{"id":1731,"date":"2014-12-31T14:34:48","date_gmt":"2014-12-31T14:34:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/?p=1731"},"modified":"2015-01-03T13:47:20","modified_gmt":"2015-01-03T13:47:20","slug":"2014-nothing-new-challenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/2014-nothing-new-challenge\/","title":{"rendered":"2014 Nothing &#8220;New&#8221; Challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>I set out many goals for myself in the crazy year of 2014, but one of the most fun ones was the challenge to buy &#8220;nothing new&#8221;.\u00a0 Back in 2012, I made a challenge for myself to not shop for an entire year&#8230; and I did it.\u00a0 This year I wanted to do the same thing, but add a little twist;\u00a0I could shop&#8230; but ONLY at second hand stores such as Goodwill, Plato&#8217;s Closet, Salvation Army, Clothes Mentor etc.\u00a0 Much like the 2012 challenge, this helped me to keep my financial goals in check and not get wrapped up in the &#8220;must have&#8221; material things.\u00a0 However, I should note that this challenge did not include running\/workout shoes so as not to avoid injury \ud83d\ude09\u00a0 Running marathons on used shoes would not have been good.<\/p>\n<p>What did I learn by doing this challenge?\u00a0 Well, a couple things.\u00a0 I learned that second hand shopping is not only more responsible and economical but it is actually more FUN!\u00a0 I found so many treasures and when I did it was like hitting a goldmine.\u00a0 NOTHING I bought was over $15 (the most expensive purchase was a pair of TORY BURCH black flats found at clothes mentor, WIN!). \u00a0I also learned yet again that I need NOTHING, it taught me to want less and simplify my life even more.<\/p>\n<p>My original hope\u00a0was to take several pictures this year of outfits I found at goodwill and post them on my instagram, but it turns out I feel super awkward posting several pictures of myself in different outfits.\u00a0 And there would have been so MANY! So, I apologize I did not keep up to\u00a0date with that.\u00a0 But I am sharing some finds with you below! Seriously, you will not believe some of the stuff I found.\u00a0 Ironically, even though I was shopping at second hand stores, much of what I bought still had tags on!<\/p>\n<p>I do have to confess- I cheated but only for two true new things.\u00a0 And go figure they were workout tank tops from Crossfit Oswego.\u00a0 But nothing else!\u00a0 Okay, here are some highlights of my favorite finds (but seriously this is such a small portion of what I found!).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/pants.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-1733 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/pants.jpg\" alt=\"pants\" width=\"444\" height=\"588\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>BCBG Black Dress pants from a resale shop- $12 I wear these SO MUCH.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/purplepantsanddenim.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-1735\" src=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/purplepantsanddenim.jpg\" alt=\"purplepantsanddenim\" width=\"445\" height=\"663\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Chambray shirt ($6) and GAP purple skinnies ($5)- Goodwill<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/shainshirt.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-1736\" src=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/shainshirt.jpg\" alt=\"shainshirt\" width=\"443\" height=\"443\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/shainshirt.jpg 583w, http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/shainshirt-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/shainshirt-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 443px) 100vw, 443px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Shain LOVES Eddie Bauer pullovers in winter- found this oatmeal colored for $7 at Goodwill!<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/whitedress.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-1738\" src=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/whitedress.jpg\" alt=\"whitedress\" width=\"442\" height=\"587\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>White House Black Market Dress that I wore for my wedding shower $7- Goodwill<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/blackmaxi.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-1739\" src=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/blackmaxi.jpg\" alt=\"blackmaxi\" width=\"454\" height=\"454\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/blackmaxi.jpg 640w, http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/blackmaxi-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/blackmaxi-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 454px) 100vw, 454px\" \/>f<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Forever 21 Black Maxi Dress $5 Goodwill ( I think I wore this at least once a week all summer)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/nikepullover.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-1741\" src=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/nikepullover.jpg\" alt=\"nikepullover\" width=\"464\" height=\"688\" \/><br \/>\n<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Pink Nike Running Jacket $10-Savers<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/2013-Cont.-249.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-1368\" src=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/2013-Cont.-249.jpg\" alt=\"2013 Cont. 249\" width=\"464\" height=\"349\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Okay two of my FAVORITE things\u00a0that I found, White house Black Market dress capris and leopard wedges from target-$12 total from Goodwill<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/maxidress.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-1742\" src=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/maxidress.jpg\" alt=\"maxidress\" width=\"444\" height=\"588\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>\u00a0Red and Black Chevron Dress from Goodwill $6<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/jeans.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-1740\" src=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/jeans.jpg\" alt=\"jeans\" width=\"451\" height=\"340\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/jeans-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/jeans-399x300.jpg 399w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 451px) 100vw, 451px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>I typically spend too much money on Jeans, like most I have a hard time finding a pair that fit me right. \u00a0But I struck gold with these all at goodwill, Loft, Silver and Lucky Brand Jeans. \u00a0Didn&#8217;t pay more than $7 for any of them.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/orange.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-1732\" src=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/orange.jpg\" alt=\"orange\" width=\"456\" height=\"456\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/orange.jpg 583w, http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/orange-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/orange-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 456px) 100vw, 456px\" \/><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Jcrew \u00a0nude flats $6 and my FAVORITE necklace $1- Salvation army<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/photo.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-1746\" src=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/photo.jpg\" alt=\"photo\" width=\"459\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/photo.jpg 1936w, http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/photo-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/photo-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/photo-1024x1024.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 459px) 100vw, 459px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Oh yeah and all these awesome shoes&#8230;.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>I kept all of my receipts for my shopping endeavors so that I could share with you my total cost of everything I purchased for the year. Drumroll please&#8230;&#8230;..<strong>$282<\/strong>. \u00a0Not bad right? I will say, my challenge might be over but you will never find me spending full price on anything ever again! \u00a0If you are thinking of creative ways to save your money or kick your shopping habit, I highly recommend doing this \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<p>For a recap on all my other 2014 goals, check out my previous post. \u00a02015 goals coming soon \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n<p>Stay blessed in the mess!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I set out many goals for myself in the crazy year of 2014, but one of the most fun ones was the challenge to buy &#8220;nothing new&#8221;.\u00a0 Back in 2012, I made a challenge for myself to not shop for an entire year&#8230; and I did it.\u00a0 This year I wanted to do the same thing, but add a little twist;\u00a0I could shop&#8230; but ONLY at second hand stores such as Goodwill, Plato&#8217;s Closet, Salvation Army, Clothes Mentor etc.\u00a0 Much like the 2012 challenge, this helped me to keep my financial goals in check and not get wrapped up in the &#8220;must have&#8221; material things.\u00a0 However, I should note that this challenge did not include running\/workout shoes so as not to avoid injury \ud83d\ude09\u00a0 Running marathons on used shoes would not have been good. What did I learn by doing this challenge?\u00a0 Well, a couple things.\u00a0 I learned that second hand shopping is not only more responsible and economical but it is actually more FUN!\u00a0 I found so many treasures and when I did it was like hitting a goldmine.\u00a0 NOTHING I bought was over $15 (the most expensive purchase was a pair of TORY BURCH black flats found at clothes mentor, WIN!). \u00a0I also learned yet again that I need NOTHING, it taught me to want less and simplify my life even more. My original hope\u00a0was to take several pictures this year of outfits I found at goodwill and post them on my instagram, but it turns out I feel super awkward posting several pictures of myself in different outfits.\u00a0 And there would have been so MANY! So, I apologize I did not keep up to\u00a0date with that.\u00a0 But I am sharing some finds with you below! Seriously, you will not believe some of the stuff I found.\u00a0 Ironically, even though I was shopping at second hand stores, much of what I bought still had tags on! I do have to confess- I cheated but only for two true new things.\u00a0 And go figure they were workout tank tops from Crossfit Oswego.\u00a0 But nothing else!\u00a0 Okay, here are some highlights of my favorite finds (but seriously this is such a small portion of what I found!). BCBG Black Dress pants from a resale shop- $12 I wear these SO MUCH. Chambray shirt ($6) and GAP purple skinnies ($5)- Goodwill Shain LOVES Eddie Bauer pullovers in winter- found this oatmeal colored for $7 at Goodwill! White House Black Market Dress that I wore for my wedding shower $7- Goodwill f Forever 21 Black Maxi Dress $5 Goodwill ( I think I wore this at least once a week all summer) Pink Nike Running Jacket $10-Savers Okay two of my FAVORITE things\u00a0that I found, White house Black Market dress capris and leopard wedges from target-$12 total from Goodwill \u00a0Red and Black Chevron Dress from Goodwill $6 I typically spend too much money on Jeans, like most I have a hard time finding a pair that fit me right. \u00a0But I struck gold with these all at goodwill, Loft, Silver and Lucky Brand Jeans. \u00a0Didn&#8217;t pay more than $7 for any of them. Jcrew \u00a0nude flats $6 and my FAVORITE necklace $1- Salvation army Oh yeah and all these awesome shoes&#8230;. I kept all of my receipts for my shopping endeavors so that I could share with you my total cost of everything I purchased for the year. Drumroll please&#8230;&#8230;..$282. \u00a0Not bad right? I will say, my challenge might be over but you will never find me spending full price on anything ever again! \u00a0If you are thinking of creative ways to save your money or kick your shopping habit, I highly recommend doing this \ud83d\ude42 For a recap on all my other 2014 goals, check out my previous post. \u00a02015 goals coming soon \ud83d\ude09 Stay blessed in the mess!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1731","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1731","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1731"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1731\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1761,"href":"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1731\/revisions\/1761"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1731"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1731"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.blessedinthemess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1731"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}