So I did not make it through No Buy August, and in fact I got derailed fairly early on in the month. BUT I tried not to let it all go since I know I have a tendency to binge shop once I’ve failed a No Buy Challenge. I think in the past my thinking goes something like, “Well I already failed, what’s the harm in adding a couple more new things anyway.” So this time around I tried not to lose all self-control and I don’t think I did too bad. So here are the things I bought in August:

What I Bought

Tangie bulk order: After trying out the shampoo bar (pictured above) I decided to buy more bar, and I wanted to try their conditioner bar, bulk foaming hand-washing soap bar, and their zero-waste laundry detergent. Full review of everything to come but I have to say I am a huge fan of bar soaps now. Whoever normalized liquid soaps (and their egregious use of disposable plastic) should be flogged.

Emi’s children’s books and a fairly used frame from Goodwill (pictured above): Though I know the library is the best way to get new books for Emi, I prefer buying used children’s books since I don’t have to worry about returning books and fines (oh man I’m not the best at returning books on time). Goodwill sells children’s books for 99 cents and they usually have a pretty great selection.

Beklina Crochet bag and Nonna knit sweater: So these were the items that broke my No Buy Challenge 🤦🏻‍♀️ and I have to say I have biiiig regrets. Since these were part of their final sale page I can’t return them. I like the crochet fanny bag well enough (though it’s not love rn), but I sadly do not like the Nonna knit sweater. I probably won’t be doing a full review of it so let me just say I forgot how itchy wool could be, and this sweater is capital “I” ITCHY. Also it retailed for $300 (and I still paid just under $200 for it), and I have to say if I were to guess at the price, I would have said it was an $80 sweater 🤷🏻‍♀️. I understand that it being made fairly in Peru makes it extra expensive but still, I can’t help but say I’m disappointed.

Secondhand Lululemon Sports Bra from eBay: After selling 5 old Lululemon sports bras that no longer fit (I chalk it up to some weight gain but also a change in my chest size after pregnancy and breastfeeding), I thought it’d be nice to get one in a size that actually fits. But instead of buying new, I decided a used one (like the ones I sold) is the best option.

Airpod Pros: So after 4 years of daily use, my regular airpods are on their last legs (one side keeps cutting in and out). So I decided to upgrade to the pros after seeing them at a particularly good price on Amazon ($189, they retail for $249). I periodically see them for this lower price though they’re currently back up to around $197. Anyway I decided to go for the pros since I find the regular airpods tend to hurt my ears after prolonged usage (they’re too large for my ears). I look forward to the noise cancelling abilities and the softer cups of the airpod pros.

Balance board: I got this one for Emi (though I have fun with it too lol). Since we’re spending more time indoors due to wildfire smoke, I wanted something for Emi to play with that would improve her balance and this came highly recommended. The board is definitely well made and this one is quite affordable compared to some of the others on Amazon.

White Birkenstocks: I’m pretty sure I was influenced by Kathy for this purchase. I didn’t think I wanted another pair of birks even though I wear my black pair almost everyday (and are by far the most worn shoe in my closet). But when I was buying some shoes for Emi, I couldn’t resist throwing them in with the order. I just wanted to see how I would like them, and ah well I loved them. We’ll see how long I can keep them clean (though I do plan to spray some kind of protection on them soon).

What I Didn’t Buy

Arq bra: I still wanted to buy another ARQ bra as I mentioned last month. And I’m still waiting on it, though I’m not too sure why.

New sunglasses from Nordstrom Rack: For about a week I thought I lost my one pair of sunglasses (which I also bought from Nordstrom Rack) so I did a bit of online browsing thinking I would need to replace that pair. Well I found my old glasses, but I was tempted to get another pair anyway. This pair and this pair especially turned my head. But I prudently decided to stick with my one and only pair, take care of them until they are no longer usable, and then buy another one. So far I’ve had this Bottega Veneta pair for about 3 years, ever since my last pair of sunglasses got stolen.

Louis Vuitton Multi Pochette Accessoires bag: Ok so this is a “way out there” wishlist item that I probably wouldn’t have purchased due to budgetary constraints, but I drooled over this bag for a bit this month thanks to Kristy’s review (and after talking to her about in person during a boba meet-up). I haven’t wanted an LV bag for awhile but this practical and multi-use black leather version of this bag is right up my alley. Well I can dream I suppose.

Ree Projects shoulder bag and Julie bag: After checking out these bags at McMullen in Oakland, I totally wanted to buy these bags. I found them at really great prices at the Farfetch and italist, which makes it super tempting. But I decided to hold off on anymore bag purchases for now (or at least until I’m caught up on all my belated bag reviews). But I love the quality and design of Ree Projects bags and these are on my wishlist for now.

So I didn’t do terribly this month I suppose, but I have to say I was much happier during last month’s no buy challenge (ie no purchasing regrets like I had this month). I don’t plan to do a no buy month for September but I hope that I can be mindful of my purchases to keep the buyer’s remorse at bay. But I am considering a No Buy Month challenge for every month that starts with “J”. Yes, a bit arbitrary but it works out well for a no buy challenge in January (a natural no buy month for many after the excesses of December) and then capping it with a no buy July (along with the challenge of back-to-back no buy months). That also means I’d be consciously not buying for a quarter of the year. And that’s a good start I think.

P.S. I just learned about Secondhand September on Insta and I’m going all-in on this!