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What’s New at Recovering Shopaholic – and “Real Simple” Article!

I know a lot of you receive my blog posts via email or a feed reader and rarely or never visit the “Recovering Shopaholic” website.  However, I’ve recently made some updates to the site and want to make sure you’re aware of the additional resources you can access there.  I’d also like to welcome new readers and share some exciting news!

What's New

From January 2013 to Now…

I started “Recovering Shopaholic” in January 2013 as a way to keep myself accountable as I worked to overcome a decades-long compulsive shopping problem.  I also hoped to connect with other recovering shopaholics to support and inspire each other in our efforts to trade our full closets for full lives.

I didn’t know how many people would read my words, but I thought if I could help even one person, my efforts would be worth it.  What’s happened since then has exceeded anything I’d initially hoped for.  I now have readers from around the world and a thriving community of women who support each other – and me – in shopping smarter and cultivating workable wardrobes. Continue reading →

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How Journaling Can Improve Your Style

In my last post, I wrote about “The Dark Side of Style Redefinition,” which was a topic that resonated with many of you.  I find some comfort in knowing I’m not the only person who sometimes looks into my closet and wants to start over.  In truth, it’s not as bad as all that.  I have my emotional moments during which I hate pretty much everything I own, but those stormy times pass and I realize that I do like a decent proportion of my wardrobe. But the plan I devised during my most recent closet meltdown is already beginning to bear fruit.

Keep an Outfit Journal

Taking the time to journal about your outfits can be very beneficial!

In today’s post, I expand upon item #2 of what I termed my “cunning plan” for addressing my shopping and style for the remainder of the year.  This step involves keeping a daily journal in which I write about the outfits I wear, where I wore them, and my feelings about each ensemble.  After I wrote last Thursday’s post, I’ve gone back and chronicled my outfits from the beginning of July through to today. Continue reading →

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The Dark Side of Style Redefinition

In some of my recent posts, I’ve shared that I have been redefining my style as of late.   Cutting back on my shopping has led me to more thoroughly evaluate what’s in my closet.  It’s also given me more time and space to consider how I want to dress and how I’d like to be perceived by others.  While this sounds like a very positive shift – and it mostly has been – there have been a few negative side effects.

In today’s post, I offer my thoughts on what I’ve termed “the dark side of style redefinition.”  I don’t necessarily think this dark side applies to everyone, but it’s definitely affecting me and likely affects fellow shopaholics in similar ways.

Style redefinition's dark side

Redefining our personal style can have an unforeseen “dark side.”

Continue reading →

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How to Care for Your Summer Knits

The following is a guest post from Deby, a regular reader of this blog, who is sharing some tips and strategies for caring for your summer knits.  Fascinated by fashion since early childhood, as the granddaughter of a seamstress, Deby grew up learning about fabrics and sewing techniques.  Today Deby works full-time in marketing as a visual communicator/writer, with an active interest in the fashion trends that influence us and how we can enjoy them to our benefit!

Living in a humid Midwestern climate, where the temperatures arrive in the 90’s by June and stay there well through September, I have come to love knits over any other type of fabric for summer. I have a professional position within my company, but I primarily work at home as a telecommuter, with forays out for meetings, lunches, and face time with my coworkers. Although I can dress as casually as I want at home, I always choose to dress professionally on a work day. I’ve come to learn that you never predict what might happen or who you will meet in the course of a day, so you need to look presentable, and knits fit the bill by combining comfort with good looks. Continue reading →

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June 2014 Accountability Update

It’s hard to believe an entire month has gone by, but it’s time once again for another accountability update, for June 2014.

Full Honesty and Accountability

Longtime readers are familiar with these monthly reports, but here’s the drill for those of you who are new… I’ve committed to posting monthly accountability updates to keep myself honest and on track with my wardrobe and shopping goals.  These posts include what came into and left my closet during a given month, what I wore, and how I did with my shopping budget and rules. Continue reading →