And I caved

Sorry for being late but as always it has been a little crazy around here for us.  I finally caved but in that moment of caving, (which took over 6 hours before I did) for an amazing deal I knew that I had to continue my self challenge into next month with the exception of getting back on track with Christmas gifts, and vacation shopping.  Here is what last week's fashion parade looked like:

Day 22

Fun blouse and the texture makes it even better, it is waffle like squares that are part of the material.

I bought the pants off the clearance rack last fall and they fit differently now but still nice to wear on these cooler days.  I also love the deep burgundy color that is mixed with black.  My KC color block shoes should probably be retired but they are a great statement piece when it comes to certain outfits.

Day 23

I bought this at a vintage shop although it is most likely from the last five years, maybe, I need to research the designer.  Easy shift dress with neck embellishment but I like to add a belt so I do not feel lost in the dress as it gives me a waistline.

I paired up the navy blue bow kitten heels as the pattern has blue throughout the dress.

Day 24 

 This is one amazing outfit, easy tee under my fleece lined military style sweater.  The skirt is ruffle layers, super chic and girly.

Different ways to wear the sweater, dress up or dress down kind of accessory.

Day 25

I wore a patchwork skirt during the day and forgot to take a photo, it is not the bubble skirt, with it being a straight skirt that hits right above my knees and the patchwork pattern differs slightly but enough to notice a difference.

In the evening we had an event to go to, with it being indoors I wanted to stay warm.  So I paired my tee that I wore throughout the day with jeans and a blazer.

Check out the detail, again another great texture.

Day 26

I worked out and had to work my second job, decided it was time to pull out one of my favorite tee's.  It reminds me of childhood, I can recall my cousins wearing shirts just like this one.

Day 27

Cold morning to start our day with an early breakfast and volunteering at our church so I decided it was time to break out the Toronto Grand Prix hoodie Darren bought me.  Pairing it up with a recent favorite, plaid snap up and cozy broken in jeans.

Day 28

Always thinking about how cold it might be at church I put on a 3/4 sleeve cowl neck kangaroo pocket comfy shirt and my striped cotton zip up plus dark faded out jeans.

 

On Wednesday of last week I finally caved, for swimsuit bottoms.  It did take me over 5 hours before I actually went ahead and purchased the bottoms I found online, on clearance and being able to take an additional 50% off for that day only made the deal so hard to pass up in thinking about our upcoming vacation.  I have been in need of upgrading my bottoms as some are too small and needed replaced plus I already have tops that I can mix and match with them.  After putting things in my online basket and letting them sit I still removed some tops I liked to bring it down to 8 bottoms.  (I honestly thought they would run out and then I would be out of luck altogether, this has happened before and I thought it would again.)  After the different prices on each one and shipping, some as low as 2 dollars from this popular women's brand, I paid about 5 dollars each.  Then on Saturday I saw some gift cards were on sale plus I could use my discounts that added up to 15% off which meant I would save almost $15.00 and make for great gifts to stash for future use. I went ahead on that as this deal rarely comes up to not go ahead before I lost the opportunity to save.  Not bad, sure I caved, but it only makes me want to hold my challenge into October.  Of course I have some major catching up to do with Christmas around the corner but easy does it.  I also know that I have accomplished a lot and do not feel the high desire to shop for my favorite brands even when there has been a great sale.

My awesome bottoms.

14 days to go

Another week has gone by and it started off great.  I took Sunday and Monday off with Labor Day and Darren's family golf outing meant I got to spend the day with Mrs. D.  It was a busy one as we worked on some computer items that she was needing help with and we looked at what could be done with the fabric I recently purchased.  

Day 15

Since it was to get warm I chose a light cotton charged racerback dress.  Its a favorite of mine for easy summer/warm days.  I wished they had more when I picked this great deal before Christmas when shopping with my mom and sister. 

I paired a thin quarter length tie up.  Its been in my closet forever but a nice easy cover up and with my brown sandals.

Day 16

 Back to the office on Tuesday and a great look to make it fun.  A favorite easy dress shirt that does not iron very easily as its part of the look and the material with easy dark green straight legs and gray straw heels-as I like to call them.  Sorry the green did not photograph well, but they are amazing.

 A fun leaf necklace in dark metal completed my look.

Day 17

This top rarely gets worn but its a classic piece that is so much fun that I had to put it on this week.  Add straight black dress pants with the t-strap sandals and its complete.  Well after I added a black fleece dress sweater that buttons up like a military coat.  Sorry grabbed it on my way out the door and did not have time to take another photo.

I like the added detail on the back as well, sorry forgot to adjust around my arms.

 Day 18

Fall thinks it is time to come and so I needed something warmer to make it in the ice box of an office.  I wore my vintage loose knitted sweater with black leggings and the t-straps. 

I also wore a vintage button up blouse that I love.  A favorite piece that I found this year as it reminds me of a dress that my mom wore and I have seen in photos.

Day 19

I worked my second job so I mostly wore Pj's, khakis with a black double v neck tee, and then some workout clothes.  I did purchase some candles in thoughts of household and they were 70 percent off definitely helped, some crayons and power bars that I use as grocery portion.

Day 20

Pj's, work clothes and back in pj's. Nothing exciting but its been a crazy week and I do not get dressed up for cleaning house.  But I did put on a bright orange tee as my under shirt for the short work day.

You can never have too many basic tee's or multiples in the same color, my thought at least.

Day 21
Today I put on my favorite pair of jeans, I own multiple pairs in different washes but only this set is wearable as I have the others in a smaller size.  Just fit great and easy to wear and pair with different tops.  Had to wear a lightweight sweater to keep warm at church but the faithful sandals complete my look.

Since it is so cold in church I had to cover up but wanted to show the details on my blouse.

That winds down another week.

2 down, 2 to go

Week 2 has gone really well.  I have been able to delete all emails in regards to shopping, quite easily for the most part also have thrown out any mailings- few but still possible to be tempted and I will not have it interfere with my self challenge.  I had some slight temptation but then I kept moving along with cleaning out the inbox.  I have purchased some fabric for a church event and some centerpieces, all was on sale or clearance and I had an additional coupon for the fabric and thread.

Day 8

A sleeveless dress, a cardigan button up with puffed shoulders and side bow kitten heels.

Day 9

A lace top in my signature color with black slacks that have silver pinstripes.

Day 10

Sheer tangerine blouse, navy blue sailor skirt with blue stone necklace and earrings as well as Gold wedges.

After wearing these wedges that I have had for awhile I have decided to donate them, as much as I love them my feet might be a tad small and as I walk my feet slip up.  So onto finding another pair to replace these amazing wedges.

We went to an extra nice dinner Tuesday, it was definitely great just to have a night out.  The chocolate cake was divine, must figure out how to duplicate.

Day 11

A white double V neck tee, vintage printed skirt and white jean jacket for the hot week.

I love these sandals also own them in brown but somehow wear the white ones more often. 

Day 12

Weightlifting started my day, then work and after dinner Darren and I went for fabric and this most recent purchase made my movie date option.  The capri pants fit differently, size S in european is not the same as american but with a loose blouse it works out together.  There are those white sandals.

Check out different patchwork, light in front, semi-dark on side and dark jean in back.  

Amazing and so comfy.

Day 13

I threw on some workout clothes for my bike ride and then house clothes as I worked the afternoon to evening.

Day 14

A patchwork bubble skirt, plain tee with my favorite white sandals.

On my way out the door I added a white cloth blazer as it is usually cold in church.  It is a gift from Darren that I wear a lot, so comfy and can be paired in many different ways.

Half way there!

Week 1 of Fashion it Again

Weekly roundup for my dress up everyday as I do not pay out for additional items.  It was a good week in the end, not too much temptation but enough to keep the challenge very real.  I almost bought a flash drive that was a great price on clearance for the amount of storage for the documents I had in mind but repeated to myself that I could just wait and buy an external that would be a much higher storage amount for the money I would invest into it. 

Day one:

Statement Scarf from Mrs. D, a birthday gift.

Day 2

Khaki straight legs with a teal button up and one of my favorite belts

Day 3

Basic black tee with a striped skirt

Day 4

A recent purchase, before my challenge, blouse with wide leg trousers

My shoes are amazing, they help me handle the long tax season days but ready to pull off once I sit down.  Thankfully I have an office where I can do just that and crawl into my chair.

Friday, Day 5

(Grocery shopping day)

My day started with a V neck tee, Khaki's and a basic brown woven belt

But it ended by pairing the basic black V neck tee with barely boot jeans, a white blazer and my newest scarf.

The belt gets a lot of use and I have had it since college, so a little while.

Day 6 

Sorry got too busy to turn on the computer for a photo before the crazy day started.

I wore white bermuda shorts, black t-strap sandals with a basic black tee, yes I own quite a few of the basic tee's and in different colors covered up with a pink sweater.

Then I changed my top into a button up flowered salmon colored blouse with other colors.

Day 7 

Today I worked so Khakis and a sweater it was, nothing too exciting but now I am in my pj bottoms and relaxing as it is much needed.  I did buy a pizza from a local place we love for dinner as we were both exhausted, using cash and not my bank card.

Getting closer to the goal, feeling empowered.

Also got to see some football downtown and got to treat my dad, mom and youngest siblings to the experience.

 My Saturday night outfit for day 6

Challenge Day 4

Day 2 of my no shopping challenge was hard, temptation from every angle as I had to go out and shop for our office for some redecorating that I have on deck.  One store has their furniture scattered throughout the entire building which means you are going to come across something's that should belong in your home. For me it was quatrefoil's, everywhere, art, mirrors, pillows, dog items- and I do not even have a dog but it was so awesome.  I made out without purchasing anything, not even the table I carried around the entire time as I realized that it had a funky leg while I checked out.  
Day 3 was easier as office shopping only led me to Lowe's for paint chips and counter top paint.  While at work in the evening I was too tired to care about the items that came in the check lane and cleaning up areas kept me away from the girls clothing and clearance.

I did decide to document my clothing choice for each day.  After a week or so I will post those.
26 more days to go in the first half of this challenge.

The many different quatrefoils that tempted me a few days ago.  Sorry about the burned bottom its due to my case shifting on the phone.

Fashion(ista?)

I LoVE fashion.  A LOT, would be an understatement its more like a need, must have, give it to me so I can live kind of obsession.  While I would still live and be happy without fashion it definitely makes getting dolled up so much more fun.  I like name brands but of course vintage has also become my newest favorite thing in the past couple of years.  I may not be buying Chanel, Vera Wang, Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton or other high end pieces off the runways of Paris or New York but I do make sure to buy a variety that will not be lost in time or unwearable as I continue to grow up.  Rather they might be statement pieces that make me feel bold, a punch up, a fun cut to the piece or the bright colors of another with a nice collection of basics.  It just makes me happy.  After some thinking about my weakness for clothing/fashion and my desire to continue to thin out my closet of the un-used I will be taking a vacation from purchasing items for myself and gifts (which tend to be most of my spending in thinking of Christmas and birthdays, Tegan's fault for being such a cute little niece).  Even though most of my buys are bargains sometimes one just needs a break from something they like so much. Thanks to Amy who did this awhile back and blogged about her 1 month of no personal shopping, just the basic needs.  Today is Day 1.  I have deleted all email's that pertain to shopping.  I would like to make it atleast a month, September 20th but will extend to our Cruise in October.  Shopping is an extra in life, where my extra money is going and I can do without a couple weeks or months of it.  This will also help me reach some goals in other areas which is a plus.Will power, challenge accepted.  

Can you blame me?! Pieces from my wardrobe that will be reused over and over again as I fight the battle of shopping randomly.  I love so many of my pieces that I know I have the ability to mix and match in new and different ways.