BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Budget Update: April 2016

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Lace-Up Soludos

You’d think this month’s sartorial update would be sparse given that I was out of the country for half the month. Nope. I gave my credit card a good workout the first week of the month, especially with the temptation of the Shopbop Friends & Family sale and indulging in my latest obsession: Soludos espadrilles. I was foolish not to embrace this summer staple earlier. They’re incredibly comfortable and you don’t have to worry about a perfect pedi! I’m considering these wedges next or this cheeky oui/non version.

In other news, we’re just a few short days away from my birthday month, which is typically carte blanche to buy anything and everything that strikes my fancy! But, I’m a responsible adult and I’m not going to do that. Instead, I’ve already ordered this off-the-shoulder dress from Banana Republic — a steal at $53 when you factor in the 40% savings with code BRSAVE — and the remaining $275 of this quarter’s budget will go toward one special item for my birthday. Honestly, it might not even be wardrobe-related. One of my favorite birthday splurges was on a Gray Malin print. (I usually add in another $200 as a birthday treat for myself, but we have to finish paying off our trip expenses this month. Scandinavia is not budget-friendly!)

BUDGET
Spring Budget (March – May): $750
Spent in March: $421.50
Spent in April: $350.25
Added: $350 in blog revenue*
Amount Remaining: $328.25

* Most of the money I earn from the blogging goes into my general savings account or is earmarked for travel, but I’ll move some to the clothing budget when needed.

Wardrobe-Update-April-2016

PURCHASED
See all of the year’s wardrobe additions here. (It looks like I need more color in my life!)

  • J.Crew lightweight wool tunic sweater in navy ($45): I wanted a loose-fit sweater to wear with jeans and skirts when I wasn’t feeling svelte. This fits the bill and I love the pretty perforated detail on the sides. I went with my normal size small for J.Crew sweaters.
  • Soludos x Lemlem espadrilles ($65): I’ve long admired Soludos, but was foolishly convinced the jute sole would be uncomfortable. Pssh. They’re amazing and feel like slippers that are socially acceptable to wear in public. I went with my normal size 7. They’re snug, but everything I read says that’s how they are supposed to fit because the cotton upper will stretch out with wear.
  • Soludos lace-up espadrilles ($41.25): The espadrilles above were the gateway to a newfound obsession with the brand. I bought the lace-up pair during the recent Shopbop Friends & Family sale. Like the pair above, they fit true to size.
  • J.Crew Factory scarf ($20; not online): It’s sort of like this one, but the scarf I picked out at the store has white, lavender, and orange stripes. It’s lightweight and gauzy. It actually reminds me of a Lemlem scarf, but comes with a much kinder price tag.
  • Ryder shift dress ($159): This was another Shopbop sale pick this month, chosen on a whim. I wanted a dress that would transition easily from work to weekends and loved how this one matched the cut of my beloved ASOS shift. I actually went up a size and plan to bring it to the tailor to have back darts put in to bring in the back just a touch. It’s a little baggy in the lower back because I needed extra room for my hips. That aside, it’s perfectly fine to wear now without the alterations. You can see it here.
  • H&M necklace ($20; not online): Despite the fact that there are H&M stores everywhere in the U.S., I couldn’t resist picking up an oversize pendant in Antwerp while we were abroad. It’s not online yet, but I’ll include it in an upcoming outfit post.

Wardrobe-Update-April-2016-Gift

GIFTED
As always, I want to be transparent about what I’ve received from companies for review or as part of a collaboration. I’m selective about the pieces I accept and will only work with companies I feel good about recommending. 

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

  • J.Crew frayed chambray shorts: These are not chambray. They are denim.
  • Banana Republic tile print ruffle dress: The waist fit perfectly, but the bodice was too long making it billow out too much in the back where the zipper was. It would have been too expensive to tailor, especially after paying full price on the dress.
  • Rebecca Minkoff “Addison” off-the-shoulder dress: I received a sale alert from Amazon and clicked through to find this off-the-shoulder frock with a deep discount. I didn’t hesitate to click the “purchase” button, despite a hunch that the 10 would be too large (it was, indeed, massive). Sizing aside, the thing that bothers me the most about this dress is that the off-the-shoulder portion has a raw hem. Nothing looks messier and cheapens a look than a frayed raw hem (denim gets a pass, of course).

***
linking with Fran

 

Budget Update: March 2016

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Lele Sadoughi Crystal Lily Earrings

I thought about curbing my spending this month — no, really, I did! — and failed spectacularly. I don’t know what it is about spring, but it makes me want to buy everything. (Well, maybe it’s the sundresses! The florals! The sandals!)

To be honest, I’m not terribly concerned about March’s overindulgence. I’ve had a fantastic partnership with eBay to create a series of shopping guides. (It was a wonderful, serendipitous opportunity that came when I was begrudgingly paying off my credit card!) I put a small portion of that toward this month’s budget to ease the pain, giving me a cushion for the next spring item that catches my eye (like the cutest one-shoulder swimsuit, the BR dress I’ve already ordered, or the sandals I’ve wanted for three years — literally).

On the practical side, I finally found a spring coat to pack on our trip and yoga pants for the plane. Typically, I would never encourage yoga pants as travel wear. However, I had a terrible, sleepless flight to Belgium two years ago and I’m not repeating the mistake. Give me the stretch pants, the softest long-sleeve t-shirt ever, a sleep mask*, and compression socks. I’m doing this flight like a freakin’ champ.

I’m not including the yoga pants my budget because lounge wear (er, “exercise clothes”) shouldn’t count, right? I ordered both the Zella live-in leggings and the plank pants, opting to keep the latter. I felt the slight flare was more flattering with my hips. They run true to size.

*C’mon, of course I bought a cat eye mask.

BUDGET
Spring Budget (March – May): $750
Spent in March: $421.50
Added: $350 in blog revenue
Amount Remaining: $678.50

Wardrobe-Update-March-2016

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

  • Old Navy pleated crepe dress in mixed floral ($35, not pictured): This dress is a little hippy-dippy, but it’s so darn cute and easy to throw on with a pair of flat sandals. It runs on the large size.
  • Madewell checked twill dress ($100): I wore the dress for the first time here and was on the fence about the borrowed-from-the-boys look. It has since grown on me. It’s so soft! As I mentioned in that previous post, it runs true to size and I’d recommend adding a slip underneath for extra coverage when you sit down (the space between the buttons can gap open if you’re not careful).
  • H&M patterned blouse ($20; not online or pictured above, but similar to this): I adore wearing oversize blouses with slim pants at work. This gave my office pieces a much-needed refresh.
  • LOFT swing anorak ($97): I e-browsed for and tried on a fair number of spring coats over the last few months and this is the only one I fell in love with (worn here). I didn’t already own a lightweight coat that I wanted to bring on the trip and this fits the bill. The swing style is given shape with the cinched back waist (adjustable with the inside drawstring). It’s lined with jersey, making it super soft inside, and it’s rain resistant.
  • Lele Sadoughi “Maraca” pendant ($85): I can’t even tell you how excited I am to own this piece. I’ve had it on my wish list for a year and scooped it up the moment it went on sale. It’s listed at $99, but you can use code LSD15 to save an additional 15% after signing up for the mailing list. (Or just hold your horses. There’s a 20% off code coming next week!)
  • BP Geo Sunglasses in clear ($12): There’s no way I’d ever invest in a pair of clear sunglasses, but I’m on board for $12 for a pair of Karen Walker knockoffs! I compared these to the designer sunglasses I already own. The budget pair is a hair smaller, but the shape is nearly identical. They also come in black and tortoise. Don’t get me wrong, they’re definitely cheaply made. However, that makes them ideal for toting around on your summer adventures without worrying about losing them!
  • Cece by Cynthia Steffe floral-print skirt in “Tulum Bouquet” ($67; also available here): I fell in love with the Delftware-like pattern on this skirt. It’s such a pretty spring piece that can be worn to the office. And it has pockets! It runs true to size, but opt for the larger size if you’re between two. It’s a fairly straightforward a-line shape, so it’s an easy fix to have your tailor bring in the waist.
  • Avon vintage turquoise starburst brooch ($5.50; not pictured): I had this brooch on my eBay watch list for over a year and the seller never dropped it down from $20. That was higher than I wanted to spend and I finally deleted it from my list two weeks ago.  I came across another one for a quarter of the price last week and didn’t hesitate to add it to my collection! You can snag an identical one here for $9. Otherwise, this search will bring up additional results.

Wardrobe-Update-March-2016-Gift

GIFTED
As always, I want to be transparent about what I’ve received from companies for review or as part of a collaboration. I’m selective about the pieces I accept and will only work with companies I feel good about recommending. 

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

  • J.Crew washed cotton trench in light walnut: I have narrow shoulders, but this was far too tight in my regular size. I chose not to reorder, given the amount of wrinkles in the fabric upon arrival. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep it looking neat while I wore it.
  • LOFT sleeveless swing dress: This dress arrived as a wrinkled mess, so even if it was ultra cute (it’s not), I wouldn’t have kept it. I’m on the lookout for things that I can pack for our trip.
  • LOFT floral split neck blouse: I’m all about loose, swingy blouses with slim pants at work. However, this one was too short and cut across the widest part of my hips, making me look boxy.
  • Rebecca Minkoff “Erin” tassel sandals: I know a piece is destined for my collection when I find myself clicking through to the Web page everyday for two weeks and holding my breath as the page loads, afraid of seeing my size sell out. They’re pretty adorable in person — like a hula skirt for your feet! Sadly, I had to return them. The strap that goes on top of the foot was a quarter of an inch too tight and my foot wouldn’t slide forward more, leaving me with a ton of room for my toes and not enough room for my heel. I don’t think a size up would have helped. They’re definitely worth trying, though. Fantastic quality with soft leather.

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linking with Fran

 

Budget Update: February 2016

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Budget Update: February 2016

Whew, I made it through an entire season of budgeting with just $750 and I didn’t need to dip into my eBay earnings or blog revenue! This was due, in part, to a couple of Nordstrom price adjustments on items I kept e-stalking after making the purchase. I’ve had conflicting notes from Nordstrom customer services representatives on the price adjustment policy, but it sounds like you have two weeks to get a one-time adjustment if it goes on sale (designer goods originally purchased on sale are excluded). In any case, I’m planning to set a calendar reminder for 14 days after future Nordstrom purchases to check on the current selling price. Money back is nothing to scoff at.

Next season is going to be more conservative. I had an unexpected car expense this month when a small chip in the lower, passenger side of my windshield went unnoticed until it became an irreparable crack. (Sure, I’d love to replace my windshield one month after paying for new tires after my flat. Cars. Sigh.) I’d also like to squirrel away money for our trip, given that Scandinavia is so darn expensive. Oh, and there’s that whole buying-a-house thing. But, you know, the best laid plains…

I am planning to fill one hole in my wardrobe in March. I need a trench coat or another rain-resistant jacket. I don’t already own one and it seems like a terrible oversight.

BUDGET
Winter Budget (Dec. – Feb.): $750
Spent in Dec.: $154.5
Spent in Jan.: $257.75
Spent in Feb.: $401.25
Added: $93.53 from Nordstrom price adjustments ($37.90 for the faux fur coat and $55.63 for the metallic loafers)
Amount Remaining: $30.03

 

Budget Update: February 2016

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

  • BaubleBar geranium stud earrings ($12.75): I had a coupon code and vault points, bringing the price down considerably on these mod earrings. They’re lightweight, so you won’t have to worry about future droopy lobes!
  • Louise et Cie “Joey” tassel loafers ($139): I already waxed poetic about these loafers here. They’re ultra comfortable and run true to size.
  • Max Studio heart-print jacquard shift dress ($38+ $18 in alterations): I found this gem (worn here) at our local Nordstrom Rack. The print is darling and it’s my favorite ’60s swing silhouette. It was really long, though, and came to my knees. I fell in love with it after giving it a faux hem job in the dressing room to see how it would look with five inches or so lopped off.
  • LOFT striped long-sleeve tunic tee ($34.50): This is undoubtedly the softest tee-shirt I own (worn here). It runs large. I’m usually a size 8, which is typically on the cusp of a small and medium at most stores. I went with the small in this top. It has a flattering drape and doesn’t get stretched out during the day.
  • Diane von Furstenberg “Kora” dress ($159): I was looking for a great travel dress throughout the month and kept going back to a few DVF options. While I wanted to splurge on the Kora dress in this pattern, I couldn’t justify the cost with our upcoming trip. (Not to mention, it would have blown my budget for the season.) A few solid colors were popping up on sale. I considered going for cobalt, but ultimately purchased it in red because I thought it would look better with the only purse I’m planning to bring to Europe. I heeded the advice of reviews on various retail sites and went down to a size small (I would have normally started with a medium). It’s absolutely perfect. The small still has the loose drape needed for a tunic dress without overwhelming my frame, and the weight of the material is lovely. I’m already adding other colors and patterns (like the one I really want) to my search list. The dry air makes it a bit staticky right now, but it’s nothing a spritz of static spray and a mini half-slip can’t fix. (This was also my first purchase from Matches Fashion. It arrived from London in just two days and was impeccably packaged.)

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

  • London Fog heritage trench in stone: Despite all of the reviews insisting that this coat runs large, I didn’t find that to be the case. The coat is incredibly well made, but it makes an obnoxious, loud swishing sound when you move in it. I decided not to reorder it in my regular size.
  • Cloth & Stone “Asbury” button-down shirt: I actually loved this enough in the store that I purchased it. The soft fabric is beautiful with a nice drape. However, I just didn’t love it styled with anything I own — and I should be pretty darn excited about an $88 shirt.
  • LOFT pocket shift skirt: As I mentioned in this post, the skirt didn’t have enough of an a-line flare to drape over my hips comfortably. I also didn’t think the quality was as nice as my older LOFT skirts. The fabric felt stiff and the lining uncomfortable.
  • Boden mini tent dress in white: I’m so sad this didn’t work out! When I ordered it, only the 6 and 10 were in stock. The 6 was just a tad too tight across the chest and the 10 was massive. While I could have ordered an 8 when it came back in stock later, I passed. It’s a little too sheer in the sunlight for me to feel comfortable!
  • Banana Republic medium wash cropped jeans: Holy moly, these run small. I ordered my usual size 10 for pants and I couldn’t even get them up over my thighs! The material was nice, though. No stretch, but very soft.

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linking with Fran

 

Budget Update: January 2016

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Tory Burch Brody Satchel
2016 is off to a good start sartorially. This month’s purchases are a mix of classic and fun pieces that work well with my existing wardrobe. The faux fur coat was a splurge, but I kept clicking to the Nordstrom site to daydream about it every single day for two weeks. I figured if I was that interested in it, I should at least try it on! Of course I kept it.

We booked an April trip to Denmark and Belgium, so I’m planning to use the remaining balance of this season’s budget on a couple of versatile items for the trip: a trench coat (love the detachable lining and hood on this one, but I can’t decide between khaki and navy) and a pair of comfortable loafers for walking (maybe these). I’d also like to add a couple of dresses to my travel wardrobe that I can wear a couple of times over the two-week period. I’m particularly interested in this dress. It looks like it could be amazingly versatile with a trench, flats, and statement pendants.

In other news, I looked at additional ways to save money throughout the year. I’m using MyFitnessPal to count calories and cancelled my Weight Watcher subscription, saving $240 annually. I also shopped around for auto and renter’s insurance and left Geico for Progressive to save $430 annually. I received $112 back in prorated refunds from Geico, which covered most of the renter’s insurance with Progressive for the year.

BUDGET
Winter Budget (Dec. – Feb.): $750
Spent in Dec.: $154.5
Spent in Jan.: $257.75
Amount Remaining: $337.75

Wardrobe-Update-January-2016-6
PURCHASED
See all of the year’s wardrobe additions here.

  • J.Crew drapey beach pant ($36): When I first spotted these palazzo pants on J.Crew’s website, I knew I had to purchase them before they sold out. They’re intended for beach wear, but they’re also pretty cute with a loose cami, oversize pendant, and sandals. (Summer, where art thou?)
  • Topshop v-neck camisole in navy ($28): Earlier this month, we toyed with the idea of booking a last-minute jaunt to Florida. Since I had already purchased the beach pants, I added the camisole to my wardrobe for a breezy ensemble. We obviously put Florida on the back burner in favor of Europe, but this cami is staying in my closet. It’s a lovely layering piece. You’ll have to go up at least one size.
  • Tory Burch “Brody” small satchel in light oak ($8.25): For being on the small side, this satchel is incredibly roomy. It has more than enough room for my DSLR, a Kindle, full-size wallet, phone, and other small daily must-haves (ahem, lipstick). I have a feeling that this is going to be perfect for traveling. I can fit all of my in-flight essentials inside and stow it away under the seat in front of me with ample foot room. The leather is incredibly soft and the bag is lightweight. (I received a $200 Visa gift card for the holidays and put it toward the bag.)
  • Gorjana “Ryder” lariat necklace ($22.50): I considered purchasing this lariat at full price a few months ago and was delighted to see it made it to Gorjana’s end-of-season sale for a fraction of the price. It’s a flirty piece to wear with a v-neck cami or a button-down shirt. (I had a $10 credit, which basically took care of the shipping cost.)
  • Eliza J faux fur coat in navy ($150): I’m such a fan of this coat (worn here). It’s a convincing replica of real fur and warm enough for the subzero temperatures we experienced last week. It runs true to size. It also has a bright, floral lining, which was a lovely surprise.
  • H&M striped long-sleeve tee ($13): This is my least exciting purchase of the month only because it’s a necessary staple. My old striped long-sleeve tops are starting to show their age and I need a few more to replace them with. This one runs small, but is stretchy enough that it doesn’t lose its shape during the day.

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

  • H&M flared blouse: I daydreamed about this for a couple of weeks before dragging myself to the mall to try it on. The fabric was ultra soft, but the cut was terrible. Drop shoulders and a wide torso don’t make for a flattering top. It’s also kind of short for being so loose. Pass.

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linking with Fran