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7 Spending Freeze Strategies

January 4, 2018 by jessica 3 Comments

Spending Freeze Strategies

The holidays just ended and we’re already bombarded with store emails promoting sales and spring merchandise. As much as I want to head full bore into spring shopping — the dresses! — I need to take a step back and let my bank account breathe. I don’t feel like I’m in a comfortable spot with my finances right now. Holidays aside, a big part of that was buying a house last year and taking a fairly large chunk out of  my savings account for things like floor refinishing, paint, hardware, tools, and furniture. I need to get back on track, and taking a month off from nonessential purchasing should help with that.

Let’s be honest, though, this challenge is incredibly difficult for any of us who love fashion and the promise of a spring wardrobe bursting with all of the bright colors, gorgeous prints, and airy fabrics. But, I need to keep my eye on the prize: a healthier financial situation. Here are seven strategies that I’m employing to keep my spending in check this month:

1 – Remember the bigger picture. Going from December, a month of expected overindulgence, to a pared down thirty-one days isn’t the easiest. Keeping the bigger picture in mind helps to remember why you’re doing this in the first place. Do you need to pay off credit card debit? Pad your bank account? Reduce the stress of having too much stuff? Whenever you feel deprived of being able to buy something unnecessary, remember what you’re working toward.

2 – Be grateful for what you already have. You know that closet full of fun things you love and wear? Yeah, go hang out in there whenever you’re feeling the urge to shop. I’m all too familiar with the feeling of fashion FOMO, but there’s likely an abundance of amazing things in your wardrobe that you should be grateful for. Take time to organize your closet and rediscover old favorites, then challenge yourself to reintroduce them into your weekly rotation or remix them into new outfits. (This same idea also applies to housewares, if that’s your weak spot. Try moving decorations to another room to freshen things up.) At the very least, use this time as a chance to carefully evaluate what you own, what you’d like to get rid of, and what holes exist in your collection.

3 – Wish list everything. I have a private Pinterest board that I use for each sartorial and home item that catches my eye. It’s an easy way to add some breathing room to a potential purchase and make sure it’s something you actually want. (Oftentimes, I find that once I add an item and think about it for a week, the piece has already lost its luster.) There will be a longer cooling off period with an entire month, and there’s a good chance it’ll be on sale next month if you’re still enamored with it.

4 – Practice mindful purchasing habits. If you’re narrowing your purchases to just the essentials for a month, you’re already on track to start employing mindful purchasing habits. It really just comes down to being more aware of what you’re buying, how much money is actually leaving your account (or adding to your credit card balance), how that item will be used, and how you’re feeling when you make that purchase. After this month is up, continue practicing these habits in February with a bit more freedom. Are you shopping out of boredom or do you actually see yourself putting that new item in heavy rotation? If it’s the latter, go for it, as long as you have the money in your account and already earmarked as disposable income. Remember, though, for everything you purchased in the past, you were as excited for that as you are for your upcoming purchase. Make sure it’s really something that will add to your life rather than fulfill an immediate desire.

5 – Try new recipes. Dining out is a huge line item for us. It’s unrealistic for us to cut it out completely, so we’re planning to go out to eat just two or three times this month rather than every weekend. To keep things fun and date-like, we’re planning to try new dinner and cocktail recipes instead of relying on the old standbys. It’ll be cheaper than dining out and great activity to share together.

6 – Explore [free] activities. Check your city’s newspaper and online event calendars to find free activities. If you’re in a mid- to large-sized city, there are typically free festivals or concerts that you could go to. If it’s just too darn cold to leave your house, start a Netflix series you’ve been meaning to watch (I just started The Crown), check out an e-book from the library, or finally try some of those Sephora samples that are piling up in your bathroom cabinet. It’s also a great time to reorganize your closet, kitchen, and bathroom.

7 – Enlist a partner. Whether it’s your significant other or a good friend (IRL or online!), having a partner who is also cutting out unnecessary expenses can help keep you accountable.

I’m hopeful that the challenge will also make this year’s sartorial purchases more rewarding. I’ve been putting a small amount of money aside per paycheck and some blog revenue into a savings account dedicated to the Gucci bag I’ve been daydreaming about. I’m almost there, but splurging on it now would feel irresponsible. I’m working my way toward a 2018 goal of “fewer, better things,” and a financial reset button seems like a good way to reframe my outlook on spending. It’s really easy to caught up in impulse spending, new items, and cheap thrills. Those things add up, and while it’s not to say I won’t partake, I want to become more mindful of doing so.

Let me know if you’d like to join in! I’d love to do a link-up at the end of the month to share our successes and struggles.

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Let’s keep in touch!  Instagram / Facebook / Pinterest / Bloglovin’

Filed Under: Budget, Lifestyle Tagged With: Budget, budget strategies, how to budget, spending freeze strategies

Wardrobe Update: November 2017

November 29, 2017 by jessica 2 Comments

Anthropologie Garden Party Earrings

I can barely believe this is the penultimate wardrobe update for 2017, and it was an expensive one at that! As you’ll see below, the heavy hitters to my wallet  were the coat and boots. I actually don’t mind spending more on winter wear when it needs to be practical (or as practical as those boots can be), warm, and not terribly boring. It’s just that I don’t typically buy both of those items in the same month! I also have a couple of Black Friday purchases heading my way, and I’m waffling between keeping and returning these spring shoes, so I’ll add those to December’s recap.

Wardrobe Update November 2017 :: Bedknobs & Baubles

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

  • Anthropologie ‘garden party’ earrings in red – I couldn’t help but treat myself to these festive earrings when I saw them in the store last weekend. They remind me of poinsettias.
  • Sam Edelman ‘Bronte’ hiking boots – I was on the hunt for a pair of chic, ankle-high winter boots and these fit the bill perfectly. I especially love the marled faux fur trim. They run true to size. I doubt I’ll wear them on the snowiest days, but it’s nice to have a weather-proof option that isn’t heavy L.L. Bean boots or a pair of Hunter wellies.
  • Madewell star-print silk dress – As you may have gathered from this post, this dress is one of my favorite purchases in a long time. Could you believe that I almost didn’t order it, assuming that the star print would look too much like a nightgown? I’m glad I went with my gut. I love the length, the cheeky row of buttons down the back, and the long sleeves. I went with my regular size medium. I’ve alternated between wearing it with red and turquoise flats, but I do love it with black shoes. I’ve just been putting off a visit to the cobbler to have my beloved black flats resoled. (I wore them approximately three times a week for two years, so it’s not surprising that I wore a small hole in the sole.)
  • LOFT ‘Woodland’ cutout ruffle yoke blouse – Do you also find yourself leaving with something when you head to a store to do a return? Yeah… This was an impulse purchase the other week, but it’s already become a well-loved item this month. I’m all about loose blouses with jeans lately, as mentioned here, so it was nice to add a new one to my wardrobe. I went with my typical size small with the brand and it’s still awfully roomy.
  • J.Crew swingy wool coat in grey – I happen to buy a new coat each year without really meaning to. I think it’s due to living in a climate with a very pronounced (and long) winter season. I wore the coat here for its blog debut and I’m still as enamored with it. The a-line body allows for bulky sweaters. This also runs true to size with enough room for curvy hips. (Speaking of which, one of my sartorial pet peeves is when brands don’t put a double zipper in a coat that goes past the waist. It can’t cost that much more to add it in!)

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

  • LOFT herringbone flare skirt – I was hopeful that this would be a cute work staple, but the fabric was pretty flimsy and I worried that it might snag the first time I wore it. I also wasn’t crazy about the seam that cut right across my butt. It’s a weird placement and not that flattering.
  • Target smocked dress – I really loved the fabric and the idea of this dress. I went with a medium and wonder if I should have went down a size because it seemed overwhelming on my frame. I also would have preferred it to be a couple of inches shorter.
  • LOFT flowery blouson shirtdress – The print is so cute and the weight of the fabric is wonderful. It’s polyester, but doesn’t feel like it’s going to be staticky and clingy. I just wasn’t crazy about the fit on me. Give it a shot, though!
  • LOFT smocked halter shell – My family’s holiday gatherings are on the casual side and I was hopeful that this would be a cute option to wear with jeans and a pair of statement earrings to feel festive, but not over-the-top. The idea of this top is there, but the fabric selection is pretty bad. It’s really thin and clingy.
  • LOFT plaid blanket scarf – I have a lot of scarves (don’t we all?), so one needs to be pretty great to be added to my collection. I didn’t like the feel of the fabric. It was obviously synthetic and felt thin, which isn’t the best for a Wisconsin winter. Great colors, though.
  • H&M faux fur jacket – For the record, I don’t think any faux fur coat is particularly flattering, but this one was really awful.
  • Banana Republic merino turtleneck – I need a replacement turtleneck for one that shrunk. This was too thin, though. I’m going to try this one next.

DAYDREAMING ABOUT
The items I just might add to my wardrobe next month.

  • Getting my black flats resoled.
  • A black turtleneck sweater to try.
  • I’d love this grey cashmere sweater if it’s included in a future promo.

Filed Under: Budget, Style Tagged With: bloggers on a budget, budget update, wardrobe update

Baubles on a Budget: Under $75

October 23, 2017 by jessica Leave a Comment

Baubles on a Budget: Under $75

Happy Monday! If you’re dragging this morning, there are two things that are guaranteed to perk up the start of the week: a Venti coffee (of course) and a new piece of jewelry at a wallet-friendly price point. I’m into bold conversation-starting pieces lately. (How amazing is that pin?! It looks even better when paired with this pout.) Here are nine of my favorite gems that all come in at under $75.

Top Row
Bauble Bar earrings | Jenny Bird earrings | Sibilia earrings

Middle Row
Jenny Bird pin | Sibilia earrings | Anthropologie necklace

Bottom Row
Bauble Bar earrings | Lena Bernard bracelet | Madewell earrings

Filed Under: Budget, Jewelry Tagged With: baubles, baubles on a budget, Jenny Bird, jewelry

Wardrobe Update: September 2017

September 27, 2017 by jessica 1 Comment

Calson Bell Sleeve Top + J.Crew Zip-front denim skirt

I’m shocked that the end of September is right around the corner. I typically work on this post throughout the month, but I woke up this morning and looked at the calendar to realize that we have just three days left of the month! Where did the time go?! The month always breezes past for me because it’s my busiest season at work, which unfortunately leaves me with little time to work on the blog. I wish I had more time for it, but I need to focus my attention on the job that actually pays my bills! No matter how busy I was, you know I found time to add a few new pieces to my wardrobe.

Sale alert!
Before we get started, we need to make sure you’re in the know about the latest Shopbop sale. You can save 20% on orders under $500 and 25% on orders over that amount. Use code EOTS17. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, remember that you also get free two-day shipping. Another great sale worth checking out is at Bauble Bar where you can save 25% off your order with code BIGONE. Hurry, though, that sale ends tonight!

Wardrobe Update September 2017 :: Bedknobs & Baubles

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

  • Madewell ‘Elinor’ loafers in chestnut: These are fantastic quality and they’re comfortable right out of the box! They run true to size. They’re also available in black and white.
  • Caslon bell-sleeve top in purple (worn here): Unfortunately this is already sold out. If it does pop back, you’ll need to go down a size. The top is adorable with jeans for those nothing-to-wear days.
  • Baublebar ‘Criselda’ earrings in black (worn here): After falling in love with the turquoise pair last month, I couldn’t help but add black to my collection for fall. They’re perfectly lightweight for all-day wear. (Also available here.)
  • LOFT ‘Royal Floral’ shirtdress (worn here): I almost didn’t buy this dress because it looked so drab online. However, the cut is one I typically wear on repeat, so I gave it a whirl. And, I’m so happy I did! I absolutely love this dress for fall. It’s short and loose, which makes it adorable with flats.
  • LOFT ‘Hydrangea Bouquet’ tunic: The fabric of this shirt is an amazing quality for the price point. It feels thick and silky, and the colors are vibrant. It’s a great option for fall to wear over slim jeans or tuck into a flared pair. Go with your typical LOFT size.

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

  • H&M jacquard-patterned dress: I’m still a little bummed that this didn’t work out for me! The monkey pattern is so ridiculous, but in a really good way. However, the fit was awful. The shoulders were too wide (even though the bottom of the dress fit correctly), it was entirely too long and would have needed to be hemmed above the knee, and the bow was too overwhelming on my frame. Good attempt; just poorly executed.

DAYDREAMING ABOUT
The items I just might add to my wardrobe next month.

  • This plaid coat for fall.
  • Gold drop earrings.
  • A suede dress to wear over blouses. I love it in olive.

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

Wardrobe Update: August 2017

August 31, 2017 by jessica 3 Comments

Loft Floral Tiered Dress

I can’t believe that tomorrow is September 1! Summer just flew by and while I’m not mentally prepared for fall, it seems my wardrobe is starting to veer that way! I’ve been wish listing darker colors and classic wardrobe staples, which started this month with a sweater in the prettiest pumpkin hue and a denim mini skirt. Unsurprisingly, most of my purchases lately have been for the house. West Elm has an incredible Labor Day sale this weekend with tiered discounts based on how much you spend. I seized the opportunity to finally order this bar cabinet. I’ve wanted it for months and I can’t wait to finally own it! I added in a few additional items (this quirky lamp, new stockings for Christmas, and a vintage-inspired garland) to reach the 25% discount threshold.

Wardrobe Update August 2017 :: Bedknobs & Baubles

PURCHASED
See all of this year’s sartorial purchases here. I round the prices to the nearest dollar amount and reflect any discounts I applied.

  • Ann Taylor ‘Gretel’ suede sandals in brown toffee ($48; worn here): So comfortable right out of the box! I’ve been itching for these all summer and I finally ordered them with a discount. Zero breaking in period necessary and look more expensive than they are. They run true to size, but you’ll want to go up a half size if you’re typically in between. I’m tempted to buy the black pair to keep on hand for next year.
  • Old Navy jersey swing dress in black and white stripe ($12): I rarely buy anything from Old Navy, but I came across this dress when I was looking for an inexpensive knit dress that was just as comfortable as pajamas and that I could throw on for impromptu walks around the neighborhood. It’s a swing shape, so it fits true to size in the bust and is forgiving in the midsection and hips.
  • Who What Wear varsity bomber jacket ($40; not pictured above): This is so not my usual style, but there was something about it that I loved enough to add to a recent Target order — and I’m so happy I did! The fabric and quality are great and the price point is perfect for a trendy piece. I can’t wait for the temperature to cool so that I can wear it with a casual LBD and sneakers. It runs true to size.
  • J.Crew relaxed boatneck sweater in spice ($44): The color of this sweater is perfect for fall! As with most J.Crew sweaters, it runs on the large side. I went with a small. However, if you want the slouchy fit the model has, go with your regular size. (My rule of thumb is that if J.Crew offers a top in a XXX-Small, then I should size down.)
  • J.Crew zip-front denim skirt ($60): This denim mini skirt is just the cutest! Honestly, I purchased it to wear with the aforementioned sweater and these loafers when I, hopefully, purchase them next month.

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

  • Garnet Hill linen-cotton crewneck sweater in ecru: This is perfect for cooler summer and early-fall days!
  • LOFT floral tiered dress (worn here): I collaborated with Wikibuy to highlight their discount search tools and I was able to select an item from one of the sites they featured so that I could try the site myself. I had tried on this dress in person and already knew I was head-over-heels for it! It’s such a fun dress and runs true to size.
  • Bauble Bar ‘Criselda’ drop earrings in turquoise: I actually won these from a giveaway that Grace hosted on her Instagram recently. They’re so pretty in person and they’re incredibly lightweight for all-day wear. I love them so much that I’m planning to snag the black pair soon!

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

  • Old Navy tie-shoulder swing dress: This is really cute, but the shoulder ties felt too juvenile in person. If you’re in your early- to mid-20s, go for it! It’s well made for an Old Navy piece and it’s even lined. It runs a size large.
  • Banana Republic machine-washable merino boyfriend v-neck sweater in medium gray heather: I’ve actually been on the lookout for a slightly slouchy grey v-neck sweater for a couple of years now. With a few discount codes, the price of this one was too good to pass up! Unfortunately, the fit ended up being sloppy rather than relaxed, so the hunt is still on! Let me know if you know of any options I should try. I’d like to go with either merino or cashmere.
  • Who What Wear bow sleeve sweater: I liked this sweater in theory, but the neckline was too high and the sweater was on the sheer side.
  • Mossimo ruffle wrap dress: I thought this would be cute for end-of-summer evenings with a simple pair of sandals, but the quality wasn’t that great. It runs small.

DAYDREAMING ABOUT
The items I just might add to my wardrobe next month.

  • Definitely a pair of black drop earrings.
  • These loafers in dark chestnut. They look so comfortable!
  • I’ve already ordered this dress to try.
  • These make me want to start wearing heels again. I’m into the black textured leather option.

SHOP IT

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

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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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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

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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. 

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