I know it feels like summer just started however Fall is right around the corner which means it is time to start filling up our closets with some fall pieces.  I am always one to take on the challenge of finding things on sale so when I was asked to find a classic navy pencil skirt I said why not find a classic pencil skirt that is on sale and under $100.  I of course have been personally obsessed with the color navy and just recently found a great navy j crew blazer for the fall. However we were talking about skirts so here is what I found. 

Believe it or not I made it through March without spending a dime. I had to make up for it in April though. I really went to town purchasing 5 pairs of shoes among  a bunch of other things. The best part is that I stayed within my budget of $296 ($100 from April and the rest has been rolled over from March and February).  I also didn't buy anything in May which is making for a healthy budget for June.  The good news is that I found some amazing deals including two pairs of pants for $6 bucks and a bathing suit (both top and bottom) for $6 bucks. Here is what I got.

Clothes

White Blazer from Loft. Retail Price: $109.99. I paid $9.99. A savings of 91%

I have a rule about wearing dresses and skirts out to bars and clubs so I wanted to find some fancy pants that I could wear this spring. I found two pairs of skinnies at H & M for $3 dollars each. Retail Price is $12.95 which is still a good deal but the money I saved can go towards a glass of wine.

I am in desperate need of some work out gear. I am that girl that wears old sweats and t-shirts to the gym. Needing to up my game I found two pairs of Avis Yoga Pants. Retail price for each was $34.00. I paid $10.20 for each which is a savings of 70%.

I first discovered Uniqlo on a trip to Tokyo back in 2006 and I have been addicted ever since. When they came to the states soon thereafter I was beyond excited. So of course I cannot walk by a Uniqlo without going in. This time around a found a great deal on two cotton dresses that are great for the summer. Retail price was 29.90. I paid 12.90 for each for a savings of 57%. I have already wore them both  several times which means I have definitely gotten my money’s worth.  During that trip I also scored a pair of off white skinny cords. Now I know it is way to hot to wear cords right now however at $5.90 which is 85% off the retail price of $39.90 I could not leave them  in the store. Also they are going to be great come the fall.

Finally I scored a bikini top and two bikini bottoms which set me back only $9.00. Total retail for all pieces would have been 27.85 which is still great but I will take the 67% savings and put it towards my next vacation.

Shoes

So I bought 5 pairs of shoes in April. I know it sounds a bit extreme but I got some really great deals. The first pair I found were coach sandals. I found them on consignment for 19.99.

Brown Coach Sandals. Retail price $128.99. I paid $19.99. Savings of 84%

I bought three pairs of sandals at Aldos in Nude, Black and Brown. Retail price for each was $60.00. I paid between $9.99 and $14.99 for each pair. This is a savings of 75% to 83%.

I think I own about 4 pairs of flats and I know realize why. I picked up a pair of Aldo Brown Pointy Flats. Retail Price $50.00. I paid $12.49. Savings of 75% Great deal but sadly after wearing them a few hours I have deemed them uncomfortable. I just cannot do flats.

Other

Some other items that I bought in April was a black cross body bag and a few scarves.

I have been on the hunt for a black cross body bag and I finally found one that I have been wearing non stop since I have bought it (Going on about two months). The bag from coach retails for $168.00 but I paid 59.32 which is a savings of 65%.

I also picked up three scarves at a local discount store which set me back 6.97. With scarves (on the low end) costing around $10 I see this as a savings of 77%

21 Number of items purchased.
$899.44 How much others have paid.
$217.82 How much I paid.
Average Savings: 76%
$178.62 Money left over to add to June’s Budget (This includes the $100 allowance for May)


Living in NYC you can quickly become a bag lady if you are not careful. Between my laptop, my gym clothes, a change of shoes, lunch and all the other things that I have to have with me at all times I end up traveling with about 2-3 bags. I am giving up and on the hunt for a tote that I can throw everything into. Here are some options I have come across. 

I know I have been a bad blogger. I mean these pictures were taken in November. I should have posted this a long time ago but hopefully over the next few weeks I will play catch up with some of our Euro pics and share them with everyone.  In the meantime I am going to reminisce of the amazing time we had in Paris.  Too bad we are not planning on returning until 2015.  Our second day in Paris was rainy however we still had a great time. We walked for miles and only stopped to eat macaroons.  Although I did not do any shopping (no room in my carry-on) it was a lot of fun to window shop. Next time I will make sure to make room in my carry-on. 

Growing up in Wlliamsburg, Brooklyn (before it was today's Williamsburg, Brooklyn) I could only dream of going to Paris. Well guess what. Dreams do come true. Late last year we went to Paris for our anniversary and although it rained the whole time we were there it was such an amazing experience.  We did manage to get a few hours of sun when we first got there but that was about it. It was still everything I dreamed off and more. Our first day we spent getting to know the city. Our first stop was the Notre Dame followed by lots and lots of walking. We also had a chance to visit the Lourve which was amazing. It is true what they say. You can spend a whole week in just the Lourve alone. Where have you always dreamed of going? 

I made it through the month of February under budget and with just 1 pair of shoes purchased. I almost made it through without any shoes however I stumbled upon a great deal on a pair of silver strappy sandals for the spring/summer so I couldn't pass up the deal. 

Apparently the month of February is a great time a of year to buy pajamas and unmentionables. That is where most of my budget went this month.  Because I am not interested in sharing about my undergarments I am just going to share how much I spent and leave it at that.  I debated whether undergarments should even be included as  part of my sartorial budget but because I am trying to spend less overall I decided to include it.

I started the month with 303.17 which is a combination of leftover from last month and my monthly $100 sartorial allowance.  I ended up spending 206.73. Here is how I spent my money. 

I said I wouldn't go into specifics about what kind of undies I bought however I can tell you about my fave pj's ever from Soma Intimates. I went to their outlet at the Jersey Shore a few weeks back and was able to find some gems for about 70% off retail . I ended up getting 5 sets of pjs plus some other stuff for a grand total of 102.04. I didn't crunch the numbers to figure out how much everything would have cost but I am average a savings of 70% so you do the math. 

My favorite score of the month is these Strappy Louboutins. (The actual pair I bought are in a lighter silver). 

Image via Yoogis Closet

I found them at a consignment shop in barely worn condition for $99. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT. They are a style from several years back however they are exactly what I was looking for in a summer sandal.  You can find a similar pair here at yoogis closet in a darker silver.  

So here are the numbers for this month: 

10 undies
4 bras
4 sets of pj's
1 pair of shoes
$206.73 total spent
$96.44 What I will have to roll over to the month of March

I have a ton of goals this year that I am very excited about but in order to reach them I have decided that I need to downsize and simplify my life a bit. I am known for being a shopaholic and although I never buy retail and find great deals things add up. The other day I had a Carrie (a la SATC) moment when I looked in my closet and realized that I could probably put a down payment on a house with the amount of money I have spent on clothes and shoes over the last few years.  I decided to hold myself accountable for my shopping by (1) putting myself on a budget; (2) following a 1 in 2 out rule and (3) keeping track of my purchases.  I started out with a budget of 382 bucks this months. That sounds like a lot however most of it was Christmas gifts and credits that I had from returns I made on purchases in December. Here is what I ended up spending my money on this month.  

Of course I could not go a month without buying shoes. I bought 2 1/2.  That is not bad considering. 

I also purchased a ring not pictured here.  The ring retails at 65.99. I paid 35.31. That is a 46% savings. 

So here are my numbers for the month:


5 dresses
3 pairs of shoes (or 2 1/2)
1 ring
732.31 How much others have spent (Retail prices)
179.25 How much I spent
76% How much I saved over retail
203.17 What I will have to roll over for the month of February

Today I am linking up with:

While in Amsterdam we spent a lot of time walking around, taking in the sights and visiting the museums. We also did a little bit of drinking and partying but this is not that type of blog so we will leave those stories for later. One of our favorites stops was the Heineken Museum. I really thought it was going to be cheesy and boring but I actually had a good time. (Maybe the beer that we were drinking had something to do with that).  

I know it is freezing cold here in NYC and the northeast however I cannot avoid wanting to look forward to spring and summer. Now with the winter sales in full swing it is a great time to score some goodies that can be worn when the temperatures start to warm up. My biggest summer go to is the little white dress. This year I am actually looking for a white maxi dress  (does that count?). Here are some dresses I found that are on sale now but would be great for the spring/summer. Best thing is they are all under $50. 

I have been fighting the monochromatic trend for a while. It just seems like something that I am going to regret in the future. I ended up succumbing to the trend by accident. It was a very early and dark morning and I could not find my trusty black work blazer for the life of me so I grabbed the first thing I could find and this is what I ended up with. Guess what? I kinda like it. Let's talk about the pieces. The sweater is actually from Forever 21. I used to hate Forever 21 and swore against it. It is still not my fave store to shop but sometimes I am surprised by what they have to offer so it has made it to my approved list. The pants are Theory and can I tell you how I got these pants for $20 bucks. Yup.. They were on clearance for $39 at Lord & Taylor plus an extra 50% off.  You will be surprised what you can find in the clearance rack with a bit of patience. I am pretty sure this outfit cost me about $50 head to toe not including the jewelry. You know I love me a deal. 

Shop the Look:
Sweater: Forever 21. Similar here or here
Top: No Brand. Sorta Kinda Similar here or here
Pants: Theory. Similar here or here
Shoes: Guess. Similar here or here

Today i am linking up with Style Elixir.