Wednesday, June 18, 2014

who wears short shorts

DSC00816 There was a time in my life when I refused to wear shorts. A girl in high school once told me I had fat thighs, and it's one of those things that kind of stuck with me, so I tried to hide them for years and years. It wasn't until the first summer that I worked as a camp counselor that I kind of let that notion fly out the window - it was hot outside, I was having fun playing with the kids, and no one was paying attention to what I was wearing. Ever since then I've been pretty "eff it" about wearing shorts in the summer. My wallet may be wider than my shorts are long, but it's hot outside, I want to have fun, and no one is probably looking at my "fat thighs". 

It also helped that I always lapped that girl during our 2 mile runs in softball practice ;) 

Anyone else out there with a body hang up based on one comment? It's so ridiculous but it's just one of those things that is hard to shake.
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Shorts: Gap [similar]
Sandals: Madewell [exact]
Rings: JewelMint [exact]
Wallet: Kate Spade [current version - it's called the travelers wallet if you want to ebay it!]


Monday, September 30, 2013

september budget

1. Sole Society Whitney Pump [seen here]: originally $65, with giftcard: $0
2. Forever 21 Cardigan [seen here]: $28
3. H&M Blouse [seen here]: $35
4. Gap Ponte Pants: originally $70 + 35% off + rewards + giftcard from Audrey: $1
5. JC Penneys Striped Tee [seen here]: $15 + 10% off code: $13
6. The Limited Skinny Pants [seen here]: originally $70 + 40% off = $42
7. J.Crew Factory Sylvia Wedge [seen here]: originally $120 + 40% off + 15% student discount: $60
8. Forever 21 Sleek Button Down: $18

= $197

= $500 quarterly budget - $120 in August - $197 in September = $173 left for October

This month was a big month of "staples" for me. I've worn the wedges, the striped tee, the maroon pants, and the sweater at least 5-10 times each since I bought them, and I don't really see that changing any time soon. I just really really like each of the pieces! I haven't received the pants from the Gap yet, but included them here anyway in hopes that they work out - I'll be sure to review them when they come since several of you seemed interested in them. I had also purchased this ring in black ($40 was with the remaining gift card from Nordstrom) but I will be returning it to wait for the next size up to come back into stock because I want to wear it on my middle finger and the current size is too small.

This whole quarterly budget thing is working out pretty well - I'm mostly still trying to stick to around $150 a month just to not get too carried away. Like I mentioned a few days ago, I received $100 from my grandma for my birthday, so I'm hoping to use that to buy a pair of black boots. Several of you suggested this pair, so I will try to see if I can't get my hands (or feet- har har) on them! I'm still itching for a pair of navy ankle pants, and many of you have said that you really like these pants from Banana Republic, so I may order some the next time they have a really great promotion going on. For those of you who have them, how do they run? Did you get the regular or the tall sizing (if you are taller)? I also would like to try on this blouse that I saw on instagram here. Other than that, nothing is really planned for the remaining budget as I feel pretty good about where I am right now. School will be changing for me again at the end of October when we are finished with anatomy - I won't have to be in lecture as often/as many days a week so I don't really want to jump the gun on buying things I may or may not actually wear.

During last month's post, Elaine asked if I could include the pieces I receive from companies as a part of my budget posts, and I think that's a really great idea. If I'm going to say that I'm on a budget, and portray the financial goals of someone on a "budget", the the pieces I receive for free as a sidekick from blogging should be included as it gives a more well-rounded idea of what is actually going into my closet. This month I was given the opportunity to review an Everlane tee, wear a fun polka dot scarf from Surfdome, wore and gave away a bracelet from Color by Amber, and received a ring, earrings, and two necklaces from Tryst Jewellery.

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As a side note, I purchased a pair of Joe's Jeans from eBay a few months ago, which turns out was pretty poor planning on my part. I got them right when I was finishing my job, and there was no way I was going to spend my summer in jeans, and now when I do wear jeans I'm not looking to wear heels with them and just stick to my skinny jeans. If you are interested, I'm selling them for $50 (the price I paid) + shipping - send me an email at fhasselhof(@)gmail.com if you are interested or would like to see pictures! They are a size 32, "Honey" style,  and have (I think) a 35 inch inseam (they are too long on me in flats, and I'm 5'9''+ for reference). They look basically unworn, I just don't think I need to keep them in my closet if I'm not wearing them.
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Okay, your turn! Please let us know how you did sticking to your budget - please make sure you link back to this post so your readers can discover other budgeting bloggers :)


Wednesday, September 25, 2013

switcheroo

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Say hello to the last time you're going to see this purse. 

For my birthday + white coat ceremony, my parents gave me this beautiful purse in a fun bright coral. My mom has the same one, and I've been admiring it for months. After looking at my tote collection, between my Madewell bag, the Merona one I'm currently stuffing into my tiny locker, the Hobo bag, and the Phillip Lim for Target bag, I have way too many bags for school. As much as I like the PLFT bag, it was the one I would be okay with not having, as much as I do like it. I sold it to my girl Hannah, who missed out on all of the bags in her city, so that money now goes back into my budget, she gets a beautiful bag, and I get to add a bit more color to my bag collection. I'll only be using it on days where I won't have to stuff a bunch of books into it (and then stuff that into my locker) because it's way too beautiful, but lucky for me, that time in medical school will be over in 4 short weeks (when anatomy is over!).

And speaking of budget, two things! First, budgeting bloggers will be going up bright and early on Monday. Second, my grandma gave me $100 for my birthday, and I want to use it to buy black boots. I've been looking around to see what the second year girls at my school wear, and it looks like boots are pretty acceptable to the dress code. Thanks to all of your suggestions about the kind of pants I am looking for! Turns out the simple term I was looking for was ponte pants (derp) - I took Lainey's advice and ordered these pants from the Gap during their recent 35% off promotion and with a Gap reward + birthday present gift card from the amazing Audrey, they cost me $1 so I really hope they work out! I also heard that they have some amazing pairs of Calvin Klein ponte pants at Costco for $16 so if you have a membership, it's definitely worth checking out!

As far as boots go, I have a couple of criteria: under $150, no heel, wide enough to fit my calves (obviously), not too many buckles, leather in anticipation of all the snow coming this winter, simple but not boring. Maybe something like this one from DSW that are fun because it's OTK but understated, these that are made especially for wide calves, or these from DSW that remind me a lot of the much more expensive Tory Burch boots. Any favorites or recommendations?DSC08500
Shirt: H&M
Pants: The Limited [exact]
Necklace: Groopdealz
Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]
Bag: Phillip Lim for Target [exact]
Watch: Fossil [almost exact]

Linking up with the pleated poppy and mix&match fashion