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Wardrobe Update: August 2018

August 28, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

engagement dress

I may have been frugal when it came to clothing in August, but that certainly wasn’t the case when it came to our house. This month I purchased linen sheets (so luxe), ordered a dining table, bought a chair to make sure I like it with the table before ordering the other five, and finally found a light fixture for our bedroom. On top of that, we booked a post-Thanksgiving trip to New York. I have no doubt I’ll redirect my attention to clothing come September. While it’ll still be warm enough to wear summer favorites, I’m excited to pick out a few additions for my fall wardrobe. If money wasn’t an object, I’d start with these Rachel Comey earrings in the malachite and amber option and this bag in green. On the more realistic front: this blazer. I can’t get over how much I love that green herringbone fabric.

PURCHASED
See all of this year’s sartorial additions here.

  • Leith ruched body-con dress in heather green ($56) – I bought this sexy little number in black last month and loved the versatility so much that I bought it in heather green, too.
  • Who What Wear polka dot midi skirt ($30; worn here) – I love the bold print on this skirt and it feels well made, especially at such a low price point. (It’s even lined!) The only downside is that there’s a chemical smell to the material. I haven’t washed it yet to see if that’ll help, but Febreze didn’t do much.

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

  • 1901 button-front skirt in camel – This was a darling of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, but it runs incredibly small. I tried my normal size and a size up and both were too snug. Ultimately, the fabric quality wasn’t that great and I was tired of going back and forth with new sizes. I’d rather save up for a wool a-line skirt that will hold up year after year.
  • Staud ‘Shirley’ mini tote – I struggled with this one. I absolutely love the tote and the quality is excellent. However, I felt foolish spending money on something so trendy that I might not reach for next year. The same could certainly be said for the Rachel Comey earrings I bought, but my love for those far surpass the love for this bag. That said, I kind of regret sending it back and wonder if it was just the camel color that I wasn’t crazy about enough to keep?
  • LOFT bouquet smocked flare dress – This is flattering, but I just didn’t love it that much in person. The colors were more muted than they appear online and it just felt a little lackluster.

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Filed Under: Budget, Style Tagged With: wardrobe update

Wardrobe Update: May 2018

June 1, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

J.Crew Mercantile faux-wrap mini dress

I’m two months into my newfound budget restrictions and I’m still going strong! (Albeit with a $4 deficit.) This month was all about adding a few lightweight dresses to my collection, including one I’ve crushed on since its debut, which made my wish list go down to just one single item: this Jenny Bird pendant. I’m not sure if I’ll pull the trigger this month, though. We have a trip to Portland on the books for the end of the month and I feel like all of my disposable income is going to go to Schoolhouse Electric when I visit the store!

TOTAL SPENT: $235
(Budget: $200; $31 added from last month; subtracting $4 next month)

PURCHASED
See all of this year’s sartorial additions here.

  • Tory Burch silk scarf ($18) – I received a $50 coupon to use for my birthday month and decided to put it toward this adorable silk square. The four different patterns make it so that you can change the look from a floral design to a geometric one based on how you tie it.
  • Leith racerback shift dress in navy ($29; worn here) – I love the black version of this dress (worn here) that I had to buy it in navy. I’ve been wearing these two dresses to work just about every week. They’re machine washable, too!
  • J.Crew Mercantile faux wrap dress in fresh daisies ($60; worn here) – This little number runs true to size. The bust is a bit on the larger side, though, and it falls open if you don’t maintain good posture despite the hook and eye closure. I love it with slip-on espadrilles and sneakers, but it’s adorable with ballet flats, too.
  • Madewell denim pintuck cami dress ($128) – I had been crushing on this dress ever since I first saw it on the Madewell site. I was waiting for it to go on sale, but once I realized the size run was selling out at both Nordstrom and Shopbop, I had to hit “add to cart” to see how I felt about it in person. Love. It. The pintuck pleats and bust detailing make it so much more interesting than your run-of-the-mill sun dress. It runs true to size.
  • Warby Parker ‘Nancy’ sunglasses in pink & no-name gold and white hoop earrings in Austin ($0) – Birthday gifts! Dave bought the earrings for me while we were out and about. (I’ll post them in an outfit post soon!) The sunglasses are from my parents — sort of. They send me a birthday check each year, and this year my mom specifically requested that I buy something for myself and not the household. I put part of the check toward the sunglasses while we were in Austin and deposited the rest into my travel savings account.

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

  • BB Dakota ‘Luciana’ maxi dress – The polyester lining felt like it would oppressively hot on steamy days.
  • Soludos espadrille wedges – I’ve been thinking about buying these for a couple of years now and really hoped that they’d be a comfortable option when I want a bit of height. I followed the recommendations to go down a half size and found the toe box too tight and uncomfortable. Back they went.
  • Deepa Gurnani ‘Petaloop’ earrings – I love big earrings, but these were too much even for me.

Filed Under: Budget, Style Tagged With: Budget, budget update, wardrobe update

Wardrobe Update: April 2018 (Back on a Budget)

April 30, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

Anthropologie Lucite tassel necklace

Now that we’re finally into spring and embracing the fresh start the season brings, I thought I’d give my financial situation a bit of spring cleaning. With house projects (which are all more expensive than you think they should be), savings goals, and travel dreams, I’ve got to button down on the sartorial front and keep myself to a more reasonable amount. I’m going to start with $200 per month, and put $50 per paycheck into a “splurge” savings account for whatever captures my fancy down the road. (That, along with blog revenue, is how I saved for my Gucci bag.) I feel like I’m in a really good spot with the foundation pieces in my wardrobe, so $200 should be plenty of money to freshen up my collection and add a few nicer pieces over the months.

TOTAL SPENT: $169
(Budget: $200; $31 rolling over to next month)

PURCHASED
See all of this year’s sartorial additions here.

  • Old Navy bow-topped slides in gingham ($15) – Aren’t these adorable?! They fit true to size.
  • New Look ruffle strappy jumpsuit ($32; worn here) – With black slides and statement jewelry, this jumpsuit is perfect for warmer days. I went up a size because I liked the looser fit.
  • Target short sleeve mini dress ($33) – As with most Target purchases, this was an impulse buy when I ran to the store for household needs. It’s such a sweet dress and well made for the price point. It’s lined and has great attention to detail with the ruffled hem. I’m not crazy about the sleeves and tried it with the sleeves tucked under, which I thought was much cuter and I’ll likely get it altered. It runs large. (I’m typically a size 8 and went with the small.)
  • Anthropologie Lucite tassel necklace ($68; pictured above) – We stopped at Anthropologie while we were waiting for our dinner reservations in London, and I fell in love with an oversize Lucite beaded necklace with a tassel pendant. I almost didn’t purchase it since I hate buying things overseas that I can get here, but I couldn’t bear the idea of not having it in my collection. As it turns out, it’s a good thing I bought it because it’s not on Anthro’s website.
  • London street vendor earrings and ring ($21) – I bought an oversize silver and lapis ring at Brick Lane Market and a pair of circular brass earrings at Old Spitalfields Market that will probably irritate my ears, but they were super cute and cheap.

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

  • Gap mid-rise skinny jeans in black – I own the blue version of these jeans, but for some reason the black pair ran exceptionally small. I couldn’t get them over my hips.
  • J.O.A. striped mini dress – I wanted to love this dress and even tried it in three different sizes to see if it could work. The medium was way too small, despite the claim that a medium fits a size 8. I tried the large and couldn’t breath with it zipped up. And I even tried the XL, which was too large in bust and waist. Sigh. It’s super cute, though!

Filed Under: Budget, Style Tagged With: budget update, Purchase Reviews, wardrobe update

Wardrobe Update: March 2018

March 26, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

Tory Burch plaid coat + Gucci small Marmont bag

This month was all about checking things off of my long-term wish list and filling gaps in my wardrobe. This made it an expensive month, but I feel really good about where things are at and it’s nice to have these essential pieces taken care, even if it makes this year’s wardrobe additions seem awfully boring when viewed together. Many of these purchases were in preparation for London. I needed a few foundation items (like jeans in a smaller size and loafers) to mix and match on our trip. I’m trying to pare down my suitcase substantially this time around. I tend to rewear items on trips, so I’m just going to embrace it. (I’ll share my packing list this week.) Granted, not as fully as I did in Copenhagen a couple of years ago when I didn’t realize it would be as cold as it was and I wore the same sweater and jeans every day!

I’m sure I’ll do enough damage to my bank account on our trip, but I’m primarily hoping to pick up housewares as souvenirs instead of clothes. (I say this knowing that I won’t be able to resist bringing home a piece of jewelry to commemorate our first visit to the U.K.) Once we’re back, I’ll take a look over my spring and summer wardrobe and see what kind of holes need to be filled or trends I’d like to embrace this year. I have so many spring dresses that I love and am excited to wear, so it’s not like I need anything, but it’s also nice to freshen up things with a floaty new frock. After all, spring shopping is the best shopping!

PURCHASED
See all of this year’s sartorial additions here.

  • Gap mid-rise true skinny ankle jeans – I already own these jeans, but my current pair is getting baggy after I lost 10 pounds since Thanksgiving. The recent Friends & Family promotion made snagging a smaller pair a no-brainer. I’m going to bring these on the trip along with the larger pair for when I inevitably eat too many orders of fish and chips.
  • Banana Republic machine-washable merino shell in medium blue vintage – When I was scouring the Gap family of brands during their Friends & Family promotion for the aforementioned jeans, I came across this merino shell. It’s not exactly the most exciting purchase, but it’s a versatile piece to wear to work with an a-line mini skirt or jeans on casual days. I’ve already worn it three times and it retains its shape throughout the day.
  • Lululemon “Effortless Jacket” in navy – Dave had heard good things about Lululemon’s men’s pants for travel, but they didn’t stack up. (They made his rear end look baggy.) While he was shopping, I came across this cropped jacket and fell in love. It’s such an impulsive purchase for me, but I think it’s going to be great for bike riding on chilly days. It runs incredibly large. I first started with an 8 and 10 in the fitting room, then tried the 6, and then the 4. I liked how the 4 fit most in the body, but the sleeves were too short and so I opted for the 6 instead. The jacket has so many pockets and storage options, plus there’s a stowaway hood in the collar for unexpected showers. The cropped length also looks adorable with casual dresses.
  • Madewell “Elinor” loafer in black – I already have these loafers in brown and wanted the black pair in the rotation. They’re so comfortable right out of the box with zero breaking in necessary. (True be told, I really wanted these, but they’re on backorder until the end of May.)
  • Paravel crossbody capsule in scout – I received a 20% discount code and figured it was a good time to buy the Paravel bag I’ve crushed on since last summer. It’s every bit as perfect in person!
  • Old Navy jersey knit swing dress in grey – I snagged this to wear on the plane. I’ve tried a variety of flight outfits over the years and I’m always most comfortable in a loose dress. I don’t get terribly cold on planes, but I’ll layer this with a cardigan and a cashmere wrap that doubles as a blanket, and will slip on compression socks when it’s time to sleep. (#SoChic)
  • vintage necklace (pictured above) – I couldn’t pass up this $10 beauty when we visited a local vintage shop earlier in the month.

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

  • Sam Edelman “Lior” loafer in black – The toe box was way too long for me and they felt cheap in person.
  • Banana Republic “Sloan” skinny-fit pant in black – I loved these pants a few years ago when I was a size smaller than I am now. I can technically zip up the other pair, but they’re so tight that they look like yoga pants! I decided to order the size larger to bring on our trip and wear to work this season. Unfortunately, though, Banana Republic must have changed the fit because I can’t even come close to zipping the larger pair.
  • Leith racerback shift dress in light pink – I love this dress so much in black (worn here), but the light pink was a let down. It was a bit on the sheer side and looked inexpensive.

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Filed Under: Budget, Style Tagged With: Purchase Reviews, wardrobe update, wardrobe welcome

Reflecting on a Month of [Almost] No Shopping

February 1, 2018 by jessica 5 Comments

J.Crew Majesty Peacoat

At the beginning of January, I was reeling from an expensive December with holiday and car-related spending. I needed a month to take a step back and get my financial act together before heading into the rest of the year. It was a lofty challenge and I wasn’t entirely successful at curbing unnecessary purchases, falling victim to this shirt and a vase. Yet, spending just $35 on these things was still a pretty big financial win for me and I was able to get my budget back on track. I wrote about my spending freeze strategies at the beginning of the month, and the one that helped the most was wish listing everything. It’s really shocking to see how many things lose their luster after sitting on a Pinterest board for a few weeks. (Granted, this only works if you’re willing to add it to your list and then try to forget about it the rest of the month. It’ll be much harder if you keep going back to daydream about it.) Below, I’ve listed the things I thought I’d buy once February rolled around and where those things now stand.

No longer want:

  • Jeffrey Campbell ‘Irina’ flats – I spotted the black version while I was mindlessly scrolling through Instagram and thought they were ridiculous, but in a really fun way that would play nicely off of a black dress. Now I just find them ridiculous in a juvenile way that doesn’t work with my wardrobe or my aesthetic.
  • Zara mini frilled dress – I really wanted this at the beginning of the month, but I’m glad I held out. I’m tired of dark floral now that spring is nearly here.
  • Madewell t-shirt – As cute as this one is, I realized that I’m just not one to wear t-shirts regularly enough to add this to my collection.
  • Cult Gaia ‘Eva’ earrings – These seem expensive for what they are. I love the design, though.
  • Zara mini bucket bag – Why spend money on a subpar purse when I’m saving up for the Gucci bag of my dreams?
  • Sam Edelman ‘Lior’ loafer in black – These had been on my wish list for awhile, but after the sleek pointy-toe Madewell loafers came out (listed below), I no longer want this pair.
  • David Yurman ring – I’ve had this on my wish list for a couple of years now. However, this month I realized that I just don’t want to save up for it and would rather spend my money on other things. I have a gold-plated Monica Vinader ring that I wear every day and I’d rather buy a no-name real gold band to replace it with than go with the David Yurman ring.

On the fence:

  • LOFT shimmer tile ruffle blouse – I need to see this in person. It’ll either be adorable with jeans and I’ll reach for it over and over again on nothing-to-wear days, or it’ll be too voluminous and look sloppy. I don’t really need more bulk on my frame. Has anyone tried it?
  • Cult Gaia mini ‘Cupola’ bag – Do I really need this when I already have the Ark bag? Plus, it’s hard to spend that much when I paid less than $50 for my large Ark bag before the brand became popular.

Still love:

  • Line & Dot ‘Adelene’ dress – Alright, I have to confess that I ordered this last night. I have another dress from Line & Dot that I’ve worn almost weekly for three summers now, and I still love it as much as I did the first time I put it on. This is such a pretty option for spring. Plus, you know how much I love loose mini dresses.
  • Leigh racerback shift dress – I’m really eager to try this on in person. It seems like a versatile option that can go from work to weekend with ease.
  • Gap skinny black jeans – Every few weeks I find myself wishing I owned a pair of black jeans. It’s probably time to just try a pair in person and see how I feel about them.
  • Madewell ‘Francis’ loafer – I have a pair of brown Madewell loafers and they’re incredibly comfortable. I’m hoping this pair will be a good option for our trip to London when I want something nicer looking than a pair of sneakers.
  • Paravel crossbody capsule bag – I’m sure I’ll own this within the next few months. It’s been on my wish list since last summer and my crush on it hasn’t waned, especially given how much I love the quality of the brand’s backpack.
  • Gucci small ‘Marmont’ bag in black – Obviously this is still on my wish list. I’ve been putting aside $25 per paycheck over the last year, along with blog revenue that doesn’t get earmarked for something else. I’m $33 away. OMG.

So, what did I learn?

  • First things first: I’m going to be much better about curbing impulse spending, and not fall victim to sales and free shipping offers. Those are by far my Achilles’ heel. I always tell myself that I can return the item if I’m not crazy about it, but I’m usually too enamored once I try it on at home.
  • There are a lot of pieces I added to my wish list and then cast aside! I’m going to continue wish listing items to make sure they’re things I actually want a month later. I’m thinking of giving myself a two- to four-week waiting period between the initial spark and finally pulling the trigger. That should be plenty of time to see if something falls into the “meh” category after the first rush of excitement wears off.
  • I found myself becoming much better at creating lists of the holes in my wardrobe, as evidenced by the third list above. Many of those items are things that I’ve wanted for awhile, but they took a backseat to more exciting purchases. I’d like to prioritize those items to mix into my existing wardrobe.
  • High quality, classic styles capture my fancy for much longer than trendy pieces do, and I’m a sucker for a short dress. Instead of throwing money at trends or trying something different, it’s better for me to put my money toward the things that I actually love and wear frequently.

Your turn!
Did you try something similar this month? Have you ever tried a no-shopping challenge? How did it go? What lessons did you learn?

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Filed Under: Budget, Lifestyle, Style Tagged With: budgeting, no shopping challenge

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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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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.
Can you hear meow? 😸 Lily is putting the phone Can you hear meow? 😸 Lily is putting the phone nook to good use.
Christmassy mornings. Christmassy mornings.
Thanksgiving Bake: Flourless Chocolate Wave Cake f Thanksgiving Bake: Flourless Chocolate Wave Cake from Dessert Person by @csaffitz

#dessertperson #thanksgiving #eastfork #eastforkdoesmydishes #eastforkpottery #dansk #food52 #dessert
Visiting York earlier this month put us in the Hal Visiting York earlier this month put us in the Halloween spirit. While it claims to be the most haunted place in Europe and is dubbed the city of a thousand ghosts, we only encountered the wire-mesh sculptures of Ghosts in the Gardens (@the_york_bid) and the family of souvenir ghosts I brought home from @yorkghostmerchants. 

#ghostsinthegardens #york #hauntedyork #yorkmuseumgardens #yorkghostmerchants
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