April Budget

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I love to shop.  I probably love to shop too much.  To help hold myself accountable and to help me track what I am purchasing and how long it stays in my closet, I have decided to link up with Fran and the other Budgeting Bloggers.  Here it goes!

Retail Purchases



Flower Earring (on sale)  /  Pink Dandelion Earring

Reed Shirt (on sale)  /  White Dandelion Earring

Gingham Dress  /  White Tie Blouse

Yellow Sweater (on sale)



Blue Gigi Pant  /  Turquoise Ruffle Pant (on sale)

Black Gigi Pant  /  Khaki Ruffle Pant (on sale)

This month was supposed to be all about work pants.  I found some cute options.  I love the Gigi Pant.  They have a skinny fit and are comfortable like a legging, but have pockets, a zipper, and a hook closure so they are not a legging.  The ruffle pants were an impulse purchase and I love them.  The turquoise color is fun and the khaki color is practical.  The ruffle adds a feminine touch and makes these pants not boring. 

While looking for work pants, I got distracted by other pretty things.  I  found a couple of tops that aren't black, white, gray, or blue.  Bonus- they are not t-shirts either! 

Also, I cut off my hair and people can see my ears now.  I decided I "needed" some pretty earrings to dress them up. 

Posh Purchases





I might have gone a little Posh wild, but it is safe to say that I am set in the skirts department.  Almost everything I bought this month was new with tag.  The exceptions being the bow sweater, black leggings, and black pants. The red dress will probably be reposhed.  I love the dress, but I am uncomfortable with how short it is on me.  I don't expect to do much shopping on Poshmark next month unless I find some pieces I am looking for.  Currently I am on the lookout for  the J.Crew oversized gingham skirt and top from last summer and the neon gingham top from this winter.  What can I say, I like gingham. 

Budget: $150.00

Poshmark Sales: $419.30 (Thank you Closet Clean Out Sale)

Total Budget: $569.30

Total Spent: $699.80 (Ugh....)

Total Over Budget: $130.50 (Double ugh...)

Total Retail Value: $2,198.50 (Woohoo I saved $1,493.90 or 68%!!!)

Guess who won't be shopping in May?  This girl right here!  Seriously though, I really don't need anything right now.  Yes, there is plenty that I want, but I think I need to take a shopping break and wear what I have.  My bank account will appreciate it.

How did you do with your budget this month?



My May Wislist

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I like to "window shop" online while T and I watch television in the evenings.  Below are some new arrivals that I am hoping will find their way into my closet in May.

 

Beaded Earrings  /  Button Front Skirt

Marigold Maxi Dress

Lace Shell  /  Plaid Top

Tie Waist T Shirt  /  Rainbow Plaid Popover

Yellow Lace Dress (LOVE IT!!!!)

Strappy Sandal  /  Perforated Sandal

 

 

What are you hoping to add to your closet in May?



Favorites

The end of the month is near and I thought it would be fun (for me) to look back at the outfits that I shared and choose my favorites and my least favorites.

My Favorites:

Theses outfits are my favorites because of the prints.  I always love my outfit more when I have a fun print on.

My Not so Favorites:



I can't say that there is anything wrong with these outfits.  I liked them when I wore them of course.  When I look back at the pictures of them I see that they are all just so basic and boring. 

Here is to another month of styling!

I am linking up with A Pocket Full of Polka Dots and all the other Fabulous Friday bloggers today!

Blah, Blah... Awesome Earrings!

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similar t shirt  /  similar skirt  /  similar shoes  /  similar necklace  /  earrings 

This outfit did not photograph as well as I thought it looked.  Looking at the pictures I think it looks quite blah.  Except for the earrings.... the earrings are awesome. 

I am linking up with Ada at Elegance and Mommyhood today!  Check out her awesome style.

Day-t Night

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Sorry folks, I am still struggling to post on a regular basis.  I spent the weekend hanging out with the family at the beach. and have a sunburn to prove it.  Apparently I didn't reapply sunscreen often enough.  Boo!  The beginning of this week has been spent at open houses and performances.  K performed in the school talent show and A had a band concert.  They were both awesome, but watching their awesomeness deterred me from writing blog posts. 

I did however take pictures of what I wore.  Below is what I wore last Friday.  The top picture is what I wore to work (substituting in a 6th grade classroom) and the bottom picture is what I wore for date night.  I have been debating on selling this necklace on Poshmark because I don't wear it very often.  However, I had so much fun styling it for day and night and got so many compliments on it I have decided to keep it a while longer.  

The Necklace

My necklace is from J. Crew Factory and is a few years old.  Here is a similar option. 

For Work

T Shirt  /  Ruffle Pant  /  Similar Shoes 

For Date Night

similar peplum top  /  similar jean (lighter wash)  /  similar shoes (I love the scalloped edge)  

I am linking up with Shop My Closet and the other Style Me Wednesday bloggers today! 

I am also linking up with The Pleated Poppy and the other What I Wore bloggers today!

Yay for blog link ups!

Ruffles

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similar tank  /  pant (on sale)  /  shoes  /  similar necklace  /  similar bracelet

 

This tank top makes my midsection look funny.  I wish someone had told me this morning that I looked like I had a pot belly.  It could be the way I am standing.  Oh well.

 

I usually avoid buying khaki pants.  I just think they are so boring.  These pants are anything but boring though.  I love the ruffle detail. Not only does it add a feminine touch, but it also adds interest to an otherwise basic piece.  I know, I know.... super insightful of me.  I may or may not have also bought these pants in turquoise.  You will have to keep reading my blog to find out!

I am linking up with The Pleated Poppy and the other What I Wore bloggers today!

Blushing

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shirt  /  pants  /  similar cardigan  /  similar shoes  /  similar earrings  /  similar necklace 

Blush is not a very kind color to pasty, blond haired, blue eyed girls like myself.  It is however, a very spring (and trendy) color.  I didn't want the band wagon to leave me behind, so I opted for blush accessories and shoes.  I get to be on the band wagon and not look washed out... win! 

P.S. This is what I look like after spending the day with 30 first graders.  Don't judge.

Basic

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not so similar shirt  /  similar pant  /  similar shoes  /  similar necklace

 

I woke up Monday morning feeling blah. Can you tell?  I like keeping basic pieces in my closet for days like Monday.  I know that I can throw them on and maybe, kinda, sorta look like I put some effort into what I was wearing.  Then again maybe not. 

I am linking up with Shopping My Closet and all the other Style Me Wednesday ladies today!

 

 



Pasty

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similar shirt  /  similar shorts  /  shoes  /  similar necklace

We spent Easter Sunday hanging out at home.  This is what I wore to do that.  The weather was finally warm enough for shorts and sleeveless tops.  As you can see, my legs need to see the sun.  Hopefully the warm weather will hold so that they get a chance to do that!

I am linking up with Style Elixir and the other Style Sessions ladies today!

Spring Flowers

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We spent Saturday wandering the gardens in Balboa park and enjoying the beautiful weather.

Aren't the flowers pretty?

As you can see this was K's favorite outing yet!

What does one wear to enjoy spring flowers in the park?  A red dress, jean jacket, and converse of course!  Jacket, dress, and sneakers- my spring uniform.

similar jacket  /  similar dress  /  sneakers  /  similar necklace (on super sale)

We spent a quiet day at home on Sunday.  The girls indulged in their Easter baskets, we watched movies, and spent the afternoon at the pool.  It was just the kind of relaxing weekend I needed after a long week of work.

How did you spend your weekend?

Why, Hello!

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Hello there!  Long time no post.  Don't worry, I didn't forget you.  Going back to work full time is kicking my butt.  I am working on finding that work, home, hobby balance. Bear with me folks.  Here are a few cute outfits I have worn over the last week or so. 

 

similar cardigan  /  top  /  similar pant  /  similar necklace  /  similar shoes

 

 

 

 

top  /  similar skirt  /  similar bracelet  /  similar necklace  /  similar shoes

 

 

 Have a great week everyone!

Middle School Dropout

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very different floral dress, but still really pretty!  /  similar shoes  /  similar bag (I love the cutout design on this one!)

 

I substituted in a middle school science class the other day and it was SO boring.  I watched 7th and 8th graders do worksheets for 7.5 hours.  I know what you're thinking... but S, you got paid for that.  Yeah I know, but I actually enjoy having to interact with the kiddos.  I also hate doing the same lesson all day long.  Yeah, planning is easier... but how boring!  Middle school teaching is not for me.  I admire those of you who do it. 

 

 

Substituing in middle school is boring, but my dress isn't!  I picked this beauty up on clearance at J. Crew in January.  It isn't available anymore, but other pretty and colorful floral dresses are!  It is spring afterall.

 

My shoes and bag are old.  That is my teacher bag.  I got it as a graduation present eons ago.  It has held up really well considering all of the abuse I have put it through.  Even though it is old, I still get compliments on it.   

 

What have you owned for a million years that you still get compliments on?

The Girl in the Pineapple Skirt

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a different pineapple skirt  / similar shirt  /  similar shoes

 

 

 

I love this skirt.  I was really sad when I missed it last summer.  In hindsight I realize that it was probably best that I missed out on it last summer, because I have lost 45lbs and several pant sizes since then.  When I saw it listed for sale in my current size on Poshmark I didn't hesitate to click "Buy Now".

 

I wore this getup while substituting at an elementary school on Tuesday.  I got loads of compliments on it from staff and students alike.  One gentleman stopped me to tell me how much he liked my skirts and that my outfit reminded him of "old school" teachers.  I will take that as a compliment.  Today, while substituting at a different elementary school, the same man (an IT tech) saw me and said "Hey! It's the girl in the pineapple skirt!".  I'll take it.

 

I love these shoes, but they tore up my heel.  Wah!!

 

 



Look For Less: Jessica Alba

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Folks, I could live in this look.  What is there not to love about a striped maxi, a cardigan, a field jacket and slip on sneakers.  You all know how much I love me some slip on sneakers.  You can get this look too!  Check it out below.

field jacket  /  striped dress

black cardigan  /  black slip on sneakers

 

I hope everyone's hump day has been fantastic. I spent mine with hormonal teenagers. Eek!