I broke my no spending streak! But I used blog profits so technically still didn't spend "real" money.  I got a site credit/promotion for $25 off a $50 purchase at TheRealReal so I did a quick (aka all night long) browse and found a couple things to splurge on. Some new with tags jeans and a really cute Marc by Marc Jacobs sweater. After all my years of blogging still one of my favorite brands (even though it was discontinued in 2015, haha.) I also threw in an $8 tank to get me to the $50. Since that was so cheap I'm splitting the $25 between the sweater and jeans for wardrobe price purposes.

Upon writing this post I found out, according to WWD, that J Brand won't be selling jeans on their website and in department stores anymore. Hopefully this doesn't mean they will disappear because they're one of my favorite jean brands! (Especially the Maria high rise)

Beginning with the summer 2021 collection, J Brand will be sold via Fast Retailing’s divisions, Uniqlo and Theory stores.  The brand’s Web site will be paused in spring 2021 and will  eventually be redeveloped.  It is conceivable that J Brand would open freestanding stores in the future.

I also got a $15 credit for Madewell and was trying to resist using it but then yesterday they had extra 40% off sale and free expedited shipping. I ended up buying two v-neck tees for $4. Can't beat that! They should be here tomorrow. Apparently I had a purple theme this month.

I also got a few new things for a sponsored Instagram post this month. Some workout clothes from Dona Jo. And I got new pieces from Aurate for a post next month. Stay tuned!

THE (modified) RULES

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

MY PROGRESS

 

Clothes:

1. *NEW!* Marc by Marc Jacobs cropped sweater ($12.50, retail $298, used ad money)
   
2. *NEW!* J Brand Maria High Rise in Purple Velvet ($7.50, retail $228, used ad money)
   
3. *NEW!* Current/Elliott "The Muscle" leopard print tank ($8, retail $75?, used ad money)
   

1. mīere the label "Frankie" knit sweater in Faded Black ($56.92, $32.15 if we omit shipping)
2. *NEW!* Madewell Whisper Cotton V-Neck Tee in Spiced Plum ($2, retail $19.50, used ad money)
3. *NEW!* Madewell Whisper Cotton V-Neck Tee in Sahara Sand  ($2, retail $19.50, used ad money)

Shoes:

1. Ancient Greek Sandals Kore of Berlin ($365, used Shopbop gift cards + ad money + 15% off)
   

Handbags:

1. None yet

1. None yet

Activewear/Swimwear:

1. Ryka "Belong" Walking Shoe in Plum Red/Burgundy via DSW ($26.58, $79.99 retail)

Gifted from Brands:

• Pearl and Gold Bar Duo Stud Earring - Rose Gold c/o Aurate  
• Gold Bar Stud Earrings - Rose Gold c/o Aurate  
• Gold Bar Stud Earrings - Yellow Gold c/o Aurate  
• Janey Sport Sandal - Pewter c/o Aetrex 
  
• *NEW!* Active Biker Short in Jungle c/o Dona Jo
• *NEW!* Adjustable Bra in Jungle c/o Dona Jo
• *NEW!* Urban Tank in Pitanga c/o Dona Jo
• *NEW!* Destination Aura Beaded Necklace in Marrakech c/o Aurate
• *NEW!* Endless Gemstone Station Necklace in Rose Quartz c/o Aurate
  

Spent in August: $0

Spent in 2022: $83.50

I love when these forsythias on my Mom's property line bloom in Spring. Always such a great spot for outfit photos. I've been meaning to wear these jeans again for a while but whenever we went out it was to the grocery store and I didn't feel like wearing heels and weird jeans there.  I'm not usually a big fan of white/cream clothes, but this top is always an exception. Such a beautiful print and I love the birds on it.

Cardigan: Marc Jacobs (Roundabout Resale)

Floral Top: Zara

Jeans: Free People 'Ray of Sunshine' Wide-Leg Jean (Marshalls) 

Boots: Chloé 'Piper' (Roundabout Resale, another pair)

Bag: Dark Purple Chloé Faye (eBay)  

Sunglasses: Gucci Aviators

Necklace: Acanthus Jewelry 'Gemma'

Here's one of the looks I mentioned in my last outfit post that I wore while visiting my sister and didn't get photos of. I did change the shoes from the previous time I wore this since we weren't expecting snow. This is what I wore for our early Valentine's lunch. Christian and I aren't big celebrators of the holiday but we do like to go out to a nicer than usual weekend meal. Last year we got takeout because we were still unvaccinated but this year we went out to one of our favorite places (mine since I was little) The Chowder Pot! We were the first ones there when they opened and by the time we left there were only 3 other tables in our section. We were the youngest there, haha! Gotta love eating at 11am with the old people. 

P.S. Ignore the black ring on my other hand. Christian doesn't like to wear his wedding ring when he drives so I put it on to avoid it being misplaced. Totally forgot to take it off for photos, ha ha!

Long Cardigan: J.Crew (Roundabout Resale)

Sweater: Marc by Marc Jacobs "Pyo" Striped Sweater (Saks Off Fifth)

Jeans: FRAME 'Le Skinny de Jeanne' (Shopbop)

Boots: Marc by Marc Jacobs Burgundy Buckle Boot (Coco's on the Green) 

Sunglasses: Gucci aviators (bought in Rome)

Italian leather bag (bought in Venice)

As the weather gets warmer, I'm all about less is more when it comes to clothes, and jewelry. That doesn't have to mean fewer pieces thanks to thin stackable rings from Aurate! I'm excited to finally be breaking out all my Summer pieces like denim shorts and lightweight dresses.  And the clothes I bought last year and didn't get to wear much.

Mostly I'm excited to start cycling through my collection of Ancient Greek Sandals. We all know my obsession for the brand runs deep. I now own 11 pairs, we'll see if I can resist adding a new style this Summer. I intended to wear a pair with this outfit but Christian persuaded me to switch to another favorite pair of sandals - my Lanvin studded sandals! I wore the black version instead of my multicolor suede pair.

If I had more places to go this Summer I would finally try out Rent The Runway's subscription service to go all out on the fashion front. It would be a nice change after rarely getting dressed this past year and a half. But we all know I'm still a homebody at heart, so it won't be worth it for me, ha ha! At least I can take advantage of their clearance section with items that have been retired from renting.

How dreamy are these photos? The day we took the photos, cottonwood was in full force making it look like it was snowing. The wind aided in their spread across our favorite park.  Have you ever experienced these seeds blowing off their trees in the wind where you live?

Dress: Edun Fuchsia printed silk dress (eBay)

Sandals: Lanvin studded leather 'City' sandal (The RealReal)

Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika' c/o Shopbop

Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Perfect Purse ostrich-effect PVC' (Net-a-Porter sale)

Stackable Rings, Simple Pearl Necklace & Pearl Earrings c/o AUrate

*This post was made in partnership with Responsival.  Thank you for supporting brands I feature*

Name a better gift for Mom than beautiful gold personalized necklaces! They can be made special in so many ways with initials, birthstones and zodiac signs. You can personalize them for your Mother's birthday or even with your/all her children's birthdays. AU-Rate has plenty of options to choose from! If you're not a birthstone or initial fan you can just choose any of their pieces and select your Mom's preferred color - gold, white or rose! It's impossible to not be able to find the perfect piece of jewelry.

Aurate also released a new collaboration with Kerry Washington last week called The Birth of Mother  featuring beautiful organic pearls and seashell motifs. Order by May 5th for regular shipping and May 7th for overnight to get your gift in time (in stock items only, not made to order.)

If your Mom isn't a jewelry lover there are plenty of other options to make her smile! Mine will never say no to a beautiful candle, my favorite brand to splurge on the past number of years has been Voluspa, but I also discovered L’or de Seraphine last year! Both are a bit on the pricier side, but when it comes to gifting - go for the high end!

For the Mom with a sweet tooth you could bake her something yourself (check out my baking posts to see what I've made lately) or order her a fancy dessert she wouldn't buy for herself! Maybe some Ladurée macarons or Dō cookie dough! You could even find a local donut shop that makes over the top donuts! Around here we have Donut Crazy!

Side-note: How beautiful is this london blue topaz and diamond ring from Aurate? I had to buy it when I saw it matched one of my favorite necklaces that my Grandmother handed down to me.

Double V-Neck Cashmere Sweater: Calypso St. Barth 'Gylden' (Gilt)

Floral Jeans Target Flipside Denim 

Sandals:  Zigi Soho Velvet Floral Embroidered Open Toe Mules (TJ Maxx)

Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Natural Selection Mini Messenger Bag' (Saks Fifth Avenue)

Sunglasses: Gucci Aviators (bought in Italy)

Blue Topaz & Diamond Necklace: hand-me-down from Grandma

Ring: Vintage Emerald Cut Ring with London Blue Topaz c/o Aurate