mix and match

 

As I was getting dressed this morning, I felt like everything I was putting on was something I had already worn together. Looking back, this outfit really is just a combination of this one and this one. I suppose that makes this somewhat of a boring outfit to post, but at the same time, it's also about rewearing the clothes I own, even if just in slightly different ways. 

Shirt: Liz Claiborne [similar]

Pants: The Limited [exact]

Scarf: Forever 21 [save | splurge]

Shoes: Target [exact]

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Perfect timing for Bri's remix challenge though...although I didn't really change it up tooooo much. Maybe it's time to change up how I wear this shirt...and where I stand to take pictures :/

february budget

Target Flats: $20
Loft Tee: originally $30, on sale for $12
Forever 21 Scarf [seen here]: $10
Anne Emma Necklace [seen here]: $15

February budget = $57

Left for the quarter: $463














So this is the least amount of money I've spent on clothing in a really long time. I've been busy with core ending and systems starting, so I haven't had much time to online or in store shop. The one time I did go, this past weekend, I didn't find anything I liked besides the striped shirt, which I already own in pink. I think it's definitely partially due to being sick of winter clothes, but being no where near being able to wear spring clothes as it continues to snow every.damn.day.

Thank you so much for all of your tips about getting out of the shopping rut on that post!! I've been spending some time looking online at stores I don't typically shop at like ASOS and Dorothy Perkins, and signed up to try out StitchFix for a month just to try something new. I know several of you have tried it and liked it, so I'm hoping I'll have similar experiences. Many people also have suggested JC Penneys, which is actually one of the few stores left in our local mall, so I will definitely have to check it out next weekend after this upcoming exam.

After returning the Banana Republic peplum top because it was actually a really flimsy material rather than a structured top as I had assumed (it looks like the one commenter agrees with me), I've kept my eye out for something similar. This one via Nordstrom looks to be a lot more structured so I may just try it out (no harm done since it's free shipping and returns). I'm also keeping an eye out for a J.Crew promotion so I can try this dress (it looks gorgeous in real life!), and these pants for the spring (if it ever shows up).

I know that I'm not really straying too far from the stores I usually shop at, but I am trying to keep an open mind about new styles of items and ways to wear them. Sometimes the problem with having a budget is that I want to squeeze the most out of that I can. I've definitely learned a lot about shopping and buying clothes that fit me and my life over the last two years of budgeting, but I still haven't completely figured it out. I think it's important to realize that sometimes it's okay to spend a bit more on pieces that will also get a lot of wear and love. I definitely have to find a balance between getting as much out of my budget as possible, and only buying pieces I'm really excited about. Thank you for supporting me on this little journey, and for all of your advice so far!

The ladies that link up every month for Budgeting Bloggers have been a huge influence on me, so please make sure you visit them and see what they've been up to this month!

ready

I am so ready for winter to be over. This one has felt particularly long, I think in part because of how long my days are and the lack of having free weekends. I'm sick of having to find ways to dress around the snow - it usually leaves me with having to wear a dress so I can wear boots, and then my one pair of full length dress pants for when it momentarily stops snowing. I'm ready for dresses that don't require tights, ankle pants, and sandals. I'm ready for my dogs wanting to by outside for longer than two minutes at a time - they've been cooped up all winter and it's starting to show. 

I'm also ready for it to be the weekend. This coming weekend is the first weekend in months and months and months where we don't have any test the following week. Although I still have to study a lot, I plan on A. sleeping in and B. driving up to Buffalo to go shopping by myself. I haven't really gone to a mall by myself since I moved since I've always driven with friends, but this time I'm excited to just get to walk around and take as long as I want staring at things I probably won't end up buying. I did put in a few orders in the last week so I could try some things on and then have the opportunity to return in store. I ordered this scarf and am so excited to wear it all spring. The blues and reds in it will be perfect for wearing with a bunch of different items in my closet, and it's big and fluffy without being overwhelming. I also ordered this dress because I thought it would be a great quick throw-on dress, but it ended up being too short so I'm hoping they'll have the next size up in stores. I also ordered this blouse and this peplum top just to try on - I've never done the whole peplum thing because they have always been too short on me, but this one comes in tall so I'm hoping it'll be long enough.  

Blazer: Thrifted

Top: JC Penneys [similar]

Scarf: Forever 21 [exact]

Pants: The Limited [exact]

Watch: Target [similar]

Shoes: Lucky [exact]