I’m not here to discuss the irony of deciding to do a No Shop Challenge in 2020 and then getting stuck at home with nowhere to go during a pandemic and somehow still managing to buy three things during a sale that I historically have been so irritated by that I have actually avoided the Internet for the month of August. I am here to tell you what I bought at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this year, pretty much for the first time ever. I just found out that the sale ends today, so here we are.

• These boots are so pretty in person, and they’re even more comfortable. I usually wear a 7 or 7.5 but I got them in an 8 and they fit really well. I like that you can dress them up or down, and they are totally waterproof!

• Just a solid slouchy sweater, which I can’t get enough of. I pretty much live in leggings and sweaters like these with a tank top or tee underneath all fall and winter long. This one is long and soft and thin enough that you won’t get overheated wearing it all day.

• I have never been able to get a pair of the Spanx faux leather leggings before they sell out so I decided to try these ones instead. They are fleece-y inside and look really nice. I really like them. (I ordered a small but had to exchange for a medium because I couldn’t get my butt into them—not sure if that’s a me or them issue, but it’s something to keep in mind when ordering.)

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My rules for buying stuff over the years have become pretty straightforward:

1. Can I wear it every day and style it in many different ways?

2. Does it come in black?

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I’m mostly excited about the boots, since we are soon moving to a place with weather and I think I’ll be able to get some good use out of them. They are also comfortable and stable enough that I think I’ll be able to chase a toddler around in them, which is fun because I really haven’t worn a heel since she became mobile.

That’s all from me! While we’re talking about shopping, I also wanted to let you know that Equilibria is having a pre-Labor Day sale and offering 30% off everything on their site when you use the code FRECKLEDITALIAN (not just for new customers!) until September 3. As always, let me know if you have any CBD questions—I’d love to help!

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We are well into the second month of 2020 so I thought now might be a good time to fill you in on a challenge I’ve been wanting to do for some time, which is to not shop for an entire year. I decided to start in January, so I made myself a list of rules and have really enjoyed it so far! Here’s what my 2020 No Shop Challenge will look like:

Why though?

We all have too much stuff. Bloggers literally make a living telling us what we should buy next. I wear the same 4-5 things every week. I’m really concerned about the environmental impact of constantly throwing things out and replacing them with other things; and consumerism generally feels kind of gross to me. There are people out there doing more with less. I would like to do more with less. And saving some money is always an added bonus.

The Rules

1. No shopping for myself unless it’s to replace something that I use a lot which is now unusable and/or not worth repairing.

2. No new makeup unless I run out of something.

3. No new beauty/skin care/hair products until everything I have already is used up.

4. If I do buy something not on the pre-approved list of allowed items, it needs to be second-hand or from a better quality, sustainably and more ethically made brand.

Allowed Items:

• Black jeans

• A black zip-up fleece jacket

• New CrossFit shoes

• A bra that I don’t hate

• Maybe some black flats

• 2-4 discounted pieces from my barre studio

I took a few weeks to make this list last year based on things I didn’t have in my wardrobe that I thought about pretty regularly. Then in December I received a gift card and was able to use it to knock out quite a bit of the list, which was really nice.

I ordered some high-waist black jeans so I can stop living in leggings, found the perfect zip-up jacket that I wear 2-3 times a week, got some random Nike Metcons on sale at an outlet mall (I was wearing old running shoes to CrossFit so literally any training shoe was a huge improvement), and finally found a bra that I don’t hate! As far as the black flats go, I’m taking a note of the times I wish I had a pair and will decide in a few months (especially once the weather gets warmer) if I need them.

I also replaced my nighttime moisturizer, which I love. My new favorite weird thing is finishing something in my vanity and waiting a while before replacing it—for like two weeks I used coconut oil as my nighttime moisturizer, mostly because I wanted to stay away from Target (I am definitely guilty of mindlessly buying random crap whenever I spend any time there). This is actually where online shopping comes in handy—you can just buy exactly what you need without being tempted by the things you don’t.

We use a very simple budgeting app to keep track of our spending and it’s been fun to see the “stuff” allowance stay full. I say it all the time and I really mean it—I just don’t need any stuff! Overall, I want to be a lot more thoughtful and intentional about the things I buy and consume, whether it winds up in my closet, on my skin, or in my kitchen; and I’m excited for this challenge to really shape me into better habits over the next ten to eleven months (or more!).

Have you ever done a year-long no-shop challenge? I’d love to hear about it!

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I’m really not much of a shopper but there is something about the start of a new season that does make me feel a little more “spend-y” than usual. Here are a few of the things I have my eye on this season:

• I love a jumpsuit and this one looks light and comfortable.

• I pretty much live in my Dansko clogs (these ones) but would love a sandal version—my friend Kristan has these ones and I love them. They’re definitely next on my list.

• Who doesn’t need a nice tote bag? I’m a fan of this light pink for some reason lately.

• Is anyone else feeling this paper bag waist trend? I haven’t tried it yet but I love the look.

• I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about this curling wand and I’ve been thinking it might be time for me to upgrade from my drugstore curling iron.

• More light pink springiness—I’m a sucker for a neutral mani in the spring.

• I just bought a pair of wedges that look a lot like these ones and I really like them.

• I got this as an impulse purchase at Target the other day and I can’t stop using it—it seriously feels amazing.

• Love the look of this romper—like fancy adult pajamas. I’m here for that.

Do you ever shop specifically for a new season?

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