BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Budget Update

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Budget-Oct2014

[dropcap custom_class=”normal”]T[/dropcap]wo months down, four months to go, and less than a third of my budget left. Holy sh*t.

I can’t say I’m surprised, though. I’ve been on a bit of bender, collecting my fall favorites so there’s plenty of time to enjoy them. At least that’s been my rationale, but it is on par with last year’s spending habits. I had a dry spell in November and December (likely because I was checking others off my holiday shopping list) that I expect to happen again this year.

That said, I did put those dollars to good use and purchased a few items that had been on my wish list for a long time: a pair of oversize Prada sunglasses with a subtle cat eye shape, an indulgent yet versatile evening clutch, and a blazer that I can wear to work or as a light fall jacket. The other purchases weren’t as well planned, but have been in regular rotation with the exception of the DVF sunglasses. I impulsively purchased them while waiting for the Prada pair to arrive and I haven’t worn them since. I don’t know if it’s because I’m in the honeymoon period with the sunglasses I actually yearned for or if it’s because I just don’t love them as much. Either way, it’s a good reminder that I value thoughtful purchases more than impulse buys.

In the coming months, I’m itching to add more a-line shift and swing dresses to my wardrobe. They’re my favorite pieces to wear with a piece of statement jewelry and pointy flats.

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THE BUDGET

I started with a six-month budget of $1,500. I consider blog revenue and eBay sales to be “fun money” and may add a portion of that additional income to my overall seasonal budget (if it doesn’t end up in my travel fund first). I’ll record any budget increases or expenditures here each month. (There will also be an annual “Tax Refund Splurge” that goes above my budget, but I’ll devote a post to that in January.)

  • $1,500 starting budget
  • + $200 added to the budget this season ($200 this month)
  • – $1313.45 spent this season ($903.85 this month)
  • = $386.55 remaining

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WARDROBE UPDATE

View all of my purchases (that I can find stock photos for) on my fall and winter wardrobe Pinterest board.

Clothing:

Shoes & Accessories:

  • NEW Prada sunglasses ($204): I’ve been crushing on these for awhile and I was pretty excited to see that they were on sale for 20% off as part of Nordstrom’s price-matching policy. I can’t believe it took me so long to pull the trigger. They’re all kinds of fabulous in person.
  • NEW DVF sunglasses ($50): My Prada sunglasses hadn’t yet arrived when I visited Nordstrom Rack. I was sucked in by the rows of eyewear and took these home. They’re more of a square shape than anything else I own, but I’m more enamored with the Prada pair.
  • NEW Tory Burch “Bedford” flats in cobalt snakeskin ($206.25): This was an impulse purchase fueled by a beer fest and they’re glorious.
  • NEW Tory Burch Metallic Lace Minaudiere ($175): Does anyone else bemoan their clutch collections whenever a special occasion is on the horizon? Just me? I was tired of last-minute runs to T.J.Maxx to find something (anything!) to go with my outfit. This bag is like a little art piece in versatile white leather that will go with a lot of different ensembles. And the strap makes it easy to juggle drinks and appetizers at the same time. Priorities.

Gifted Items:
This section sort of comes off as braggy, which isn’t my intention. Blogging is getting less and less transparent and I want to be clear with what I’ve purchased and what items I’ve received as part of a collaboration. I’m awfully picky about the brands I work with–and won’t post items I don’t love–so rest assured these are solid.

Items I tried this month, but didn’t purchase: 

  • Badgley Mischka mineral print skirt: I added this to last month’s budget update before it arrived. It was gorgeous in person, but it fit too high on my waist. I’m working on dropping a few pounds, but there’s no guarantee it’ll sit in a more flattering spot and I really don’t want to keep things in my closet for “someday.”
  • Elliott Lucca ankle boots: These were my favorites of the ankle boot lineup I did a few weeks back. Unfortunately, the shaft was a bit too high for on me and I couldn’t wiggle my toes. They sure are pretty though.

Donated or sold:

  • 5 dresses
  • 3 pairs of shoes
  • 1 skirt
  • 3 handbags
  • 3 belts
  • a boatload of old costume jewelry from places like H&M and Forever21

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HOW ARE YOU DOING?

Fran does a great job of linking to budget bloggers each month and I strongly encourage you to take part. I hope you’ll also share links to your wardrobe recaps here. I’m always curious to learn how others curate their closets! 

You might also enjoy:

The Coveted: Items I Love, Own, or Would Love to Own

Happy Fourth of July!

The Coveted

An Easy Travel Outfit

Comments

  2. I think you did a pretty good job getting some work horses for your wardrobe, even if you did spend a lot!
    My budgeting/challenge is being augmented by saving for my trip, so I was pretty good about spending this month, haha. (apart from the Lo & Sons bag, which will be used on said trip)
    http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

  3. i’ve been shopping a lot lately too… yikes! all those fall clothes are tempting and i’ve been buying more maternity stuff. ah well like you said hopefully the next two months will be more about buying other ppl things! xo jillian – cornflake dreams

  6. I’m glad I took the chance to really look at my purchases for the last couple months. You got so many gorgeous things – I always wish you would share a few more outfit photos! Of course now is the worst time of the year, with DST tomorrow and what seems to be unending rain, I’ve been struggling to get them done myself!

    Chic on the Cheap

    • I really need to work on that! We only have time to do it on the weekend and sometimes I feel too guilty asking Dave to be as enthusiastic about my hobby as I am. I also don’t want to bore you with too many repeat pieces!

      • Yes, I sometimes feel guilty about asking my less than enthusiastic photographers for assistance. Especially in the cold, when I want their help the most and they want to give it the least.

        I’m lucky to have my mom around, since she can easily be won over by “Lets get a coffee…. and take outfit photos.” Plus I’ve been training her for years and she has an artistic eye, so she does pretty well without much coaching. Sean on the other hand is very good about not getting annoyed while I’m constantly directing him.

        • I’ll have you know that there are two outfit posts scheduled for this week. 😉 (Seriously, you motivated me. If I was left to my own devices, I would have spent all day Saturday in sweatpants playing Mario Kart.)

          • I was the opposite this weekend, today the wind did not stop blowing, like crazy, loud, moved my car out of fear a tree branch was going to land on it windy, and yesterday was torrential rain… so no outfit photos!

            But I haven’t played Mario Kart (or anything) in ages… I have games I got for the Wii still in the shrink wrap. Every so often I will really want to play something, but the thought of setting it up and then scrounging up batteries for the controllers usually stops me.

            Anyway, excited to see your outfits!!

          • Yikes! The weather was cold and windy here, but no rain (thank goodness). I can’t believe you still have games in the shrink wrap. Dave and I spend far too many afternoons drinking and playing video games. You’d think we’d grow out of that…

            😉

    • Thanks, Jen! Surprisingly, the Theory sweater isn’t itchy at all. It’s like a plush, cozy blanket. Haha. It’s really not the most flattering thing, but I can’t stop wearing it!

  9. Loving your purchases this month – those Prada sunglasses are perfect, as are those Tory Burch flats! I’m really digging the coat from Elie Tahari x DesignNation too! Is that more of a topper or would it be suitable for colder weather?