ExceLizity

"Disposable Fashion"

2012-02-08T06:15:00.000-08:00

*** PLEASE READ PREVIOUS POST FIRST "YOUR TRASH IS ANOTHER PERSONS TREASURE" SO THIS POST MAKES SENSE..THANKS- L" ****

Well Friends, You are going to hear a lot about fashion and clothing if you read this blog. Mostly because that is where my experience and interest lies, but the ideas are for everyone and can be modified to your own interests.

So here's a little story...

I think I mentioned before that I have always worked retail for high-end, luxury brands.

While at work one day, a co-worker, who while very experienced in the industry, had been previously working for a cheap, fast-fashion store (the name I'll leave out but think tacky and trashy and you've probably guessed it). She was commenting to me how nice it was to work at a place where the goods were so reputable because at the other store (we'll call it T&T for fun) the clothes were always falling apart, shortly after being washed and worn.

My friend commented to a senior company employee at "T&T" about this and the response she received was something to the effect of "This is disposable fashion".

I was literally flabbergasted when I heard this tale. You see some people call me a snob because I won't shop (or usually even go into) stores like "T&T", but it's not because it's a "cheap brand" that I do this, it because I don't agree with giving a retailer my hard earned money to buy something and then have to re buy it again in three months, and again in three months, etc.etc...you get the idea.

So what does this have to do with my 365 day Non Consumption Challenge?

Well not everyone is going to not buy new, and I don't think you need to if it's not your thing.

But I would challenge you to think about something...can you buy one great quality item, something that never goes out of fashion and save money and time doing it in the long run?

Example:

Burberry Double Breasted Trench.

If a classic trench coat ever goes out of fashion I will eat crow pie!!!

This EXCEPTIONALLY crafted and

has been worn for generations, retails for $1000.

But YOU WILL wear this jacket with pride for 10+ years and if you take care of it, it will take care if you! And will save 10 Years of Garbage Jackets and your cash being thrown away!

Now if you see one at the thrift store...I'm Begging you....tell me about it!

Enjoy your day,
L

Your trash is another persons treasure!!!

2012-02-08T06:14:00.000-08:00

So how much money have you made off facebook?

No, No...that isn't a typo, and I'm not talking about ads either...I'm talking about SWAP AND BUY!!!!

This may be my favorite invention, you see it is a facebook group in your neighborhood of people who are selling their used stuff and buying your used stuff!!! AWSOME!

Let me give you an example...

Kids Burberry Trench on my local swap and buy for $50!!!
And yes I will be buying it later today :)

But on a even better note I will be buying it with the $50 I MADE SELLING MY STUFF on swap and buy!!!

And because I genuinly believe the universe sets things up I am going to follow this post with one I had composed a while ago but didn't publish for fear of criticism...but I think this post proves me right!!!

Stay tuned...

Enjoy your day,
L

ExceLizity: It's been a while...Did I fail? Or just give up?

2011-11-09T06:16:00.000-08:00

ExceLizity: It's been a while...Did I fail? Or just give up?: Neither! I am committed to this thing! Not because it makes fun blogging or because I am tight on cash but because it makes a difference...

It's been a while...Did I fail? Or just give up?

2011-11-09T06:11:00.000-08:00

Neither!

I am committed to this thing!

Not because it makes fun blogging or because I am tight on cash but because it makes a difference in my life and in who I am.
I think part of the reason why I needed to step back was because I was having a hard time expressing this, because yes the 365NCC has saved me a ton of cash and I love knowing that when I buy something re-used there is less waste going into our landfills but it is more than that...

I feel in control!
I feel Relief!
I feel Happiness!

There is a Psychology to the way a store is laid out...for example most people enter a store and go right (try it out, I bet you go right). Well there is also the well known tick of putting what you need to buy (milk) at the back of the shop so you walk buy the things you don't need (chips, pop, chocolate) to get there (in fact now that I think about it the milk is usually behind the chip aisle too!). This is all done so that you purchase things you never came for but part with your cash none the less.

I sometimes buy baby cookies and other baby nummies from the "Real Canadian Superstore" where I have to walk past all the women's (very cheap and cheerful) clothing, then through the toddler clothing to get to the needed baby food. This would ALWAYS cost me extra cash and TIME, plus the things I would talk myself into buying was stuff I really never needed in the first place.

Now I pass through effortlessly, saving money and time, and I leave feeling in control (for not succumbing to the marketing), relief (for not wasting time and money) and happiness.

So yea, I failed to write anything for 2 months but NO I did not fail the challenge.

This is the reason:

I have a Puppy! Her name is Souris and she is superstar but between that and the kids starting school time to blog evaporated but I have had many fun second hand trips and still wonderful things to share so I hope you keep reading!

Enjoy your day,
L

p.s. Feedback keeps me motivated so please comment!

No New + Back to School...youch!

2011-09-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

Even if you don't have kids you know it's that time of year again.
Not because the leaves are just beginning to change or because to the taste of winter's chill in the evening air.
You know it's fall because every single media outlet is pumping you to buy this and buy that! How will your kids ever grow up to be a noble prize winning lawyer if you don't...not to mention be popular...eeeck run to Walmart! Now!
So as I send my 5 year old off to kindergarten for the first time I am forced to navigate this minefield 365 Non Consumption style...

To be honest with you all it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.

I already know I'm not buying anything new so the desire I would have had to buy her a sparkling new, fancy backpack (and lunch sack, water bottle, jacket, jeans, etc....) is gone! Replaced by the fact that she really can use the one she has from pre-school.

I can't tell you how relaxing it is to NOT listen to my own inner dialogue.

"Well she really doesn't need anything new but all the other kids will have gotten new stuff for their first year and she will look so cute with that new (insert all kinds of stuff here) I should get it for her..."

You know the chatter, the "I don't need but I still want to buy it, should I?" chatter.

Ahhh... none of that! Even when I made the trip to Walmart to buy the necessary new notebooks (kinda a must, recycled paper!) I left with only what I came for and completely avoided the time suck and money drain that is Walmart. (Insert angels singing here.)

All they really needed was new pants, here comes the fun part...

That's 6 pairs of pants right there!

Garage Sale $1.00 each!

That means I picked up all the pants Tiny and The Goose will need this fall/winter for $6!!!

Adding $114 ($20/pair) to the saving calculator (at bottom of blog).

At least she sill know which ones are hers, right?

Also on our "list" provided by the school, doutang and folder. Well look what I had hiding away in my home office, a doutang and a folder! Amazing right!
There was writing on these reused things but we also had some scrapbooking pieces left over so we did some artistic cover up.
The "fancy"ones at Walmart were $3.00, this was free! (+$6.00 to S.C.)
The bonus is how proud she is of them and the "craft" time we spent together (Hey, Mastercard...that's priceless!)

And finally...I'm that mom that likes to send her girl out with fancy paper napkins in her lunch box...how do I do this and not consume...

Buy old Hankies at a garage sale 25 cents for 2!!!

Their pretty and reusable! I like to idea of how cute she will be with her own linen nappy at the lunch table not to mention the paper towel she won't use WHEN she spills her applesauce.

That's it folks back to school done for a grand total of $19.75 (includes required stationary supplies), just because we chose to use what we have and buy reused for the rest.

Bonus....Tiny and the $2.00 lululemon hoodie...mommies need stuff too!

Enjoy your day,
L

Please comment...I love to hear your thoughts :)

And that makes two!!!

2011-08-31T13:42:00.000-07:00

Holy Narwhal!

(okay...I really just wanted to use the word narwhal in a sentence...have you seen the song on youtube?)

There are now TWO 365 Non Consumption Challenge peeps!

Welcome Becky!
Becky's post is here if you would like to see it.

It is great that other people have taken this to heart and I think it's even better that they are making the challenge their own. Becky is going for 30 days instead of 365 but she is giving up Starbucks!

I can't wait to read more about her challenge...

What do you think about all this??? I'd love to know!!!

L

A tale of two GUCCI's

2011-08-25T09:13:00.000-07:00

So one would ask can you have your cake and eat it too? Or, in my case,
have your Gucci and not buy new?

I say yes you can! And here is the story of two wonderful things (both bought for under $20).

The first a vintage Gucci day timer/agenda bought at "Kay's Korner" in Victoria.

The day timer was on sale for $15.00!!!

It is very fantastic with rings inside for papers and a slot that will hold an ipad! Not that I have an ipad but if I did it would be perfect! in the meantime I plan on using it as a vision binder posting reminder notes to myself of all my goals and dreams. My sister found it for me and had to grab it, she did good!

The fact that it matches My Gucci Pelham bag is a bonus!


how pretty are you?

The second fantastic find...

This is why, when you are driving through a small town and you see the crazy thrift store you should stop! let me set the stage:

Enter: Mill Bay, Vancouver Island, B.C., me and my sister.

Me: "Salvation Army! We gotta stop."
Sister: "I've been there a million times they never have anything good"
Me: "I wanna go."
Sister: "I'm staying in the car"

Me being me didn't care what she said and entered anyway, and let me tell you this store is in the middle of NOWHERE beside a gas station, surround by trees. My first stop was the showcase, as it was just inside the front door and low and behold look at what is inside. I calmly ask the clerk to see it, read the price tag and hand over my debit. As the sale goes through...

Clerk: "You don't think it is real do you?"
Me: "I know it's real."
Clerk: "How do you know it is real?"

Debit pin pad reads approved, I grab my receipt and reply,
"I work in designer handbags, one of which is Gucci. Thanks!"

Ahhh... that was a priceless moment! My sister freaked out and insisted we go back into the store and scour it for more goodies...

This happened a few years ago when I was still employed at a high end Canadian retailer, and I recently sold the bag on Kijiji for $350. I never used it, I am more of a hobo bag girl and if you read my last post you know I have a tiny house and need to conserve space!

That reminds me, I forgot to tell you the price I paid...
the bag was $18.00
so I made $338 dollars on that deal! Not bad.

You never know what your going to find....
which leads me to a new slang term, as I have evolved
from a fashionista...
to a frugalista...
to a treasure-ista: "a person who still loves the good stuff but is happy to buy it in a way that limits impact on raw materials and is economically responsible (I don't do debt!)"

Got any good stories out there you want to share? Or something fantastic that you just don't have space for anymore? Send me a message and I'll give you a post! I know there is other Treasure-istas out there...

Enjoy your day,
L

savings calculator: Adding $588.oo (see bottom of blog for running total.
Day timer $250 (I would have bought a good quality one, I like my things to last.)
Handbag $338 (new Gucci Boston bag is easily $800 but this one was vintage...)

In Praise of Little Houses

2011-08-23T13:19:00.000-07:00

"Small rooms or dwellings discipline the mind, large one's weaken it."
Leonardo Da Vinci.
(You said it Leo, my little house gets messy in minutes. Thank goodness it only takes minutes to clean!)

For years my hubby and I lived in 2000+ square foot homes.

While snuggling on the couch we would always joke about how we didn't need a big house at all as the whole family (2 kids, 2 parents and a fluffy cat) were always piled on the same couch cushion!

In reality we DIDN'T need the square footage and really only used about 25% of the house. The kitchen, one (of the three availiable living rooms) and the bedrooms. The rest of the space was just there to vacume and dust! So when we went shopping for our current house we vowed to buy a 1000 sq foot bunglow!

Those trees were a bonus!

I think my realestate agent (sally.krulis@remax.net who is stellar!!!) thought I was crazy dragging her to all these little, rundown homes but we finally found "the one" (and couldn't have done it without her.)

We adore this house, in fact we feel liberated by the limited space forced to pair down to what we REALLY need and love.

But as we snuggle up on the front step together (the only way to watch a thunderstorm! I highly recommend it) I think we could go even smaller...our front step is 10x10 and everything I need fits on it just fine.

So...

It's funny what you end up reading when you can't buy a magazine, my sis had a issue of House Beautiful and in it was an artical titled "The Tiny House Movement" the articile was all about the benefits of living small. "As houses grow bigger and bigger people feel less and less at home." (House Beautiful, july/august 2011)

So besides feeling more at home I save money on energy bills, land taxes and lessen my "footprint" but the BEST part?
Spending more time doing what I love and less time vacuming!


Thor 960 by Meka World, mekaworld.com

I want this house next! 960 sq. feet of well planned and organized ease... I wonder if it comes with the beach....

That's my less consumption thought for the day. Enjoy yours,
L

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2011-08-21T06:31:00.001-07:00

No buying new? In Victoria? What???

2011-08-20T21:05:00.000-07:00

So I'm in Victoria for the second leg of my vacation and, as you know, no buying new.

Oh yeah and I'm traveling with my 10 month old who needs:

- an umbrella stroller.
- a portable high chair.

My childless (aka lots of money and free time) sister wouldn't have either of these things on hand so I had to buy it there.
So as were walking around the "Fashion District" I stumble upon this great invention in a very upscale boutique:

By Hoola Loops

How cool is that? It easy, compact, and $38 brand new on the shelf.

This is when my sister turns to me and says "you can't buy it. Ha, ha. I guess you'll have to find it in a kids consignment store."

Yep, she was right. So with only a bit of non-buyers remorse I left,
but I didn't forget...

Enter "Sailor Jack"


www.sailorjack.ca

We head over to this wonderful little shop and the very first thing I do is walk up to the counter and ask, "Do you have a portable high chair?"
Yeah they do!
And it's almost identical the one I had seen, actually it's better because it has a purple crown motif and my baby's a princess for sure.
So for 15 bucks I grab the perfect chair and another $13.00 later I score a pretty princess umbrella stroller as well. (Adding $42 to the savings calculator.)

So glad I didn't succumb to temptation!

Thanks Sailor Jack!

Enjoy your day,
L

You tell me!

2011-08-18T17:57:00.000-07:00

So I wasn't really expecting anyone to be inspired by this blog but a couple people have messaged me about joining on! One already started, you can see her blog here.

Some have mentioned that they don't know how thier own challenge should begin so I thought it might be fun to get people thinking by asking you readers a question...

Do you have a favorite vintage find?

A thrift store that you love to shop at?

This is you chance to promote your favorite shop with other like minded readers and/or brag about your score *smile*!

Looking forward to your stories.

Enjoy your day,
L

Whatta way to start...Go on vacation!

2011-08-17T07:28:00.000-07:00

Yep August 1st came and went without a single word from me.

Did I give up?

No! I went on vacation to Quebec and Victoria (aka really great places to shop *tear*).

Quebec wasn't too much of a challenge. My in-laws live on a beautiful farm 2 hours from Montreal and although every inch of me wanted to go hunting in thrift stores, last year I scored a pair of seven jeans and TR jeans there, my 2 little girls were not so inclined. Instead we counted the baby chicken delivery, drew so many pics I am inspired to start drawing again and went to Bromont's insane water park.

However, when my bestie showed up at the farm (yep, we coordinate our vacations) we were able to sneak away to the "friperie" (french for used clothing store) where I picked up a really cool hat.

That's my bestie!

I am a lover of simple. Jeans and a t-shirt is my MO. Which probably explains my love for a great accessory. Whenever I see someone out there rocking the fedora I want one.

I love the one I found for $4, it is the perfect color to wear with jeans and the red feather on the side elevates it I think, I get so many compliments when I wear it. It's the perfect topper to a simple jeans and T outfit.

So Aug 1-10th was pretty uneventful...it was in Victoria that I really felt the pain...stay tuned.

Retail $19.99 (conservative)
used $4.00
saved $16.00

365 NCC The Ground Rules

2011-08-17T07:24:00.000-07:00

It (officially) begins!

I was on vacation from August 1-15th so you didn't see any posts but I did begin, as promised, on the first.

These are my ground rules and exceptions.

GROUND RULES:
From August 1st 2011- August 1st 2012 I will not purchase any NEW items. New meaning 1st time use, off the shelf goods. This will apply to all aspects of my life, including gift giving.

What I need to find 365NCC style:
- All clothing for myself, my husband and my 2 girls.
- All accessories (jewellery, watches, etc.)
- Footwear (excepting running shoes, see below).
- Cooking/Kitchen Tools (pots, pans, utensils, etc. That means NO Ziploc reusable containers from the grocery store.)
- Furniture and home decoration items.
- Back to school goodies (backpack, binders, etc.)
- Gifts for others.
- Kid supplies (toys, games, etc.)
- Craft supplies (what can't you make out of reused goodies, this includes canvases for painting.)
- Vehicles

What I can buy new:
- Personal hygiene items (no used toothbrushes here).
- Undergarments.
- Running shoes (for the health of my feet and knees while running) BUT ONLY running shoes...
- My Husband may buy clothes for himself new, but I will not be involved, nor will I use his exception to get new things.
- Consumer goods that run out (IE: paper, pens, paint, etc.)
- Electronics (not really a electronic person but I think it may be useless to buy a used camcorder, find out it is garbage and then buy another one, sometimes a good first investment saves waste too.)

I hope I thought of everything...

I'm doing this for me and these are my ground rules.

If you would like to join me, please do! Your rules WILL be different and that is okay.

Here we go....

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2011-07-27T09:04:00.000-07:00

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2011-07-26T15:35:00.000-07:00


My Inspiration...

Sideways oops....

So I was inspired by this picture from blogger in-myhouse.blogspot.com, specifically I LOVE the scarf and the way the girl is wearing it, but keeping in mind that I can't run out to the store and buy one (not in line with the 365 NCC and all that) I had to find one so....

Later that day I hit a new thrift store that recently opened up in my town and what do I find!?!

YEP!!
How cool is that!

Now, there is a little more to the story, I used to work in High End Retail (was actually given a Christian Dior "girlie" watch once by the Dior rep in Canada) so I know a little something about designer goods and I do like them (look for future blog on my theory regarding cost per use purchasing) but that is not the story today...

Today's story is about, finding inspiration, finding something that I love and will treasure for a very long time (even my daughters will love this one day, definitely not a "disposable purchase") and what's even better?

You know it, $10. (adding $40 to the savings calculator, rough and conservative guess on price)

What are you looking for?
What have you found?
Let me know?

Enjoy your day,
L

Whatta Find!!!

2011-07-26T14:53:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share a pic of what is easily one of my favorite things.

I LOVE DANISH MODERN FURNITURE!

I don't think the photo does it justice but this is a "surfboard" style table that is stamped on the bottom "made in Denmark" so it is the real deal!

I love this and wanted to share is because I found it on Kijiji (www.kijiji.ca) for $10!
Well, actually it was posted as "free" but I offered the girl $10 if she would keep it for me.

This table is important to me because

it is giving me it's "second life" (or fiftieth, who knows really)

it was economically responsible (I'm going to add $50 to my savings calculator as I am guessing $60.00 is reasonable to pay for a side table)

and I still achieved the look I wanted while keeping my first 2 goals in mind.

But the best part was the hunt and find!

What I take away from this is that I don't have to give up what I want, dream, long for. I just need to be be patient..and spend time shopping with great girls at great thrift stores!!

My sister said it better in her Blog post "Everyday histories"- check it out- and if your ever at her house and can sneak out the cool bowl I'll give YOU $10 (ha ha) check it out at heatherdraper.blogspot.com

Enjoy your day,
L

Garage sale haul

2011-07-17T11:40:00.000-07:00

Hello All,

I was out hitting garage sales the other day and picked up a couple things I have been wanting to find for a while.

Most importantly a new Wii game for my daughter.
I was able to save (my estimate) $45.00 by buying her game (and steering wheel) at a garage sale.

Not to mention of course, consumer trash.

So I decided to add a tab at the very bottom of this blog to record my monies saved to date. i know the challenge itself doesn't start until August 1st but I thought it would be fun to add it now all the same.

Random Inspirations

2011-07-13T08:27:00.000-07:00

Yes, this blog will be about the challenge, but I wouldn't have challenged myself to do this if I wasn't inspired by something.

In fact, I am inspired often.

I will be sharing those with you as we chat about image, consumerism, waste and authentic living.

First thought.....

If your day dream and your day are not the same you will have conflict in your life.

It made me think....

"Be the change you wish to see in the world"

2011-07-11T15:23:00.000-07:00

You may (or may not) know this as one of the Lululemon mantras.

Let me tell you about the moment it made sense to me-

It was months ago when I starting thinking about writing this blog and while it was germinating one question popped up- How do I do this AND throw my daughter her 5th birthday party?

You see, I wanted this to be real, to REALLY change my habits on accumulating things, creating consumer waste and spending money.

The party was easy, use toys we already have, glass instead of paper plates, etc.
IT WAS THE GIFTS and the packaging that they would come in that I was concerned about.

So this is what we wrote on the invites-

"The gift of your presence is present enough. Or, a small second hand toy. Easier on the environment and the pocket book" we followed this phrase with a little recycle sign.

(A small note- I have to credit my hubby with helping me on this one. He is DONE watching toys come in the house, get played with for 10 mins and then forgotten.)

I hoped that this would at least limit some of the consumer trash* while at the same time letting people know that the party wasn't just about getting gifts for my daughter...it was about getting together for a good time.

Of course it worked and the guests did (for the most part) bring a toy from the second hand kids store, or from bottom of their own toy box.

It was great that the kids were able to learn about sharing, recycling and "killing trees" but the best part...

My daughter has been invited to her friend, Alex's, upcoming party.

He asked his mom he can have a second hand party too.

"be the change you wish to see in the world"

We changed

We watched our action grow beyond our home.

It was magical!

Enjoy your day,
L

*Consumer Trash- The cardboard and plastic that new items are wrapped in.

My Challenge- What is it all about...

2011-07-10T17:07:00.000-07:00

So I know, that you know, this is a crazy world we are living in.

It seems to me- and let me just say that I am a college drop out so I am no expert- that people are consuming things, ANYTHING, faster than they can use it and in a lot of cases even pay for it.

I don't think I need a PHD to figure this out.

Be honest how many times have you or a friend of yours said-
"OMG! I have all this stuff in my closet. Some of it even has the tag still on it!"

-Busted right!

So here is where I am at-
Why do we NEED to BUY, BUY, BUY to feel like we are someone?

Now I know we all need things, if your kids grow as fast as mine do you are probably out there every other week getting something. MY GOAL to by reused at every opportunity, and NOT be ashamed about it.

So starting August first I will be posting my story, I hope it is a good one.

I will tell you about my "hauls" (like the time I got a pair of seven jeans and true religion jeans for a total bill of $21).

and my failures- the times I chose buying new.

I just hope this will make us all think- because our average family debt is only dwarfed by the piles in our landfills...I know we can do better.

Who are you? What does your REAL look like? Be the change you wish to see....

Enjoy your day,
L