Creating a Shopping Budget and the No-Buy January

Sometimes an idea pops into your head and then suddenly it seems everywhere you turn, you keep seeing or hearing things related to that idea. It just seems to be in the air, like the universe is telling you something. That's been happening for me lately, and the idea is simple: girl, you need a shopping budget.

So why a budget, and why now? To explain, I'll first say that I love a good routine, and lately I find that I've fallen into a routine that makes my heart happy but my wallet a bit sad. I start out most Saturday mornings with my favorite yoga class, which happens to be a 30 minute drive from my house. I finish by 10am and feel happy and energized and ready for the day! And I take advantage of the energy, the early hour, and my location to run some errands and get things done.

And maybe I start thinking, I've done something good for my body, I deserve a treat! On the way home from yoga, I have to pass 2 enormous malls, 2 fantastic outlet malls, a massive outdoor shopping plaza, and about a dozen Targets. And I think, ooh, the stores will be empty -- I should pop into Old Navy and just see what's new! I need to get a birthday present...I'll stop at the mall and hit the sale racks at Anthro. Hey, a new TJ Maxx just opened -- wonder what treasures they have?

By about 3 o'clock, I'm walking through the door loaded down with about half a dozen different bags. And I can justify all of it:

I had to pick up a few things at Target and this sweater caught my eye!

Everything at Old Navy is 40% off!

I really needed some new jeans and I'll get an extra 15% off if I spend $75, so these sweaters are practically free!

I've been doing this for a few months, and while I haven't gotten myself into any debt or purchased anything I'm unhappy with, I just feel like this is an unhealthy habit that I need to break. I love to shop, but I want to do it mindfully. I love a deal, but I want to build a wardrobe full of pieces that I absolutely love.

I'm looking for a closet full of Mr. Rights, and I'm getting distracted by clearance stickers, which are the Mr. Right-Nows.

All of this has been swirling in my mind and I've realized that a lot of my friends and some of my favorite bloggers work hard to stick to a shopping budget. I've learned that I may not be the best at natural self-discipline, but I know am excellent at setting goals and sticking to a plan.

Shopping budget: let's do this!

I've decided to give myself a monthly budget of $200. This feels comfortable right now -- not extravagant, not restrictive. I like to shop, so I don't want to be frustrated all month long...but I also want to focus on building my wardrobe and buying beautiful pieces that I'll wear for years. I'm hoping this budget will give me the right mix of quality and quantity...we'll see!

In addition to my budget, I decided to take a month off of shopping: this is officially a no-buy January. I bought a lot (= too much) in December, seemingly unable to resist all of the holiday sales. I overdid it, and I need a break. So just as Gwyneth Paltrow starts a new year with a miserable, restrictive juice cleanse (so she can rid her body of that extra cheese cube she ate on Christmas), I wanted to kick off the new year with a (slightly-less-painful) wallet cleanse. No clothes*, no makeup, no jewelry...not easy, but necessary. (*I did make one exception, allowing myself to buy workout clothes -- January is usually the best month to find deals, and my daily workouts mean I need a lot of sweat-wicking garments in my life).

We're about halfway through the month and I'm doing well! I've had some temptation, but I haven't given in. Everything is on sale, but I'm kind of tired of looking at the old winter collections anyway...my $200 and I can't wait to see what spring goodies arrive next month!

Buy This: C. Wonder GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE

First came the news that beloved 90's staple Delia's was shutting it's (virtual) doors and today we learn that C. Wonder is shuttering. Both bummed me out (for different reasons), and I'm a bit surprised and kind of sad to see C. Wonder go. A store with an odd and sort of ugly history (Jezebel dubbing it Chris Burch's "revenge emporium" is perfection), it did scratch my itch for things that were a little too bright, a little too preppy, and a little too monogrammed.

Plus, they loved a good dachshund silhouette.

Plus, I got a lot of c Christmas presents there.

Sadly, C. Wonder will be no more in just a few short days. I was happy to pick up a couple of cute items during the 75% off after Christmas sale at my local store:

This basic but perfectly tailored striped tee was an absolute steal at $6:

And I couldn't resist this sweet little trinket box for $4. It will look great on my coffee table or nightstand!

C. Wonder is currently offering 50% off everything online (and discounts at B&M stores are probably steeper). I'm on a self-imposed shopping freeze for the month of January, but here's what I would pick up if I was going to take hit up the sale.

Dachshund Crest Sweater -- $34

I think I could pull this off as ironically preppy, and I'd wear it while running errands on the weekend (and walking my sweet dachshund, Audrey!).

Gore Block Heel Bootie -- $49

The agony and the ecstasy -- they don't have these in my size. Shopping ban is in tact, but my closet is much poorer for it. These boots look AMAZING -- classic, versatile, ready to walk for miles. Please buy these and live in them for the rest of the winter, OK?

Cork Wedge Pump -- $69

This is kind of a fun twist on a basic nude wedge. I'd love to see these peeking out beneath the hem of some of my tailored work slacks, or adding a little sparkle to my weekend uniform of trouser jeans and a blazer.

Monogram Jewelry Box -- $39

Does it get any preppier than this? You'll find a million uses for this slick box -- keeping things tidy on your desk, storing jewelry on your dresser, stashing, um, gadgets on your nightstand (what? It is the perfect shape and I love to hide things in plain sight!).

I've given these as Christmas presents in the past -- you can personalize for each recipient with her initial of course and then fill with Christmas cookies, a pile of her favorite candy, an assortment of yummy tea bags or K-cups, or any other little treat (for my running friends, I filled with Gu and Chomps and other other fuel -- huge hit!). If you're on the ball, you could get a jump on your holiday shopping!

Farewell, C. Wonder! We hardly knew ye, but your wacky patterns and searingly bright colors will live in our hearts and closets for many seasons to come. And soon we shall dry our preppy tears on the mid-priced seersucker goodness that will be Lilly Pulitzer x Target!