Woman starts a lot of projects and fails. You'll never guess what she tries next!

At 3:00pm Thanksgiving day I drove by my local Target.  Normally this is where I keep my eyes firmly planted on the road ahead, never breaking eye contact or I'll think about all the awesome things inside of that heavenly store. Today was a little different because Target was closed, and yet as I drive by and glanced to my left at the parking lot I noticed about 20 people and a lot of tape.

My first reaction was, oh my gosh what happened, IS THIS A CRIME SCENE! But then I remembered, Black Friday.

How could I forget that this day exists when I woke up this morning to 32 emails about all the cool deals I could be apart of!  okay yeah scratch that example, It's no one's fault but own that  I can't say no every time a cashier asks me for my email.

This isn't a post about how consumerism mentality is what it wrong with America (a fun table topic), or how I am disowning all of my friends that participated in black Friday (whateva), or how instead of discounted TV's we should have discounted ice cream and hot chocolate (really good idea). This post is about why I am grateful for Black Friday.

(I'm trying to figure out how to not make this a rant)

I'm grateful for Black Friday because it has inspired a series of life long projects. Two years ago on November 26, I experienced this specific Friday for the first time and then promptly decided to never experience it again. Hell is modeled after Black Friday, not the other way around. You were right mom. I'm sorry I didn't listen.

But first, this is my year long philosophy that took many of my life perceptions, and smashed them. I had to stick it on a photo that I took on Black Friday in the mountains (#optoutside) because it's a blogging rule that posts look better when they have a thumbnail. I care about things like thumbnails. Sue me.

This past January 2015 (Look at how far we've made it!) resulted in my first project I like to call THRIFTY BUT NOT SO NIFTY.

As a fellow member of Coupon Clippers Anonymous, I would just like to publicly state what a sucker I am for a good deal. And I always find such good ones. I am the Queen B of spotting Anthropolgie brands at thrift stores. I'm also Queen B of buying things just because they are at a good price.

Capsule Wardrobes and minimalist closets and pretty hip to do right now, I know because I've read every blog post ever written about them.  If I had the $$$ I would immediately throw away 99% of my clothing right now and go purchase my minimalist things, but this is not What Not to Wear, I do not have Stacy and Clinton to assist me in this journey, THIS IS THE LIFE TLC DOESN'T WANT TO AIR.

So here is my approach: Don't buy any clothing/shoes/accessories for an entire year (with 5 exceptions because I'm not heartless)

So that was fun, and I lasted a solid 3 1/2 months.

Aside from me failing, this was actually a way awesome idea and I would recommend it 100%. I learned so much. I got rid of about half of my wardrobe, I hardly ever went into a clothing store, and when I did purchase something I didn't just look at the deal I was getting. I was also much more conscious of the source of my clothing and it's quality. From my calculations I bought about 42% less than I did in 2014. Not too bad.

I did totally had a breakdown over a super awesome dress in GAP but maybe we should forget about that.

The only person I care to be competitive against is myself, so stay tuned for round two in 2016, because me and I both know I can beat 3 1/2 months, easy.

Project two, PRETEND YOU LIVE IN YOUR CAR, was started in August when my family stayed consistent in their moving patterns and moved two blocks. Anyone who has moved knows about that paralyzing moment when you realize how much you hate all of your stuff. (no? maybe it's just me. I feel like I have that moment at least once a week)

So here was my train of thought- Buy 4 storage bins, make everything you own fit into those storage bins (minus furniture and books. My books would take up more than 4 bins) and tada! you can fit all that in your car and it's magic! hahahahaha. You know what I ended up doing? I stuck all I could into 4 storage bins. tossed a couple of things. Got really mad everything didn't fit and then just put everything else in garbage bags. Once again, great idea, 4 out of 10. Will try again at a different time.

Project three is starting next week, it's called ZIP IT LIPPY, in which I get to practice not having an opinion for 2 weeks. (stop laughing.) So please, for two weeks do not ask me what I think the future looks like for One Direction, or if I think couch surfing is a good idea,  or anything that requires an opinion.

I'm gonna ace this one, I know it.

And by ace it, I mean I'm just going to not have to expect much. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯