J.Crew blazer: originally $198, on sale for $150 [seen here]
Caslon scarf: $45 [reviewed here]
Michael Kors shoes: originally $100, on sale for $75 [seen here]
Ann Taylor blouse: originally $80, on sale for $40 [reviewed here]
October budget: $310 - $100 birthday money = $210
Sometimes budgeting makes me think about the money I'm spending a bit too much. I very very rarely spend more than $100 on a single item, and most items I buy are under $50. The thing is though, when I do spend over $100 on something, it always becomes a favorite item in my closet. Maybe that's because I don't buy a lot of things that are that expensive, so therefore they become my favorites by default, or maybe it's because sometimes spending a bit more on something you think you'll really wear a lot pays off in the end. My J.Crew blazer is by far my favorite item in my closet right now - I look for any opportunity to wear it, so I'm glad I finally bought it (with a bit of help from the birthday money my parents sent me). It's already my pre-interview dinner staple, and I try to wear it every weekend. I just can't get enough of it! Paired with my Michael Kors shoes (that I ended up getting at a discount by asking Nordstrom for a price adjustment when they were temporarily on sale), and I'm all set for fall! In my last review post, I talked about the bell sleeve top from Pleione. As much as I love it on others (see it on Krista and Veronika), every time I wear it, it just doesn't feel like me! I'm going to give it one more shot this weekend, and if I take it off to wear something else, I'm sending it back. If I decide to keep it, I'll include it in next month's budget.
As far as sponsorships go, this month I also was lucky enough to work with Kohl's on a fall fashion post, so I added quite a few items to my closet that way. Favorites include the work out leggings (I wore them running last night, and they didn't slip at all!) and the Lauren Conrad purse. I also received a pair of Stuart Weitzman boots as well as a pair of 7 for all Mankind jeans during the Shopbop sale. For those of you newer around here, I feel it's important that I include the items I receive through blogging in my budget to stay transparent about not only what I'm adding to my closet, but also just blogging in general. Some months, like this one, are a bit heavier in sponsored items (always items I pick out myself but are provided by the company), and other months there aren't any. If any of you feel strongly about these items not being included in my budget posts, please let me know. I really just want to be transparent about this whole crazy world of blogging, but I can understand if people don't think it's necessary to include it in my budget post. I personally really enjoy seeing what other bloggers get through their blog - it's a fun little peek into other people's blog!
So all in all, another successful budgeting quarter! In the next one, I'd really like to add a few sweaters to my collection. I've been wearing my Madewell sweater nonstop, so maybe a few more in that simple style will serve me well! I also put in an order last weekend with Ann Taylor during their 50% off sale, but won't see those items until I get home in a few weeks - they included a tweed skirt (the skirt version of the pants I bought last month), a blouse with a removable tie, and a gorgeous geo cardigan, so we will see which of those items I keep. I feel a review post coming on in the future! I kinda have to remind myself though that Thanksgiving is at the end of the month, so maybe I'll be a bit more conservative with my money until then!
OKAY! That's it for me - looking forward to seeing all that you guys came up with this month. Feel free to add your link below, and as always, please link back to this post so your readers can discover other budgeting bloggers!
