I made a purchase this month that I almost instantly regretted. I saw an amazing dress on Ashley of SideSmileStyle's instagram and HAD to have it. So I scoured the internet and found it on Poshmark. It was a size medium so I took a chance and unfortunately it is a little big in some spots and tight in others. The colors aren't exactly what I was expecting either, they're a little brighter. Maybe it will grow on me.

Sadly I spent a TON of money on travel related things this month so July has to be a no-shop month, except on my vacation. First, I renewed my annual pass for Universal Orlando. Second I bought tickets to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in London, which means I'm going to London for New Years - WOO! AND a friend and I will be going to see JK Rowling & Eddie Redmayne talk at Carnegie Hall in November before seeing Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them (a week before the movie actually comes out!) Such a bad girl! But that's what I have my "vacation" savings for! I save every month and withdraw when I need to. A good system! :)



THE (modified) RULES

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

MY PROGRESS 

Clothes:

1. Saint Laurent Silk Patchwork Blouse ($350 via eBay, xmas money, $2390+ retail)
2. Free People Jax Patched Skinny Jean ($52, retail $128) 
3. Jason Wu snakeskin pussy bow blouse ($122 via Roundabout, $1395 retail) 
4. Cynthia Steffe 'Naomi' feather print shirt dress ($10 via Lord & Taylor, $248 retail) 
5. Greylin 'Osten' Open Back Romper ($27 via Gilt) 
6. Proenza Schouler Jacquard pants ($247 via Yoox, $1,650+ retail) 
7. *NEW* Zara striped knit dress ($35 via Poshmark)

Basics:

1. J.Crew Factory colorblock sweater ($24, used gift card)
2. Banana Republic 'patch-pocket' shorts ($11 at Clinton Crossing Premium Outlet) 

Shoes:

1. Ancient Greek Sandals 'Athanasia' in Croc ($238 via Moda Operandi, $280 retail)
2. J.Crew Raffia Seaside Sandals (Mom bought at Clinton Crossing) 

Accessories:

1.  Gemstone Necklace via Geclassics in Boston ($8.50)

Gifted from Brands:

1. *NEW!* Simple Retro crop top (via Amazon)

Total spent in 2016:  $750.50
(not counting Saint Laurent top which used Christmas money)

I wore this a couple weekends ago when I visited friends in New York City. It was really nice out but definitely hot in the sun. On this particular day I did a bit of shopping with an old blog friend, Laura, who I met in person for the first time in 2014. She was visiting for London so we made sure to meet and catch up.

Dress: Splendid (Net-a-Porter Sale), Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Alethea' (bought in Santorini), Sunglasses: Chanel

These shorts are one of my new favorite buys! I got them for a steal ($11) in April at the Banana Republic outlet and once it got warm enough to wear them I wore them twice in a 3 day span! I had been wanting this color and style of short of a while but could never find the "perfect" pair. I think these are it! They'll definitely come in handy for my (eventual) safari trip! That's a long way off though.

Camisole: made by Grandma,  Shorts: Banana Republic, Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Astrapi' (Net-a-Porter), Sunglasses: Chanel

Yes, I'm wearing a long sleeve, dark colored shirt. Yes, it's the first week of Summer. Do I care? Nope! Ha ha. Yesterday was a little dreary so I decided I wanted to wear my Free People flares. I wasn't in the mood for a tee or a tank top so I went with my striped crop top. The fabric is thin enough that it didn't make me overheat. This was my first time wearing this as an actual crop top and not with something high waisted and I actually quite like it!

Fun note: The shoes that you can't really see were my first ever piece from The Outnet way back in 2011. I did buy something in early 2010 but had to return it because it didn't fit. So I've been a customer of theirs since the beginning, always fun to think about!

Happy Friday!! I'm leaving this afternoon for my third year helping out my friend's Teen Wolf convention, Howler Con! My job is taking one of the actors to his various panels, photo ops and autograph sessions. It's a fun, and busy, weekend. But this year I need to worry about watching the Game of Thrones finale on Sunday! AHH! I'll either be rushing home after the con to watch or staying an extra night at the hotel, ha ha.

Top: Zara, Jeans: Free People (Marshalls), Espadrilles: Burberry (The Outnet, similar), Necklace: Geoclassics

Notice anything different? .... I CUT MY HAIR! Last Thursday I got a long overdue haircut and chopped off about 6 or 7 inches. Oddly enough it's now about the same length as it was in this week's throwback look from 3 years ago.  I also slightly changed the look by using a different belt and making the tee look a little more cropped.

Sadly this will probably be the last you see of these fun wedges. When I got home after wearing this one of the straps completely came out from in between the wedge and the leather sole. If I can't fix them it's the end of the line. But they've had a good run of at least 6 years.

(ignore the stupid baby hairs! They're finally growing longer, but now they're always in the way...GROW FASTER!)

Dress: Lauren by Ralph Lauren (Lord & Taylor), Tee: Everlane, Sandals: Steve Madden (Marshalls), Necklace: Marc Jacobs

The Original: 

This outfit is from a couple weekends ago. I wore it to go out to breakfast with my family and then to do some random shopping (Christmas Tree Shop and Trader Joe's.) It was a beautiful day so we drove my Dad's Mustang with the top down. I do love Summer! Probably not the best idea to wear dark jeans, but they looked great with the camisole so I did it anyway. What we do for fashion, right?

Camisole: eight sixty (similar), Jeans: Free People 'Jax' Patchwork Skinny Jean, Sandals: Isola c/o Marshalls, Necklace: Acanthus

Sometimes all it takes to make an outfit go from frumpy to cool is to tie it up. When I first had this outfit on, I didn't have the shirt tucked in so it looked a little wonky. I didn't want it tucked so I decided to tie it and show some skin. So scandalous!

Top: thrifted, Jeans: Current/Elliott, Sandals: Malu c/o Marshalls

It's all about the red, white and blue! Wearing, once again, my favorite summer sweater! It's so light that I can wear it even when its 80 degrees. If only they had made this in different colors, I may have gotten more! Totally worth it.

Sweater: Club Monaco, Jeans: Current/Elliott, Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Athena' (Gilt), Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika' (Ditto), Necklace: Isabel Marant c/o Luisaviaroma

Another look that has been in constant rotation over the years (with different shoes.) This is the perfect Summer sweater because it's so light. It is great for when there is a slight chill in the air or if you go to the frozen section of the grocery store. If only I had known when I bought it 5+ years ago, I would have gotten more colors! And the dress is one of my absolute favorites, gotta love Marc Jacobs!

Dress: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Sweater: American Eagle, Sandals: Michael Kors (DSW), Necklace c/o Marrin Costello, Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika' (Ditto)


The Original:

This romper was one of my April buys. It's a tiny bit too big, but that's what you get for shopping sample sale sites...I couldn't exchange for a smaller size - because it sold out - so it was either return it or keep it. Since it was only $27 I opted to keep it. I love the little bit of skin it shows in the back, it also adds a nice breeze when it's super hot out.

I've been meaning to get these sandals fixed but I have no idea if a cobbler would be able to do what I need. Or where there is a cobbler near me.  My friend borrowed them when we were on vacation and it rained so the leather stretched out a LOT. I need to get the back straps shortened so I can buckle them again. When I wore them this day I kind of faked it since I knew I wouldn't be walking a lot. #shoehacks.

Romper: Greylin (Gilt), Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Clio' (Nordstrom), Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika' (Ditto), Necklace: Geoclassics