I heart those shorts!

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  47. Good luck with your no-shopping challenge! I'm a big fan of no-shopping challenges (really all 30 day challenges). Though it's tough because of all of the shopping temptation around, I'm sure your enjoy having that lovely leather bag.

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  48. I love the trend of only shopping your closet. And look at the cuteness you found!

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  49. That bag is the best motivation to stay on a ban this month! I can't wait to see how you style it!

    I wouldn't be able to resist those darling shorts either. It's actually why I've stayed out of the Gap when I go to the mall.

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