Tuesday, January 31, 2012

January Purchases

New year, new budget! Unfortunately, no resolution to stick to it!

I went way over my $100/month limit, so I feel the need to explain myself. Currently the following situations are driving my clothing shopping:

a. I’m obsessed with button-front shirts. It’s like a sickness. Anyone else feeling this preppy passion?
b. I cannot resist clothing that costs less than a cup of fancy coffee. I’d rather spend $8 at the thrift store than at Starbucks on a latte and a scone. If it came right down to it, I’d rather go thrifting than dine out at all. I’m down with eating ramen while gazing at my hoarded mound of second-hand clothing.
c. I’ve lost some weight. It all seems to have come out of my middle, so many of my dresses, skirts, and pants gap sadly at the waist.

My “reasons” don’t really justify everything I bought, but let’s just look at the pretty pictures instead of analyzing my thought process too closely.

Early in the month, I biked to the Stone Creek Towne Center and got to spend some quality time in a two stores that Beefy can barely tolerate…

JC Penney

Is it just me, or is the regular MNG for Mango line horribly overpriced? I walked past it to the clearance rack.

1. I Heart Ronson floral tank, $11.99
2. MNG for Mango Portland dress, $29.95. This fits like a dream (when it isn't stretched over a tee and pair of jeggings) and replaces the Forever 21 shirt dress I thrifted and dyed a dark blue.


I was sorely tempted by a pair of green boots (because I only have one pair), but decided I didn’t want to tote their weight back home in my saddlebag.

Old Navy

I walked out of Old Navy with three (yes, THREE) button-front shirts. All in shades of blue. I officially need no more.

3. Western-style denim shirt, $16.16
4. Chambray shirt, $16.97
5. Navy camp shirt with knit panels, $9.99
6. Olive turtleneck, $4.49


St Vincent de Paul

I went on a holiday, so almost all the clothing was half off!

7. INC sheer leopard blouse, $2.25
8. R and K Knits cream sweater, $2.25


9. The Limited denim skirt with lace trim, $4.49
10. Kristen and Hayley snake-print skirt, $2.25
11. American Eagle moss green wool skirt, $2.25


Honestly, all these skirts are ALSO too big in the waist. With a 12 inch difference between my waist and hips, I have to make the best of what I find….or take things to a tailor. On the bright side, there is always plenty of room for my food babies.

TJ Maxx

I really mustn’t visit this store to kill time. I walked in twice this month and, both times, walked out with something totally seasonally inappropriate. C’mon spring!

12. One Clothing gray and neon striped tank, $9.99
13. Imaginary Voyage cream crochet half-shirt (not pictured), $12.99
14. Rocket Dog patterned flats (not pictured), $19.99

We Love Colors

I decided, early on in this budget exercise, that I didn’t have to count the following items in my monthly budget: undergarments, socks, tights, cold-weather gear, workout clothes, and running shoes. Those are all necessities that must be replaced on an ongoing basis. Unfortunately, I cannot convince myself that leggings fall into the necessities category, so I’m accounting for this pair.

15. Splash color matte leggings, $29.00

I’ve been a fan of We Love Colors tights for a few years. This is the first pair of the company’s leggings I’ve tried. They are PERFECT! Great sizing. No bagging. (I really hate bagging at the backs of the knees!) Smooth, but not shiny, finish. Many color options, including neutral, solid colors. I bought this pair for the wild print, but I’ll return for more in charcoal, brown, black, and olive.

January total: $175.01

Total spending for the year: $175.01

Next month, I’m looking for a pair of leopard shoes…either pumps or booties. I’d like to spend less than $50 on the shoes. $25 would be ideal, so I’d be back on track with my budget! Feel free to send me links.

It's All Neutral

I think we’d all agree that gray, black, and brown are neutrals. But I’ve also heard that red is a “neutral.” And plaid and leopard print, too. So, I’m really just mixing neutrals in this outfit.


Blouse, FY2 (thrifted). Vest, Changing Scene (thrifted). Skirt, Parsons Place (thrifted and shortened). Boots, Nine West. Tights, We Love Colors. Necklace, Target. Bag, knockoff D&G (thrifted). Coat, Bebe. Scarf, gift.


Monday, January 30, 2012

Fancy Lady

Whenever I wear this sweater, I feel somewhat ridiculously overdressed. It’s a bit fancy for the office.


Sweater, vintage. Blouse, INC (thrifted). Skirt, Outlander (thrifted and gifted). Boots, Rampage. Tights, We Love Colors.


See? Fancy, fancy, fancy…

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Soldiering On

Because of my jam-packed schedule, I’ve had to get creative about when and where I get things done. On weeknights, I arrive at rehearsal (in a hospital fitness center) an hour early to practice singing. I found a somewhat isolated stairwell in which to sing. Mostly, no one can hear me, but one of the aerobics rooms shares a wall with the stairway and I can sometimes hear the instructor and the music. If I can hear her, then she can probably hear me practicing “Take Me With You, Soldier Boy.”


Jacket, H&M (thrifted). Dress, MNG by Mango. Jeggings, Mossimo. Boots, Matisse. Bag, H&M. Earrings, Epcot Mexico. Sunglasses, Xhilaration.

Today, I’m at the hospital again (after running 13 miles, this morning). Between an organizational meeting for The Crucible (I’m the assistant director) and my rehearsal for Talley & Son, I managed to grab take-out for myself and Beefy and also to sneak behind the hospital for some self-portraits. No singing today, but I felt like I was dressed just right for "Soldier Boy."



I've only got to make it through a little over three more months of this crazy schedule and then I'm taking a breather!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Radioactive

I bought a neon yellow and gray striped tank top at TJ Maxx this month. I couldn’t wait for warmer weather, so I layered it over a turtleneck and under a sweater.


Sweater, Mossimo (thrifted). Tank, One Clothing. Turtleneck, Merona. Jeans, Express. Boots, Style & Co (thrifted). Bag, H&M. Necklace, vintage. Sunglasses, Girl Props.

I could almost pretend it was summer by standing in the sunshine. The cold wind, though, kept reminding me that it is still January.




Photos by Beefy Muchacho

Friday, January 27, 2012

Five Days of Pattern Mixing

I didn’t intend to do it…but I mixed patterns all week long:


Which pattern mix was your favorite?

My favorite pattern mix was...
Monday (Corporate Snake)
Tuesday (Two Leopards One Plaid)
Wednesday (Remembering Summer)
Thursday (Partners in Pattern)
Friday (Floralix)
  
pollcode.com free polls 

Floralix

Like yesterday, these patterns almost go together, but don’t quite.


Turtleneck, Mossimo. Blouse, I Heart Ronson. Skirt, Herman Geist (thrifted and shortened). Belt, H&M. Booties, Sigerson Morrison for Target. Necklace, vintage.