October is my birthday month and I usually allow myself to splurge a little more than usual. But this month I attempted to curb that spending in favor of saving more for future travels. As usual things never go as planned! I got a $20 off of $40 for Lord & Taylor so I bought a super fun burnt orange sweater. I'm treating it as a wash because I cancelled my Renters Insurance (since I'm back home) and got a credit back for that. So it became "fun money," haha.

THEN Everlane had to come out with some $100 cashmere sweaters so naturally I took advantage of that and got a tee as well to get free shipping. I'm calling this cost $62 because I used the leftover credit mentioned above.  I also took advantage of my HautePoints and a free trade code (FALLFASHIONS17) on HauteTrader to get a BEAUTIFUL Louis Vuitton bag. Check out my review of the site, you'll also find another code for a free trade.

It was also my birthday this month and my parents bought me 2 fun pairs of shoes! AKA I picked them out a few months before and "forgot" my mom bought them.



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)
8. Vintage Havana Floral Embroidered Sweater via Pearls & Plaid ($50, used gift card) 
9. *NEW!* Context Three-Quarter Bell Sleeve sweater via Lord & Taylor ($20, retail $68, used refund on renters insurance)

Basics:

1. Calypso St. Barth Gylden Cashmere Sweater via Gilt ($71, $295 retail, Xmas $$)
2. M.i.h Jeans Tomboy cropped jeans via Net-a-Porter ($98, $245 retail, Xmas $$)
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. Everlane "Square Tee" in Burgundy ($18) 
7. Everlane "The High-Rise Skinny Jean" in Mid-Blue ($68)
8. *NEW!* Everlane "The Cotton Tee" in Rose ($15, $0 after renters insurance credit)
9. *NEW!* Everlane "The Cashmere Crop V-Neck" in Black ($100, $62 after using renters insurance credit)

Shoes:

1. Miu Miu ankle boots via Roundabout Resale - also here/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)
8. Zigi Soho Velvet Floral Embroidered Open Toe Mules via T.J. Maxx ($20, retail $60?, used gift card) 
9. *NEW!* BCBGeneragion Yerra slip on sneaker (birthday gift, $79 retail)
10. *NEW!* Kelly & Katie Amour mule (birthday gift, $50 retail)

Bags:

1. Disney x Coach 'Patricia' with Mickey ears ($179 at Coach Outlet, $395 retail)
2. Chloe 'Faye' in Dark Purple via eBay ($1500, $1950 retail) 
3. *NEW!* Louis Vuitton 'Epi Sac D'Epaule' via HauteTrader ($0, retail $1600?)

 
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. Birthstone Star and Mickey Mouse ring ($15 with discount, used advertising money) 
5. Birthstone Mickey Mouse earrings ($15 with discount, used advertising money)

Gifted from Brands:

1. IRO Faxy Cropped Jean via Gilt c/o Wikibuy (retail $285)
2. Banana Republic Peplum Sweater c/o Banana Republic Factory at Clinton Crossing
3. Banana Republic Cherry Blossom 'Ryan' Pant c/o Banana Republic Factory
4. Banana Republic 'Sloan' in purple c/o Banana Republic Factory
5. Banana Republic ruffle sleeve top in teal c/o Banana Republic Factory
6. Banana Republic linen shorts c/o Banana Republic Factory 
7. Diane von Furstenberg Fanny dress (also here) c/o HauteTrader 
8. Missoni Purple Wool Chevron Metallic Knit Sweater Dress  c/o HauteTrader 

Total spent in October: $62

Total spent in 2017:  $1253 - $953 not counting the sunglasses
Total spent including Chloe Faye: $2,753 - $2,453 not counting sunglasses
Total spent with Christmas/advertising money included: $1636 - $1336 not counting sunglasses

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

I bought this sweater with a Pearls & Plaid gift card I won from the Connecticut Bloggers brunch back in August. The fit is a little strange since the shoulder area is tight and the rest is a looser fit, but I really like this shade of green and I don't have anything else this color in my closet! It's worn here with another new closet addition - floral mules from my Mom for my birthday!

Floral Embroidered Sweater: Vintage Havana (Pearls & Plaid), Jeans: J Brand 'Maria' High Rise in Supreme (Gilt Groupe) Floral Mules: Kelly & Katie "Amour" (DSW) Necklace: Madewell, Naomi Double Ring c/o Kendra Scott, Bag: Chloé Faye (eBay)

For some reason this outfit looks a bit too loose for the re-wear. But it is comfortable and a fun Fall combo so I'll let it slide! I still could have worn this without tights but I wanted the full throwback look since I still had all the pieces.

Cashmere Sweater: Everlane, Skirt: Vince Camuto  (Lord & Taylor), Boots: Eighteen68 'Megan' (Gilt), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Initial Necklace c/o Gorjana, Sunglasses: Ray Ban 'Erika'



The Original:

I knew when I bought these shorts that they would be great for year-round wear. In Summer I can pair them with tank tops, in Autumn I'll top with a sweater like this and then I can even add tights to wear them in Winter! Spring is a little trickier since people don't usually wear rusty oranges and yellow, but we'll see.

I had actually wanted to wear them to the pumpkin patch but they looked strange with my black t-shirt and pumpkin patch ready boots. But then last week I got in my Everlane cropped cashmere sweater and knew it would be the perfect fit! The shorts are tight so I like to balance them out with a looser fit top. Finish it off with some cute slide sneakers my mom gave me for my birthday and I'm ready to go anywhere!

Sweater: Everlane "The Cashmere Crop V-Neck", Tweed Colorblock Shorts: Proenza Schouler (Roundabout),  Sneaker Slides: BCBGeneragion "Yerra" (DSW), Sunglasses: Chanel (bought in Greece), Bag: Louis Vuitton 'Epi Sac D'Epaule' (HauteTrader)

I had much nicer weather on my second trip to the pumpkin patch this year. I went on a Friday so there weren't as many people as there are on the weekends but there were 2 school buses full of little kids picking out their pumpkins. I got a HUUUUGE pumpkin this year, normally I go for a smaller size but this year I was in the mood for a giant $20 pumpkin. Know what I mean?

Cardigan: Cocogio (Marshalls), Sweater: Vertical Design c/o Marshalls, Jeans: J Brand (Marshalls),  Boots: Eighteen 68 'Megan' (Gilt) Bag: Louis Vuitton Epi Leather Sac D'Epaule (HauteTrader), Sunglasses: Gucci (bought in Italy), Eyeglasses chain: Tinksky (Amazon)

On my way home from Rhode Island I stopped at Mystic Aquarium to visit the penguins, beluga whales, sea lions and jellyfish! Since I was going to be with animals I decided on an animal themed outfit with my leopard print pants and owl shirt.

Top: made by me (inspired by Burberry), Leopard Print Jeans: Current/Elliott (Rue La La), Flats: Chanel (eBay), Sunglasses: Gucci (bought in Italy), Eyeglasses chain: Tinksky (Amazon), Bag: Chloé Faye (eBay)

Wow, it's been a little over SEVEN YEARS since I wore this outfit. I still have the top half but the bottom half has long since gone. And good riddance! It's so loose and baggy. This updated version is far superior. It's amazing what happens when you have pieces that fit properly. Although I suppose non-skin tight jeans and baggy boots were in style.

Blazer: Jones New York, Tee: Urban Outfitters, Jeans: Everlane "The High-Rise Skinny Jean" in Mid-Blue, Over the Knee Suede Boots: Audrey Brooke 'Mirie' (DSW),



The Original: