Winter Budget: March.

I can't tell you how much I don't want to write this entry. I've been dreading it because I am TERRIBLE at this. Budgets maybe don't work for me especially when they overlap into a new season...and Banana Republic has a really, really good sale. Dammit. I definitely went over budget this time but I still think it's valuable to tally it all up and take a look at what I spent money on.

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm - $28. I reviewed it here.

Fairy Drops mascara - $20. I reviewed it here.

Kiehls Coriander Bath & Shower Liquid Body Cleanser‎ - $25. My review: I love this stuff a lot.

From Banana Republic:

Draped Sleeveless Blouse. Is good stuff, very work-to-evening.

Sleeveless green top. Sad Face Kitten is filling in because I can't find a photo of it anywhere! It's completely vanished from the internets but I'll eventually wear it in an outfit.

Coated Denim Jacket. I reviewed it here.

Personal Edge Pyramid Necklace. I reviewed it here.

Banana shopping total: $155 (Everything was 30%-40% off, because that's how to do it.)

Total for March: $228.

Heyyy, not too bad, actually. It felt like I got a lot of stuff, but I'm only $28 over. I am actually okay with that, especially since I did NOT buy the MBMJ bag that I really wanted even with a 30% off code. I'm an excellent, v.g. perfect saint-style person. (Thank you, Bridget Jones.)

(More) Things I Want To Buy.

Shopping budgets suck! Who's idea was this? Mine? Ugh, what an asshole. A lot has been tempting me this week and hopefully if I talk about it I won't want it so badly:

First, this top is just pretty. I don't know if it's "me" or whatever but isn't it pretty? Wouldn't it be nice to wear a floaty sleeveless tank, all carefree and un-shivery? One day.

Anthopologie Anapia Tank

Hey, quirky new mascara with your big promises! I feel it's my duty to try you out even though your packaging makes you look like a sex toy.

Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash

I love red and purple together and we won't talk about who ruined THAT combo. But this dress is so aggressively cheerful that that just keep on stalking it.

Diane von Furstenberg Freya Dress

Oh hey, yeah. So this necklace is kind of similar to my G&B hook, sure, but it's also totally and completely different and stuff. Seriously. Shush.

Madewell wishbone lariat necklace

I have these clog sandals in black and LOVE THEM. I've been trolling for another color and was very, very taken with the aubergine, even though the natural leather version would probably be a more practical choice. But man, aubergine. So fancy.

Lotta From Stockholm Peep Toe Clogs in Aubergine

I've been thinking about replacing my old Hillier hobo with the updated "Too Hot To Handle" style in black and then while innocently wandering through Saks I spied it in this color. It's such a good greyish-tanish neutral (yet somehow not boring at all) and would basically work with everything. All the things. I really, really like it. A lot. So much. Ugh.

Marc Jacobs Too Hot To Handle hobo in cement

To be honest, I don't really know what "brightening eye base" does or if it even works but who the hell cares. IT'S SO ADORABLE. LOOK AT THAT PANDA. (There is also a bunny that does some sort of thing.)

Tony Moly Panda's Dream Brightening Eye Base

That's all I have for now. I'll just be over here in the corner quietly crying.

Winter Budget: February.

Ugh, budget. So, I did okay for my first month of budget shopping, though I'm afraid my purchases are a little on the dull side. I've spent quite a bit on skincare (though really, does sunscreen count as a "beauty" purchase? Hmph.)  and bought a few things, like the Banana sweater, that have been returned. The budget has been a good way to curb the impulse purchases (like that Boden dress I haven't bought even though I waaaaant it.) Okay, here's what I did buy:

Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50 -   $34

This is... sunscreen. I wish I could be blown away by it's magic but I'm really not. 

Marc by Marc Jacobs bag (via eBay) - $58

Marianne has this bag too, in case you were wondering. Mine came without the cross-body strap which is still pissing me off. 

Hada Labo Skin Plumping Gel Cream -  $19

This actually does plump your skin a bit, but it's SUPER sticky so only good for nighttime. The jury is still out but initial use has been positive.

Hada Labo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist - $15

One of Ampersand's recommendations! I've been using it pretty regularly and definitely notice my skin is more moisturized but one of my new products is breaking me out. Is it this one? Is it the sunscreen? Why do I do this to myself?  

Everlane cotton v-neck tee - $15

I mostly bought this to get free shipping and because I don't actually own a white t-shirt. Who the hell doesn't own a white t-shirt? Me, that's who. And now I do and it's a good one.


Everlane Heavyweight striped tee - $45

Yoo guse. Strupes.

I'll do a full review on this when it arrives! *Taps fingers impatiently*


Craft base layer - $19

This is an amazing deal, by the way. Prices vary but the white one is under $20! If you're an sporty outdoor kind of person, definitely check it out.

Total for February: $205

So, $5 over, which isn’t too terrible! I am starting to think about spring shopping and I'm good on skincare for a while, so hopefully March's list will be a bit more fun.

Boring full disclosure details nobody really cares about:

I did not include the (reasonably priced) Japanese sunscreen I purchased but did include the fancy Skinceuticals sunscreen because it was expensive and seemed like a luxury purchase. The Everlane Heavyweight striped tee is backordered (I haven’t been charged for it yet) but I still ordered in in February, so it got included. And who knows, it might get returned if it’s not perfect.

Also, for some reason I can’t even explain, I thought last Saturday was March 1st and I bought a couple of things at Banana Republic. Rather than be all hairshirty about it I’m just going to include them in with March. I mean really, what’s a day? And everyone was COMPLETELY OVER February anyway, right? Right.

Weekend Window Shopping: Things I Want To Buy. A Lot.

Not shopping is hard when it's disgusting and cold outside. Here are some pretty things that are tempting me in a bad way:

Adrien: Back on The Wagon.

Oh hey, so remember back last summer when I had to save a bunch of money and decided to put myself on a budget? I'm going to do that again. I didn't do terribly well last time so hopefully I'll manage myself better this go 'round.  

The rules this time around are a little different. My budget a bit bigger than last summer (hey, summer clothes are cheaper) but any unspent budget goes right into my savings account, it doesn't roll over. My plan is to do this until May, at which point I'll reassess the budget and my needs.

My rules:

• A monthly style budget of $200 which includes beauty/makeup, clothes, shoes, and accessories. (It does not include hair appointments because that is non-negotiable.)
• Unspent budget does NOT roll over to the next month.
• Selling something on the blog or eBay does not count as free style budget money.
• One in, one out. If I buy something I have to get rid of something.
• I will definitely still be whining about stuff I want that I can't have.

This starts February 1st and to keep myself honest I'll write an entry at the end of each month with details of exactly what I bought and how much I spent. 

And since we're already here, I thought I'd tell you what I've bought in January. My birthday was last week so I bought myself a couple of birthday gifts. A cool local boutique sent me a birthday coupon for 50% off one full-priced item so I bought myself some UGG boots:

UGG Classic Tall

I love them. SO much. Even though they're really not very attractive. My feet are cold all the time and they are so nice to slip on after a winter bike ride. I have zero regrets. I also bought some black Hudson skinny jeans at the same boutique that were something like 75% off:

Hudson Nico Mid-Rise Super Skinny

They are super-black, have a lovely mid-rise and are very comfortable. I went down a size, though, because they are really damn stretchy. Filed under "less exciting purchases" I bought more of my favorite foundation:

Smashbox Studio Skin

I did get a bunch of samples with the order, including a couple of new Bumble & bumble styling products, so I'll have those to review soon. Finally, I bought some thermal underwear from Target because everyone needed to know that, right? Sure.