2014 Budget - November Recap

As is the trend for every November, I spent a whole bunch of money on myself! Combining my birthday with the Veteran's day sales and Black Friday, I can't help myself! I was also needing (okay, not really needing. More like majorly wanting) some fun winter clothes and cozy sweaters. I stopped by some of my old favorites and picked up some really beautiful pieces!

Ted Baker - Pink Sweater - $131 (Orig - $195)

Ted Baker - Asymmetric skirt - $155 (Orig - $225)

J Crew - Elephant Parade skirt - $88.50 (Orig - $118)

Banana Republic - Lace crop top - $41.70 (Orig - $69.50)

DVF - Kenya Sweater Dress - $113 (Orig - $465)

Banana Republic - Crop Sweater - $29.75 (Orig - $59.50)

Banana Republic - Faux Suede Leggings - $55 (Orig - $110)

Balenciaga - Glove Sandals - $220 (Orig $795)

Total spent in November - $833.95
Price before savings - $2,037.00
Total savings - $1,203.05 (59%)
Amount over budget - $333.95

Amount remaining in budget - $561.45

2014 Budget

January - $614.07

February - $1,693.09

March - $110.50

April - $361.00

May - $655.99
June - $666.00

July - $299.95

August - $0 !!!

September - $159.00

October - $45.00
November - $833.95

2014 Budget - May Recap

While I was in London last month, I did some shopping. I was very specific about where I went and I only ventured into UK based shops. That means I visited Karen Millen, Reiss, FCUK, TopShop and Ted Baker, to name a few. Why did I do this? I found that only UK brands were cheaper than their usual prices I get in New York city. Example - A DVF dress priced at $365 in the States was £330, or $555, at Harrods.

I picked up a new iPhone case, a sweet make-up case and this adorable dress. I've had my eye on this dress for a few months now and it has refused to go on sale. I was happy to pick it up at UK prices.

Ted Baker - WUBTY - Contrast Collar Dress - $200 (Original - $248)

Giorgio Armani - Wedge Heels - $139 (Original - $695)

Giorgio Armani - Peep-toe Booties - $159 (Original $795)

Jimmy Choo Bergen Peep-toe Wedges - $128 (Original $650) (Same in gold or silver)

I also bought a new bikini from TJ Maxx for my vacation. I couldn't find a very good image of it online, but maybe I'll get a good picture of myself in it while I'm in Hawaii! Ralph Lauren Island Ombre Bikini - $29.99 (Original - $112)

It was a big new shoe month for me this May. The three pairs of shoes actually came from one trip to the Woodbury Commons mall. They have an Armani outlet! Surprisingly, I spent three out of the four months out of town. I picked up a few non-clothing items for myself while in London, but I didn't count those in my May budget. I did this mostly because I didn't want to be that over on my budget. I know, totally cheating.

Total spent in May- $655.99
Price before sales - $2,500
Total Savings - $1,844.01 (74% savings)
Amount over budget - $155.99

2014 Budget

January - $614.07

February - $1,693.09

March - $110.50

April - $361.00

May - $655.99

British Girl

If you've been reading WITC the past few weeks, you know that I got to spend some time in London recently. On one of my free days in the city, I spent some quality time shopping some of my favorite British brands. You all know that my favorite British label is Ted Baker.

I've had my eye on this dress for a month or so at Bloomingdale's. It would seem that Ted Baker never goes on sale! I was more than happy to pick up this fun little number while shopping on Regent Street. Now I have a fun souvenir from my week in London and I saved $40!

I love this dress so much, I feel very mod and British! This dress doesn't quite fit with my office dress code. I opted to leave the heels at home and I paired it up with my favorite Dolce Vita booties. A simple rose gold chain bracelet rounds out my new favorite look.

Dress: Ted Baker

Booties: DV for Dolce Vita

Bracelet: Bauble Bar

Wilde Faves - UK Brands

I've spent the past week in London and I've determined that just about everything is more expensive here. And that's coming from a girl who likes to shop in Manhattan. What is cheaper? British designers!  

I've made several trips to Ted Baker this past week, as well as stocking up on gym tights at Sweaty Betty and a cute bag from Accessorize. About that Burberry trench? Maybe on my next trip.

1. Ted Baker - Rose on Canvas Print Dress
2. Accessorize - Botanical Richmond Satchel Bag
3. Karen Millen - Pleat Lace Skirt
4. Sweaty Betty - Sunset sail Bikini
5. Burberry - London Cotton-twill trench coat
6. Reiss - Tulip Lace Blouse
7. FCUK - Octavia Leather Heels
8. Ted Baker - Floral Printed iPhone 5 case

While I shopped these locations here in London, all of them have brick and mortar stores in the US. Maybe it's the import taxes, but everything was about 10-15% cheaper on this side of the pond. You can save money on most of these brands by shopping online. Most of them only have real stores in the big cities and you can totally save yourself the sales tax!

What are you favorite British designers? Or maybe, what are you favorite German brands, as I'm currently in Berlin for the week!

Weekend Brunch

This weekend flew by so fast, I blame the fact that we lost an hour from daylight savings time. It could also be that I spent Saturday in the city with friends and the boyfriend. Saturday mornings have come to mean brunch in Manhattan with my girls. It's an excellent excuse to put on a cute dress and brave the weather.  Brunch is always delicious.

Heading to NYC for a visit? Stop by tomorrow for a list of some of my favorite brunch locations!  I won't call them "The Best Brunch Places in New York City" because I haven't eaten at every restaurant in NYC. I'll just call them my faves.

This dress was actually my first Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress.  Since this one, I've bought two more. This was totally my gateway wrap, I'm addicted.  Classic, easy and oh-so-pretty, the DVF wrap is the easiest piece of clothing to throw on and run. Keep an eye out for their mid-season sale on wraps, you can score some pretty amazing dresses for no where near full price.

If you have been looking for a statement piece of jewelry, check out Nervous System Jewelry. I bought this necklace last year from Fab.com and get compliments on it each time I wear it. The version I'm wearing is from a 3D printer, but you can also get a silver version that is beautiful.

Dress: Diane Von Furstenberg

Jacket: Sachin & Babi

Tights: Anthropologie

Booties: DV for Dolce Vita

Purse: Ted Baker

Necklace: Nervous System

Dolce Vita Boots · Topshop Hosiery · Old Navy Hosiery

2014 Budget - February Recap

Umm, yeah... So I totally blew my budget this month.  I can't even blame the boyfriend for bringing home purchases for me, though he was pivotal in me picking up quite a few of these items (the windowpane Theory sweater and wrap leather Theory skirt). I mostly blame Bloomingdale's and their ridiculous sales this month!  

While most of my purchases this month were just fun, I did pick up two necessary work items.  I've got a lot of conferences coming up and I stopped at Elie Tahari to buy some blazers. I also seemed to be on a big leather kick this month and picked up two leather skirts. I have been watching the Diane Von Furstenberg leather pencil skirt and it finally hit a price that I was willing to pay. The leather is beautiful and it's a piece I'll be wearing for years.

 Kate Spade - $179.10 (398)

 Milly - $157.50 (375)

 Theory - $224.77 (555)

Theory - $123.75 (275)

 DVF - $207.00 (498)

 $26.98 (69)

Elie Tahari - $198 (398)

Elie Tahari - $398

Ted Baker - $177.99 ($275)

Luckily I'm out of town for half of the month of March, not much time for hitting the malls!  Maybe I'll be able to make up some of my budget. I'm certainly set when it comes to pink purses!

Total spent in February - $1,693.09
Price before sales - $3,241
Total savings - $1,547.91 (47% off)
Amount over budget - $1,193.09 (whoops!)

2014 Budget

January - $614.07

February - $1,693.09

Some of these items are still available online! Some aren't and I've given you some similar options!

Ted Baker Satchels · Ted Baker Totes · Ted Baker Shoulder Bags

Floral Love

This Ted Baker dress makes me so happy.  The cut, the print and the belt, I'm in love.  I feel like a 1940's London lady.  If I knew how to put my hair up into victory rolls, you'd be seeing them here today. Since I don't, I decided a bright red lip would have to do in the styling department.

I'm wondering how many times a month I can get away with wearing to work.  I'm so in love with this print that I also plan on buying the spring version in skirt form.  Just be sure to check the size conversions when you order from Ted Baker.  This dress is a size 1, which some how corresponds to a size 4. According to the website, everything about the brand is unique, including their sizes.  They're called "Ted sizes."

Dress: Ted Baker

Jacket: Elie Tahari

Purse: Rebecca Minkoff

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

Lip Color: MAC - Viva la Glam

Manolo Blahnik Pumps · Rebecca Minkoff Shoulder Bags · Elie Tahari Jackets

Linking up with...

Transatlantic Blonde - WIWW Linkup

I Feel Pretty Linkup
The Pleated Poppy - WIWW
Because Shanna Said So - Random Wednesday
Working Girl with Style
Three-Fer Thursday

Blue Legs

The temperatures are rising now, though randomly and it's still not yet warm often enough for me. I'm certainly happy that the sun is staying up longer and I can take these photos without my fingers going numb.  As the temperatures rose this past week, I have been able to go back to wearing fun dresses to work.  Of course tights are still a must, but they don't have to be black!

I scored this HELMUT Helmut Lang dress at the Bloomingdale's sale last week.  I love the seaming and the back zipper, it's so streamlined and chic. I've also been carrying this Ted Baker bag for weeks straight.  It fits all of my work essentials and is so pretty.

Dress: Helmut Helmut Lang

Tights: Anthropologie

Bag: Ted Baker

Booties: Joie

Joie Boots · Ted Baker Totes · Ted Baker Wallets

Linking up with...

Style Elixir - Style Sessions

Life's a Party, Dress like it!

Current Obsession - Business Casual

With my new job came a new dress code.  I've been adding new business casual pieces to my mostly casual wardrobe and have decided I really like a few brands for work clothes.  I love all things Diane Von Furstenberg, but mostly her dresses.  For suits, pants & blazers, I tend to find some amazing pieces (and deals) at Elie Tahari and Banana Republic.  As for shoes? I've been scoring some serious finds at the Paramus outlet recently.  I'm talking Jimmy Choo, Dolce & Gabanna, Tory Birch for 80% off!

Check out some pieces that I'm wanting to add to my work wardrobe!

Diane von Furstenberg Cocktail Dresses · Diane von Furstenberg Day Dresses · Joie Tops

And can anyone tell me the difference between business casual and business for women?  It seems like there is a lot of crossover.

Holiday Shopping

First off today, you see that little pile of snow I'm standing on? That's just about all the remained from the five inches that fell in the city this weekend. It came, it caused a lot of traffic accidents and food delivery orders and then it melted.  Actually it rained before it all melted, forming a very fun (and dangerous) sheet of ice outside of my apartment this morning. Winter in New York City is really strange.



Moving on. I have been in love with the floral print from Ted Baker since it appeared in stores a few months ago. I've been ogling this dress for weeks now, but I haven't pulled the trigger and bought it. I couldn't see wearing it enough to substantiate the cost. When the boyfriend and I were browsing Bloomingdale's this weekend we found that a. EVERYTHING WAS ON SALE! and b. that sale included this beautiful Ted Baker bag. Mine!

Coat: Piperlime (I just got this last week, but it looks like it sold out!)

Sweater: French Connection via Saks off 5th

Jeans: 7 for All Mankind

Boots: Hunter

Boot Socks: Hunter

Bag: Ted Baker via Bloomingdales

Beanie: Gap

We took these images while wandering from holiday market to craft fair in Brooklyn this weekend. I picked up quite a few amazing pieces of jewelry from local artisans! I'm actually wearing a ring from the Etsy craft cavalcade in Williamsburg. I'll be focusing on these pieces a little more in a few days.

Ted Baker Totes · Ted Baker Clutches · Hunter Clothing

Linking up at...

Totally Posted Tuesday
Style Sessions
Love your Look Linkup