Budget – Page 3

Wardrobe Update: July 2017

July 31, 2017 by jessica 3 Comments

At this point, a formal budget post gets tricky with how we’re allocating money now that we have a house and we’re adjusting to our new financial plan. As I mentioned last month, we gave each other an allowance of $200 per month to spend on whatever our hearts fancy. Additionally, any blog revenue I earn is going toward my monthly purchases or in a savings account for a splurge-worthy item. It makes a monthly budget fluid and I feel like I need to over-explain where the money came from. So, we’re just going to go back to a monthly wardrobe update for awhile. I still think there’s value in sharing monthly purchases with mini reviews and fit tips, plus I’m nosy myself and they’re my favorite posts to read on other’s blogs!

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.

LOFT garland mixed media cami ($22.25; worn here): I bought this solely to wear with the matching shorts as a practical take on a romper, and I absolutely love how they look together. The front of the cami is made from a woven material and the back is a lightweight jersey, which is a little weird and I would have preferred that the fabric on the front continued around back. However, it wasn’t a deal breaker for me. It runs large with the swing shape throughout the torso, but you’ll want to opt for a size that fits your bust so that it lays correctly.
LOFT garland fluid drawstring shorts ($24.75; worn here): These have a wonderful silky material with a nice drape and weight to them. They also run large, so you’ll definitely want to try a size smaller. They get a little wrinkly when you’re sitting on them throughout the day, but the print camouflages it.
Loeffler Randall tassel pouch in melon leather fringe ($100): I bought this during Loeffler Randall’s end-of-season final sale. The fringe leather is unlike anything I own, making it a unique piece to add to my collection.
Kate Spade brushed silk swing dress ($266): This dress is my only Nordstrom Anniversary Sale purchase and I can’t say enough good things about it. I almost didn’t spring for it, considering the price point is still high and we’re feeling strapped for cash right now. (Houses are not cheap!) But I hadn’t found a dress that seemed so “me” in a long time and I loved that this had a short, loose shape with long sleeves. I ordered it thinking that I could easily return it if I wasn’t as enamored in person, but it turned out to be as lovely as I imagined it would be. It looks adorable with bare legs and flats for fall and it’ll continue into winter with tights. Go with your regular size, even if you have wide hips like I do. There’s plenty of fabric to skim over your hips so you can go with the correct fit on top.

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

MakeMeChic gingham dress (worn here)

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

LOFT striped wrap maxi dress ($49): I really wanted to love this, but it was way too large on top and kept falling open. I don’t think it would have been such an issue if the dress had adjustable shoulder straps.

SHOP IT

Budget Update: June 2017

June 29, 2017 by jessica 4 Comments

Well, the easiest way to stay on budget with clothing is to buy a house! Dave and I have been recording every penny we’ve spent this month to stay on track with the budget we put in place. I’ve been fairly flexible with my spending for the longest time, especially in terms of a clothing budget, but that got quite the revamp this month. It’s hard to get wrapped up in a pretty dress when we have to allocate funds to things like paint and light fixtures. That’s not to say that I’m “banned” from spending money on myself; we’ve actually allowed each other $200 per month of no-questions-asked spending to buy whatever our hearts fancy. It’s just that I’m a lot pickier with my purchases when that $200 allowance is for anything fun for myself, which also includes things like coffee table books and expensive beauty products. (The regular drugstore brands are covered in our household budget.) In addition to the $200, we each have a smaller amount to put in a special savings account for splurges. I’m setting aside $25 per paycheck and any blog money toward the Gucci bag that has captured my fancy. With that in mind, I’ll do away with the quarterly budget next month and just report back on what I did add to my wardrobe.

I’m planning to also record our monthly house spending over on Curated Couple. I find it frustrating that many home blogs don’t disclose how much was spent to complete a project or decorate a room. So, I’ll spill the beans over there. It’ll be a monthly roundup with the decorative pieces we buy, along with the practical things like paint, electrical, and hardware. I’ll also be mindful of adding the total cost of completion to any “before and after” posts.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get to the goods!

BUDGET
Second Quarter Budget: $685 ($850 with a $165 deficit from last quarter)
Spent in April: $298
Spent in May: $216
Spent in June: $100
Amount Remaining: $71

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.

Lands’ End polka dot bikini bikini top and high-waisted bottoms ($52): I’ve wanted a retro-inspired, high-waisted bikini for the longest time and I finally found the perfect one! It fits true to size and hides any over-indulgences while still being flirty.
Chelsea28 ruffle high/low dress in dark floral ($48): I’m sorry to say that the dark floral version is no longer available because the colors are stunning in person. It’s the perfect summer-to-fall piece when we get to that point since it looks gorgeous with burnt orange, gold, and brown. The dress runs huge. I first ordered a medium even though the reviews said it ran large, since I had found that the brand ran small with a few other things I’ve tried in the past. I was swimming in it and exchanged it for a small. It’s still big, but I wasn’t sure I’d be able to comfortably wiggle the ruched waistband over my chest if I went with an even smaller size. It doesn’t bother me, though, since I wanted a dress that was easy to slip on, cool enough for summer heat, and made me look pulled together effortlessly.

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

Make Me Chic floral midi dress (seen here)

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

Old Navy embroidered tie-front swing dress in white: I didn’t love this as much in person as I wanted to. The fabric is too casual for daytime and is better suited for the beach, and since there are no beaches in the foreseeable future, back it went! It runs large.

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

I just love the fringed leather of this clutch — and it’s the exact color I’d like to paint an accent wall in my closet. Statement pieces like this make me feel like I’m putting my budget to good use. I have plenty of basics and it’s nice to freshen them up with an unexpected statement accessory.
I’ve wanted these in “brown toffee” for two months now and have been waiting for a sale plus free shipping. (Apparently I’m greedy with the discounts!) It hasn’t happened yet and I’m starting to feel like I should just spring for them while there’s still plenty of summer left to enjoy them.
I’m still thinking about this dress, too.
And if for some reason I find myself rolling in dough, I’d love to own these watermelon-pink slides.

Budget Update: May 2017

May 31, 2017 by jessica 4 Comments

With a house purchase on the horizon, to say my budget is getting an overhaul would be an understatement! We put together a comprehensive budget that allows us the opportunity to add money back to our savings accounts and travel fund, save up for home renovations and furniture, and still allow ourselves monthly indulgences. My allotment is $200 per month for “fun” purchases. This will include anything that’s just for me, so it goes beyond clothing and incorporates things like splurging on fresh flowers. It’s definitely going to be a change of pace, but getting our house in order is our biggest priority right now and if that means I have to wait an extra month to purchase something I have my eye on, so be it. The upside of this is becoming more aware of how I’m spending my money and really focus on quality over quantity. There’s a temptation to stretch a monthly budget as far as possible with clothing items, but that doesn’t always leave me with things I’m excited about the next year. I’d love to get to the point where I’m buying just one or two thoughtful pieces each month.

Cutting costs on this line item certainly makes saving for big ticket items more difficult, which is why I opened a new Capital One 360 account to save for a designer splurge. (Right now, this Gucci bag is headlining all of my sartorial dreams.) I’m planning to deposit just $25 per paycheck (an amount I won’t notice is missing) and any money I earn from blogging. Sure, it might take awhile to save up for an expensive piece, but at least I’ll know that the classic item I do purchase eventually won’t be done on a whim.

BUDGET

Second Quarter Budget: $685 ($850 with a $165 deficit from last quarter)
Spent in April: $298
Spent in May: $216
Amount Remaining: $174

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.

BP Halter Dress ($49): I absolutely love this breezy dress for warm days. It’s not lined, so you might feel more comfortable wearing a slip underneath for extra coverage (although, it’s not sheer). I went with my regular size. While the torso and hips in the smaller size fit just fine, the bust was a bit too tight. And, a word of warning, it wrinkles easily. It doesn’t bother me too much since it’s such a casual summer dress, but it’s worth mentioning. I’ve been wearing it with these earrings and a pair of slides.
J.Crew Salut! T-shirt ($24): I rarely wear t-shirts, but I just loved this one too much to pass up. It runs a size large.
J.Crew Ruched Bandeau Swimsuit in Red ($53): I’ve been wearing a navy and white striped swimsuit for the last three summers. It’s a classic, flattering cut and still in great condition, but I really wanted another option to switch things up now and then. I purchased this one-piece on sale earlier this month and it’s just so perfect! It runs a tad larger than true to size and the ruching is flattering if your tummy isn’t exactly flat. The long-torso version was the only one on sale when I made the purchase. I’m 5’7″ and I don’t have what I’d consider a long torso, but I’m glad I went with it. The extra fabric keeps the swimsuit from riding up and giving me a wedgie, and any extra length doesn’t look out of place with a suit that’s already ruched.
J.Crew Bandana in Bermuda Map Print ($9): I couldn’t resist the vintage-inspired map print and the faded colors. I love how it looks tied to the handle of my favorite summer tote.
Target Crossbody Bucket Handbag ($30): While I’m all about the circle handle bags this season, I couldn’t justify the large price tag that accompanies many of them. This inexpensive version from Target was perfect to satisfy that craving with a surprisingly practical bag. It holds more than the daily necessities (including my camera), and the faux leather is soft.
ASOS Broderie Sundress with Strappy Back ($51; not pictured): The mixed eyelet patterns won me over on this dress, but goodness it wrinkles easily. I decided to keep it despite the creases because cotton should be more breathable on hot days than most of my summer dresses which are made from synthetic materials.

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

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

J.Crew Textured Summer Straw Hat: I want to be a hat girl, but I have yet to find one that doesn’t look ridiculous on me. This one felt like I should be planting a flower garden in the country.
J.Crew Tie-Waist Shorts in Liberty Thorpe Floral: The extra fabric of the pleated front and the bow sash didn’t do my figure any favors. I thought they ran small, but maybe I just gained weight.
ASOS Jumpsuit with Shirred Bodice in Gingham Print: Dave thought I looked like a clown going to a picnic, and yet, I would have considered it if I were tall and slim. It’s pretty fun in a ridiculous sort of way.
Ranna Gill Kalila Flora Dress: The quality of this dress was pretty shoddy for the price point. I tried it on in-store and every dress on the rack had pulled threads, snags in the chiffon, or straps that were pulling away from the body of the dress. If you love it, wait for a deep discount. It runs large.

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

I can’t go over budget to snag this ring, but I’m tempted to put half of June’s budgeted money aside to save for it.
I’m also gaga for these sandals in tan.

***
Linking up with Fran!

Budget Update: April 2017

April 27, 2017 by jessica 9 Comments

This month started with the best intentions and I went about halfway only having purchased a DVF clutch and a pair of inexpensive earrings, plus I snagged a pair of patent pink loafers entirely on a gift card. At $140 spent, I was feeling awfully smug with my self control. And then the Shopbop sale happened where I picked up the slides I was crushing on, and it all kind of went down hill from there. All in all, though, I hadn’t spent much on accessories this year or last so it was nice to add a few pairs of earrings to my collection that should get plenty of love this summer, and I’m already getting a lot of use out of the clutch and sandals.

A couple of months ago, Kristen asked how I set my quarterly budget because it seemed to be on the high side and, well, it is high. I thought I’d recap my response to her in case others were wondering about this, too. And, I know this is going to be a somewhat vague answer without going into my entire financial situation because while I think there’s value is sharing what items bloggers actually purchased with their own money and what were complimentary samples, it does need to be balanced with financial privacy. Overall, though, the large high dollar amount is due to incorporating blog income into my budget (although, trust me, it’s not that much!) and a freelance project that I had worked on with eBay. Last year’s freelance project offset all of my clothing spending, plus padded my savings account. Since the income I make from that is outside of my 9-to-5 job, I treat it as “fun” money to supplement what would be a more modest budget. I also don’t spend a lot right now on other areas of my life, which allows me to spend more on clothing. That’s definitely going to change once we buy a house, though!

BUDGET
Second Quarter Budget: $685 ($850 with a $165 deficit from last quarter)
Spent in April: $298
Amount Remaining: $387

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

Ann Taylor Raffia Statement Earrings ($25; seen here): These are such a surprise to find at Ann Taylor. As much as I love the retailer for work clothing, they’re not on my list of must-visits when I’m looking for jewelry. These earrings are wonderfully oversize and I found them to be lightweight.
Diane von Furstenberg Bullseye Nubuck-Leather Clutch ($115; worn here): I was crushing on this clutch ever since I included it in this post. I thought it would be the perfect pint-sized piece to carry my essentials when I don’t want to bring a larger purse, and it turned out to be so much better than that. The leather is soft and buttery, and the snake chain wrist strip is elegant. It fits more than you’d expect, too. I can fit my iPhone, card case, lipstick, keys, and a small mirror.
G.H. Bass & Co. Brice Patent Penny Loafer in Pink ($0; worn here): I kept going back and forth on these at Nordstrom where they were still full price at $110. I randomly did a search for them on the Bass website and came across the pair for $70. I saved an extra 20% by signing up for store emails. (Granted, I didn’t pay anything out of pocket, since I put this on a Visa gift card that I’ve been holding on to since Christmas.) They run true to size, but if you’re typically on the cusp of two sizes, opt for the smaller one.
Soludos Knotted Slide Sandals ($80; worn here): I’ve gone on and on about my love of these a couple of times now. They’re really comfortable and the leather is soft enough that there were no blisters from their maiden voyage. The leather is a little squeaky at first, but it goes away with wear. You can also try some leather conditioner to ease the friction. They’re true to size.
H&M Palm Earrings ($8): They’re big and heavy, and I love them anyway! It’s the best cheap thrill I’ve purchased in awhile, even if the cheap metal will irritate my skin. (What a ringing endorsement, huh?)
J.Crew Circle Earrings ($0; worn here): The only thing better than the aforementioned $8 earrings are free earrings. I used a gift card I received from taking a survey. I found these to be lightweight and comfortable enough to wear all day and well into the evening.
Cooperative Tie-Front Striped Mini Dress ($70): The colors are more muted in person and the “white” is really beige. The dress is lined, which was a nice surprise at that price point. The fabric of the bodice is doubled up, which allows ladies with small chests to go sans bra. I went up one size to a 10.

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

Welly Merck Classic Chicago Watch in Gold (worn here)
Garnet Hill Essential Linen Shirt in White (on the blog soon!)

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

Express Ruffle Surplice Dress: The shape of this dress is adorable, and the low neckline and cinched waist are flattering. However, the quality is pretty poor for the price. It’s not lined and even though I had tried the dress in black, it was still slightly sheer in the sunlight. It arrived as a wrinkled mess from shipping. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to keep it relatively wrinkle-free during the day.

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

I can’t tell if this dress is going to feel cheap, but it’s worth at least ordering to see it in person since it’s just $49. It’s not lined, which typically bothers me when it comes to flimsy summer dresses because I hate wearing a slip underneath when it’s sweltering. That aside, I keep thinking of how cute it will be with my beloved Soludos slides and a woven bag for trips to the farmers’ market and brunch.
I’m not really a t-shirt type of girl, but I can’t get over how much I love this one. I want to throw it on with jeans and sneakers for weekend errands. I want to wear it with denim shorts at summer beer festivals. I even want to snag a denim skirt and wear it with that. I don’t understand the fixation I have with it, but it’s real. And I need it. (Yes, I realize that what I consider a “need” is likely different than that of non-fashion-preoccupied people.)
I don’t think I’ll actually buy this bamboo-handled bag, but it’s so cute, right?! I’ve actually been scouring eBay for a vintage alternative that’s a bit more wallet-friendly.

***
I’ll be linking up with Fran!

Budget Update: March 2017

March 23, 2017 by jessica 5 Comments

Ugh. I swear, what didn’t I buy is a better question for this month’s shopping confessions. I used our trip to New Orleans as rationale for quite a few purchases early in the month and even then I was still on budget until our weekend in Chicago led me astray. What can I say? Nordstrom Rack will always get me when there’s a deal on a DVF wrap dress and Zara’s trendy pieces are just too good to pass up. I’ll subtract the deficit from next quarter’s budget to stay on track with my annual allotment.

BUDGET
First Quarter Budget: $850
Spent in January: $358 (decreased thanks to a Nordstrom price adjustment)
Spent in February: $256
Spent in March: $401
Amount Remaining: -$165

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

LOFT Floral Lace Striped One-Shoulder Top ($38): With floral lace trim and stripes, what’s not to love about this top? It’s such a pretty take on the one-shoulder trend. I wore it with denim shorts in New Orleans. Order your regular size and a size down to try them both. I liked the torso more in the small, but the elastic felt uncomfortable under the arm so I went with the medium.
Greylin Karissa Cross Front Printed Skater Dress ($60): ASOS has some great sale finds if you’re patient enough to sift through hundreds of pages of merchandise to find them. I fell in love with this dress for its cross-strap detail in the front and the flattering piping. It’s no longer available, unfortunately.
Sea & Grass Market Tote Bag ($73; featured here): The bag featured above is similar to the one I actually purchased on Etsy from Sea & Grass (a.k.a. my newest handbag obsession). It looks like they raised the price of the tote to $85 after I purchased it, but I’d still recommend it at its current price. I used it every day in New Orleans and it fit everything I could possibly need for a day out. The craftsmanship of the bag is beautiful and the semi-glossy finish makes it water resistant if you choose to bring it to the beach.
ZARA Pearly Strappy Sandals ($60): I feel like my style is completely on point whenever I order something and see it on Blair the next day. I just love these sandals. They’re basically jewelry for your feet.
J.Crew Bandana in Mermaid Print ($10): I’m all about the scarf and bandana trend this spring. I’ve been wearing a lot of blue lately, so this one seemed like a no-brainer to coordinate with this season’s ensembles either tied around my neck or on the handle of my bag.
ZARA Strappy Dress with Frills ($40; worn above): I kind of feel like a flouncy cupcake in this dress. I can’t say it’s the most flattering thing I own, but it’s just too fun. It’s lined, which was a nice surprise for such an inexpensive dress. I went up a size.
Diane von Furstenberg “Julian 2” Mini Wrap Dress ($70; not pictured): I found this at Nordstrom Rack in Chicago and couldn’t stay no to such a deep discount on a flattering wrap dress. The color scheme I went with has a magenta background. I’m looking forward to wearing it to work this spring and summer.
Uniqlo High-Rise Drape Shorts in black ($30; not pictured): I bought these to wear with the black tank top I also picked up at Uniqlo. Together, they create the illusion of a romper, but it’s way more practical when ducking into the ladies’ room. These were great for travel, too, since the fabric didn’t wrinkle even when shoved in a suitcase and taken out only on the last day.
Uniqlo Tank Top in black ($20; similar to the one above): I wish this was available online. It’s similar to the Topshop one above only without the double strap detail in the back. It’s the same material as the shorts, making it great for travel.

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

GlassesUSA “Muse” Sunglasses: I just love the matte finish!
Sweet & Spark Vintage Floral Earrings: I brought them to New Orleans and featured them in this Instagram. I’ll post a snapshot on the blog soon! In the meantime, you can meet the curator of Sweet & Spark here.
Make Me Chic Off-The-Shoulder Ruffle Dress: As with most items from these types of retailers, this dress is ultra short. I’m actually going to take it to the tailor to have hemmed into a shirt.
Prada Round Sunglasses: DITTO is unfortunately ending its Endless Eyewear program. I had credits remaining from my partnership with them and spent them on this pair of sunglasses. They’re ridiculous, but pretty fun to wear. If you have your eye on any designer sunglasses, check to see if DITTO is carrying them first. They’re 50% off right now and final sale. Shop the sale here.

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

ASOS Salon A-Line Lace Mini Dress: I so badly wanted this to work! While it’s incredibly adorable in person, I just didn’t see myself wearing it more than once or twice. (It’s okay, though. I did buy a yellow dress in January!) If you have a special occassion coming up, give it a whirl! I found that it ran large around the chest, which is really the only place you’re fitting this for.
LOFT Vine Sleeveless Shirt Dress: I’m really surprised this is almost out of stock already. It’s fine, but I thought the pattern seemed too old-fashioned in person.
J.Crew Factory 5″ Pull-On Shorts: These run true to size, but they gave me major FUPA. :: blush :: (Is that too honest for the blog?)

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

The loafers I’ve been contemplating for over a month now.

***
I’ll be linking up with Fran!