Lent Update

First and foremost, I want to thank each and everyone of you who commented on yesterdays post. I know in "today's world", most of us don't always have time to comment, but it was refreshing to hear many opinions and different voices. However, frivolous the subject, I think it was interesting to have varying ages and people from different parts of the country share their thoughts. Isn't that one of the best things about blogging?! I think so. 

It looks like my norts and frocket ensembles are here to stay... I always knew I was meant to be southern, anyways...just born on the wrong latitude ;). 

So now onto today's topic of discussion... Once again I am teaming up with Southern Shopaholic, Tickled Pink, Glitter and Gingham for our weekly lent update. I ended up not posting last week due to my crazy schedule! Remember we all gave up shopping for lent ? See past posts here, here, and here.

Well, I have been doing....uhhh... decent...I will explain. Although I will say that I cannot wait to get a gel-mani. I hate waiting for my nails to dry. And don't even get me started about when my nails chip... it drives me nuts!!!! So that is something I am really missing right about now! 

Let me explain the whole "decent" thing. Here's the thing, I have several packages on their way to me. However I have justified all of them.

 I used a J. Crew rewards card for only one thing at J. Crew which is a pretty big deal because usually my J. Crew packages are very large. My total paired with the rewards card ended up meaning that I barely spent anything.

I also placed an order at Sephora. I realize that I am a Sephora junkie. At least I acknowledge it, right? This "awaken your complexion" kit is an amazing price. For $32 you get all of these great Tarte products. Tarte is one of my new favorite brands because it is non-comedogenic and natural. The only reason I purchased this is because I just ran out of the sample that Sephora gave me and needed some, plus I had a gift certificate and free shipping coupon so therefore, I spent very little...meaning it doesn't count, right?!

I also ordered some books. Three to be exact, but books are good for the brain, so therefore, it doesn't count. Anddd... I may have had a stint with La Perla. But you can't go without a bra, now can you?!

See, I have this way of justifying pretty much anything. Really, I should have written up a contract for myself when this whole lent thing started. Oops. Time to pull myself together and finish strong. Only 16 more days left.

Have a fabulous day!
Yours,
sCe

Lent: the 40 day challenge

Happy, happy March! Once again, I am teaming up with Southern Shopaholic, Tickled Pink, Glitter and Gingham for our weekly lent update. Remember, we all gave up shopping for lent? Yes, we really did. 

Well, today's topic of discussion is what we would buy if we hadn't given up shopping. Well, this post certainly tested my self control, that's for sure! 

I keep a running wishlist on Pinterest under "Wish Upon a Star". Of course, I pin a ton of stuff that I would like to have, but the things in my "Wish Upon a Star" list are the things I am most likely to purchase... whether it be tomorrow or someday.

I have been looking for a super simple rectangular face watch with a leather strap. Basically Hermes is my perfect vision, however, that is not in my 22 year old budget... but oh, you better believe, someday. Well, Michael Kors and Kate Spade make a very similar style for a fraction of the Hermes. 

The Kate Spade version is $195 and the Michael Kors is $140. I really want it in the neutral nude shade but at the same time, I am so in love with the orange band on the MK and the gold face of the quilted Kate Spade! This will definitely be a purchase of mine as soon as lent is over. 

These perfect nude flats from Talbots are definitely getting in my closet this spring. They are #1 atop my birthday wish list! I have been searching high and low for the perfect pair of nude flats (remember this post?) that are a work appropriate shoe to pair with Lilly dresses and Vineyard Vines skirts and this shoe fits the bill. It is everything I wanted and more. Plus, Talbots makes the nicest quality shoes. Half of my shoe wardrobe is Talbots and they last for years... and the best part is that 99% of the time, the shoe and the soles are leather which is hard to find these days...especially at such a reasonable price point. 

I have also found out due to a little, ahem, insider trading, if you will, that the Lilly Pulitzer Skipper Popover is coming out printed for Summer (May 1st). I am beyond excited. It is far atop my wish list. I am calling it the most perfect "roll out of bed and go to brunch" pull over... very similar to the Vineyard Vines Shep Shirt. Speaking of the SS, I am dying over the gingham shoulders on the latest and greatest. 

I am also still debating over the Louis Vuitton. No one ever told me that purchasing a handbag would be so stressful (see original dilemma post, here). But let me be the first to say, I am so grateful and thankful to have this issue. I really don't think I will be able make a decision until I walk into the store on my birthday. As of right now, I think I will be going with the monogram Speedy 30 or 35 (Audrey in the above photo is what is influencing this decision). I have also toyed with a vintage Chanel or another Kate Spade. The cliffhanger will end promptly on April 14th!

Also, JCPenney, yes you hear that right, is now carrying Joe Fresh. It's about time! I had heard about this brand a year or so ago. Apparently it is like a Canadian Target. From what I hear, they have great basics and lots of J.Crew-esque pieces (like the above top) and the pricing is super inexpensive... we're talking under $30 for a nice top. I will literally be racking up a large JCP bill once lent is over. I want this dress, these $20 pastel pink pants, this easy breezy striped dress,  and this very Tory-ish shift dress. They only had stores in Manhattan but now you can shop online through JCP or your local JCP. Anyone know how this brand fits?!

Last but not least, somehow, I have been eyeing some Mac, Tom Ford, and Bobbi Brown lipstick shades that I am dying to try. I'm starting to think I have a lipstick hording issue. There are worse issues to have, I guess. 

Only 30 more days until lent is over. Boy oh boy this is rough. Thank goodness I didn't ban sushi or lattes. Then, I'd be in real trouble. Have a fabulous day!

Yours, 

sCe

Lent Update

One of my favorite things about blogging? Connecting with others, of course! Well, Krista of Southern Shopaholic came up with a fun idea. She connected Tickled Pink, Glitter and Ginghman, herself, and I  because we have all given up shopping for lent. These girls are fun to e-mail back and forth with and it is so great to have a support group! 

So for this week's "no shopping" post, we are each going to update with how it's been going... you know, the last TEN days. Ten days marks the first quarter of lent done... Now, only 3/4th of lent left! Whew! 

Let me start off by saying, I shopped. But I don't think it counts. See, Elizabeth McKay was on RueLaLa the other day and I purchased something in the above print. In my defense, I had RueLaLa credit so I didn't exactly pay for it out of pocket. I am sticking to my story, so I still think I am going strong!! 

To be honest, I need to stay off of RueLaLa because the flash sales are the most tempting. My mentality is "If I don't buy this now, it will be gone." and I think that is really where flash sales can get you. You end up purchasing what you don't need or something you wouldn't have purchased in a normal situation. 

Another barrier I am still trying to get over is that I saw a preview of the Lilly Pulitzer Summer collection that is due out May 1st. It is perfection. I am loving the prints and some of the new styles. Kyle from Country Squire Haberdashery sent me a sneak peek and let me tell you, there are two items that really stood out to me. One of them, I want to pre-order.... really badly. But let me tell you.... I am trying my hardest to hold off until post-Easter... Because if I'm being honest with myself, I don't need it now. Really, I don't need it ever, but I sure do want it! 

Sometimes when I have downtime, I venture to Target (Tar-jay as I lovingly call it) or Marshalls/TJ Maxx. Well, I haven't stepped foot into these stores, because I can't just walk in and out. 

All-in-all, I think what is saving me is the light at the end of the tunnel. My birthday is two weeks after Easter so I know that I will have fun new presents come April and they will be well-deserved. 

If you're wondering about the great Louis debate, nothing has been resolved. I'm still indecisive and have added the thought of purchasing a vintage Chanel bag or a Brooks Brothers handbag into the running as well. Decisions, decisions. Now to get through March. Ugh!! 

This all sounds so trivial, but it really is hard. 

Did you give up shopping for lent? What do you do to keep your lent promise? Have a fabulous day!
Yours, 

sCe

RueLaLa is Tempting Lenten Abilities!

Lent is already hard... 

Jack Rogers and Longchamp on RueLaLa today at 11:00am ET. If you need an invite, click here. 

You can keep up with my growing "Wish List" as I refrain from shopping for the next 40 days. It's growing quite large and more extravagant by the minute. Help!

And, have you seen the photos that Elizabeth McKay posted on their Facebook page yesterday?! IN LOVE! That tunic is perfect and the retro cut of the navy and green top is screaming my name... really, I can hear it!

Something tells me this is going to be a long 40 days. 

Come April 1st, I have a feeling I'm going to resemble these illustrations by Inslee. Happy Friday! 

Yours, 

sCe

Lent: the 40 day challenge

If you are a practicing Christian, then for you, the 40-day period of Lent has started. I usually don't give anything up for Lent... I've tried in the past to give up Diet Coke and in high school I always tried to give up sweets and chocolates, but let me tell you, it never works for me!

via

This year, I have decided to give up shopping. For me, this is HUGE. This will be the challenge of all challenges. But you know what, I figure 40 days is not that long. It's not even 2 months!! My terms are strict. No shopping means not even purchasing a new Essie color at Target. Of course, if I need to buy a gift of some sort, that won't count. But I am literally not going to buy a single thing. I am doing this because I want to test myself and because I don't need a single thing. I love shopping and I love finding great deals... I think this will be hardest when something fun comes up on RueLaLa or Gilt... I will have to restrain myself. 

I wanted to post about this because now that Summer Wind readers know I am doing this, you can hold me accountable. No shopping until Easter (which is March 31st)!!!!

Do you think I can do it?! Are you giving something up for lent? I always think that instead of giving something up for lent, doing something nice for someone for the 40 days is a great idea. Whether it is just holding the door open or paying for someone's coffee at Starbucks, there is always something small you can do to brighten someone's day! Wish me luck, I'm going to need it!!! Have a fabulous day! 

Yours, 

sCe