My January Buys

One thing I’ve never done is set a clothing budget, bad, I know! So, one of my new year’s goals is to keep track of my purchases. I sell on eBay every month and also consign clothes at Top Drawer Consignment, so I generally spend whatever I make, and then some! My goal is to limit my spending to $300 a month. Here’s how I spent it and the story behind the price:

1. Milly Cate Sheath Dress $144—I saw this on Stacy London on What Not to Wear and fell in love. I plan to wear it to a wedding I’ll be attending later this year.
The story: I went to the What Not to Wear website and they list the brands of the clothing Stacy wears (Stacy’s Closet). Then, I did a Google search of the dress and found it at a few places but it was either full price at $395 or on sale for $250. So, I went to eBay, no luck.
I decided to do another Google search and dig deeper. I found it on a site called Green Gable Denim & Such, they had it in my size and they had a discount on top of the sale price! I called the store to ensure it was legit and then ordered. Got it in less than a week.

2. Banana Republic Barbara Stripe Knit Blazer $81 (30% discount plus $10 reward card).
The Story: I really love this look and the other striped blazers I’ve seen have stripes that are too wide or cream/white is the main color, not navy. I also like that this is knit and it will work perfectly for Florida weather.

3. Blumarine leopard jacket with seafoam green pom pom trim $20.
The Story: I stopped in to a consignment shop (Clotheshorse II) and saw this from Italian designer Blumarine. It probably retailed for $200 to $300. I’m a sucker for leopard, but I especially love the mint/seafoam green pom pom trim as that color is super in for Spring. I’m having my tailor remove the ties as it just doesn’t work as a wrap for me. I’ll wear it as a jacket over a tank top.

4. TESS Brand (never heard of it) Black and White Striped Silk Blouse $10.
The Story: My other consignment buy. Black and white is forever stylish. The collar dates it a bit, but I think I can pull it off by standing it up and wearing a statement necklace.

5. Ann Taylor Loft Stripe Raglan Sleeve Henley Blouse in Sparkling Grape $42 (bought with gift card)
The Story: I just love this color, nuff said!

6. Giuseppe Zanotti Design Turquoise Shoes High Heels $100 (inc. shipping) via eBay.
The Story: I love the color and have been searching for some shoes that had some flair.

Total Spent: $397 (a little over budget, but I included the Loft stripe blouse even though I used a giftcard for it.)

January eBay Sales: $295.87
Consignment Sales: $60

(Total: $355.87)