It was a pretty rainy morning on Saturday so we decided to take photos with an umbrella. Of course by the time we got to the park it had stopped for a bit, but we carried on with umbrella shots even though it wasn't raining. Sometimes you just have to fake it! (And of course it started sprinkling again as we left.)

This umbrella was a special piece in the Altuzarra for Target collection and I believe was only available to giveaway winners. Somehow I got lucky and won it on Instagram! WOO!

Floral Camisole: eight sixty (dress version),  Jeans: IRO "Faxy Cropped Jean" (Gilt c/o Wikibuy), Sandals: Seyschelles (DSW), Umbrella: Altuzarra for Target (giveaway win)

These shoes are one of my favorite Net-a-Porter sale buys. I always find great pieces during the sales for a fraction of the retail price. Normally I wait for the end of the sale but I knew these would sell out so I bought them the first day in 2013. It's a good thing I did because they sold out that afternoon. This season's Net-a-Porter sale started a couple weeks and I've been trying to resist because I just haaaad to go and buy a house, ha ha. (I do have some advertising money in PayPal if I lose my self control or find something amazing.)

Top: Daniel Rainn (Piperlime), Jeans: IRO "Faxy Cropped Jean" (Gilt c/o Wikibuy), Animal Print Loafers: Burberry Prorsum animal-print calf hair slipper (Net-a-Porter), Bag c/o Orox Leather 'Merces Saddle,' Necklace: Madewell, Sunglasses: Gucci, Eyeglasses chain: Tinksky (Amazon)

I finally got to wear this cashmere sweater I bought back in July for a mere $25. Gotta love end of season sales, right?! This has been such an odd, warm Fall season. I didn't even need to wear a sweater on this particular day but I wore it anyway because it was the end of October.

Striped Cashmere Sweater: Alice + Olivia (Roundabout), Jeans: IRO "Faxy Cropped Jean" (Gilt c/o Wikibuy), Bucket Bag: Tommy Hilfiger (Clinton Crossing), Mouse Flats: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop)

This was an outfit I threw on to go visit my aunt for my monthly massage. I slept over and met up with Lydia at Clinton Crossing the next day for our Fall Fashion Preview. Luckily she decided she wanted to do two sets of outfit pictures otherwise this never would have made it on the blog and I actually REALLY like it.

Camisole: eight sixty, Jeans: IRO c/o Wikibuy, Velvet Floral Embroidered Mules: Zigi Soho (T.J. Maxx), Amethyst Necklace: BubuRuby (etsy), Aviator Sunglasses: Gucci, Eyeglasses chain: Tinksky (Amazon), Bag: Chloé Faye (eBay)

I tried to behave a little more this month since I spent quite a bit in July. Buuuut that all went to heck when I decided to bite the bullet on a purchase I've been wanting to make since last year: a Chloé Faye bag. Technically I've wanted it since Summer 2015 but last Fall they came out with MY COLOR and that sealed my fate! I've slowly been saving up to buy one but it was slow going for a while and it's almost impossible to find a brand new dark purple bag.  This is the biggest clothing purchase I've made, apart from my Chanel 2.55 purse back in 2012.

I've been scouring eBay, The Real Real, Luxury Garage Sale, and Vestiaire Collective for at least 8 months. During that time I came across maybe 1 or 2 bags in passable condition. That's why it was a little easier for me to justify buying it before I had fully saved up. I took the remainder of the money I needed out of my Australia vacation savings account and now I'll just build that back up to where it needs to be over the next 6 months. So while I was bad, it's not a huge deal since I basically robbed a vacation that won't be happening for at least a year to pay for a bag. Don't you all love reading about how I justify my huge purchases?

Other than that, I did add a few other pieces to my closet, but all were gifted by brands, so no issues there! Let's see how I behave next month.



THE (modified) RULES

1. Be mindful of purchases 
2. Quality over quantity
3. Basics are best

MY PROGRESS 

Clothes:

1. She Made Me Essential crocheted swimsuit via Net-a-Porter ($45, $150 retail,  Xmas $$)
2. G.H. Bass burgundy cardigan at Clinton Crossing ($0,  $7.5 w/coupon, $99 retail) 
3. G.H. Bass cargo pants at Clinton Crossing ($0,  $21 w/coupon, $69 retail)  
4. Disney Mickey tee ($10 at Target)
5. Who What Wear x Target Sleeveless Floral Dress ($30) 
6. Uniqlo Mickey Mouse sweatshirt ($30) 
7.  Proenza Schouler tweed colorblock shorts via Roundabout ($57, $1680 retail)

Basics:

1. Calypso St. Barth Gylden Cashmere Sweater via Gilt ($71, $295 retail, Christmas $$)
2. M.i.h Jeans Tomboy cropped jeans via Net-a-Porter ($98, $245 retail, Christmas $$)
3. Who What Wear x Target bodysuit ($14, $20 retail) 
4. FRAME Ribbed wool & cashmere-blend sweater via Net-a-Porter ($104, $325 retail, used advertising money) 
5. Alice + Olivia blue striped cashmere sweater via Roundabout ($25, $368? retail) 
6. *NEW!* Chloe 'Faye' in Dark Purple via eBay ($1500, $1950 retail)

Shoes:

1. Miu Miu ankle boots via Roundabout Resale - also here and here ($146,  $850 retail)
2. New Look Metallic Block Heel sandal via ASOS ($35, advertising $$) 
3. BCBGeneration 'Beverly' mule via Saks Off 5th at Clinton Crossing ($0,  $110 retail)  
4. Impo 'Omega' boot (or Onnie, can't tell) via DSW ($12, $112 retail - in black) 
5. Vince 'Mason' in pony fig via DSW ($23, $275+ retail) 
6. Nicholas Kirkwood suede prism pumps via Net-a-Porter sale ($250, $625 retail) 
7. Sam Edelman Lars slub satin espadrille slide via Net-a-Porter sale ($36, $90 retail)

Accessories:

1. Tommy Hilfiger (similar) via Clinton Crossing ($0,  retail $?)  
2. Mejuri Loop Earrings by Jamie! ($55)
3. Gucci aviator sunglasses ($300, bought in Rome) 
4. Disney x Coach 'Patricia' with Mickey ears ($179 at Coach Outlet, $395 retail)
5. Birthstone Star and Mickey Mouse ring ($15 with friend's discount, used advertising money) 
6. Birthstone Mickey Mouse earrings ($15 with friend's discount, used advertising money)

Gifted from Brands:

1. *NEW!* IRO Faxy Cropped Jean via Gilt c/o Wikibuy (retail $285)
2. *NEW!* Banana Republic Peplum Sweater c/o Banana Republic Factory at Clinton Crossing
3. *NEW!* Banana Republic Cherry Blossom 'Ryan' Pant c/o Banana Republic Factory
4. *NEW!* Banana Republic 'Sloan' in purple c/o Banana Republic Factory
5. *NEW!* Banana Republic ruffle sleeve top in teal c/o Banana Republic Factory
6. *NEW!* Banana Republic linen shorts c/o Banana Republic Factory

Total spent in August: $1500

Total spent in 2017:  $1167 - $867 not counting the sunglasses
Total spent including Chloe Faye: $2,667 - $2,367 not counting sunglasses
Total spent with Christmas/advertising money included: $1550 - $1250 not counting sunglasses

*the money for the sunglasses came out of my vacations savings account rather than "regular" money
 

A couple weeks ago I was introduced to a new-to-me shopping website, Wikibuy! There are a few ways to use this site. First, you can search using their search bar on the website. You can also view available coupon codes for stores like Gilt, American Eagle and Sephora! That can be done on the site or from your cart using the wikibuy for Chrome add-on! Finally, when you shop on Amazon you can use the Chrome add-on to find a better deal at one of wikibuy's partner stores! When you accept a wikibuy offer, you pay wikibuy - and wikibuy places and tracks the order to make sure it gets delivered on time.

I used the Chrome extension on Amazon and looked for a cute statement bag. I found an adorable dinosaur bag by Betsey Johnson but in the end I went to Gilt and got a fun pair of jeans by IRO with a 30% off code.

I have so many basic jeans that I wanted to experiment with a new wash and fit and these cropped jeans fit the bill! For their first outing I've paired them with a printed crop top and silver heels to up the femininity a bit. Maybe next time I'll wear them with loafers and a tee.

Top: bought in Santorini, Jeans: IRO c/o Wikibuy, Heels: New Look (ASOS)


Here are a few screenshots to show you how it all works!

Download the wikibuy add-on for Chrome to make deal finding even easier!

Check for coupon codes on their partner sites

Use the chrome add-on while shopping on Amazon to find cheaper prices!