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Budget Update: January 2017

January 25, 2017 by jessica 8 Comments

Budget Update: January 2017

My wardrobe is kicking off on a much more upbeat and playful note than it did last year. There’s playful fringe, flirty pleats, and color! And it’s a good indication of the direction I want my wardrobe to go this year. I typically talk myself out of the more unique pieces because they might not be as versatile as something more subdued, but you know what I’ve found over the years? The pieces I love most are the ones that aren’t basic. The Cult Gaia bag that everyone owns now was one of last year’s most special pieces. It’s not versatile, but I get so much joy out of using it. The same holds true for this sequin dress and a faux fur coat, which actually became one of my most often worn pieces. Having the opportunity to look back and analyze what struck a chord with me and what didn’t is the biggest reason I keep an annual wardrobe Pinterest board for all of my new additions. You can see this year’s board here. I’ve gone back and forth on whether to add sponsored items to this board. On one hand, I only feature items that I actually do like and want to wear for more than just one post. On the other hand, the pieces I spend money on are probably the ones that actually represent my closet the best. Thoughts?

I’ve upped my quarterly budget by $100 to $850 this year. I realistically stick closer to that range anyway and it hasn’t felt like too much with my overall spending. Last year, I was really lucky to have offset all of my clothing purchases (plus pad my savings account) with a freelance project. I definitely can’t count on that every year, though! In any case, I’ve found that a quarterly budget works best for me. It allows me to spend more at the beginning of a season when I’m more excited about the latest offerings and less toward the end when my interest is waning.

BUDGET
First Quarter Budget: $850
Spent in January: $395
Amount Remaining: $455

Budget Update: January 2017

PURCHASED
See all of the year’s wardrobe additions here. 

  • Holst + Lee “Tinseltown” fringe earrings ($62; worn here): I admired these for a few months before I finally placed an order with their recent 35% off discount code. They’re incredibly lightweight and the shoulder-sweeping length makes a huge statement.
  • Diane von Furstenberg “Kourtni” chiffon dress ($164; it’s popped back in various sizes here and here; worn here): I purchased this when DVF had an extra 30% off the sale price. It’s one of those pieces that feels very “me” thanks to the relaxed silhouette. It’s easy to throw on with flats or heels to wear to work, or sandals for a warm-weather outing.
  • BB Dakota “Jacqueline” lace shift dress in red ($88): This dress is sexy. The front is low, the back is low, and it’s short. However, it doesn’t feel inappropriate. It just feels beautiful. It’s the perfect dress for Valentine’s Day, although I’m wearing it to a work cocktail event I’m hosting next month. (Ordering a heart-shaped pizza is the extent of our V-day celebration!) It runs a bit on the larger size due to the swing-style body. And for ladies who hate strapless bras, you’re in luck! The cap sleeves allow you to wear a regular bra in the same color as the dress. I’m planning to wear it with my favorite red flats. You know I’m a fan of short dresses with flat shoes!
  • ASOS double layer cold shoulder mini pleated dress ($61): You may have noticed this dress in my sidebar earlier this month under the “Latest Find” header. I ordered it the day I came across it and I can’t wait for the weather to get warmer so I can actually wear it. It reminded me of my beloved pink pleated dress I wear on repeat throughout the summer, but with a sassier ’70s twist. I went with a size 8, which is typically what I’ll order for swing styles that don’t take my hips into account. It’s a really fun piece to wear and I can see myself reaching for it often this spring and summer with a pair of simple sandals (I’ve got my eye on these) and the colorful tote bag in this post. And when we finally book a spring trip to New Orleans, it’ll be the first thing in my suitcase!
  • Old Navy faux leather tote bag ($20; worn here): I had been looking for an inexpensive tote bag that I could use for work to stash things like my lunch, ballet flats, and makeup case inside. I didn’t want something that I’d worry about or that would be ruined by precipitation. This Old Navy tote fit the bill and it’s actually a lot nicer than I thought it would be. I love the zipper top to keep everything tucked inside. It’s also lightweight and seems to expand to accommodate whatever I need to throw inside. I’m actually going to use this as my personal item on our next flight. (I had used a Gap Rewards coupon to bring down the price to the $20 mark.)

GIFTED
As always, I want to be transparent about what I’ve received from companies for review or as part of a collaboration.

  • Banana Republic signature modal tee (worn here)
  • Banana Republic floral pleat-trim fit-and-flare dress

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

  • Chelsea28 velvet and lace dress: The drop waist didn’t do my figure any favors. If you have slim hips, give it a try. It’s gorgeous in person!

SHOP IT

***
I’ll be linking up with Fran!

You might also enjoy:
Budget Update: September 2016
Style Steals: Under $100
Reflecting on a Month of [Almost] No Shopping
7 Spending Freeze Strategies

Filed Under: Budget Tagged With: budget update, budgeting bloggers, wardrobe update

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.

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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

#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.
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