News Flash!

News Flash! Christmas update: To my total surprise, Christmas morning, I opened a package that said: Well, I did not hesitate.  I began Dec. 26th stimulating the economy...... in moderation that is. I must say one more time I do admire my daughters...

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I can see the finish line!

Only a few days left of 2011.  I dare say it has been a challenging year.  I really have learned a lot, grown, and would say yes to successfully limiting my desire for “retail therapy”. BUT,  January 1, here I come! Yes, I survived the fall and starting school for the first time of my life without new school clothes.  It is hard to believe, I know.  Do you realize I made it through Black Friday? No midnight shopping, no dash for door stoppers or major sales.  I didn’t even make it...

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Clothes, Sheets, Bedspreads.

Is there a difference? They're all fabric, they're all manufactured in some way.  Doing this whole commitment thing has me thinking differently about most things I buy now.  When it came to being able to decorate my own room at school this year, I had some things to think about.  There was no way I was spending much money on anything. For a new bedspread, I decided to use some sheets I bought at a thrift store last year to make a duvet cover. I used the extra fabric to make pillow shams and...

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A Good Ad

I saw this advertisement on the back of a Reject Apathy magazine and thought it was a very nice reminder. Check 'em out! They are doing some really great stuff! "Don't buy more stuff, change the way you buy" They focus on seven different needs of the world and have a pretty great website. You could probably scan the little digitized box with an smart phone app to directly lead you to their website OR click this: http://www.project7.c...

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Half-way and...going strong?

Six months and I am at the half way point.  Well for those of you that are my faithful readers, I appreciate your comments and support, but last month I gave a challenge.  Well, I dare say that no not one rushed to join me.  There are a few that gave lip service to a part-time gig or a month try, but no not one wants to take on a full year or finish the year with me completely in fair trade.     Why no takers?  Could it be because it is just too hard to be limited to only...

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Waving the flag alone

Five months and yes I AM counting. Isn’t it ironic that I joined my two daughters in this fair trade year and where are they?  They left me for the next couple of months to serve other people in a foreign land.  Well, I wouldn’t care a thing about shopping or going to the mall if I were with them.  Instead, I am left to be the sole source of  “Yeah, jump on the fair trade wagon, think before you make a bad choice, become aware, don’t be party to sweat shops, be a responsible consumer, think global, go green, eat healthy, and...

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umm...doo...presents count?

Four months, but who’s counting? Yes, I can survive.  I do think the Dallas merchants are missing me though.  Really, don’t I need to be concerned about the Americans that may be losing their jobs due to my lack of retail shopping? As I refrain from my common practices of bargain shopping and the fun of finding a great fashion piece at a good price, I do find myself reflecting. What is it that makes me/us enjoy shopping so much?  In that thought process I must address the “Why are we doing...

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