October Puchases....Off the Wagon

This is what happens when I stop using my iphone budgeting app...I lose track and go overboard. Here's what I got last month from left to right:






Grey Blanket Sweater: $195, Laurie B
Purple Cotton Romper: $10, Bali Street Vendor
White lace dress: $110 in Bali at Uluwatu
Striped sweater: $42, at Urban Outfitters
Thin white tunic: $54, at Urban Outfitters
Tweed Bow Skirt: $160, Anthropologie
Green Silk Shirt: $70, at Express
Sequin clutch: $25, at Express
Black Wedges: $79, Nine West
Black Beret: $24, at Urban Outfitters
Brown wrap sweater: $56, at Express

Total for the Month: $825 Over Budget by: $75.00

While I hate to be over budget, I'm really just more disappointed that I ended up with only basics. Maybe next year I'll only buy one designer item a month and leave it at that. I certainly have the basics covered.

Last Week's Wardrobe!

I was taking the pictures...just had zero time to post due to work. All of these outfits seem a little blah in retrospect. And it's certainly nothing new. Am I failing at my challenge? Or are these just comfy work clothes.

Also - the horse dress is not that unflattering. Just the angle - never shoot up!

Jeans...Love 'em and hate 'em.

Going through my closet this week I decided to take a look at my jeans situation. I feel like I only wear three pairs and can't really fit into the rest, but on further examination, I found that that isn't really true.

The first photo is the array of jeans I have that I can fit into. Two pairs of Hudsons, a pair of skinny Sevens, a pair of Joe's, two Banana Republic skinnys, on pair of gap boyfriend jeans, one pair of American apparel skinnys in black, and a slouchy pair of Citizen's of Humanity that feel like pajamas.

The second photo is the jeans I don't fit in. A worn in pair of Seven's I love, A pair of Banana Republic skinnys in the next smallest size down, That pair of Paige Premium's that still haunt me, a pair of Lucky's that look great when I can put them on, and I added in the Banana Republic navy chinos I bought too tight in the hopes of losing a few lbs.

I wonder what would happen if I could actually lose the inches it would take to get into the photo two jeans. Something to ponder as I make my New Year's resolutions perhaps. i can't seem to let go of these jeans though so they're not going into the donate pile.

In the meantime - I'm not buying anymore jeans for a while. It's no fun trying tthem on anyway.

New Skirt!

This morning started out a little funky in the outfit department. I was determined to wear this outfit...but with navy tights. You can't see it in the photo that well, but these are my olive green tights. My closet is actually clean and organized right now, and I look in all of the places I thought hey could possibly be in, but to no avail. My only thought is that Paddy, my evil little poodle, has eaten and completely digested them.

Skirt: Hype, $140
Sweater: Zara, $40
Tights: Hue, $16
Boots, Nine West, $50 on sale.

I forgot how much I loved Hype clothing until I went to their site...must collect more pieces!

New Coat!

Fall is in full swing and I realized I didn't really have a mid-weight coat. Just a trench coat, and then straight to puffers. I found this cute little plaid number at Zara for only $140. It has a full cut, which I like since I can wear heavier sweaters under it. It's also very wooly and warm. I think it was a good buy.

October Donations

Here are my October donations - I actually gave a pair of boots and a dress that I never wear to a friend of mine, but since I didn't take a picture I'm holding myself to five items.

First - a black skirt that I last wore in 2001. Yes, 2001. Nearly 10 years in the closet without a wear. It's Banana Republic - one of my early forays before my total clothing dependancy set in.

Next is a grey suit that I bought 3 years ago for a halloween costume. I never wear suits to work and unless I'm an extra on Law and Order someday, I don't see needing it.

Then an olive tank from Banana Republic that has a satin detailing on the front that scrunched up in the wash. now it looks childish.

The striped cardigan is ok, but I don't love it. Really probably too young for me, and not a key piece in my wardrobe.

Finally, had to toss the "somebody in California loves me" tee. Goes against my policy of not wearing ironic t-shirts.

Saturday Night Cozy.

I went out to my favorite place Saturday (Esperanto!) and was wanting a cozy casual look. After all it's a little cold out and I walked there. This fit the bill for me, but the photo is not flattering at all. The angle is a little high, so I look a LOT wider than I did in person - at least I hope so.

This outfit contains three of my October purchases which I realized I hadn't worn yet.

Sweater: Laurie B, $195
Blouse: Staring at Stars, $54
Jeans: Hudson, $160
Hat: Urban Outfitters, $28
Flats: Cole Haan, $138
Purse: Chanel, $2600

Thoughts? Comment's? Photoshop stretching tool?

Monochrome

I have to say I really do enjoy wearing one color head to toe. I wanted to do a bright shoe but it would have required navy knee socks, which I do not have. The sweater is a new purchase from Zara and I love it. Super simple but a great thickness and texture.


Sweater: Zara, $40
Jeans: Joe's Jeans, $167
Boots: Bronx, $150
Scarf...no idea, but under $20 - only wearing to keep warm!

Warm For Wednesday

This is actually a picture from January 5th, but I wore the exact same outfit yesterday and didn't get a chance to snap a photo so here it is. Not much has changed!! Although I guess my hair is a little lighter. I'm going to get it done this weekend - maybe I should warm it up for winter.

Sweater Dress: BCBG, $250
Tights: Hue, $18
Boots: Steve Madden, $120

Terrible Tuesday

The outfit isn't terrible, but the day sure has been. I'm just laughing in this shot to mask the tears. Kidding...but I'll be happy when this week is over for sure.

Pulled out a blouse I haven't worn in a while and remembered that I hadn't because I wanted to get it altered. It really needs those little hooks sewn into the shoulder that attach to your bra to keep it in place. I think most dresses and blouses should have this feature, but it's only about $5 to add at a tailor and well worth it. Otherwise this top slides off one shoulder and is a little more "date night" than office appropriate.

Sweater: Banana Republic, $176
Blouse: Anthropologie, $98
Jeans: Hudson, $176
Boots: Miz Mooz, $78

Rainy Monday

Today is going to be a rainy blah Monday so I wanted to have a little fun. I looked for some color and tried to mix and match items a little. I think I turned out a cute outfit, though maybe the skirt is a tiny bit short. Oh well, I'm rocking it!

Sweater: Old Navy, $24
Denim Mini: Mossimo for Target, $25
Tights: Hue, $15
Socks: Target, $5
Boots: Charles David, $250

Rain. Blergh.

Last Friday - Polka Dot Day

Friday I was feeling pretty ho-hum, so I thought I'd dress cheerfully and see if that worked. It didn't but at least I didn't look as blah as I felt! Still pleased with the purchase of this dress. I will wear it for years. the shoes are one of my October purchases - just some simple black wedges for work that are sure to get a ton of wear.

Dress: Anthropologie, $258
Cardigan: Ann Taylor, $58
Tights: Hue, $15
Wedges: Nine West, $80

Last Wednesday - Favorite dress

This dress is probably 4 years old and I still wear the hell out of it every winter. It's an I.N.C. dress from Macy's that I bought for about $60. Normally I'm not a fan of I.N.C. as their materials are poor and tend to make even the cutest items look cheap and hang poorly, but this dress seems to be the exception to the rule. It's also super easy to wear - just add tights and boots and you're out the door!

Sweater Dress: INC at Macy's, $60
Tights: Hue, $15
Boots: Steve Madden, $120
Necklace: One of a kind, a gift.

I'm Baaaaaaaaack!

After a super long (and much needed) vacation in Bali, I'm back to NYC and my blog. It was odd getting dressed today. For the last 10 days I've worn a cotton dress or romper, flip flops, no make up and a ponytail. Now I'm in 45 degree weather instead of 85 and I had to get dressed...in layers. As I posted this photo today I realized the outfit is almost identical to the last one I posted. We are creatures of habit aren't we?

Blanket Sweater: Express, $70
Silk Military Shirt: Express, $70
Jeggings, Juicy Coture, $125
Boots: Nine West, $100 ish


Two more months to go and my experiment will be finished!