NOT ONLY A SHOP STOP

Last year I challenged myself

to stop shopping for 3 months

(here & here).

I succeeded.

Or didn't I? 

I did stop shopping these three months

but did I become conscious of the big picture? 

Maybe?!

I don't feel the need anymore to keep up with other bloggers,

or 

want to update my wardrobe constantly,

and when I present my latest findings to the world 

it are only items that I really love. 

I don't lose myself no longer in this world of übercool bloggers,

who are living the dream

having a wardrobe filled with expensive branded clothing.

Yes.

From time to time I heave a sigh because I see something better, cooler or newer. 

But I've made peace with the fact that I can't own everything that I want. 

In fact.

I don't want to own everything.

Fitting in is so overrated.

Staying true to your personal style and trying to keep up with the latest trends

all at the same time 

is

a mission impossible.

I've always been that kind of girl that felt comfortable in a very clean, elegant style with blazers, blouses, shirts and blue jeans.

Like Will Rogers once said: 

"Too many people spend money they haven't earned, 

to buy things they don't want, 

to impress people they don't like."

So why would I add galaxy leggings and clashing prints to my outfit?

In 2012,

I've decided to stop compulsive purchases.

It was hard from time to time to find my real voice

and quench the rebellious voice in me that screamed "get this, get that" all the time.

But I did.

Of course, this blog is still about fashion I buy and other things strongly connected to materialistic things and consumerism.

But I hope you feel it isn't all about just buying more stuff.

I don't like the feeling anymore to own masses of things I don't need.

I want to invest money in

experiencing

something amazing.

I remember when I traveled in Australia 

and everyday I had amazing experiences,

that didn't cost a cent

and still make me smile today.

Life is so much more than owning and controlling material things.

So let's make room for the good stuff.

APARTMENT COVETING

via pinterest.

For all of you who've already taken a look at my pinterest it isn't a surprise that I love, besides street style and sentimental musings, interior design. Winter is almost over (I'm ignoring the snow outside like a pro) which means that we can start to bring spring and summer again into our homes. 

During all of my study breaks you can find me pinning some good inspiration and possible DIYs to keep in mind for making my apartment summer ready. All pretty exciting if you ask me. Can't wait for my exams to be over. Until then it will stay all in the head, and pinterest of course. Sigh.

STYLE RESOLUTIONS TWO ZERO ONE THREE

via.

Let me first of all wish you all a belated Happy New Year. I hope you started the year in style with lots of champagne and kisses. I already skipped January first by sleeping all day, and on day two of the new year, I'm still recovering from a smashing NYE party.

I'm pretty sure one of the most important things to help you grow as a person is setting yourself challenges, providing yourself with a never ending stream of self improvement and never letting your life become stagnant. But it's hard when you're in a sleep-study-eat-sleep routing to feel like making time for these projects. 

So, for this year I decided to just keep doing what I am doing and not set personal resolutions that I'll probably forget after only a month.*

But, it's true, a new year would not be complete without any ambitious resolutions, so for 2013 I made up some fashion related ones:

SIMPLIFY MY CLOSET

Starting with donating everything that has not been worn within the last year, so I can make room for great pieces.

WEAR LESS BLACK, EMBRACE MORE COLOR

ACTUALLY WEAR MY GOOD CLOTHES

I have a closet packed full of loveliness but only wear a fraction of the sum total. I'm guilty of always reaching for the same tried-and-tested look when I'm dashing trough the door. So I'll stop being lazy and try to be a little more risky with new combinations. 

DEVELOP MY OWN FASHION FORMULA

INVEST IN MORE TRANSITION PIECES

Living in a country where it's 80% of the time autumn, I'm in need of pieces I can layer. 

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* Okay, maybe one: limiting my cursing because it feels like I developed a mild form of Tourette's syndrome in 2012.