12 into 11 - January Update

I opted into Louisa's challenge of only buying 12 clothing items in 2011.  That makes it roughly one item a month.  Given that I'm already de-cluttering, it seemed a reasonable and possibly aspirational thing to say yes to.

I had already purchased a dress to wear to a family wedding in April.  So that was the January allowance used up.

I've not stopped looking in op-shops; that would be cowardice, but knowing I can only have 12 things in the year has made me look at the racks differently.

If I'm spending one of my precious items, do I really want it to be a cheap, worn t-shirt or really cute ridiculously high-heeled shoes that would be worn once and relegated to the back of the cupboard and eventually an "outs" bag? The answer is invariably "no", although it was a close run thing with those Very Silly Shoes.

I'm also anticipating purchases. Five Ferns is looking for a down-filled jacket for me (can't get one in my size in Australia), as well as some exempt thermals, and there will inevitably be a t-shirt or jersey purchase as a souvenir of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. So really I only have 9 items left for the next 11 months.

Except that I only have 8.  We found two Australian representative grid-iron shirts at the Salvos on half price ($3.50 each).  They are perfect to wear to the Australia v Italy World Cup match in September (over the top of our warm clothes).  They are unneccessary and frivolous and yet absolutely essential.  I was unable to resist.

In January I bought/received/made the following exempt items.

• a divine hand-knitted cashmere shawl which will go with the dress, so wedding outfit sorted which was a gift from a clever and lovely friend
• 2 long sleeved t-shirts and a hoodie from Mum as part of her wardrobe clean out
• 1 hat for protection of fair skin in great outdoors, gift from Tip Shop
• 1 hat for the footy.  It's a Brumbies bucket hat - I loathe baseball style caps on my head, and won't wear the one that comes with our membership if I can help it.  Gift from TOF
• 1 oversized men's shirt, gift from my brother to be remodelled.
• 1 pr sports shoes (brand new without tags from op-shop for $8.  I priced them in a sports shop, originally $120)
• 1 pr swimmers (brand new without tags from op-shop for $8.  I also priced these - $90)
• 3 prs hand knitted sports socks.  (A) underwear is exempt (2) handmade is exempt.  Do I get bonus points for hand-making an already exempt item?

I did debate including the swimmers in my 12 but decided they were exempt because they are (kinda) underwear and definitely fit into the safety clothing category - safety for everyone else in the pool, really.  ToF and I do an aqua fitness class once a week, and the tankini rides up and is not much fun when doing strenuous if supported exercise.  The new cossie is much more suitable for actually moving in.

ANNUAL ALLOCATION 12

TOTAL USED  2

ITEMS LEFT 10