the challenge
i keep referring to the challenge, so here it is all laid out.
one, so you can read about it. two, (and let’s be honest; this is its real purpose) to stare me in the face when i am trying to get around the rules.
(drumroll please.)
the challenge: my friend kat and i will buy no clothing (or accessories) for one year. we started our challenge on january 1, 2012, so until january 1, 2013, there will be no clothes buying going on up in here.
as we go, we will save the money we would have spent on ourselves. throughout the challenge, we’ll pray about what God wants us to do with it, and at the end, we’ll give it to the places/ministries He puts on our hearts.
two of the reasons we made this decision:
another book (that you have to read!) that spurned an 11 for 30 challenge.
want to read more? my thoughts along the way…
greaterthanrubiesdotnet.wordpress.com 
Hi Caitlin! Somehow I just stumbled upon your blog, and first I want to tell you how completely and utterly honored and humbled I am to be on your Inspired list. I’ve been flipping through your outfit posts and I’d have to agree–we are style soul mates! I really love and identify with your outfits! Secondly, I very much appreciate the challenge you and your friend are on this year. Long story short, I feel like God told me to start my blog, which is weird because it often times seems so superficial to blog about clothes, and since I started it I’ve been constantly asking God how to honor him with it. I love what you’re doing!
Audrey- I’m glad you did!! Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement! It absolutely made my day :) I’m not going to lie- I was so excited I did a little dance when I read it. Ha :) Hope you have a fantastic weekend!
We LOVE having you along with us Caitlin and can’t wait to see how you get creative with what you’ve got and here what God does with and in you this year :)
Thanks so much, Julie! You and Cate are such an inspiration and I love reading about the ways that God is working in your lives. He’s definitely used you to challenge me, so thanks for being a blessing!
Hey Caitlin!
I want you to guest post for us at twentypieces! I was hunting around for an email, but this will have to do. Let me know via email if you’re up to it! We’d love it.
Cate
catejmacdonald at gmail.com
Hey man, this would be easy for a guy, you got any guys doing it??
Not yet- are you going to be the first?
I am so impressed with your desire to do this, your courage to put it out here where the whole world can hold you accountable, and your beauty all around!
Now I noticed that your rules are only about buying clothes… if you can find someone else with impeccable tastes and the little bitty size you are, you could do some pretty impressive trading!
God bless you for your shining example!
Janna, you are so sweet! Thank you for the encouragement- it made my day!!
And that is a brilliant thought…I’m going to have to look into some trading! :)
Hi Caitlin,
My husband works with your husband, and I when I heard about your challenge, I couldn’t wait to check it out! It is a beautiful thing that you are doing! I love that you will donate what you would have spent.
I love how God works! My mother & I LOVE all things Fashion! The other day we finally made it down to see Jean Paul Gaultier at the Dallas Museum of Art. – I am a bit of a procrastinator. I read every word on the walls, studied each outfit and walked away with two thoughts that I can not get out of my head. The first thing that I drew from this experience – Fashion can not be put into a box – there are no rules. The second thing – Recycling has been going on in fashion forever! Take the man’s suit, for instance, women modified it to make it work for them, a soldier’s uniform became a dress, pants became a skirt, etc. I love this! I love to sketch and sew! I have been redesigning many of my clothes this past year and it has been so much fun. I can not include shoes in the challenge, because shoes are a stronghold, lol, but I would like to not buy clothes for a period of time and have to make something new, at least weekly, using clothes that I already have or fabric already in my collection. Do you sew? This might be fun.
I am looking forward to following your blog and this challenge!
Kelly- I’m glad that you did! Thanks for the encouragement. :)
And I am so impressed. How resourceful and creative to redesign your own clothes! I wish that I could sew and do the same. I also love your idea of not buying clothes for a while and making something new weekly. That would be so fun to hear about! (You should start a blog to chronicle your adventures!)
Fantastic! Our sunday school just read this book together! It’s great to see the people of God rising to the call! I can’t wait to see everything you come up with, without buying anything new!
It’s been a crazy journey, but one I wouldn’t trade. And I’m so glad you’re reading along! :) Have a wonderful night!
Caitlin, I CAN NOT put into words how absolutely amazing what you’re doing is! You should be an example to us all. Clothing, as great as it can make us feel, is only material possessions and could never fill our hearts and our souls the way that the work of God can! You’re truly an inspiration! If there is anything that I (or my blog) can do to help you in your journey just let me know!
much love,
Kristina
Kristina, thank you so much for your encouragement! I appreciate it more than I can express. My constant prayer is that God would use my blog to accomplish His plans, so if you would, please pray that with me! Thank you!!
Wow! What an amazing challenge. Good luck on your journey!
xx
Thanks so much, Jessica!
Wow … absolutely LOVE your blog, the name, the meaning … LOVE it all!!!!
I will definitely be back! pippa
http://www.shopwithpippa.com
Thank you, Pippa!
found you via WIWW and I must say what a wonderful blog and challenge. Girl, I have been thinking about the exact same things! You inspire me! I am a Christian too! Can’t wait to look around your blog some more!
Peggy! I’m so glad you are here. I hope you’ll comment with what He’s teaching you! It’s so encouraging to me to hear what others are learning. I hope you have a wonderful night!
Hi Caitlin!
I can not even tell you what a blessing it is that I found your blog! Just a few weeks ago I had a conversation with my husband about how much “stuff” I have and that I want to challenge myself to live on a SUPER small clothing budget. Thinking that this would force me to remix the wardrobe that I already own. Fast forward a few weeks and I find myself here at your blog, coincidence? I don’t think so. Now it’s time for me to stop thinking about it and start living it! Thanks for the inspiration – wish me luck!
Audrey, I am blown away by your comment. Way to go, girl! I’m so excited that you came by. GOOD LUCK! And keep me posted on how it goes. I just love when God works on us like this. You can do it!
hey caitlin,
i stumbled across your blog a few months ago and thought your challenge was a super noble endeavor. …and in the back of my mind i prayed Jesus would never, ever, ever lead me to do something like that. ha.
my husband and i have been trying to “simplify” our lives. especially when it comes to where we spend our money. i’m not a huge spender in the clothing area, but i am the queen of finding a seemingly legitimate excuse to buy something new. you know, a friend’s wedding, easter, a weekend getaway, etc. anyway, God’s been really working on me with money and how i use it and all the usual suspects that accompany that gentle scolding. so i’m going to do something very similar to what you and your friend are doing. i can’t start yet. it feels too scary to start it. but i’m going to hash out my rules, pray about specifics and then dive in.
so thanks. mainly for being confirmation. and i pray God blesses you for being bold and public about something you and Him are doing together.
Maggie, don’t you love (slash hate) when He does that? That’s exactly how I wound up with the challenge. I’m so excited for you and your husband! I’ll be praying for you as you dive in to what the Lord lays out for you. I know it will do great things in you- and for His glory. Thanks for taking the time to share a little bit of your journey with me- and please keep me updated on how it goes! I’d love to hear.
Wow! You have inspired me! I’m in the process of praying about a small undertaking like this. I’m thinking just a month, first, and then we’ll see where it takes me. Follow my journey in September!
Mandy
http://www.lowmaintenancedivas.com
Hi Mandy! I’m so excited for you! I will definitely follow your journey in September- and can’t wait to see what the Lord teaches you!
PS Thanks so much for the shout out on your blog- I’m honored! :)
Hi Caitlin,
I just came across your blog! Congratulations. My focus since November 2012 has been on stewardship and managing my money better. I’m beginning my first professorship at a university, so I only bought clothing that would allow me to look professional in the workplace–and I bought on sale and with changing seasons in mind. That being said, I am blown away and humbled by your year long challenge. I am, of course, considering it for this year. I need to talk to God first though! My question is this: was hosiery included in the no buy challenge? I only ask because I live in DC and I will be moving to Michigan in July, so the winters in both places can get pretty chilly without hosiery as an additional layer under silk jammies.
Many thanks for sharing…and blessings to you and yours this year.
KP
Hi KP! Congratulations on your first professorship!! That’s so exciting. Absolutely talk to Him about it first! I think that rules you set for a challenge are individual, and should stretch you but be practical for your life. Personally, I made it an option to replace anything that wore out through the course of the year. (This of course didn’t count if it was intentionally ruined, but when my dog ate a pair of my panty hose, i replaced them.) I hope that helps and hope to hear more about the ways God is moving in your life! Have a wonderful evening!
Wow.. I can’t even begin to tell you how crazy perfect Gods timing is…. My husband and I have recently (yesterday) been talking about how I have a shopping problem and what we could do to find what’s at the heart of it …. Then today on my lunch break and hop on Pinterest and by Devine appointment stumble across your blog, God is so funny sometimes!! …. Obviously you have just finished your year and I have some reading to catch up on but I think your challenge is definitely something I am going to prayerfully consider and talk to my husband about…. Thank you for being bold enough to blog about your experience! I can’t wait to read more! May God bless you for your faithfulness. Thank you again,
Emily
Emily! Thank you for sharing that with me. I am so excited for you as you seek out what the Lord is calling you to. I hope you’ll tell me more about journey He takes you on!
PS He is just so good and faithful with His timing! I’m humbled he used this blog to encourage you and I hope it will continue to!
Love this idea!
[…] recently stumbled across a really inspiring blog, greater than rubies, that focused on her wardrobe for a year; Caitlin spent a whole year using the same wardrobe she had, not spending a dime on it…and […]
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