Best Buys 2017

Hello! This is always one of my favourite posts to do. I shop A LOT and it's fun to look back over the entire year and decide which five items were my favourite picks. Sometimes it's hard to pick favourites, but I always choose things that I get a ton of wear out of. Maybe they're not the most exciting things I own, but they are closet staples for me and I'd run out and replace them if anything happened to them.

Boots: Dr. Martens via Little Burgundy

I'm frightened now that I'll start collecting Docs. That's how much I love these boots. The only thing I wish I could change about them is the fact that they don't have a zipper up the inside. Most people wouldn't care much about that, but the nature of my work is visiting people in their homes, and it makes my life much easier when footwear is easy to get on and off.

Handbag: Michael Kors

Technically this was a birthday gift, but I picked it out. It really is a perfect size bag for me and I wore it lots in the spring, summer, and fall.

Sneakers: Stan Smith by Adidas via Aritzia

If I can get away with wearing fashion sneakers I usually will. These are extremely versatile and incredibly comfortable. I've worn them with jeans, shorts, skirts, dresses... to work, to dinners out, running errands... and on and on. They are on sale right now at Aritzia, but only small sizes left.

Hat: Forever 21 (link to similar)

For the second year in a row I've chosen a hat as one of my best buys. I've always had a thing for baker boy hats and this year they seem to be everywhere in blogger-land. Hats are such a style saver for me. When an outfit is boring, throw on this hat. When my hair looks stupid, throw on this hat. When I should have washed my hair but did not.... throw on this hat.

Scarf: Wilfred Free at Aritzia

Another strange choice for a best buy, but I wear this scarf sooooo much in the winter. It goes with almost every coat I own and it's seriously warm. Aritzia scarves are freaking expensive and I got this one on sale for $30. I wouldn't hesitate to get another one, so I'll be watching the sales very closely closer to the end of the season.


Year end spend

My total for the year came in at $2068, $68 over budget, which means I made a math error somewhere. Oops.

I'm giving myself a tiny raise this year to $2200, which is another $50 per quarter.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

What’s Up Doc

One day I was sitting at the mall, sipping on a Starbucks iced tea and browsing Instagram on my phone, when I had a sudden urge to buy something very specific. "I think I want a pair of Docs" I typed out to a friend, and as soon as I hit send, I got up out of the chair and went and ordered them at Little Burgundy. 

Details

Vest: Club Monaco

Shirt: Zara

Jeans: Gap Factory

Boots: Dr. Marten Pascal 8 Eye via Little Burgundy (color no longer available)

I originally ordered them in white, but when they arrived and I tried them on, SOMEONE (who shall remain nameless) told me they looked like figure skates. And, they kind of did. So back they went and instead I ordered these green ones.

I LOVE THEM. The first few times I wore them, they were not so comfy. Thank goodness for thick socks. But the more I wear them, they better they feel. I have a blue pair of combat boots from Aldo and I wear them a lot, so I'm sure these will get much wear for many years to come.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

My October 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.

What a strange and wonderful October we had in Halifax. Most days it still felt like summer.  I think we’re going to be in for a rude awakening when our quasi- summer flips into winter! This week will be the week to finally embrace fall and all it’s faux-fur, tall boots, and blanket-scarf-wearing glory.

Boots: Dr. Marten via Little Burgundy

Reg $200, on sale for $80

These boots might be my favorite purchase in a really long time. I’m sure it’s partly due to the 90’s nostalgia. I keep building the rest of my outfit around my Docs instead of picking something to wear and then choosing my shoes.

Cardigan : Zara (no longer available on-line but it's still in the Halifax store)

Reg $26

I was originally hunting for a red crew neck sweater but this will do. It’s surprisingly heavy weight for the price.

Leggings: Zara

Reg $36

Seriously, these are really good leggings. They have them in several different styles, but I was drawn to the moto details on this pair. (They are still not pants, cover your bum).

Jacket: Gap

Reg $80, on sale for $26

This was an impulse online purchase but I really liked it when it arrived. I love throwing a denim jacket on over a dress and this is a little different than your classic blue.

Sweater: Gap Factory

Reg $55, on sale for $12

Apparently I can’t own too many grey sweaters. This might be #5 in my closet....

Tee: Gap Factory

Reg $20, on sale for $6

My previous red tee needed replacing.

Sweater: H&M

Reg $25, on sale for $12

I had a Levi’s zip up sweater in high school that was sort of like this. I guess nostalgia is ruling my closet lately! Maybe I’ll wear it with my Docs and time travel back to 1995.

Original value of items: $442
Price I paid: $198
I saved 55%

I had $55 to add to my budget this quarter. So for November (Black Friday) and December (hello, Boxing Day), I have $357 left to spend. I have nothing in particular on my radar except for maybe a big oversized pullover sweater in a color I don't already own.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl