June 2018 Purchases

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.

June is usually a bigger spending month for me because of the summer sales. I had $315 available to spend this month to end the quarter. 

Top: Eclipse
Reg $35, on sale for $24  ($15 now!)
I was on a mission this month to buy a few tops for nights out. This was one of them, and I wore it to a birthday party followed by a night out at The Lower Deck.

Tank: Dynamite
Reg $23, on sale for $15
This was another "going out shirt" that I wore to Cider Fest.

Tee: H&M
Reg $15, on sale for $7

A more casual going out shirt or weekend shirt. This was part of the Anna Glover collection.

Pants: H&M
Reg $20
I was really drawn to these pants when I saw them, but didn't think they would look for me as elastic waist things generally don't. But they were surprisingly cute! They look great with black or white tops.

Tee: H&M
Reg $15, on sale for $7
It's not summer without nautical stripes! I wore this on a boat (of course). I can't seem to find it on-line...

Dress: Gap
Reg $65, on sale for $25
I love the soft and stretchy material of this dress. I wore it to work already with a cardigan.

Tee: TNA at Aritzia
Reg $25, on sale for $20
TNA tees are so soft. I bought this color during the clientele sale specifically to wear on Canada Day.

Cardigan: Wilfred Free at Aritzia
Reg $65, on sale for $52
Another clientele sale find. This is my third Zlata cardi. I can't believe I held out so long to buy the black one.

Shirt: The Group by Babaton at Aritzia
Reg $55, on sale for $32
This was on sale after the clientele sale. It's a great basic that can be worn year-round.

Pants: Banana Republic (no longer available on-line)
Reg $110, on sale for $27
Sloan pants are my favourite! I love the buttons on the bottom. I think I have five pairs of pants in this color now..... I'm OK with it.

Tee: Zara (no longer available on-line)
Reg $26, on sale for $18
This was from the kids section and looks good with high-waisted bottoms (including the H&M pants above) . I love basic white and cream tops for the summer. Fun fact: this was part of a $500 Zara on-line order and this was the only thing I kept!

Original Value of Items: $454
Price I paid: $242
I saved $47%

I'm rolling $73 on as I didn't spend my limit for last quarter. The summer sales continue into July, which is fun because it's actually warm enough now to wear summer clothes. I hope to still have a decent amount left to spend for Toronto in August. We're booked to stay across from the Vaughan Mills mall. There is nothing in particular I have my eye on for July, but I do have a sizeable Gap on-line order on the way, which might eat away some of my budget. The Zara summer sale is going on right now and there are a few things I have my eye on that I might grab if the price drops again.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Deck the Malls

When the mall's Christmas decor is this nice, you can't help but want a photo. If you haven't checked out Halifax Shopping Centre's displays yet, you need to! Don't forget to see the reindeer outside of the food court and the giant tree in front of Zara.

Details

Sweater: Wilfred Free at Aritzia

Jeans: Harlow

Boots: Old Navy

Bag: H&M

Bag Pom: Topshop

Hat: Gifted

The key to mall shopping in December is to GO EARLY. We were there today at 10:30 and it was no more busy than any regular Sunday.

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

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.

Hat: TNA at Aritzia

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.

Cardigan: Wilfred Free at Aritzia

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.

Dress: Wilfred Free Kemesky at Aritzia

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

My Monthly Purchases : August 2015

Every month, I break down my clothing expenses and share them. I used to have a monthly budget, but partway through 2014, I switched to a quarterly budget of $500. This 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.

August is generally a high spending month for me (you know, "back to school shopping"...) but this year I restrained myself.

Top: Lucy & Laurel via Winners

Reg $55 on sale for $16

My closet is lacking in navy shirts. This is simple yet really feminine and pretty. My only beef about it is that I wore it outside one evening and mosquitos flew in the holes and bit my upper arms. Oww. Totally my fault. Should have predicted that! Sorry for the wrinkles - fresh out of the wash!

Tops: Gap

Reg $66 for the three, on sale for $25 for three
I usually buy a few Gap tees late in the summer when they're on sale. They wash well and have a soft and stretchy vibe. The third one is in the wash, but it's a black and white striped crew neck.

Skirt: Club Monaco

Reg $150 on sale for $17.50
A black skirt wasn't on my wish list (I have a few) but this is one of those buys that will definitely get playing time in my wardrobe. Too well-priced to leave in the store! Club Monaco tends to carry timeless stuff, so if you see a great basic, nab it, you'll wear it for years!

Culottes: Envy
Reg $60 on sale for $20
Check out my post on these!

T-shirt: Wilfred Free at Aritzia
Reg $45 on sale for $15
What a pretty color. I can see this being layered under a chunky sweater or blazer this fall. Or.... lounging around the house because it's so darn comfy!

Total value of items: $376
I paid $94.
I saved 75%

That leaves me $298 to spend this quarter, as I'm still dragging out some birthday money. This quarter technically ends at the end of September, but if I don't spend it, I can roll it ahead to the next quarter.

I've been stretching my Joe Fresh birthday gift card to the max! For those of who who haven't wandered in lately, I was there this week... and they have the fall clothing in! Gorgeous stuff this season. I was good and only bought two pieces on Sept 1st (which is the magical day in my head that my budget "re-sets" LOL). I'll share the fall stuff with you next time, but here are the buys I snagged in August.

Shorts: Joe Fresh

Reg $19 on sale for $13
I've weeded a lot of shorts out of my closet lately, therefore needing new ones. These are a nice color and looser fit.

Top: Joe Fresh 

Reg $29 on sale for $9
I hope to get a few wears out of this pretty white short sleeve sweater before I spill pasta or something on it....

Did you find any amazing wardrobe additions this month? Do share!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

The Heat is On

Thanks to a self tanning mishap last evening which needs to be evened out, the dress I panned to wear was swapped out this morning for pants. I cringed at the thought of not having my built-in AC (via dress) on what was one of the hottest days of the year, but these pants were surprisingly cool.

Details

Shirt: Joe Fresh

Tank: Smart Set

Pants: Wilfred Free via Aritzia

Sandals and earrings: Le Chateau

Sunnies: Coach

Bracelet: (I forget... heehee)

I've had this lacey top for ages but only started wearing it a lot quite recently. It goes with almost everything!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl