It was the weekend. And what do I normally do on the weekend? I shop. Like it’s my job. But this weekend was oh-so different.

First, I’d like to reveal the shocking conclusion to the black tights dilemma I posted about on Friday. I ended up going to Walgreens after work to pick up a prescription (FYI: buying medicine is so not shopping). However, Walgreens just so happened to have black tights. So I picked up a pair. It was medicine and tights. Simple purchase. Not shopping. Here’s why: the tights were a necessary purchase that I bought at a drug store. I didn’t get to sift through racks of fabulous designer tights. These were $2.99. And did I enjoy buying them? Don’t think so. I don’t think this is cheating. Let me remind you again that the goal here is not to purge spending from my life—the goal is to see if I can go a month without any frivolous shopping (i.e. those after work trips to Neiman Marcus).

My roomie was very concerned about my tights, though. When I arrived home and started getting ready to go out on Friday night, she said, “Oh, Emily, I see that you found some black tights. What did you end up doing?”

“Well,” I replied. “I had to go to Walgreens for meds. While I was there, I just bought a pair of black tights.”

“Yeah,” she said. “I was gonna’ say they look absolutely fine.”

“Well they’re no Betsey Johnsons!” I dramatically screamed as I tugged at the waistline.

But I can’t complain, because my problem was solved. Thanks to everyone who suggested I mend my tights—that was funny. Mend is practically my middle name. Not. Me + Needle + Thread = Disaster. But, it was a worthwhile, very thrifty suggestion and I appreciate all the comments.

On Saturday I went to the grocery store with my mom, then I went out for margaritas and Mexican food. I passed out around 10. No shopping—just tequila.

Then, on Sunday I decided to drive to Iowa to keep from shopping. And it worked. I actually went to Iowa on a mini road trip with my family. But nonetheless, if you want to get away from consumerism you might as well just drive to Iowa (sorry to all my Iowa readers…but I think we can both admit that your state isn’t the forerunner in shopping).

In this race against shopping I think I’m winning. It isn’t fun. And I really want a new pair of jeans. But I’m being tough, I’m being brave and I’m bringing it.

Coin purses, wallets and wristlets are very handy-- especially if you're a girl on the go. So if you're looking for the perfect gift for your best girlfriend, your hip mom or someone special, this adorable Rebecca Minkoff coin purse has Valentine's Day written all over it. While it's perfect for the fast-approaching holiday, it would be something stylish and sassy to whip out at any time of the year.

Because the sad reality is, money really can't buy you love! But it can buy you lots of shoes, purses, clothes and make-up to fill the void.

It’s Friday. And I went an entire workweek without shopping, which is pretty astonishing. However, today I am faced with a dilemma. Here it goes.

Tonight I am going out. I have the perfect accessories, shoes, dress—everything I need is right there in my closet. The thing is, I have successfully ripped all of my black tights (I’m very uncoordinated, we have established this). I have to wear tights. Going without them is not an option—I live in Minnesota. It’s snowing here today and my skin would literally peel off my legs if I wandered into the night without tights on my legs. So, would it be considered shopping if I wandered into Target, bought myself a two-pack of tights and left? I promise I wouldn’t look at anything else. And this purchase isn’t necessarily a fun purchase, it’s a purchase that’s needed to survive the temperatures. Or am I completely delusional?

I don’t want anyone thinking I’ve broken the rules or buckled—I just want to make sure my legs don’t freeze off. This is quite the conundrum. I don’t know what to do! I play by the rules. So I’m asking you, what’s a girl to do? What are your thoughts?

Here's Valentine idea that costs NO MONEY and could really brighten someone's day! In fact, it could brighten a lot of lives. Avenues for Homeless Youth, a Minnneapolis-based organization that provides support and housing options to homeless youth, partnered with Target to do a Valentine's Day promotion. It's easy. All you have to do is send a Valentine to a friend from their website. When you do, Target will donate $1 to Avenues (up to $10,000). You'll make a friend smile and help enhance a young person's life.

Go send some Valentine's! It's cute. It's fun. It's free. And it WILL make a difference! And hey, giving back is always in style.

My Mom and Dad used to buy me really cool Valentine’s Day gifts when I was a kid. I guess they knew I was headed for years of single Valentine’s days so they were just trying to cushion the blow and amp up my self-esteem at an early age.

These days, I’m probably too old to receive legitimate Valentine’s Day gifts from my parents. But I’d happily accept them. (Mom, if you’d like to send a Burberry bucket hat like the one you sent me on Valentine’s Day at age 18, I’d happily accept one. Or anything Burberry for that matter. Those were the good ole’ days.)

But these days the Valentine’s Gifts are few and far in between. As a matter of fact…I don’t think I actually receive Valentine’s Day gifts…unless of course they’re sweet somethings from my wonderful girlfriends.

But if I were actually expecting some Valentine’s Day Gifts, I’ve decided to share with you all the things I might want. I’ve also included my thoughts on what the sentiment behind them may mean! I’ll feature new ideas every day until Valentine’s Day.

Wrap You Up In My Love

This lightweight Burberry wrap is the perfect transitional accessory as we move to spring. Plus, it’s pink (Valentine’s Day, duh). And Burberry is an established brand that’s been around for ages—which can only mean that your love is classic and lasting, too. This is a scarf any girl will have around for years to come. And hopefully, she’ll think of the handsome hunk who bought it for her each time she drapes it around her neck.

I almost messed up today. While driving home this evening I thought to myself, “Hmm, what will I wear for all my social activities this weekend?” I immediately started thinking of my wardrobe. Then I thought, “I should stop and pick up a cool new necklace or some standout earrings to jazz up some of my favorite dresses. There’s a great jewelry boutique on my way home.” Then, I turned up my radio and carried on. It wasn’t until ten minutes later that I realized what I was thinking was totally off limits. And then, for the first time since I banned shopping from my life, I felt a pang of anger shoot through my body.

I drove home instead of going to get myself a cool new necklace or pair of earrings. And that was the end of that. We’re four days in and I’m starting to believe that this could get genuinely interesting.

I’ve found the perfect alternative to shopping: working. It fills the void, keeps me busy and gives me puzzle after puzzle to solve. Since I’ve given up shopping (all three days of it), I’ve found myself working pretty long hours. But that might actually be a coincidence. I don’t really know. Anywho, I’ve barely had time to shop because I’ve been tied up solving the worlds marketing problems (which is actually very fun to me. Nerd, I know).

So day numero tres has been easy-trapeezy. We’ll see what surprises the rest of the week brings.

I am dominating this no shopping thing. I mean, it’s only the second day but I’m doing fine. No problems here. Last night I immersed myself in work and The Bachelor. I didn’t even have time to think about making frivolous purchases when I was busy analyzing the most sick and twisted television show of all time.

I did, however, overhear a conversation between my roommate and her boyfriend in which she told him all about my vow of no shopping. Their conversation went a little something like this.

Roomie said: “Well, Emily is giving up shopping for the entire month of February.”

BF said something like: “Oh, that’s not hard. I go months without shopping all the time.”

Roomie said: “Yeah, but this is Emily we’re talking about. She stops at Macy’s on the way home from work and treats herself to stuff all the time.”

I got a kick out of it. It was pretty cute. And it made me realize that shopping was pretty much embedded into my normal daily activities. Which is fine…I think. And then someone else harassed me last night about my shopping abstinence. He pointed out that I had a ski trip planned this month and that I’m still planning on buying alcohol this month. I kindly explained to him that a ski trip was not shopping (not at all)…and that alcohol is one of my main food groups. And I decided yesterday that I’d keep buying groceries . So I’m keeping vodka on the list. After all, I’ll need it more than ever during this difficult month of no frivolities. I'm not necessarily trying to save money...just not shop!

So. There you have it. All is well in the land of no shopping!