Clutch Bag Challenge!

Nothing beats laying down the gauntlet... for yourself!
I saw these online today - these lovelies are by Irregular Choice, and can be anyone's from GBP25:

BUUUUUUUUUT
Since I am not allowed to buy anything - I am going to try and MAKE one!
I may or may not show you the result, depending how cr*p it is...
x
P.S. For those of you who may be thinking I have bitten off more than I can chew; you know me too well. I do recall that I still have an outstanding pencil skirt project. And by outstanding I mean late. Not the adjective describing it's awesomeness. 

Harto & Co

I feel happy and sad at the same time. 
Happy 'cos I just watched all 6 episodes of "My Drunk Kitchen" (http://hartoandco.com/.... thanks Mida Moo) 

but sad at the same time 'cos my days of spending all day doing random sh*t are soon to come to an end. 
Indeed-ee-doo! I have a j-o-b! It starts on the 13th June; and I will be working as a junior buyer for a company that makes nursing bra's and maternity lingerie! I am very excited about working again. The whole "income" thing will be exciting too! My 4 weeks of no shopping was more financially motivated than through my love and care for mother earth. 
BUT - I think that sometimes, even doing something right for the wrong reason, is better than doing something wrong for the wrong reason, right?
Right.

Day 6 - Want vs Need

Hello Chaps - 
I trust you all had a good weekend? I had a loooonnnnngggg one as yesterday was a bank holiday. Like "Freedom Day" except not. Remind me to look up why we had a bank holiday yesterday. It's easier to figure out these things in ZAR - cos we only have 4 free channels and they mostly tell you what's going on. 
I have become ill-informed since moving here; one doesn't generally choose to watch the news when you can watch Jeremy Kyle instead (think: Jerry Springer except with: chavs, DNA tests and/or lie-detector tests, Brit accents and a host called Jeremy Kyle!)
So; the not shopping thing is going well. 6 days. Woo Hoo! It has raised some "Want vs Need" questions though... I don't WANT a brightly coloured skinny belt - I NEED ONE! Otherwise TWO outfits are going to lie idle until I get them. And what if Next sells out of the 2 for GBP7 belts???!!!!???!!! Huh? Huh? What then?????
GOSH! This is frustrating; I wish I never made a stupid assertion not to shop for 4 weeks. 
Annoyed, 
Mandy

Day 1...

The whole "not-shopping" thing is going great. Really. I am fine. No problems. None at all. Coping well... ... ... really well. 
I am going to confidently read the HEAT UK magazine now, and not lust after any of the items advertised on the glistening pages. 
Uh huh - indeed-ee-doo!
Kind regards, 
Mandy
a.k.a Non-Consumer-of-Clothing-And-Other-Fashion-Related-Items-For-At-Least-4-Weeks

Consumerism = Bad

or does it??? I am not even on the fence on this one! Consumerism is excellent! It is what drives the economy and keeps people striving! It's what makes creative people more creative; so that they can create things to induce desire, and the will to consume, in others!
"But what is the cost of this desire?" a tree-hugging greenie may ask; if they manage to stop chewing on tofu for long enough. Being a rhetorical question, they will most likely follow with -
"Well, the cost is ever increasing landfills and the destruction of the environment! Duh!" 
Oh, wait a minute. That's quite a bad thing... I wonder how many of the devoted Oxford St shoppers give a second thought to:
A) Why their T-shirt from Primark only costs GBP0.35
B) Where all the T-shirts they wear twice and throw away end up
C) The wear-per-item vs how-long-it-will-stay-fashionable paradox

I gave this a lot of thought as I came across my People Tree dress, waiting for me on the 3rd dress rail yesterday (it was fate I tell ya!)... Do I really need another dress when I already have more than 5... okay, 50? I gave it evidently less thought as I took it to the check out and purchased it! Woo hoo!


URGH! I have got a problem! A very serious shopping problem! The only way that I am going to feel less guilty about my recent binges on fashion related items is to go on a shopping diet. And apparently, the best way to diet is to tell all your friends and make it public, so that you are less likely to cheat!
Therefore; ladies and gentlemen, for the next 4 weeks, your friend Mandy will not buy a single item of clothing or associated accessories. 
WHAT!!!!!!!!!!! Even though I don't have a matching white bag and green skinny belt to complement my new dress!?!! YES! YES! YES!


*sigh* I know I am going to regret this... 
I am already thinking of exclusions to the rule. For example: If Bear wants to buy me a set of skinny belts from Next and a white bag, yet to be sourced, then that is okay. Surely?
Hmmmm...

If there is any justice in the world...

Dear People Tree Dress, 
I am sorry I left you behind last week. It was a serious oversight on my part. I know you wanted to come home with me and I now see how you would have added so much value to my life. Hindsight is 20/20 they say...
Please forgive me, and meet me tomorrow on the 3rd dress rail on the left side of the store. We will be so happy together...

In addition; I pledge to find a lovely green or yellow waist belt to complement you -

And even a lovely white woven hand bag...

Sometimes its hardest to identify the things we care about even when they are right in front of us. I doubted whether I could afford you in my current circumstances. Oh, if I had only not had those Gingerbread lattes, everything would be different right now. Please give me a second chance. I can't wait to make things up to you!!!

Lots of love, 

Mandy

Things that make you happy,

and sad at the same time!

I love the series Better Off Ted... It is so super funny and cleverly written AND now cancelled in America due to low viewership. 
I would recommend you watch what is left of this brilliant series that often makes me throw my gorgeous blonde (again) hair back in laughter! Even though it will make you sad that it will be over before you know it. 
*hhhhhrrrmmmphhh* <--- sigh of discontent