The End of my Shop Fast

Well, I did it. I went an entire year without shopping for myself. I am actually very surprised by how fast the year went by. I am also shocked to hear myself say that it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I know without a doubt that God used this simple challenge to prepare me for a roller coaster of a ride.

There have been so many sweet spots during the past year. Gifts to my blog, gift cards, gifts from friends, hand-me-downs, and more. Any sacrifice I made was given back to me in such a sweet way. I appreciated the small things with a greater love, and this made me recognize areas of selfishness that I never want to return. I have learned a lot about wants versus needs, and my self control is better than ever. I still love fashion and always will, but this break taught me that less really IS more.

The last month has brought on yet another challenge for my family that I just wasn't ready to share publicly. I don't know if it was because of fear, or embarrassment, or a little of both. But in the past few days, God is showing me even more who He is, and how important every step of this yearlong journey I have been on is. If I hold back, how am I to truly communicate what He has been doing in my life? I realize not everything has to be shared, but I signed on for this year of transparency, and so I am going with it.

Well, as of August 28th my husband has been out of a job again. This is the second time in six months, for a man that has had only 4 jobs for the past 25 years of his life. The very same job we accepted as such a blessing several months back, turned out to be a horrible fit for our family. The commute, the long hours, draining work environment and missing out on family activities all took their toll on my man. Obviously, we would have preferred he found something else before parting ways, but in the situation he was in, there was no time to look or leave work for interviews, etc. I am sure there was a reason for his 5 months of suffering, but God wanted him out of there.

So now, here we are looking up to God and believing and KNOWING that He is going to provide. I won't lie and say I haven't worried, I have. But what is really awesome is the community of friends that have loved on us, prayed for us, and reminded us of the truths that we needed to hear and repeat until we believed them.

When we went through this in March, a fix came quick. This time, not so quick. But we have been able to see why God may be waiting. My husband was freed up to serve at Tres Dias men's weekend and he needed to be there. With his previous job, or even a new one....he would not have been able to take the time off to attend. We have had amazing quality time to spend together over the last month....(we had plenty of catching up to do). He has also had the opportunity to participate in car line pick ups, and school lunch dates. This quality time is helping us get through not knowing what will happen next.

Maybe God allows us to visit a scary place to show us that it's not so scary if we just keep our eyes on him? 

So even though I would love to celebrate the end of this shop fast by heading to Nordstrom, due to our current situation it looks like my shop fast will continue on. So I thought, What better way to celebrate than with the October Dress Project? Day one, year four......here I go again! God is so good, all of the time.

Something's New

Dress: Hive & Honey, Bag: Tinely Road Sandals: Kino

I don't know if you saw, or remember....but my husband gave me a Visa gift card for our anniversary. I chose to shop Piperlime's sale and this dress and bag are two of the items I selected. I almost made it a month hoarding the card. I resisted Target, Marshall's, and TJ Maxx! The dress is by Hive & Honey and was on clearance for $27.00, I love it. It is the perfect mix between pajamas and chic. I will be able to sport it in the winter with a jean jacket as well. The Tinley Road bag was a steal at $12.00. That gift card went miles, especially considering I am on a shop fast for two more months. Can you believe it? It has almost been a year. Aside from running shoes and a sports bra (which any runner knows are a necessity) I haven't made a purchase.

This year I have learned so much about my shopping habits. I have learned that just because a new dress makes me happy, doesn't mean I need one. I was always a clearance shopper, but I have also learned the love of thrifting, and my kids are enjoying my finds for them. I am looking forward to finding some treasures of my own in October.

For now, I am enjoying the little nuggets of goodness (the above outfit included) that I have been so blessed to receive throughout The 12X12 Project, learning more about our causes, and how I can help. Number one lesson learned: I don't need more, I need to give more.

The Glorified Summer Camp Counselor

We have been doing a lot of this!!! 

My fishes swimming behind me. They have been in the water the entire month!

Our day at the Highlands Aquatic Center in Largo, FL. AWESOME!!!

The view from our bedroom balcony. This will be missed. :( 

Our 10 Year Anniversary Photo

Something I will miss the most, the kids greeting daddy! Not having the commute has been so nice!

Except for the small bit of work I do over the summer for Crescendo, I feel very blessed to have time off to spend with my kids. For the past month we have lived in Clearwater, FL to be closer to my husband's job. It has been beautiful, and wonderful in so many ways. BUT.....I have to confess I am exhausted!!!! There is so much to do and so many fabulous parks, city water parks, etc. I feel like a camp counselor. Whoever says being a stay at home mother isn't a real job, is clearly delusional.....or hasn't tried it. Every day the first words out of my 4, 5, and 12 year old are, "What are are we doing today?" I have broken up nearly 20 fights, dished out more snacks than I thought humanly possible, and helped solve a dozen arguments in the past 24 days. We really have been on the go, non-stop but it has gone by so fast and I can't believe this will be our last week here. 

My husband and I had one small break in between, celebrating our 10th anniversary in St. Petersburg. Absolute. Bliss. On top of the wonderful weekend away relaxing by the pool, being treated to a massage, and eating delicious food.....I was gifted a $100.00 visa gift card! This was on July 12th and I haven't spent it yet. One thing that I have learned during this yearlong shop fast is that when you get a treat such as a gift card, your hoard it. I promise to let you know the winning purchase when it happens. 

An update on the shop fast, I am still holding on. During this month away I have only been tempted by a beautiful vintage clutch at a thrift store, and a lovely maxi dress hanging on the clearance rack of a local surf shop. Sadness. BUT, the good news is I didn't cave. 

My favorite part of this month is the last picture above. My husband being home in time to eat with us every night, and the kids greeting him at the door. Man I have missed that one simple pleasure. It kinda makes shopping seem silly, when your eyes are opened to the true happiness in your life. The gift list continues: 

252. Vacations with the entire family

253. Water smooth as glass

254. Sunrise walks on soft sand

255. Smells of breakfast from local cafes

256. Pancakes and toppings

257. Delicious cupcakes with cute names

258. My daughter's freckles

259. Morning runs with boardwalk views

260. Family traditions

261. Donut runs

262. Carts full of groceries

263. A heart full of happy

264. Sand in my sandwhich

265. Shade of a tree

266. Fish

267. Beach rentals

268. Neighbors

269. Fireworks

270. Boat rides

271. Watching my children play with their daddy in the water. 

272. Sand toys

273. Bagel shops

274. Cakes cooling

275. Free Slurpees

276. Rooftop sunsets

277. Anniversaries

278. Greeting daddy at the door

279. Sailboat views form bedroom windows

280. Dry clothes from warm dryers

Big Time Blessed

Some days are a struggle, and some days I can't stop counting the ways I am blessed. My life is never without bumps and distractions, but this evening as I sit quietly waiting on my husband to come home from work, I feel so very blessed.

Yesterday a sweet friend called and asked if I was home, she was dropping off some dresses that she had cleaned out of her closet. I was thrilled to have anything that she owned, but as I started trying them on I almost fainted. Four or five Diane von Furstenberg dresses, were among the mix. Let me just say, Diane is a favorite of mine. But I have NEVER had the pleasure of owning one of her pieces. What a thrill! There was a beautiful Betsey Johnson, Calvin Klein, and BCBG also. I mean, does it get any better than that on a shop fast?

Well it does! Last week I hosed a Stella & Dot party. My super sweet friends came and placed orders rewarding me with almost $400.00 in free Stella & Dot merchandise.  Even my friend Aimee with Chiffon Chronicles out in Colorado placed an online order, so great! I am sure she feels for me as she went through a yearlong shop fast before I even considered it. I chose a HUGE weekend getaway bag, a pair of earrings, and two necklaces. I still have more credits to use!

Well believe it or not....it gets better, and this time not because of free stuff, but because of pure love from my little man. I had the pleasure of attending a Mother's Day breakfast at his preschool this morning, where I was serenaded and served muffins and coffee. Now I can honestly say...it does NOT get better than this!