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: 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

New Year, New Wishlist

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

This year, my shopping goal is to stay within my clothing budget the majority of the time. I set a monthly budget, but I know there will be some overlap at the beginning of seasons when new things are being put out in stores. As long as I stay within my budget each quarter, I'll call that a success.

I know it's only January, but I already have spring on my mind. I won't get use out of my winter clothes for much longer, so I'm starting to focus on pieces that will make the transition from winter to spring easy. That means pastels, floral, and lots of white. Peep toe shoes may seem a little silly for those of you who still have snow on the ground, but I think I can manage here in Texas. With these styles, at least most of my foot will be covered, right??