100 days. Free of Nothing New.

Horoscope for today reads "...this is also a great day to buy new clothes."

Well it's not. And neither will the next  264 days.

I've received a lot of criticism from many of you for the lack of blog updates! I APOLOGIZE and appreciate your continued interest in my blog and resolution!!!!

As many of you are firmly aware, I'm in my last semester of graduate school and things are crazy. I spend lots of my days staring at the computer and quite frankly the last thing I ever feel like doing during my spare time is stare at the computer. Although, a friend did suggest I shift my Facebook use towards updating my blog more regularly...ugh. Point well taken. ( Thanks, Jake.)  Dare I reflect on the amount of time spent on Facebook? Nah. I'll save the embarrassment and shame for another day...

May 12th is graduation...and until then, don't expect another post.

First, I want to hash out the water bottle issue from February. Yes, I bought the new water bottle. However, I felt so damn guilty about it that I arranged with Samantha for her to buy it off of me and I took her old one. Wait. It gets better.  I lost that water bottle shortly after and then lost two after that..including the water bottle that is attached to my bike (I was getting desperate looking for water bottles). Finally--as in last week-- the sun peaked through the dark clouds and God hit me upside the head with a recycled glass water bottle  Okay, not exactly.

I give full credibility to my wonderful place of employment, The Greenheart Shop. We constantly are getting neat fair trade and/or eco friendly products for the store. Behold... the water bottle.

Moving on, I have done little, but amazing second-hand shopping. Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood has done me well! One of my favorites is a dress I made from a long shirt (I think it was meant to be worn with leggings? The slits up the sides were up to my hips.) I loved the print. I stitched up the sides, took off about three inches from the bottom and voila! Got me a dress! 

I went to Target yesterday (insert groan). I definitely walked through the clothing and shoe isles...and electronics. Initially, I felt jealousy---of all you young ladies who will be buying those clothes/items from Target. You all will look super cute too...and you will all look a like. Welp, guess I'll be looking a little different. Perhaps rockin' last year's Target (pronounced Tar-jay) trends. And I'm totally okay with that!! After jealousy came inspiration. The stroll through Target (you can go back to the English version) provided me with ideas of what I would like small summer wardrobe to look like. I love oversized t-shirts. There's a hint...

If I had to sum up the last 100 days in one word it would be: easy 

Seriously. At this point, I see myself adhering to the nothing new policy not only during 2011, but 2012 and beyond. I am shocked at the things I have found second-hand. I'm also super impressed with my ability to distinguish between what I want and what I need. That was always a struggle. I'm still learning and analyzing my thoughts/opinions on nothing new...

...and I'll elaborate more come May 13th. 

I caved...

Some of you may know, I have been without a water bottle for about a month now. Of course, this is no issue while at home, I use the the faucet water. No biggy. However, when I'm running errands or at work or school I have been buying (GASP!) plastic water bottles from the vending machines.

It's an awful way to spend money and contribute to waste. So I did what any man would do!!!! I BOUGHT A NEW WATER BOTTLE. Used just didn't seem appropriate. Not to mention, this Contigo 32oz is one hell of a water bottle. My first Contigo was given to me by Graham and it was love at first sight. 

Okay. Okay. Is my resolution over??? I mean I've bought a SHOVEL and now a WATER BOTTLE. What is happening to me!? I can't make excuses for myself as to the level of importance and why I may or may not have needed them. 

BUT. With regard to my new lime green Contigo 32ounce-er:

• I will have this item for as long as it will last me-providing I don't lose it again
• I will no longer be contributing to the Earth's waste and plastic use by purchasing water bottles
• I bought it straight from Contigo via Amazon. 

So what do we think, blog readers? What's your opinion on my recent purchases?

It's been a while..and I've got NOTHING NEW to say...

LIE. I have plenty to say...

Greetings blog readers! I know I know..it's been quite sometime since my last post. My apologies. With that said, I'm going to strain your eyes while you read my long-ass post. ENJOY.

FIRST AND FOREMOST. I BOUGHT A NEW SHOVEL. If you've been alive- you know that a massive blizzard hit Chicago. My car is parked in a parking lot-covered with snow. I would have been able to get my car out just by trying to drive out because the lot had been plowed for the most part, but some inconsiderate person decided to shovel out their car and put all of their snow in front of my car...which is now frozen. I wish this shovel could have been borrowed/used, however I need to get my car out by tomorrow so my sister (who's car is more trapped than mine) has the ability to get to work Saturday morning. That's the situation.

As part of my resolution, one of my goals is to find the meaning behind my own consumption. WHY do I go out and buy things I don't need---used and new!! It's now been a little over ONE MONTH since the start of my resolution and I still haven't explored deep enough.

I am, however, exploring what things/objects/places/people mean to me and why and also the value of this meaning. I can say with certainty that there is great value on life experiences. (Thank you Oprah for that term---sorry everyone I'm not that verbally inclined). I place such a high value on achieving life experiences. In fact, I strive daily to accomplish this. To define it would be to say that this type of  'experience' is one that will be remembered forever and there can be no monetary value placed on it. My goal through this resolution is to create more life experiences for myself--something that will have a lasting impact on me--with little use of material objects. This resolution itself is sure to have some impact on me, right?--I mean that's the hope!!

I really dislike when people (I'm sure this includes you...because it includes myself) use the expression "live life to the fullest!" Well, who on earth would live life to the EMPTIEST? That just sounds sad. Obviously the meaning of the word fullest varies from person to person. For me 'fullest' is attaining what I described in the paragraph above--creating a life experience with little use of material objects. If I can do that daily, life indeed will be lived to the fullest-just not full of stuff. And everyday I'm learning how to do this...

I'm learning more and more how turn school and work into a true life experience. School and work for many can be a struggle to 'love' and many take for granted their situations. Though living to fullest for me means spending little money---I can't really say that little money was spent on the 'life experience' of school (thank you out-of-state and private grad school tuition).  However, it's been quite the positive investment. I wouldn't be where I'm at or wouldn't have the values I have without my educational background. Work? Well, I'm currently working--for free. I have an unpaid internship. Many close friends and family are in disbelief with my decision to go further into debt and obtain an un-paid job. The truth is while I could use the money, the EXPERIENCE is what's important. No, not just for my resume, but for me as a person. I don't want to be paid an hourly intern rate to do intern work and learn nothing. I want to be able to grow as an individual. This internship has provided me with such a great learning experience on so many levels and has enhanced my passion for international education, something that many paid internships would have never provided--a life experience.

Moving on.

Today, I really have an urge to go shopping. I'm currently at school in downtown Chicago along the 'Magnificent Mile' (aka Chicago's own 5th Ave, Rodeo Dr, or Champs-Élysées). It's as though my university tucked itself so perfectly in the city that one MUST pass and fight the urge to walk into H&M, Zara, GAP and others...it's like going to the supermarket. The reason why the milk is at the far back side of the store is so you have to go through the entire store to grab it and while you weave in an out of the isles you realize---oh hey I need chips...and dip...o0o it's so and so's birthday next week- better get cake mix and a birthday card! YOU SUPERMARKET BASTARDS. That's what they want. Though I'm sure my university doesn't have that reciprocity with the neighboring stores, it sure as hell feels like it today.

Quite amusing story: the store front window of GAP reads "MINIMALISM IS BACK," though I'm sure it means less glitzy and more 'plain' colors, it sure as hell reads different to me. Minimalism would be encouraging your customers to not buy anything from your store. "Wear what you already have from us! It still looks great on you!" But alas, I'm the one who has to tell myself that...and believe it. I love GAP jeans.

The store front window of H&M prides itself in it's 'SUSTAINABLE FASHION'. Exclaiming some of their spring wear is made from organic or recycled materials. I haven't been in to investigate myself, but I'm willing to bet that their sustainable fashion isn't equitably made...what about FAIR TRADE FASHION, H&M? Get on that ball...then I'll come shop.

Speaking of fair-trade. For the last 6 months or so, I've been volunteering at the Greenheart Shop in Chicago (another great life experience) and just recently was hired for a part-time retail position. It's always been difficult working there solely because I want everything. They have such great stuff! According to my resolution guidelines, I can buy from Greenheart because majority of their products are recycled and fairly traded. Double bonus! Nonetheless, I'm still trying to lower consumption--used and new, but I'm glad there are options and initiatives out there such as fair trade.

Now that I'm no longer a volunteer, but an employee at Greenheart, I'm going to have to find a volunteer opportunity. Many many options in the city of Chicago, but which to chose...

SWAP till you DROP.

I don't think I do enough investigating into the world of Nothing New. And believe me...there is a WORLD of nothing newers out there achieving the same goals I have. It's wonderful to now be apart of this exploration! And it is indeed an exploration...

...of the mind

...of the culture in which we live

...through the mounds of used items that stand before me (gahhh!!)

...through the streets of Chicago and beyond to find the people and places that support my resolution

...to find the meaning behind our unsurmountable love of STUFF

Call me Alexandra the Great. And I shall conquer this world of Nothing New. 

My trusting Kenmore sewing machine

Next stop Swap-O-Rama-Rama. "Swap-O-Rama-Rama is a clothing swap and series of do-it-yourself workshops in which a community explores creative reuse through the recycling of used clothing,"(SwapORamaRama.org)...and accessories! I'm definitely there. And you should be to. If you'll be in the Chicago area Saturday February 12th. GO. And if you're not in the Chicago area either check the website above for a swap near you or come to Chicago-stay with me-and swap your clothes! Not only is it a swap, but a workshop for those saavy/not-so-saavy to create that unique personal item. My creativity game (and sewing machine) will be full-force come February 12th. (Thank you, Linda for sharing this with me!)  Chicago Swap-o-Rama-Rama Info

Don't commodify...MODIFY! Amen.