Spending Recap: November 2011

Well, November has come and gone and I have set some wardrobe spending goals for myself for each month.  So, here's full disclosure on what I've spent this past month and how well I've stacked up to my goals.

Here's what I bought:

Item: Anthropologie Rainforest Morning Dress (via the Effortless Anthropologie Trade Market)
Cost: $40 (inc. shipping)
Original retail price: $168
Why: I've been stalking this dress since it came out back in 2010.  It's silk, a shirt dress with an elastic waist and features my favorite color -- green!  Well, I caught it on the Trade Market and couldn't NOT pick it up.  And for a quarter of the price!
Assessment:  It's used, bought for >75% off and something I've been wanting for a long time.  This was a great purchase.

Item: Steve Madden stacked heel black pumps (via Nordstrom Rack)
Cost: $60

Original retail price: $98
Why: I don't know why I fail to buy basics for my wardrobe.  I think all the fancy patterns distract me when I go shopping!  I just needed a good pair of black pumps. 
Assessment:  This is my cheat item for the month.  It doesn't meet any of my criteria other than it's a general wardrobe necessity.

Item: Anthropologie Lingonberry Mini
Cost: $40

Original retail price: $268
Why: I picked this up on super sale during Black Friday.  I love minis, this color palette is not in my wardrobe yet and, admittedly, I just got swept up in the crazy deals. 
Assessment:  Ugh.  This brought me over my monthly limit.  I haven't received it yet because its in the mail, so we'll see if it stays in my wardrobe.


Grand Total: $140

So, I want to celebrate and say that this is a significant improvement over the last year of spending on clothes.  In fact, I'm probably on the right track to actually be successful in the upcoming months! But I can't just yet.  Why?  Because of this:

Item Vince Vintage Leather Jacket
Cost: $399
Original retail price: $995
Why: I've been dying for a leather jacket for the last 2 years.  This one fits, its a great color and it has a totally unique vibe.  Not to mention, it's buttery soft and is a pretty reasonable (?!) price for something of this quality.
Assessment:  Well, it obviously blows all the limits I've set for myself.  So why haven't I returned it?  This may fall into the category of one of those investment pieces that will last me a long long time.  So I need your help.  Keep it as a Xmas gift to myself?  Or stick to my budget guns and return it? 

So what do you all think?  Is this a keeper feature?

Thanks for stopping by!

OOTD: Impractical Sweater

Fashion's a pretty funny thing.  This sweater, by all accounts, is probably one of the most impractical items that I own.  It's sweater material, short sleeved and cropped.  Which makes it difficult to wear in the summer because its warm and also in the winter because it doesn't cover enough.  Oh well, I love it all the same.  And that's what layering is for, right?

 
Outfit Details
Top: Forever 21
Cami: Guess
Pants: AG Stevie Ankle
Shoes: Target Taki Mary Janes
Scarf: French Connection
Necklace: Kohls
   

I normally don't take pictures in the morning because, well, my hair isn't typically dry by the time I leave the house.  But since that's the only time its light out, I have to work with what I've got.  

Happy weekend to all!  Thanks for stopping by!  

OOTD: Facing the Cold

Oh yes, I am indeed still here.  I think the cat was out of the bag, but I haven't been as regular the last week and a half because I was in Cabo last week.  Sorry I didn't share!  You know all those scary stories where you tell the world that you're going to be out of town for a week and someone comes and robs your house?  Yeah...I know YOU wouldn't rob my house, but it's better safe than sorry, right?

Well, it's a heck of a lot colder here than it was in Cabo, that's for sure.  Though I guess I should be happy about 40 degree whether compared to the 20 degree-ish weather that some other areas have to suffer.  But on my return on Monday, I made sure to bundle up anyway!

 
Outfit Details
Dress: White House Black Market
Cardigan: Anthropologie Schuylkill Sweater
Tights: We Love Colors
Shoes: Anthropologie Bucolic Fields Boots
Scarf: Banana Republic


 

For some reason this sweater reminds me of a carpet bag that someone would get from the Middle East.  No particular reason, that's just the image that comes to mind.  

It's been getting pretty dark early/late recently, so you may have to suffer a few mirror shot posts in the next few days, but I'll try to get a good queue of pictures in this weekend!  I also owe you folks a (few) Cabo post(s), a November wardrobe spending recap and some fitting room reviews. 

Thanks for stopping by!  

OOTD: Falling Leaves

Happy Black Friday everyone!  Hopefully you've overcome your food coma and are gearing up for one of the most crazy, spendy day of the year.  This is actually one of my favorite traditions -- waking up at the crack of dawn (or in the case of some outlets, midnight) and getting ready to fill my wardrobe with fun wintery clothing.  Unfortunately, I have other, immovable plans today (not to mention that I would be violating my Savings goals two days after I set them if you read Wednesday's post), so I will have to bow out of 2011's time honored consuming tradition.  But! Whether you decide to click it quick at home or brave the cold and join the legions of shoppers or just hide until it's over, I hope you have a wonderful day :).  What are your plans? Share them with me!

 
Outfit Details
Top: Anthropologie
Cardigan: Anthropologie
Jeans: AG Stevie Crops
Boots: Zigi Soho Mixer Boots 


 

In honor of the delicious day of thanks, I give you an outfit with browns and oranges with touches of yellow.  This is a loungewear shirt sold by Anthro circa 2007, but its just too cute to wear only inside the house! Sorry about the mobile phone camera quality -- it just gets dark waaaay to early now! 

Enjoy your long weekend, I'm sure you deserve it.  Thanks for stopping by!  

to look for: Savings

Image courtesy of BestCashCow.com

Okay, I think it's time for a confession.  I'm ashamed to say that I have failed a few of my objectives of this blog.  If you've read my "About Me" section, you'll see that a subset of the goals are:

• Prove to myself that I don’t need to constantly shop to have a solid, mix & match closet of clothes: This may be a delusion on my part.  But, I figure that the blog will keep me honest, and also will help me shop my own closet.
• Develop a system for adding pieces to my closet: A blog archive will help me find the gaps in my wardrobe – and the unnecessary.  (I’m talking to YOU, frilly pink prom dress!)

The sad truth of the matter is not only have I failed to meet these objectives, I actually went in the opposite direction! I spent the better part of the first 6 months of writing this blog shopping.  Constantly.  Its the peril of reading other blogs focused on fashion as well as looking for inspiration for my own blog posts.  What? The trends are micro-pleated skirts and red skinny jeans?  OMG. Must. Find. Now.  I ended up getting sucked into a money-grubbing monster of my own making. 

I'm fortunate to have a career such that I didn't end up in tens of thousands of dollars of debt.  That money, however, could have been saved to go towards a better distribution of things.  Like vacations.  Like savings for a house.  Instead, I bought things -- things that, after wearing them for the first time, I couldn't figure out how to wear them a second.  And it was too late to return them.  Now I have closet full of clothes that desperately needs to be edited and possibly purged.

So what am I going to do about it?  Well, I'm not going to stop blogging about style.  It's something I'm passionate about and I still find it really fun.  I am, however, going to start the (painful) journey of learning how to edit my wardrobe and practice restraint.  Here are the goals I am now setting for myself:

• Reduce my budget for clothing/accessories to $100/month.  This is going to tough.  Really tough.  I know that this may be a much higher budget that some of you have, but trust me, I used to blow this number away.  No more. 
• Use Pinterest to clearly identify and pin the items that I'm vying for.  Sometimes I get swept up in sales at my favorite stores or flash sales hosted by RueLaLa or Gilt.  Doing this will provide me a documented reminder of what I actually want in my wardrobe.
• Only buy items that are thrifted or 75% off or more.  Good style is timeless.  This will help me save money, but allow me to satisfy my love for shopping.  There is a caveat in the next bullet...
• One freebie a month.  I can buy one full priced or slightly discounted item a month.  I'll have to consider carefully and make it count. That's where Pinterest will come in.  

I'm going to start there.  Lessening my budget will free up funds for other fun things.   Eventually I want to do a few challenges where I wear everything in my closet or style up an item I haven't worn several times to determine whether or not I want to keep it.  But for now, I plan to disclose what I've bought and how well (or badly) I'm doing.  Nothing like blasting your finances on the interwebs right?

This is going to be really hard for me (oh first world problems).  I may destroy this goal more than once.  But the first step is accountability, so I'm just going to go with it.  

What do you do to curb your shopping habit?  Do you even have one?  How do you develop your wardrobe?  Share in the comments!

Thanks for stopping by!

Guest Post: OOTD - Green & Simple

Hello everyone! My name is Kyle and I blog over at Life Extravaganza. Thessa is in Cabo right now (jealous!) and she asked me if I wanted to guest post over in style-land. I was hesitant at first - I'm a far cry from a fashion blogger. Although I do like to dip my toes in the fashion waters, my style is very simple and cost-effective (a better word for cheap). 

Well, usually, that is. Unless I find an amazing pair of shoes. Or jacket. Or dress. Or...anyway, let's just move on to my outfit of the day! 

 

First, let's talk about this coat. This is my favorite peacoat out of all the ones I own. It's Jessica Simpson and has the most amazing shape to it.

 

The way it flows at the bottom, the sleeves, the back, everything is perfect! Except for one thing...it picks up cat fur like you wouldn't believe. Luckily, you can't see the cat fur in the pictures - I'm hoping that's true in real life as well. Unfortunately, I'm starting to accept the fact that when I wear this coat, it's like I'm branding myself with a "Crazy Cat Lady" sign.

Two out of four of the culprits. 

Ahem. Back to the outfit! 

Outfit details:
Coat: Jessica Simpson from Macys
Dress: Mai Tai from Forever 21 (I think - it was years ago)
Cami: Old Navy
Leggings: Saks Fifth Avenue
Outlet Boots: Aerosoles

I need to put in a plug for these boots also. They aren't the sexiest boots ever but they are incredibly comfortable! I actually love Aerosoles (but only the cute shoes) because I could walk all day in their shoes. 

The boyfriend also agreed to have his outfit captured - although I didn't tell him I'd be putting him in this post. Let's hope he doesn't mind!

 

Outfit details:
Sweater: Old Navy
Pants: Van Heusen
Shoes: Kenneth Cole
Sunglasses: DKNY
Necklace: Jade from his mom

I just realized the boyfriend is more fashionable than me. I should start a fashion blog just about him. 

Thanks for visiting (and thanks Thessa for trusting me with your blog)! Feel free to hop on over to my corner of the Internet at Life Extravaganza and check out my (not-so-fashionable) life.

Fitting Room Reviews: Dresses

Well it's the holiday week, so lets take a look at some possible holiday pieces at our favorite store, Anthropologie :).

 
   
  Dulcie Dress, Weston Wear, sz S, $158

This dress reminds me of something that a ballerina would wear.  Not that I think she would actually wear it, but its ballerina-inspired.  There are several layers of tulle at the skirt and a lace bodice.  On the hanger it looked pretty weird, but i have to admit -- I like it. I love how it isn't skanky but still has a definite party theme. This would be great with some shiny shoes or a glitter bolero.  Maybe both!    The dress fits TTS.  Wishlisted and a possible contender for a holiday party. 

Unconditional Osier Dress, Weston Wear, sz XS, $168

Weston Wear wins again!  I know this dress has been reviewed up and down the blogosphere, but I couldn't let it pass without my 2 cents.  This is another great party dress that could also be dressed down.  It comes with a spaghetti strap slip so that only the arms are see through and I love the shape it makes.  The skirt is just full enough and the fabric is comfortable to the touch.  This dress fits TTS.  The blue is divine.  I haven't tried to brown, but I'm sure its fantastic as well.  Wishlisted. 

Knitting Patterns Chemise, Lilka, sz XS, $148

Uh…150 bucks for a chemise Anthro?  Really?  Well, okay.  When I saw this on the rack, the vibrant colors sucked me in.  They reminded me of something in the middle east or India with its pattern and the way it dropped on the hanger.  Upon closer inspection, the material was silk with some nice weight to it.  Hmm.  Maybe this was an amazing dress hidden in the lounge section?  Alas, it wasn't meant to be.  It hung on me and belting it caused strange folds.  Combine that with the price and its a pass.  Maybe try a size down if you want to take a closer look at this one.

What are you keeping your eye on for dressing this holiday season?  Have you picked your looks out already?  Stay tuned for more reviews!

Thanks for stopping by!