Monday, July 25, 2016

Currently : 07.25.16

Reading

Finding It- Cora Carmack
This novel spoke to the former backpacker in me. They say the best way to get to know someone is to travel with them. There's so much truth to that! You can travel with someone for a week and feel like you've known them for a year. If you've ever backpacked far away from home, this book is sure to invoke a sense of deja vu in some form. Set in Europe, it follows a girl who gets involved with a boy while on a soul-searching trip.

Why Not Me- Mindy Kaling
After I read Mindy's first book, I knew I needed to read this one too. It was just as funny.

Writing

There hasn't been a whole lot of writing going on with me. I've been missing blogging on the regular, but there's something that needs to change. I'm not sure if I need to retire Glitterary Girl and start over fresh, or branch off in another direction altogether. I'm not stressing over it... I'll figure it out. Some of the stuff I've been more interested in lately is actually easier to talk about than write about, so there is a part of me that thinks I might try You Tube. I would definitely miss the blogging part though, so I'm not sure that is the answer.

Clicking

I'm still watching a lot of You Tube and finding new channels to follow. I'm creating lots of reading wish lists on the local library site. My vacation read is hopefully going to be The Nest - I'm next in line for the digital copy.

Watching

R and I went to see Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates which was quite funny! We also started Season 4 of Homeland, and I am half an episode away from the end of Season 3 of Hart of Dixie. I'll probably start Orange is the New Black Season 4 soon. We're also going to watch OJ: Made in America.

Eating and Drinking

I had the yummiest gelato for lunch last week (I know, so healthy). It was from the new Newfoundland Chocolate Factory in Halifax Shopping Centre. I tried two flavors- white chocolate and pina coloda. Also a hit at lunchtime was Ela where I tried greek spaghetti for the first time.  I'm into the Starbucks Mobile App right now, and it introduced me to the chai frappucino - sooooo good. A few of my neighbourhood friends and I went to Il Mercato and I had a delicious pizza with prosciutto and asparagus. I'm itching to try the new wine spot of the waterfront (Little Oak) and also to hit one of the beer gardens.




Seeing

New coffee and end tables! Finally, after a year and a half of using bar stools and an ottoman for tables in the living room, we found a set and R assembled them yesterday. We've done quite a bit in the home decor department in the past few months after living in a blank space for a long time!

Our new friends. They live upstairs in the hallway.

Hearing

Air conditioning - thank goodness. It's hot outside!

Smelling

My favourite summer candle - Beach Cabana from Bath & Body Works.

Wearing

A little black tank,  multicoloured blue shorts (I'm aware I don't match) and my hair in a ponytail because... humidity is real.

Feeling

Guilty for just eating a bunch of Goldfish. The crackers, to be clear.

Anticipating

Friday! The start of my summer vacation! I have nine glorious days where I don't have to work.

Riding along on the golf cart. I took my book with me. 


XOXO
Glitterary Girl



Sunday, July 03, 2016

My Monthly Purchases: June 2016

Every month, I break down my clothing expenses and share them. My quarterly budget is $500. This amount can be rolled into the next quarter if it's not all spent. My goal is to keep my out of pocket expenses within $2000 a year. Gifts and gift cards don't count towards my budget. Since I've been keeping a budget, I'm much more careful with what I buy, and I will return stuff at the end of the month if I'm not crazy about it after hanging it in my closet.

I left myself a nice chunk of money to spend in June, because I know from years passed that this is when summer clothing goes on sale.

Cardigan: Only via Envy
Reg $75, on sale for $38
I've got a thing for fringe! This is very wearable and versatile for any season.



Sandals: Aldo
Reg $90 on sale for $49
I needed a new pair of chunky sandals to balance out my pants that are cropped and voluminous. I retired a chunky pair this year - so these were much-needed. They are really comfy. A great price for leather.




Reg $28
I've worn this hat at least four times since I bought it. It has a slim velcro closure at the back, which is  helpful for my small head.



Reg $65 on sale for $52 (clientele sale)
I'm sure this neutral cardi will get a ton of wear. It will look cute over a dress or even dressed down with jeans. I love the sleeve length and the pockets!



Shirt: TNA Del Mar at Aritzia
Reg $40 on sale for $20 (regular sale)
This is my third Del Mar. I'm obsessed with the softness and the length.
It matches our shower


Jeans: Rag & Bone at Aritzia
Reg $230 on sale for $115 (regular sale)
My dark skinnies are five years old. Time for a replacement! These are a perfect mid-rise and have a ton of stretch, yet keep their shape.



Reg $75 on sale for $38 (regular sale)
This was such a score. It was the only one in the Halifax store (someone ordered it on-line and returned it) and I snagged it. You can wear it buttoned as a dress or open as a long vest.


This was the first time I got an invite to the Aritzia clientele sale... hopefully it's not the last because it's fun! You get a percentage off of everything (how much is depending on the brand). It's great for buying the staple basics that never get included in the regular sales. If you're looking for seasonal colors/styles, you're better off waiting for the regular sale. 

Original price of items =  $603
Price I paid = $340
I saved 44%.

I did great at hitting my target with $6 left to roll ahead to next quarter.

On my wish list - white jeans (I always get a cheap-ish pair every 2 years as they get stained/dull), maybe a pair of Vans, maybe a basic tee or two from American Apparel - I haven't been there in so long!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl