BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Budget Update: December 2015

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Gerard Yosca Rose Ball Dangle Earrings
OBSERVATIONS
Looking back at 2015, I may have went a bit overboard on sartorial spending, so I’m bringing back a stricter budget in hopes that it’ll force me to be more selective about purchases and be more creative with the items my own closet. I’m trying a seasonal budget with four installments of $750 to spend over a three-month period. I tend to spend more at the onset of a new season, making this approach more realistic than a monthly allotment.

In addition to the money I’ve set aside for clothing and accessories, I’m tucking away $50 per paycheck into a Capital One 360 savings account earmarked for special splurges. I’ve mentioned Capital One 360 before, but it’s worth repeating with a new year — and new financial goals — on the horizon. The bank allows you to create savings accounts for different things whenever you want with no minimum balance. I have a general savings account, the aforementioned splurge account, a travel account, and a Christmas account that I’m putting away $25 per paycheck to make end-of-year gift giving a little easier. Any blog revenue I earn usually gets divided between my regular savings account and my travel fund.

Even though I’m set to start the year on a fiscally responsible note, Tory Burch was a little too tempting for me to resist this morning with an additional 30% off sale items. I had a $200 Visa gift card to spend and put it toward this gorgeous satchel in light oak. It looks like the perfect bag for travel with ample room for my camera, daily essentials, and souvenirs, without being overwhelmingly large. After the discount and gift card, my spending came to $8.25. I’m waiting for it to arrive before officially adding it to my budget.

I’m also seriously considering adding this faux fur number to my closet.

BUDGET
Winter Budget (Dec. – Feb.): $750
Spent in Dec.: $154.5
Amount Remaining: $595.50

Wardrobe-Update-December-2015
PURCHASED
See all of the year’s wardrobe additions here.

  • Monica Vinader “Atlantis” wide band ring ($87.50): This was my only Black Friday purchase this year, which is fitting since one of the designer’s “Baja” bracelets was my Black Friday purchase the year before. Like the bracelet, the quality is impeccable. I’ve been wearing it every day since it arrived.
  • BCBGeneration tie-neck shift dress in deep blue ($37): I actually ordered this in the orange colorway first, but hated the nearly fluorescent hue when it arrived. The dress, however, was darling and I immediately placed an order for the navy version. The necktie is a little thin and looks silly tied in front. I opted to tie it in the back instead, which looks pretty above the keyhole opening. There are strings at the shoulders to keep the tie in place. I snipped those off.
  • Foley + Corinna framed petite crossbody bag in white ($30): The pricetag for this little bag made a sharp increase after I placed my order. It’s somewhat practical with room for my iPhone 6s, a tube of lipstick, a card case, and my keys (without a key fob). However, I don’t think it’s worth more than what I paid. The quality of the leather is good, but the chain is flimsy.

Budget Update December 2015
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: 

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linking with Fran

November Wardrobe Update

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Budget-Update-November-2015
OBSERVATIONS
I almost went an entire month without purchasing clothing or accessories for myself. For a solid two weeks, I was creative and content with my wardrobe, taking note of my wardrobe MVPs (that’s “Most Versatile Pieces,” which is fodder for a blog post coming soon). I found myself reaching for this black dress and this pendant all of the time.

…and then I faltered.

Anthropologie was offering an additional 25% off dresses, and the siren song of this dress was too strong to resist. I had tried it on last month and regretted putting it back on the rack. It’s short, flirty, and wonderfully girly. I needed a ride-along item to qualify for free shipping (obviously) and chose this dress in orange (photo here). Despite the glowing reviews, I didn’t expect to love the high neckline and long hemline. But, I do. It’s like nothing else in my closet.

…and then Black Friday happened.

I ordered a Monica Vinader ring and a pair of pink pumps. Those purchases haven’t arrived yet, so I’ll include them in December’s recap. There’s always a chance they’ll make a return trip to the retailer.

Wardrobe-Update-November-2015
PURCHASED
See all of the year’s wardrobe additions here.

  • Maeve eyelet swing dress in black ($60): Cotton eyelet isn’t what you’d consider a holiday fabric, but I’m planning to wear this at our family’s Christmas gathering with black tights, these flats, and the oversize earrings in this post. The dress has an exaggerated bell-shaped body, so you’ll just need to find one that fits well in the bust. I’m getting anxious to book a warm-weather vacation to wear the dress with my favorite summer accessories, too.
  • Maeve “Larkhill” swing dress ($90): As I mentioned above, this is like nothing else in my closet. It’s real silk and drapes beautifully, so the amount of fabric with a high neck and long hem isn’t overwhelming. It looks best with heels or wedges. I don’t have the right pair of shoes now, but I’m hoping the pink heels I ordered work well with it.
  • Old Navy straight-leg jeans ($20, not pictured): I fell out of my exercise routine when I broke my foot in June. Sadly, I still haven’t gotten back in the swing of things and the pounds are creeping on. My old jeans were getting too snug and I need a pair in a larger size. I’ve since started working out again, counting Weight Watcher points, and wearing my Fitbit! Hopefully these jeans will get the heave-ho soon!

Wardrobe-Update-November-2015-GiftedDave
GIFTS FROM DAVE
We stopped at Uniqlo when we were in Chicago and Dave generously added my selections to his purchase. 

Wardrobe-Update-November-2015-Gifted
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: 

  • Banana Republic ponte ruffle dress in red: The red version of my beloved LBD came to just $45 after a discount code and a BR Card Reward coupon I had stashed away. It’s one of those pieces you can wear to eat and drink with abandon … without wondering if a waistband is looking a bit taut. (Priorities.) However, I didn’t love this one in person. The black version is much more flattering.

CYBER MONDAY FAVORITES
Since I can’t ignore a major sale event, here are my favorite sales of the day and the pieces I’d pick: 

  • Old Navy: Save 40% on everything, including new arrivals! I love the print of this t-shirt dress in “white,” which is really a tie-dye/ikat stripe. Finding a good print on a budget is hard, but this dress will likely look more expensive than it is with nice leather sandals and a good quality tote bag. Pass on the heather grey and navy stripe. Those look too cheap.
  • J.Crew: Almost everything is 30-40% off today. You’ll save an extra 40-50% off on sale items. Plus, free shipping! My first pick from J.Crew is one of the only full-price items: Chup socks for men. I gave this pair to Dave as an early Christmas gift. He’s normally very picky about socks, but online reviews on various men’s forums were right. Chup socks are pretty great. (They’re a wool blend, so we’re line-drying them.) As far as sale items go, I love this navy and white striped faux fur scarf and this darling pink beanie. I usually scour the sale section for jewelry, since I don’t think the quality of J.Crew gems justifies the price tag. This cuff is pretty major.
  • Anthropologie: Free shipping on all orders and an extra 25% off sale items! Given my propensity to blow my budget on Anthro dresses, I’m staying far away from the clothing and turning my attention to housewares. Winterize your bar cart with these pretty highball glasses. This pitcher is a gorgeous gift for someone who is hard to shop for.
  • Banana Republic: 40% off everything! No exclusions! Obviously, I’m going to suggest the pink pumps I ordered. But, I also love the Sloan pants and wear them to work weekly.
  • Amazon: Take 30% off select clothing and accessories here. I would love to own this Furla bucket bag.
  • Kate Spade: Take 30% off everything with code SHINE. I’ve only purchased one item from Kate Spade this year: the “Carima” loafers featured in this post. I’m terribly tempted to order the silver pair as well. For gift-giving, I’m all about this bow ornament.

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linking with Fran

October Wardrobe Update

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Budget-Oct--2015
OBSERVATIONS
So, I spent a lot of money this month…

::awkward silence::

Each time I stopped at Anthropologie, I left victorious with a $138 dress in my hands. And this, my friends, is why I don’t shop in person. Do I regret it, though? Not in the slightest. That said, I have my eye on a few big-ticket items that will require a more strategic savings plan: Nicholas Kirkwood flats (possibly in patent pink), a David Yurman crossover ring to wear everyday, a wide Hermes cuff in either gold or silver with white enamel, and a hot pink fur scarf (although, I love this amazing rainbow version). All very expensive and all items I’ll keep forever. (Yes, even the colorful fur.) But, in order to afford any of them, I need to stop shopping for the fast-fashion pieces that catch my eye. Thus, I’m embarking on “No Shop November.” That doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll be able to add any of these wish listed pieces to my wardrobe in December, but the retail detox will give me a chance to appreciate the items I already have and pad my savings account before the holidays.

Wardrobe-Update-October-2015
PURCHASED
See all of the year’s wardrobe additions here.

  • Zara strappy flats ($50): I know what I said about not buying cheap shoes, but these are the exception. They’re ridiculously comfortable and way too cute to pass up. Zara doesn’t sell shoes in a size 7, but the 7.5 fit fine.
  • Moth paned sweater tunic ($138): This tunic is so soft! I’ve worn it as a dress (here) and plan to wear it throughout fall with black tights.
  • DKNY “Blythe” hooded cape ($158): Yes, I bought this because Blair looked so cute in it last year. No, I don’t think I look as good as she does. Now that we cleared the air on that, I’m excited to have another cold-weather option for days that don’t warrant a real winter coat. I have narrow shoulders and went with the XS/S option.
  • Noir star ear climbers ($22.50): Admittedly, I purchased these because they were part of the Shopbop x Jem and the Holograms collection, but they’re really cute for the upcoming holiday season.
  • Maeve “Devery” shirtdress in blue plaid ($138): It’s evident I need to stay far away from Anthropologie. This is the second $138 dress I bought this month when I popped in for “just a quick look.” I don’t have photos of it on the blog yet, but you can see it in this Instagram. I first tried on a medium, but the shoulder seams were inching their way down my arms and there was a lot of extra room in the torso, so I opted for the small. It fits much better. In the stock images, you can actually see how much fabric is gathered at the back on the model.
  • H&M shirt (not pictured, $20): In addition to dresses, I prefer to wear loose tops with skirts or pants to the office. This one is a vintage-inspired blue floral print that’s fun to pair with a navy skirt.

Wardrobe-Update-October-2015-Gifted
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
Of course, with every successful shopping month, there are some misses:

  • Zara striped dress: So cute, but so short!
  • Zara printed dress: There’s quilting on the back that makes a really obnoxious swishing sound. It was also tiny. I ordered a medium, which is the same size as the Zara dress I bought in September, and I couldn’t even get it over my head! The fabric kind of reminded me of someone’s old dorm room tapestry.
  • ASOS a-line skirt: Unlined and ran small.
  • ASOS moonstone loafers: I’m disappointed these didn’t work out. They were absolutely adorable and the insole was nice and soft. However, they pinched my toes at the top and I knew I wouldn’t wear them because of it. I’m pretty sure polyurethane wouldn’t have stretched out and the larger size would have been too big.
  • J.Crew classic wool turtleneck: I ordered the small, which is my usual size in  J.Crew sweaters. This one fit was a little too small. The knit was thin and I didn’t like it enough to order a size larger.
  • Calvin Klein “Karlia” ankle boot: These felt and looked cheap in person.

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September Wardrobe Update

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Budget-August--2015
OBSERVATIONS
For the second month in a row, I’ve stuck with a “fewer items, better quality” mantra with attention paid to “missing links” in my wardrobe. As I mentioned last month, I sought to add a black shift dress and a statement coat to my closet. I found a suitable dress at Banana Republic. While it’s not the heavy crepe or wool dress I had hoped for, it is a heavier ponte knit that hangs well and it has the most charming ruffled hem. I had made all of my clothing purchases this year on my Banana Republic Visa card, giving me enough reward coupons to bring the price down to $7. I also picked out a Tory Burch plaid coat after the J.Crew cape I originally yearned for missed the mark. So, what’s coming up next? I placed an order at Zara so I could try out these shoes and a couple of dresses. I’d also like to purchase a black turtleneck sweater. Aside from that, there isn’t anything on my sartorial wish list.

Wardrobe-Update-September-2015v2

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

  • Zara floral tunic dress ($70): This is undoubtedly my favorite item for fall. I purchased it in Georgetown when we visited D.C. over Labor Day weekend and couldn’t wait to wear it the very next day (seen here). It gives off just the right amount of ’70s vibes and the color is perfect for autumn. My size varies wildly at Zara, but I went with a medium in this. Go with the smaller size if you’re between two and ordering online.
  • Banana Republic ponte ruffle dress ($7, after a promotion and a boatload of reward coupons): The dress has a bit of heft to it, allowing it to move nicely and stay relatively wrinkle-free during the day. I’ve only had it for a few weeks, but I’ve already worn it a half dozen times. It’s easy to dress up with layered jewelry and heels, down with a crossbody bag and ballet flats, or for work with a blazer and loafers.
  • Diane von Furstenberg lip mini bag ($99): I have such a thing for tiny impractical bags. I love DVF’s iconic lip print on this mini crossbody. It’s perfect for a hands-free night out when you only need the essentials.

Wardrobe-Update-September-2015-Giftedv2

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.

  • Tory Burch plaid short coat (c/o Shopbop): I can’t even believe that I own such an expensive (and amazing) coat. As you know, I partnered with Shopbop for several months and received a shopping credit in exchange for talking about the sales and items I would have shared anyway. While I could have used those credits on a couple of new items each month, that seemed like a such a waste. Instead, I selected truly special items I wouldn’t have purchased otherwise, including a pair of black Ferragamo flats and Karen Walker sunglasses. This coat is my latest addition. It’s a classic cut with just the right amount of ’60s mod influence and I know it’s something I’m going to look forward to wearing every year.
  • Naturalizer “Jarrett” ankle boots: Along with using collaborations as an opportunity to add investment pieces to my wardrobe, I also try to expand my horizons and try something outside my sartorial comfort zone. When Naturalizer reached out about a fall collaboration, I’ll admit that ballet flats were tempting, but I’m happy I went with these ankle boots. They’re so comfortable!

DIDN’T WORK OUT
Of course, with every successful shopping month, there are some misses:

  • J.Crew cape jacket: I’m confused by online reviews praising the camel color. It’s not the rich, warm caramel hue that I expected when I ordered it. Instead, it’s more of a cool tan. I hated the color so much that I reluctantly returned it. On the upside, the quality is wonderful. I have narrow shoulders and ordered the XS/S, which was the correct size.

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linking with Fran

August Wardrobe Update

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Budget-August2015

OBSERVATIONS
For me, summer is all about loose, gauzy dresses. They’re pieces you can skimp on because the fit is so forgiving, but that usually leads to sartorial gluttony. I mean, when you can stay on budget and have a closet full of new dresses, why not?! Now that I’m starting to transition to fall purchases, I noticed a significant shift in the way I select items. I’m paying closer attention to construction, fabric, and fit. That comes with a higher price tag, leading to fewer new items. On one hand, I thought I’d be bummed about this. Having fresh pieces to wear is a lot of fun! But, truth be told, that much accumulation is overwhelming. I’m eager to make more mindful purchases this season of quality basics and worthwhile statement pieces. I’m also turning to my closet to create a list of “missing links” I’d like to find. Normally, I get distracted by a retailer’s new arrivals and start adding items to my wish list without much thought. Doing so leads me to neglect the items I need to make the rest of my wardrobe functional. Next month, I’d like to find a wool (or heavy crepe) black a-line shift that falls a couple of inches above my knees. I’d like it to be sleeveless with a crew neck so I can layer shirts underneath. I want it to look great with flats or ankle boots and be a canvas for a large pendant necklace. That can’t be too hard to find, right? I also had “statement outerwear” on my fall wish list this year. I ordered the J.Crew wool cape earlier this week. Fingers crossed that it fulfills that wardrobe hole. I already have a bright coat in emerald green and a black peacoat, so I should be set for outwear this year if this indulgent piece works out.

Wardrobe-Update-August-2015v2

PURCHASED

  • JCOS Studios messenger bag with lock in mud ($165): Be prepared for a long wait for the arrival of this bag. I ordered it on July 29, it shipped on Aug. 21, and arrived on Aug. 25. I was afraid I’d fall out of love with it by the time it came, but I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the bag. The stitching is even and the hardware feels sturdy. I’m planning to write a full review  after I’ve had a chance to use it for a few weeks. Just let me know if you have any questions in the meantime, though.
  • J.Crew merino wool pullover sweater in heather graphite ($64): You already know how much I love this. I went with my regular J.Crew sweater size. The sleeves in an XS fit best, but I preferred the drape of the size small.

Wardrobe-Update-Aug2015-Gifted

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.

  • BB Dakota “Bronwen” dress c/o Shopbop: I’m crazy about this dress and I’m antsy for the weather to improve so I can actually wear it! I originally ordered it in a medium and large. The large was huge, which I kind of expected. The medium fit well on top, but had a stain on the front. It was worth the wait for an unscathed version to arrive a few days later! It’s fully lined, looks great against sun-kissed skin, and will only run you $50.
  • Julie  Nolan astrological cuff c/o UncommonGoods: I like the idea of astrological jewelry, but it can get tacky awfully fast. Julie Nolan’s bracelet has subtle cutouts of your sign’s constellation for an understated piece of personalized jewelry. You can see it on me here.

DIDN’T WORK OUT
Of course, with every successful shopping month, there are some misses:

  • Parker “Juliet” fit and flare dress (also available at Amazon, Shopbop, and Neiman Marcus): This is darling and the fabric is thick. It just runs awfully small.
  • Topshop embroidered off the shoulder dress: Ignore the guideline to order the size in parentheses for best fit and go down even furter. This thing is huge. I hated that it wasn’t lined and was partially sheer in the sunlight. It also made me look like a rectangle.
  • LOFT mini dot shirred dress: I ordered this in my regular size 8 and a 10. Confusingly, the waist fit the same in both sizes and the bodice was too loose in each as well. The zipper extends down past the waist and flips out a bit, so it looked like I had a duck tail hiding under the skirt. All in all, I loved the idea of this, just not the execution — and I’m not paying money to alter polyester. Back it went.
  • Lou & Grey skinny leather belt: Terrible quality. The one I received had kinks all over it and looked like it had been worn by someone else for months.

See all of the year’s wardrobe additions here.

 

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