BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

  • Interiors
    • My Home: Main Bathroom
    • My Home: Powder Room
    • My Home: Living Room
    • My Home: Dining Room
    • My Home: Main Bedroom
    • My Home: Front Porch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
    • Travel Posts
    • Travel Guides
  • Style
    • Style Posts
    • Outfits
    • The Coveted
  • Collaborate
  • About

Budget Update: April 2016

April 28, 2016 by jessica 11 Comments

Lace-Up Soludos

You’d think this month’s sartorial update would be sparse given that I was out of the country for half the month. Nope. I gave my credit card a good workout the first week of the month, especially with the temptation of the Shopbop Friends & Family sale and indulging in my latest obsession: Soludos espadrilles. I was foolish not to embrace this summer staple earlier. They’re incredibly comfortable and you don’t have to worry about a perfect pedi! I’m considering these wedges next or this cheeky oui/non version.

In other news, we’re just a few short days away from my birthday month, which is typically carte blanche to buy anything and everything that strikes my fancy! But, I’m a responsible adult and I’m not going to do that. Instead, I’ve already ordered this off-the-shoulder dress from Banana Republic — a steal at $53 when you factor in the 40% savings with code BRSAVE — and the remaining $275 of this quarter’s budget will go toward one special item for my birthday. Honestly, it might not even be wardrobe-related. One of my favorite birthday splurges was on a Gray Malin print. (I usually add in another $200 as a birthday treat for myself, but we have to finish paying off our trip expenses this month. Scandinavia is not budget-friendly!)

BUDGET
Spring Budget (March – May): $750
Spent in March: $421.50
Spent in April: $350.25
Added: $350 in blog revenue*
Amount Remaining: $328.25

* Most of the money I earn from the blogging goes into my general savings account or is earmarked for travel, but I’ll move some to the clothing budget when needed.

Wardrobe-Update-April-2016

PURCHASED
See all of the year’s wardrobe additions here. (It looks like I need more color in my life!)

  • J.Crew lightweight wool tunic sweater in navy ($45): I wanted a loose-fit sweater to wear with jeans and skirts when I wasn’t feeling svelte. This fits the bill and I love the pretty perforated detail on the sides. I went with my normal size small for J.Crew sweaters.
  • Soludos x Lemlem espadrilles ($65): I’ve long admired Soludos, but was foolishly convinced the jute sole would be uncomfortable. Pssh. They’re amazing and feel like slippers that are socially acceptable to wear in public. I went with my normal size 7. They’re snug, but everything I read says that’s how they are supposed to fit because the cotton upper will stretch out with wear.
  • Soludos lace-up espadrilles ($41.25): The espadrilles above were the gateway to a newfound obsession with the brand. I bought the lace-up pair during the recent Shopbop Friends & Family sale. Like the pair above, they fit true to size.
  • J.Crew Factory scarf ($20; not online): It’s sort of like this one, but the scarf I picked out at the store has white, lavender, and orange stripes. It’s lightweight and gauzy. It actually reminds me of a Lemlem scarf, but comes with a much kinder price tag.
  • Ryder shift dress ($159): This was another Shopbop sale pick this month, chosen on a whim. I wanted a dress that would transition easily from work to weekends and loved how this one matched the cut of my beloved ASOS shift. I actually went up a size and plan to bring it to the tailor to have back darts put in to bring in the back just a touch. It’s a little baggy in the lower back because I needed extra room for my hips. That aside, it’s perfectly fine to wear now without the alterations. You can see it here.
  • H&M necklace ($20; not online): Despite the fact that there are H&M stores everywhere in the U.S., I couldn’t resist picking up an oversize pendant in Antwerp while we were abroad. It’s not online yet, but I’ll include it in an upcoming outfit post.

Wardrobe-Update-April-2016-Gift

GIFTED
As always, I want to be transparent about what I’ve received from companies for review or as part of a collaboration. I’m selective about the pieces I accept and will only work with companies I feel good about recommending. 

  • Naturalizer “Kail” slip-on sneakers: I’m featuring these in Monday’s post!
  • Anjolee blue topaz solitare ring: Not featured above because it’s different than the rings online. Full review coming soon.

DIDN’T WORK OUT
Things I tried and didn’t love: 

  • J.Crew frayed chambray shorts: These are not chambray. They are denim.
  • Banana Republic tile print ruffle dress: The waist fit perfectly, but the bodice was too long making it billow out too much in the back where the zipper was. It would have been too expensive to tailor, especially after paying full price on the dress.
  • Rebecca Minkoff “Addison” off-the-shoulder dress: I received a sale alert from Amazon and clicked through to find this off-the-shoulder frock with a deep discount. I didn’t hesitate to click the “purchase” button, despite a hunch that the 10 would be too large (it was, indeed, massive). Sizing aside, the thing that bothers me the most about this dress is that the off-the-shoulder portion has a raw hem. Nothing looks messier and cheapens a look than a frayed raw hem (denim gets a pass, of course).

***
linking with Fran

 

You might also enjoy:
Budget Update
Wardrobe Update: July 2017
October Wardrobe Update
Budget Update: October 2016

Filed Under: Budget Tagged With: budget update, budgeting bloggers, clothing budget, quarterly clothing budget

Hello!


Jessica Hamm
Hello there! I'm a first-time homeowner updating a 1920s house in Madison, Wisconsin. I have a penchant for travel and a love of costume jewelry.

Keep In Touch

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search

Latest Home Finds

Visit Me on Instagram!

Our guest room wasn’t a design priority until la Our guest room wasn’t a design priority until late last year when we finally bought a bed, mattress, and a set of sheets. We used some of our own extra bedding (tucking in the generous overhang of our king blankets under the queen-sized mattress) and old bedside lamps from our bedroom: functional, but not quite the charming space I’d envisioned.
 
That started to change when I purchased the Popcorn Grid Coverlet from Schoolhouse — an item I’d been eyeing for years — plus some graphic floral pillows. Then came a bright blue round cushion and the sweetest Teig lamp, both generously gifted by Schoolhouse, and the room finally started to come together. You can shop my picks here: https://liketk.it/5f322

#Ad #SchoolhousePartner #SchoolhouseSpringStyle #SchoolhouseLiving #InteriorInspo #SlowDecorating #GuestRoom
Growing up in northern Wisconsin, lilacs always hi Growing up in northern Wisconsin, lilacs always hit peak bloom right around my birthday on May 30. My mom would fill a large crystal vase with fresh-cut stems, and their scent would waft through the house. 

Now that I live a few hours south and lilac season wraps up earlier, the blooms actually mark the start of my birthday month.

#Lilacs #LilacSeason #SpringFlowers #InBloom #BirthdayMonth #MayBirthday
Snapshots from the past week: • Spent quality t Snapshots from the past week:

• Spent quality time with my favorite cat

• Biked for Pacificos, chips and quac, and tacos at @bandit.tacos 

• Loved how the rain collected on the Lady’s Mantle I planted last year

• Dipped my toes (quite literally) into this year’s mesh shoe trend

• Snapped a lot of Lily content

• Drove home with a new lilac in the passenger seat
Finishing our guest room has been a focus of ours Finishing our guest room has been a focus of ours this year, and the cute Teig Lamp from Schoolhouse is such a charming addition to the space. It’s named for the German word for “dough,” which is perfect for its soft, petite shape.

Find this and the other Schoolhouse items we’re using in the space here: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/bedknobsandbaubles/posts/e01ae8c9-38af-11f0-b5c2-0242ac11000b

(The lamp and circle pillow were gifted. I purchased the other items.)

 #schoolhousespringstyle #schoolhousepartner #ad
Stripes, windowpane, floral, and a single polka do Stripes, windowpane, floral, and a single polka dot of bright blue to punctuate our guest room bedding. 

#guestroom #bedding #schoolhouseliving #schoolhouse #landsend #homedesign
I’m challenging myself to get through a backlog I’m challenging myself to get through a backlog of travel photos before we book our next trip. First up, photos of the gothic York Minster. I’m not religious in the slightest but I can’t resist stunning architecture and the opportunity to climb hundreds of cathedral stairs for a city view. This one only had a single rest stop about halfway up the flight of 275 steps for a closeup view of the flying buttresses — and a waiver you had to sign before your ascent to promise you’re healthy enough to make it.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2025 · Jennifer on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in