My Monthly Purchases: November 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 always like to save some money for Black Friday sales. Over the past few years, I think that day has been even better deals than Boxing Day. I did a big chunk of my Christmas shopping - yay! I had the day off work, which I will try to make happen every year.

Turtleneck: Bootlegger
Reg $30, on sale for $7.50
I'm obsessed with stripes and love having turtlenecks or other high-necked styles to layer with my beloved TNA Del Mar shirts in the winter. This also looks great under a blazer or cardigan.

Pants: Bootlegger
Reg $50, on sale for $20
My Madewell jeans developed am unfortunate hole. I wasn't sure if they would be saved (they were - thanks Mom) so I bought these to fill in the casual black pants void in my work wardrobe. They are quite comfy but they do loosen as the day goes on so I need to wear a belt with them.

Coat: Club Monaco
Reg $449, on sale for $189
This was an impulse buy, but I think it was a sound choice. My black peacoat that I got for dirt cheap at Joe Fresh a few years ago isn't the best. I love my black puffer coat, but I wanted something that was a bit dressier for going out to dinner and such. I saw this on Black Friday and it fits like  a dream. I really couldn't leave it there for the quality and price. I always lust over the coats at CM and now I get to wear one.

Necklace: American Eagle Outfitters
Reg $18, on sale for $6.50
This is a very delicate but trendy piece. I love the multiple layers.

Tank: Joe Fresh
Reg $19, on sale for $10
I was going out and felt like something new to wear. I work beside Joe Fresh, and this caught my eye because of the sheer detail. The armholes are too big, but I'll likely always want to wear a cardigan or blazer with it anyway.

I also bought a Christmas sweater at Envy that I will save for an outfit post. It was $40 on sale for $30

Original price of items: $606

Price I paid: $263

I saved 57%

This leaves me with $178 to spend in December. I might buy a pair of chunky heeled ankle boots. I'll also check out the Boxing Day sales, but may carry some over to January as the real deals are usually in late January when the stores are starting to clear the winter stock.

Hope you found some great deals in November!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Snowmageddon

Last Friday was a blizzard. An honest to goodness, can't-see-ten feet-in-front-of-you blizzard. The actual snowfall amount wasn't too crazy (30-40 cm I think) but the wind was fierce and there were whiteouts.

I decided to take the bus to work because I was too scared to drive myself. Mental note: Do not wear non-waterproof mascara in a blizzard because you WILL look like a raccoon at work.

Thankfully, my co-worker lives close to me and drove me home because the city pulled the buses off the roads before they closed my office. The drive home was a bit scary as the road was completely white and you couldn't tell the difference between road and snowbank.

Details

Jacket: Dynamite

Sweater: Bootlegger

Jeans: Joe's Jeans

Boots: Old Navy

Scarf and Gloves: H&M

Necklace and Earrings: Gifts

Bracelets: Stella & Dot, Forever 21

Hat: Gap
Nails: Sally Hanson Pacific Blue and Essie Peak of Chic

It was hard work to get up the driveway!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Oversized Chevron

Lately I've been feeling a more casual vibe when it comes to what I'm wearing. It's a phase I'll embrace because it's so blissfully comfortable. Now that the snow is almost gone... see just the tiny slice of it in the background... I'm sure these wedge sneakers will be in high rotation. 

Details

Sweater: Kismet via Bootlegger (Halifax)

Jeans: Calvin Klein (Costco, Halifax)

Sneakers: Skechers (The Shoe Company, Halifax)

Bracelets: Suzy Shier Forever 21

I picked up a few bracelets at Suzy Shier the other day for 40% off. Do you see the little skulls? My nails are Sally Hansen in Mint Sorbet.

I've been slacking with my Plinky writing prompts and haven't done one in a few weeks.

What activity, task, or game brings out your competitive streak and why?

I'm not much for competitive sports. Little league baseball was my sport for a few years as a kid, and I did intramural volleyball in junior high. As an adult, I stay active by doing independent fitness.

I wasn't a terrible athlete, but I wasn't great either - I was better at academics than sports. I didn't develop that competitive streak, where all you can focus on is the game and winning it. I was content to watch from the sidelines and cheer on my friends.

For some strange reason, there is one specific activity that brings out the fire in me. Mini golf.

I'm not a golfer, but my dad is and I've probably inherited some little bit of natural talent from him. I get excited when I play mini-golf and see those little set-ups with the slopes and tunnels and all the walls I could potentially rebound off of. Once someone suggested that we not keep score. Imagine! Of course score must be kept - and mine will be the highest.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl