Wednesday 4 September 2013

What I have learnt so far

So Dear Reader- it has been a while since I posted. I am sorry about that but I wanted to tell you that we are now 6.5 months pregnant and 8 months through our challenge. 

So far, we have not bought anything new for us (bar umbrella) and have done really well with baby purchases too. 

It was our intention to keep baby things as far as possible within the rules but as she has not volunteered for this project we are being more flexible on her things. We have stretched the rules to a new rattle for her that looks like a donkey. That is all! Oooh- we are having a girl by the way! 

It has been an interesting time over the last few months not buying new. I have found that sometimes I have used the project to negate or ignore my needs because it seemed like too much effort. I have sometimes had the thought "I don't need to buy anything at all". Which is a BIG FAT LIE. I need and want loads of stuff!! I think sometimes I have not been in a particularly abundant mind frame and have denied myself things- which is not what this process was intended for! 

I wanted to feel more connected to buying and choices- not to spend and buy mindlessly. Pre challenge- if I went into a shop, I would often feel like I needed to buy something. That I would never find another item like the one I was holding- again a complete lack of abundant thinking. I guess it is natural that during this detox I might swing the other way a bit. I guess I just wanted to offer some explanation as to why everything seemingly went quiet! 

So, after a bit of time reflecting on what the challenge has thrown up for me- I have got back on the horse. 

I have done very well in terms of finding a second hand and non new maternity wardrobe and here are my top tips in that department: 

1. Tell your friends that you need their cast offs- they are only too happy to clear their lofts. My lovely Mummy friends have kitted me out with:
5 yes 5 pairs of maternity jeans! I made one pair into shorts that have seen me through the summer. 
2 dresses, 1 top and one very smart
Autumn coat. 
I have also been loaned a smart dress which I only wear for work. I am slightly nervous about wrecking it but hopefully restricted wear will help! 

2. Check out your local Fara charity shop. I have picked up preggy jim jams (made me sooooo happy), a top, and a dress and more jeans. 

3. Look for larger sized dresses in charity shops and belt them in.

4. Go to local convent bizzares. Last year I went to a nursing home bizzare that is a convent. I found 3 50s maternity dresses for 25p each. I guess that's where in married women went in those days and someone's clothes were found in a cupboard! 

5. Make your own. I got some Liberty Print fabric for my birthday and using a non maternity but loose pattern from John Lewis made this dress. I love it. 2 tops still in progress...

So- that's all for now Dear Reader! I promise to write soon about more of our successes in non-new baby itemry and others,

Love,

Alice x