october 2015 budget

For once, this month’s budget was slightly blown but I only bought 3 items. This is a new thing for me, as I usually thrift so I end up with a lot of items for little money.

But honestly, I’ve found myself buying clothes or accessories that I wear once or twice and and then donating or consigning them. For October – December’s budgets, I’m focusing on fewer items with better quality.

So, here’s what I got:

1. Hotcakes Designs Necklace (black cat)
2. Hotcakes Designs Ring (girl holding black cat)
3. Gap jeans ($3 from a thrift store)

Total = $138. I only went over my budget by $38 but I got a necklace and ring that are gorgeous and hand made and that I’ve wanted for a LONG time. Also, cats.

Your turn to spill the beans….How did you do this month?

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As usual, I’m linking up with Franish.

pattern mixing plus new bag and watch

Hi friends! Happy Monday! Today’s post I’m showcasing two of my birthday gifts (that I gave myself because I’m a diva like that and I like to treat myself) AND mixing fun prints.

I found this lovely Dooney & Bourke briefcase from the Alto collection at a strange, large thrift store in Winston-Salem. It was a bit more than what I wanted to spend but as a bag aficionado, I couldn’t part with it.

The Nixon Kensington watch was a little treat to myself from Piperlime. I had gift cards plus a birthday coupon so I got it for $15. Sad to hear though, that Gap Inc is closing Piperlime in April. I had no idea that the store wasn’t performing well. Anyway, I’m loving the sleek watch and am loving its larger size.

Well I hope you’re having a great day and I hope you like my silly outfit!

Outfit details:
Top: Daniel Rainn, thrifted $1.50
Skirt: Etcetera, thirfted $3.39
Necklace: Tiffany & Co, gift
Shoes: Clarks Originals, thrifted $10
Bag: Dooney & Bourke Alto double gusset briefcase in red, thrifted $50
Watch: Nixon Kensington, Piperlime $15 after gift certificates and coupon
Bracelet: Jewelmint, old

inspired by the west

There’s something about ‘western wear’ that just screams rugged, outdoors-y, low maintenance, and comfortable. Perhaps it’s reminiscent of the American Southwest, Texas, or the south. My first pair of cowboy boots were purchased for a cattle drive trip to Montana with my friend Steph in 2007. While I am in no way rugged, outdoors-y, or low maintenance, I love being comfortable. Plus I like the history and stories behind a lot of the components of western wear.

For this work outfit, I put together a pair of ultra comfortable cowboy boots, a simple black tank, a simple cardigan, jeans, and a lovely Zuni turquoise necklace that hubby got me as an early anniversary gift (isn’t he sweet?). I feel special wearing something that was created with expert care and love by human hands. Overall, I felt chic and comfortable all day at work, which is always my goal for work outfits.

And as usual, Ulysses the Cat photobombs…

 

Do you like western-inspired pieces? If so, what are your favorites?

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Outfit Details:
Top: Eileen Fisher black silk tank top, thrifted $2
Cardigan: Classiques Entier, thrifted $3.59
Jeans: Gap skinny jeans, thrifted $5.99
Boots: hand-me-down cowboy boots
Necklace: Zuni turquoise needlepoint squash blossom necklace, gift from Wesley

ohhh, shiny! {a thrift style thursday post}

Hi friends!
I am so sorry that I’ve been pretty MIA lately. Things have been really busy with WORK WORK WORK, my mom going to NY and CA for job interviews (please wish her luck!!!!), lots of cooking (yay summer grilling), and general life stuff…

Anyway, this week’s TST I just could not miss. I am not one to wear a lot of metallic clothing so I went with OHH SHINY stuff such as my sequined cardigan, my metallic jelly flats, and my blingy necklace.

Outfit Details:
Dress: Cynthia Rowley, Lovely hand-me-gift from Justine
Cardi: Ann Taylor, Thrifted (gift from mom)
Shoes: Melissa + Vivienne Westwood, Poshmark
Necklace: Jewelmint

Check out the rest of the TST gals:

Zhenya at Being Zhenya
Kristi at Alligator Toe
Miche at Buttons and Birdcages
Jackline at Sincerely Miss J
Justine at The Two Cent Chic
Meg at Eclecticity
Sheri  at Confessions of a Refashionista
Martyna at Spoolish
Alex at Snippets with Alex
Lesli & Jacki at sistasfromcali
Erika at Erika’s Style Diary
Beth at BethieTheBoo
Rachel at Rachel’s Lookbook
Brittany from Lipstick+Yarn

April 2014 Fashion Budget

Hi friends, another month has gone by and it’s time, yet again, to recall our purchases.

Here’s what I ended up with this month:

• Marc by Marc Jacobs crazy cat lady necklace, insta-shop $22
• Vintage Coach purse, Goodwill $40
• Mephisto slip on shoes, Goodwill $4
• Nine West Sandals, Goodwill $3.39
• Banana Republic mustard sweater, Goodwill $4.49
• Floral print linen shirt, Goodwill $3.39
• Lafayette148 collar shirt, Goodwill $3.39
• Van Heusen striped nautical tee, Goodwill $3.39
• Talbots green jacket, Goodwill $4.59
• J. Crew navy cropped pants, Goodwill $3.39
• Classiques Entier cardigan, Goodwill $3.39
• Forever21 Bird Kimono top, Buffalo Exchange in Charlotte $9.50
• Mel by Melissa Pop Heart Jelly Flats, Lord & Taylor $24.69

Plus, I had been forgetting to “skip this month” for JewelMint so I ended up with 2 credits ($60 total, yikes). Here’s what I got:

• Leading Legacy Necklace
• Time Capsule Pendant
• Gem Mosaic Necklace

TOTAL Spent: $185.12. Well, I went $85 over my budget, mostly due to the frivolous jewelry spending. I did end up getting 4 necklaces, 3 pairs of shoes, 1 leather purse, 2 sweaters, 1 pant, 5 tops, and 1 blazer/jacket, which isn’t’ that bad if you think about it 🙂 Oh well! Here’s to a better May.

Now it’s your turn, friends. Spill the beans…how do you do this month on YOUR fashion budget??

 

Linking up with Franish so don’t forget to check out her post.