July budget

Banana Republic roll-cuff cotton modal tank in beauty queen pink (60 cents)
   I haven't worn or washed this yet, but I liked the loose, relaxed fit and bright color. Depending on what kind of job I end up getting, I may be able to get away with wearing this to work, perhaps dressed up with a necklace or fun pair of earrings.

Banana Republic snake bracelet ($1.01)
    I was born in the Year of the Snake, so the design was appealing. Snake jewelry can be gaudy, but I thought the design of this was understated and simple. I've been wanting to get a Banana Republic bracelet for a while - they run small, and some of the simpler designs are great to pair with a watch for daily wear.

Old Navy embroidered slub-knit sleeveless top in heather gray (57 cents)
  Another easy-fitting tank. A reviewer mentioned that the white embroidery has a tonal effect on the heather gray version, so that's what I ended up getting.

Old Navy linen-blend cocoon dress ($1.31) 
  I wanted to like this so much - but the placement of the pockets/cut of the dress just don't work for me. It added a lot of bulk to my hips. I liked the fabric and print, but this one will be returned.

Total spent: $3.77 (used $55 in Rewards)
Budget: $50
Funds remaining: $46.23

  I'm between jobs right now, so I don't foresee doing any more shopping - unless I land a job with a dress code that doesn't allow jeans! I donated a lot of my clothing before moving, so I am working with a smaller closet.

April budget: tried and true

blue and white striped dress. Old Navy, $10
 I have this same style in black (see here), and it's proven to be a work wardrobe staple. It hasn't made it onto the blog often, but I do wear it regularly.

kimono top, Ross, $10
   Another kimono top to add to my collection - I thought the bright colors and patterns were so much fun.

Spent: $20
Budget: $50
Remaining: $30
I'm trying to buy less, because I'll be moving soon and still have a lot of paring down to do with my possessions. However, these items are true to my style and will be well used.

July budget: use your imagination

    I want to apologize in advance for the lack of photos ... this back-to-school business is kicking my butt. I'll adjust - I've already photographed a work outfit, which is a good sign. I'll just think of the lack of pictures as motivation to wear all of my pretty new things soon and take outfit photos!

black aloha-print dress, Savers, $4 (50% off! :) )
A different silhouette, but I like the longer sleeve and print.

black Ann Taylor top, $7.99, Savers
I am not a fan of silk lined with polyester, but I couldn't resist the subtle detailing on the front.

green Ann Taylor top, $7.99, Savers
Again, that dreaded poly lining ... but tonal polka dots on green won me over.
 
Winter Kate top, $5.99, Savers 
  This is a brand I only recognized because Katie of Alaskan Weredork owns several items from this brand. The inside tag says vintage silk (swoon)! I was delighted to figure out in the dressing room that I can knot the ties in front, then wrap them to the back and tie them again. We'll see how that  holds up during actual wearing.

Deletta top, $5.99, Savers (not shown)
This has an interesting hemline and a chunk of embellishment.

Speechless dress, $12.99, Ross
      Zippers galore, and a pretty coral and navy print.

Anne Klein petite dress, $29.99, Ross
   It's a tradition: I get all dressed up on the first day of school ... and never take pictures. By the time I get home, all I want to do is take off my fancy clothes, wear something comfortable, and have something cold to drink.

Budget: $50
Total: $77
Over: $27
    I don't mind being over this month, because I always like to wear something new on the first day of school. The splurge on the Anne Klein dress was worth it - I felt professional and stylish, which is a pretty good way to feel when I'm meeting the 24 kids I'll be working with this school year.
    Want to see what other bloggers bought in July? Check out Fran's July budget post here.

June budget

jersey fit & flare dress, Old Navy, $9.88
I have to admit, my purchase was influenced by seeing how great this dress looked on both Audrey of Putting Me Together (here) and Fran of Franish (here). When I spotted my size in the clearance section, I decided to take a chance.

2 relaxed slub-knit tanks (charcoal gray and navy), workout tank, 5-inch inseam shorts, $8.89 (used $30 rewards)
Living in a tropical climate, I probably can't justify buying myself a special summer wardrobe. But I don't own easy-fitting, solid-color tanks and I don't own any pink bottoms, much less pink bottoms with itty-bitty pineapples all over them.

Charlotte Russe sequined top, Goodwill, $6.99
I usually try to steer clear of buying fast fashion secondhand ... but when I saw this I said, "Ooh, sparkly!" and had to get it. Another whimsical purchase.
 

necklace, Macy's, $10.68
I was looking for a necklace to pair specifically with my striped tees, but haven't tried this on with them yet. It will likely go back if it doesn't work.

Merona vintage slub V tank, Target, $0 (gift cards)
    There's a Target close to my work, but none close to home, so I rarely shop there. I had some gift cards (given to me by generous, kind students and their families) hanging around in my wallet, lonely and unused. This tank looked like something I could dress up for work with a necklace, or in cooler weather, with a cardigan.

Chaudry dress, Ross, $18.99 (I wore it here)
     I like the ease of a maxi dress. I tend to buy them, but not wear them enough. I'm going to work to change that - this one's too pretty to let it languish in my closet!

Total:$55.43
Budget:$50. 00
Over: $5.43

   Slightly over budget this month, but I'm happy to add some sleeveless cotton tops to my closet - I'm already thinking of dressing them up with a necklace for those first, very hot weeks of school. I think the dress will also be great for work or for weekends.  My sequin top and printed shorts will be strictly weekend wear, but they're lots of fun at a great price.
   What'd you buy in June that you absolutely love?

April budget

Jersey shift dress
   I've always wanted a t-shirt dress, but too-thin, clingy fabric has always deterred me from purchasing. This is made of a thicker knit than I expected, and I went up a size for a body-skimming vs. body-hugging fit.

Mixed-print jersey dress
   Easy-fitting, navy blue, and dotted ... need I say more?
2 dresses at Old Navy, $7.80 ($40 in rewards spent)

Sweet Caroline Boutique "Home" tee, via veryjane.com, $15.98
     I've always eschewed shirts emblazoned with Hawaii, mostly because many of them look quite touristy.  (The word Hawaii is not actually printed on this shirt.) However, I thought this might be fun to style for work. I'll wear it casually with jeans now and in the fall, add a blazer or cardigan. 

via

Romeo and Juliet Couture kimono top, Ross, $17.79
        I couldn't resist this ... the geometric pattern, the neutral color, and the black banding around the neck and sleeves.

Budget: $50
Total spent: $41.57
Under: $8.43

November budget: when neutrals attack

via

White Plum vintage floral cardigan, via jane.com, $23.98
  Limited-time-deal websites like groopdealz and now jane.com can be dangerous to my wallet. I saw this on jane.com's Instagram, and liked it so much that I decided to pick it up.

 Old Navy boxy jersey dress, $2.48*

Old Navy sleeveless fleece dress, $2.48*
  I have a wad of $10 rewards, and managed to pick up these two dresses and two stocking stuffers for a grand total of $9.94. In addition, Old Navy was running a 25% off everything no code needed special at the time.

Basghetti Boutique 28-inch real silver chain, $7.49, jane.com
    I have several pendants that I don't wear much due to not having a chain to string them on. This was affordable and came in seven different lengths.

Total spent: $36.43
Budget: $50
Remaining: $13.37
 
    It almost feels like cheating to have used all those Rewards, but I'm excited to add some different silhouettes to my closet!

July budget: in the pink

 

 
pictured: 
tank, $2.08 (used $10 rewards), Gap
black maxi skirt, $8.99, Ross
Maison Jules tee, $14.82, Macy's

not pictured:
Kensie top, $13.99, Ross
Xhilaration flamingo-print crop top, $10.48, Target
elodie crochet tank,  $17, Nordstrom Rack

TOTAL: $77.36
BUDGET: $50
OVER: $27.36

    I have never considered myself one of those women who adores pink, but ... look at my purchases this month. Two of my not-pictured items are pink as well. I'm not thrilled that I went over budget (again!), but I figure that at least I added an under-represented color to my closet and just about every item can be worn for work. Yes, even the crop top ... I guess having a short torso has its benefits. I didn't even know that it was meant to be a crop top until I looked it up on the Target web site and saw it described as such. It is a perfectly acceptable length on me, and who doesn't think flamingos are fun?
     Belatedly linking up with Franish's Budgeting Bloggers!

march purchases: more bang for the buck

Three sleeveless silk tops: $16, Goodwill

Gap cotton skirt: $5, Goodwill

Total: $23

Budget: $50

Remaining total: $27

        I'm pleased that this month's purchases are both work-appropriate and cool. Working in a non-air-conditioned school has a huge impact on how I dress, and these items will be put to good use  for the remainder of the school year. 

        I thought I spent a lot this month, based on how many items I added to my closet. However, after reviewing my January and February posts, I realized that I ended this month with the most money left over. (Yay for stretching my hard-earned dollars by thrifting!)

        Aya asked a great question last month about how I budget the purchase of essentials, such as undergarments, socks, and exercise gear. I don't have a set monthly budget for such items, but am OK with spending $100 or so throughout a year. This month I replaced some items from this category with a $40.25 purchase at Nordstrom Rack. 

Linking up with Franish's Budgeting Bloggers! :) 

February purchases: homebody superpowers

   Cha Cha Vente drapey gray top and Old Navy floral top, Savers, $14.64
    I've been really liking drapey tops lately, to the point where I'm not wearing my fitted t-shirts much. And gray is a color I've been feeling a surprising affinity for, as well. I usually try to steer clear of "cheap" brands like Old Navy at thrift stores, but the print and color of this top were irresistible.

   Wood and gem bracelet from local boutique, $13.60
  I own piles and piles of bracelets, so it's not as if I "needed" this one. However, since I do wear bracelets everyday, I thought this would be a fun addition to my daily wrist stack. I also liked the idea of supporting local artists and stores.
 
 Total spent: $28.24
Remaining budget (out of $50): $21.76

     Woo-hoo! Under budget for a second month! I've figured out the secret to staying under budget ... stay home. I've cut back on those impulse "let's pop into Ross/Macy's/Nordstrom Rack and see what they have" shopping trips on the weekends, in favor of a quiet Sunday at home doing some much-needed cleaning and organizing.  I've also reduced my visits to thrift stores, since the temptation to snap up something cute because it won't be there the next time is hard for me to overcome.

CREATE prosperity & abundance: one dollar a day

This little frog has his work cut out for him!

  Style does not need to equal crazy spending. It's interesting that this blog and last year's shopping ban started at the same time. While it wasn't a complete shopping ban (I could still buy shoes and jewelry), the shopping ban helped me put more thought into what I purchase. Alas, it didn't cut down on the time spent looking at clothes, either online or in store ... but, I'll take what I can get. :)
    Given my full-time student status, I decided 2012 is the perfect time to implement a clothing budget. I was heartened to see that Kimmie of Blue Paper Lanterns, on a $50/month or $600/year budget, was able to add an astounding variety of items to her closet on a budget.
   I decided that I would set a spending limit of $30 per month, or $360 total per year. Then I decided that it might as well be a dollar a day -- so I have a grand total of $366. To keep myself honest, I will be posting a purchase roundup at the end of each month.
   Just how much is $366? On Saturday, I spent a staggering $272 on textbooks for the semester. If you look at the $366 as money used for purely frivolous items, it is a significant sum. But if I think about it as one dollar per day, it doesn't sound so indulgent. :)
   There are certain more expensive items that I'd like to add to my closet, such as a little black dress and a good everyday purse (my faithful Nine West crossbody that gets dragged everywhere, everyday, is starting to look shabby). It will be a fun challenge to prioritize funding for these essentials.