Couch Potato

The print of this shirt kind of reminds me of an old couch – like the kind that’s past the point of even being cool and retro. Just old. And yet I love it. I wore this on Friday for Bar review lecture, when part of me was excited about the nice weather and the beginning of the weekend, and the other part of me just wished I could stay home and be a couch potato. So this outfit was pretty much the perfect compromise.

Shirt // similar Skirt // Shoes // Bag (on sale) // Sunglasses (on sale) // similar Necklace // Lips “Corail in Touch” (on sale)

Budgeting Bloggers: January

Exciting news! This year I decided to join Fran’s “Budgeting Bloggers” group and share how I budget my shopping each month. To be clear, this is not a new year’s resolution. I don’t believe in them, mostly because I’m so close to perfect I rarely need to change or improve myself. I actually started keeping track of my shopping budget in April 2013. It has definitely been good for me to log what I spend, but I found I was regularly going over my budget and then trying to catch up the next month…and then doing that over and over again. So the next step to get better at this budgeting thing is to make myself accountable to someone besides myself.

That’s where Budgeting Bloggers comes in. Now I have to fess up to every dollar I spend, and the whole internet can see it! And even worse, my mom and my wife can see it. Yikes.

So before I tell you what I spent my money on in January ’14, I guess I should explain how I came up with my budget. Even before I started blogging (or making money from blogging), I estimate I spent $200-300/month on clothes, shoes, and accessories. Then I got figuratively punched in the face by a massive bill from my dentist. (“Dear Sarah, Remember when you got your wisdom teeth out last summer? Turns out we were wrong about your insurance…You owe us $2000. That’s not a problem, right?”) So with the extra $150 I now I had to pay toward my debt each month, I decided to cut down my “fun” spending to $150/month.

So. I start out each month with $150. But if I went over budget the month before, I subtract that from the $150. Before you get too sad, I also have the potential to add to my starting budget. I’ve been taking old clothes to a consignment shop, so when I get a check from them, I add that to my budget. Out with the old, in with the new! I also add any income I make from this blog, which includes commission from affiliate links and payment for sponsored posts. My goal by the end of this year is to make enough from my blog that it covers all my shopping!

Phew, that was a lot of numbers. Let’s look at some more numbers to find out how my budget worked this month!

January Budget

• +$40 ($150 starting amount minus the $110 I overspent in December…I blame it on Christmas sales)
• +$68 (sold clothes at local consignment shop)
• +$211 (blog income)

          = $319

What I Spent

• -$45 on a silk scarf at the art museum gift shop
• -$18 on combat boots from Target (gift card covered the rest)
• -$55 on a tulle skirt and statement earrings from ModCloth
• -$60 on 2 pairs of jeans from American Eagle (on sale)
• -$77 on 2 sweaters and a bag from Forever 21
• -$40 on suede boots from Sole Society (on sale)
• -$45 on 3 pairs of flats from ShoeMint (on major sale!)

          =$340

Only $21 over budget…not too shabby! I’ll subtract that overage from my starting budget for February. In the interest of full disclosure, I’ll also be including in my monthly budget posts any gifted items I receive. While these items don’t take away from my budget, they’re not exactly “free.” Like they say, there’s no such thing as a free lunch (or a free necklace)! I wouldn’t get complimentary items if it weren’t for all the work I put into this blog. Here are the perks I got this month.

What I Received

• Pavé rings from House of Gemmes
• Monogram necklace from oNecklace

A Confession

I also bought one and a half suits at Ann Taylor this month. Since I’m working for a judge this semester, and hopefully I’ll have job interviews before too long, it was about time to grow my professional wardrobe a little. I decided not to apply these to my budget. They would have blown most of the month, and I see these pieces as investments in my future career so I don’t want to skimp on them. Don’t worry, I don’t plan on “cheating” like this again for a LONG time, if ever!

Here’s to a successful February! Be sure to check out Fran’s blog “Franish.” She’ll probably have her budget post up soon!

Sexy Polka Dots

I’m always a little unsure of what to do with this top because of how sheer it is. I usually end up wearing something under or over it (see the remix below). In honor of Halloween and all its weirdly skanky versions of costumes, I decided to step up the sexy factor of these polka dots and let a black bra show through. I mean I didn’t really wear it out in public exactly…just to a dinner party with a handful of friends. But still. It was a Thursday.

I KNOW. Shut the front door. I really know how to go crazy, right? I would make the worst prostitute ever. No one would stop and pick me up because they’d just think I was a normal person waiting to cross the street. I better hope this law school thing works out because all my other career dreams are shot.

So what say you? Letting bras show on purpose: yay or nay?

Shoes (on sale) // similar Top // Jeans // similar Necklace (on sale) // Lips “Orange de Chine”

It’s the Real Life Remix…

P.S. A quick shopping tip! The shoes I’m wearing here (which are fabulous) are available at Macy’s, and right now Macy’s is having a big shoe sale event. You get an EXTRA 30% OFF when you buy 3 or more pairs, EXTRA 25% OFF when you buy 2 pairs, or an EXTRA 20% off when you buy 1 pair. The online code is “GREAT”.

Wardrobe Workhorse: Leopard Loafers

I had a request a while back for a post on the top 5 (or 10 or whatever) things every woman should have in her closet. I never did it because I felt like those lists have been done over and over and most of them are the same (classic trench! black pumps! earth shattering ideas!).

But the other day when I wore the Cole Haan leopard loafers I bought last summer, I started thinking about how glad I was I got them because I’ve worn them so many times over the past year.

1 // 2 // 3

1 // 2 // 3

Most “must have” lists probably don’t include leopard loafers, but they’ve nonetheless been a staple for me! Basics are great and all, but I for one think it’s those unique, unexpected pieces that will make you stand out and look awesome every time you wear them.

So I’m officially starting the Sarah’s Wardrobe Workhorse series, and leopard loafers are first on the list! If you have an inkling to add some to your closet, I have some great options for you below.

Shop here:  1. Sam Edelman // 2. Steve Madden // 3. Marais USA //

4. Minnetonka // 5. Truth or Dare by Madonna

It’s All in the Shoes

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So I was standing in bare feet in front of my mirror looking at this combo and thinking that a loose tank + drapey jacket-type thing + long pendant + distressed jean shorts = a little too loosey-goosey-hippie-dippie. One set of rhymes might be OK, but two? Whoa. Slow your roll.

Then I put on my trusty black wedges and I was singing a different tune – one you wouldn’t have heard at Woodstock. I can’t totally explain it but I feel like they have sort of a simple, classic elegance to them and they just give the whole look a different vibe. Plus my feet look cute in them and they’re really comfy. So it’s all around a win.

similar Tank // similar Jacket // Shorts // Sunglasses // Shoes (on sale) // Bag (on sale) // Lips “Romantic”

Check out how I’ve worn some of these pieces before! It’s the remix…

Oh, the Places I Go

I wore this yesterday to go to a bridal shower. Typical summer Sunday activity, right? Except that this one took place at what I can only describe as a 1970s Gatsby mansion. I had no idea a place like this existed in Indianapolis, but it does. There are columns all over the place, a pool in the back, crazy awesome art and antiques everywhere, and lots of chairs that leave you wondering whether you’re actually supposed to sit in them or not. The people who own the house are named Fortune because of course they are. I don’t know how to fully describe this place, but you can see a few photos in my Instagram feed.

Anyway, after a lot of oohing and ahhing, I had to go back to the real world. Conveniently, the Gatsby home was close to the 100 Acres Art & Nature Park (which I recommend if you’re in the Indy area), so we walked off the bellinis there and snapped these photos. I felt like I looked pretty cute, but it’s hard not to feel a little inadequate when you wear a $20 dress to a zillion dollar home.

Dress // similar Belt // Sunglasses (on sale) // Coach bag via eBay // similar Shoes (on sale) // Link Bracelet // similar Spike Bracelet // Lips “Corail In Touch”

Love at First Sight

So the other day I went in to DSW looking for silver sandals (I need them to be a bridesmaid this summer, plus I have another formal event coming up). I didn’t find any I liked, but I did find these drop dead gorgeous amazing scalloped wedges. I know it wasn’t the responsible thing to do, but I got them, and I’m never looking back.

It just goes to show you might think you know what you’re looking for in the ideal shoe, but sometimes you find a shoe that’s a little unexpected yet perfect for you. Maybe the shoe’s a little out there with its kooky curved wedge, and maybe not everyone will understand. But if you and the shoe are happy together, that’s what counts. In time, hopefully the rest of the world will come to recognize that while they might not want to walk in your shoes, it won’t affect the relationship they have with their favorite shoes to let you wear your shoes. Everyone should be able to marry…ahem, I mean wear whatever shoes they want, don’t you think? For example, some people might wonder: Sarah, why did you choose those shoes? There are way more comfortable shoes out there. But then I might wonder: Why did you choose those Crocs when every single other shoe in the world is more attractive? Maybe neither choice makes sense, but that’s because neither one is a choice. Nobody really chooses to be uncomfortable or to look unfashionable; it’s just what happens when you wear the shoes you truly love.

This may or may not be a metaphor or pretext for another social issue. But I also just really love these shoes. The end.

Check back later today for the second weekly round-up of my Take One, Pass it On remix challenge, including new blogger links.

Shirt: Prabal Gurung for Target

Jacket: La Redoute (similar)

Skirt: Ann Taylor

Shoes: Violet & Red

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My [January] in Over-Processed Photos

We’re a twelfth of the way through the year already! Here are a few of my favorite snapshots from January. Enjoy your weekend, everyone. That’s an order.

These shoes just arrived from Sole Society! Naturally, it’s supposed to snow all weekend so these suede babies will be staying inside where it’s safe and dry for a few days.

The new semester is already in full swing. Here’s my super official intern ID, a couple scenes from my lap while studying, and my new travel mug (if law school doesn’t make you a coffee drinker, nothing will.)

This squirrel somehow got onto my balcony and couldn’t figure out how to get down. Coco was intrigued to say the least! The two of them stared each other down for a good five minutes.

This is a tasty chocolate mousse my friend Sam made for a dinner party (where I wore this outfit).

There’s Kristin enjoying her birthday fondu; a shot of the Sample Gates on my visit to Bloomington; delicious treats at See’s Candies; and a smiley face that magically appeared at the bottom of my soup!

Just got these sunnies from Madewell with a gift card I got for Christmas. Aren’t they so adorably retro? And mint…which is probably the main reason I love them.

My [Shopping] Week in Over-Processed Photos

When I was a kid, my parents used to tell me that money burned a hole in my pocket. Not much has changed. I got some cash for Christmas, and after a pre-holiday shopping fast, I was ready to rumble. For this installment of MWOPP, I thought I’d stick with a theme and show you some of my fabulous finds.

Scored these babies from J. Crew for less than half the original price! The gold heel is just too damn adorable.

Another sale find, this one from Ann Taylor. They’re classy and fun at the same time, and look pretty friggin cute with the new shoes too.

I finally found some flattering faux leather leggings for a reasonable price at Arden B. I’m thinking the leggings with this tunic from Macy’s will make for a nice combo for a casual dinner party I’m going to next weekend.

My winter wish list included a bold pencil skirt, and I’m thinking this bright green number with lace overlay is pretty bold. Mission complete.

And finally, these awesome pumps from Sole Society are somewhere on a UPS truck on their way to me! I’m starting an internship next week, so that’s my excuse for buying heels.

True Colors

Apparently I’m very into blue and orange recently. Instead of putting the colors side-by-side like last time, I gave them a little distance. After all, since they’re so different, sometimes they argue.

If you ever feel like you’re overdoing it on the tank top & cardigan combo (like I do often), remember you can always wear a cardigan solo just like it’s a regular top.

These Kenneth Cole wedges are a recent find at TJ Maxx, although I couldn’t find them online.