April 2014 Budget

I'm pretty happy with my April purchases.  First up, this pair of oxfords:

Super cute.  I actually saw a pair at TJ Maxx that were flat and so cute, total Janelle Monae vibe.  I liked them so much, I went back to the store a second time to try them on, knowing full well that they were a size too small!  Then started the online hunt, and this pair ended up on my doorstep (along with Elmo sandals and Planes sneakers, so I don't feel so bad).
My hesitation was whether I would really wear a pair in burgundy, but I didn't like the black color, and I managed to wear these three days last week!  So there.  Not the most comfortable pair of shoes I own, but not the most uncomfortable either.  And I think I will get a lot more wear out of them this fall.
In my effort to keep my life uncluttered (or at least my closet), I also have decided on a new rule for shoes.  I'm limiting my collection to what fits on my Target shoe rack (initially a sweater rack when I had one closet total in my apartment in NY).  Since the rack is already full, that means one pair has to go.  My red flats are on the chopping block.  My last outfit post was a farewell to them.  Although so cute, I don't wear them much, they're not the most comfortable, and they show their wear.  Adieu.




My other purchase this month was this gorgeous skirt.

I know.

Spending:  Shoes $17 + Skirt $36.37 = $53.37

I thought about using the same shoe rule for clothes, but yeah right, who am I kidding?  Instead I will leave you with this inspirational minimalist closet.  I saw it on Patti's blog, not sure where it is from originally (Google was so not helpful).

 Linking with Fran

Red, White and Blue

This is the tomato red blouse I mentioned earlier.  The sleeves are knit, so it's super comfortable, but I'm not crazy about the tabs on the sleeves.  Add my favorite warm neutral skirt, navy belt for contrast, and voila.  I tried to resist adding my red shoes and making it so matchy, but I lost that battle with myself! 

 Linking with Not Dead Yet Style

Outfit:
Blouse: Target
Skirt: Limited
Belt: Limited
Shoes: DSW

Watch: Tourneau

Third Time Around

This is the third time I have tried to post an outfit with this blouse.  For the first two tries I did not have a single decent photo.  This time I got one!  Come on, third time's a charm, right?
 

Outfit: 

Blazer: TJ Maxx/ Marshall's

Blouse: Kohl's

Pants: Limited

 

Pink Panther

As I stated in my February Budget post, I have had a thing for pink lately.  My mom made me wear frilly dresses as a child, so I rebelled by wearing only pants and dark colors for decades until now.  Maybe it's me trying to get over the long winter but now it seems most of my recent purchases have been pink.  I mentioned some ambivalence about this blazer in my March Budget post.  When I picked it up the polyester material was a turn off, but I liked the way it looked on me.  And free is much cheaper than the pink blazer that Banana Republic carried last winter, the one I loved but wouldn't fit with the rest of my closet.  I tried this out last week at work, and I kept getting compliments all day so here it is:

Sorry didn't notice the wonky right sleeve

So for now it's a keeper.  I'll just try to stay away from flames!

Linking with Not Dead Yet Style

Outfit:
Blazer: Clothing Swap
Sweater: Gap
Skirt: Gap
Boots:  Etienne Aigner
Watch: Tourneau
Necklace: Gift, so sad you can't see it in the photos!

March Budget

Yes, I know. We're halfway through April.  What can I say, life happens.

I did pretty well in March.  I only bought one item- this gorgeous pair of flats:

I bought them from Amazon:  $29.99 +$10 shipping
(No commission, just the actual link, and I only see them in gold now).

My dear friend Karen also invited me to my first clothing swap.  It was so much fun!  I took a few clothes, but I had no intention of bringing any home.  I picked up five items, two of which have already made their way to the donate pile.  Since they were headed there anyway, I don't feel so bad. One was a printed drop waist blouse that just did not look good on me, and the other was a flounce scarf.  When I got home and tried it on, the word "jester" popped into my head, and there's no way I can wear it now.

I am keeping a brown corduroy blazer and navy polka blouse, which I wore together in a subsequent outfit. The fifth item, which I am on the fence about, is a polyester pink blazer.  It looks hideous by itself but the fit is actually pretty good, so we'll see.

Total spending for March:  Shoes $40