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 April 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.

I always crave new spring clothes in April even though spring is very come-and- go here in Halifax. The key is to gradually ease out the winter stuff and bring in the summer stuff. I try my hardest to save most summer clothing buys (sleeveless things, shorts, etc) until June when they usually go on sale.

Blazer: Only via Envy
Reg $80, on sale for $20
I've been needing a new black blazer. The one I have is a bit too small and I've also decided I hate blazers with buttons, so all my future blazers will be button-less.

Boots: Old Navy
Reg $45, on sale for $15
I wear ankle boots so much in the fall. It can't hurt to have another color to mix into the rotation.

Top: Zara
Reg $26
This top is so me. It's neutral but interesting. I've worn it already with high waisted dress pants.

Skirt: Gap
Reg $55, on sale for $20
I really like wearing jean skirts to work. I already have one from Topshop, but it's a little short. This one is longer and a wrap style.  Now I have a work one and a play one.

Top: Zara
Reg $20
A new white shirt is pretty much a given for me every spring. This one is really fun! The black band fakes a tiny waist.

Dress: Alice and Olivia
Thrifted for $5
When you consider that these dresses usually go for $250-$500, I'd say this was a no-brainer. This was scooped up at the East of Montreal $5 sale. I'm not including this in the savings calculation this month as I have no idea how much it cost originally. It's a beauty of a ruched black dress - perfect for almost any occasion!

Original value of items: $226
Price I paid: $106
I saved 53%

I'm doing great with staying under budget lately. I have $547 left to spend this quarter. I'm going to try to save as much as I can for the Aritzia clientele sale in June, although Zara has had some great stuff lately so I will probably end up ordering a box or two from there. I have a small order from Old Navy coming - I'm on a mission for a lightweight black spring coat.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Dinner at the Course: Palm Springs

I've been really behind with blogging on our recent Palm Springs vacation. I actually didn't spend a lot of time trying to get photos for blog posts, so there isn't much in the way of outfit posts. I kept it casual pretty much all week. I did bring one less casual dress, but didn't even end up wearing it.

One evening we decided to go to a golf course for dinner. It was called Escena, and R and my dad golfed there the day following the dinner. It was such a beautiful spot, and the food was really good too.

Details 

Shirt:Old Navy

Tank: Gap

Jeans: Zara

Booties: Aldo

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Earrings: What on Earth

Bag: Danier

This golf cart might cost more than my actual car. 

The mountain and desert scenery in Palm Springs is nothing short of stunning. I found a lot of the time, it was so pretty it looked fake. The desert actually had a lot more rain than usual over the winter months, so things were greener this spring than usual.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

My Monthly Purchases: February 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.

I spent a lot this month for someone who said she wasn't going to spend anything. No regrets! I got some great pieces for a steal.

Scarf: Wilfred Free via Aritzia (still available in alternate color)
Reg $75, on sale for $30
I was so drawn to the colors of this scarf as it has an array of neutrals and goes with all of my winter coats. It's really good quality and so warm.

Hat: TNA via Aritzia
Reg $35, on sale for $15
I'm so obsessed with baseball hats from Aritzia. They fit my small head. The other two I have are dark, and I wanted a light one to take to Palm Springs.

Top: Old Navy
Reg $25, on sale for $12
I have a lot of neutrals in my wardrobe, which can make packing for somewhere sunny and warm seem a little boring. This pink top this fun and will still mix well into pieces I already own. I love the detail around the neckline.

Top: Dynamite
Reg $35, on sale for $20
This was an impulse buy, but a sound one. I was going out and wanted a new shirt, but I made sure I bought one that was also going to be something I could wear to work or on the weekend casually.

Jeans: 7 For All Mankind via Designer Outlet (175 Horseshoe Lake Drive, Halifax)
Reg $178, on sale for $20
Do I need to explain this, really? I'm obsessed with army green and these were basically free. I already wore them to work and they are so comfortable. They are a size too big, but it just makes them slightly less fitted.

Shorts: Levis via Marshall's
Reg $70, on sale for $25
I wanted a pair of patched shorts, and was looking for a darker wash, but when I tried these on I couldn't leave the store without them.

Not included in the budget is a pair of bikini bottoms from Old Navy that can be worn with three of the bikini tops I already own.

Original value of items:  $418
Price I paid: $122
I saved  71%

I have $362 to spend for March (technically). I do have some leeway though.  I can always "borrow" from next quarter. There's also a birthday present to be bought. We'll see what Palm Springs has to offer. The dollar is gross right now, so that will certainly factor into my shopping decisions. I'm most excited to visit the Desert Hills Premium Outlets. I'd love to find a new coin purse and new black jeans because my beloved Madewell ones kicked the bucket (not impressed as they were only a year old...)

Be sure to check back in early April to see what I scooped up in California!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

My Monthly Purchases: October 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.

October was a quiet month for shopping. I did another Zara order but only kept one thing (see below). I also brought home a sweater from Joe Fresh, but didn't love it once I tried it on, so I returned it.

Jeans: Zara
Reg $50

I have friends who swear by Zara jeans. Up until now I'd had no luck with them. This pair is perfect - the rise, the length, the stretch factor, the distressing. They are labelled "premium denim" so maybe that's the key to Zara jeans for me. If you order them, they run a bit small. I had to size up one size. It has everything nothing to do with Halloween candy.

Dress: Old Navy (this color no longer available)
Reg $30, on sale for $15

I used to shop at Old Navy quite a bit but have been having no luck there for two years or so. I popped in randomly on a lunch break recently and decided to give this dress a try. I was pleasantly surprised! I can make this work any season of the year.

Dress: Banana Republic

Reg $160, on sale for $20

Like was going to leave this on the rack for the price! I loved this dress when I saw it in the summer but couldn't justify the original price. With several weddings next summer to attend, I'm sure I'll be happy to have it! It's still listed as $136 on the website - I bought mine in store.

Original price of items: $240

Price I paid: $85

I saved 65%

This leaves me with $441 to roll ahead (I had an extra $26 from last quarter). I still haven't found my perfect black sweater. I need to hit up Aritzia (maybe on Black Friday) and perhaps American Apparel.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Holiday Casuals

I hope your holiday was filled with laughter and love. Mine definitely was. Christmas Day here in Halifax was unseasonably warm - 14 degrees! It made for lovely travel weather if you had to drive or fly anywhere.

I kept it casual on Christmas Day and wore clothes that allowed me to easily eat and cook, which is how most of the day was spent! Of course, I had to have some sparkle via the tank top.

Details

Sweater: Gap

Scarf: Zara

Jeans: Madewell

Sneakers: Converse

Tank: Old Navy

Bag: Nine West

Sunnies: Coach

Now it's between holidays and a bad head cold is really kicking my butt. I've been catching up on Season 3 of Orange is the New Black and taking some solid naps!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

No Thought Fall Uniform

There is nothing wrong with a style equation to make getting dressed easy. Much like the long sweater + leggings + infinity scarf, the button-up + skinny jeans + boots combo is a quick way to pull an outfit together.

Details

Shirt: Old Navy

Tank: Smart Set

Jeans: Guess by Marciano

Boots: Call it Spring

Hat: Le Chateau

Necklace and Bracelet: Stella & Dot

How's everyone doing with Christmas preparation? I'm feeling much better this week, as I made some progress with shopping. I've done a mix of on-line and store shopping this year. I try to hit the stores on my lunch break to avoid the crowds on the weekend. Once again, I'm really thankful for the RBC Avion holiday lounge at Halifax Shopping Centre. Free poinsettia, cookies, hot chocolate, tea, water, fruit, and gift wrap? Amazing!!

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

Mrs Picky Pants

Sometimes it's just necessary to be picky about certain things - like life partners,  ketchup, and culottes. After ordering and returning a laughable pair of the cropped wide leg bottoms from Zara, I happened upon these on sale at Envy. They are so roomy and comfortable.

Details

Top and Bracelet: Banana Republic

Culottes: Envy

Sandals: Old Navy: 

Earrings: What on Earth

I'm still thinking about getting them hemmed a few inches higher. What do you think? For those of you who don't know, I'm only 5'3''.

This fall, I plan on wearing these a lot with heeled boots or booties and maybe adding a bold sock.

XOXO

Glitterary Girl

Sparkle Chucks

Finally! After a yucky, snowy, wet winter, I was so eager to wear these shoes again. These were my post-reception Bourbon Room secondary wedding shoes! Being as glaringly white as they are, I need to be careful where I step. Unlike regular Chucks, which look great a little bit beat up, I think these ones need to stay pretty clean to look right.

Details

Jacket and Scarf: Gap

Jeans: Diesel

Shirt: Old Navy

Sneakers: Converse

Watch: Guess

Bracelet: J Crew

Glasses: Burberry

This was the first time wearing my new Gap utility jacket and I love it! It's the perfect weight for this time of year and has lots of pockets. It drives me nuts when jackets have no pockets!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

The Laziest

When no one is home to take your photo and you have way too much to do to take the time to haul out the fancy camera you forget how to use... a blogger will resort to almost anything for an outfit shot. That includes taking a mirror selfie in the closet.

Details

Jeans: Joe Fresh

Button-up: Old Navy

Shirt: H&M

Shoes: Tory Burch

I wore this to check out the "new" Halifax Central Library, which I cannot believe I hadn't visited yet. I'm blaming that on wanting to go in January when the crowds would be less and then the winter of doom hitting. What a beautiful spot! Tons of light, so much space, and great book selection. I picked up Wild by Cheryl Strayed and it looked like no one else had read it. I'm only a few pages in, but I can tell already that I'm going to like it. 

I was excited to try out the Pavia Cafe inside the library, but it was really busy and there was no where to sit and enjoy whatever I was going to indulge in, so I will save it for next time! 

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

My Monthly Purchases: March 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.

My budget got a $200 injection this month from birthday money. This left me with $370 to spend for the month. Good thing, as I wasn't expecting to have to buy a new pair of boots!

Long Sleeve Tees: Gap
On sale from $25 each to $6 each
I bought this navy and white striped long sleeve tee (worn here) and the same one in plain black. My previous Gap black soft shirt has a hole in the cuff.

Sweater: Gap
On sale from $55 to $24
I'm drawn to olive green even more than usual lately. I've worn this sweater and it's super soft, but a bit short. I wear a long tank underneath. It would probably be a great length on most people who don't have the torso of a Dachshund like I do.

Shirt: Banana Republic (no longer available on-line)
On sale from $50 to $14
It's a boxier fit than I usually go for but I loved the bold print and can't wait for warmer weather to style it with my windowpane TopShop pencil skirt.

Shirt: Banana Republic (no longer available on-line)
On sale from $75 to $24
R and I made an impromptu trip to BR last weekend with the goal of finding stuff for him, but this tee ended up in our shopping bag as well. Love the mesh! I feel like my wardrobe is slowly turning into a Banana Republic store.

Boots: Aldo (no longer available on-line)
On sale from $160 to $110
My winter boots felt uncomfortable one day. I took them off and saw that the heels were worn right through! Then I panicked as I knew the serious snow boots would be leaving the stores soon. These were the third ones I tried on and they are really comfortable and have great grip. They'll be something to look forward to wearing next winter! Please...not again til next winter...

Cardigan: Forever 21
Regular price: $19
I was browsing on-line during a free shipping event and saw this. I like how it's kind of draped and unstructured.

Shirt: Old Navy (no longer available on-line)
On sale from $27 to $22
I really love the look of this paisley button-up. I think it will look great styled with a denim skirt or shorts (come on, July).

Shirt: Joe Fresh (no longer available on-line)
On sale from $19 to $7
I was on a hunt for a green plaid shirt. The length of this one is perfect. It covers the bottom enough to be worn with thick leggings. It's in the laundry. No picture for you.

I also bought a pair of grey sweater tights from Target (on sale from $12 to $8). I've worn them already - very comfortable and soft  - and they stay up!


Original value of items: $467
Price I paid: $240
I saved 49%
Total for the quarter (January- March) $570 - $200 birthday money: $370


I'll roll what's left ($130) forward into the next quarter (and maybe even further forward to our New England trip this summer).

On my radar for the next few months are a pair of mid-rise destroyed jeans (my current ones are far too low and five years old), something fringed (probably a skirt...), and a new pair of sneakers.

I'm linked with Franish today along with a bunch of fellow fashionistas - check out what they scored in March!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl