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Budget Update: January 2016

January 27, 2016 by jessica

Tory Burch Brody Satchel
2016 is off to a good start sartorially. This month’s purchases are a mix of classic and fun pieces that work well with my existing wardrobe. The faux fur coat was a splurge, but I kept clicking to the Nordstrom site to daydream about it every single day for two weeks. I figured if I was that interested in it, I should at least try it on! Of course I kept it.

We booked an April trip to Denmark and Belgium, so I’m planning to use the remaining balance of this season’s budget on a couple of versatile items for the trip: a trench coat (love the detachable lining and hood on this one, but I can’t decide between khaki and navy) and a pair of comfortable loafers for walking (maybe these). I’d also like to add a couple of dresses to my travel wardrobe that I can wear a couple of times over the two-week period. I’m particularly interested in this dress. It looks like it could be amazingly versatile with a trench, flats, and statement pendants.

In other news, I looked at additional ways to save money throughout the year. I’m using MyFitnessPal to count calories and cancelled my Weight Watcher subscription, saving $240 annually. I also shopped around for auto and renter’s insurance and left Geico for Progressive to save $430 annually. I received $112 back in prorated refunds from Geico, which covered most of the renter’s insurance with Progressive for the year.

BUDGET
Winter Budget (Dec. – Feb.): $750
Spent in Dec.: $154.5
Spent in Jan.: $257.75
Amount Remaining: $337.75

Wardrobe-Update-January-2016-6
PURCHASED
See all of the year’s wardrobe additions here.

  • J.Crew drapey beach pant ($36): When I first spotted these palazzo pants on J.Crew’s website, I knew I had to purchase them before they sold out. They’re intended for beach wear, but they’re also pretty cute with a loose cami, oversize pendant, and sandals. (Summer, where art thou?)
  • Topshop v-neck camisole in navy ($28): Earlier this month, we toyed with the idea of booking a last-minute jaunt to Florida. Since I had already purchased the beach pants, I added the camisole to my wardrobe for a breezy ensemble. We obviously put Florida on the back burner in favor of Europe, but this cami is staying in my closet. It’s a lovely layering piece. You’ll have to go up at least one size.
  • Tory Burch “Brody” small satchel in light oak ($8.25): For being on the small side, this satchel is incredibly roomy. It has more than enough room for my DSLR, a Kindle, full-size wallet, phone, and other small daily must-haves (ahem, lipstick). I have a feeling that this is going to be perfect for traveling. I can fit all of my in-flight essentials inside and stow it away under the seat in front of me with ample foot room. The leather is incredibly soft and the bag is lightweight. (I received a $200 Visa gift card for the holidays and put it toward the bag.)
  • Gorjana “Ryder” lariat necklace ($22.50): I considered purchasing this lariat at full price a few months ago and was delighted to see it made it to Gorjana’s end-of-season sale for a fraction of the price. It’s a flirty piece to wear with a v-neck cami or a button-down shirt. (I had a $10 credit, which basically took care of the shipping cost.)
  • Eliza J faux fur coat in navy ($150): I’m such a fan of this coat (worn here). It’s a convincing replica of real fur and warm enough for the subzero temperatures we experienced last week. It runs true to size. It also has a bright, floral lining, which was a lovely surprise.
  • H&M striped long-sleeve tee ($13): This is my least exciting purchase of the month only because it’s a necessary staple. My old striped long-sleeve tops are starting to show their age and I need a few more to replace them with. This one runs small, but is stretchy enough that it doesn’t lose its shape during the day.

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

  • H&M flared blouse: I daydreamed about this for a couple of weeks before dragging myself to the mall to try it on. The fabric was ultra soft, but the cut was terrible. Drop shoulders and a wide torso don’t make for a flattering top. It’s also kind of short for being so loose. Pass.

***
linking with Fran

 

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

Comments

  1. Meghan Hayes says

    January 27, 2016 at 10:06 am

    That’s awesome that you were able to save funds by switching companies and eliminating your WW membership. Corey and I switched gyms and we’re both members of a place for $25 total now. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, but it gets the job done and it’s clean, so I can’t complain because my membership alone was $40. Even though most financial advisers say that gym memberships are a waste, I need a place to vary my work out. Also it makes me do weights if I’m having to pay to use them.
    That’s not a bad price for a faux fur coat. I love the color. I’m very excited to see how you style it. You’ve certainly had the weather for it in your area lately!

    • Meghan Hayes says

      January 27, 2016 at 10:06 am

      PS I LOVE those pants!

  2. jillian says

    January 27, 2016 at 1:42 pm

    sooo bummed i missed that jewerly sale. xo jillian – cornflake dreams

  3. Lorena Lorena says

    January 27, 2016 at 5:40 pm

    I wish I had Tory Burch gift cards and could get a bag for 8 bucks !! 🙂

  4. Lyddiegal says

    January 27, 2016 at 6:50 pm

    I think you made some really great purchases this month – the bag is such a pretty shade and the fur coat is dreamy.

    Chic on the Cheap

  5. Melissa says

    January 27, 2016 at 7:38 pm

    I really like the striped top too.the bag is super cute.

  6. Yolonda Washington says

    January 27, 2016 at 10:21 pm

    Okay, so I adore your faux fur. The loafers are nuclei black and so you. And lastly, I’ve joined the budget party, see my post on 2.1.16

  7. Shea Sayers says

    January 27, 2016 at 10:28 pm

    I think you made some great purchases this month! I especially love the lariat necklace and Tory Burch bag. I’ve been inspired by Fran and you and your budgeting posts so I’m going to start sharing my monthly budget as well to help me stay on track.

  8. Kimi, Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair says

    January 28, 2016 at 12:51 am

    Freakin’ obsessed with that coat. I never thought I’d be drawn to faux fur, but I can’t stop daydreaming about adding one to my closet! That might be my coat splurge next year… 🙂

    cottoncashmerecathair.com

  9. Rachelle says

    January 28, 2016 at 5:44 am

    H&M cuts are often off for me, you got some great pieces this month. This faux fur coat is awesome!

    xo
    PinkSole

  10. Brooke & Erica says

    January 28, 2016 at 10:06 am

    I am in love with that Tory Burch bag. You picked so many fabulous things this month.

    Brooke
    Pumps and Push-Ups

  11. The Adored Life says

    January 28, 2016 at 10:16 am

    Okay I was like WTF HOW DID YOU GET THAT BAG FOR UNDER $10?! Phew, okay, I’ll stand down!

    The Adored Life

  12. yettie says

    January 28, 2016 at 11:34 am

    +1 for the Tory Burch bag. I love small bags that are actually designed to hold more than lipstick and a credit card.

  13. Laura says

    January 28, 2016 at 4:47 pm

    I want that Tory Burch bag! It’s gorgeous and I love the color!

  14. Laura Kathleen @LauraAimeVous says

    January 28, 2016 at 10:03 pm

    Love that coat and Tory bag! I have a faux fur coat I should wear more, I need to find it! Love what you added this month, such great pieces!

    Laura | Laura Aime Vous

  15. Cassie says

    January 28, 2016 at 10:29 pm

    That’s so exciting that you’re going to Denmark! Where are you planning on going? I was there this past October visiting family and just doing the tourist thing. Also, that satchel is beautiful. Nicely done on spending less than $10 out of pocket on it!

  16. Alison @ Peacoat Diaries says

    January 28, 2016 at 10:49 pm

    I’ve been stalking a big dramatic faux fur coat at Nordstrom, too. It finally went on sale but I passed because I bought pretty much everything else I saw all month long, but I know it would be a fun purchase – enjoy yours!

  17. Simply Sarah says

    January 29, 2016 at 2:58 pm

    Those pants are adorable and look SO comfortable! It’s probably a good thing they are sold out because I don’t think I would ever take them off! Though I am tempted to search for something similar… Great finds!
    Peace, Sarah
    simplysarahs.blogspot.com

  18. Jessica says

    February 1, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    I love the print on those trousers. Are you going to visit relatives in Denmark and Belgium? I have never been to Denmark but Belgium has a few beautiful cities. I usually visit Antwerp at least two times a year.

    • Jessica says

      February 1, 2016 at 1:27 pm

      Hey Jessica!

      No, we don’t have relatives in either country. We’re big beer geeks, so Belgium is a must! We also picked Denmark because of its beer scene, but it also looks like such a beautiful country with well-designed buildings and interiors at every turn!

      We’re planning on an Antwerp day trip from Brussels. I’d love any suggestions!

      • Jessica says

        February 3, 2016 at 3:28 pm

        Haha, beer sounds like a good reason to visit those countries! Definitely check the Royal Museum of Fine Arts and Rubenshuis if you’re interested in art. But just walking around is great because of the architecture.

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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.

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Snapshots from our recent trip to Philadelphia. Snapshots from our recent trip to Philadelphia. 

Everyone we met in Philly apologized for their gruff nature, despite no one actually living up to that stereotype. 😂
There’s nothing like having a vacation coming up There’s nothing like having a vacation coming up to motivate you to tackle a list of chores and deep clean the house.
It’s so nice to be home after a whirlwind week. It’s so nice to be home after a whirlwind week. We flew out to Philadelphia last Friday for a few days of exploring. It was our first time in the City of Brotherly Love and we loved every minute of it from the architecture to the restaurants, and most of all: the welcoming and friendly people. After that, we had one night at home before a flight to Denver to celebrate my cousin’s wedding. We got back to Madison late last night and have spent the day puttering around the house, getting caught up on laundry, grocery shopping, harvesting the season’s first tomatoes from the garden, and admiring just how much the hydrangeas have grown in the course of a week.
I always get a kick out of comparing views of our I always get a kick out of comparing views of our home today to the photos I took during our home inspection. (Swipe to see our main bedroom then!) While I knew the house had potential, it was hard to look past some of the owner’s “design” choices. Though, it looks like the room was destined to have a warm-toned quilt. 😂

P.S. @schoolhouse just released new colors of their popular Stillwater Floral Quilt!

And, for those interested, I’ve linked my bedroom items here: https://liketk.it/5iC8R

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Back in December, we booked @therobeychicago for a Back in December, we booked @therobeychicago for a couple nights in the summer and our long awaited anticipation of lounging by the rooftop pool was finally fulfilled last weekend. It also inadvertently became the weekend I made Dave eat a cheeseburger every day, between @redhotranchchicago, @eatmottst, and @smallcheval. There are worst ways to spend a weekend.

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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

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