Mixed Neutrals

It's been a quiet summer for outfit posts. It seems whenever we're going anywhere that I'm wearing something half interesting, we're rushing out the door with no time for photos.

This was something I wore to work and then out to dinner with literally not one change (ok, I probably brushed my hair).

Details

Top and Sandals: Zara

Shorts: Club Monaco

Bag: Michael Kors

Sunnies: Coach

I've always liked the look of a long sleeved top with shorts. I have to be careful what I pair with the shorts as they are quite boxy, and the shape of them can make me look shorter and wider. Heels certainly help!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Currently 07.16.17

Reading 

Modern Lovers- Emma Straub
I read this one on my Kobo and I really liked it. It was a quick read and dealt with several different romantic relationships and friendships.
First Comes Love- Emily Giffin
Another Kobo read. I love anything by Emily - this was no exception. It maybe wasn't as much of a page-turner as some of her others but I still really enjoyed it.
Save Me- Lisa Scottoline
I always leave a hard copy book at work to read on breaks and the occasional lunch hour (when I feel like sitting at Starbucks instead of shopping). This reminded me of a Jodi Picoult book - a stressful ethical situation and the aftermath. It was good!
Lola and the Boy Next Door- Stephanie Perkins
I've read three book by the same author in the past year and I tear right through them. If you like (older) YA crush books, you'll like her stuff!
Living in Style- Rachel Zoe
This was a Winners find for me. Sometimes Winners has the greatest coffee table books. I've read this book slowly over probably six months or so.

Writing

Since reading the poetry collection Milk and Honey, I've been inspired to get back into poetry. I used to write poetry off and on when I was younger. I was always the one who could easily come up with a funny poem or jingle for school projects and stuff. When I was younger, I'd often turn to writing when I was going through emotional turmoil, so I've been digging deep into some poems I started/completed/saved in my head from the earlier years and have been re-working them. I'm also blogging once a week. I can't believe I ever posted three times a week - I can't imagine doing that now!

Clicking

I've been loving Instagram and all it's inner workings (DM, stories, videos, etc). I placed two Zara orders in the last month (not very successful). I'm looking so forward to having  physical store in the near future. No more having to box up returns.

Watching

Girl Boss (Netflix) - a quirky show about the girl who started Nasty Gal on-line.
Homeland (Netflix) - a new season got released to Netflix recently.
Why Him? (movie) - R and I liked this one with James Franco- really funny.
The Bachelorette (TV) - I'm not loving this season but I still have to watch.
Bondi Vet (TV) - How did I not know this show existed until recently? If you love animals and hunky Australians, you'll enjoy. It's rare that a day goes by that I don't watch one of these. I've got 16 episodes on my DVR right now...
Pretty Little Liars (TV) - The series finale has finally aired, and I was happy with how things ended. It's one of those series where you'd probably benefit from re-watching, but I'll never find the time.
The Handmaid's Tale- (TV) What a great show! The season finale was so good. Can't wait for it to return
Boy Band (TV)- A new show where the end result will be a new boy band. I love all the throw-backs to NKOTB, BSB, N'Sync, etc.

Eating

Restaurants I've been to lately (in the Halifax area) include Edible Matters, Jack Astor's, The Gecko Bus, Tako Sushi,  Halifax Press, and Ela. I did pop into Chain-Yard to pick up some cider to go, but we didn't stay to eat. At home, we've been trying to get through what we affectionately call "freezer relics"(meals we froze). I made a pretty good chili recently too.

Halifax Press grilled cheese on the waterfront

Drinking

I've been into the various zero-calorie naturally-flavoured sparkling waters. I've also been loving various ciders and radlers. I bought a DAVIDsTEA $1 iced tea tumbler when they were on sale for $10 in June, so I've been enjoying at least 3-4 iced teas a week. I also enjoyed a Starbucks Reward last week- a venti non-fat s'mores frapp (my absolute favourite). As I'm writing this I'm enjoying a DAVIDsTEA Raspberry Cream rooibos in my living room. I'd rather be on the deck but it's overcast.

Seeing

My living room. The more I stare at it, the more I really want to get our built-ins done.

Smelling

B&BW Island Margarita candle. It's really strong and tropical!

Hearing

Birds chirping - that's it. I don't have music or TV on in the background.

Wearing

A black tee, jeans (too warm for jeans!), and a baseball hat.

Feeling

I'm feeling kind of sleepy which is strange since I had a good sleep and have no reason to be tired. Overall I've been feeling pretty good. I'm into my 9th week of round two of Kayla Itsines BBG program. I really enjoy it. I should have completed more of the program by now (I started Jan. 9) but I did take a few weeks off for vacations. I just need to bury my scale in the back of a closet somewhere because I still have a hard time with the concept that you can feel and look better and weigh MORE. Why is that so hard to accept?

Anticipating

I've got a fun weekend coming up with a few social events with my oldest friend group. Then in August we have two weddings- my brother-in-law (wedding is here) and BFF (in Newmarket). I'm looking forward to both! I've also been golfing a bit (just at the driving range and practice greens) and feel like I'm almost ready to play a few holes.

Me and BFF at her bachelorette party in Toronto

Me at Goodwood driving range

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

My June 2017 Purchases #2

In June, I had many shopping bags. So many in fact that the thought of putting them all in one post was just too much. If you'd like to read my first post on my June shopping, here's the link.

Pants: H&M (no longer available)

Reg $20, I got them for $15 with a recycling program coupon

I have a few pairs of similar pants from H&M that get a lot of wear. I loved the print on these and I know they last a long time and are easy to care for.

Tees: H&M 

Reg 2/$14

H&M basic tees and tanks are my go-to right now. They come in so many colors. I bought black with a white stripe and this army green.

Top: Dynamite

Reg $30, on sale for $18 (no longer available)

I really like the off the shoulder trend that is happening. This pretty top looks really nice with blue or white jeans or a denim skirt.

Dress: Dynamite 

Reg  $40, on sale for $15 (no longer available

I had to think hard about this dress. I do love it...but will I wear it? With a fitted tee and sneakers, this is so 90's. I'm keeping it!

Tees: Banana Republic

Reg $77 for both, on sale for $18 for both
I bought a black crew neck and light grey v-neck tee.For the price of these and the quality, I had to buy them. Grey and black tees are on very high rotation on my wardrobe and these will get lots of love. They are in the laundry, so no photo. They're very basic!

Dresses: Banana Republic (link is for short dress in a different pattern, long dress is no longer available) 

Reg $395 for both, on sale for $48 for both

It's practically a crime to pass up dresses like this for that cheap. I've already worn the long one to an outdoor wedding (so nice to have covered legs on a rainy day) and I will find somewhere to wear the other one. I'm very much into remixing my regular wardrobe, but I admit I find it hard to wear special occasion dresses on repeat. If I can get a beautiful dress for twenty-some dollars, I won't feel bad if I then pass it on or consign it after wearing it once or twice. The day I shopped, everything on sale was an extra 50% off.

Sandals: Aldo

Reg $100, on sale for $50

I'm already thankful for this purchase. My old black wedge sandals desperately needed replacing. These are REALLY comfy. Comfy enough to not even think twice about wearing them to work or even errand running. The have a zip in the back to make them easy to get on and off. Love them.

Here's my tally for both June shopping posts:
Original value of items: $1052 (whoa)

Price I paid: $435

I saved 59%.

I don't remember this ever happening, but I went over budget this quarter (only by $23) . No regrets! I love all the things I found. I don't have anything specific on my radar, but I will be making another trip to Toronto in August. My local mall is also opening an H&M and Zara this summer so it'll be a novelty to have them so accessible to me. 

XOXO

Glitterary Girl

My June 2017 Purchases

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.

June had me buried in shopping bags. I went a bit nuts, true, but I did save the bulk of my spring budget for the June sales, knowing that it's the best month to shop for summer clothes. I did a bit of shopping when I was in Toronto, but I was pressed for time and exhausted so I didn't get much. I bought so much this month that I'm actually going to spread it over two posts.

Chokers: Topshop

Reg $25, on sale for $12

I love these! They're so delicate and pretty. I've not actually worn them all together yet as I love them individually. I also bought some glitter socks from Topshop which I haven't included here. I was on such a mission in Topshop! The SA's were laughing at me because I took in two armfuls of clothes and barely bought anything. Such is life when you're working on a budget and can only buy stuff you LOVE.

Cardigan: Wilfred Free for Aritzia

Reg $65, on sale for $52 (clientele sale)

The Zlata is one of the pieces I can never get enough of. I bought it last year in ashen (seen below) and am always reaching for it. I didn't even know I wanted the navy until it was in my hand. The navy isn't available on-line for some reason. I guess I was lucky to have found it in-store.

Mine's in navy.

Kimono: Talula for Aritzia

Reg $55 on sale for $41 (clientele sale)

I had to have this print! It's so pretty and has great colors in it. The fabric is amazing too. Talula is one of Aritzias least expensive brands, and I love a lot of their items.

Sneakers: Adidas Stan Smith for Aritzia

Reg $110 on sale for $75 (regular sale)

I've been wanting Stan Smith's for well over a year now and I doubt I'll find a classic color for less than this price. I had a hard time deciding if I wanted the white with black trim or these all whites. I'm happy with my choice though! They are sooo comfortable!

Earrings: Topshop

Reg $14, on sale for $5

I have a few pair of ear jackets now and I really like wearing them. They can take a basic outfit up a notch. These are one-piece but look like two pieces.

Tee: Topshop

Reg $48, on sale for $29

White tees with a little something extra are always useful to have in your closet! This will look great with blue or black jeans or a little black skirt.

Camisole: Uniqlo

Reg $29, on sale for $13

The fabric of this cami is great. I'm actually regretting not buying another color.

Pants: Uniqlo

Reg $30

I bought a similar pair of Uniqlo pants in San Francisco a few years ago and I said if I ever found them again I would get another pair. My original ones are still going strong after four years and tons of washings. They are amazing to wear on planes. They're pretty close to leggings but they have back pockets so I can call them pants.

I'll post the rest of my June haul soon. I really feel like I have a ton of new stuff to wear! I need to be better at actually getting some wear out of my new summer clothes, especially since we have such a small window of actual summer here in Nova Scotia.

See you next time for the rest of my June shopping bags! I'll do my $$ totals at the end of the next post.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl