September 30, 2012

My September Budget


Here's a look at what I bought in September:

2. H&M dress, $30 (similar F21 skirt, similar dress)
3. H&M racerback tank, $15
4. H&M tweed blazer, $60 (similar, similar, similar, similar)
5. Old Navy sweater, $17 (similar J.Crew, similar Loft)
6. Gap t-shirt, $7
7. H&M belt, $6 (similar)
8. Forever 21 shoes, $22 (similarsimilar)
9. Love 21 dress, $20

Grand Total  = $250 (with $50 taken out of the next 3 month's budgets to cover the rest of the jacket)

1. As discussed in this post, I recently splurged on a black leather jacket. The Victoria's Secret version turned out to be hands-down the better choice over the H&M one! The fit was the same, the material is super buttery, and it has a fold-over collar versus the Mandarian collar on the H&M one. To cover the cost, I'm using $80 from this month's budget and $32 from last month's budget (I returned one item), and then will take $50 out of the next 3 months budget. I've always tried to strike a good balance between quantity and quality every month with my budget, but I'm planning to lean more towards quality over quantity in future months. A leather jacket is a great investment for my lifestyle (I wear my camel one to death) and I know I'll have it for years.
2. This was an impulse purchase so I could wear it NYC, but I also think this dress has major staying power throughout the fall and can be styled tons of different ways.
3. I've had my eye on this H&M racerback tank for over a month and decided to bite the bullet. I love a good graphic tee, and this is a category that I don't like to spend a lot on so the price is right.
4. The tweed blazer was another investment piece for me this month! If you have seen this jacket in person, you know it is super-soft, which is rare for tweed. I've had a tweed jacket for going on 7 years that I still absolutely love, but this one is a huge upgrade in quality.
5. I'm loving polka dots so much and I have some styling ideas for this sweater so I decided to keep it.
6. I got this t-shirt for a steal, and the preppy stripes will look great with equestrian boots for fall.
7. I'm a total sucker for this mint color! I did not need another belt, but the color, quality and price sold me.
8. If you gave me 10 guesses where these shoes are from I would never guess Forever 21. I spotted these in NYC and just couldn't pass them up for that price! I love the heel height and color.
9. Another purchase I made in NYC. I loved the color of this dress and the quality is high for Forever 21 (which is the idea behind the Love 21 brand). I'm worried how the material is going to look after washing though, and I'm wishing I would've invested in a dress that will last longer (see #1).

October wish list

Here are some of my favorite items for October! Something about that horse print has stolen my heart, I'm dying for a white peplum top, I'm loving shirt dresses in every color but especially this olive, and I love this lace detail dress although F21 tends to be short on me so I'll look for a similar dress elsewhere. I'd also love these quirky python shoes, a new pair of cognac pumps, a black leather purse and some black motorcycle boots to go with my new jacket! What are you shopping for this month?

1. Kensie dress, $35.99
2. Nordstrom top, $36
3. Gap shirtdress, $59.95
4. Forever 21 dress, $22.80
5. Deena & Ozzy shoes, $59
6. Sam & Libby shoes, $30
7. Marc Jacobs bag, $478
8. Roxy boots, $79

For more information see my post, "How to Set a Clothing Budget."

39 comments:

  1. This is a great post, I love your idea to share how much you actually spent. It coincides with what you said at CFLBlogCon about having a budget. It's nice to see how far money can be spread, and that you are going about blogging with the everyday person on a budget in mind, not accepting unaffordable free items all the time from sponsors. Very truthful. Thank you for that.

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  2. Love that leather jacket - I have been on the hunt for one this season too and I'm glad to know that the quality of the VS one is nice...will definitely check it out! :)

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  3. I just ordered the peplum top from Nordstrom - great price and I love the free shipping! Thanks for sharing your budget tips - it is so helpful.  I am really trying to focus on quality versus quantity myself and setting a budget makes it much easier to avoid mindlessly buying items because the price is good.  I feel as though I have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear because that is how I shopped for so long.  You really motivate me!

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  4. love the dalmation dress - so fun!

    ♥ ThankFifi

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  5. I'm still in love with that Love21 dress on you; it's so perfect! And those heels with the bow on the front in your October wishlist are adorable!!


















    thriftthick.blogspot.com 

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  6. Thanks Meaghan! I enjoyed our chat at the conference! :-)

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  7. I need a leather jacket for the beginning of fall and I'm so excited for the start of October!

    http://emmastyleguide.blogspot.com

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  8. I took a hint from your last post with your budget and I went out with $200 and came back with 2 pairs of jeans, a striped top, a mustard blazer and a great new dress. All from Forever21 and Guess. Thanks for all the tips!!

     http://somuchfashionsolittlespace.blogspot.com/

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  9. You've inspired me! I need to start visually cataloging my spending each month like you do here. I went waaay over my clothing budget this month - I realized I bought 2 black dresses (to go along with my 7 other black dresses).  By the end of the month I forget what I bought at the beginning of the month!

    (this month I'm looking for deep red jeans like you posted about in your leopard jacket post, and  still searching for a leather jacket.  I'm tall so I need a longer length, and those don't come around often in leather jackets)

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  10. LOVE that new leather jacket. I'ver been looking for a nice one myself. Also I love how Old Navy is doing some similar J Crew style pieces this year for a much friendlier price!
    Katie
    www.flipsidefashion.blogspot.com

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  11. target actually has an adorable dark green shirtdress that you might want to look into for october.

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  12. Dying for an amazing leather jacket! Love yours

    Xo, Rachel

    http://www.glitzyblues.com

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  13. I love the boots! They will look great with the jacket!!
    xoxo Sarah

    http://fromcoasttocloset.blogspot.com

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  14. Great buys and great wishlist. Love how you strike the right balance between versatile classic pieces and trend items.

    coverupchic.blogspot.ca

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  15. I am so in love with that jacket!  Might need it on my budget list!

    creamyclothes.blogspot.com

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  16. I love that H&M dress you bought this month! So cute for fall. I wish I had an H&M closer to where I live. Such good deals.

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  17. I think you made a good call on the leather jacket.  It looks gorgeous!

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  18. J, maybe I missed it, but do you try to get rid of as many pieces as you bring in each month? Or is your closet just getting fuller and fuller? I think you use Threadflip? How do you decide what to get rid of?
    Thanks Steph. Love your site!!

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  19. I am eager to see how you style the olive shirtdrss. Its reall cute!

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  20. I love your blog and your style!  Have you ever considered investing in some Frye boots? I am looking for some quality timeless boots and have been considering Frye.

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  21. I love these budget posts. Your wardrobe seems limitless, yet you do such a great job at budgeting and spending smartly!

    www.whenwewander.blogspot.com

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  22. I have the olive shirt-dress and have never work it because I'm struggling with styling it....I can't wait to see what you come up with!

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  23. I love the VS jacket you chose, I think you really took time to figure out what you liked best out of both jackets! I also love the aqua belt and shoes!

    XO http://shesaidhesaid-fashion.blogspot.com 

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  24. Did you see that the Victoria's secret jacket is on sale today?

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  25. Yes, I noticed that! I actually paid a little less ($223) but my price listed here includes shipping and tax. 

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  26. Love it Nadia! I don't always wind up buying the exact items from my wish list but I can't wait to try that Gap dress on at least!

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  27. I love Frye boots! I bought a pair for less than $50 when I lived in Boston and wore them so much they fell apart (the snow ruined them). Would love another pair someday!

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  28. Hi Steph! I usually go through my closet every 2-3 months and get rid of some stuff by either selling it (on Threadflip or Facebook, and I've been donating the proceeds to charity), or just donating to Goodwill. Here's a post I did on how I decide what to keep and what to toss, hope this helps! http://www.jseverydayfashion.com/2011/02/todays-everyday-fashion-what-to-keep.html

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  29. Thanks Kelly! You guys motivate me too. I try to set a good example, even if I'm not the perfect shopper all the time. ;-)

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  30. I just bought the shoes from Urban Outfitters and I love them!  They will go with almost anything.  After seeing this post, I ordered the dress with the horse on it.  I love the quirkiness of it and can see it styled a ton of different ways.  I can't wait to see how you style it.

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  31. I just purchased the Deena & Ozzy shoes. I just wanted to let you know they are currently 29.99 in store with an additional 30%. So purcahse them in store ASAP.

    http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=24638280&cm_mmc=Performics-_-Affiliates-_-ShopStyle.com-_-Primary&clickid=0004cb1e7b62ad9a0a42776c17007a0d

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  32. Scratch that. They have an online store locator - they only have them in Tampa! 

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  33. Hey J- LOVE the VS leather jacket. Can you please let me know how it fits?  I'm probably a size up from you (small/4), but worry about the sleeve length.  Are they long or could you see them being short on a tall girl?  Thanks and please keep these posts coming!

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  34. AP, I measured the inside sleeve of the jacket and it measures 19 inches - I bought the XS. I hope this helps!! :-)

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  35. the VS jacket is on sale for $238 right now and if you add a $12 panty or something to spend $250 and use coupon FALL12, you get $75 off. so even with shipping and tax, you can snag it for under $200! that might be a little too much gymnastics for you, but anything for a deal!

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  36. I love that trick! Would work great for someone buying it the first time, but now I would have to eat the shipping costs both ways so the total would be about the same. :-(

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  37. This is really for you discussed on a black leather jacket i enjoy of  this post. Read more ---> http://www.supremecouture.co.uk/women-jackets/rocking-red-women-leather-jacket.html

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  38. Hi! Love your blog! Just wanted to share a tip: you can return VS online purchases at your local store to avoid the return shipping. I've been the same VS leather jacket as well or the michael kors (cheaper) and might get both to compare! =)

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  39. Thank you for the awesome tip!! I haven't ordered from VS in years, and they used to only let you return via mail. They must've updated their policy!

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