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: December 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.

December was deceiving. I did spend some money on Boxing Day sales, but I'm still waiting on delivery for some on-line purchases. I'm not deciding what I'm keeping and taking back until I have everything here.

Shirt: Joe Fresh
Reg $34, on sale for $10
I donated my old black button up recently, so this will be a good replacement.

Tee: Pink
Reg $30, on sale for $12
The effects of email advertising.... I got an email from Victoria's Secret advertising this shirt at 10 AM and by 1 PM it was mine. I was astounded by the number of people who didn't get the message. Ya'll need to visit Urban Dictionary.

Tee: Wilfred at Aritzia
Reg $55, on sale for $27.50
I was eyeing this for months but didn't want to pay full price. Purple looks good with so many colors. I'm sure I'll get lots of wear out of this year-round.

Original value of items: $119
Price I paid: $50
I saved: 58%

I will be rolling $128 forward to 2017. That will definitely be spent once I figure out what I'm keeping from Boxing Day.  If I had paid full price for everything over the full year, I'd have spent $3886.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

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

My Monthly Purchases: February 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.

Watch: Michael Kors via Winners
Reg $300, Winners price $170

I've been on the hunt for a gold watch for about two years. I finally found one that doesn't look humongous on my little wrist. Many links need to be taken out before I can wear it. I love the tortoise shell band!

Sorry about the shadows. I promise it's pretty!

Sweater: TNA from Aritzia
Reg: $125, on sale for $62.50. I paid $12.50 because I had a $50 gift card.

The warmest sweater ever! I bought this just before a cold snap and wanted to wear it 24/7. It's a great length (below the bum!) and I'm sure I'll be wearing it for years and years.

Shirt: TNA from Aritzia

Reg $35, on sale for 17.50

Back I went to the Aritzia sale a few days after buying the above sweater. I couldn't get my mind off another TNA shirt. My color is no longer available - it's a muted red. I have the same one in grey as well. So comfy!

Wrong color. 

Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters

Reg $80 on sale for $25

I wear my distressed Diesel boyfriend jeans so much. This pair is a legging fit and high rise, which is all sorts of awesome. I like how there's fabric under the rips so I don't freeze my legs off! I wouldn't have paid full price for these, but I'll get my wear out of them for the price.

Do you like my half made bed?

Sneakers: Joe Fresh
Reg $40, on sale for $7

I'd been eyeing these for months, waiting for them to go on sale for dirt cheap. They are incredibly lightweight, and I'll be bringing them on vacation for sure. I love working beside Joe Fresh!

Original value of items: $580
Price I paid: $232
I saved 60%

That leaves me with $199 to spend in March. I've got some on-line orders on the way which I may or may not keep. I'm obsessed with sale boots and shoes at the end of winter.  The CDN $ is not good right now! If I do any shopping in LA, it'll likely be at Uniqlo, Madewell, and Zara.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

My Monthly Purchases: January 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.

Boots: Aldo

Reg $130 on sale for $65
How cute are these? My tall nude sandals are impossible to walk in, so these will be a welcome replacement. They have no platform, so I have to put a gel pad in the ball of the foot. Can't wait to wear them when the weather is drier. 

Pants: Banana Republic

Reg $124 on sale for $33
I have very similar pants in black that I got at Top Shop, and I love wearing those, so having ones in another color seemed logical.

Excuse the wrinkles. I dragged them out of the laundry to take the photo :)

Cardigans: American Eagle Outfitters
Reg $45 each, on sale for $16 each
It's rare that I buy more than one of something, but these were so soft and I really couldn't decide between the two colors so I just kept both of them.

Bracelet: Joe Fresh
Reg $16, on sale for $4
This looks nice with all of my hematite jewelry.

Original value of items: $360
Price I paid: $134
I saved 63%.

January's total leaves me with $431 for the rest of the quarter. I had $65 left from last year coming into 2016 so it brought my starting point up a bit. I'm not likely to buy much in LA due to the exchange rate (grrr),  so I won't try to save too much of my budget for vacation.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Smart Dressing

R: "You look smart."
Me: "I'm not sure how to take that? Do I usually look unintelligent?"

Details

Sweater: H&M

Shirt: Gap

Jeans: Madewell

Scarf and Bracelet: Joe Fresh

Boots: Aldo

Can you believe I made it til mid-January without wearing my new winter boots? I was hoarding them and wearing my Hunters instead. I'm so glad I got these at the end of last season though. They are really comfy and warm, but not so clunky that I'm uncomfortable wearing them around the office for the day.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Hello 90's

One of the best things about fashion in 2015 (in my opinion) is the nod to decades past. I was in Forever 21 recently, and at least 75% of the things in there could have easily been from the 70's or the 90's.

In a way, I feel this outfit has a touch of 90's about it (hello blue lace-up boots!)

While watching Homeland (I'm at the end of Season 3, don't spoil it!) I can't help but call Carrie Angela by accident (as in Chase). I'm also watching My So Called-Life again, and holy, the plaid pattern mixing was strong!

Details

Jacket: Old Navy

Cardigan: H&M

Tee: J Crew

Pants and hat: Gap

Boots: Aldo

Necklace: Joe Fresh

Watch: Guess

Glasses: Burberry

Bracelet: Stella & Dot

Did the 90's not have some great music? I used to study to Soundgarden, Nirvana, and Bush. I also loved 90's R&B and hip hop (Boyz II Men, TLC, Kriss Kross!)

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Pumpkin Spice Sweater

When I spotted this sweater at Joe Fresh, I scooped it up immediately as it screamed autumn. As much as I hate to see the summer end, most style girls love the fall for the sweaters, boots, and layers!

Details

Top and Necklace: Joe Fresh

Jeans: Diesel

Boots: Old Navy

Sunnies: Coach

This was worn to Thanksgiving dinner, which was on a really warm day. Thanksgiving in Canada can be a roulette wheel of weather situations, so we lucked out this year.

Have you made any amazing sweater purchases this season? It was so hot in Arizona that I brought home only one sweater - they are hard to shop for when it's 35 degrees out!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

My Monthly Purchases: September 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.

Sweater: Joe Fresh (on sale right now, 25% off!)

Reg $29, used gift card balance, paid $$15
I loved this sweater from the second I saw it and would have paid a lot more for it than I did. I love the sleeve length, the colors, and the fit. I haven't worn it yet, but it will make a good Thanksgiving sweater if the weather is cool enough.

Shirt : Joe Fresh

Reg $16
I wore this to the wine festival- see here. It's a great neutral top and can be worn year round. Solid purchase for $16. I love the Joe Fresh fall collection this year.

Belt: American Eagle Outfitters

Reg $20, on sale for $2
One of those things that you pick up because it's cute and super cheap. I haven't worn it yet, but can see many a long sweater being belted with this

Hat: American Eagle Outfitters

Reg $45, on sale for $8
I can't get over the deal on this hat! It is too cute! Another topper for the collection. I'm soon going to need a bigger hat shelf...

Tee: Gap
Reg $20 on sale for $12
I love baby pink and Gap tees are very comfy and thick. Another year-round piece that will look great under a blazer or a button-up.

Skirt: American Eagle Outfitters
Reg $40 on sale for $17.50
I've been on a hunt for months for a long black skirt and here it is! This is coming to Scottsdale with me - a perfect travel piece.

Necklace: Joe Fresh
Reg $19 on sale for $6
Nice statement necklace for a nice price. I actually put this on at work the day I bought it.

I ended up taking back a grey Gap tee I bought last month. It was cropped and really loose fitting. I just couldn't make it work with anything.

Origanal value of items: $189
Price I paid (including money I got back for the return): $67 
I saved 65%

Gifts from my mom - she's cool like that

Dress: H&M
So when the dress you were going to wear gives you armpit fat, an emergency trip to the mall is in order. Soon,  I'll show you guys the cute striped dress I picked up for an evening out with some fabulous people. Stay tuned next week-ish when we're back from vacay.

Bag: H&M
This. bag. I have had so many people comment on it I must admit, for $15 it was a great find in the back of the sale rack. It was the only one left in medium grey. It has just enough room for all of my everyday things. Pop over to Instagram to see it.

So, for the third quarter of 2015, I still have $231 to roll ahead. This has been totally strategic, as I'm headed to Arizona this week and wanted to be able to have some extra shopping money. Add that to my $500 for the fourth quarter and that gives me $731 to spend til the end of the year. Even though I don't count the exchange rate in my budget (i.e if I spend $50 USD, that's the same as spending $50 CDN) I will be mentally factoring in the "is it worth it?" much more than usual, as the CDN dollar is so bad right now. I don't plan on spending all of that in AZ - I'm thinking I'll spend around $500. That will leave me a bit to play with for the Black Friday/Boxing Day sales.

Did you buy anything fabulous in September?

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Wine So Fine

If you live near Halifax and haven't been to a Port of Wines Festival, you need to make sure you attend the next one! My first experience with the event was on Friday night, and it did not disappoint. Imagine my delight to enter a huge room with hundreds of wines to taste. Did I mention the cheese plates? Swoon....

Details

Top: Joe Fresh

Skirt: Club Monaco

Bag: Call it Spring

Boots: Nine West

Earrings: Beck & Boosh

Bracelet: Banana Republic

My hair is a bit shorter and the blonde is back, baby!

The outfit was a bit strategic. The flowy shirt and stretchy skirt were so I could eat and drink to my heart's content without worrying about belly bloat. The shoes were one of the more comfy pair of heels I own and had no chance of falling off my skinny feet. The cross body bag (hands free!) allowed me to juggle wine and food at the same time. That is how you dress for a wine show!

My wine buddy for the night had on a super cute jumpsuit from Warehouse in the UK. I wish I'd have gotten a full shot of it, but you can at least see the pattern in the above photo.

I can't begin to list all of the wines I loved from the festival, but one that stuck out in my mind that is local is Bliss by Avondale Sky from Newport Landing, Nova Scotia. It was so fresh and easy to drink!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Army Green

Along with navy blue, army green plays a big part in my closet as an "almost neutral". Yes it's a color, but played properly, can step in to complement almost any outfit.

Details

Vest: Envy

Skirt and sandals: Topshop

Tee: Gap

Bracelet: Beck & Boosh

Watch: Stolen from Hubby (Movado with a Fossil strap)

Necklace: Joe Fresh

Both my tee and my skirt have busy prints, but with the vest breaking up the transition, it tones the outfit down a lot. I wore this to work, but this is the type of outfit you could wear running errands, to a casual dinner, or on a coffee date.

I just want to pull that wrinkle out over my chest...

This is a fun time of year for style. Summer staples can get paired with pops of autumn attire. We've been having a super September here in Nova Scotia. If you have any style questions, feel free to drop me a line at jennifermerlin14@gmail.com . You can also find me on Instagram: jennifermerlin14

XOXO
Glitterary Girl