January Shopping Budget

One of my goals for the year is to edit my wardrobe.  I want to work on shopping with intention.  I have set a budget for myself of $250 a month.  I have some high quality items in mind already: including an ivory silk blouse, silk cami, and a well-tailored pant suit.  I want to work on spending more money when it makes sense, which to me at this point in my life means buying high quality timeless pieces that can work in multiple facets of my life.  I think this budget will also leave room for trendier purchases, which I plan to allocate less money towards.   I expect that some months I will spend more money which I'm fine with, it just means less shopping another month.  So, look for a blog post the last day of each month detailing my purchases and whether I went over/under budget.  (Note:  I'll only be including items I spend money on, not gifts.)

Purchases & Cost to Me after any discounts/coupons/giftcards:

H&M Total (belts BOGO)- $50
1.  H&M Black & White Jacquard-Weave Jacket $20
2.  H&M Navy Wool-Blend Coat $25
3.  H&M Black & Gold Belt $3.13
4.  H&M Black & White Belt $1.88

ASOS Total - $26.84 (calculated after I used $50 winnings from a giveaway on PennyChic.com)
5.  ASOS Gray Faux Fur Snood $7.12
6.  ASOS Coral Cropped Sweater $8.09
7.  Daisy Street Fisherman Sweater $11.64

Gilt Total (during Final Sale, plus a 30% off code)- $129.75
8.  Botkier Valentina Convertible Shoulder Bag Acid Yellow $56.48
9.  Rebecca Minkoff Brooke Sandal $73.28 (eBay)

J. Crew Total  (40% off promo code) - $44.40
10.  J. Crew Vintage Cotton White Cap-Sleeve Tee  $14.70
11.  J. Crew Black Silk Cami  $29.70

January Budget:     $250.00
January Shopping:  $250.99

Linking up with Franish and other fun Budgeting Bloggers and Penniless Socialite & The Tiny Heart for Look What I Got!

Dinner Outfit: Silk Cami, Dark Jeans, & Leopard Heels

I wore this look on Wednesday night for restaurant week dinner with my sister, Mary Beth.   This is our third time going out for restaurant week.  It's nice to catch up over a three or four course meal and it's fun to try a new restaurant.  We went to a.kitchen, an upscale, casual American restaurant right near Rittenhouse Square.   I wore a silk cami with a pale pink cardigan, a leaf necklace, dark jeans and leopard heels.

Outfit Details:

Sweater:  J. Crew, old (similar)

Top:  J. Crew Silk Cami

Necklace:  Forever 21 (similar, leaves)

Jeans:  Sebastian McCall, Charlie's Jeans (Philadelphia boutique)

Shoes:  Nine West Flax Mad Cat Leopard, Macy's

Clutch:  Coach Factory (similar)

Work Outfit: Rachel Bilson Sweater, Blazer, & Necklace Inspiration

Inspiration:  Rachel Bilson at Piperlime Best Fashion Friends Night

I love Rachel Bilson.  Her show Hart of Dixie is so cute and she has such great style!  I saw this picture on Pinterest and used it as inspiration for my outfit for work today.  It's a little hard to tell in the picture, but her pants are green.  I went with maroon pants, sparkly sweater, boyfriend blazer, and fun necklace.

Outfit Details:
Blazer:  LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's, (similar)
Sweater:  Loft Lurex Jacquard Sweater (available in petite)
Necklace:  Gift
Bag:  Michael Kors Tote
Pants:  Loft Marisa Straight Leg Pants
Shoes:  Nine West Flax in Mad Cat Leopard, Macy's

Work Outfit: Printed Top with Black Pencil Skirt and Gold Accents

Simple work outfit for a (cold) Tuesday:  mainly black pieces with a printed top and gold accents.

Outfit Details:

Top:  Derek Lam for DesigNation, Kohl's

Sweater:  J. Crew Factory (similar, on sale)

Skirt:  Ann Taylor (similar, similar)

Belt:  H&M (similar, splurge)

Shoes:  Nine West Flax, Macy's

Bag:  Michael Kors Tote

Blue Sweater & Jacquard Skirt

Weather is still super cold in the Philadelphia area so I've been rotating boots lately.  I bought these heeled leather ones at Aldo last year and paired them with my jacquard skirt and blue turtleneck for my mom's Chester County Pops concert and my dad's birthday dinner.  I also wore sweater tights, which are super warm! It's almost going to be 40 degrees tomorrow, before dropping again on Tuesday, so  I'm planning to get outside for a quick run!

Outfit Details:
Sweater:  Calvin Klein, Lord & Taylor (similar on sale)
Skirt:  Joe Benbasset Jacquard Skirt, Kohl's (similar, pleated, striped)
Tights:  Apt. 9, Kohl's
Boots:  Aldo, old (similar, similar)

Linking up with Fizz and Frosting, My New Favorite Outfit, and Just Jacq for Mix-It Mondays!

Jacquard skirt previously worn here for Christmas Eve.

New Yellow Birthday Bag

 

So excited about my new Botkier bag!  It was an early birthday present to myself during the Gilt sale.  I love the yellow color and it is a really nice leather.  I also love that I can use it as a shoulder bag or as a clutch.  I definitely think I will get a lot of use out of it!  I paired it with my crop coral sweater, faux leather skirt, patterned tights, and ankle boots.  It was a fun outfit for another dinner out for restaurant week.

Outfit Details:

Coat:  H&M, old (similar)

Sweater:  Asos

Necklace:  Kenneth Jay Lane (similar, similar)

Skirt:  Catherine Malandrino, Kohl's (similar)

Tights:  Simply Vera Wang, Kohl's

Shoes:  Skylar Sole Society Booties (similar, splurge)

Bag:  Botkier, Gilt (other colors, yellow Kate Spade)

Snow Boots are a Must This Week

Whew cabin fever!  We got over a foot of snow yesterday in Center City and I've been pretty much cooped inside since Monday night.  So Jon and I are going to trek over to National Mechanics tonight for quizzo.  I love my Cole Haan snow boots.  Jon gave them to me for Christmas a few years ago and they are really great because they keep my feet warm and dry.

I'll be throwing my heavy North Face jacket and my scarf, hat, and gloves before I head out the door because it is super cold out!

Hope everyone is nice and warm tonight!

Outfit Details:

Sweater:  Macy's (similar)
Top:  Style & Co., Macy's
Jeans:  7 for All Mankind
Boots:  Cole Haan Nike Air, old
Necklace:  Premier Designs

First Book Club Meeting! Gone Girl

Monday night was our first book club meeting!  We read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and had a nice night with good discussion about the book.

My recommendations for a successful book club night:

• Wine (we stuck with Chardonnay)
• Food (we had a cheese plate, lasagna, and salad)
• Something sweet (Theresa brought chocolate fudge cake and Marta brought cheesecake - yum!)
• Discussion questions (helps to guide the flow of the conversation)

My Outfit Details:
Top:  Old Navy 3/4 length tee (similar)
Tank:  Old Navy Jersey Tami Tank
Jeans:  7 for All Mankind

Black and White Dinner Outfit

Spent most of Sunday sick, but thankfully started feeling better enough for our dinner plans.  

We hit a new restaurant by the owners of Fork called High Street on Market.  It was really tasty and light food.

Outfit Details: 

Coat:  H&M, old (similar)

Jacket:  H&M (similar 1, 2)

Top:  Ellen Tracy (similar 1, 2)

Skirt:  LC Lauren Conrad, Kohl's (similar 1, 2)

Belt:  H&M (similar, splurge)

Shoes:  Sole Society Skylar (similar, splurge)

Hiding Under my Shades

I've been kind of sick all weekend so I went with casual basics yesterday in black and white and hid behind my sunglasses for most of the day.  A little lip color also does wonders!  

Outfit Details:

Sweater:  J. Crew Factory (similar, similar)

Top:  Apt. 9, Kohl's (solid, plus-size printed)

Jeans:  Black jeggings, AG Jeans (similar)

Boots:  Aquatalia by Marvin K., Orso Boot (similar, on sale)

Necklace:  NY&Co (similar, sale)

Sunglasses:  Tory Burch (similar)

What to Pack for a Ski Trip

We are going on a ski trip to Park City, Utah in the beginning of April.  So I thought it would be fun to do a post about some types of items to bring on a ski trip or winter vacation.  I have heard that the weather can change drastically due to the sun, so I'll be bringing a lot of layers!

Ski Trip Packing Planning:

North Face ski coat - a nice, warm coat is essential!
Sorel winter boots - waterproof, another essential
Columbia ski pants (cheaper) - great for the mountai
Zara Turtleneck - good for layering
Urban Outfitters Fair Isle Sweater - fun winter print
ASOS Faux Fur Snood - fun and warm
Nike sunglasses - easy to forget, but key because snow can make things very bright
North Face vest - good for layering on or off the mountain

Other Items to Pack:
Ski socks
Hand/toe warmers
Hat & gloves
Scarves
Skinny jeans

ASOS Fisherman Sweater & Statement Earrings

 

Cozy pink fisherman's sweater with a pretty infinity scarf and statement earrings for work today.

Outfit Details:

Scarf:  Handmade, gift (similar 1, 2) 

Sweater:  Daisy Street Fisherman, ASOS

Pants:  Julie Slim Bootcut in Bi-Stretch, Loft (similar)

Shoes:  Nine West Flax Pumps, Macy's

Jacket:  Michael Kors, old (similar)

Earrings:  Bauble Bar (similar 1, 2, 3)