October 2018 Buys

Every month, I break down my clothing expenses and share them. My quarterly budget is $550. 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 $2200 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.

Dress: Ardene (link is to same dress, different pattern)
Reg $10
My friend Elena introduced me to these dresses/tunics. They're good for wearing over leggings or skinny jeans. Throwing a sweater or cardigan over top makes them wearable in the colder months as well. I haven't actually worn this yet, but I'll try it soon.

Tee: Zara
Reg $11
I'm always needing black tees to wear under cardigans and blazers. This one has a pocket detail and comes in white as well.

Sweater: Zara
Reg $18
Zara kids has so many hidden gems for such good prices. This is very plain and no different than an adult turtleneck sweater (except the price!)

Tee: H&M
Reg $15
This is from the Morris & Co collaboration. I've worn it layered under a v-neck navy sweater, but would also look great in the summer with distressed denim shorts.

Shirt: H&M
Reg $30, used a conscious coupon so $25
I usually buy myself something new to wear to Thanksgiving dinner. Meet this year's Thanksgiving top. I wore it french-tucked into legging jeans. If you don't know what this means, please watch Queer Eye.

Skirt: Joe Fresh
Reg $30 (on sale now for $15)
I have a deep and long-standing love for camo. Just adding to my collection. Super cute skirt that's on sale now. Size down! I've worn it already with the Zara black turtleneck above and also with a army green sweater.

Original value of items: $114
I paid $109
I saved 4%

Wow-  I didn't get anything on sale this month. The only savings was from my H&M coupon. Very strange for me.... I've actually been spending much less time aimlessly browsing the mall lately and more time reading. I'm left with $425 to spend for November and December. Black Friday is coming up in a few weeks and I bet I'll be taking advantage of the Aritzia sale. I need to pick up some new tights for the holidays, maybe with some sparkle.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

My Monthly Purchases: January 2017

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.

This month was a bit complicated to be honest in my world of style. I returned a LOT of stuff, which meant I had to make many decisions. Our closet looked like a tornado swept through for most of the month. The only thing I have left to return is a pair of pants from Zara.  I should also mention I spent $50 or so at VS/Pink on bras and sports bras which doesn't get counted in my budget. For those of you who shop like crazy during the VS sale, did you notice there was no price drops throughout the sale? The price at the start off the sale was the lowest it went. I brought back my receipt expecting to get some money back with a price adjustment but nada! To be fair, the prices were amazing so I wasn't upset by it.

Flats: Zara

Reg $70, on sale for $26
Zara really killed it lately with the sale shoes. Both pair I bought I'd been eyeing for months. These also came in black, but I have several pair of black flats so I decided to go with the burgundy. They are real leather and so comfy.

Sneakers: Zara

Reg $70, on sale for $20
These remind me so much of the Rihanna Fenty x Puma sneakers that I lusted over last fall. They're a little heavy due to the thick sole but I know I'll wear them tons.

Top: Zara

Reg 30, on sale for $20
This is such a nice top. It goes with nearly everything and makes a casual outfit look a tiny bit dressy.

Sweater: Zara

Reg $36, on sale for $20
 My measure of success with this top is that I can wear it to work without the sleeves driving me crazy when I'm trying to write and type.

Sweater: Gap

Reg $55, on sale for $25
Soft and cozy sweaters are my favourite. I could wear this one every day. I had it in grey too but returned it as I already have a few grey sweaters and not many right now in blue. It's actually from the men's section in Gap- XS fits oversized but not sloppy on me.

Scarf: Zara

Reg $26, on sale for $6
Polka dots! This scarf was too cute not to keep.

Hoodie: Ardene

Reg $26.50
I was walking by Ardene the other day on the way to DAVIDsTEA and out of the corner of my eye I saw the Purpose Tour logo. Of course I had to pick up this hoodie. It kills me that I spent $50 US on a long sleeve tee at the JB concert when now you can get very similar stuff for such decent prices.

I was $128 under for 2016, so I have an extra cushion this quarter. My downfall may be the Aritzia sale because I just cannot resist their sales. My hope is that I can stay away from Zara on-line for the next two months as I'm gearing up for outlet shopping in Palm Springs. I'm pretty conflicted about contributing to the U.S. economy at the moment though.

Original value of items $314
Price I paid $144
I saved 54%

That leaves me with $484 to spend for February and March. 

Did you score any great deals during the January sales?

XOXO 

Glitterary Girl