December 12, 2012

My October/November Budget


Life has been hectic lately which means less time for shopping! It's almost two weeks into December already, and I'm still not 100% sure if this is my final October/November budget. I have shared what I found over the past two months as I found it (see previous shopping posts here, here, and here), but this is an almost-final account of how I actually wound up spending my budget for October/November!

1. H&M plaid blazer, $15 (similar, similar) - This was on sale for $15, originally $40. I try to stick to my wish list while shopping, but also be flexible when I find good deals like this that are too good to pass up.
2. Banana Republic cardigan, $19 (similar) - I've been hunting for a burgundy cardigan for a couple months and this one was on clearance for only $19. Score!
3. Banana Republic chain print blouse, $40 (similar) - I had been drooling over this top (and the Michael Kors version - see "similar"), found it on clearance in early October.
4. LOFT white top, $27- A Black Friday find that is a great staple piece and I've already been wearing it non-stop.
5. Limited orange red top, $16 - Another Black Friday find, I'm unsure if I'm keeping it. It's a great staple but I haven't worn it yet and usually if I don't wear an items in 30 days, I return it.
6. Gap dress, $25- Sheath dresses for work have been high on my wish list, and I love the color and price on this one. I found it while I was in North Dakota in October.
7. Zara camo skinnies, $63 (similar) - My trendy splurge this month. I wanted camo pants badly enough that I decided to drop $63 on them!
8. Limited ivory jeans, $37 - Ivory skinnies were a high on my wish list for a few months, and I finally found the perfect pair on Black Friday.
9. Limited neon jeans, $15 - This was another sale purchase that was not on my wish list, but was too good to pass up. I have shorts in a similar color so I can wear those same outfits on colder days now.
10. Limited sequin clutch, $15 - A sparkly clutch to use for NYE and holiday parties was on my list and this one looks more expensive than it is.
11. Victoria's Secret leather jacket, $150 - This jacket was $257 total. I took money out of my September, October, and November budgets to cover the cost. It's now paid in full.
12. Forever 21 baseball tee, $10 - I included this in a recent shopping post and had to have it so I ordered it online.
13. Forever 21 pink polka dot top, $18 - I passed through Forever 21 on my way out of the mall and saw this top. I've been wanting a polka dot collared top and I like that this one is light pink and sheer.
14. H&M vneck sweater, $15 (similar) - I've had several H&M vnecks for years and still wear them. I decided to add this heathered brown color to the mix, and it's great for casual occasions like four-wheeling with my nephews while I was in Kansas.
15. TJ Maxx shirt, $15 (similar, similar, similar) - I've been wanting a color-blocked shirt this style since this summer, and finally bit the bullet.

Grand total = $250 per month (with a little to spare)


Also: here are a few recent purchases that I'm mulling over for December. My wish list is currently mint skinnies (I think I've tried on 20 pairs at this point), a black leather purse, sparkle heels for NYE, dark brown pumps and more work dresses.

1. Express shirt, $32 - I scored this deal on Black Friday with a c/o gift card. I'm in love with this top.
2. Express skirt, $30 - Another Black Friday deal with a c/o gift card. I've been eyeing this skirt for months.
3. Limited cardigan, $40 - I'm considering keeping this for my December budget!
4. Limited dress, $50 - I am looking for more sheath-type work dresses and I love how fun and yet professional this one is. Still deciding if I'm keeping it for December.

What are deals have you scored lately? What's on your wish list for December? 

40 comments:

  1. I finally found awesome forest green, burgundy and black skinnies at LOFT and got 40% off all of them during a recent sale weekend. I think they were $34 each. But that's not the most exciting thing that happened. You know that Old Navy fox sweater that everyone has been lusting after? Well, I finally found one in my local store after stalking it for a month. And it was on sale for $15 during their recent sweater sale. Finally, I bought a green merino cardigan at J. Crew for $4. Yep. FOUR DOLLARS. I had a $25 rewards card, it was on sale and they were having a 30% off sale stuff promotion. It was originally $89.50 so I'm doing a happy dance of clothing joy this month!

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  2. I love how you keep track of everything so well and really know how to put together great outfits.  I am trying to start a fashion blog myself, and one of the things I'm doing is making a "virtual closet" on pinterest where I photograph all of  my articles of clothing to mix and match.  Thanks for your constant inspiration.  Amanda @ www.myendlesscloset.blogspot.com

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    1. Amanda,
      I have an app on my iPhone (not sure if it's avalible for android) called style book it was about 3 dollars and it's amazing! You take pictures of your clothes and save them in categories to keep track of what you've got. You can also put outfits together usi your items and save them according to occasion, style ( work, day, evening etc) date of wear and making packing lists for upcoming trips. You can also create a wish list of items you want to add to your closet! It's really great!

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  3. Mint skinnies are a must of my wish list for December along a maroon faux leather bomber jacket I saw at Target, a pair of beige and black(massive wrap around bow) Tahari flats, JCrew pink Tillary crossbody, navy skinnies, and mint ballet flats. I have a small shopping problem. :-) 

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  4. You could take an old pair of pumps and b-dazzle them;)  It'd be cheaper and the shoes will be broken in already, so you can party hard without your feet killing you. 
     

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  5. I need a new pair of standard, bootcut blue jeans. I love my current favorite ones, they're perfect for casual outfits and casual Friday at work, but I only have ONE, and the bottoms are starting to fray because they're the only pair of bootcut jeans I have!

    Lynette @ lynette marie

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  6. H&M has been having a FABULOUS sale lately and I've been getting great deals there!!









    Cassie
    thriftthick.blogspot.com 
    ENTER MY GIVEAWAY WORTH $500!!!

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  7. http://www.dillards.com/product/Jolt-Skinny-Pants_301_-1_301_503290161?df=03832022_zi

    Might these pistachio colored jeans work?  They only have size 3, 9, and 11 left.  But, can't beat that price at $14.

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  8. I saw a girl wearing that sequin express skirt at work last week.  I wouldn't have been able to pull it off at work, but she paired it with a plain shirt and nice blazer and totally rocked it for the office!  Definitely worth it for your December budget!

    Michelle
    kiwilace.blogspot.com

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  9. hi J,  what about Old Navy for the mint jeans? I know they have had them there on and off all this past season in the Rockstar skinnies that you did that runway show for (although I'm not sure if they still do now)

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  10. http://www.target.com/p/mossimo-supply-co-juniors-colored-skinny-denim-assorted-colors/-/A-14191163#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=mint%20jeans

    i own these mint jeans- they are a beautiful color in person and fit awesomely, and are so soft.  they don't look great in this online picture, though.  have you tried them??

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  11. Great deals - love that Limited sequin cardy and those yellow skinnies are so cute too! :)

    www.pennypincherfashion.com

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  12. I want that forever 21 baseball tee!  That is such a great deal!


    www.studentswife.com

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  13. I might have to get that mint blouse from Express.  I think I have it in cobalt blue but it might be a different cut.  Also, what are you not finding regarding the mint jeans? I feel like if they don't fit you, they wouldn't fit anyone lol.

    I still need to concentrate on returning the stuff I ordered from Black Friday/Cyber Wednesday.  I'm still floored by how much I love the sweaters from Forever. I bought the following:
    http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?Br=F21&Category=sweater&ProductID=2025101472&VariantID= How beautiful is that cobalt blue??? The sweater is also incredibly soft and the sleeves are long enough for my arms. The jury's out on whether or not it will pill, but so far so good.
    http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?Br=F21&Category=top&ProductID=2025981242&VariantID= ok this isn't a sweater but it's a cheap and cute way for me to hop on the high-low blouse trend and not too far out of my comfort zone
    http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?Br=F21&Category=sweater&ProductID=2040326664&VariantID= I bought the teal. I can't get enough sweaters. I just have to find a way to organize all of them. I love this one too.
    http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?Br=F21&Category=sweater&ProductID=2027704846&VariantID= This will require a nude bra and is still kind of sheer, so not good for family functions/work. It does the job though for a shiny/sparkly sweater but is still subtle enough for my liking. Slightly itchy but I'm happy with it.

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  14. Love the Limited dress, it's a keeper! 
    ~L&W

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  15. J-

     http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=23417066s&parentid=SEARCH+RESULTS

    The above link is a pair of mint skinny jeans that I bought back in August. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM. They are now super on sale (I know how you love a deal). They say they are high-waisted, but they aren't that high-waisted on me (I'm 5'10 and about 5' of me is made up of legs). But they are slightly high-waisted and they are a little short for me, but look good with sandals and heels. I wore them biweekly this summer. I highly suggest them. My wish list for December consists of the things I asked for Christmas. Black leather riding boots, pencil skirts for work and a jean jacket!

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  16. Sarah, these are the perfect color, thank you for sharing!! Looks like they are sold out of my size but UO is a good lead, thank you again.

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  17. It's mostly the color I'm having a hard time with - I'm looking for a specific shade of mint. I have found a few that are the right color but then the fit is off. The crotch on skinny jeans is often too loose, or if I can see my knee caps too clearly then I pass. LOVE that cobalt F21 sweater you posted! Gorgeous, I want it!

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  18. I'm going to hunt these down in the store so I can try them Emily, thanks so much for the lead!!

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  19. I love these Becca!! I'm tempted to order them but they are a non-returnable clearance item + $8.50 shipping.

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  20. My favorite bootcuts are Hudsons I got at Filene's Basement years ago. Nordstrom Rack is a good place to look!

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  21. I tried to bedazzle a pair of shoes for Halloween once and all the bling fell off within 5 minutes. Apparently if you don't use the a flexible/stretcy glue, everything snaps off with one motion of your foot!

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  22. Alison, what is the style # of that sweater? I'm going to ask about it when I'm in Old Navy this weekend! Awesome deals, I'm jealous!!

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  23. Nice stuff you bought J, I would keep the sequin cardigan, actually I would like to own one myself, and I really like the color of it! The sequin skirt is pretty cute too and unusual, I think you can wear it year round, holiday appropriate and also great for summer days(nights)... I have colorblock shirt like the TJ Maxx one  only mine is white/gray version  of it, it is Jonathan Saunders for Target, from few years ago, I love it...

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  24. There are a lot of numbers on it and I didn't keep the price tag, but the receipt has: 165432 0002. They call the color "Dark Earthly Heather". You're probably an XS there? Or an S? My store had a huge pile of them Sunday night. I'd be happy to snap one up for you if I see them again. I actually have to go by there again today if you get this in time. Last minute cruisewear shopping!

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  25. You are so sweet Alison!! Inside the sweater there should be a tag and it says something like S/5577889 along the top. I believe that is the style #. I hate to have you go to the trouble of picking one up for me!

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  26. I really dislike the last dress #4...from the Limited.   I think there are better choices for work than this one.

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  27. Budget?  What is this word?  :-)  I just got the sequin cardigan from The Limited after seeing your post with the dress.  It was half off so a good deal and I'm going to wear it on Christmas eve with a pencil skirt and white button up (I think) and then again probably on V-day with a navy dress which I wouldn't have thought of if not for you blog!  Thanks for the inspiration!

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  28. They were sold out again anyway :-( The number is S/332725-01. I hope it helps and that you get one! It's super cute and just the right size. People on the website are saying it runs big, but I didn't find that at all. ON can be uneven quality wise though so it might depend on the individual sweater.

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  29. Awesome! The # was all I needed. I love Old Navy/Gap's customer service. I just called, they gave me phone #s of stores that have in Florida. Called the store and they are shipping it to me for free (I have a Gap silver card). Excited to see it in person. Thanks Alison!

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  30. Yay! You should do a post about your experience. Those sweaters are going for $50+ on eBay right now. Might save some people a few bucks.

    I hope you like it as much as I do! Glad I could help.

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  31. What? No way! I think I paid $16 for it. I just wrote a post "How to Save Money on Clothes" last week where I shared this trick!! I do this a lot with sale items. They never have my size so I just order it from another store. :-)

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  32. Wow, you are lucky to have a budget of $250 a month for clothes.....I spend $1500 a month for my kids to attend daycare.....

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  33. It's funny. I read that post, but it never occurred to me to try it with this sweater since it's in such high demand. I'll have to remember that trick with the style number. I should have tried that with the Anthro skirt that was sold out on the website and everywhere else that I wanted for the cruise we're going on, but now it's too late! Anyway, I found a very cute dress at the J Crew outlet that was marked down from $138 to $33 so I'm content. I'll wave at you from the plane when we fly over Orlando to Ft. Lauderdale!

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  34. I love your blog! I look at it for inspiration all the time. I also purchases the red dress from gap u mentioned in this post and I pair it with a chambray shirt under it and either a leopard skinny belt, tights and boots or a tan skinny belt brown tights boots and a scarf that looks like the traditional Burberry pattern. Either way I get compliments all the time on it! Since you help me make outfits all the time I thought I could help you back :)

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  35. J, just FYI, the gold sequin cardigan from The Limited went on sale today for $19.99. I snagged one for myself, I just couldn't resist it any longer.

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  36. Such are the seasons of life. I found this looking for budget friendly ideas, as I too have a large daycare bill each month.  Someday the blogger may be doing the same, but for now she is enjoying the season of life she is in and providing a great resource for budget friendly wardrobe ideas. I know I'm so thankful for it!

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  37. I am not sure this is a great resource for budget friendly ideas on clothes.  I just see a lot of stuff bought just because it's a good price.  I would rather save than say I got a shirt at F21 for a good price.

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