Is shopping addictive?

It hit me like a 'bam!' couple hours ago - is shopping addictive? Do we shop (especially for clothing items) because of our needs - needing the missing item to complete the ensemble? Or to fulfill our satisfaction of purchasing something - the power of owning something? Or some of us shop to release stress, which is also known as retail therapy?

In my case (still living on a shoestring budget ), there is always a struggle of answering the following questions:-

Do I really need it?
Do I have a budget for it?
Do I have something in my wardrobe to wear with it?
How many times can I wear it? / Where can I wear this to?

Other than the above questions, sometimes I take the design of the item into consideration - is the design one of a kind whereby I would be having problem to find something similar in other stores later?

Since it is not very, very easy to not shop at all. I have cut count down visits to boutiques and the amount of my purchase. For instance, I am allowed to purchase item which is RM20 and below in a month. If I did not purchase anything in a month, the money would be brought forward to next month's budget. What happens when I have over shopped? Well, I can not shop for the next few months (depending on the amount). There is no hard and fast rule here.

I believe to lessen habitual clothing shopping trips is to cut down of number visits to boutiques and malls and the allowed amount to spend. By doing so instead of the drastic step of not shopping at all, it would be effective (if one really sticks to it). I know it is easy to say than doing it as there temptations are many out there. However, if there is a will, there is a way.

How to strut through the recession in style

Temptations, temptations, and more temptations. Sale is almost everywhere. Being jobless and living on a shoestring budget trying to survive each day as it passes, how could I resist such good bargains - 50% and 70% discount?

It feels like a test - how do I manage my finances in this bad economy climate without a permanent job and yet I can strut through the recession in style? Would this be possible?

1. Prepare an inventory - know what I have in my wardrobe is important. Based on this, I know how to mix and match my clothes and at the same know what to add into my collection (when the things are going ok again).

2. Clothes swapping with sister or friends - one of the cheapest way to update wardrobe (in a way) is by exchanging clothes or borrowing accessories etc. Do remember to set some policies or rules to ensure both parties interests are taken care of.

3. DIY fashion related projects - this requires creativity. Give a fresh new look of an old tank top by adding some beads, sequins or appliques. Alter a long skirt to become a short skirt. Check out DIY projects in magazines or on the Internet.

4. Spend wisely - at the moment, I need to plan and budget for retail therapy sessions. I would not hesitate to invest in small purchases such as necklaces and belts (and perhaps shoes at great deal) which are uniquely designed or special piece. Accessories make a difference. It dresses up clothes.

5. Alternative shopping e.g. flea market - since I have no problem purchasing pre-loved items, flea market or bazaar is a good place to find good bargain.

I wonder whether I will pass this test or not. Can I stand firm on my ground and not to give in to temptations? This will be a challenge for a budget fashionista like myself.

Never too late to pursue unfulfilled dream

At some point in my life, I wanted to work in a fashion magazine as a fashion writer or fashion assistant. I applied once but didn't really persistent in it. I ended up working in few fashion boutiques after completion of the short course in fashion design and dressmaking. Perhaps due to this unfulfilled dream, I signed up for a workshop on writing for magazine organised by the NSTP.

Last weekend I attended the said workshop. During the workshop, I made new friends and catched up with few acquaintances from the previous workshop. It was a good experience. I learnt a lot from the workshop especially on how to get an article to be published. The way the workshop was conducted was interesting as well. It was more of a practical/hands on basis which involved group activities, individual activities as well as homework.

So far with the knowledge I've gained from the two workshops, I think I have the basics to work on for my fashion projects - fashion blog or article on fashion. Now, I need an action plan and to work on it diligently.

Don't neglect your intimate pieces

Buying properties or investing in funds are automatically linked as forms of investments. But what is an investment to a fashionista? An LV bag? A pair of Jimmy Choo's? Yes and yes - but some may see this as indulgence. Whatever you may referred these purchases as, you purchase based on the quality and price you can afford (or save some money if you need to before purchasing any item). No matter how many beautiful clothes you have in your wardrobe, there is one thing that you should not neglect - intimate apparels. And you need to invest in them as well (maybe at least a few).

Why? I read a chapter on Lingerie in Instyle: Secrets of Style and it mentioned that lingerie is the foundation of an outfit. It can make the clothes look better. Furthermore, a good fitting bra will do more for your figure than anything you might wear over it. Therefore it is equally important to buy good quality lingeries to complement your wardrobe.

My first lingerie investment was the endless possibilities bra from Pierre Cardin. The straps can be adjusted accordingly and additional straps are given for other styles or ways. I have been searching for it in KL but finally found it (the right colour and size) in Ipoh. This was a good investment even though I am on a shoe string budget untill I get a new job. In the catalogue, it shows over 10 different ways of wearing the bra but I guess it also depends on the wearer's creativity. Must be fun to experimenting the bra.

I guess I will be building my lingerie collections soon as I know what is my next purchase. It looks like shopping trips are never ending. There is always something to buy to add on to current collection.

Half full or half empty?

With the recent unfortunate dismissal (maybe due to bad economy, redundancy, or whatever the management wanted to claim), I guess it is time for me to take a break and think about or reflect on my life. The last time I did so was in 2003 (if I am not mistaken).

I worked in a local publishing company specializes in primary and secondary school books. Whilst working there, I had turned myself into a workaholic - worked long hours, over the weekends and stayed over night in the office just to rush for deadlines. Then, I had decided to take a break from work and enrolled myself in a short course on fashion design and dressmaking in one of local fashion schools. This was a turning point of my life. I learnt a new skill and made some incredible friends, whom I still keep in touch with until today.

Let's fast forward to 2009. I am jobless at the time of making this entry but how do I view this? Half full - it's time to take a break and think about what I want to do for the next few months or maybe years. Or half empty - I would not be able to find a better job as what I had previously or the economy is so bad that I don't think I will find a job soon enough etc.

Despite all the worries on how to move forward, how to survive etc, it teaches me to be strong and be positive. I am glad that I took the short course in fashion design and dressmaking. Now I can develop my sewing skill and make good use of it. I am planning one or two fashion or dressmaking projects. As my previous boss, Steve, mentioned to me; in difficult times lie an opportunity. Maybe this dismissal is a blessing in disguise, who knows ;-)