2014 Budget - June Recap

I'm a little late in posting my June budget recap, probably because I was bad last month. I didn't want to look at the numbers. Is there really a point to having a budget if you aren't going to pay attention to it at all? I bought three things last month and two of the three items weren't my fault. The boyfriend was at Bloomingdale's and there was a huge sale. He picked up two dresses for me and I just had to keep them. Now I just have to decide where to wear them!

I have been eyeing up these heels for a few months now. On a recent business trip to Chicago, I stopped by the Nieman Marcus on Michigan Avenue. Upon finding these cuties in the sale section, I knew that I had to have them! I've already worn them a couple of times, including to a big business dinner where I gave a presentation to a large audience. They loved my shoes too.

Charlotte Olympia - Kitty Pump $411 (Original - $695)

This adorable little dress was from the Bloomingdale's sale. It's so bright and colorful for the summer, but totally work inappropriate because of the length. Maybe I can get away with wearing it in the fall with tights? I think I just need to plan more nights out with the boyfriend and my girls.

Milly - Hologram Dress - $135 (Original - $425)

You can rent this dress on Rent the Runway!

Yet another Milly dress this month, also from the boyfriends shopping day. It has pockets. That sold me on keeping this dress right away. You put pockets into a skirt or dress and I'm taking it home with me. I haven't worn this dress yet either, I'm thinking it will be more of a fall/winter dress with tights and a blazer. Would I have even picked this dress up if I saw it in the store? Probably not, but the boyfriend has been a fan of all dresses B&W this year. I have at least five now.

Milly dress - $120 (Original $395?)

Sadly, I've only worn one of the items I bought in June! Though I've worn the shoes a whole bunch already. They are cute and comfortable! That never happens. I'll try to have a date night sometime soon and throw on my Milly Hologram dress.

I can already tell you that July has been a bad month for buying shoes. Again. I think I have a shoe problem. It's seasonal shoes this time, I've picked up three different pairs of sandals. Can't wait to share with you! I've also gone way way way over budget on said shoes. It's just terrible.

Total spent in June- $666
Price before sales - $1,515
Total Savings - $849 (56% savings)
Amount over budget - $166

2014 Budget

January - $614.07

February - $1,693.09

March - $110.50

April - $361.00

May - $655.99
June - $666.00

Blow your budget too! Pick up similar items for your closet!

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 fun for Spring!

With another snow storm on tap for this weekend, I'm left dreaming of tulips, sunny evenings and outfits without twelve layers. I'm really looking forward to my business trip in two weeks, because I'm heading to Singapore and Singapore is on the equator.  Bring on the heat!

Once spring does arrive, I'm planning on looking like the season itself. Floral everything. I even have my eyes on these Ted Baker rain boots. Maybe we need to start wearing floral and then spring will follow? Do we need to tempt the season out of hiding? Let's all pretend we're tulips and show our springtime colors!

J Crew silk shirt / Milly silk bow blouse, $435 / River Island floral top, $27 / Mango slim jeans, $42 / Topshop skirt / Forever New pleated skirt, $72 / Giuseppe Zanotti leather shoes / Topshop ballerina shoes / Le Silla pink heel shoes, $735 / GUESS tassel necklace / Haskell gold tone earrings / Rebecca Minkoff hinged bracelet / Shaun Leane ring / Floral home decor / Pink bouquet / Green flower bouquet