What I Bought This Month: February Haul

I did quite a bit of shopping this month for a lot of reasons. First off, February in Texas brings 70+ degree temperatures which makes it hard not to start shopping for new spring pieces. Second, the combination of Valentine's Day and multiple weddings/showers coming up in the new few months had me craving a few new dresses. And third, an upcoming trip to Florida at the end of March has me so excited for swimsuits, cover ups, dresses and shorts! I used a lot of my March budget already, but I'll save the spring/summer pieces I picked up for next month's post. (If you want a little sneak peek, I pin everything I buy here, if I can find it online!)

Budget Status= what I bought-eBay/Poshmark/Plato's Closet sales meant that I stayed on track this month!

1. Blue Suede Jacket (Forever 21) - I love powder blue for spring, but I've already started wearing this jacket now. It's perfect to carry me into the warmer months.

2. White Jeans (The Limited) - My search for the perfect white jeans is over! I literally tried on about 15 pairs before I found these. I have the hardest time finding that perfect ankle length fit because regular lengths are generally too long, while short lengths are too short! This pair comes in petite sizes and the length was just right.

3. Floral Skirt (Zara) - I loved the print on this skirt so I used a gift card I got for Christmas to buy it.

4. Silver Rhinestone Necklace (Forever 21) - I don't have a lot of silver jewelry, so when I find an affordable piece I like I don't hesitate.

5. Rhinestone Jeans (LOFT) - I saw these in store after Christmas and fell in love, but waited until I could get them 50% off during an in-store only promo. Love them!

6. Lace Collar Dress (Asos) - This dress is perfect for the current in-between winter and spring weather, and it is so cute! I wore this to a wedding shower for my brother and his fiance and also to work this month.

7. Ear Jackets (Forever 21) - I am totally obsessed with ear jackets, and Forever 21 has put out some really great ones under $5. I've been stocking up anytime I come across a new pair.

8. Nude Pumps (Asos) - Like white jeans, I've been wanting a pair of nude pumps ever since I got rid of my old super uncomfortable pair. These are a great height, and with a heel insert they are a perfect fit.

9. Striped Asymmetrical Hem Dress (Zara) - I wore this dress on my Valentine's Day date with my boyfriend. It's a bit of a dressier version of the t-shirt dress with its asymmetrical hemline.

10. Distressed Jeans (American Eagle) - I mentioned last month that I'm stocking up on basic bottoms since I've been able to lose a little weight. I wanted to replace my light wash distressed jeans and I love these! Unlike all the white jeans I tried on, this pair in a short length was perfect for me.

11. Nude Mules (Forever 21) - I purchased these at the same time as my blue suede jacket, imagining them as the perfect shoe to transition into spring. I've only worn them once so far, but they held up nicely in terms of being comfortable to walk in.

12. Pink and Gray Necklace (Forever 21) - I just can't stop with the Forever 21 jewelry. I'm not sorry!

Not Pictured:

Leopard Print Dress (H&M, not pictured) - I wish I could find a picture of this dress online, and since I didn't take pictures any wearing it that I thought were social media worthy, I'll just have to style it for my blog so you can see it!

See last month's haul here!

Linking up with Budgeting Bloggers

What I Bought This Month: January Haul

I did it...I stayed within my budget this month! Thanks to Loft's amazing 60% off sale and a $20 off coupon for Charming Charlie, I was able to get some really good deals in January. I'm excited to be off to a good start this year as far as clothes budgeting goes. I'm trying to focus on getting some more work bottoms since a lot of mine don't fit anymore. I finally got into a healthier eating and workout regimen towards the end of last year, and good progress means a really awesome reason to need new clothes!

Here are the details: 

1. Over the Knee Boots (Forever 21, sold out) - A great affordable way to get the look of Stuart Weitzmans without paying several hundred dollars. You can read more about what I think about them in my post from yesterday.

2. Crossbody Bag (Charming Charlie) - I love forest green and have been wanting a darker colored small bag for days I don't want to carry a big bag with me. Seen here.

3. Faux Leather Skirt (Loft) - Even though this is supposed to be a mini skirt, it's knee length on me so it works for a lot of different occasions. One of my goals this year is to buy more knee length skirts that I can wear to work/church/etc, and less mini skirts which are way less practical. Worn here.

4. Jacquard Pants (Loft) - These pants have a great subtle pattern on them that can be easily mixed with other prints. I've only worn them with solid tops so far but I'm going to break out of my comfort zone for some pattern mixing soon.

5. Black Jeans (Loft) - I haven't had a pair of black jeans that fit in a while, aside from a pair with ripped knees. I wanted a pair that I could dress up or down and I managed to get these in store for only $14! I've been wearing them constantly when I'm not a work. Worn here.

6. Gray Booties (Forever 21) - I had a pair of Zara gray boots on my wishlist, but they never came back in stock. These are pretty similar and look really cute with skinnies tucked in. Worn here.

7. Gold Necklace (Forever 21) - A fun simple piece that I can pair with everything.

8. Gray Wool Skirt (Loft) - Another great Loft steal from their 60% off sale. This would be perfect to tuck a plaid shirt in to. I wore it once but forgot to snap a picture for Instagram.

9. Stud Earrings (Forever 21, sold out) - I am a lover of stud earrings of all shapes and sizes. This is a fun pair that have a retro, art deco vibe.

10. Maroon Hat (Anthropologie, sold out) - I waited to pick up this hat until it went on sale so I got it for a great price. I didn't care for the gold braided detail around it, so I cut that part off. Such a cute hat!. Worn here.

Not Pictured:

Double Layer Top (Loft, sold out) - Absolutely love this faux layered top that looks like it has a white button-up underneath it. It makes "layering" easy! Worn here.

Faux Fur Stole (Charming Charlie, sold out) - I love a little faux fur detail, and this $5 stole is perfect to thrown on over any simple coat or jacket. Worn here.

Gray Hat (Charming Charlie, sold out) - Snagged this great hat for only $8! You can see it in my post from yesterday here.

Black Dress (Charming Charlie, sold out)

Linking up with Budgeting Bloggers

What I Bought This Month: December Haul

This is my twelfth and final haul post of 2014! I will admit, there were a few times when I didn't want to do these posts anymore because I was embarrassed about how much I bought, but I'm glad I finished out the year. Keeping track of all the items I bought and how much I spent has taught me more about my shopping habits than I would have realized before.

As far as the actual budget goes...I definitely went over for the year. There were two months I went a little crazy, May and November (right before it got hot and right before it got somewhat cold). I think what that shows me is that I have a tendency to shop more when the weather starts to change, and I probably need to compensate for that next year.

Even though I went over my budget this year, I am not going to increase my budget for next year. My plan is to be more mindful of my spending. I want to go back and look at all the pieces I bought and see how much I actually wore them. That will help me figure out what types of items I need to pass on next time I'm tempted. I want to streamline my wardrobe a bit and try to rid myself of the tendency to want to replicate every cute outfit I see. I have faith that I will learn from my past shopping habits and do better at staying on track in 2015!

Here are the details:

1. Black Sweater (Old Navy) - I know I bought a black sweater a few months back, but I decided I don't like the fit of that one. I want to list that one on Poshmark, so I picked this one up from Old Navy since a black sweater is pretty much a staple!

2. Plaid Lace Top (Shopbop, sold out) - It took me a while to track down this top for a reasonable price, and after a mishap where Lord & Taylor shipped me a different item, I found it on Shopbop. Very cute for the holidays! Worn here.

3. Grid Wrap Skirt (Zara) - This was my one of two Black Friday purchases, and I LOVE it! I'm convinced its the cutest skirt I've ever owned. The only problem is that it is made of a fleece material and I'm terrified of spilling on it since I have no idea how a stain would come out of it.

4. Turtleneck Sweater (Forever 21) - This is such a cozy sweater, long enough for leggings and very warm! Its the perfect lazy weekend sweater.

5. Red Sweater (Forever 21) - I thought this would go perfectly with my green and red flannel, as pictured here.

6. Plaid Blazer (Target) - I had a navy plaid blazer from Target from last year, but something about this one drew me in! I sold my other one on Poshmark and got this one. Worn here.

7. Druzy Necklace (Forever 21) - A fun little piece.

8. Mint Necklace (J.Crew Factory) - For $13, I couldn't pass this one up.

9. Plaid Skirt (Forever 21, sold out) - Another great skirt! I love the zipper details. Worn here.

10. Black Bow Flats (Charming Charlie) - My black flats were in desperate need of replacement, and these are perfect. They almost feel a little menswear to me. I normally always wear heels, but I've been wearing these a lot this month. Worn here.

11. Gray Crossbody (Forever 21) - Very Chanel-esque at a great price. Seen here.

12. Cream Sweater (Old Navy) - I realized the cream sweater I bought last year turned a bit gray after washing it, so that needed to be replaced too.

13. Grid Print Skirt (Forever 21, not pictured) - My other Black Friday purchase! I found this gem in store but couldn't find it online. I was bummed because its definitely a piece I would highly recommend! Worn here.

See the rest of my 2014 haul posts here: January | February | March | April | May
June | July | August | September | October | November

What I Bought This Month: November Haul

See, I told you I was coat obsessed. It's a problem, I know. I have a goal to limit clothes shopping to a minimum for the rest of the year. Wish me luck.

Here are the details:

1. Jeweled Sweatshirt (Ann Taylor) - I love a good bejeweled number, especially from the clearance rack.

2. Jeggings (Gap) - I scored these for $16 and they are basically the only jeans I've worn all month. Worn here.

3. Black Coat (Forever 21) - A replacement for the black peacoat I've had since high school. That thing needs to go.

4. Aztec Coat (Target)- Worn here.

5. Colorblock Coat (Piperlime) - This reminded me of a collarless version of the colorblocked cocoon coats from J.Crew for a fraction of the price! I love the pink sleeves.

6. Tan Sweater (Forever 21) - A great cable knit sweater. I want more colors! Worn here.

7. Black Boots (Forever 21) - I bought a pair of black boots last fall, but I don't love them. These are much closer to the Rag & Bone dupes I've been searching for and they are incredibly comfy. Worn here.

8. Plaid Lace Top (JOA via Lord & Taylor) - I've been stalking this top for a while and grabbed it for 20% off at Lord & Taylor after it was already marked down.

9. Olive Coat (Forever 21) - This is less of a coat, more of a jacket. The faux fur lining in the hood makes it look thicker than it is. I LOVE this. Its under $30 and also comes in navy. Worn here.

10. Gray Sweater (Forever 21) - Favorite sweater purchase ever. I may need to get the burgundy one too... Worn here.

11. Knit Trench (Forever 21) - This is a fun, drapey layering piece.

12. Collared Top (J.Crew Factory) - I love a good Peter Pan collar.

13. Olive Boots (Forever 21) - When you love something, get it in multiple colors. Worn here.

14. Plaid Scarf (J.Crew Factory) - I have a gray plaid scarf and I thought a buffalo plaid one would be a nice addition to my closet.

15. Gray Coat (Old Navy) - I realized all the coats I own are longer than hip length, and this one just felt to different and cool. It is so cute on! Got it for 50% off. (No joke, the "50% off outerwear" text from Old Navy got me out of bed by 9:30 on a Saturday. Ridiculous, I know.)

16. Mixed Media Sweater (Piperlime) - Despite mixed reviews, I thought this was cute enough to give it a try. I love the mix of knit, faux suede and faux fur!

17. Wrap Coat (Forever 21) - I have been wanting a wrap coat for a while and this one is a really cute affordable option.

18. Plaid Skirt (Banana Republic) - I joked about plaid skirts in this post, and then I bought one! This one is a little more fashion forward though, and perfect for the holidays!

19. Tribal Print Clutch (Forever 21) - I threw this in my cart when I ordered the wrap coat. I'll get more use out of it in the summer I think. Its a really nice size.

20. Plaid Shirt (J.Crew Factory) - The perfect plaid shirt. Duh.

See my previous hauls here: January | February | March | April | May
June | July | August | September | October

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I have some exciting posts coming up next week, so stay tuned!

What I Bought This Month: October Haul

I have a major obsession with Forever 21. #Sorrynotsorry. I know some people like to hate on it, and yes, maybe I am 26, but I don't care. They are killing it with their outerwear and sweaters this season. I'm not going to make any arguments for the quality of their pieces, because yes, sometimes it isn't the greatest. But when they have a 20% off promo code and I can get tons of stuff for the price one one dress at Zara? Yes, please. Apparently I prefer quantity over quality, though I'm making sure the items I ordered are able to handle a bit of wear and tear before I decide to keep them.

Budget status= I haven't been keeping track. It's because I know I went over and I don't wanna know by how much. But since I've been getting most of it from Forever 21, it can't be that bad.

Here are the details:

1. Black Jeans (Forever 21) - These aren't the exact ones I got, but they are close. A nice dupe for those cute Topshop jeans with rips in the knees, and the ones I got are very soft and stretchy. Worn here.

2. Black Waffle Sweater (Forever 21) - How did I not have a solid black sweater until now? And this one was $16. Perfect.

3. Black Hat (Target) - I have this hat in brown and love it, so I picked up the black too. Worn here, here.

4. Windowpane Skirt (Forever 21) - This purchase was inspired by Laura. Full outfit post coming soon, but you can see how I wore it here.

5. Black Mules (Express) - In LOVE with these! So comfy! Worn here.

6. Bucket Bag (Old Navy) - My everyday bag this fall. Seen here, here, and here.

7. Cracked Leather Heels (Piperlime) - Worn here.

8. Cream Sweater (Forever 21) - If you didn't already notice, I'm stocking up on solid colored sweaters for layering. Too bad it still isn't cold enough outside to wear them.

9. Gray Tee (Target) - The perfect little gray tee. Worn here.

10. Gray Lace Sweater (Forever 21) - Totally in love with this sweater. Totally. Worn here.

11. Striped Button Up (Old Navy) - Worn here.

12. Lavender Blazer (Forever 21) - I have grand plans for this blazer. Worn here.

13. Maroon Dress (Forever 21) - This dress has a story behind it that you can read here. Whoop!

14. Gray Waffle Sweater (Forever 21) - Another solid sweater in a color I didn't own.

15. Chambray Shirt (H&M) - Worn here. Please ignore that my "selfie mirror" at work is so dirty. Don't these people know I need that thing for instagram #OOTD's?!

16. Gray Bell Skirt (H&M) - Worn here.

17. Tan Blazer (H&M, sold out) - Worn here.

18. Fringe Bag (Forever 21) - Haven't carried this yet. Probably should have returned it, but I'm sure I've missed the return period. Now I must make myself carry it! I do like it.

See my previous hauls here: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September

Linking up with Budgeting Bloggers

What I Bought This Month: September Haul

I had a weird moment a few weeks ago when I was getting dressed for work. I had just purchased a burgundy striped tee from Old Navy, and had decided to wear it half tucked in to my black trousers for work. At the exact moment I was putting the shirt on, I felt really excited for cold weather. I have no idea why. I think it had something to do with the color of the shirt.

That always seems to happen as a season change comes closer. When I start reading about fall clothes on blogs and seeing them in stores, I'm still loving summer and wearing tanks and shorts and easy things. I can't even imagine being excited to wear jackets and layers and all that. Until a switch flips, and all of a sudden I am.  Then I get really excited to change from the same stuff I've been wearing for months into something more seasonally or weather appropriate. I feel instantly more inspired.

Okay, enough of my seriously too philosophical description of how clothes make me feel, blah blah blah. My point was to say that I really haven't been excited about fall yet until that exact moment, and now I'm over here pinning to my Fall/Winter Wishlist Pinterest board like there's no tomorrow. Oh, and shopping of course!

Most of my purchases are pretty self explanatory; darker tops, booties, a bomber jacket. Those fur things and the coat? Straight up impulse buys. I have a tendency to lay in bed and play on my phone when I don't have anywhere to be on Saturdays, and I saw that Forever 21 had come out with their outerwear edit, and started browsing. That led to me purchasing three items that I won't be able to wear for a good long while because its still in the high eighties and nineties here. But they are so cute and I love them and that's my rationale! Ha.

In other news, with my new found fall inspiration (and clothes), I'm hoping to get some outfit posts up starting next week!

Here are the details:

1. Houndstooth Crop Top (Francesca's) - I've worn this twice already- tucked in to a skirt, and with a white button up under it. I'm not into showing my stomach, but this will be a great layering piece.
2. Gray Zip Sweatshirt (Forever 21) - I love the side zipper detail on this sweatshirt. As soon as the weather cools down this will be part of my weekend uniform for sure.
3. Floral Bomber Jacket (Forever 21) - I've been wanting a bomber jacket since the became popular in the spring. I love that this one is floral, but still looks sporty with the stripes at the neckline and waist.
4. Black Sandals (Forever 21, sold out) - I'll be able to wear open toed shoes at least through the month of October, and I'd been wanting a pair of black block heeled sandals. These are really comfy, and actually go with a lot of my "fall" outfits since they aren't as strappy as some of my other heels.
5. Lariat Necklace (Express) - This is a fun little piece that looks great over a flowy top.
6. Black Jeans (Francesca's) - I loved the white stripe on these jeans. It looks very menswear and sporty, two trends I want to try out this fall.
7. Black Tank (Express) - I am hooked on this tank. I want it in all the colors...but since its fall I'll stick with black for now. I love that it's reversible and that the other side is gray too!
8. Maroon Booties (Old Navy) - I looked for a pair of maroon booties last fall but never found any I liked. These are really cute (the ankle in the picture doesn't do them justice), and I got them for $17 after using my Gap rewards.
9. Gray Booties (Express) - I was surprised I didn't have any gray booties, and at 40% these seemed like a great buy. I've already been wearing this a lot this month.
10. Silver Necklace (Express, sold out) - I've been wearing this almost everyday. I love it!
11. Faux Fur Jacket (Forever 21) - This purchase is a little ridiculous, I'll admit. But ever since trying on a faux fur jacket at Topshop last winter, I've really wanted one! That one was $170, and this one is only $50. I want to try it with black skinny jeans, a tee shirt, and ankle boots to dress it down.
12. Faux Fur Vest (Forever 21) - I have a faux fur vest, but I don't really like the texture very much (i.e. it looks cheap). I figured it was time to retire the old one and try this one out!
13. Gold Necklace (J.Crew) - I don't have any J.Crew jewelry, surprisingly. I'm really cheap when it comes to jewelry, especially statement necklaces. Most of the time I don't even want to pay Baublebar prices unless there is a sale. When I saw the colors of this, and that it was 40% off the sale price (making it $30), I figured it was a good time to try something of a little nicer quality. Now I may be hooked...
14. Sheer Stripe Tee (Forever 21) - I'm still really into the sheer stripe trend we started to see this spring, so this seemed like a no brainer.
15. Gray Coat (Forever 21) - Ummm, yeah so I already have a gray coat too...like I said, my Forever 21 order was a total impulse purchase! My rationale was to see if I like this one better than the one I have now, and either return this one or sell the other on Poshmark since its still in great condition.

See my previous hauls here: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August

Linking up with Budgeting Bloggers

What I Bought This Month: August Haul

Well, here's my slightly late, slightly large August Haul. I don't have any good excuse except that it was my birthday month, does that count? I haven't tallied up my budget, but I'm pretty sure I went over. Apparently this whole budgeting, tracking every purchase and posting about it isn't working for me to control my spending on clothes. I need to find a better way.

I was on a major dress kick, as well as a white kick. And I also wanted to pick up a few new outfits to wear for my birthday celebrations.

Here are the details:

1. Floral Layered Dress (Romwe) - I decided to place my first Romwe order after seeing this dress on their site. It's identical to one I saw in the Zara sale this summer that I didn't pick up because the price was still too high. This one was a great price since I found a 20% off coupon.
2. Blue Wrap Skirt (Forever 21) - This skirt is so much fun- love the blue and black combo and the asymmetrical wrap detail!
3. Rope Print Tee (Ann Taylor) - I picked up this fun top with my $15 off birthday coupon from Ann Taylor. Since it was on the sale rack I basically got it for free!
4. Khaki Trousers (H&M) - I have these pants in three colors since they fit me so well, and they are super affordable.
5. Black Romper (Boohoo) - I got this romper to wear to my birthday dinner with friends and I love it! It's very classy since the shorts are a lot longer than some other rompers I've seen. I ordered it in white too and promptly sent it back- it was incredibly sheer!
6. White Embroidered Dress (Romwe) - After seeing both Julia of Gal Meets Glam and Reese Witherspoon in this dress, I figured I couldn't go wrong with it!
7. Black Lace Peplum (Forever 21) - Just a fun little peplum tank. Forever 21 always gets me!
8. Lilac Lace Dress (Forever 21) - This was perfect for the last summer wedding I attended.
9. Striped Shirt Dress (Loft) - This is super soft and great for work, not to mention on sale for $30!
10. Polka Dot Button Up (Romwe) - A great workwear basic.
11. White Sheath Dress (Forever 21) - Forever 21 really got it right with this dress, its perfect!
12. Maroon Striped Tee (Old Navy) - Love this as an easy transition piece from summer to fall.
13. White Maxi Dress (Romwe) - Here's another dress I've seen on so many girls and loved! Why I decided to buy it at the end of summer is a good question...but it's still hot here so I can get away with summer dressing!
14. Black Sheath Dress (Forever 21) - This is another fun dress for work!
15. Embroidered Clutch (Anthropologie) - I love the clutches at Anthropologie, so I decided to spoil myself with one for my birthday!
16. White Boyfriend Jeans (Zara) - I returned the boyfriend jeans I bought from Old Navy last month. Every time I put them on to wear, I always ended up changing before leaving the house. These from Zara fit me much better and are a better length.
17. Black Trousers (Banana Republic) - I tried on a lot of black trousers last month and these were the only ones that were a perfect fit. I want to get them in every color.
18. Nude Wedges (Moddeals) - At only $10 I couldn't say no! These are cute and comfortable.
19. Floral Tank Dress (Forever 21) - I thought this would be so much fun with a leather jacket and booties as the weather starts cooling down.

See my previous hauls here: January | February | March | April | May | June | July

Linking up with Budgeting Bloggers

What I Bought This Month: July Haul

Curse you J.Crew super sale for making me place two online orders this month! (Okay, okay, I fully realize I was the one who decided to place the orders...) I got some great deals on some casual pieces, plus my desire to always wear a new dress to every wedding I attend had me picking up a few more items. So fail on the "no shopping" goal, but I came out okay and didn't go crazy.

Here are the details:

1. Tulip Hem Dress (Gap, sold out)- scored this dress for under $10 on sale! Its incredibly comfortable and was perfect for an outdoor Texas summer wedding.

2. Baseball Tee (J.Crew)- Despite the fact that I am not into sports, I really love that sporty inspired pieces are in style.

3. Stripe Sleeve Tee (J.Crew)- What can I say, J.Crew just makes the best t-shirts!

4. Floral Swim Top (J.Crew, sold out)- I love buying new swim tops to go with my black bottoms that I love so much. The shape of this top is a little retro and so fun!

5. Dotted Swim Top (J.Crew)- Another fun top to match my black bikini bottoms.

6. White Boyfriend Jeans (Old Navy)- Love my denim boyfriend jeans so much that I really wanted a white pair. Picked these up for under $15 on sale and I love them!

7. Straw Clutch (Gap)- I have a lot of crossbody bags and practically no clutches. This has been perfect to go with all my casual summer dresses.

8. Leaf Print Clutch (Gap)- I've seen so much palm tree leaf print going around that I grabbed this clutch as well.

9. Floral Print Dress (Old Navy)- I've been wanted to build my collection of white summer dresses and wanted one with a fun print. Love the palm leaves on this one.

10. Gray Espadrille Sandal (J.Crew)- These are a little fancier than most of my other sandals and I love the baby espadrille wedge.

11. Pink Shorts (J.Crew)- I love J.Crew chino shorts, and I love pink. On sale for $15? Practically a no-brainer.

Linking up with Budgeting Bloggers

What I Bought This Month- May Pt II and June Mini Haul

I told you guys last month that I was going to put myself on a shopping ban for June and July. Well...I did shop a bit. JustFab had a two for $40 promo going on and I had been lusting after these pink heels for a while, so I decided to pick them up, along with these tan mules that I think will make a great transition shoe from summer to fall. And then...the Zara sale happened...I don't think I have to explain why that one is hard to resist. I bought a couple of things that had been on my wishlist, but ended up only keeping two, the blue floral top, and striped tank. So I didn't go crazy. I didn't even spend half of my normal shopping budget, and I only placed two online orders this month. I'm going to count that as progress. The rest of what's pictured above is from my May shopping "spree."

I've had a lot going on recently, so I haven't been thinking about clothes and shopping as much. You know that one thing your mind always wanders to when you are bored? For me, that is shopping, hands down. Less free time=less shopping, which meant less blog posts since I didn't have a bunch of awesome new outfits I wanted to show you (and fewer comment replies...sorry guys...), and I even posted less on Instagram. To be honest, it felt really good not to be so clothes obsessed, though I have been feeling like all of my outfits are super boring. I need to work on remixing my closet into not just okay outfits, but one's I feel are blog-worthy. That's my goal for July (along with continuing the "shopping ban").

Here are the details:

1. Pink Bikini (Old Navy, top, bottom)- I've been wearing the same black bikini bottoms for years with mismatched tops, so figured it was finally time to get a matching one again.

2. Chambray Shorts (Forever 21, sold out)

3. Floral Tank (Forever 21)- worn here.

4. White Sandals (Mindy Mae's Market, sold out)- worn here.

5. Tulip Skirt (Asos)- I really like that this is a non-typical pencil skirt shape. So far I've only worn it work, but I have plans to wear it for a night out coming up. Worn here.

6. Floral Shorts (Nordstrom, sold out)- worn here.

7. White Skirt (Sosie)- I bought this skirt because it was on sale for less than $8. I can see why now, since its pretty sheer and hard to wear. I'm going to try it with a slip and see if I can make it work.

8. Denim Shorts (Old Navy)- I am in love with these shorts. I got them two sizes up to compensate for the two inch inseam. Worn here.

9. Denim Skirt (Old Navy)- I've bought several pieces this summer to wear as swimsuit cover ups or easy things to throw on after the pool. I really like the distressing on this skirt!

10. Tan Mule (JustFab)- Perfect for the summer to fall transition, even if it is months away.

11. Floral Skirt (Asos)- Apparently I've been on a blue floral print kick lately! Worn here.

12. White Dress (Old Navy)- The only thing I would change about this dress is the level of sheerness. Other than that, it's basically the perfect white dress for summer. Worn here.

13. Pink Dress (Nordstrom, sold out)- worn here.

14. Floral Top (Zara, sold out)- This top has a fun tulip back, and it sold out fast during the Zara sale! I'm glad I picked it up.

15. Mesh Crochet Top (Forever 21)- worn here.

16. Striped Tie Tank (Zara)- Another swim cover-up piece. I think it'll be perfect for the 4th of July.

17. Crop Top (Forever 21)- And yet another swim cover-up! I don't really see myself wearing crop tops in any other setting.

18. White Tee (Everlane)- This is the softest t-shirt I have ever bought! I want to pick up a couple more of these in different colors and styles.

19. Pink Sandals (JustFab)- These are the shoes that made it really hard to resist placing a JustFab order during the two for $40 promo. So fun!

See my previous hauls here: January | February | March | April | May

Linking up with Budgeting Bloggers

What I Bought This Month: May Haul

Y'all, I'm not even going to pretend that I stayed on budget this month. I guess it was the warm weather getting to my head that gave me "buy all the things" syndrome. I didn't even completely tally up all my purchases yet because I'm nervous. And also, what's pictured above isn't even all of it.... so yeah. This month, I decided to show everything I've worn so far, and then post the rest in June.

My plan is to go on a shopping ban for June and July. I am going to total everything up eventually so I'll know what I spent, but I'm pretty sure that if I lump May, June, and July's budget together, I'll break even. I won't lie, I'm embarrassed to post this since I've previously posted a series about shopping your own closet, shopping on a budget, and being a smart shopper. I need to learn to take my own advice!

As for what I've been buying? A lot of white, blue, and floral. Oh, and sandals. Lots of sandals.

Here are the details:

1. White Bow Tank (Forever 21)- All I want to wear lately are white tops! Worn here.

2. Navy Lace Skirt (H&M, sold out)- I love this skirt. I wish it was still available online so all of you could get it too! Worn here.

3. White Skirt (Nordstrom, sold out)- Loving this skirt too. It's different that my typical pencil skirt cut and I love that about it. Worn here.

4. Statement Necklace (Baublebar, sold out)- When I bought this necklace, I wasn't sure how much I'd get to wear it, but it actually matches everything! Worn here.

5. Floral Maxi Dress (Forever 21)- Worn here.

6. Red Striped Tee (J.Crew Factory)- Totally necessary for all the nautical inspired outfits I plan to wear for summer. (Well, maybe not totally necessary, but I totally wanted this tee.) Worn here.

7. Nude Heels (Zara)- Somehow I didn't really own any plain nude heels! These are great and pretty comfortable considering the heel height. Worn here, here.

8. White Shorts (Old Navy)- I bought white chino shorts from J.Crew, but they were completely see through! It surprised me that these were much higher quality. I'm really tempted to buy these in baby pink and baby blue too. Worn here.

9. White Bucket Bag (Lori's Shoes)- Love, love, love this bag. It fits everything and I love that it's white. Seen here, here.

10. Perforated Sandals (Lulu's, same here)- I first purchased these in white, but realized I had another very similar pair. So, logically, I bought them in nude...even though I bought two other pairs of nude sandals this month...hmmmm. But at least I love them all. Worn here.

11. Boyfriend Jeans (Forever 21, sold out)- These are the perfect boyfriend jeans, found unexpectedly at Forever 21! Worn here.

12. Embellished Sandals (Just Fab)- Worn here.

13. Floral Skirt (Forever 21)- Worn here.

14. Chambray Shirt (Sosie, sold out)- I own like eight chambray shirts...but the sheer floral sleeves on this one are so fun! Worn here.

15. Blue Tee (J.Crew)- Worn here.

16. Tan Sandals (DSW)- Yes, I bought three pairs of nude heeled sandals in one month, but these are great for more casual occasions and are incredibly comfortable since they have a block heel. Worn here.

17. Fedora (Forever 21)- I wasn't sure I could pull off a fedora, but it was only $7, so I decided to try it. I've already worn it several times! Worn here, here.

18. Gray Sweater (J.Crew)- I already owned the tan version of this and I love it, so I got the gray as well on super sale. Worn here.

19. Blush Skirt (Sosie)- I haven't bought as much pink lately, but I couldn't resist this fun blush flared skirt. Worn here.

20. Blush Leather Jacket (Sosie)- ...also couldn't resist this blush leather jacket! Worn here.

21. Aztec Sandals (Target)- These will be super cute with a basic solid tee and shorts for the summer.

22. Sandals (Old Navy)- I was so bored of my two and three year old basic braided strap Target sandals, so I got these in black and tan. Unfortunately both colors are sold out online.

So there you have it. My very poor justification of why I purchased all of this stuff.

See my previous hauls here: January | February | March | April

Linking up with: Budgeting Bloggers | Favorite Fashion Friday | Friday's Fab Favorites | Passion for Fashion

What I Bought This Month: April Haul

April was the month of revamping my work wardrobe. I was in desperate need of some pants and skirts that were cute AND actually fit me. I got some great basic black pieces and some fun patterned ones as well. I'm feeling a lot better about getting dressed for work in the mornings now too!

Budget status= $82 over. Since I bought quite a bit of work clothes and have worn each piece multiple times already, I'm not stressing. If I had been able to resist my blue Zara bag (total impulse buy), I would have been right on budget. Buuut I love that bag and have carried it almost every day since I bought it, so I'm not stressing about that either.

Here are the details:

1. Gray Tee (H&M)- A great basic tee. I want to get this in the other colors as well since I love the fit. Worn here and here.

2. Fuschia Clutch (Target)- After seeing so much "radiant orchid" out there, I figured I might as well pick up something in that shade as well. This clutch fit the bill. I decided to cut the straps off to make it clutch rather than a crossbody. This is a really fun bag for spring and summer nights out.

3. Striped Pocket Dress (Gap, sold out)- This dress is a great replica for a Club Monaco one I didn't want to splurge on a year ago. Its perfect for the weekends and really easy to dress up or down. Worn here.

4. Striped Pencil Skirt (Ann Taylor)- I love the colors in this skirt and it fits me perfectly. I purchased it during a 40% off promo so the price was good too! Worn here.

5. Blue Pants (H&M)- These pants were a great addition to my work and casual wardrobes. They are so comfortable- I feel like I'm in pajamas at work! Worn here and here.

6. Tuxedo Trousers (H&M)- I realized I didn't have black pants for work that fit me anymore, so I picked these up for under $30. I really like the satin stripe down the side. It's my interpretation of the sporty trend that has been so popular lately. Worn here.

7. Medallion Pencil Skirt (J.Crew, on sale)- I snagged this baby for $25 on the clearance rack in store, and I was pretty proud of myself! It's still $90 online, so if you are thinking of purchasing it, definitely check out your local store first. It was marked down to $39.99 and then I got 40% off on top of that!

8. Black Pencil Skirt (H&M)- This is a great basic I wanted to add to my work wardrobe since I didn't have a good black pencil skirt. I'm not sure how I've gone this many years without one!

9. Striped Shirt Dress (Old Navy, sold out)- I really like this dress, but on me, it's kind of a meh. It's longer than I want it to be. I think I just haven't found the best way to style it yet.

10. Pink Slingback Heels (Asos)- One morning before work, I thought to myself how nice it would be to have some baby pink pumps to match my outfit better, but had to settle on some nude ones. Later that day, I saw these on Whowhatwear and bought them immediately! I love anything baby pink for spring, as evidenced by my past three hauls. These are great for work since they have a short heel, and they make my outfits just a touch more girly.

11. Blue Bag (Zara)- My favorite spring bag. Honestly, I have carried this one twice as much as my Coach and Kate Spade bags. Maybe my designer handbag obsession wasn't as practical as I tried to convince myself it was, ha! Seen here, here, and here.

12. Lace Sport Top, not pictured (HRH Collection)- This was my first purchase from Alex's collection and I really like it. I've followed her on Youtube for a couple of years and I really like her easy, mix and match style. I haven't worn it yet, but I have grand plans for this top!

13. Floral Dress, not pictured (Belk, sold out)- I returned the Jessica Simpson sandals I bought with my Belk gift card last month and exchanged them for my Easter dress (on instagram here, I couldn't find it online). I am really happy with this dress and am planning on wearing it to a friend's wedding in a couple weekends. I'll get some pictures for the blog when I wear it again.

Linking up with: Budgeting Bloggers

What I Bought This Month: March Haul

I realized while putting this collage together that I mainly got tops and heeled sandals this month. I was glad to pick up some new tops since I've felt very blah about the ones already hanging in my closet. I keep doing these mini closet purges where I feel like I'm giving up a lot, but I'm still not wearing much of what's left in there. I need to get rid of the old stuff for good! Next go-around, I'm going to employ the "would I purchase this if I saw it in stores right now?" method. That's sure to knock out the stragglers.

As far as the sandals, I basically live in these as long as the weather allows for open toes (about 9 months of the year in TX). Since I'm short (and my legs are a bit thicker than I remember, ha!), I like wearing some form of heel on a daily basis. I think it really is a good way to feel a bit slimmer, just as long as you are still comforable. I like sandals with a chunkier heel because they are generally quite comfortable to run around in. And since they don't all have crazy high heels, I can get away with them for work as well.

Budget status= $24 over. Not terrible, but I'm not happy about it either. I had every intention of selling clothes this month to make up for the overage, but I didn't make enough to account for my over spending.

Here are the details:

1. Tan Sweater (J.Crew)- I saw this sweater on several bloggers and loved it, so I used my J.Crew Rewards to pick it up. It's been great for this weird in-between weather we've been having.

2. Grid Printed Bag (Coach)- As soon as this bag went on sale, I used a Nordstrom gift card I had been saving to get it. It's a great size and very versatile! I'm just afraid it will get dirty if I carry it too often.

3. Red Heels (Zara)- Love, love, love these. See how I styled them here.

4. Floral Blouse (H&M)- I was really excited to add some more floral to my closet with this pretty blouse.

5. Lavender Shorts (J.Crew Factory)- My luck has been great recently- I won a $50 gift card from Pearls & Twirls, and waited for a 30% off coupon code before I bought these. I have another pair of J.Crew chino shorts that have a 3" inseam, but I thought the extra inch on these would make me a little more comfortable wearing them.

6. White Studded Heels (Charlotte Russe)- Ever since I saw the Valentino version on Sequins & Stripes, I was kind of on the look out for a replica pair. I got the black too, but I thought the white were fun and different. These were on sale for around $15 each, so I figured I would just get both! :)

7. Black Studded Heels (Charlotte Russe)

8. Pink Sweater (Gap)- Continuing my blush pink obsession. I think I subconsciously think I'm adding a blush pink item of clothing to every category (heels, tops, sweaters, bags, coats...my next conquest is a blazer!).

9. C'est La Vie Tee (J.Crew)- I don't really own any graphic tees, and I liked the colors in this one. It's great under a blazer, and I'm sure I'll live in it all spring and summer.

10. Striped Pullover (Gap)- I've been loving all the striped oxfords at Old Navy and Gap, but I thought that the vertical stripes in this one made it a bit more unique. 

11. Striped Tee (J.Crew Factory)- I picked this up with my J.Crew gift card as well to go with the lavender shorts. I like the idea of wearing a pink and purple together, as long as one is a pastel shade.

12. Strappy Sandals (Belk)- I won a second gift card from Here & Now to Belk. And I think I looked through every item on their site before I found these. I'm curious though...do any of you out there shop at Belk? I never have, but I was not impressed with their online selection at all. I was surprised how many times I had to go back and search the site before I found something that was actually worth it. These sandals are really cute, but I'm not thrilled with how they look on my feet. They may be going back.

Previous haul posts: January | February

Linking up with: Budgeting Bloggers

What I Bought This Month: February Haul

Can you tell I like pink and pastels? I think I've worn more pink in the past month (see here, here) than I have in a long time. I guess it's how I'm transitioning my wardrobe from winter to spring.

Budget status= After eBay and Plato's closet sales (and considering I purchased the bag with some of my tax return) I was only $20 over. I blame the Peter Pilotto bikini top since it was the last thing I bought. I'm not going to sweat $20, though. I got a lot of great items.

Here are the details:

1. Peter Pilotto Wrap Skirt (Target)- Hands down my favorite piece from the Peter Pilotto collection.

2. White Dress (Asos)- After seeing all the sheer stripe details on the Spring 2014 runways, I knew I wanted to find a wearable way to incorporate it into my wardrobe. Since I don't have a white dress, I figured this was the perfect option.

3. Pink Bag (Kate Spade)- I feel like I might get myself in trouble after I ventured in designer bags with my olive Michael Kors... I treated myself to this Kate Spade thanks to my tax return. It'll be my everyday bag for spring!

4. Pink Shift Dress (Dorothy Perkins)- I bought this with an outfit already in mind...see it here!

5. Embellished Sweater (J.Crew, sold out)- I think I've said a million times, I'm obsessed with pastels! I watched this sweater all the way until it was sold out, and then checked back everyday for returns so I could snag one!

6. Striped Top (Piperlime, sold out)- I love the rhinestone detailing on this top. Makes it easy to dress up or down! Plus I got it on super sale and used Gap Rewards.

7. Pink Tipped Blouse (J.Crew, sold out)- I've loved this blouse for a while, and when I saw someone selling it on Instagram I had to snatch it up!

8. Blue Blazer (Zara, sold out)- The color of this blazer was what got me. Unfortunately, it was almost sold out at Zara when I came across it, so I had to go a few sizes up. It totally works for the oversized blazer look, but I'm thinking of getting it tailored just a bit.

9. Blush Pink Coat (H&M)- Finally found the perfect pink coat for my budget.

10. Peter Pilotto Swim Top (Target)- I have perfect fitting black swimsuit bottoms that I like to mix and match with different tops each summer. I love the retro shape of this one!

11. Silver Heels (Asos)- These are so incredibly versatile, and something I've been looking for for a while. I went with this pair since it only has a 3 inch heel. They aren't too tall to wear all day to work, but they can also dress up a tee and jeans look after hours.

Want to see last month's haul? Click here.

Linking up with Budgeting Bloggers | Three-for Thurdsay | Spotlight of the Week: Jacqueline & Elle | Tres Chic Thursday | Mix and Match Fashion |
Working Girl With Style | All Things Thursday | Favorite Fashion Friday | Best of Friday Style | Friday's Fab Favorites

What I Bought This Month: January Haul

Is there anybody out there who watches clothing haul videos on YouTube? I don't know what it is about seeing what other people buy, but I love it. I decided it would be fun to do a monthly haul post to keep track of all my fashion related purchases in 2014.

This month, I wanted to pick up a couple items I could start wearing now, and keep wearing throughout the spring and summer months. I focused on pieces that were more versatile and practical (though some were just for fun, like my Zara skirt!). I also unintentionally bought several pastel items. This is only the start of my obsession with pastels, and its not even spring yet!

I know some bloggers do a budget breakdown each month, which I also really love to see. I am just not comfortable saying, here's what I bought, this is how much I paid for it, and this is how much I spent on clothes this month on the internet (though I am linking to these items, so if you want to add it all up and guess what kinds of discounts/gift cards/sales I scored, be my guest). But since I do have a set clothing budget, and because I have blogged about the importance of having one here, here, and here, I will share with you whether or not I stayed within mine. The answer to that question this month, is yes, I did stay within my clothing budget. (Yay! I feel like a little self praise is in order. Go me!)

Here are the details:

1. Navy Floral Dress (Lulu's)- I was so lucky to win a gift card to Lulu's from Auteur Ariel this month, so I picked out this dress to transition from winter to spring. It'll be fun now with tights and boots, and later with bare legs and sandals.

2. White Leather Jacket (Forever 21)- I saw quite a bit of white leather on the Spring 2014 runways last fall and loved it. This jacket is almost as versatile as my black leather jacket and looks oh-so-cute with all the pastels I anticipate wearing this spring.

3. Pink Midi Skirt (Dorothy Perkins)- Is this a versatile purchase? Maybe, maybe not. But its stinking cute. I've been experimenting with midi skirts, starting with some of the pencil variety. I think I am ready to embrace the full midi skirt thing, so I decided on this pastel version, of course.

4. Pink Gingham Shirt (J.Crew Factory, sold out)- An eBay purchase! I have just recently started experimenting with clothes shopping on eBay, and I have to say, it is pretty great. To get a brand new or barely worn piece for one fourth the retail price? Yes, please!

5. Blue Honeycomb Sweater (Old Navy)- I love this sweater to pieces and have worn it multiple times in the same week. I was so tempted to buy it in one of the darker shades, but since I am already pastel obsessed, I decided on this one.

6. Blush Lace-Up Booties (Lulu's)- These were another item I purchased from Lulu's with the gift card I won. I had been eyeing them as soon as they popped up on a New Arrivals email from the site, so they were an easy choice to add to my cart.

7. Floral Skirt (Zara, sold out)- Another eBay purchase! I always loved this Zara skirt, but for some reason I passed on it when it was in stores. Maybe the price was too high? Anyway, I found it on eBay and decided to make it mine. I've already worn it with my blue honeycomb sweater and it was pretty adorable, if you ask me!

8. White Jeans (American Eagle)- I kept seeing super cute winter outfits with white jeans all over Pinterest and decided I needed to replace the pair I owned, which were super old, awkwardly cropped, and didn't really fit anymore. These skinnies from American Eagle fit so much better and are much more comfortable.

Do you like the idea of these haul posts? I mean, I'm going to post them anyway, but it'd be nice to know if some of you are actually interested in seeing this type of post. :)

Linking up with Budgeting Bloggers

Europe Haul: Jewelry and Purses

Continuing my Europe haul from yesterday, I'm going to show my purses and jewelry today! I didn't expect to buy purses in Europe just because they aren't exactly backpack friendly, but I found four bags I fell in love with!

Nude patent handbag from Mango in Rome

 

Koan crossbody bag from Coin in Rome

Large Koan tote bag from Coin in Rome (this was a great carry on for some of my clothing purchases!)

Mint studded bag from Primark in London

I also picked up a few pieces of jewelry.

Statement earrings from Dorothy Perkins in London

rhinestone stud earrings, flower drop earrings

Matching necklace and bracelet from Primark in London

Evil eye charm necklace from Elias and Panos in Athens

And last but not least, I spoiled myself a bit with these earrings from the Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence!

Happy Friday!

<3 Katie