December Purchases

Ok...so I was good in November, but I was bad in December. I think being out Christmas shopping for others tempted me to get stuff for myself. I'm actually a little scared to do this tally.

Gold dress: $59, Urban Outfitters
Blue lace dress: $335, Tracy Reese
Purple dress: $59, Urban Outfitters
Olive Tunic: $35, (on sale) Urban Outfitters
Blue Silk shirtdress: $78, Urban Outfitters
Bird Blouse: $259, Kate Spade
French Tee: $28, Urban Outfitters
Black heels: $82, Nine West
Nude Patent Pumps: $70, Nine West

Gahhhhhhhhh!!!!

Total for the Month: $1005

I could kick myself! $250 over budget.

One of my fave December outfits.

I got this cute dress for next to nada (just $70) at Urban Outfitters.I paired it with tights and boots and the FABULOUS Michael Kors purse I got for Christmas. (Was $348, but now on sale for $243 if you want one.) I love this look because it feels rather 70's which is totally back in. I for one am glad to say bye bye to the 8-'s trends that have been everywhere for the past few years.

Barney Dress is back.

Maybe I look like Barney the Dinosaur, maybe I don't, but I can tell you that this dress is cozy and effortless for winters in New York. Not sure I'll ever get tired of this one!

BCBG sweater dress: $250
Hue tights: $16
Steve Madden boots: $120

New Dress!

This is my new Tracy Reese dress and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Her stuff is just fabulous. This was $365, but I've already worn it twice and plan to wear it for New Year's Eve. I also think that if I switch up the belt, this will be a nice summer dress to wear to a wedding or something. The style is a little bit 50s, and when anything has a vintage look it's likely to not go out of style. THIS is a great example of how I should be shopping - a high quality spurge that pays for itself!

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!

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.

Mixing up the patterns.

Since yesterday's outfit was a little streamlined, I decided to be bold today. i am not great at mixing patterns and prints, but I think I'm learning. I just got this sweater at Urban Outfitters yesterday, and I wanted to wear it today, but decided to make myself do something different. I think it looks good, but I'm not 100% confident. The cream stripes in the sweater seem a little too light? But maybe I'm over thinking it.

Pins and Needles Sweater, $42
Tucker for Target dress, $35
Bronx Boots, $150

What do you think?

September Donations.

I gave away a lot this September. Tried to keep my self honest and not put anything into summer storage that I didn't love. So off goes 4 dresses, three tops and several pairs of shoes. Still somehow my closet is FULL! I need to get some help in the editing department.

September Purchases

Pinky Otto Jumpsuit: $84
Two Express tops: $90
2 pair tights, one pair Jeggins: $77
2 tucker blouses, 2 tucker dresses: $60, and $80 respectively.

Total: $391

Breakthrough of the month - taking back the gorgeous Kate Spade heels that I truly could not afford and would really hardly wear. Sad, but that's $408 I can spend elsewhere.

PS - can't find a pic of the black express sweater, and figured the tights and jeggings (in grey) are self explanatory.

Last Friday - Cozy like PJs

This is a perfect fall outfit. Cozy, while still looking put together. Black is slimming too. Love it!

Ann Taylor Dress: $35 (super markdown)
Leggings: $30
Banana Republic Sweater: $60
Cole Haan Flats: $138

What do you think?

It's been a while....

And I'm STILL loving the Tucker for Target pieces I bought. This little dress was on $40 and it was perfect for a layered look to the movies and dinner. Just screams fall. I may actually splurge and get a silk Tucker dress from the actual line.


Dress: Tucker for Target, $40
Cardigan: Zara, $70
Knee highs: Target, $5
Suede Boots: Nine West, $50 on final sale
Manhattan Bag: Louis Vuitton, $1500

More Tucker for Target

This dress was one of my Tucker purchases and I really like it. It felt a little bare for work, so I threw on a fitted navy tee and wore navy heels to match. Can't wait to wear thin in the winter with boots and tights and a big chunky sweater.


Navy Tee, Banana Republic, $35
Tucker for Target dress, $35
Tory Burch heels, $268

Thoughts? Has anyone else scored some Tucker pieces?

Kate Spade Kim

I LOVE this green.
Kate Spade, $395

August Purchases - WAY Over Budget.

I actually have to put my purchases for last month into two posts since there are too many photos to support in one post. Eek! Maybe it's because I've been frugal for a month or so, or maybe it was the new fall fashion hitting the shelves, but I went a little nuts. the items in this post are from one trip to Anthropologie that totaled $1040!!!I love everyhting I bought though, except not 100% sure on the green dress yet.

Black Serpintina dress, $278
Hidden Valley Top, $58
Mullany Dress, $258
Habitual Talla Trousers, $198
Twinkle Twinkle Dress, $168

So far I've worn everything except the black cocktail dress (need a special occasion) and the pants (need to be able to wear heels again).

And this is only part of what I purchased. Oh the Shame!!!

LOVING this tweed twist.

Definitely going on the wish list for October shopping.
$425 at Tory Burch.

New Dress

Today's outfit is one of my Anthropologie splurges. I really love green and I thought this dress would look great in the winter with boots and a chunky cardigan (big for fall), or with tights, shoes and a turtleneck in a variety of fall shades. Maybe with my new green shoes too?

Dress: Anthropologie, $168
Shoes: Steve Madden, $60

When I take my photo at home with a tripod the angle is not as flattering as I might like it to be. I'll have to work on that.

August Donations

Ok - here's what I gave up in August. White dress from Banana Republict that I thought was cute but made me look matronly in photos.

Black pants from Banana Republic in a SIZE FOUR that I have never fit into and never worn - purchased under the "I'm going to lose 5 pounds" delusion.

Green tank from the Gap what was just super unflattering to my arms, my stomach, my everything.

Black Banana Republic Dress that was too tight to wear to work and too conservative to wear out.

Three pairs of flops - the blue ones from Earth shoes are downright ugly, and the two pairs from Banana Republic have just seen better days and are not so in style any more.

August lesson: Stop shopping at Banana Republic. The stuff does not stand the test of time!!!

Today's Accessory: A flesh colored sock.

You've seen this dress before (Converse for Target,$30 ) , but today I paired it with my blue Cole Haan Bacara flats ($138) for comfort and a sexy compression garment for my ankle. I'm sure the boys will come running.

Oy.