November Budget Wrap-Up and December Wish List

Hope you all had a great month!

I'm planning my December shopping list.  This month, I'm looking for some festive holiday pieces.  I am hunting for some cozy sweaters and thinking about getting some colored denim.  My search for a mint green blouse continues.  I also have my eye on this adorable striped bow blouse from LOFT.

The Limited ivory tuxedo blazer

The Limited sequin tee

The Limited Art Deco Fan earrings

Forenza by The Limited sweater

LOFT striped bow blouse

Target skinny jeans

Now for what I did with my November budget:

I received some additional birthday money this month.  I also received a $70 rewards card through the Lucky Rewards program (see here for more discussion of this rewards program and other ways of saving money on fashion).  My budget this month jumped from $150 to $270.  I stayed within budget this month, but obviously, it was a bit of a "cheat" month since I received unexpected bonus money.

I got a couple items off my November Wish List.  I tried all three of the dresses from Target that I had my eyes on; however, none of them had a flattering fit for me.

Here's what I got this month: 

The Limited embellished neck blouse

The Limited Cassidy Fit velvet pants

The Limited dress (no longer available on-line)

The Limited tweed cardigan jacket

LOFT blouse (no longer available on-line)

LOFT ring

Target MaryJane heels

Target leopard print heels

The Limited flat-collar jacket 

LOFT jeweled collar cardigan

  
First Row:  Pants $31, Blouse $28
Second Row: Jacket and Dress $71
Third Row:  Blouse and Ring $31
Fourth Row:  Shoes  $40
Fifth Row:  Cardigan $32, Jacket $37
 Did you get any great finds last month? Planning any gifts for yourself this December?

September Budget Follow-Up & October Wish List

It's the end of September, so it's time to assess my expenditures and September Wish List purchases. 

Here's what I got in September:

The Limited Bow Ring

The Limited Circle Encrusted Earrings

The Limited Exact Stretch Skinny Tuxedo Pants
***WISH LIST PURCHASE***

Express crocodile embossed satchel

The Limited lattice tights
***WISH LIST PURCHASE***

The Limited houndstooth tights
***WISH LIST PURCHASE***

New York & Co. Faux Leather Jacket
***WISH LIST PURCHASE***

New York & Co. green blazer
***WISH LIST PURCHASE***

*The Limited purchases:  Paid $29.25 total ($25 off $50 Virtual dollars; $30 credit card rewards; Free pants with BOGO suiting event (jacket returned; free pants alterations with Limited credit card)) (Retail Value:  $160.50 plus tax)

**Express purchase:  Paid $48.46 (30% off plus $25 off $75 - purchased with earrings (returned)) (Retail Value:  $79.90 plus tax) 
***New York & Company purchases:  Paid $89.16 (BOGO 1/2 off & $60 off $120 coupon) (Retail Value:  $169.90 plus tax)

I went over my budget for this month by $16 so this month.  Not too bad for my first month, especially considering I was able to get over $400 of merchandise!

In October, I need to get some items altered (jacket purchases from last month), so that will likely eat up about half of my budget.

With the other portion of my budget, I am still wanting a faux leather skirt and a piece or two in a traditional fall shade of camel, rust, or mustard.

Forenza by The Limited faux leather skirt

The Limited camel pants

Forever 21+ Surplus Jacket

If I can get a great deal, I am also considering a dress from the Kirna Zabete line for Target.  These two are my favorites:

Kirna Zabete for Target blue and black maxi dress

Kirna Zabete for Target gray ponte knit dress

When you're a recovering shopaholic like me, staying on a budget can be difficult.  Something that has helped me is "windows" shopping.  I do a lot of internet browsing to see what's out there, compare prices, and to avoid impulse buying.

Any other recovering shopaholics out there?   How have you adapted your shopping habits?

What's on your fashion radar this October?

September Wish List

So, due to too many recent shopping binges, I've decided to put myself on a bit of a shopping diet.

For now, I'm budgeting myself a modest $150 a month for new clothing, shoes, and accessories purchases, including alterations.

Here's what's on my September wish list.  I never shop without coupons, rewards, sales, etc., so I'm hoping that I can score all of these items and stay within budget! 

PONTE KNIT DRESS
I love the comfort and substantial-ness of ponte knit (also tends not to wrinkle too much).  This dress comes in a ton of great fall colors and has pockets (which I LOVE).  Just have to decide between the gold and the orange. :-)

Target knit dress

FAUX LEATHER PENCIL SKIRT
I can't decide right now whether I want this burgundy faux leather skirt or a black faux leather/ponte knit rendition that will be available in stores on September 6th. 

The Limited faux leather pencil skirt

FAUX LEATHER JACKET/BLAZER The number one item on my fall shopping list has to be a faux leather blazer or jacket.  It's a basic item, in my opinion, but I have yet to find one that I absolutely love.  I have my eye on a few from The Limited that are supposed to debut later this month.  The blazer featured has cool faux leather trim, but I want one with more faux leather detail.

FYI:  The Limited is currently having a suit promotion - free pant or skirt with purchase of any jacket

The Limited faux leather trim blazer

FAUX LEATHER TRIM PANTS
I love the faux leather trim on these pants.  They aren't available yet, but since they are already being featured on The Limited's web site, I think (hope) they will be available soon.  FYI:  The Limited offers free pants hemming for Couture cardholders, so this is one alteration, I won't have to factor into my budget.  :-)

The Limited pants

HUNTER GREEN
My favorite color is green, and I'm totally feeling this darker shade for fall.  Not sure if this sweater is what I'll be opting for, but I'm definitely looking for a staple piece in this color.

New York & Co. 3/4 sleeve cardigan

FUN PRINT TIGHTS
I purchase a pair of these lattice design tights every year.  They are fairly durable, and I love the design.  How cute are the houndstooth print tights?  So much more fun that plain black hosiery.

The Limited lattice tights

The Limited houndstooth tights

For more on the leather trend for fall (and my views on real leather), please see here.

What's on your September/fall wish list?  

Do you make a budget for clothing purchases?  If so, how do you determine your budget amount? 

What's your shopping style?  Do you splurge a few times a year, purchase weekly/monthly/etc.?