Benchmark items

I know one of the first rule of thumbs when purging is to get rid of all the clothing that doesn't fit you but while I was purging, I couldn't help but keep some favourite items in hopes that I will one day fit into them again. 

These are a few of my benchmark items.

(Mexx, Tahari, Tommy Hilfiger, GAP)

I try on my benchmark items every few months - I last tried on these items at the beginning of the year and they were tight. Very tight. This month I started to do the 30 day squat challenge and I tried these pieces on, on Saturday and they fit! The blazer was a little tight in the shoulders but I was able to button it, and the dresses and skirt skimmed my body like they did when I first bought them, years ago. I am beyond pleased and am so glad I kept a few of these pieces - I know some people find them demotivating and I did too at times, but they also help me find motivation every time I looked at them because they remind me of why I want to be healthy and shed some weight - so that I could wear these favourite pieces again! 

Do any of you have any benchmark items? I have a few ultimate benchmark mark pieces but I think I'll actually have to lose 10 more lbs to be even close haha, but I'm not giving up!!!

So far so good...

We're almost nearing mid-month of March and so far I've managed to keep my goal of not making any purchases. 

I do put it out there that I did purchase two items from Target, NOT for my wardrobe, but to help me organize and de-clutter my bathroom. 

I purchased some little containers that were less than $1/each for a pack of 2 (I bought 2) and a jewelry stand. I don't have a jewelry box as I hide my valuables haha, and I've never been one to pay too much attention to costume jewelry. Last year, however, I did commit to incorporating more of my costume jewelry into my style  and daily wardrobe. I have been eyeing a jewelry stand for ages but just didn't feel compelled to shell out $20 for it - I know, I can be SUPER cheap about some things. With Target lowering their prices as their Canadian stores close down, I figure, finally, why not. 

I now have de-cluttered my small counter top (I live in a condo, trust me, there is practically no counter space) and feel a lot more organized. My jewelry is now where I can see it and easily accessible - loving it!

I don't count this as a wardrobe purchase, but more so, as necessary tools to help manage my life, thus bringing me more clarity and joy =)

The joy in finding things that don't work

Now that I have been working on purging items from my wardrobe and life, I find so much joy when I discover something isn't working for me. The other day, I decided to break out a pair of sneakers that I've held on to since university (I was a huge sneaker fanatic) and work it into my outfit. 

Outfit was very casual for wandering around my neighbourhood, but I found that my shoes were not as comfortable as I remember. Instead of feeling sad, I found myself doing a self high-five in my head because the only thing that I could think about was that I was able to let these go. I held on to them for so long because they were in such great condition, and I couldn't bare the thought of letting them go for the money I spent on them, but hey, they don't work, they don't work, and now I can let them go in peace, having given them a fair chance. 

An added bonus, it will help me slowly even myself out in my shoe numbers since I bought 4 pairs last month =S 

Do any of you feel happy when something doesn't work? I find now, for the most part, when I'm in the dressing room and something just doesn't work, I'm more relieved than sad. 

Stress shopping

The last few months have been quite stressful and I have been feeling overwhelmed with anxiety and worry. I won't get into it, but I will get into 'stress shopping' - I found myself doing that a lot. In addition to the 4 pairs of shoes I purchased, I completely forgot to add the 2 pairs of pants, skirt, and dress that I bought, to my February count. Oops. Seriously, I just forgot until this morning. 

I noticed that when I'm in a good state of mind, the idea of shopping does not even occur to me. I'm pre-occupied with being productive and motivated that shopping is the last thing on my mind. When I'm upset, I have realized that I start to feel an urge to purchase things, and if I'm not careful, it can spiral out of control. Knowing this, I do stick to more affordable pieces and places during this time and I always keep the tags on and ride it out. Once I feel better, I re-evaluate what I purchased and make returns if necessary. (although right now I have a very big urge to go nuts at Louis Vuitton - but I won't, I know better than that).

Right now, the silver lining is, since I know my style a lot better than I did, I've made some good purchases even during this time. I know, not an excuse to buy, or keep, but at least it's not a total loss. All the items I've so far purchased, I have worn and love. The pants I bought, love love love - again, from the GAP (I'm really in love with the GAP right now) - I bought their Always Skinny corduroys in black and a pair of their boyfriend jeans. No hemming required for either! Hurray! I've worn them so many times since I got them that their cost per wear is almost down to nothing (it helps that they weren't even $15 each - see, how could I pass them up??). I made two purchases at H&M for date nights when my husband returns and since he loves them, I will be keeping them; I don't have any 'date night' clothing, so these are nice additions to my wardrobe and I can always use them for other occasions, with the right accessories. 

Although I stressed shop, I picked up some great pieces and I DO NOT intend to bring this habit into March. March, I vow, will be a purchase-free month!!!

An amazing find for me - GAP boyfriend shirts

I love dress shirts - I think they look amazing on people! 

Unfortunately, they were an article of clothing that I found difficult to buy - they would either be too tight across the chest, or fit my chest and then be too big around my shoulders and back, or just over-all too tight or too large. And then there's always the gape between the buttons - so many gaps!

Last year I was shopping at the GAP (I love their sales and grab my trendier items from there (trendier for me, not necessarily trendy haha); and their sales are amazing) and came across a dress shirt and I thought, why not - by this time, I had decided that I wasn't going to wear dress shirts any more but I figured I've already been disappointed this many times that once more isn't going to make a difference. 

I tried, and fell in love - GAP's boyfriend fit shirts fit me to a T and since my discovery, have added 5 of them to my wardrobe, including the much raved about 'chambray shirt,' and wear them constantly. I also really love this pink plaid one - it looks great with so many things!

And the gaps? Depending on the material, there are none! For the thinner ones, there's only 1! Which I just tape up using double-sided tape =)