Something New - And Something New from Something Old

Full disclosure - I bought something new. I would like to try to justify it by saying, "I had no choice" but it drives me crazy when I hear other people talking about doing things because they "had no choice." There is always a choice -- it might not always seem like it, but there is (sometimes, it's two bad choices, but there's still a choice.) That's an idea for a future blog.

In any case, I discovered that all 3 of my bathing suit tops had their elastic completely disintegrate. My choices? Don't do anything that involves a bathing suit this summer. Wear my old one piece from 2000. Or buy a new top (the black bikini bottoms are fine.) So I bought a $10 bikini top that should last me a while. But that's it -- a full 6-months into the year and that's all I've bought "new" that wasn't on the pre-approved list (1 pair sneakers, underwear.)

Something new from something old
Today I thought I'd post some of my refashions - I'm slowly getting up to speed on the basics and have worn several of my items out socially and no one has mocked me (to my face anyway.)

I have a few more, but I need to get better pics. In the meantime, I hit up a new-to-me thrift store today (where I got the red dress below - which was $6.00 by the way) and bought another 4 or 5 dress that need serious help. I'll be working on those during the week - hopefully the heat wave breaks and my own personal sweatshop will become comfortable for sewing. 

Before: A large skirt -
way too big for me, but I liked the pattern and light material.

After: A cute over the shoulder summer dress, with an asymmetrical hemline and matching sash. Drinks with the girls? Although it's pretty short - may be a standing around dress rather than sitting on a bar stool dress. 

Before: It doesn't look it
but this is a size 18 dress. I liked the print.

After: A me-size dress, sleeves removed,
matching sash (hard to see in this pic.) I'll wear this to work.

A Year of Nothing New

It's a simple idea. A year with no new clothes. Or shoes. Or accessories. That about sums it up. But people I've mentioned this to seem to have questions. So...

When I say "nothing new", I really mean "brand new". For one year, I'm committed to only buying used, from thrift shops, Goodwill, consignment, etc. The ONLY exceptions are: underwear, and 1 pair of sneakers for the gym.


I started in January 2012, and in the interest of full disclosure, before I added "accessories" I bought a $4 headband for a Gatsby-inspired event. I wore it to a work-event as well and plan to give it to a friend who will wear it to another event, so it's not a "one and done" purchase. In retrospect, I didn't need it.


The big question I get is "Why?" I have no real answer and I keep asking myself "why" also. There's no big social idea driving this, no financial hardship, no real goal.

Although, whenever I find myself in a shopping-situation, and I'm thinking, "Oh cute - I want that!" I stop. There it is. I "want" that. Do I "need" that? No. The answer is always no. No matter what it is, I don't need it. Another skirt? No. A new bathing suit? Nope. A cute new purse? Ohhhh....kinda...no. No. Don't need it.

And I guess that's the point. I'm forcing myself to know the difference between "want" and "need." Yes, we all already KNOW the difference, but I want to live the difference.

And so here I am, 5 months into a Year of Nothing New. I'm learning to 'refashion' my thrift store finds, which is becoming a hobby I really enjoy. My inspiration - refashionista.net - does it way better than I ever could, but I have fun trying.

So -- I'll keep you posted on how it goes. Will I crack at some point and splurge on a brand-new pair of gym shorts? I might, but I hope not. And I'll post pics of my thrift-store finds, and refashion efforts. And maybe, just maybe, this experiment won't just be a year, but a lifestyle.

Here you go - recent Goodwill purchase. Pink, short-sleeved button down from Express, $5.00. White (it really is white, I know it looks yellow, and I actually NEEDED a white dress shirt) button-down from Ann Taylor, $5.00. Reversable tank in turquoise and fuscia (so it's like 2 shirts in one!), $5.00.