December Budget

The most wonderful time of the year (as well as the year itself) is coming to a close, and I am sitting here in a bit of a consumption coma. Lots of buying happened this month -- many gifts, of course, and many purchases for myself. I hit the after-Christmas sales. Hard.

I'd tried to avoid shopping too much over the past month or two because I knew prices would be great after the holidays, and they were. I missed a few items due to sell out (and a number of items mentioned aren't linked below because they are now out of stock), but I think it's just fate reminding me I can't have everything.

Starting Budget: $250 ($200 of my regular monthly budget, plus $50 because I returned this sweater and these shoes purchased previously)

H&M Jeweled Sweater ($10, on sale) -- this is my favorite buy this month (a tough call to make because I love sooo many things). The color is so rich and gorgeous -- I think it would look great on many people, but in particular I think it is really striking on brunettes. I've already worn it twice, once for Christmas morning brunch (over leggings and sparkly slippers) and once for an impromptu holiday gathering with high school friends (with ponte pants and chunky black pumps). I'm considering buying another one because the price is ridiculous (the one I bought was size large, which was very roomy and oversized; a medium would be more fitted, perfect with jeans or dress pants).

H&M Printed Sweater ($8, on sale) -- a simple little lounge top, perfect with leggings for lazy weekends (or weekdays, honestly, since I work from home). Nice for layering on those rare chilly Florida mornings. I like the stars :)

Anthropologie Splitneck Henley ($50, on sale) -- I've been eyeing this since September and I finally caught my size in stock for a great price. I got the large because I wanted it to be roomy and oversized -- reviews are very accurate in that it runs small (at least one size, maybe two).

Ava + Viv Sequin Skirt ($35) -- you never know where you'll find a gem. A friend of mine showed up to a holiday party wearing this amazing skirt and I all but snatched it off of her when she walked in the room. It is that perfect piece that is fancy but not fussy. When she told me it was from Target my eyes about popped out of my head, and I was floored to hear it was from their new-ish plus size line Ava + Viv. Plus size options are typically the worst so good on you Target for designing this winner. I wasn't sure the skirt would fit me (I can range from a 6 to a 12 depending on brand but mostly fall into 8s and 10s), but I ordered the smallest size they had (X, which is a 14-16) and crossed my fingers. Success! What helps is that it has an elastic waist, creating a much more forgiving fit. I'm also a bit pear-shaped, so the hips that I am always cursing come to the rescue here. I'm also experimenting with pinning it a bit on the side for a more secure fit. It's great little party skirt and looks much more expensive than it's price tag -- I can't wait to wear it with a simple button down blouse, a little velvet blazer, and even a graphic tee. So many possibilities.

H&M Printed Sweatshirt ($20, on sale) -- I don't know why, I just wanted it. I like my loungewear, what can I say?

Loft Speckled Shirt ($17, on sale) -- a twist on a basic black sweater -- the speckled print adds a bit of interesting texture.

H&M Sequin Sweater ($35) -- I loved this so much I paid full price. This rich emerald green color is my kryptonite (it's deeper and prettier in person), and I liked the placement of large paillettes. It's fun and festive without being too over the top.

H&M Cable Knit Cardigan ($20, on sale) -- I've been searching for an ivory cable knit cardigan for about a year (it's on my wish list!). I'm not big on belting things, so I'll probably wear it with the belt tied in the back.

J. Crew Striped Shirt with Bow Detail ($24, on sale) -- I have too many striped shirts, but I have NONE that are tied in the back with shimmery ribbon bows. I couldn't not buy this. The fact that I waited until it went on sale is basically a miracle (I'm expecting the Dope Pope to nominate me for sainthood any day now). This got scooped up fast in J. Crew's 40% off sale sale, so it was totally worth my being late for a family brunch while I furiously loaded things in my card and whipped my credit card out.

J. Crew Tippi Sweater ($35, on sale) -- I've never owned a Tippi sweater, but I know several devotees and I feel like this will easily work into my existing wardrobe (pairing with the jeans, pants, and leggings I wear almost daily). This bright ocean color is beyond gorgeous.

J. Crew Parker Crossbody ($47, on sale) -- I've never seen this bag in person but I am hoping it is as sweet and lovely as it seems in the photo. The lipstick pink color is punchy but not too saccharine sweet.

J. Crew Boatneck Tee ($20, on sale) -- Pink and orange is my favorite color combo, and it's unusual to see these sort of candy colors paired in a classic Breton stripe tee. I'll be saving it for spring and summer, it seems ideal for those early warm nights.

H&M Jacquard Knit Sweater ($13, on sale) -- an impulse buy. I'd seen it in store a few weeks ago and it seemed so cozy. I'm not sure I'll get many chances to wear it this year (hello insanely warm winter), but it is making me want to plan some sort of ski trip so I can rock while drinking cocoa in the lodge (I don't actually ski, but I'm an apres-ski pro).

Gap Cozy Bold Stripe Scarf ($12, on sale) -- I couldn't stop thinking about it after posting about it weeks ago. It's a want more than a need, making it a perfect after Christmas buy.

Forever 21 Beaded Jacket ($50) -- looks so much more expensive than it was. Perfect topper over a tank and jeans for easy nights out.

Anthropologie Celestial Slippers ($44) -- a little gift for myself. Fancy slippers are a happy little luxury. These are on a nice sale and would be great to pick up as a gift for Christmas 2016 (yes, I sometimes buy gifts a year in advance. I'm sure that is stage one hoarding, but I don't care).

Total: $388

I'm about $100 over, which isn't ideal but it could have been worse. Also, a number of these items haven't arrived yet so I do think there's a chance that one or two may end up being returned.

I thought I'd also mention a few items I got for Christmas -- they are already very happy additions to my wardrobe!

This bag doesn't look like it came from H&M, and it does a good job of scratching my itch for a Marc Jacobs hobo. I've been dying for a black watch plaid blanket scarf -- this one looks great with basic black and navy tops. I have these earrings in green and wear them a lot, so I know this coral pair will get a lot of love. And I love this palette of cool shadows from Buxom (they have a primer built in, which is great because I am lazy about that sort of thing).

Hope you had a wonderful December and most importantly, enjoyed spending time with the people you love. I've always thought of myself as a fairly grateful person -- I have a generally happy life filled with amazing friends and family, and I don't take them for granted even for a minute. Still, this time of year provides an even better reminder that what matters most in life is the people you share it with and the good work that you do. So while it's fun to collect beautiful baubles and sparkly skirts, they're just a bit of icing on the cake.

Linking with Fran and the budgeting bloggers - I'm so curious to see what fun things everyone found this month!

November Budget

Another month, another budget update. This was a surprisingly quiet month on the shopping front. I had saved most of my budget for Thanksgiving weekend sales and while I did shop, I didn't do much damage in the clothing department (let's not talk about my Sephora purchases, k?).

Here's are the details...

Starting budget: $200

Purchases:

Gap Linen Stripe Tee ($20, on sale) -- I haven't shopped at the Gap in a long time. They're in the midst of a long identity crisis and I just haven't been inspired by any of their collections in ages . On Black Friday I found myself in the mall for an hour and poked my head into my local store in search of GapFit top I'd had my eye on. I realized that the checkout line was already snaking around the store and I was in no mood to wait, so I did an about face but spotted this pretty tee on my way out. It had a great look and feel -- very light, nice thin stripes, great quality. Good on its own, perfect for layering. I placed an order from the comfort of my couch and I'm crossing my fingers that the fit is right!

Zara Quilted Messenger Bucket Bag ($33, on sale) -- I've been eyeing this for a while and decided to pull the trigger thanks to a 30% off Black Friday code. It's chic and classic and practical, I think I'll be using it all winter.

Banana Republic Crackle Mini Crossbody ($44 on sale, used giftcard) -- another one that I've been thinking about for months. I was glad to finally catch it on a sale. It's a very cute bag that's perfect for casual nights out (it's so nice to be hands-free when you're in a crowded bar or if you are planning multiple venue changes), but it was absolutely not worth the $110 BR was asking for it originally.

Target Blanket Scarf ($14, on sale) -- a Black Friday impulse purchase. My cart was loaded with lots of gifts for friends and family, so I couldn't help but treat myself when I saw this super pretty blanket scarf. The print really doesn't translate in this image -- the plaid is navy blue with accents of pinky-red and orange. Not a classic plaid color combo, but one that will work with so many things in my closet.

Target Merona Embellished Sweater ($18, on sale) -- I broke my own rule about buying Target sweaters (they don't hold up well at all), but this one is so me. Soft ivory, fair isle print, sparkly gems -- sold! It looks pretty washed out in this image, but in person it's vibrant and sweet. I feel like it will be great for casual holiday events (I'm going to a cookie swap and I'm having a little tree-trimming party later in the month).

Total: $85 ($115 under budget)

I'm fine with this. I'll tuck some extra money away for a few December splurges (gird your loins, the sales will be going crazy all month) or put it towards my Christmas gift giving budget. I like to be generous!

I'm linking up with Fran and the budget bloggers -- can't wait to see what everyone bought!

PS -- new here? Take a look at some of my most popular November posts. This month was all about my Gift Guide -- lots of good stuff, with plenty of installments still to come!

PART I: For my best friend

PART II: For my mom

PART III: For my college roommate

PART IV: For the newlyweds

PART V: For my yoga partner

August Budget

What a difference a month makes...

Last month was a bit of disaster that included a pricey splurge and a big Zara haul that put me way over budget. (A quick update there: I ended up returning the beautiful J. Crew shoes. It was a little sad because I did love them, but I couldn't justify the price when I really looked at the quality of the shoes). This month was the polar opposite -- almost no shopping at all. I had other priorities, and sometimes that's just the way it goes: I had a number of boring household-type expenses (new MacBook battery, new glasses, fresh highlights, etc.), I've been putting money away for my vacation, and I wasn't really interested in fall clothes because it's just too hot in Florida.

Here's how my August spending looks:

Starting Budget: $200

J. Crew Factory Tipped Linen Blazer ($50, on sale) -- I actually haven't received this jacket yet, but assuming I keep it, I'll be counting this towards my August budget. I've been wanting a sharp white blazer with black piping for a while and caught a fairly rock bottom price (it's back to almost $100 now!). 

a.n.a Stella Thong ($18, on sale) -- I've loved these sandals all summer, and I picked them up during a nice end of summer sale. They're fun and add a nice pop of color to a lot of outfits.

J. Crew Factory Photo Collector Tee ($10, on sale) -- just a cool little tee. 

Total: $78 ($112 under budget)

I'll be tucking this $112 away in savings, but I'll reserve the right to dip into it in September or October when I might be tempted by great fall pieces.

I have been doing a lot of window shopping fall fashion (and I'll be starting a fun fall shopping series next week). Since this is a pretty short post, I thought I'd share some of the things I'm eyeing for September:

I really love this Zara blouse. It pushes all of my buttons: black and white, pretty piping, sheer flowy shape. I'm hoping to see it in store rather than ordering online because I am concerned it might be a little too short for my long torso.

How sexy is this mermaid-like swimsuit? I still have a lot of swimming months ahead of me, so it seems like a good buy.

Thakoon x Kohl's launches this month, and the preview images look great. I love this cozy marled sweater, among other things.

I fell in love with this blouse a few years ago, and I'm glad Kate Spade re-released it this year. It is marked down from it's original overinflated price, but I'll need another round of reductions before I can pull the trigger. But it's so pretty, right?

This bag looks amazingly chic in photos -- can you believe it is from Old Navy? I definitely want to check this out in-store. I've been let down by the quality level of ON bags in the past, but if this looks as good in real life, it would be an excellent fall buy.

Anything you have your eye on this season?

Linking up with Fran and the budgeting bloggers -- go check out all of the great buys this month!

PS - New here? Welcome! Check out my most popular posts this month:

Wednesday Wishlist: So Bright

Pack This: Summer Vacation

Three Ways: Cashmere Cardigan

Wednesday Wishlist: Swim on Sale

As the final weeks of summer slip away, this is a great time to stock up on some summer clothing essentials at super reduced prices (gotta make room for the wool!). Since I still have a warm weather vacation coming up (and I live in a year-round summer climate), I'm going to grab a few of these cute suits for a steal.

clockwise from l to r:

Old Navy Halter Swimsuit ($12) -- pretty damn sexy for Old Navy, and you can't beat the price.

J. Crew Metallic Gold French Bikini ($75) -- does your dude have a Star Wars thing? Surprise him with this (which also happens to be a perfect for a day by the pool)

Boden Knot Front Taniki ($43) -- you may find some odd separates left over in the sale section. A striped top like this would work well with just about all of solid and print bottoms you already have.

ModCloth Anchor Values Swimsuit ($27) -- a perfect mix-and-match option for the striped tankini top, and lots of other fun tops in your closet.

Kate Spade Georgica Beach Striped Bandeau ($121) -- simple and stylish.

Beth Richards Taylor One Piece ($182) -- I prefer one-piece suits, and I love how sleek and sporty this one is. Perfect for when I want to run around the beach reenacting Mariah Carey's "Honey" video.

J. Crew Ikat Print Bikini ($75)-- a great classic print that you won't soon tire of.

J. Crew Hibiscus Ruched Bandeau One Piece ($100) -- punchy print, flattering style.

Kate Spade Georgica Beach Jewels Bandeau Maillot ($121) -- a little skin, a little sparkle.

July "Budget"

Well, there was a major Zara sale and this month isn't going to be pretty, so let's just get to it...

Stating Budget: $275 (monthly $200 + $41 for returning a May purchase and $34 for selling some clothes)

clockwise l to r:

J. Crew Perforated Drapey Crepe Dress ($65, on sale) -- does this look familiar? You may remember last month I bought this dress in a gorgeous orange-red color. I adore it and knew I needed to snag the black color as well. Simple, sophisticated, just a little sexy. I stalked it for weeks and finally caught my size on a super sale.

Zara Jacket with Patterned Lining ($80) -- the pictures don't do it justice, this is a truly beautiful piece. It has the construction and feel of a jacket 10 times the price.

Forever 21 Cat-Eye Sunglass ($5.90) -- just the right price for a fun but super trendy pair.

Merona 3/4 Sleeve Striped Tee ($5, thrifted) -- great fit, perfectly stripe-y. Very different than all of the other striped tees in my closet. I promise.

J. Crew Roxie Pumps ($300) -- yup, I bought them. My size came back in stock and before I could even think, I clicked. Boom goes the budget.

Top with Cross-Over Front ($20, on sale) Zara sale strikes again. This top is so, so pretty -- the layered front is interesting without being fussy, and the floral pattern is really vibrant (much brighter than the photo). It's so flattering -- I wore it once and several people mentioned that I looked bright and glowy. I don't get those kinds of comments when I wear my pricey highlighting creams and powders.

Ann Taylor Tipped Collarless Jacket ($65, on sale) -- a blogger favorite this month, and for good reason. This is a fantastic spring/summer blazer with simple, chic styling. I noticed on Facebook that a friend of mine wore it when she spoke before the United Nations, so now I refer to it as my "Speaking at the UN Jacket". I'm sure I'll be receiving a speaking invitation any moment.

Zara Embroidered T-Shirt ($23, on sale) -- I can't believe I'm proclaiming my love for a mesh t-shirt, but I am. I spotted this in store months ago and was thrilled to catch it in the end of season sale.

Banana Republic Factory Shorts ($16, on sale) -- just love this color so much.

Zara Rayon Sweater with Buttons ($20, on sale) -- slim fit, finely knit sweater with a pretty button detail. Great basic, perfect for layering.

J. Crew Marcie Suede Wedges ($63) -- a cute and comfy walking shoe. It is hard to find a shoe that works with equally well with shorts, ankle pants, and wide-leg jeans -- these fit the bill.


Total: $663 ($389 over budget)

So, this is bad. You could look at it and say that I was more than 100% over my monthly budget. You could say that it was really a simple shoe splurge that was to blame (because otherwise I was...pretty close?). Either way, I am left with the question of...what to do?

The whole budget exercise was really meant to serve a couple of purposes. First and foremost was to add a measure of accountability and responsibility to my spending. Sadly, I am not an heiress and therefore I have a finite amount of money to spend on clothing. I have life goals that extend beyond just looking cute, so I want to make sure I can fund all of those things.

Also important is putting some limits on my desires to spend and accumulate new things. My goal is never to have the biggest closet or the most expensive wardrobe. It is really to just have a closet full of things that serve my life -- beautiful, practical, and functional. My clothes are a way to express myself, and a way to prevent being naked in public. That's it.

I've thought it over and I'm just going to chalk this up to a bad month. I really love everything I bought and I managed to score some great deals, and forcing myself to return purchases will feel like an unnecessary punishment. I am going to need to remember that July is a great month for sales, and I should budget accordingly.

The other thing I've realized is that I am still very much programmed to follow the normal fashion cycle and gear up for a big fall shopping blitz. I'd really love to be shopping for sweaters, moto jackets, tights, and boots, but that doesn't fit my lifestyle right now. Fall in Florida looks remarkably like summer, and I don't really need a new wardrobe. So I'm going to try to make August and September light shopping months and just live vicariously through you. Just Instagram the hell out of all of your new things, OK?

Linking up with Fran and the budget bloggers -- check them out if you'd like to hear from bloggers who, you know, are good at budgeting.

PS -- if you're new here, hello! Feel free to stick around and check out some of my most popular posts this month:

Three Ways: Statement Shoes

Wednesday Wishlist: Pop of Python

Pack This: 3-Day Trip

June Budget

Fun fact -- I have no idea how much I spent this month! And I could barely remember what I bought when I tried to put this post together. My goal of spending mindfully sort of went out the window this month, so I'm on a mission to do better in July. Anyway, let's see what the damage is together, shall we?

Starting Budget:

$200

Purchases:

clockwise from l to r:

J. Crew Perforated Drapey Crepe Dress ($75, on sale) -- this dress, oh, this miracle dress. The perfect combination of sexy, sweet, and sophisticated. I actually bought it in the Sweet Persimmon color (a perfect tomato red), but for some reason J. Crew decided to style it like a potato sack in the online photo. This dress really loves a woman with curves, so the poor waif models are really drowning in it. Hence the miracle -- it is a dress that looks so much better on real women than on models! It is in and out of stock online, but keep checking -- I'm definitely on the lookout for one of the other two colors (black, and a cool nude-y walnut color).

Forever 21 Tonal Patterned Dolman Top ($20) -- sheer and lightweight and very pretty.

Zara Soft Shopper ($25, on sale) -- spotted this on sale in NYC and bought it as I was headed to the register. I will certainly get lots of use out of it and love it for years; debatable about whether it was a good purchase this month, but oh well.

Zara Perforated Clutch ($25, on sale) -- I actually went to Zara in search of this cute clutch I wrote about a few weeks ago, and I was thrilled to spot it on sale as well. It has a crossbody strap as well, so quite versatile.

Old Navy Cross-Strap Slides ($20, on sale) -- I'm obsessed with snakeskin print, and these seem chic but still practical.

Kohl's Graphic Scooped Tee ($12) -- I love a slim fitted graphic tee, and this watercolor-y endless summer print just made me smile.

Old Navy Faux-Leather Capri Sandals ($10, on sale) -- mine are black, which are sold out online. I'm obsessed with sleek, minimal sandals even though I don't think they always work on my feet -- I was happy these do!

Old Navy Palm Print Shorts ($18, on sale) -- summer is the perfect time for a pair of crazy print shorts.

Juicy Couture Burnout Henley ($7, clearance) -- this is definitely a lounging around the house top -- so light and sheer, with the sweetest rhinestone buttons.

Old Navy Slub Knit Hoodie ($10, on sale) -- this is one of my problem areas -- I can't seem to stop buying comfy lounge tops. This one is cozy and adorable, but so are the other 4 nearly identical ones I have in my closet. Note to self: knock it off.

Total: $222

Welllll....close. I actually both the 2 pair of Old Navy shoes today, so if I hadn't made that impulse buy I would have been on target. I can justify by saying my size is hard to find, sizes were limited online, blah, blah. I should have been keeping track of my total throughout the month so I knew that I'd already hit my limit. Room for improvement.

Next month's budget may be spent pretty quickly -- I'm waiting for this pair of shoes that seems to be taking the scenic route from J. Crew, I am hoping to score another miracle dress, and I just snapped up this gorgeous piped jacket after Ann Taylor taunted me with a great 50% off deal (there's always a chance that I'll hate it when it arrives, but something tells me it's a keeper). Oh, and Zara is having a massive sale? Sigh. How much can you get for selling a kidney these days?

Any good buys this month? Are you going to try to fight me for one of those fab little J. Crew dresses? Let me know!

Linking up with Fran and the budget bloggers -- go see what the ladies bought this month!

PS -- are you new here? Don't judge me on my poor budget skills alone -- feel free to take a look at my most popular posts this month:

Bite Lip Lab: 50 Shades of Red

Wednesday Wishlist: Tell Me About It, Stud

Florida Girl Problems

May Budget

Dude. May went FAST. The good months always do, right? January moves like a slug but May...boom, blink and it's gone.

This month was a story of a lot of happy but unplanned purchases. Plenty of things I didn't know I needed until I saw them. I went quite over budget, which isn't super happy news. There were more than a few things (due to sales and limited release collections) that felt like they couldn't wait, and then a few things I just didn't want to say no to. Here are the numbers:

Starting Budget:

$200

Purchases:

clockwise from l to r:

Zara Multicolor Yarn Sweater ($59) -- I love this sweater so much, though my brain struggled a bit with the idea of purchasing a thick wool sweater in May. It just makes me HAPPY. It's like they made a sweater out of rainbow sprinkles! Marie Kondo gets it. I'm sure it will cheer up some of those dreary days in winter, but I'm also loving the idea of pulling it on over white jeans in the summer, or leggings and a tank for a comfy/chic travel outfit.

Banana Republic Factory Sun Hat ($20, on sale) -- I have always wanted a fabulous floppy sun hat, and now I have one.

Anthropologie Space-Dyed Jacket (n/a) -- I don't count workout clothes towards my monthly budget, but this jacket was just too cute not to share. I sale-stalked it for weeks until it finally dropped to a reasonable price. Love, love, love.

Milly x Kohl's Floral Scuba Skirt ($30, on sale) -- one of my favorite pieces in this collection.

Milly x Kohl's Dolman Maxi Dress ($41, on sale) -- this color is just so cool and inviting. I think it would flatter so many different skin tones.

Zara Leather Printed Wedge ($120) -- probably the primary reason I busted my budget. I can't even describe how much I love the shape of this shoe -- perfect heel height, perfect buckle, perfect everything. At first I'd wished it was in a more basic color like black or solid gray, but the snakeskin pattern has really grown on me -- a fun twist on what is basically a neutral.

Nike Air Pegasus '83 ($37 x2) -- proclaimed my love for these delightful sneakers in an earlier post. Loved them so much, I bought 2 pair!

Old Navy Striped Tunic ($17) -- sometimes Old Navy just surprises you with a gem. This tunic is great as a beach cover-up, but I could also see it belted over skinny jeans and maybe a pair of bright wedges.

Total: $361

Not really sure what to say, other than that it is funny to see how quickly the numbers add up even during a relatively modest shopping month. When I decided to start tracking my budget, I thought $200 sounded like more than enough on a monthly basis. Now that I'm five months into this process, I'm learning that may not be the case. And my spending habits are so unpredictable -- sometimes I want quality over quantity, sometimes I just have the urge to treat myself in the form of a fast fashion binge.

And I find that I am very quick to fall in love HARD with a beautiful dress, a perfect blouse, an exquisite pair of shoes (funny, I'm not at all like this with human relationships). I convince myself that my beloved item is so special, so perfect, and so life-changing that I need to have it...which is fine, except a few weeks later, the cycle starts all over again.

I have my eye on a few things for June's budget, but I'm going to try to hold off on buying for awhile and try to really enjoy all of the great things I've added to my wardrobe so far this year.

Linking up with Fran and the budget bloggers again this month -- pop over and see what the other ladies bought! And let me know how you did this month!