Challenge introduction and Day 1

     This is my closet.  There are 70 or so pairs of shoes, somewhere around 100 tank tops, about 30 skirts, maybe 50 dresses (including formal and casual), and a whole heck of a lot of sweaters and tops.  Hello, my name is Kellie and I have a slight shopping addiction.  The good news is, there isn't any single item in this closet that cost more than $40.  Even the formal dresses I bought on clearance racks, usually with coupons.  But, needless to say, it is a problem.  So, my New Year's resolution...go one whole year without buying anything new.  But to make it fun and keep you interested, I'm also going to go the whole year without wearing the same outfit twice. 

     This is going to be rough for me.  I think I'll be alright with not buying new clothes, but shoes is going to be very hard.  Shoes are my weakness.  I love them.  Shoes make me feel taller and sexier.  And people have started to notice me for the shoes I wear.  I like this, takes the attention away from other parts of my body, like my waist.  So, I hope I can actually go a whole year without buying a new pair of shoes.

     Now, the purpose of this New Year's resolution isn't really to control my shopping addiction.  It's to control my bank account.  Currently, I am going through a divorce.  This situation has cut my monthly income by about 4k.  Its a harsh reality when you go from a joint income of 6k a month to just over $2k and you still have all the same bills.  Everything I was paying before, I'm still paying.  But I don't want to change my kids lifestyle anymore than absolutely necessary.  So, in order to make sure they can keep all their TV channels, keep eating the cereal they like, continue to eat out once a week and so on and so on...I am giving up shopping for myself. 

     And with everything we do in our lives, there are rules to this resolution.  They are as follows:
1. If I receive gift cards, they can be used for myself as that is usually why a gift card is given.
2. If I receive cash as a gift, it can't be used on clothes or shoes unless the person giving it specifies that they want me to use it for such things.
3. If I fail, I must post the failure with pictures of the purchase and reasoning behind the purchase.  And one failure does NOT give permission for future failures.  For example, I can't say "well, I already failed once..."
4. To keep track of my outfits, a picture will be taken everyday and posted with each blog post.  Some blogs may have several days of outfits as I'm sure I won't be able to post everyday.
5.  Feedback is welcome and encouraged.  Tell me what you like and what you don't like.  I won't mind at all if you say "thank goodness you can't wear that outfit again for a year".  But I also will love it when you say "too bad you can't wear that outfit again."  And if you see something I need to get rid of, tell me!!!  Goodwill is not far from my apartment and I will gladly drop off things I shouldn't be wearing.

     I think those are good rules, don't you?  So, without further ado...  Here is day 1, outfit 1. 

     I know it's blurry, but my son took the pic.  And I know it isn't much, but it is Indiana and it is 19 degrees outside.  Summer outfits will be much more fun!