Watching My Budget Shrink!

I forgot to mention in my last post that I made another Anthropologie purchase:

anadyomene malliot, org. $148 by pez d'or

I had to buy this. It was waaaay marked down and I shelled out a mere $20 and change for it. It has a sweet 1950's style with a halter strap, gathered mid-section and low cut leg holes. I have a slew of teeny bikinis, but as I enter my 30's I just don't feel like prancing around the beach nearly naked anymore. 

So that leaves me with about $21 and change to play with for the rest of the month and its only the 6th!!! Its gonna be tough, but I can handle this!

Yesterday's outfit was chosen for thrift shopping. I always try to wear leggings so I can try on skirts and pants without too much trouble and I just love this little fish chemise. It was a beautiful, warm day so a light cardigan was all I needed. 

Deets:

Chemise- Lilka, Anthropologie summer 2010

Cardigan- Splendid, Anthropologie 2009

Leggings- BDG, Urban Outfitters 2009

Boots- Steve Madden 2008

Boot Cuffs- KittyDune on Etsy, current

A note on the boots, I've had these re-soled twice in the past few years. If you spend a lot of money on shoes and happen to wear the soles out, invest in shoe repair. Its about $30 depending on where you go to have new soles put on. These boots had a slick sole on them and the shoe repair replaced them with hard rubber soles with tread. No more slipping on slick surfaces! My advice is not to try and take all of your shoes at once. Shoe repair costs add up so take them in as they wear down.

KittyDune is an Etsy seller I found while searching for something to spice up my legwear collection. The boot cuffs are about 6" high so you won't experience excess bulk or overheat in your boots. I also bought them in plum!

Etsy is a fantastic site for finding great handmade goods for fair prices. Most sellers will fulfill custom orders as well, so if you have something specific in mind, find a reputable seller and make a request or try posting your idea on the Alchemy where sellers will bid on the job! I love searching through the  Treasury and other seller's favorites to find new and unique hand made items perfect for gift giving! There's also a ton of vintage clothing for sale on Etsy!

Today's outfit is boring loungewear, so I won't be posting it :)

Cheers!

Ack-ses-o-rize!

Welcome back from the weekend! I'm into day three of my 365 day challenge...so far, so good.

Does anyone else stay up too late, pull their outfit right before bed and throw it on at 5am without a thought? I'm not sure I love this outfit, but I received a ton of compliments on the poncho and I was warm and comfortable all day, so I guess its a win. I had it shrugged up and cowled at one point today, the buttoning and slouching scenarios are endless!

The poncho was previously unworn and sat in my closet since early summer. It was one of those $9.95 Anthro purchases I just couldn't pass up at the time, but each time I came close to wearing it, back into the closet it would go. I ripped the tag off and finally committed to keeping the poncho this very morning. 

The skirt was a pre-owned find, I usually find black, red, or brown suede miniskirts, but lavender? I couldn't pass it up! It was purchased at a fashion swap store around late summer and again, it sat in the closet until I tore the tag off this morning. It has a high waist perfect for tucking fitted or blousy tops. It wins for versatility within my wardrobe. I'll be wearing it again soon!

These Steve Madden boots were an impulse buy early in December, but I have already gotten my $188 out of them. I was lusting after a Sam Edelman military boot in a Free People catalogue a few months back, but they sold out quickly. The lace-up military styling of these makes them extremely versatile in my wardrobe and magically they fit my skinny calves! Hooray!

Size 9's with thin calves. Boots are not an easy fit for me.

Deets:

Knit Poncho- Pure Handknit, Anthropologie winter 2009

Tunic- LA Made, Anthropologie summer 2010

Leather Miniskirt- Cayenne Leather

Leggings- Eloise (fleece lined, yuummmmm), Anthropologie, current

Boots- Steve Madden, current

Coral Necklace- Anthropologie in case, 2006

Boot Necklace- Anthropologie in case, 2008

Ring- Anthropologie in case, 2006

Watch- Michael Kors Rose Gold, Nordstrom, current

I bought this December 2008 as a gift to myself for a promotion! MK should be giving me a sales bonus for selling to people admiring it!

boot necklace

glass and brass ring

I'll be going out to a bar for a bit tonight to say Happy Birthday to my dear friend Celestina! I'll probably change up the outfit a bit so I'll post any wardrobe updates later!

Question: 

Boots are one thing I struggle with fit-wise. The calves are usually too big for me, and with size 9 feet (make that feet-slash-swim fins!), I think boot designers automatically assume the average 15" circumference will work for everyone. What wardrobe item are you forever hunting for worthy of public dancing (touchdown! Yessssss!) when it fits just right?