Friday was the main event - Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party! We didn't have tickets to get into the park during the day so we spent the morning at Universal and got lunch at The Three Broomsticks. I got one of my stand-bys, the Cornish Pasties - SO GOOD! We headed to Magic Kingdom for 4pm when we were allowed to get in with our party tickets. After that it was time for 8 hours of magic! We rode tons of rides, met a bunch of characters and enjoyed complimentary cookies and drinks (hot chocolate and snow cones for me!) Such a fun night, if you'll be in Florida around Christmas I recommend it.

During the day I had an Everlane tee on but for the party I added my reindeer sweater! So while it was annoying to carry around until it got cold, it was definitely needed later at night. We left the park around 12:30 (it closed at 12 but we walked slow)

Reindeer Sweater: J Crew, Tee: Everlane, Jeans: Free People (eBay), Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Alethea', Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Saks Fifth Avenue), Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika' (Ditto)

Since I was working most of the day Thursday I wasn't able to take outfit pictures until later in the day when it was dark, so I apologize for the horrible quality! These were taken at Universal Studios after we ran in for a quick ride at Gringotts. After that we went to one of my favorite restaurants, Antojitos, followed by dessert at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium where I had AMAZING flourless chocolate cake.

Cashmere Sweater: Club Monaco, Corduroys: Abercrombie, Sandals: Ancient Greek Sandals 'Alethea'

I went on a quick trip to Florida at the end of last week. I wanted to go to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party this year and this was the perfect time to do it. So Wednesday afternoon a friend and I flew into Orlando (yay for Southwest rewards points.) We stayed with some friends and I worked from their place on Thursday until about 5 when theme park madness started. We came home late Saturday night. But Wednesday night was spent at Disney Springs where we walked around, had some dinner and saw their Disney themed Christmas trees.

Chambray Jacket: Cloth & Stone c/o Marshalls, Tee: Old Navy, Jeans: Free People (eBay), Boots: Vince Camuto (Marshalls), Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Saks Fifth Avenue)

This is my 4th Thanksgiving outfit with these leather pants. What can I say? If something works, stick with it! Unfortunately, they met an untimely end during our second Thanksgiving festivities. Somehow they must have gotten caught on something sharp and they RIPPED. Right on my butt. Awkward. It started as a medium sized rip that my cousin noticed when I took of a vest I had thrown on before we headed out. So I had to un-tuck my blouse to cover it up. By the end of the evening the rip was HUGE. They didn't even rip on a seam which was so odd.

My mom is currently looking for a pattern to try and make a purse with the fabric because it's really beautiful leather and I'd hate to waste it. So we'll see what they become in their second life! I guess I can hunt for a new pair of burgundy leather trousers.

Silk Patchwork Blouse: Saint Laurent (eBay), Leather Pants: Madewell, Leopard Sandals: Miu Miu (eBay)

My "no spending my own money" streak ended the first week of the month. I went to Marshalls to find a gift for a friend and walked out with that gift plus a pair of GORGEOUS Gianvito Rossi boots for a steal! An expensive steal, but a deal nonetheless. I had actually been wanting a pair of black lace up boots since I love my brown pair (from AGES ago) so much and these are super luxurious. Really the perfect basic. Most of the high end designer shoes they had were in smaller sizes but they also had the slingback Gucci loafers in my size, sadly they were still $500...only $95 cheaper than regular price (here's the men's version.)

I also picked up a Vince tee during The Outnet's clearance sale when I was buying a Christmas gift for someone. What? Two for you...one for me! ;)

However, I didn't buy anything on Black Friday, so proud of myself!!

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. Zara striped knit dress ($35 via Poshmark) 
8. Natalie Martin Printed top ($9.75 via Roundabout, retail $133) 
9. Miss Selfridge sweater dress in rust ($15 via Lord & Taylor, $70 retail) 
10. Equipment cat print signature short-sleeve blouse ($80 via eBay; $228 retail, used advertising money) 
11. Banjo & Matilda Trinket embellished sweater ($98 via The Outnet, $375 retail. used birthday money)

Basics:

1. J.Crew Factory colorblock sweater ($24, used gift card)
2. Banana Republic 'patch-pocket' shorts ($11 at Clinton Crossing Premium Outlet) 
3. Old Navy black bikini top & bottom ($18, used gift card)
4. Everlane The Ryan Long-Sleeve in black ($20, used advertising money)
5. Highline Collective turtleneck tank in black ($14 via Lord & Taylor, $70 retail) 
6. Abercrombie & Fitch  super skinny corduroy pant in blue ($40, used advertising money)
7. Abercrombie & Fitch v-neck sweater in burgundy ($34, used advertising money) 
8. J Brand Maria High Rise skinny jean in Blueberry ($0 via The RealReal, $198 retail)
9. *NEW!* Vince purple stretch-jersey t-shirt ($20 via The Outnet, $135 retail)

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) 
3. Lanvin Studded Suede Sandals ($316 via Net-a-Porter End of Season Sale, $790 retail)
4. Cole Haan 'Chelsea' Leopard Calf Hair Pump ($45 via Roundabout, $386 retail)
5. *NEW!* Gianvito Rossi Suede Finlay Boot ($300 via Marshalls, $1295 retail -  shorter heel version)

Accessories:

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

Gifted from Brands:

1. Simple Retro crop top (via Amazon)
2. Pom-Pom Sandals c/o Soma
3. Larimar Bypass ring c/o Larimar Bliss

Total spent in 2016:  $1470.25
(not counting Saint Laurent top, which used Christmas money, or items bought with advertising money)