tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56945913597559236852024-03-05T13:51:02.358-08:00A Year (Almost) Without Shopping365 days with a recovering shopaholicGrace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-27672965613861868552013-01-27T22:47:00.001-08:002013-01-27T22:51:59.668-08:00The Search For Pretty, Comfy ShoesI have no idea how I used to go to work everyday in heels when I was in my 20s. Maybe it's because the heels then were thick and chunky, maybe my feet got worn down with two pregnancies, or maybe I was just younger then!<br />
<br />
Anyway, it seems like no shoes with a non-wedge heel more than two inches is comfortable nowadays. But there are occasions when I don't want to show up in Dansko Mary Janes (even though they are cute!).<br />
<br />
Since I've been going to conferences several times a year -- and these events require me to both be on my feet much of the day and also look professions -- I think I need to search for some new shoes.<br />
<br />
I had a pair of Cole Haan Air Tali patent leather wedges, but even though the wedge heel was very low, they didn't stretch with my feet and very really painful. I ended up donating them, after walking around the French Quarter barefoot -- these were so uncomfortable.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/home.jsp">Cole Haan</a> is still one of my favorite brands for dressy shoes that are also easy on the feet. The particular Air Tali style I had (with a patent covered wedge) has been discontinued. Zappos still sells a newer version, but they mostly have cork or wood heels and the leather doesn't look as nice. However, that doesn't stop me from coveting a pair in nude or the tan snakeskin.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ljW6CrjCw4h7DjXY3tBp4lrKqJ-_Nn4nrbITzmMQBaxOSRLdKZwPi0jb5ke6_-a6QI5MsvFmSo9TnQXYcR1wrqStigyno8pNlrVCs9nlX99CzetydVD7rPktZ16YSlaekoXcNQ_ObVs/s1600/2075905-p-MULTIVIEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ljW6CrjCw4h7DjXY3tBp4lrKqJ-_Nn4nrbITzmMQBaxOSRLdKZwPi0jb5ke6_-a6QI5MsvFmSo9TnQXYcR1wrqStigyno8pNlrVCs9nlX99CzetydVD7rPktZ16YSlaekoXcNQ_ObVs/s320/2075905-p-MULTIVIEW.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Cole Haan Air Tali wedge, $168 at Zappos.com</i></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I bought a pair of higher heeled Cole Haan pumps last summer, but decided the events I've been going to involve too much walking, and have yet to wear them.<br />
<br />
<br />
Recently, I discovered the brand <a href="http://www.corsocomoshoes.com/pages/Comfort-System.html">Corso Como</a>, whose shoes are also supposed to be designed with comfort in mind. I bought a pair of their boots last fall (they were $100 at Costco), and while they did feel great on my feet, my husband notice they didn't fit my calves right, and so were returned.<br />
<br />
I'm eyeing a pair of their nude patent leather pumps now:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6Zz0BJ7bCI5u1sp21UgDzzJXcKLj_-jwjkNxzs82R-f1wShMWubT0am_G-YJT-BQQvNMQSgANLlc-HND1ZaI4tGGibOx3U-lNDLI5_d3jOP5rnBkKL16R-MlO2efXU72UILzlhED6Ls/s1600/CRAVEN_-_21557__(12)__69584_zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6Zz0BJ7bCI5u1sp21UgDzzJXcKLj_-jwjkNxzs82R-f1wShMWubT0am_G-YJT-BQQvNMQSgANLlc-HND1ZaI4tGGibOx3U-lNDLI5_d3jOP5rnBkKL16R-MlO2efXU72UILzlhED6Ls/s320/CRAVEN_-_21557__(12)__69584_zoom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> Craven pumps, $129 at the Corso Como website. </i></div>
<br />
<br />
These choices are more expensive than I generally like to pay for shoes, although I did see some similar Corso Como styles at Nordstrom Rack, although I didn't stop to try them on.<br />
<br />
However, I'll say that I've learned that shoe shopping is one situation in which it is totally worth it to buy exactly the size and style that fits you and that you like. A good deal on ill-fitting footwear is no bargain.<br />
<br />
<b><i>What do you think? Have you tried Corso Como? What are the brands you like for polished looking shoes that don't hurt your feet? </i></b><br />
<br />Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-53778883873015361242012-11-21T12:40:00.000-08:002012-11-21T12:40:08.198-08:00Somewhere, someone is laughingA few days ago, I received a phone call from my credit card company, asking me to verify a purchase made from a direct marketing company in Europe on my Visa account. Nope, didn't make any purchases like that.<br />
<br />
The credit card company blocked the charged and cancelled my account number, and a new card would be issued in a few days, so all in all, it wasn't too big of a deal.<br />
<br />
Then, today. Cyber Wednesday... or whatever we now call the day before Thanksgiving. My email box and Facebook page have been filled with coupons and offers promising percentages off and nice treats for buying stuff -- mostly for myself.<br />
<br />
One I could refuse, from Shu Uemura, a Japanese makeup brand that doesn't sell in the United States anymore. This is the maker of some of my favorite products, such as the only eyebrow pencil Asian women should ever use and a foundation stick that covers up sun damage without looking like spackle. So of course, it was time to re-stock.<br />
<br />
I got all the way to the checkout, typed in my code, and chose my samples... only to find out... they don't accept American Express.<br />
<br />
Somewhere, someone is laughing. And it isn't me.Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-69075202388418532612012-09-01T21:12:00.000-07:002012-09-01T21:12:15.326-07:00What I'm Packing to the DNCTomorrow morning, I'll be on a plane to Charlotte, North Carolina to cover the Democratic National Convention for <a href="https://www.blogher.com/member/hapamama">BlogHer</a>. I have many other things to do right now... but let's just call this stress blogging, okay?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rRQdcisMGlEWs7bNeaHOyvoVkL3vmIUZtKJBMPhnAT9Wj90taI8JZMhASbz8Utok_JzTixesrTO_aCJ6d4FYfIgOiX2GCWtWtY6eZpVzfJGezXVquiawzIr_1VfSEaEZTXytAgtIIB4/s1600/DNCclothes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rRQdcisMGlEWs7bNeaHOyvoVkL3vmIUZtKJBMPhnAT9Wj90taI8JZMhASbz8Utok_JzTixesrTO_aCJ6d4FYfIgOiX2GCWtWtY6eZpVzfJGezXVquiawzIr_1VfSEaEZTXytAgtIIB4/s320/DNCclothes.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I like to lay out all my clothes before I start putting anything in the suitcase. And since this is the South, and it's still nearly 90 degrees and humid outside, I'm mainly packing dresses and skirts. To make shoes and sweaters (for those air conditioned conference halls) easier to coordinate, I picked a color theme: blue, red and orange. I feel kind of weird wearing a red dress to a Democratic convention, but the color red has always made me feel happy and alive, so I'm going with it. It's an Asian thing...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmcnI2kuvpFTK1kga-8sMujkgQw5WVI-vwYvlzBkfdFkVCpiSfRFX-YF6bSIQY5NxTFEE3slIINbsgfRLOFsIgKMzC-NdcsyPsm3u1eI6uAJLy-WQPCASpYjEBbxt8Dj7SY6tCGluVBk/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmcnI2kuvpFTK1kga-8sMujkgQw5WVI-vwYvlzBkfdFkVCpiSfRFX-YF6bSIQY5NxTFEE3slIINbsgfRLOFsIgKMzC-NdcsyPsm3u1eI6uAJLy-WQPCASpYjEBbxt8Dj7SY6tCGluVBk/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
These coral Dansko sandals were part of the motivation behind the color scheme. With a mile of walking between the convention center and the Time Warner arena, I need foot friendly shoes. I ordered the bronze Worishofer sandals recently, after my old black and white Worishofers literally fell apart during BlogHer '12.<br />
<br />
Admittedly, I've been picking up a few new clothes over the past few weeks, thinking, "That would be great to wear at the convention!"<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5F2P8EvrtbZ8n9bSUHb5aP80aqMx1igtolnqZhMfra2jIrxB4ZznHFo18bwyskYiLfnZ1OsTqliGHr7PjMvomlqHvQdqh3pLJY7gPQ9USdYfGbORdlYwj1o334t3bji1u9Uin4yrRyg/s1600/dress.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5F2P8EvrtbZ8n9bSUHb5aP80aqMx1igtolnqZhMfra2jIrxB4ZznHFo18bwyskYiLfnZ1OsTqliGHr7PjMvomlqHvQdqh3pLJY7gPQ9USdYfGbORdlYwj1o334t3bji1u9Uin4yrRyg/s320/dress.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Like this fabulous turquoise Vince Camuto dress on sale for $30. But then I thought about the Trina Turk silk blouse that got damaged while carrying a heavy camera and laptop bag on my shoulder during another trip, and decided to leave it at home. It's very flattering, and I'm sure I'll find a use for it sometime...<br />
<br />Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-15217576196847652862012-05-22T18:26:00.001-07:002012-05-22T18:27:13.577-07:00So I kind of want to blog about shopping again...I know.<br />
<br />
Like I really need to write more blog posts!<br />
<br />
But there's something very appealing to me about clothes, shoes, and beauty. And balancing the appreciation of beautiful things, sartorial expression, and being a mindful consumer.<br />
<br />
So keep checking back. I'm not done yet...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHa104rh0ll6fzvcsocsWXfxQRhNxG5uaZoRbhpuPp2acP45NFPYiyvXIYMkP760YrXbRxeFtDm7mLPb3d19OdF-CXBJrhcil4CZQ3bEzS89cVCoQcuR_3lJqsDtmCJDU5PIZw4eC2-hk/s1600/lipstick-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHa104rh0ll6fzvcsocsWXfxQRhNxG5uaZoRbhpuPp2acP45NFPYiyvXIYMkP760YrXbRxeFtDm7mLPb3d19OdF-CXBJrhcil4CZQ3bEzS89cVCoQcuR_3lJqsDtmCJDU5PIZw4eC2-hk/s400/lipstick-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-68489558272394046972012-05-04T13:39:00.002-07:002012-05-04T13:39:28.177-07:00Find Me at HapaMama or BlogHerWell, hello there!<br />
<br />
You may have landed on this page from one of my comments on a blogger or WordPress.com site. It seems those platforms always reject my Gravatar and other logins, so I use my Google account, which takes you here.<br />
<br />
My Year (Almost) Without Shopping is over. But you can still find me writing about Asian mixed-race families and fusion food at <a href="http://hapamama.com/">HapaMama</a>, and about general race and news over at<a href="http://www.blogher.com/blogher-topics/politics-news"> BlogHer</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuMwMwvI3iPPlXVVe4JDs_5CJWqkkKuvsAbt0IZRVGa7WNBN_e28GZGH81rCw1V2M9bDmhUVW4iJun3YCjvMvp_E8zYSAZrhXlQp89sPXjukE6tjJbsshkSE38-JvBCS2PiqeB7QcApk/s1600/HM_logo_screen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuMwMwvI3iPPlXVVe4JDs_5CJWqkkKuvsAbt0IZRVGa7WNBN_e28GZGH81rCw1V2M9bDmhUVW4iJun3YCjvMvp_E8zYSAZrhXlQp89sPXjukE6tjJbsshkSE38-JvBCS2PiqeB7QcApk/s320/HM_logo_screen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-61993638245355435122012-01-06T21:41:00.000-08:002012-01-06T21:41:05.210-08:00Epilogue: The End of the Year (Almost) Without ShoppingJanuary 1, 2012 has come and gone I didn't run out to the mall New Year's Day, mostly because we had an all day drive home after spending the holidays with the in-laws. And you know what? I'm okay with that.<br />
<br />
We took a long drive up the coast on Highway 101, stopping by Mission Santa Barbara to help my fourth grader get some ideas for his California history project, had lunch with my husband's cousin, and stopped at one of our favorite wineries. <br />
<br />
I've already bought the big purchase for which I've been saving, which is...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpojurCS0Cep5NVQ86UeRylxG0E-YIbY2lCC_3dBQAcFmNJZY0otq3N4gOIKnn8YZb9HXtO6C7ZPXoACE3GU7NNrARfl44NgQ4_QLV4aVgUZm9JLzdjKDEfF-Vc2-Ee2m7khC-6mPlOLA/s1600/canon7dBH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpojurCS0Cep5NVQ86UeRylxG0E-YIbY2lCC_3dBQAcFmNJZY0otq3N4gOIKnn8YZb9HXtO6C7ZPXoACE3GU7NNrARfl44NgQ4_QLV4aVgUZm9JLzdjKDEfF-Vc2-Ee2m7khC-6mPlOLA/s320/canon7dBH.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Canon 7D from B&H Photo</i></div><i><br />
</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
Ta da! A new camera that I have been wanting for a very long time, but was convinced I could not afford. At the end of December, I also decided that it was time to upgrade my cranky computer, which has led me to wonder whether I'm just displacing my clothes-obsession with a tech-obsession, but I think they are different. The gear is all equipment I've been pondering for some time, that will help me be able to work better and more efficiently (I hope!) in my career path of writing, blogging and photography. Aside from being a vocation, it is also an avocation -- something which gives me a tremendous sense of fulfillment.<br />
<br />
I did eventually make it to the mall. Twice, in fact. The first day, I grabbed an armful of clothes at Banana Republic and was completely overwhelmed by the choices (shiny, pretty colors!). There was one thing I kept thinking about. In fact, I went home and put in my cart on the BR website. Then I slept on it. In the morning, it was sold out. So I went back to the mall. If it was meant to be...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/62981886@N06/6648175259/" title="Red dress by HapaMamaGrace, on Flickr"><img alt="Red dress" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6648175259_2b8c302ebf.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
And it was.<br />
<br />
Um, I liked it so much I bought the gray one, too. It was on sale.<br />
<br />
In all seriousness, I think I'm going to need to take my return to shopping slowly. Also, I don't think I need that much. My plan is to buy things seasonally, instead of here and there (and everywhere). And if you're reading this and you think either thankful that you don't need/want to ever have to give up shopping... or you have that little nagging voice that thinks maybe you could do this too... you never know what's possible until you try. My fellow <a href="http://www.blogher.com/year-without-new-clothes-or-cosmetics?page=0,1&from=bhspinner">BlogHer Morra Aarons Mele</a> is embarking on a year without shopping (for clothes or cosmetics!) -- for the second time.<br />
<br />
For now, I want to thank you all for your support, encouragement, and sharing with me stories about your own relationship to shopping and clothes. There were moments when I cringed and thought, "Did I really write that? On the Internet? For everyone to see? Even people I know?" Yes, yes, and yes. Because I think that if you really want to make a change in your life -- whatever it is -- you need to be honest with yourself, let other people know, and accept their help and praise and be prepared for criticism. It's been an incredible year, and no one is more surprised at what I've been able to accomplish as I am.<br />
<br />
So now what? I created this blog on a complete whim, and named it A Year (Almost) Without Shopping because:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>A Year Without Shopping was already taken</li>
<li>I wanted to give myself a little leeway the (almost) part</li>
<li>and I wanted to chronicle my 365 day journey.</li>
</ul><div>This past year has been a significant turning point in my life, but the journey's not over. But I named the blog A YEAR (Almost) Without Shopping, not TWO YEARS or a DECADE or a LIFETIME. Should I continue writing here? Would that be weird? I'll probably keep stopping by here once in a while. At least until I get my bearings. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Until next time...</div>Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-84417167623832502442011-12-25T22:31:00.000-08:002011-12-26T08:13:56.662-08:00One More Week!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dafnecholet/5374200948/" title="Calendar* by DafneCholet, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5126/5374200948_539b10fb1c_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Calendar*"></a><br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dafnecholet/5374200948/">Calendar</a>, by Daphne Cholet on Flickr</i><br />
<br />
Merry Christmas and Happy Everything!<br />
<br />
It is hard for me to believe that it's almost one full year since I set out to do this no-shopping thing. What's even harder to believe is that after the first few months, it really wasn't as formidable as I thought it would be. What I didn't expect to have such a hard time with was paring down my closet. There's so much stuff in there, some of it was just <i>stuff</i>. I must have taken four bags of clothing to the local shelter this fall, including my favorite Aran cardigan that I accidentally shrunk in the wash (right after I started this clothing diet).<br />
<br />
Shopping for gifts over the past month has been full of challenges. There were many trips to the mall under the auspices of finding a shirt for my husband or a present for my mom... which would somehow lead me to take a peek at my department "just to see what's there". There were shiny tops for holiday parties, beautiful boots without nary a scuff, and snuggly sweaters. On more than one occasion, I thought, "It's December. Close enough."<br />
<br />
But I'm a person who believes in the power of symbolism. The time and energy I've diverted away from shopping during the past twelve months has been tremendously fruitful for me -- in my career, in my spiritual life, and in my sense of self. I honestly don't think I would be the person I am today without this experience of separating myself from my clothing. And I want to see this thing to completion.<br />
<br />
Having said that, I am also somewhat of a shabbier person than I was back in January. The right knee of one of my favorite jeans is being held together by a web of threads. I have gained more weight than I'd like to admit. <br />
<br />
I almost put a trench coat in my shopping cart (electronically) today. Actually, I put it in. I just didn't proceed to checkout. I'd be lying if I said I'm not looking forward to New Year's Day like a starving person anticipating a buffet. But I've been to a few buffets in my day, and I've learned a few things about them. The anticipation is always better than the eating. You know, the rows and rows of roast beef, crab legs, sushi, dim sum. You can get bloated and sick in a hurry. I've decided that when I find myself at a buffet, I have to ask myself, "What do I feel like eating today?" or "What really, really looks like it's well made here?" Sometimes, I mentally pick a theme, such as Italian or Chinese, and choose a few things that complement each other. And while I used to skip the salad and fruit (more room for fried chicken!), I now try to pick the same balance of foods I would during a normal meal. <br />
<br />
So what I'm getting at is that I'm trying to pace myself as I prepare for re-entry. There are so many darn things I want: a new trench coat, a sweater that's not black, red or earth-toned, black skinny pants, a new pair of boots. Not to mention fresh socks and underwear! There will be some purchases coming up. Perhaps not everything on my list, but hopefully the right things.Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-58841738686615862262011-10-27T13:27:00.000-07:002011-10-27T13:27:22.457-07:00Yes, I'm Still Doing The No-Shopping Thing (For the Most Part)A lot of people have asked me if I'm still doing the no-shopping thing. I've been quite quiet on this front lately, but it's not because I've been secretly binge buying. <i>(Okay, in full disclosure, I bought a couple things since my July reveal: a sports bra and a pair of sandals for the BlogHer convention.)</i><br />
<br />
But for the most part, I've been staying away from the malls and from the shopping websites. <br />
<br />
I was talking to someone today about why I'm doing this, and I started getting all emotional, with my eyes tearing up. That's a sign that I'm on the right track. <br />
<br />
I hate the clutter of and rotating door of cheap clothing/goods.<br />
<br />
I don't want to support the dubious labor practices that enable retailers to sell this stuff so cheaply.<br />
<br />
I don't want to model to my kids that this is how we use our resources.<br />
<br />
I want to spend our hard-earned income on bigger, more worthwhile things.<br />
<br />
I want to be able to spend my time pursuing things that are worthwhile, not pursuing stuff. <br />
<br />
It has been ten months since I set out to change my buying habits. I feel the difference. The other day, I took a bra out of the drawer and noticed that the underwire was popping out (TMI? too bad!). It's been a long time since I actually <i>wore out</i> an item. Most of my clothes are looking a little worse for wear, but that's what they're for, right?<br />
<br />
No, I haven't gone cold-turkey all year, but I feel that internal realignment has happened and will continue. With the holidays coming up, there will be more challenges. I'll let you know how it goes!Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-17287429143324278782011-08-20T21:09:00.000-07:002011-08-20T21:09:48.098-07:00The End of The Great American Apparel DietIt's been almost eight months since I decided to stop buying clothes. But for Sally Bjornsen and hundreds other women, it's been almost TWO YEARS. <br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sally is the founder of <a href="http://www.thegreatamericanappareldiet.com/">The Great American Apparel Diet</a>, which will end on September 1, two years after it began. I stumbled upon the site a few days after I decided to start my year of (almost) no shopping, and found out that I was not the first one to come up with this idea, and I was not alone. There were 300 other women who had given up shopping for various reasons-- to save money, to cut back on the waste of resources that goes into our disposable clothing, or just to get a grip on an addiction to spending. </span><br />
<br />
The rules of The Great American Apparel Diet are a lot tougher than <a href="http://ayearalmostwithoutshopping.blogspot.com/2011/01/no-shopping-ground-rules-pt-ii-fine.html">my rules</a>, but we have a lot in common: try before you buy, quality not quantity, don't buy anything on sale that you wouldn't buy at full price -- all this after, the non-shopping year is over, of course. I allowed myself that <a href="http://ayearalmostwithoutshopping.blogspot.com/2011/06/my-month-of-shopping.html">40th birthday allowance</a>, but Sally says shoes are allowed. No way I'd put in that clause, or I'd have myself a huuuge collection of shoes by now. (That <a href="http://ayearalmostwithoutshopping.blogspot.com/2011/07/i-thought-i-could-pack-for-blogher.html">pair of sandals I bought before BlogHer</a> will have to come out my end-of-year savings.)<br />
<br />
In the early weeks of my Year (Almost) Without Shopping, TGAAD was a big part of keeping me on track. On more than one occasion, I followed my old habit of wandering over to the mall when I had an extra hour between appointments or before picking the kids up from school. Those after-Christmas sales were mighty tempting. It sounds cheesy, but I really did think about those 300 other non-shoppers at TGAAD, many of whom have blogged their accomplishments -- and slip-ups -- and that was enough to keep me from buying something I didn't need. Either that or I'm just really competitive, and the idea that if all these other shopaholics could kick their habit, then so could I. <br />
<br />
On the rare occasion that I go “window shopping”, I still get that OMG, I NEED THAT, MY LIFE WILL BE SO MUCH BETTER IF I HAVE THAT urge. But I am able to recognize it for what it is, and — for the most part — resist it.<br />
<br />
While TGAAD isn't accepting new members anymore, the website will stay live and there's even a section called Maintenance, with tips on how to transition back to the real world and avoid the post-diet binge. <br />
<br />
So thank you, Sally, for creating The Great American Apparel Diet and inspiring (soon to be former) shopaholics like me. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-72460436513593264712011-07-31T20:10:00.000-07:002011-07-31T20:10:27.463-07:00I thought I could pack for BlogHer wihout buying anythingThis is my first blogging conference, and there are a lot of posts on the Internets about what to wear to the event.You need to plan ahead. Be comfortable. Sell yourself. And look picture ready at any given moment. After all there are thousands of other camera-happy bloggers snapping photos like paparazzi and ready to post them on social media for all posterity. <br />
<br />
No pressure, or anything.<br />
<br />
I braced myself for some kind of combination of sorority rush and the Filene's bridal dress sale. Not that I've been to either of those - but you can imagine. <br />
<br />
As part of my "birthday month" expenditures, I also bought a pair of skinny cargo crops and a teal blue tops. But that's one day's outfit. What would I wear the other two days? And nights? I started to panic.You see, my pants are a little tight. And my "professional" clothes are circa Ally McBeal. And since I started this no-shopping thing, my mind doesn't revolve so much around what I'm going to wear. <br />
<br />
After all, I'm going there because I'm a writer, not some wannabe reality TV star or D-list celebrity. I been updating my main website and making sure I've got business cards and marketing materials. I also spent the weekend going through my closet, trying on outfits and making my packing list. <br />
<br />
I thought I needed just one more pair of slacks. Tan or brown, please. But my trip to the mall didn't really uncover any pants worth buying. Dodged that bullet!<br />
<br />
Or so I thought.<br />
<br />
Until I saw a pair of black Earthies sandals that look like something a geriatric dominatrix would wear. Marked down to $39. I had to have them. <br />
<br />
I guess I'll be subtracting that from my savings. Hope they're worth it!Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-67388716071179215792011-07-08T15:09:00.000-07:002011-07-08T15:09:18.427-07:00What Women are Spending on ShoesI saw this interesting article in Marie Claire magazine-- <em>What it Costs to be Me: US Edition</em>. In it, the magazine features several young women (all of them are single, living in cities, and working in rather creative type fields), in which they spill the beans about how much they make and how much of that they spend on shoes. Like serious shoes. Even the dancer who brings home less than $40,000 a year is buying serious footwear. <br />
<br />
Read the full story at <a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/career-money/jobs/money-diaries-2">Marie Claire</a>.<br />
<br />
<em>What do you think? Worth it?</em>Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-15387089948817982622011-06-17T13:27:00.000-07:002011-06-17T13:27:26.810-07:00My Month of Shopping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZCPzL4_hlYsmD98OJFRl1vFu8Q-0s332Fq8nSmOlsmSE5CRe6aGRvyZ5hq0wZRnHUxDQ-QwpZzhz3WPGGxdTdyeF9NYIcvkKzlerthiYnRhQQPTQ1-Yqfl0KZUeuoXdq4fTcTV66SRM/s1600/wearitdotcom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZCPzL4_hlYsmD98OJFRl1vFu8Q-0s332Fq8nSmOlsmSE5CRe6aGRvyZ5hq0wZRnHUxDQ-QwpZzhz3WPGGxdTdyeF9NYIcvkKzlerthiYnRhQQPTQ1-Yqfl0KZUeuoXdq4fTcTV66SRM/s320/wearitdotcom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photo by wearitdotcom, via Flickr</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know, I've been awfully quiet about my no-shopping lately. I've been quite busy during the last month, as I'm now working as the Race and Ethnicity editor at BlogHer, and reading and writing furiously for the HapaMama Summer Reading series. But I have a confession to make: I've been shopping.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Save your breath. It was part of my plan all along. Remember? This is A Year <strong>(Almost)</strong> Without Shopping. My 40th birthday was last week, and I gave myself grace -- and a budget -- to purchase a few things. Starting in late May, I returned to a few of my old haunts, and tried to zero in on what I really needed, as well as what I really <em>liked</em>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One thing I've learned over the past few years is that it's really easy to buy a LOT of stuff, if you jump at everything that catches your eye. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Over the past six months, I've learned that it's actually not that hard to buy NOTHING because if you just set some limits and never go to the mall or log on to your favorite websites, the temptation is gone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Over the past few weeks, I've learned that what's really difficult is to buy JUDICIOUSLY. Not just in terms of price. In fact, searching for bargains can often get in the way of purchasing things you truly love and can wear over and over. Case in point: I wanted to buy a flirty summer dress for my birthday dinner. All along, I intended for it to be a nice piece, from a recognizable name. But then, during one of my sporadic shopping sessions, I saw this grecian maxi-dress in one of my favorite colors: drab olive green. (<em>I know, I know</em>) I had to have it. It was so cheap and cute, I couldn't resist. After all, if I wore it one time, I'd get my money's worth...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNipDnjufYJVArUGjd62-MFLUTAJmWGBTUQCTMlavL859qlYDdLklKO7zvnlJEsiqjT1J-uT6j_um_pLI7NU8zkwMNSxlFow4NuJjZrfPorpocSCAC_qer2wEtjWTpdr3TjDqB3gqAXUA/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNipDnjufYJVArUGjd62-MFLUTAJmWGBTUQCTMlavL859qlYDdLklKO7zvnlJEsiqjT1J-uT6j_um_pLI7NU8zkwMNSxlFow4NuJjZrfPorpocSCAC_qer2wEtjWTpdr3TjDqB3gqAXUA/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the end of dinner, I realized this was probably going to truly be a one-wear dress. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lucky for me, I did make several other -- much smarter -- purchases, including a new bathing suit (I've worn it almost every day this week and it's still going strong) and an awesome Knomo purple computer bag that I'll be rocking at the BlogHer Conference in San Diego. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My husband has been joking that I'm "stocking up" for the next six months. But I know all about stocking up, and this ain't stocking up! It's time to wean myself away from the shops again. And move on to another crucial part of developing a better wardrobe: weeding out the stuff that's been lingering around, unworn, waiting for the day I will finally have the occasion to wear the rose-print Victorian jacket (sad but true). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-17936609393970213462011-05-07T21:27:00.000-07:002011-05-07T21:27:03.122-07:00What does a bin of Legos have to do with it?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbPo_9cFRsBX067ChyphenhyphennNQGQeZXPmDKcjHme31r8n_zWLe9hPn5PktmI7KtDlL0Ltn5pAiI0uwKXYRxtH_w1-lBg9yWZ4Ep25nt8ol1pW6Ga6gCAdrDT3jigzftcFbQpZEosnfeqSNuFI/s1600/lego+001web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbPo_9cFRsBX067ChyphenhyphennNQGQeZXPmDKcjHme31r8n_zWLe9hPn5PktmI7KtDlL0Ltn5pAiI0uwKXYRxtH_w1-lBg9yWZ4Ep25nt8ol1pW6Ga6gCAdrDT3jigzftcFbQpZEosnfeqSNuFI/s320/lego+001web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Besides clothes, the other thing I have a lot of in my house is Legos. Star Wars, Bionicles, just plain bricks. You name 'em, I got 'em. <br />
<br />
My family spent the better part of last weekend rearranging furniture and assembling shelves from IKEA to store our evergrowing collection.<br />
<br />
<em>Why are you talking about Legos? I thought this blog was about shopping.</em><br />
<br />
Yes. And no.<br />
<br />
It's actually about not-shopping. But what it's <em>really</em> about is everything that we are truly looking for in the perfect sandals/jeans/bathing suit. <br />
<br />
Since Christmas (I know, it's May), my living room has been shamefully strewn with toys. Not because we are lazy and don't make our kids pick up after themselves. It is because we are hoarders. Every birthday and holiday, my boys receive dozens of new toys. Their eyes light up as they unwrap each one. But after a few days, many of them are ignored. Some are broken. Some just never worked the way the package promised. Still, if I ask my kids to give some away, they swear they still like EVERY SINGLE ONE... and they might want to play with them again someday. <br />
<br />
Do you get what I'm driving at?<br />
<br />
The one kind of toy I won't pressure them to give up are Legos. <br />
<br />
I love seeing bins full of them.The colors, the shapes, the sizes. The different ways they can be mixed and matched. The potential they represent. <br />
<br />
Sort of like a pile of t-shirts in every color. Jeans organized from darkest to lightest. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvX_VPlCGfnIwVsb4fy2WlJnvG68aQuKEqIL4ZIu25adYbBAzxF4o9NpxXjaKQQZpVu00gnqNARXNYC0OuBSpfWyD_sdk2wmrWT3MB0MzzhANrrMu45KeXKUff4FvD3IHe7tw85XaYAg/s1600/060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvX_VPlCGfnIwVsb4fy2WlJnvG68aQuKEqIL4ZIu25adYbBAzxF4o9NpxXjaKQQZpVu00gnqNARXNYC0OuBSpfWyD_sdk2wmrWT3MB0MzzhANrrMu45KeXKUff4FvD3IHe7tw85XaYAg/s320/060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Enough lipglosses to wear a different color every day of the week. </div><br />
<em>Let's just say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.</em> <br />
<br />
Sometimes, when I want new clothes, what I really want is:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">change</div><div style="text-align: center;">possibility</div><div style="text-align: center;">creativity</div><div style="text-align: center;">potential</div><div style="text-align: center;">beauty</div><br />
If we look around, there is beauty all around us.<br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>It's May!</strong> I have gone four months without buying a single stitch of clothing. Okay, I did buy those lipglosses above at Costco. Technically it's not clothes, but you know what lipgloss is really good for? Making the slope really slippery. </span></em><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Next month is my birthday. I need to ponder what that means in terms of a gift to myself...</span></em></div>Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-44970879224757980162011-04-04T20:16:00.000-07:002011-04-04T20:16:12.242-07:00Could You Go One Day Without Shoes?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQdGLn7zdqGFTUu4z_WoImE9tsBYyGjWMxo0n22gu3152CU3ifD6v8QiKS71hX9S5XiyAmB8MhAyirI8U9LierkGkQffRQlmnJmdyWJbAo_sSvDXkb8u_XxhcwptLB5uXhokTMUBpcSM/s1600/banner-wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQdGLn7zdqGFTUu4z_WoImE9tsBYyGjWMxo0n22gu3152CU3ifD6v8QiKS71hX9S5XiyAmB8MhAyirI8U9LierkGkQffRQlmnJmdyWJbAo_sSvDXkb8u_XxhcwptLB5uXhokTMUBpcSM/s1600/banner-wide.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I am not one of those barefoot people... you know, the kind who can walk around in no shoes, or go anywhere in thongs. My husband is one of them — he thinks the most comfortable footwear for a day at Disneyland is a pair of well-worn flip flops. Me, I need arch support and a slight heel. Frankly, I like my feet to be separated from the dirt, wads of gum, or shards of broken glass on the ground. Especially at an amusement park. <br />
<br />
For some people in developing countries, going shoeless is not a choice. It's just the way life is.<br />
<br />
Tuesday, April 5 is <a href="http://www.onedaywithoutshoes.com/learn-more"><strong>One Day Without Shoes </strong></a><strong>,</strong> a day of action to get people to walk around, barefoot, to raise awareness for the millions of kids around the world who can't afford shoes. The project is sponsored by <strong><a href="http://www.toms.com/">Tom's Shoes</a></strong>, a company that make these fabric espadrilles, starting at $48.<br />
<br />
For each pair of shoes sold, the company also donates one pair to a child in need. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOH0a5prPwMMNbX7j39F5-GeX7xL_dN1rYYF7XVsnjLbkOINL8R4Wnie_fEuPUsUEttYGGAfn2-St8k2OqoOiymOkVBedWjRIOS1n8ei21K6vWjWEE6PY-5FPll4-5os7gAcTSKODTzM/s1600/W-Red-Stone-Washed-Twill-H-SP11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOH0a5prPwMMNbX7j39F5-GeX7xL_dN1rYYF7XVsnjLbkOINL8R4Wnie_fEuPUsUEttYGGAfn2-St8k2OqoOiymOkVBedWjRIOS1n8ei21K6vWjWEE6PY-5FPll4-5os7gAcTSKODTzM/s1600/W-Red-Stone-Washed-Twill-H-SP11.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><em>A typical pair of Toms Shoes</em></div><br />
<br />
I'm not planning on taking part in One Day Without Shoes (c'mon, I'm already going a whole year almost without shopping!), but I do admire those who will sacrifice their soles. And I like any company that has an element of social responsibility, especially in this disposable age where most Americans buy often and buy cheap, without much regard to how products are manufactured or where the profits go. The Tom's website states that their shoes are made in Argentina, China and Ethiopia — under <a href="http://www.toms.com/faq/">"sound labor conditions, pay fair wages and follow local labor standards"</a>. <br />
<br />
As I just finished my third month without buying myself any clothes, this no-shopping thing is actually starting to feel sort of...<em> normal</em>... to me. When I do go back to purchasing things, I do hope to have a refined sense of need v. want, and to be able to make choices that will be good for my bank account, and also for others. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em>I know, this post sounds incredibly naive and cheesy of me, but I believe, I really do!</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-92219729948767344752011-03-26T15:47:00.000-07:002011-03-26T15:52:08.263-07:00If you must shop, shop for JapanI'm sitting here typing this instead of figuring out an outfit for my kids' school fundraiser this evening. In my closet, there are at least half a dozen dresses that would be perfect for the tropical theme of this event, but I am rethinking my plans, as it is raining and 55 degrees outside. <br />
<br />
My plan has been all along to not buy anything new to wear to this fundraiser (more money to donate!) and recent events in Japan have gotten me to thinking about how our spending money could be used in ways to help where its most needed. It's kind of awkward for me, on a blog called <strong>A Year (Almost) Without Shopping</strong> to recommend things to buy, but consider it sort of like the tobacco industry slogan... <em>if you must smoke...</em> Yes, I set my bar high!<br />
<br />
So here goes. Feel free to quickly change the page and come visit another day I am leading you astray;)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVS3W820_vKoGySW9eadu6UAscUENFm3E_VGpHEYrZ2ETn3DCbmWQbP6iRqjsZbkjaRdq-DqLvSZlO8prkEFSA4hPRq208vZh_O9ddjYwvUUOqfiyYF2FUa63QYL9esKtcdxM5drqSU_E/s1600/Japan636x460shirt_guys_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVS3W820_vKoGySW9eadu6UAscUENFm3E_VGpHEYrZ2ETn3DCbmWQbP6iRqjsZbkjaRdq-DqLvSZlO8prkEFSA4hPRq208vZh_O9ddjYwvUUOqfiyYF2FUa63QYL9esKtcdxM5drqSU_E/s320/Japan636x460shirt_guys_01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.threadless.com/?utm_medium=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=March-24-2011_032411+-+Thursday&utm_source=032411+-+Thursday"><strong>Threadless</strong></a>, a website which sells hip and edgy crowdsourced designs has two designs for a good cause: this one above, called <a href="http://www.threadless.com/product/2836/Rebuild_Japan?utm_medium=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=March-24-2011_032411+-+Thursday&utm_source=032411+-+Thursday"><strong>Rebuilding Japan</strong></a>, to benefit the Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Fund and a lovely blue one called <a href="http://www.threadless.com/product/2828/Many_Hands"><strong>Many Hands</strong></a> to benefit Architecture for Humanity in New Zealand. <br />
<br />
If you can handle browsing <strong><a href="http://www.shopstyle.com/?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=shopstyle&amp;utm_campaign==0342011">ShopStyle </a></strong>without triggering a binge, there are cute t-shirts from Tory Burch and Ralph Lauren, plus lovely red handbags by Rebecca Minkoff. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Say you really don't need any clothes, but might like to buy something for a good cause. Over at <a href="http://www.hapabento.com/"><strong>HapaBento</strong></a> they have set up shop on eBay, creating the <a href="http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_nkw=bento4japan&_sacat=See-All-Categories&_trksid=m194&ssPageName=STRK:MEFSRCHX:SRCH"><strong>Bento4Japan</strong></a> fundraiser, which includes adorable bento boxes, dishes and cookbooks — all donated by their manufacturers — so 100% of the sale price is being donated to the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Victims Relief Fund via Mission Fish. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">For other non-shopping ways tocontribute, check out my other blog, <a href="http://hapamama.com/"><strong>HapaMama</strong></a>, to find out how origami paper cranes can benefit the survivors of the disasters in Japan. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQURZq1sFysXHddUKfQ31m49BKDH-n7KqnXrC1QxjXHNlW6JLRQLgBajfNC3gj_VFrC5ai3NEE_CVOkMWD4H_7ErV6splPXYD45qkgedULynMFMo4V4gSu_tjCSKbdFWdxlaB6yP7zSZg/s1600/origami+004web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQURZq1sFysXHddUKfQ31m49BKDH-n7KqnXrC1QxjXHNlW6JLRQLgBajfNC3gj_VFrC5ai3NEE_CVOkMWD4H_7ErV6splPXYD45qkgedULynMFMo4V4gSu_tjCSKbdFWdxlaB6yP7zSZg/s320/origami+004web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-58706080549096886862011-03-09T08:25:00.000-08:002011-03-09T08:25:08.644-08:00Giving it up for LentThis isn't the first time I've made a conscious effort to not shop. For the past three years, I've been in the practice of giving something up for the 40 days of Lent. The traditional no-meat on Friday thing isn't quite my style. I prefer to choose to forgo things that are really near and dear to my soul. Coffee... chocolate... and yes, even clothes shopping. <br />
<br />
That's what I did the first time I tried this Lenten practice. (I'm an all-or-nothing girl)<em> </em>One the one hand, it sounded extremely frivolous. So frivolous that I was embarassed to tell anyone my plan. But it made perfect sense.<br />
<br />
At first, I found myself wandering around the mall, admiring window displays. One particular outfit at the Gap caught my attention. They had this rack of Liberty print floral shirts, paired with matching pastel cardigans. I am a sucker for anything that resembles an Easter egg, although that particular palette is not especially flattering on me. I obsessed about that outfit, stopping by the store several times to admire it and think up ways to justify its purchase. After a few days, I realized that I already owned a blouse with little yellow flowers on it, and that I could wear it with a lemon colored cardigan, also from my closet. I wore that combination obsessively for a few weeks. Until I realized that Easter egg shades really aren't very flattering on me!<br />
<br />
By the end of those 40 days, I was <em>jonesing</em> to buy clothes. I have to admit that in the month afterwards, I more than made up for any money I saved during that time. But it taught me a valuable lesson: as hard as it is to give up something I think I can't live without... it can be done. The time I would have spent wandering the malls or clicking on shopping sites, I spent doing some serious journaling, introspection and writing. That experience was the catalyst that started me on the path I'm travelling down now. <br />
<br />
<em>If you observe Lent, what is your practice? </em>Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-28266137592008309042011-02-28T09:42:00.000-08:002011-02-28T12:57:11.431-08:00I know what I'm going to buy next<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsn5IfFMbgAg1b7G9Mac-uBxISiL52jOFsg9fxOjZtXgrS_PHfqYAv4s1ImsrnOz2FM5TAXpd85B7qaAqq_UcsJ1DjV0in8ZTiDhEeZaIz9M4VcBS__BAeNSxNBO7hv1_Mk_3QIUDGOw/s1600/Tahoe+Grace+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsn5IfFMbgAg1b7G9Mac-uBxISiL52jOFsg9fxOjZtXgrS_PHfqYAv4s1ImsrnOz2FM5TAXpd85B7qaAqq_UcsJ1DjV0in8ZTiDhEeZaIz9M4VcBS__BAeNSxNBO7hv1_Mk_3QIUDGOw/s320/Tahoe+Grace+web.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center"><em>I'd love to come over and watch</em> Friends<em>, but I've got tickets to Pearl Jam</em></div><br />
<br />
You'd never guess this from my performance on the slopes, but I actually lived in a <a href="http://www.salon.com/food/kitchen_challenge/2011/01/04/pasta_puttanesca_open2011">ski town</a> for a couple years during my early twenties. But if you need want to take a trip back in time to... oh, the mid-nineties, you just need to take a look at my snowboarding get-up.<br />
<br />
Before Super G and the entire Olympic women's snowboarding team was even born, I was an O.G.: Original Gromm-ette. I had the super baggy pants, the oversized jacket, with the waterproof butt-flap (really don't know how else to explain that awkward long part in the back). <br />
<br />
Then along came my colicky first child. Then my second child. My snowboard and boots were sold to a friend during a garage cleaning session, but I kept the outfit. Why? They still fit, and our family often goes to Tahoe over the holidays, and I need to wear something.<br />
<br />
In the last few years, we have been venturing on the hill again, taking our boys sledding and skiing. We spent this past weekend up to our knees in fresh powder that never turned to Sierra cement. Only, I felt like the Michelin Man, bogged down with extranneous fabric and pants that make that awful swooshing sound as I walked. <br />
<br />
But I am proud of myself for keeping this snowboarding ensemble. The pants were purchased for around $50 at a ski store in Idaho, and the jacket was under $100 from the Columbia outlet. And I have worn them for FIFTEEN YEARS. I'd say I got my money's worth!<br />
<br />
So, come January 1, 2012, I'm going to buy myself some new snow clothes.Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-5908318172579829682011-02-19T08:19:00.000-08:002011-02-19T21:00:45.200-08:00That's it! I'm going to the mall...A friend of mine says that when she and the dear husband have an argument, her final blow is, "That's it! I'm going to [insert name of upscale boutique]!" <br />
<br />
Do you have a "safe place"? You know, when you need a break from the kids after being cooped up in the house all day... work is stressing you out... or you just have an hour to fill before an appointment or school pickup?<br />
<br />
If you're like me, you head to — The Mall. Okay, maybe Target. <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703373404576147922340434998.html">Borders (RIP).</a> Costco.<br />
<br />
That happened to me. All in one week.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
I've been really trying to avoid those places since I <a href="http://ayearalmostwithoutshopping.blogspot.com/2011/01/happy-2011-welcome-to-year-almost.html"><strong>started</strong></a> <strong>A Year (Almost) Without Shopping</strong>, but old habits die hard. Maybe it's a bit of serendipity, but not once — but TWICE — within a few days, I've run into friends while out wandering the aisles.<br />
<br />
On Monday, the refrigerator was looking woefully bare, and I headed out to Costco to stock up on bread and sliced turkey. <em>Snooze. </em>As I labored to push my loaded cart to the door, I heard someone call my name. <br />
Looking up, I to saw my friend coming in the door.<br />
<br />
"What are you doing?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"Oh, just wandering around," she said. "I thought I'd stop in and grab something to eat."<br />
<br />
So we bellied up to the food court and had an impromptu ladies' luncheon of hot dogs and Diet Pepsi. <br />
<br />
"You're the only person I run into when I'm out shopping," my friend said, ennumerating the other times I'd seen her out and about: Costco. The Costco <em>on the other side of town</em>. Nordstrom Rack. The <em>other</em> Nordstrom Rack. The list was getting a bit embarassing. We are both shoppers. But we tend to go about it alone. Maybe not in such a great frame of mind.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>What circumstances prompt you to shop? Do you shop alone... or with friends?</strong></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Leave a comment below and join the conversation!</em></strong></div>Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-16852046828633352612011-02-12T22:22:00.000-08:002011-02-14T09:49:03.323-08:00My closet runneth overThis weekend, I had the opportunity to do some volunteer work with a group of women from my church. Our service was to go to a local women and children's shelter and host a Valentine's brunch and party for the residents. My particular job was to take portraits of the women and their daughters for them to put into special picture frames they decorated as part of the event. <br />
<br />
As I walked in, laden with camera equipment and wearing my <a href="http://ayearalmostwithoutshopping.blogspot.com/2011/02/one-dollar-dilemma.html">heart socks</a> (yes, I decided to keep them), I felt so conspicuous. It reminded me of an instance many years ago, when a journalism classmate of mine went to report on a soup kitchen. This particular classmate was a returning student, an "older" woman in her mid-thirties from a very wealthy background. She came to class with perfectly coiffed hair and a diamond ring the size of gumball. The day she was supposed to go to the soup kitchen, she "dressed down" — in perfectly pressed white jeans and a polo shirt. I felt like a less-posh version of that journalism classmate, as I stood in the hallway of that homeless shelter.<br />
<br />
It turned out to be harder than expected to take photos of the shelter residents. While one or two volunteered as soon as I had my camera ready, most shied away, or said their hair was a mess, they didn't have any makeup on, or they didn't want their pictures posted on the Internet. I tried to at least get some portraits of the children, since these families may not have many to remember this stage in their lives. Sometimes, the mothers would follow when they had an opportunity to have a picture taken with their girls. <br />
<br />
For the most part, these subjects did not smile for the camera, nor did I force them. I wanted to capture the reality of this moment in time: their suffering, their toughness, and their inner beauty. To respect the privacy and safety of the women, I won't be posting any of their pictures, but they were some of the most memorable — and beautiful — I have ever taken.Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-78772384697145214432011-02-08T17:04:00.000-08:002011-02-19T20:56:34.165-08:00One dollar dilemma<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixil_yKvVozFnVGf2uSzs_H37nq6uv32gpTOOcpCIRLvsA1aTKY0FucbY7i2rVOm3aLVt_MLGzq3vG8YTQ0HMnbOFLLESSx4TyFE0MkyWeftXfhHe9KXw25i95EpF3N84wFEvVrym1Yaw/s1600/heart+socks+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixil_yKvVozFnVGf2uSzs_H37nq6uv32gpTOOcpCIRLvsA1aTKY0FucbY7i2rVOm3aLVt_MLGzq3vG8YTQ0HMnbOFLLESSx4TyFE0MkyWeftXfhHe9KXw25i95EpF3N84wFEvVrym1Yaw/s320/heart+socks+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It's been a bad week. In my last post, I explained how someone stole my iPhone. However, the shock of it didn't really sink in for a couple of days. After investigating the options for replacing the phone, I started to realize that it was a much bigger inconvenience than I first realized. This, after spending several days cancelling all my credit cards and changing passwords to my email accounts and mobile apps. By Monday, I started to feel really bummed out, depressed even, discouraged with people in general. Yet I had to go to Target — we were out of laundry detergent and tooth paste!<br />
<br />
In I walked through those sliding glass doors, to find pink hearts and sparkly shamrocks all over the place at what my husband calls the <strong>"Dollar Trap".</strong> Immediately, I gravitated toward these pink and red heart socks, and somehow, they slipped into my shopping cart. <br />
<br />
Okay, after my instictive grab to throw them in the basket, I realized: I'm not supposed to be buying clothes.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<em>Give me a break! They're one dollar! Really, with the crappy week I've had, it's a miracle I'm not indulging in something far worse...</em><br />
<br />
And so I debated, as I pushed the cart through the laundry and toiletry aisles. By the time I reached the check stand, I was even more irritated. The clerk in front of me was aggressively selling the man in front of me to sign up for a Target credit card. It took a really long time (especially since the man didn't seem to speak English all too well). I even had time to run back and pick up some glue sticks I forgot... and <br />
<br />
he<br />
<br />
was<br />
<br />
still<br />
<br />
fillling<br />
<br />
out<br />
<br />
the form...<br />
<br />
You get it. By the time I found another — quicker — cashier, I simply didn't care anymore. I bought the socks.<br />
<br />
Really? This is supposed to make me happy? They're cute and kind of fun... but did I just sell myself out — for a dollar? <br />
<br />
At least I didn't get the shamrock ones, too.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em>What would you do? Should I return the socks? Or just keep them and move on?</em></div>Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-8806648204718238012011-02-03T20:47:00.000-08:002011-02-19T20:57:48.252-08:00Another Trip to the MallI made a trip to my local mall today. It was a necessity, as I lost my iPhone (Yes,<strong> </strong><a href="http://www.open.salon.com/blog/hapamama/2010/12/26/48_hours_without_an_iphone"><strong>the one I just got a month ago.</strong></a> "This is going to be, like, your <em>third</em> iPhone!" my eight year old commented.) and needed to check on the price for a replacement. <br />
<br />
So, deflated by the news that it would cost hundreds of dollars to replace my phone, in effect getting me nothing more than what I had at this time yesterday afternoon, I moped around the shopping center. There was still an hour before I needed to be at school to help out in my son's class. <br />
<br />
It's been almost a month since I've been at this mall, and even in that short time, I noticed that my friends Kenneth (Cole) and Max (Studio) had moved out. Feeling depressed — how stupid could I be to leave my phone sitting on a bench, even for a few minutes? — I was tempted to get a little pick-me-up. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
While the racks were relatively bare, as they usually are during this post holiday slump, many storefronts were decked out in my favorite navy and white stripes of the "Resort" season. I knew better than to go and pick up a cute sailor top, but I did wander into The Body Shop and my favorite Japanese tea boutique. The coconut body butter and peach and vanilla green tea were calling my name, but even those relatively minor treats just didn't feel very "treat-like" to me. If I hadn't been on this <strong>Year (Almost) Without Shopping</strong> project, I seriously think I would have bought one of those. Not that either of things are on my No Buy List. But just one month of introspection and staying away from unnecessary spending has heightened my awareness of when I am emotionally shopping.<br />
<br />
Anyway, pretty soon I will be buying myself something black and shiny.Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-82010594844617820772011-02-01T10:19:00.000-08:002011-02-19T20:59:43.814-08:00Missing Out on Chinese New YearThis week, most of Asia — and many other people around the world — will be welcoming in The Year of the Rabbit. Traditionally, Chinese New Year is celebrated with lots of food, parades and firecrackers, money envelopes, and red clothing. Preferably, <em>new</em> red clothing. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRChVuqtuxKW-xMSmqKNpi6RvKErnimEBTX3hiGpVc3RCaYHm4l9kQJq73GttZzUytQztYUILOSA55SPKl7sY_KA3W0S3up9IW9Kb7CRlzZh3FlBzNKR_k8XYb31s_KSLrK83XEJweKw/s1600/Hwang+Family+1970s+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRChVuqtuxKW-xMSmqKNpi6RvKErnimEBTX3hiGpVc3RCaYHm4l9kQJq73GttZzUytQztYUILOSA55SPKl7sY_KA3W0S3up9IW9Kb7CRlzZh3FlBzNKR_k8XYb31s_KSLrK83XEJweKw/s320/Hwang+Family+1970s+007.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not that I grew up participating in this tradition of new clothes each New Year. During my Midwestern 1970's childhood, we really didn't do much to celebrate Lunar New Year, except for a few red and gold paper symbols being taped on the kitchen cabinets, and perhaps driving into Chicago for a Taiwanese community banquet. Which is not to say that shopping is not deeply engrained in my heritage. </div><br />
Some of my clearest memories from early childhood involve going to Sears or JC Penney for back-to-school shopping. Garanimals — with their animal hang tags showing you which striped turtlenecks match which corduroy pants —if I was lucky. <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Toughskins, if I was not so lucky. With their stiff industrial fabric and large square pockets, they managed to look like pants that should be worn by a construction worker, even when done up in the girliest pink. <br />
<br />
But many of my clothes didn't come from a local mall. A couple times a year, our family would receive huge cardboard boxes, tied up with strapping tape or twine. Inside, were things sent from my grandparents in Taiwan: packages of instant noodles, can of pickles, dried plums and beef jerky. Mixed in with these supplies were clothes, probably from the Taipei night markets: scratchy socks with lace at the edges, thin cotton dresses, and t-shirts with (often non-sensical) English sayings on them. The clothing was often wrapped in plastic, but even so, the herbal smells of the foodstuffs managed to permeate into the fabric. Even so, it was always exhilirating to open the packages and wear the new clothes. <br />
<br />
This week, I'll be ushering in the Year of the Rabbit, without any new clothes. I have plenty of nice red tops and sweaters, even some shiny red mary janes, that are still in great shape. And I think my year will be more prosperous because of it. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AywXyILSd0gCK8U9Ijwzd9wVlfs557AptLerl811pnjV0WQ_6H6TF2ZfUeULiMX6sHSKPAEQN7t6KES12CAClW_pquxQIX1JmX-57bUb-tYDVyPm3614vfhgedXukMqwuEhAp_QIxbc/s1600/red+mary+janes+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AywXyILSd0gCK8U9Ijwzd9wVlfs557AptLerl811pnjV0WQ_6H6TF2ZfUeULiMX6sHSKPAEQN7t6KES12CAClW_pquxQIX1JmX-57bUb-tYDVyPm3614vfhgedXukMqwuEhAp_QIxbc/s320/red+mary+janes+web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<em>P.S. — Did you notice? It's February. I made it through one month of my <strong>Year (Almost) Without Shopping</strong>!</em><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><em></em></div>Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-88255721569734614972011-01-24T12:55:00.000-08:002011-01-25T21:48:25.708-08:00Week Three Check-In: I'm getting weak...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>You know how optimistic and full of resolve I was last week? Well, that was last week. <br />
<br />
Maybe it's allergies or a cold coming on, but I've been dragging the past seven days. I've been doing a lot of reflection and writing on the role that shopping and clothing has played in my life, which I will share later, but I keep hearing that nagging voice that's whispering to me:<em> you'll never be a real writer, what are you doing with your life? so what if you go a whole year without buying clothes - plenty of people do that anyway, what are you trying to prove?</em><br />
<br />
At the beginning of the month, Groupon offered a deal I couldn't resist (see how I am hardwired to respond to bargains?) for a month-long pass to a swanky yoga studio. In many ways it's a huge upgrade from my usual gym. It's perfumed with essential oils and the ceiling is lined with bamboo mats. But it presents a tremendous stumbling block: the room where you wait for your class is also a boutique full of insanely cute and very pricey Lulemon clothes. Needless to say, I find my eyes wandering over the racks of purple tops as I tie my shoes. Note to self: wear slip-on shoes next time. <br />
<br />
But I really knew I was heading for trouble when I took my son to a rock climbing class. The indoor climbing gym also has a little sport shop in the lobby — mostly caribiners, rock tape and serious equipment like that. While waiting for the class to finish, I found myself wandering over to the sale rack (again) and thumbing through the different colors of t-shirts printed with the gym's logo. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The backstory: I rarely wear shirts with words or company logos on them. In fact, if you ever see me dressed in a tee with a saying on it, I am either </span><br />
<ol><li><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Required to wear it for some event, or </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">About to do some really dirty job and put on a shirt I got for free (see above) that I hope will get horribly stained or destroyed. </span></li>
</ol><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This goes back to my middle school years, when ESPRIT sweatshirts were all the rage, and my dad gave me a big lecture about how if I was going to wear some company's name, they should be paying <em>me</em>, instead of me paying extra for the brand logo. I normally don't take fashion advice from my father, but this little tidbit stuck with me!</span><br />
<br />
Luckily, I came to my senses and averted the near-disaster of purchasing a shirt from the <em>climbing gym</em>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OHsJRBDCh8oLJOyc9Dze9_Zo_AYMnVLXIz7qoImh-fjKEZ66nArlPu0uuuooag-rstfopLghzU_wC4v08eDs4tVlmlFg-Jjo0FoMCAtO4ler28dHLo5a6M_CuRWD1eJTJkwyQLmGkjE/s1600/Nolan+6bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OHsJRBDCh8oLJOyc9Dze9_Zo_AYMnVLXIz7qoImh-fjKEZ66nArlPu0uuuooag-rstfopLghzU_wC4v08eDs4tVlmlFg-Jjo0FoMCAtO4ler28dHLo5a6M_CuRWD1eJTJkwyQLmGkjE/s320/Nolan+6bday.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>You're not going to wear THAT, are you?</em></div>Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-41353575679120818942011-01-15T08:56:00.000-08:002011-01-15T12:57:33.329-08:00Week Two Check-in: What's Better Than Shopping?My friend Susannah posed this question to me a few weeks ago: Is there something else that could give you the high you get from a new article of clothing? At the time, the best answer I could muster was, hmm... let's see...there must be something... let me get back to you...<br />
<br />
Well, my answer is a resounding YES. <br />
<br />
For me, writing is the thing that makes me feel like I'm doing what I was put on this earth to do. Especially, when it is actually read by other people and generates a meaningful disussion. This week, Amy Chua's controversial Wall Street Journal essay, "Why Chinese Mothers are Superior" set off a firestorm on of debate about Chinese parenting. Like any good Asian American blogger, I followed the issue closely, even reading the Chua's memoir and writing several pieces about it, one of which was published on <em>Salon</em>. I was too busy to even think about shopping. And you know what? The ensuing dialogue was more satisfying than any new garment could ever be.<br />
<br />
However, the writing life is also riddled with pitfalls. For every exhilirating moment, there are also dozens of times when the muse is mum, nobody reads my blog, or I receive a deflating rejection letter from a publication. That is why writing and shopping have become entangled in my life. As opposed to the sometimes soul-questioning, start-and-stop process of writing, refining, editing — shopping provides immediate gratification. I cannot tell you how many mornings I have spent in front of the computer, for seemingly little payoff and my mouse drifts over to some shopping website for <em>immediate, tangible </em>rewards.<br />
<br />
They say identifying the problem is the first step toward solving it.<em> </em><br />
<br />
<em>What gives you an endorphin rush? What is most satisfying to you? And what you turn to for an immediate thrill?</em>Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5694591359755923685.post-48232415883012557432011-01-10T21:23:00.000-08:002011-01-10T21:25:11.859-08:00Is Anybody Else Keeping Their New Year's Resolution?It's the second week of January. The holidays are behind us, and for many people, so are the New Year's Resolutions. Did you make one? Are you still sticking with it?<br />
<br />
I have been a serial resolution maker ever since I was a kid. I have become vegetarian more times than I can remember. I have started the Couch to 5K training program enough times to have run a marathon. And each time January rolls around, I keep making these pledges to better myself. <br />
<br />
For the past couple years, I can honestly say I have been successful in keeping my resolutions. How? Let me let you in on a little secret: you just have to set the bar low enough. <br />
<br />
Seriously, what I mean is do not set lofty goals, such as:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em>"Lose 25 pounds" </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>"Write the Great American Novel"</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>"Become a better person"</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Instead, set smaller, process-oriented goals that take you toward the Big Goal. For example,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>"Exercise three times a week"</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>"Get in the habit of writing every morning"</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>"Say one positive affirmation to someone each day"</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It is important that your goals involve your choices and are not dependent on other people's reactions. And it's also helpful if the goals center around every day situations that you will have plenty of opportunity to practice... and succeed... and fail... and try again... and succeed more often. Last year around this time, I started the Couch-to-5K training program. Which was great, until I started getting busy and didn't have time to run three times a week. And when I missed one (or two) weeks, I had to step back a bit in the program. And when I went all summer without running at all, I had to start the darn thing all over again. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So why should you even listen to my advice if I can't even complete a basic fitness program?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Because the act of trying — repeated, long-term trying — takes you closer to your goal than if you had set yourself up for frustration and just quit altogether. I was really close to buying something I didn't need today. It was red and shiny, two qualities I absolutely cannot resist. It wasn't a pair of shoes, but a Le Creuset enameled steel stock pot, marked down quite appealingly. Yet, I really don't <em>need</em> a new stockpot. In my previous life, I might have bought it, with the understanding that I would return it if I later decided it was a bad idea. That mentality was one of the slippery slopes that led me to mindless spending. So, one of my "sub-goals" in my Year (Almost) Without Shopping is that I won't buy with the option of returning. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In the interest of full disclosure, I'll tell you I have yet to finish the training program, but I say that I have much better strength and endurance than I did before I started. </div>Grace Hwang Lynchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855253752861530460noreply@blogger.com0