Published_eiu_btn Eiu_next_btn

"New Year, New You" Yeah, Right

By looney_lovegood updated on Jan 03, 2012
Red-vintage-costume-bodysuit
Red-vintage-costume-bodysuit_thumb Red-vintage-costume-bodysuit_thumb Red-vintage-costume-bodysuit_thumb
Red-vintage-costume-bodysuit

Around this time every year, people start saying that in the next twelve months they’re going to make drastic changes in their lifestyle. They’re going to lose 50 pounds, stop drinking coffee, go vegan, spend less money and start taking zumba classes twice a week. Yeah, right. We all know deep down inside that we’re never going to live up to our high expectations for ourselves, and by setting the standards high, we’re also setting ourselves up for failure. By the end of 2012 you’re going to look back on the year and think, “Crap, I did it again. I’m gonna do all those things for real this time.” Yeah, right. Now, I can’t control your life (that might be illegal if we’re being very technical about it) and tell you what your New Year’s resolutions should be but I can push you in the right (read: realistic) direction. As a fashion blogger on a constant budget, there are a few fashion-related things I’m planning on doing this year that you may want to do yourself.

1. Only shop during sales.
The thing that I absolutely love about the wacky way the fashion seasons cycle is that the winter merchandise starts being sold in September, so that by the time it’s December everything is on sale, and it’s finally cold enough to wear it. The same thing happens for the rest of the seasons. That means that there’s no reason why I can’t wait until November to go cray-cray with my wallet if I’m buying cold weather clothing. It doesn’t really get super hot in New York until late June anyway, right?

2. If I must shop during non-sale season, thrift.
I am a strong believer in the magic of thrift shops. I’ve snagged a YSL sweater for six dollars, some flare jeans for four dollars, books for a dollar each, and I once saw a pair of Doc Martens for $28. That fish cray. Some people thing thrift shops are gross, or something outrageous like that, but magic is never gross. Have you ever seen Hogwarts? It’s sparkling clean. …In the common rooms. When Fred and George haven’t been there recently. Whatever. The point is, thrifting is the best invention since sliced bread, so get yourself over to your local Buffalo Exchange (that’s just an example) and get shopping. (Some even help charities, like Housing Works and Salvation Army.)

3. Only buy shoes if I really need them.
I’m not a shoe-aholic or anything, but I have recently become more interested in what goes on my feet. I don’t wear the same shoes every day any more (oh, the regrets of 7th grade). But I did go a little overboard this year: I now have approximately five more pairs of shoes than I did a few months ago (two were gifts, mind you, I didn’t pay a cent for those puppies). That means I don’t need any more until one of them dies, at which point I will hold a funeral ceremony for anyone who’d like to attend. We all know that shoes can often be the most expensive things we buy, but also the first to break. We must shop wisely, and only when needed.

4. Paint my own nails.
I don’t go to salons to get my nails painted more than four times a year anyway (my mom takes me as a mother-daughter bonding experience), but when I don’t have someone else do it for me, my nails often go bare and shiver in the frigid winter air, naked. For some reason I have it in my mind that painting my nails requires a lot of time, when it really doesn’t. I also don’t watch television often, meaning every three weeks, so I sometimes take that time to color my nail beds. Multitasking, people. That’s how I survive. Even though it may distract you a little from your show, it’s well worth the eight dollars saved. That can buy you…a burrito at Chipotle.

5. Make some of my own clothes.
This one might not be as realistic for some of you (if we’re being super honest, it’s not that realistic for me either, but shhhh), but it’s definitely one of my goals for this year. I’ve been doing some sewing in the past few weeks because I had some time off from school, and it reminded me how much I love it. I’ve also been doing oodles and noodles of research for my Pre-fall 2012 and Resort 2012 trend reports for my blog, so I’ve been getting tons of ideas for sketches. If you’re capable of making your own clothes and have the time/materials to do it, go for it. I’ve worn things I’ve made to school before and everyone flips out when they ask where I got it and I tell them, “Me.” It’s great. Just don’t be pretentious about it; I only tell people I made something if they ask, but that might just be me.

Here are a few mini-resolutions:

6. Make the most of my time.
If you’re waiting for the train/bus/airplane/Vespa/magic carpet or for the doctor or something, or if you just find yourself with time to spend but nothing to do with it due to your location, think. Instead of complaining to yourself that you should be doing something worthwhile, use that time to plan your next blog post or tomorrow’s outfit. Or maybe what you’re doing for dinner. Perhaps jot down a baby-sized to-do list on your iPhone so you don’t forget. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. I freak out about wasting time all the time (I spend more time freaking out then actually doing things) so if you’re like me this should help.

7. Drink more water.
I tend to unintentionally dehydrate myself constantly. During the school week I’m okay, but on the weekends, I sometimes won’t pick up a glass of water until 5 p.m. That’s an issue. I find it easiest to drink more water if it’s in a bottle, so pick up that old water bottle you got from summer camp all those years ago and fill it with some H2O.

I’m sure there are other important things that I want to do this year, but for now I think that’s quite enough. No one is Wonder Woman (I mean, except for Wonder Woman), so making 20 realistic resolutions is just as bad as five unrealistic ones.

All images via google.com

Vote_btn
48 votes

Comments

Fb_connect_med
junn
junn on January 31
I agree with you Meeukee1, it's only the ned of January and I have already bought 3 pairs of shoes! it's hard! there are soooo many lovely shoes to choose from! :)
Meeukee1
Meeukee1 on January 30
On number 3- Only buy shoes if I really need them; that one will be a tough one for me. I bought a total of 5 pairs of shoes last year and I have yet to wear them out. I love shoes, but it's true, if they're sitting in a box waiting to be worn, than it was definitely an impulse buy, and we don't want that...
chic_geek
chic_geek on January 26
Nice new year resolutions! Trying to spend less money on clothes is one of mine! I don't go shopping often but I definitely do more shopping than my bf! Since I live with him I've realised how much girls spend on clothes and other stuff we don't really need. Buying stuff on sales, street markets or doing your own manicure is a great way to look pretty for less. Totally agree with you! :)
SabrinaPurtee
SabrinaPurtee on January 17
I think this is most definitely a new year's res list I can stick to. Thanks for doing our work for us :) I think num 6 is the one that most fits me. I'm such a worrier!
looney_lovegood
looney_lovegood on January 17
I totally get you--I think I have a mild case of cronophobia (fear of wasting time).
Clairesy
Clairesy on January 16
great post! My 2012 resolutions are to sew more (or more to the point....learn to sew properly! haha); stop procrastinating a.k.a. make the most of my time AND my big one...I'm not going to be afraid to be good. Thanks for a great read! x
looney_lovegood
looney_lovegood on January 17
You're welcome! Glad I could help!
allymazing
allymazing on January 16
so true! especially the water one, for me
iisforisabel
iisforisabel on January 16
Really enjoyed reading this! True and useful tips, haha. Isabel x
looney_lovegood
looney_lovegood on January 16
Thanks Isabel! I really appreciate it :D
MintJulep
MintJulep on January 16
I paint my nails watching TV. Good fun, really, and it works.
penelope204
penelope204 on January 16
very true and realistic haha
Hasarose
Hasarose on January 16
I really enjoyed reading this, it's so funny and yet very true! :D And I definitely agree about going thrifiting!
looney_lovegood
looney_lovegood on January 16
Thank you! Isn't thrifting just the best? I've found approximately half my wardrobe at thrift stores. They're usually the most unique pieces, too.
kathleenrheag
kathleenrheag on January 16
This is just the kind of article I've been looking for! This is truly fantastic that I think I won't not go thrifting for my birthday this month :)
chickadodee123
chickadodee123 on January 16
Great article! One of my "resolutions" was to get myself to some sewing classes to learn how to sew... not only to make my own clothes, but to alter ones I find cheap that just need a hem/sleeves shortened, etc. And making my own clothes would just be a nice bonus to knowing how to sew!
wglod
wglod on January 16
I loved this! I really think that these are very realistic and doable resolutions. My faves were: shop only during sales, shop at thrift stores (which I already do, but it's cool to see that other chictopians do it too!) and drink more water. Very go
LeaDoremi
LeaDoremi on January 16
I love sewing too....
neiry12
neiry12 on January 16
Very helpful post, one of my resolutions is to also make my own clothes! So hopefully I can save more money.
lizzified
lizzified on January 11
absolutely enjoyed this! each point is humorously true :)
looney_lovegood
looney_lovegood on January 11
Thank you! I try.....
jaonn6
jaonn6 on January 09
this article is so funny and yet so true. i took a sewing class once and tried to sew some articles of clothing but found myself using crappy tarpy fabrics that did not hang well on me. seeing all of these resolutions laid out in a list though is def helpful....i think about all of these things literally every time I get dressed!
looney_lovegood
looney_lovegood on January 09
Thanks! I'm glad I could help, I know how overwhelming it can be to keep all these things in your head without having them written out. I went insane doing that. Literally.
notsohum
notsohum on January 08
I do the exact same thing with the water. I won't drink water all day sometimes
cortneyclift
cortneyclift on January 08
I like the idea of making the most of you time, by actually letting yourself think freely for a few minutes during the day. However, maybe if you are able to do it more than a few minutes you can think about something a little deeper than tomorrow's outfit. www.qacreate.com
boredstephanie
boredstephanie on January 06
great goals!
OnTheGanges
OnTheGanges on January 06
I try to wait to shop during sales, but being petite, most of the time, the stuff in my size is sold out. :( However, this does make thrifting a lot more enjoyable for me, and sometimes, I buy a size up and take in the clothing by hand to make it fit. (I once bought a pair of size 8 shorts and now they fit like a size 2/3!)
CourtneyLynnEichin
CourtneyLynnEichin on January 04
i already do most of these things! haha i guess im on my A game :)
littlelle
littlelle on January 04
These are awesome. I admire your resolution to make your own clothes! Post the results, I'd love to see! The only thing I disagree with is shopping at Salvation Army. They have very discriminatory policies towards members of the LGBT community, and there are other places, like Goodwill and local thrift stores that offer similar selections. :)
looney_lovegood
looney_lovegood on January 04
Thank you so much! I'll be sure to post the finished products. I had no idea about Salvation Army--I've never actually been there, but a few people have told me that it's a good thrift store. Not going there. Thanks for letting me know. I'm a personal fan of Buffalo Exchange, so I have no reason to stop going there.
Iulykz
Iulykz on January 04
Great article! I deshydrate myself constantly too. It happens to me to not drink water for two days, this post really helped me. Thank you.
filipina
filipina on January 04
love this article! just what we needed to read this new year.. :)
Mishelle
Mishelle on January 03
great article~
starry_eyed
starry_eyed on January 03
Love this post! Very helpful.
looney_lovegood
looney_lovegood on January 04
Thank you!
HeadFirst
HeadFirst on January 03
This is a fantastic EIU. Love this, and it has definitely given me lots of ideas for this year! I always have trouble and regret when i spend too much... Definitely need to stop shoe shopping and start thrifting
looney_lovegood
looney_lovegood on January 04
I'm so glad I could help :D
Kesh14
Kesh14 on January 03
I do agree that high expectations may lead to frustrating failure. Aim realistically. And also I will be more productive this year. Less unnecessary retail shopping, make clothes! :)
pandaphilia
pandaphilia on January 03
you're absolutely hilarious! this is my fave EIU post yet! keep writing girl, because you speak the truth. faved!
looney_lovegood
looney_lovegood on January 04
Thanks so much!

share this article

author

looney_lovegood
Style_council
from Somewhere On Earth

related articles

crimson sweater

CHICTOPIA Influential Blogger of the Year Nominees

We thought it'd be a good idea to learn just a bit more about the nominees for the first-ever "Chictopia Influential Blogger of the Year Award":http://www.chictopia.com/influentialbloggeraward! Fin...
sky blue denim madewell jeans

Topless 10-Year-Old Model Controversy |Ugly Gossip

In this week's Ugly Gossip we're going to discuss whether or not 10-year-old models should pose provocatively in high fashion. Continue to read some more tidbits of what else happened this week in ...
hot pink Victorias Secret bra

Bra Size: 5 Signs You're Not Wearing the Right One

I recently went for a professional bra fitting by the lovely ladies of "Wacoal":http://www.wacoal.com. With my top off (yes…the way to get a girl’s top off quickly is by telling her you’re fitting ...

looney_lovegood's posts

black Alexander Wang dress

Fashion Week For Dummies

"Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week":http://www.mbfashionweek.com/ is possibly one of the most important seven days the city of New York has twice a year. For one week, people from all over the world come ...
lime green Zella jacket

Exercising Your Personal Style: Stylish Workout Wear

Exercise is just one of those things. You know what I'm talking about: one of "those things" that you _have_ to do, like going to school or watching "Wizards of Waverly Place" at least once in your...
black Goodwill dress

How To Wear Confidence

“The glue that pulls an outfit together is often just confidence and attitude." --"Mr. Newton,":http://mrnewton.net/ street style photographer Confidence is all psychological. It's defined as ...
Mobile Site About Us Terms Privacy Policy FAQ CheriChictopia blog Share Badge Advertise Site Map Favorites Feedback
Follow3
Copyright © 2012 Chictopia, LLC