I wore this on Saturday to go on a shopping and ramen trip with a friend. If I told someone I was going to wear stripes with leopard print they would think I was insane. But after seeing this look they would (hopefully) be converted! The trick to not looking totally crazy while mixing prints is to wear the same color family.

Imagine this look with a regular leopard print. I would look like a total weirdo, right? But since I paired burgundy leopard print with a stripe that also has burgundy, it doesn't look nearly as strange. I bet I still got some stares while walking through Marshalls, but I don't care!

Cardigan: DNKY (Net-a-Porter), Cashmere Turtleneck: Vince (Marshalls), Leopard Print Jeans: Current/Elliott (Rue La La), Two Tone Flats: Chanel (eBay), Bag: Dark Purple Chloé Faye (eBay)

Each fashion week I go through all the collections to choose my favorite outfits* as well as looks I would like to recreate with pieces in my own closet. This look from the Belstaff Fall 2017 collection was pretty easy to recreate, the only piece I had an issue with was the striped top since I only have 3 and they're mostly Summery. But this Zara tee did the trick! Add in some purple accessories and I was good to go!

*I haven't finished going through the September collections yet because life has been a bit hectic...OOPS!

Shearling Jacket: thrifted, Tee: Zara, Jeans: J Brand 811 Photo Ready Mid-Rise Skinny (Gilt), Shoes: Vince 'Maxon' in Fig (DSW), Bag: Dark Purple Chloé Faye (eBay)



The inspiration:

Well, I finally did it. I bought a Chloé Faye bag! Apart from my Chanel 2.55 purse back in 2012 it is the biggest clothing purchase I've made. This is a text heavy post so, if you don't want to hear me ramble on, you can just skip to the outfit.

Chloé debuted their Faye bag in September 2014 at the Spring/Summer 2015 show. It was tapped to be an it bag for Spring. Admittedly, I forgot about it until I saw it pop up in my thrice weekly "New In" email from Net-a-Porter in Spring. Once I saw it again my shoulder was itching to carry the 70s inspired bag.

The Chloé Faye comes in multiple sizes and in smooth calfskin, smooth & suede calfskin, and embellished versions.  The sturdiness and accordion style is also what drew me in. You can carry it long or short shoulder and cross-body. The ring loop with hook and chain hardware is also a really fun added touch! Another awesome detail is that the hardware is gold AND silver, perfect for my metal mixing ways. It's classic with a twist, just my style!

The Faye was made in some beautiful colors but I couldn't justify spending $2000 on a bag color I already owned or was just "basic." There was a gorgeous burgundy but I already had that same color in a smaller bag so I resisted.

It wasn't until Fall of 2016 that I absolutely HAD to have the bag. They released a dark purple which, as many of you know, is my favorite color. The day I saw it I decided to start saving up so I could eventually buy it. Unfortunately they didn't make dark purple for very long and after only a few months I couldn't find it anywhere. I knew I would have to resort to eBay and consignment shops when I finally had enough saved up.

I've scoured 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. A couple weeks ago I found this one NWT on eBay and decided it was now or never even though I didn't have enough saved. So, after a week of debating with myself, I robbed my (still unplanned) Australia vacation savings account [read about how I handle personal finance] to pay for the rest and will build that account back up to where it should be. So while I splurged it's not a huge deal since I borrowed from a vacation that won't happen for at least a year.

And one more interesting fact: my middle name is Faye after one of my grandmothers who unfortunately passed away when I was 13.  So this bag has added meaning because it is part of my name and will always remind me of my grandmother.



Tee: Everlane, Jeans: FRAME 'Le Skinny de Jeanne' (Shopbop), Flats: Vince 'Mason' (DSW), Sunglasses: Chanel, Eyeglasses chain: Tinksky (Amazon), Bag: Chloé Faye (eBay)

I wanted to wear these shoes the moment I bought them! So the next day I decided to pair them with my Carven skirt and a matching Zara tee. I think it's a pretty good combination BUT I just don't like the look of this skirt when I wear it in flats. I think it looks so much better with heels.

Shirt: Zara, Skirt: Carven (Net-a-Porter), Flats: Vince (DSW), Sunglasses: Gucci

I was pretty good this month and (almost) only bought stuff while I was on vacation in Florida. Surprise, surprise, it's all Disney! I bought a super cute sweatshirt that has a fuzzy Mickey on it and then a Mickey ring matching earrings (I bought February even though I was born in October, haha.) I used advertising money for the jewelry.

Then I found another amazing deal at DSW when I was out with my mom. Some super cool Vince flats. They were another 80% off clearance find so I saved over $250! I had actually tried them on a month or two earlier but they were only 30% off then.



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. *NEW!* Uniqlo Mickey Mouse sweatshirt ($30)

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)

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. *NEW!* Vince 'Mason' in pony fig via DSW ($23, $275+ 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. *NEW!* Birthstone Star and Mickey Mouse ring ($15 with friend's discount, used advertising money) 
6. *NEW!* Birthstone Mickey Mouse earrings ($15 with friend's discount, used advertising money)

Gifted from Brands:

Total spent in June: $52
Total spent in June with advertising money included: $83
Total spent in 2017:  $799 - $499 not counting the sunglasses
Total spent with Christmas/advertising money included: $1078 - $778 not counting sunglasses

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

From one trip to the next! The Saturday before last I headed to Florida for a quick few day trip. I didn't take outfit pictures the first day (oops) so here's what I wore for our second day. The photos were taken at Universal Orlando Resorts newest hotel, Loew's Sapphire Falls. We normally stay at their Cabana Bay hotel but there was a better deal for this one during our trip. The hotel is really nice, I loved the lobby area, such a fun Caribbean-themed design.

Tee: Vince (The Outnet), Denim Shorts: Madewell, Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Astrapi' (net-a-porter)

On our second day in Florence we took a trip to Pisa in the morning to climb the leaning tower. It was a super quick trip, we basically got off the train, walked to the tower (with a quick stop to take pictures of a pretty church I had read about), climbed the tower, took the usual holding up pictures and then walked back to the train. Then we continued our climbing day and went up the bell tower of the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore. Needless to say our legs were DEAD by the end of the day. Walking up and down about 800 steps (both Pisa and the tower were about 400) is no picnic!

Tee: Vince (The Outnet), Jeans: M.I.H. Jeans 'The TOMBOY' (Net-a-Porter), Sandals: Sam Edelman c/o ThredUp, Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika'

This is the most luxurious and soft tee I've ever worn. If I am lucky enough to find another one for a similar price ($20 rather than $135) I will DEFINITELY be scooping it up!  I do love The Outnet for all the steals and deals! Speaking of deals, everything I'm wearing in this outfit is designer, and I paid full price for NOTHING. The bag and loafers were still a splurge, but both will last for quite a while so cost per wear will go down. However, the jeans were free after a gift card.

I pride myself on not paying full price for my clothes. How do I do it? I wait for sales and shop at stores like eBay, Roundabout, Marshalls and The Outnet. I even make sure to wait for sales at these types of stores to get even better deals! 90% of the time I'm successful, but there are times when I can't wait for something to go on sale.

Tee: Vince (The Outnet), Jeans: J Brand (The RealReal), Animal Print Loafers: Burberry Prorsum (Net-a-Porter), Necklace: Indulgems (Gilt)

And so continues the week of blazers! This one is one of my favorites and an amazing deal. I bought it back in 2013 at my favorite consignment store, Roundabout! It was in the clearance section "as is" for $400...yes, please! (They usually sell Chanel blazers for at least $800.) I actually left it the first time I saw it and had to go back. Even though it was still expensive it was too good a deal to pass up, especially since it was purple-ish. I googled it the day I bought it and found it was from the Autumn 1998 collection, so it's almost 20 years old and still going strong!

Blazer: Chanel (Roundabout), Cashmere Turtleneck: Vince (Marshalls), Jeans: Current/Elliott (The Outnet), Boots: Cordani (Roundabout)

Wearing two things that haven't been getting much wear lately; my crazy boots and super soft oversized blazer. I go through phases and I haven't been wearing my blazers all that much lately, but I still love every single one I own and could never get rid of them. I'm such a hoarder! And these boots are so wild that I sometimes find it hard to wear them. Instead I just need to remember they're a statement and I can wear them with anything because they're so crazy!

Blazer: PBM Women's (Coco's $10 sale), Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater: Vince (Marshalls), Jeans: J Brand 'Maria' in blueberry (The Real Real), Booties: Tabitha Simmons 'Elisa' - also in black - for Runway to Green (Roundabout Resale)

I did manage to get a couple shots of 2 outfits from the rest of the trip, so here's a super quick look at them! I always keep my vacation looks simple - sweater (or tee) and jeans. DONE! That way I don't have to worry about multiple pieces per look and it helps me pack lighter. The only accessories I bring are my rings (which you don't get to see much of in my full outfit shots)

This photo was taken at a brand new Easter Egg at Universal. If you've seen Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them you'll recognize this as the entrance to The Blind Pig, a bar for wizards in New York City.

Cardigan: DKNY (Net-a-Porter Sale), Turtleneck: Vince (Marshalls), Jeans:  J Brand 'Maria' (Gilt), Miu Miu ankle boots (Roundabout Resale)

We spent our last night at Disney Springs since we can't go to Florida and not do something Disney related! ;)

Sweater: Anthropologie

This is my last London outfit post, so sad! One of my friends and I left a few days before our other friend and we had a few hours in the morning before out flight. We decided to take one last walk to Kensington Palace and caught some Pokemon along the way. What? We had to take advantage of all the extra starter Pokemon they had out for New Years! ;)

Leopard Coat: Marshalls, Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater: Vince (Marshalls), Jeans: FRAME (Shopbop), Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Saks Off Fifth), Boots: Grandma's