First Flakes -December 8 th - Then and Now

Boston has held a lot of firsts for me. A decade ago when I landed in Boston I had never seen actual snowfall . I was excited to see snow . After arriving in december on a cold, rather chilly day with no winter gear the freezing cold was terrifying . All my excitement about snow had melted away when the freezing cold sent chills down my whole body . I was barely able to get into a car from the airport . It was dark outside even though it was early evening . I was tired from the long plane ride . The sleet and black ice added to my disappointment .


Few hours into Boston and I had already given up thinking about the snowfall . The next day when I woke up from my jet lagged sleep schedule and looked outside my window I held my breath .There it was . A beautiful white blanket of snow all over .  Beautiful flurries of snow piling up on ground gradually . It was magical and mesmerizing . My first ever snowfall . I forgot all my feelings from a day earlier . With a cup of hot masala chai and warm blanket I sat there transfixed watching the snow.


And exactly on the same day a decade later I was again enjoying snowfall . Now in a totally different city watching the beautiful snowfall with my family . I was very far from the northeast ,now in the south in Atlanta . But a cup of hot masala chai had not left my company . Nothing is quite as serene as watching your backyard being covered in a white sheet of fresh snow. There is something just beautiful about the snowfall . It is magical to find yourself in the same place but that which looks totally different now. This is a thing of wonder and may be enchantment perhaps . Nature's beauty at its best !




LET IT SNOW
LET IT SNOW

30 Day Shopping Ban Update 5

11 May
Today I returned the clothing items I had previously found in my closet . I was sure they were not what I needed . The fit was not right .For a split second I was leaning on buying something while at the store . But the returns had made me feel happy that I was getting rid of stuff that I did not need . So I reminded myself to not fill the empty closet space with items I did not need currently . Once again I walked out of the store holding my head high and smiling to myself .





12 May

I  have a party to attend tonight . It is an informal girls get together . So I decided to shop my closet . I have picked put an outfit that I wore once more than a year ago . It is a special one since my dear friend gave it as gift . Today seems a right day to wear it and revive it . Happy I found something in my own closet that is beautiful and special. I feel bad that I had almost forgot that I owned it . But rediscovering such a beautiful outfit that holds a special place is indeed wonderful .





13 May
After a fun day at party last night I relaxed and just was unwinding. I enjoyed the day with my family.




14 May
Today is the last day of my ban . It feels so good and liberating . I also feel accomplished . I never thought I could do this . I am happy and content looking at my closet today . I feel so proud of myself .

30 Day Shopping Ban Update 4

May 6 - May 8

I had an awesome trip . I spent some quality time visiting my cousin . I also enjoyed the sight seeing in Chicago . Had a wonderful trip .

May 9
I was busy today unpacking, doing laundry and grocery shopping . Shopping for clothes was not even remotely on my to-do list for today .

May 10

Just another usual day . I enjoyed spending time with my little one . Infact I organized some clothes and separated some items for returns .

30 Day Shopping Ban Update 3

May 1
I am expecting guest from abroad today . So I think I will be cleaning, organizing and cooking  all day long .



May 2
I went to TJMaxx with my guest for his  shopping . I was so tempted to buy clothes. Instead I walked away from the clothes section and focused on helping him find things on his list . That way I could still shop but nothing for me . I was so proud of myself . I cannot stop bragging about it . I literally did not wander even close to the clothing aisle . I had made a resolution before entering the store . And I stuck to my resolution . Such a big achievement .


May 3
Work kept me busy all day long .


May 4
Today I went to target with my guest . I had a gift card that I could have easily used to buy clothes for me or my little one. I instead gave it to my friend who used it to buy things on his checklist . I momentarily thought about my purchase from Kohls with the coupon . may be my guest could have used it instead of me . but somehow that guilt has made me stronger . It has sort of worked for me in a way to strengthen my resolution and stick to "no shopping ".


May 5
Busy all morning  packing for the weekend trip . Off to Chicago . Yay .

30 Day Shopping Ban Update 2

26 April
The guilt of shopping from couple of days  ago  has suddenly made me feel stronger . I feel better now that I will not budge in and go shop . I am feeling confident and stronger today .



27 April
 I feel happy today . shopping is not on my mind . Instead of shopping I have shifted my focus to cooking at home today  .


28 April
My family enjoyed the meal I cooked yesterday . So with new zeal I have plans for cooking more dishes today . The thought of shopping has not crossed my mind today yet .


29 April
 The cooking marathon continues . The no shopping ban  does not bother me at all .



30 April
A day well spent with family and friends .

30 Day Shopping Ban Update 1

21 April
I momentarily thought about loft since I was 1 block away from it. My mind was then flooded with some lunch commitments and I totally forgot about shopping .

22 April
It was a bright and sunny day today . I had already decided to dedicate this day to my family. We took baby K to a park this morning . We ran some errands afterwards. I enjoyed cooking  lunch at home with baby K surrounding me all the time , with her books and toys laying all around my feet . It was fun cooking that chaos . In the evening we had a birthday party to attend. By the end of day we all were exhausted and fell asleep . So no thoughts about shopping and a day well spent . Win win situation.

23 April
I was at work whole day today . As expected shopping was not even on my mind .

24 April

I had a busy morning but somehow stumbled upon my emailed coupon from Kohl's. The coupon was worth 5 $. So I decided to buy something for my daughter. i walked in the store ignoring all the women clothing. Quickly grabbed a 7$ tshirt in a larger size for my daughter. I got it for 2 $. I was overjoyed by the purchase that cost me so less . however as soon as I walked out of the store I started felling guilty . I felt like I was cheating on my "no shopping ban '. I could not feel at rest the whole day .

25 April

The guilt from yesterday is still fresh in my mind. I shopped a clothing item for my daughter and broke the no shopping ban . I still cannot get over this fact . But at the same time I do not have the courage to go return the item. So I have decided to keep it .Will see what happens as days goes by .

30 day Shopping Ban

 I have self imposed a 30 day shopping ban . No shopping clothes for myself as well as my little one during the next 30 days . Yes ! You heard me right . Knowing how much of a shopaholic I am you think I have lost my mind .  I know it sounds incredibly hard , almost impossible . But nevertheless I decided to accept the challenge and see how it goes . I will try my best to chronicle how things go in regards to my shopping temptations and the consequences . The ban started on 14 th April 2017 . I plan to pen down everyday how I am feeling . I am aware that I will have some good days and will resist shopping easily . I may have some not so good days but hopefully will not cave in ( hopefully )  . The ban has worked so far . Today I am sharing what I wrote down daily until now .

15th-16th April

I am travelling out of town. We have plans to go out shopping with family. I am secretly hoping I can shop. I am so happy. I think it is a good excuse and it is ok to shop with family.

Update----With 3 kids at home, numerous events to attend,  and the endless chats we never stepped out of the house. The result is two days of no shopping ( read disappointment ) .

17th April

Back from the trip but I am super exhausted. Spent most of my day sleeping . It is evening time aka tea time. I am sipping some piping hot masala chai. I am checking my emails. OMG! I have discovered that Loft has free shipping on all orders today. My temptation has made me fill my shopping cart. The total is 3 digit figure. So I am taking off couple of items but still have few in the cart.  I am still thinking , reviewing my shopping cart . I have decided to just walk away from my computer.

Update past midnight---I never returned to complete the order and checkout. Yay or Nay ??? Another day gone by without shopping. I feel empowered . I have overcome the temptation of shopping especially when Loft had free shipping . It is a major achievement folks ( read "pat on the back"  wink wink )

18 th April

I went to target to return a few things today. I was tempted to buy clothes for my daughter. I was so close to checkout when I returned all clothing items back to the rack. Stepped out of the store smiling , happy and feeling good . So proud of myself right now y'all .

19th April

I was at work for over 10 hours . So shopping was never on my mind.

20th April

Not a day goes by when I do not think about shopping. I was very close to the outlet mall today . I was so tempted to drive couple of exits further and shop . Or at least look around and satisfy my appetite for shopping. I just diverted my attention and drove back all the way home. I thought about my shopping ban constantly once I got home. I never made it back to the outlet . Well I think it was more so because of the long drive that I never made it back to the outlet mall . Hmm! But I think I deserve some credit for turning around and driving home in the first place .