BEDKNOBS & BAUBLES

Wardrobe Update: August 2018

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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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Wardrobe Update: July 2018

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nautical stripes

So, here’s the deal: I’ve been discontent with my wardrobe lately. There’s a lot in there that isn’t quite where I want my 30-something-year-old closet to be. (Jewelry and accessories excluded; I’m really good at picking pieces with longevity there.) Plus, I’ve been growing tired of the shapeless dresses I tend to gravitate toward. I still appreciate a shift dress’ ability to be a blank canvas for jewelry and it’s a godsend on nothing-to-wear days when you just need something easy, but I get that it’s not the most flattering on me. (To be completely honest, another reason I love those so much is a long, emotional answer wrought with insecurities that I don’t really want to spell out here, but is fodder for a future post.) So, I’ve been putting more cash toward a wardrobe refresh that feels more grown up and shows off the best parts of my body. (#WaistAndBooty #SoVain) My favorite piece of the month was an unexpected hit: this body-con tank dress. It’s such a sexy little number without trying too hard. It looks cute with sandals or sneakers, but it can be easily dressed up for the office with a jacket and heels. For next month, I’m crushing on two things at the moment: this skirt (assuming it ever comes back in my size) and this ultra trendy bag (I’d be on board with an inspired-by version, too, but I do have qualms about doing that with a small designer). Add my beloved black sweater and flats, and we have an outfit that I’d wear all autumn long. I’m also still contemplating these pretty kitten heel pumps. What about you? I’d love to know what’s on your fall wish list!

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

  • Madewell tiered tank in black ($30) – I bought the pink version last month and loved it so much that I wanted to add the black to my wardrobe, too. It’s really cute with an a-line black mini skirt and kind of has the effect of being a tiered mini dress.
  • Free People ‘French Quarter’ ruffled wrap dress in yellow ($64) – This is such a pretty and feminine dress! The fabric is substantial enough where it doesn’t feel like the slightest breeze will lift the wrap panel. I ordered it in two sizes to try and liked the extra coverage of the larger one. I bought the yellow version, which is available in a couple of sizes here.
  • Hunter quilted gloss Chelsea boot ($100) – Chelsea boots are out of my sartorial comfort zone, but I wanted to try these when they were part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. They’re a nice alternative to tall wellies and they look pretty cute with jeans. The ankle is tight, which makes them difficult to get on and off without tugging at the loop. I don’t mind the temporary annoyance when it means they’re not overly wide and boxy.
  • Leith wrap dress in navy ($38) – This dress is incredibly body-conscious and incredibly sexy. I ordered my regular size medium and found it a bit too body-hugging and ordered a large, which was entirely too big. After going back and forth, I decided to keep the medium for now. I’ve been losing weight, so another ten pounds will be perfect.
  • Leith body-con tank dress in black ($56) – After ordering the aforementioned dress, I bought the crewneck version to try. The fabric is more like a t-shirt material, unlike the other dress which is stretchier, so I preferred sizing up for this. It’s really cute with flat sandals for a casual look, but can easily be dressed up.
  • WAYF sleevless blouson midi dress in stripe ($50) – This was such an unexpected hit! I loved the colors of the striped version and ordered it on a whim, half expecting it to go back. Instead, I loved it. The fit in my regular size is perfect and I love the figure-flattering nipped-in waist and v-neckline.
  • H&M striped sweater ($40) – This sweater looks so much more expensive than it is! I love it paired with denim shorts or jeans.

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

  • H&M cropped pants in floral – I thought I’d try a new silhouette and totally missed the mark with these short, boxy pants. If you’re slim, though, try them! They were cute!
  • H&M v-neck cami in black – This was fine, but I have one that’s similar and didn’t think it was worth spending money to keep this one.
  • Zara dark floral fit-and-flare dress – The lining didn’t lay correctly, but it was a pretty dress otherwise. I didn’t care for how much fabric was in the skirt and would have preferred something less full.
  • Zara diamond sweater – I bought this as a ride-along piece for the dress above and hated the slightly cropped fit.
  • J.Crew linen wrap dress in black – This is really pretty, but I just couldn’t get the fit right for my bust in multiple sizes.

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Wardrobe Update: June 2018

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Rachel Comey Factor Earrings

Recently I had been putting any blog money I earned toward house projects and purchases. Those things can add up quickly and I’m so fortunate that I’ve been able to add extra money to my bank account by way of this hobby. This month, though, I spent some of that money a bit more irresponsibly. I had been obsessing over these earrings ever since I featured them on March 20. I hemmed and hawed over purchasing them because, well, they’re plastic and it’s a lot of money to spend on a pair of acrylic earrings. I’m so glad I went for it, though! They’re such statement makers in person despite being clear. Plus, they’re so much fun to wear! It was money well spent.

TOTAL SPENT: $337
(Budget: $200; $4 subtracted from last month; $141 over budget, but I had plenty of blog revenue this month to cover it)

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

  • Old Navy ruffle-trim linen-blend popover shirt ($27) – I linked to this shirt in a recent “Weekend Links” post and went to Old Navy shortly after to see it in person. It was as good as I hoped it would be. The fabric is light and breezy, which is perfect for summer. And the cut is flattering with the v-neck. The size small fit well if it were tucked in, but I went up a size because I preferred the looser fit of the medium so that it draped over my hips better.
  • Old Navy denim boyfriend shorts ($20) – My other pair of denim shorts is now too large. I’m not a huge fan of shorts in general, but I do wear them when we go on bike rides. So, a smaller pair was a summer essential.
  • Sam Edelman ‘Bay 2’ slides ($100) – I ordered these the same day I saw them on Shopbop. They run true to size.
  • Rachel Comey ‘Factor’ earrings ($115) – Yes, that’s a crazy amount to spend on plastic earrings, but they’re all kinds of amazing. They’re lightweight making them easy to wear all day. (If you’d prefer a wallet-friendly pair of acrylic earrings, check out these or these.)
  • Madewell tiered tank in pink ($45) – Isn’t this the cutest? If you want it to fit like it does on the model, you’ll have to go up a size. I went with a medium in the top and the band fits snugly on top and it hits me at the top of my hips. I tried a small for comparison and it was entirely too short. The fabric has a nice heft to it and a lot of women left reviews online indicating that they were able to wear it without a bra. I haven’t tried that yet, though!
  • Leith racerback shift dress in emerald ($30) – I’m a sucker for this dress, which should be obvious by now given that it’s the third color I own. You can see how I’ve worn it here and here.

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

  • Madewell butterfly top in sherbet stripe – I love the colors of this top, but it was much too short and the hem was curved. Whenever I lifted my arms, the shirt rode up to expose my torso. Pass. (Also, it feels like upholstery fabric. I’m still not sure if I liked that or hated it.)

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Wardrobe Update: May 2018

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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.

Wardrobe Update: April 2018 (Back on a Budget)

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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!