Saturday, March 30, 2013

March Budget


  1. Target Floral Ankle Pants (seen here) originally $30, on clearance for $13: As I mentioned on Tuesday, I saw these pants on AJ and felt the urge to make them mine immediately. I was even willing to pay full price for them because I really like the shape and print, but I got lucky by finding them on the clearance rack! The fabric and cut will be perfect for this spring.
  2. Gap Boatneck Tee (seen here) originally $25, on sale for $14: Although I love striped shirts, I don't really have many in my closet. While this isn't on my "holes in my closet" definition of striped shirts I want, I really like it (even if it reminds me of the Hamburglar sometimes haha).
  3. Target Scarf (seen here) $13: I mentioned here that I was looking for a bright floral scarf this month, and although I wasn't able to find this at any of my local Targets, Audrey found it at hers and became my personal shopper by picking it up for me and sending it my way. See how she wore hers here (obviously I will be recreating this outfit ASAP). I think the colors make it pretty versatile for both this early spring, and actually any time of the year.
  4. Target Cardigan, thrifted for $4: I mentioned in my med school wardrobe dress code post that I would like a few solid colored cardigans. This one looked brand new, and the color seems pretty versatile. 
  5. Kenneth Cole dress, thrifted for $7: a fun black/white printed wrap dress for $7? Sold.
  6. J.Crew Cardigan, thrifted for $4: I left my favorite grey cardigan in the back of someone's car and never got it back (it might actually be the oldest piece of clothing I owned...if I still owned it). This cardigan is a bit thicker, but so soft. It's missing a button at the bottom but that's nothing a trip to the fabric store can't fix.
  7. Coach Willis purse (seen here) via Etsy for $50: My favorite purchase of the month! After the little bit of restoring, she looks pretty much brand new. It's the purse I now grab every time I don't need to lug my work tote around with me, and I'm truly excited every time.
  8. J.Crew Factory Chambray Popover (seen here) originally $70, on sale for $30: After several different options were tried on, I'm happy I choose this version. I've already worn it a few times since I received it last week so I'm feeling confident about this purchase.
  9. Gap Pure Cowlneck Sweater (seen here) on sale for $20: This wasn't a planned purchase or something I was looking for at all. I probably won't get much more wear out of it this season but I'm sure with its neutral color and thick comfy fabric that it'll be in heavy rotation next fall/winter.
  10. The Limited Ankle Pant (seen here) on sale for $20: While I'm not 100% sure if these will be on the "not allowed" list for school, I think I'll still get plenty of wear out of them at work. Once it gets in the 80s+ here, it gets really tiresome putting jeans on and driving around in the humidity with denim clinging to you. 
  11. Tahari Striped Tee via TJMaxx (seen here) for $20: I went to visit Chris at his away rotation site last weekend and that boy loves a deal more than I do so we spent some time at the local Goodwills and TJ Maxx. He found a sweatshirt, I found this soft striped tee.
  12. Galisfly above the knuckel rings (seen here) for $16: Even though I purchased these with paypal credit I'm including it in my budget post because...it's still money spent. I wear these rings quite a bit - they're small enough to not be obnoxious but make enough of a statement. 
  13. Gap Cat Blouse (seen here) originally $55, on sale for $33: This may be a shirt where in 2 years I ask myself why I bought this, but ya know, I really like it right now. The quirky print on a classic style of shirt means I can probably get away with a lot more than if it was a more casual style shirt. Plus I think it's just really dang cute. So there.
  14. Cold Water Creek Cardigan (seen here) thrifted for $4: I wasn't really sure about getting this cardigan as I wasn't sure of a lot of ways of wearing it, but now that I have it I'm excited to mix it up a bit. Maybe a thin striped tee? but definitely with a dress of some sort. and a skirt! So there's 3 possible outfits already, bringing the cost/wear down to $1 in just 4 wears. 
= $248 - $120 sold on eBay = $128

Ok so "technically" I'm under budget this month. I sold 3 jackets and a sweater on eBay this month, and as a part of my budget terms I allow that money to go back towards my clothing allowance. All three jackets were from my college days and hadn't been used in years so I didn't feel like I was really missing anything by selling them. I felt I made pretty good choices this month - nothing really too trendy besides maybe (ok definitely) the cat blouse, the floral pants, and the rings, but even then I know I'll wear those pieces a lot. I really tried to take my time with finding the right chambray popover for me, and I found the purse on Etsy and then did a bit fixing on my own, so I feel really content with those purchases.

I did do a bit more shopping than I intended to this month. Chris was gone on his rotation for the whole month, and with the colder weather, I was pretty bored. Shopping shouldn't be a time filler, but what can I say, I was vulnerable! With the now warmer weather and longer days I'm able to spend more time outside. I'm also borrowing my mom's sewing machine for a few weeks so I hope to alter a few pieces and possibly even make a piece or two! 

I do have a few goals for the shopping I do do in April:

+ Find the perfect white (and possibly black) t-shirt. I only own one plain white tee, and I kind of hate it. It's really clingy and I avoid wearing it. I want a few tees I can just throw on and feel comfortable in. I want a full short sleeve (no little slanted sleeves for these arms please), v-neck, not completely see through, and not clingy. I'm going to look at all price options - from Target to Old Navy to Gap to J.Crew to Everlane. I'll of course blog about it because it didn't happen if I don't tell you about it, right?

+ A thick dark brown belt like this one or this "perfect belt". I've wanted a sleek thicker brown belt for a while now. I look at the thrift stores every time I go because they always have a lot of belts, but most are cheapo ones, or they are in size small and these hips do not do a small. I'll of course continue to look at Goodwill / Savers / St.Vincents but I'll also start looking at stores. Do you have a favorite store for belts?

+ I'll still be searching eBay / Poshmark for another pair of Joe's Jeans. Mine are really starting to wear in the thighs - enough that I'm scared every time I crouch down that I'll tear them.

+ Pointy toed flats, possibly with a bow such as this pair or this pair. I always love them on others but am not sure if I would like them on myself. I want to at least try a few pairs on to see how I feel about it.

How did you do this month? I would love for you to join budgetting bloggers! Just link to your budget post below. Please link back to this post so that your readers can discover other bloggers who at least try to stick to their budgets!

Linking up with Thrifters Anon.