New Year's Resolutions

It's that time of year again: the making of resolutions.

Last year I set a goal of becoming more fearless. I don't know if I achieved that; it's difficult to measure fearlessness. But I have been trying to take more chances, step out of my comfort zone and try new things. My role in the community, while still quite small, has grown in the past year. And I've noticed a new self-confidence, something I'd lacked for some time.

But this year I'm going for a straight-up, achievable resolution: to buy less cheap crap. For me, that particularly means clothing, but it also pertains to things for the home.

I have a longstanding aversion to buying things made in China. One day I intend to blog about that (when and if I can ever set my thoughts out properly), but it started as my own personal protest against the country's human and animal rights abuses. Stories of contaminated pet products, children's toys and baby formula over the past few years vindicated my choice, and I've continued to try to avoid products that come from there.

It's not easy, and sometimes I give in. It's nearly impossible to find sweaters or boots or purses (and not just cheap ones but designer labels) that aren't made in China, and when buying online it's usually impossible to know where a product comes from. But there's been one good side effect: I've saved lots of money by not buying cheap, Chinese-made crap.

But it's not enough. I love stuff and I love shopping, but I really believe it's better for me and better for the world to make more-conscious, thoughtful decisions about where to spend my money. So no more "just looking" at the clothing racks at Target. No more $20 dresses at H&M.

I'd also like to teach myself to draw. Nothing too intricate, just some simple fashion- or architecture-related sketches that I can use on the blog.

Oh, yes, and I'm back to blogging. For now, anyway. I'm not going to post as regularly as I did before. It began to feel like a chore. No, now I'll post when the mood strikes and I have the time and energy to devote. (Check back next week for pictures from my trip to Paris and Brussels!)

Do you have any new year's resolutions you'd like to share? I'd love to hear about them!