Stop Shop Update!

I know it has been such a long time since I have updated on the status of my journey to stop shopping, but it really is going great!

 Christmas is a time where we are constantly overloaded with sales and deals and stuff to buy. I have definitely been challenged while out shopping for others (specifically a maroon beanie that would have been a great stocking stuffer for myself). But this holiday season has been eye opening because I have been able to focus on others, and not myself.

I am over halfway until my St. Patrick's day mark. I have learned so much about my needs versus my wants, and how I am so blessed with nothing more than Mark and the people I love. I am happy to be on this journey and I can't imagine ever going back to the Stacia I was before I started this.

Thank you everyone for your support during this time and I will be much better at updating in the New Year!

My Girls Visit Chi-Town

I have been so bad lately but I just wanted to update everyone on life and my stop-shop mission. Which is going great so far, I promise I haven't been quiet about it because I broke down and cheated. It has really been such a great reminder of the blessings I already have, and how much I can actually go without.

A huge reminder of how blessed I am was an amazing weekend with my girlfriends! I have been looking forward to their arrival since I moved here and it exceeded my expectations.

Make-up courtesy of Kate South

It was so refreshing to be around my girls and it was so great to hear about their "grown-up" lives. I am honestly so proud of the women that they are and the amazing things that they are doing in their lives. They keep me real because they know me so well, and I look up to them more than they will know. It is amazing to me that 3 short years ago we were being wild best friends in Moscow Idaho, and now we are scattered across the United States.

We were able to explore the city a bit and do some fun "Chicago" stuff! We never made it to and architecture tour (I'm sorry Caitlin) but we got to explore Kate's new stomping grounds in Lincoln Park.

Perfect fall day and Pumpkin beers at Halligan's

I can't explain how amazing this journey of not buying things has opened my eyes. I truly don't think I would have appreciated this weekend with my girls as much had I not stopped to reflect on how wonderfully blessed I am. The relationships in life are what make it so meaningful, and these are friends and relationships I hold dear to my heart. I can't wait for the next time that we are ALL together!

And I should mention too that I am so happy to have a husband who let me sleep over with my pals all weekend, while he had to suffer and watch only baseball and football.

I promise I will try to be better and update more on the journey of my stop-shop. I have 153 days to go and so far it seems possible!

Enough with the "Stuff"

This is a very difficult post for me to write, because I am doing it for more reasons than to share what is happening in Mark's and my life. I am sharing this for support and to be held accountable. 

About 9 months ago, an amazing man proposed to me and all of my dreams came true. I still think about that day and the look on Mark's face when he asked me to marry him, and it was truly one of the happiest moments of my life, and always will be. About 24 hours after that moment, it was time to plan the wedding! With all of the fun of planning a perfect wedding, I began to buy "stuff"  that we needed here and there that would be just perfect for the big day. Then it was clothes that I needed for the week of the wedding, oh and I needed clothes for moving to Chicago. I also needed new decorations for our new apartment. And some of the stuff we needed for the wedding was just what we needed for our new place. And when does it stop?

I had a moment this past week that has brought me to the realization that I have been masking myself in "stuff" and missing out on a life that is about experiences and the art of living. On my way home from work I watched a woman on the bus give a total stranger change so he could ride the bus. This random act of kindness in a city of millions stopped me in my tracks. I realized that the way her home was decorated and the clothes she wore had nothing to do with who she is as a person what her actions say about her. I wondered what someone would say about me while I was on the bus? 

The truth of the matter is I get lonely here at times and I miss my friends and family, and no matter what "stuff" I have it won't bring any of them here or make them like me better. So what I am proposing to do is stop the madness, and stop buying "stuff." I want to live a life that is based on loving others, loving myself, and enjoying God's amazing plan for my life. I want my life to be based around people and places I have traveled to and the experiences I have had and will have in the future. Not about the "stuff" that is waiting for me when I get home.

I plan to not buy a single thing for the next 6 months. For me that means no clothes, no shoes, no decor, no antiques, no "stuff." I want to reevaluate the value of what my life is filled with, and so far my most important assets are living and breathing loved ones (Sherbee is considered to be living and breathing). This is going to be so difficult and trying at times, but I believe this is what I am meant to do to make a real change in myself. I must however note that I do have a husband to think about and he does not have to be punished for my shortcomings. We will of course make family purchases and get gifts for others, but for myself I am drawing the line.

To me this does not mean that I don't get to celebrate and be appreciative of what we already have. In my truest self as an artist, the way that things look is important to me. I do not think that there is anything wrong with that. I am still looking forward to decorating with the seasons and doing home projects. I want to be creative and enjoy what blessings I already have, and not buy more things to fill a void in my life. 

I am not proud that this is a struggle for me, but I am happy to be supported by friends and family in my endeavors. I hope to have support and understanding during this time, even though I know it seems drastic and a little weird. I also want to put myself out there and be held accountable. This isn't something I want to take back when I find the perfect ankle boots I have been looking for. This is a commitment to myself that I want to see through.

So my hope is that I can somewhat chronicle the hard times, and celebrate the good times as I begin this journey of a simpler life. If you haven't added up, my fast will break on St. Patrick's day! This is one of my favorite holidays and I will have much to celebrate on this upcoming spring day in 2013.

Thank you for your time in reading this story. I look forward to documenting this journey more and feel free to ask me any questions!

Busy Week

This week has been so busy, and I am so happy. I finally feel like a routine has set in and that is a great feeling. Here are just a few Instagram Pictures from the busy week.

I made two little wreaths from yarn and ribbon and have them hanging from our front and back door.

I finally got my art work hung and I just need to improve the matting. It is a little difficult with no glass.

Mark and I found and awesome little burger joint, DMK Burger Bar. It was very delicious and a perfect mid-week date night.

And here are some cute totes from Jess LC. She announced that she is closing shop and the orders have been coming in hot! We have been so busy with orders, it has been exciting and fun work.

This does mean of course that I will be looking for a new job soon, but I am still loving the experience and trying to learn as much as possible while we finish strong!

I'm so excited for the weekend to relax with Mark, and also to prepare for some exciting things to come! One of my best friends is moving here on Tuesday and I am bubbling with joy and excitement! Also I am making a change in my life that I will share next week. Many blessings happening here for us.