Closet Tally

So, you may want to flash back to the very beginning to see how I started - I did. I was hoping for some big change....let's see.

The first number is what I had Jan 1010, the second number is what I have Jan 2011.

Dresses: 63 down to -> 61
Skirts: 26 down to ->23
Pullover Sweaters: 20 down to -> 13
Belts: 18 down to -> 11
Leggings: 5 down to -> 4
Coats: 12 down to -> 10
Jackets: 12 down to -> 6
Hoodies: 4 down to -> 3
Tops/Tees: 112 down to -> 85
Cardigans: 20 down to -> 15
Pants: 18 down to -> 11
Cords: 5 down to -> 3
Jeans: 11 up to -> 17
Shorts: 5 down to -> 3
Purses: 26 down to -> 25
Boots/Booties: 12 down to -> 9
Heels: 24 up to -> 25
Flats: 9 down to -> 6
Tennis Shoes: 3 down to -> 2

Looks like I've slimmed down a little in most categories - although the jeans number is confusing because I remember buying one pair of jeans - not six. But that's what's in my closet.

In a few categories - like purses and shoes - I kinda evened out. I got rid of a lot, but it looks like I purchased right back up.

I need to start applying Peter Walsh's clothing principles to my closet asap.

Spending Tally

Well, here I am at the end of the year and it's time to see how much I spent, and what I spent it on. I estimated that I spent $15,000 on clothes in 2009, and my goal was to spend half that this year, or less. Let's see how I did.

January: $693
February: $753
March: $647.09
April: $940
May: $373
June: $202.11
July: $35
August: $1260
September: $391
October:$825
November: $557
December: $1005

TOTAL FOR THE YEAR: $7681.

That's under the budget I set for myself ($750/month) and just about half of what I spent last year, but it still feels like waaaaay to much! And now let's see WHAT I spent all that money on....

1 pair of shorts
1 hat
1 swimsuit
1 jumpsuit/1 romper
1 pair of jeans
2 coats
2 bags
3 pairs of pants
4 sweaters
4 skirts
13 pairs of shoes
16 tops
and 19 dresses

WOW - that's pretty much an entire wardrobe. Maybe I can not shop at all in 2011 - because who needs more of this?

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.

November Purchases

I was really good in November. I only bought things I needed and loved so it was a good month for me. I've gotten a lot of wear out of everything thus far and I know it will still be around at least 2-3 years, if not more.

Hype silk skirt: $140 at Anthropologie
Navy Sweater: $42 at Zara (a great place for tailored basics)
Plaid Coat: $140, also at Zara
Hunter Boots: $135 from Piperlime

I also spent $100 on body basics at Gap Body. I've always loved their intimates, and they have launched a great sport/fitness line that's very Stella McCartney.


Total Spent: $557 - nearly $200 under budget!

Rocking the Bird Shirt!

So this is my first wear of the Kate Spade bird shirt. Since it's 80 below zero out I layered it with a brown turtleneck, but maybe that looks a little frumpy? I'm going to try it next tucked into a patterned skirt with navy as the main color to do that whole "mixed prints" look. Wish me luck!


Kate Spade Blouse: $265
J Crew Tissue Turtleneck: $40
Banana Republic Skinny Jeans: $80
Nine West Boots: $100ish

Kate Spade I love you!

Just had to stop by and spend my 10% off coupon today and picked up the lovely bird blouse. I've had my eye on the jacket as well, but it's quite pricey. Part of me feels I should go for it - thanks to Chanel tweed jackets never go out of style! - but the other part of me still can't get over the price.
What's a girl to do?

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.

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.

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?

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

Wednesday Dinner

I took these photos before heading out for dinner - so they're not the greatest. I did one with flash and one without so you get the idea. This is my first wearing of my blanket sweater from Express. They are supposed to be a top trend this Fall/Winter and I love anything big and cozy so I'm pretty happy. And the navy sequined tank dressed it up for night. It was a great purchase - it gets tons of wear. And, if you haven't noticed, I'm already back to my fall winter staple: skinny jeans and boots. Hopefully this season I'll learn to mix it up.

Blanket Sweater: Express, $70
Sequin Tank: Express, $40
Skinny Jeans, Banana Republic, $80
Boots: Nine West, $100 ish

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.

Military Monday

I swear these pants are so not me but I just love them. Today I pared them with a new silk top I got from Express in the style du jour: military. I'm really happy with it. Feels simple and sophisticated and on trend. And my inner voice is not chirping that the pants make me look fat. I can't really explain my love for these pants. They may not even be flattering, but I'm blinded! I think the gold accessories are essential to this look so I went bigger on those.

Silk Blouse: Express $70 New Purchase!
Denim pants: Habitual, $198
Gold Necklace: Banana R., $70
Wedges: Tory Burch, $265
Gold Oversized Watch: Michael Kors, $250

More Tucker...

Still loving the Tucker line. this is a simple blouse in a cream color that I got for layering with dresses this winter. $30 is a great price for this. Added accessories for outdoors, but it had a more simple look indoors. Both I think work for me.

Silence and Noise Green Tweed Jacket$ 80
Scarf: NY street vendor $5
Michael Kors Bag: $198
Hudson Jeans: $176
Tucker for Target top: $30
Miz Mooz boots: $78
Hermes Belt: $585

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?

Rules are Made to be Broken!

Kim and I decided that October 1st was the absolute soonest you could break out the tights, but today I just felt like it.
Although to be honest, part of it had to do with the top. My latest rule is that nothing new goes in the closet until I wear it. I bought this top on September 2nd and 20 days later it was still sitting there. I'm still glad I bought it. It's a flattering basic and - although it's hard to see in the picture - it has sequin details on the shoulders.





Sweater, Express $50
Skirt, Banana Republic $75
Jacket, DKNY $600 ish - don't recall
Tights, Hue $18
Suede Cutout heels, Aerosoles $70

Tucker for Target

Get ready folks - I bought 5 pieces from the Tucker for Target collection. I love that stuff. Anyway - casual day. I like this look, comfy but still cute. What do you think?

Tucker top, $30
Gap Boyfriend Jeans, $60
Hermes Belt,$585
Steve Madden Sandals, $60 on sale

I think it's cute - but that jutting-hip pose is doing me zero favors.

Pants!!! I love them!

Someone commented that I should return these pants and I thought about it, but I'm soooooo glad I didn't! I love these. Not my best photo, but the pants are great. They are loose and well made and the taper at the end is perfect. I feel very chic in them.

The fact that i even bought them was pretty out of character. I pulled them off the rack at the last minute and figured I try them on at home. Normally I wouldn't even look at pants like these for fear they'd make my butt look too big. But they don't, so I'm chalking this experience up to Risk = Reward.

Since they are a new shape for me, I'm looking forward to creating different looks for them. Yay!

Blouse: Banana Republic, $60 a few years ago.
Trousers: Talla by Habitual, $198
Shoes: Sally Wedges by Tory Burch, $268

What do you think of the pants? Any Suggestions on how to style them?

Monday - Black and Brown?

I've never really been 100% sure these two go together. I mean black and kakhi, sure...but black and dark brown? This morning I thought I'd experiment and give it a shot. Plus I wanted to wear my new black pants! Upon seeing this photo I have a couple of misgivings.

1) I wish I had worn different heels. I have a pair of brown and cream zebra striped Kate Spade shoes that would have been awesome.
2) I wish the detail on my belt buckle was gold tone instead of nickel.

Other than that I'm good with this outfit. Maybe it's a little boring, but it certainly makes me look skinny.

Gap True Straight pants, $50
Limited Cami, $25
Banana Republic Cardigan,$158
Banana Republic Equestrian belt, $40 on sale
Frye Kitten heels, $168
Michaek Kors Oversized watch (a gift)

What do you think - is it chic? Or a snooze fest?

A note on the watch - I felt like it was too big but when I took it to the MK store to exchange it. Ezekiel (the sales guy) convinced me that the Oversized watch was the one to go with. He pointed out that the model in their fall catalog is wearing it in every shot and she's (his words here) a skinny bitch! Ergo, if it's not too big on her, it won't be too big on me. Sold!