7.29.2009

Shopping Hiatus {2}

Maybe I should change my weekly post title from shopping hiatus to confessions of a blogger. I completely rocked my first hiatus, not so rocking the second. The first hiatus was more of a three month fast for my Jesus, but the second has been for me and wow, it makes it so much harder...


These are what I bought. I really bought the one's on the far left a couple of weeks ago and already confessed, but they finally came in. I love them all. Now I have a pair to go with everything I already own. I would have shown you how cute they look on my feet while I did a walk of shame, but I am in need of a pedicure. Hubby was not upset in the least, he didn't really expect me to last all the way till next year. I think he is still happy I am trying though.

{photo via Kellen Jacob/quote via LobotoMe}

Yesterday as I was trying to play catch up on all my favorite blogs, I came across this post on LobotoMe. She has been doing a stellar job on this hiatus and really is such an inspiration to me. Her moto is the same as mine, live a life more simple. Anyway, she expressed the importance of living debt free and has a wonderful list of better places to put your money, like college funds. As for us, we too believe in living debt free. Our last bit of debt, the car, will be paid off by the end of August. Once we do that we have a plan to start the college funds and retirement. All this to say, that we do not live beyond our means, we pull cash out every month to keep to a budget, so as I fail at my hiatus every so often I am not failing my family but failing you all and these weekly posts, ugh. To some it may seem we have a lot, to others you may think we already do live the simple life. I really just want to get to a place where I feel as if we do live simply, not a stuff thing, but more a heart thing. Does this make sense? It's clear as day in my head, ha!

23 comments:

PS~Erin said...

I'm getting what you're saying... It's a whole transformation we're shooting at: mind/heart. While I started out on this hiatus to save money and weather the layoff, my mission has changed somewhat to work toward simplification and wanting/needing less.

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

Paula- Great post. Something that I've been trying to remind myself- we have all we need. A simpler life is so rewarding in so many ways.

I'm headed to the beach today or tomorrow- but when I get back, I can sew anytime. Would love to get together.

One more thing- I have the pair all the way to the left (but in gold) and wear the ALL of the time. Love them.

wide open spaces said...

learning Simplicity seems to be a hallmark of my life. I want it so bad, but gravitate the other direction. Sometimes I long to live overseas again for the mere fact that so much of my materialism falls off at the US border. True fact.

Have you read "the freedom of simplicity" by Richard Foster? One of my ALL TIME FAVORITE books. For me, it really gets to the heart of things.

Melanie said...

well said!

Anonymous said...

I definitely love the motto...but the shoes are so preeeeettttttyyyy :-)

FEDERICA said...

Oh I need a new pair of sandals!

Anonymous said...

i think it makes perfect sense!

Shayla said...

those shoes are SO CUTE!!! where did you get them???

Char said...

adorable sandals. i'm on a forced hiatius and it sucks! LOL

Aline said...

don't feel bad, you are still an inspiration to us! (plus, they are all really cute!)

Monika said...

it totally does make sense... I also wnat to live a life as simple as possible and part of this is spending less, but it is a hard thing to do. However, i was the happiest when I had the least to spend because I did not even think about it. But if you have the possibility to spend, it is much harder to contain yourself..
nice sandals, though, it seems that you really have a pair to match every kind of clothing :-)

nelya said...

Oh, it so makes sense and I sooo get what your saying.

The shoes are great, but you just can't beat peace of mind.

please sir said...

I get where you are coming from and I think it's great you are putting it out there and making the effort.

Miss | A said...

I am there with you totally. I am always struggling to have the perfect simplicity of living, simple joys, simple activities, low budget, getting back to family and community and cooking together, sewing together, knitting together. these things have been my focus and we too are about top have both cars paid off next month!! and then cc almost, hopefully this year but we still have a few things to do around the house which are hurting us now(ugh). loved this post.
XO

LindsB said...

As long as you are not out of control a little spending here and there is ok, its all about curbing cravings right :)

I LOVE the shoes you got, they are so pretty and look very comfortable.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

You're really inspiring! I get what your saying. It's not just a money thing. It's a state of mind.

LobotoME said...

great post paula ~ you are doing great and a cute pair of shoes that you love doesn't change any of that!!

J :)

Megan said...

I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this- it is something I think about my daily life as well. One of the hardest parts about moving back to the states from NZ has been transitioning back into a much more consumer driven society. Reminding myself to be grateful for what I do have helps me focus on a simpler life. I admire your hiatus!

samia said...

everytime i look at these lovely shoes.. am smitten.. there is nothing on top of my shopping list than these.. am just waiting to get my feet back with the pregnancy and hit the road and get my hands on one of these

megan @ a life's design said...

i love the simple pleasures in life. {and i love your sandles! where are they from?}

Vana said...

Yes sounds clear to me too! Funny we talked about this last might and yes simple is better and beautiful

Joslyn said...

this is a great post and it makes perfect sense. But it sounds like you guys are doing all the right things...and at the end of the day, i really belive we'll all purchase things from time to time, for the long haul, i think it's about purchasing mindfully.

for what it's worth ;-)
xo

Jen of MadeByGirl said...

I have the middle ones in 2 different colors, I just LOVE how they look and feel.

Jen Ramos
'Cards & Prints You'll Love...'
www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com