August 14, 2011

My July Budget

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My budget for July was $200. The usual $100, with an extra $100 of birthday money added to it! My main objective in July was to find my favorite Banana pieces on sale, which took up most of my budget (about $105). I also crossed three items off my wish list that I have been hunting for for ages - a camel blazer, a striped cardigan and a cobalt pencil skirt. All of them are fall pieces so they are slightly out of season but the prices were good and sometimes it pays to plan ahead. That leaves the Gap printed shorts and mustard top which were bought on a whim due to their awesome prices! What were your favorite purchases in July?

1. Express camel blazer, $25 (I'm thinking about switching out the buttons on this to gold military ones!)
2.  Gap mustard tee, $5
3.  H&M striped cardigan, $25
4.  Gap printed shorts, $15
5. Limited pencil skirt, $38 (bought in-store during 40% off promo)
6. Banana Republic Ikat skirt, $22 (bought online with coupon)
7. Banana Republic dress, $60
8. Banana Republic embroidered top, $25 (used $10 credit card reward)

Grand total = $205

29 comments:

  1. LOVE all these pieces, especially the printed shorts + skirt!  Cobalt is also on my wishlist as well as a neutral blazer...it is soooo hard to find one that fits my frame :(
    And love love love the elbow patches on that cardi!!!  Not sure if you specifically took the photo to show that detail or not but thanks! love it!
    thelittlestunicornonearth.blogspot.com

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  2. Thanks Amanda! I definitely wanted to show off the sweet elbow patches, they are what immediately sold me on that cardigan! :-)

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  3. Great choices.  I got that Gap mustard tank in the red color for about $5, too, and I have worn it so many different ways.  It's so versatile.  With jeans or shorts for weekend or with a grey skirt and cardigan for work.  Can't wait to see how you wear yours.

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  4. I need to be better about sticking to my budget...it's just so hard when the seasons change and then I want everything! I've also been eye-ing that cobalt pencil skirt, great find on sale!

    Michelle
    www.pinqueblog.com

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  5. These are some great pieces!  I especially like your cobalt pencil skirt and the striped cardi with the elbow patches! 

    I like to plan ahead from season to season also.  Sometimes I will find a sweater on the clearance rack in the dead of summer, but if it's a great item and a great price, I don't hestiate to purchase it at all!

    Heather
    www.hkstylejourney.blogspot.com

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  6. That is so much good stuff for so little money.  I'm so inspired.  Thank you!

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  7. The Limited blue skirt rocks....loving it!

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  8. I love that I've found a fashion blogger on a budget! Will follow you regularly from now on.

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  9. Thank you Jennifer and welcome to the blog! :-)

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  10. Heather, that mustard shirt was the best $5 I ever spent! I've already posted 3 looks with it so far, and it's also great for throwing on with jean shorts to walk the dogs. :-)

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  11. I am obsessed with the tan blazer!!

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  12. How did you get an Express blazer for so cheap?? Congrats :) There's a casual blazer that I'm lusting after at Express, but it's still full price...and I hate paying full price lol. I already have two black blazers--boyfriend type from Express, but they're a little ill-fitting (because I couldn't pass up the incredible sale prices). I was thinking of getting a white blazer, but didn't know if that was too seasonal. Can I still wear a white blazer in winter?

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  13. Btw, because of you, I've been looking at a lot more fashion blogs. But I still check yours daily because you were the first fashion blog I read :) Have you seen wendy's lookbook? I love her fashion, though I can't really afford it right now. Someday...when I'm out of school...

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  14. You're a great inspiration. I really need to save my money right now and plan... I think I'm in the perfect spot!

    Courtney
    I Can Be Many Things

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  15. Anna, I stalked that blazer for about 6 weeks. They had tons left at my local store so I knew if I waited the price would go down significantly - and it did! :-)

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  16. Anna, no I haven't seen that one yet! I started my blog b/c I can't afford anything that most fashion bloggers wear.

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  17. Thanks for the suggestion. I love the price point--but I'm thinking it might be a little big for me even in size 0 :( (I hate being so petite when shopping!). The Express blazer comes in a 00, which is so rare.

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  18.  That's what I love about your blog--your style is much more affordable and more women can relate to it :) I see so many bloggers out there who have so many designer pieces and it boggles my mind about how they can afford it and how much their wardrobe would be worth lol.  I have to admit though, I do drool over their designer bags and shoes. I read wendy's lookbook for inspiration right now :) And try to make it my own with cheaper alternatives :)

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  19. Love the banana republic skirt, look forward to seeing it in a post! It's winter where I am but I'm taking advantage of your northern hemisphere online sales and stocking up for summer. Best purchase for July has been a turquoise dress from topshop which I'll wear when the snow stops haha!

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  20. Awesome purchases, J!  I'm especially lovin that camel blazer and what a DEAL, only 25 bucks =D  I also really love that striped cardigan, I think you styled it beautifully in your previous posts, I definitely see what you mean regarding the elbow patches!  I definitely found a few gems in my local TJ Maxx and got a super cute pair of Vera Wang shoes for 20 bucks (originally 75) at Kohl's!  Can't wait to see you next outfit posts!
    http://sensiblestylista.blogspot.com/

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  21. in love with all your outfits!  wondering though-- can't find the h&m cardigan which i absolutely ADORE-- is it recent?

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  22. I bought the H&M cardigan about 3 weeks ago. Not sure where you are looking, but H&M doesn't have online shopping in the US yet. Coming soon in 2012 though!

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  23. Is that camel jacket no longer in stores or online? I've never seen it =(

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  24. Amazing inspiration to show what one can do with a $200 budget! I'm hoping I can swing that for my Fall wardrobe so I will definitely use this as inspiration.

    OveLoves

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  25. This is GREAT!  Do you select the pieces before you buy?  Or do you go out with cash in hand and snag the best deals???  I always feel like I end up with a jumble of mismatched pieces that don't work together.  LOVE this post...hope to see it more.

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  26. Elise, I tried to explain my reasoning behind what I bought/how I wound up with these clothes in the caption - some of it was planned, some of it are wish list items I've been looking for for months and a couple were bought on a whim due to their great prices!  I like to make a list and stick to it for the most part, but also be flexible for when you find something that's fun and a good deal (like the Gap printed shorts).

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  27. Hey J, 

    Do you only spend 100 each month a clothes and do you always go at the same time (like the end or beginning of the month)?

    Thanks!

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  28. My budget was $250/month for years, but since I lost my job last October (so for the last 10 months) it has been $100/month. I sometimes save up my budget for the next month if I don't find anything I like, or if I have a big purchase I want to make, or if I know that the things I want will be on sale next month and my money will go farther. I like to keep a wish list of things I would eventually like to buy, but sometimes it can take me a few months or even a year to find something that I love and with a price I am willing to pay, so it's never about going shopping on any certain day. I just go to the mall whenever I can - usually 2-3 times a month - and pick up a thing or two here and there. :-)   

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