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Thursday, January 3, 2013

December in Review

December was a perfect bookend to the fabulous year that was 2012.

I want to sincerely thank every. single. one. of you for stopping by & being interested in Here&Now.



Every month since I started blogging in October 2011, has been my best month ever, & just yesterday I learned that I am #3 on Bloglovin's Up & Coming blog list... MIND. BLOWN.

(**update: a reader just informed me that I am now #1 on this list.... yup I am still having a hard time comprehending that. But I do know that you are the bestest readers a girl could ask for - thank you so much for your support on Bloglovin', your tweets, interaction on Facebook, & amazing conversations here on the blog!)

So here we go 2013 - let's rock this!
Coming off of a shopping ban during my November 30X30 challenge, I had a fresh perspective of what I really NEEDED to purchase to prepare myself for the end of the year & holiday season: NOTHING.

But I did pinpoint something that I badly WANTED: a leopard coat. I was one happy lady to have scored one on sale from ASOS (was $123.13 on sale for $61.57, even more on discounted now!)... & it seriously has been a ROCKSTAR in my closet this past month as the perfect flourish on all my outfits from running errands to fancy holiday looks)

I also made the mistake of "just popping" into Forever21 (yeaaa right, that never actually happens) while out Christmas shopping. As we all know, it is impossible to leave that store empty handed... but I am happy to report that I walked out with 3 new favorite tops: Neon green sweater $16.50, Eye sweater $27.80, Stripe tee $10.80

And then just last week I went to make a return at Old Navy (the Old Navy rockstar jeans in black & whisper, originally $34.50, purchased on sale for $19.00) that I ordered online just didn't fit like my much loved regular denim rockstar skinny jeans... whomp whomp

BUT, I filled two forgotten holes in my closet: I scooped up a basic Old Navy hoodie ($19.00) to keep me warm while at work (it hoovers at 60 ˚F most of the time), & a Old Navy wrap sweater ($29.00, shared on Instagram here, not currently available online, but similar Old Navy style sold here) that I refused to take off for the past two days while I celebrated the New Year in a cabin with friends (I call it cabin-living chic!)

Total damage amount spent: $164.67 (well under my set monthly budget of $250!)

So that is the last clothing budget for 2012... how do you like the clothing budget posts?
Did you stick to your budget? Any special pieces you picked up?

I am going to try something CRAZY for 2013- a clothing budget for the entire year!
My clothing budget has been $250/month, so a year of clothing allowances would be $3,000 (I might have cringed just typing that)... but I want to make the most of my budget & share all the gory detail with you along the way!

P.S. Can't get enough of bloggers on a budget? I am linking up to Budgeting Bloggers { here }, and The Tiny Heart blog's "Look what I got" link up { here }, check them out to find other frugal fashionistas!

P.P.S. Have you entered my AMAZING giveaway for a $50 J.Crew giftcard? What are you doing... get over { here }

21 comments:

  1. i really like your choices.lovely tops.

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  2. And now you're #1 - congrats, lady! I am surprised to find myself on that list, too, which I wouldn't have seen if it weren't for your post!

    I am spending the next couple of days analyzing my purchases over the last year. I definitely blew my budget in the fall, but since I wasn't keeping track of it in the summer, I can only guesstimate. I think I spent a lot less then, and spend spend spend in the fall when clothes that are wearable all year long in San Francisco are available. And I am only two months behind on the budget blogging posts...yikes. 

    Anyway - I am in love with your leopard coat! What a lot of bang for the buck!

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  3. Congrats–you so deserve it! Can't wait to see what you come up with for 2013!

    AlyssaThe Glossy Life

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  4. This year I'm going to continue shopping my closet more and spending less on clothes. This post is perfect for my link up today! (you just have to add my blog link to join in) :)

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart  

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  5. Congrats again Jessica! Your blog is amazing and I LOVE all of your posts, outfits, etc. :) Here's to a year of even more success for you! 

    You did SO well to get these amazing things for under $200! Impressed! I LOVE this coat... I just might have to get an early bday gift for myself... always trying to find some justification ;)

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  6. Happy new year beautiful! You had a fabulous year and 2013 will be your best one yet! A clothing budget for the whole year? If anyone can do it, it's you! :)

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

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  7. I tried budgeting. Both my husband and I did for the past 2 years. The year prior we managed to stay almost on budget. Both of us were over by a few hundred but that was because our favourite shoe store was going out of business and had these massive sales that we just couldn't look away. This past year hubby stayed almost on budget again but I totally blew mine. I definately felt the pull since I started fashion blogging that I needed to buy more. Not good. My budget was the same as yours. 

    I can't wait to see if you managed to stick with it.bisousSuzannehttp://bisous.typepad.com/bisous/

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  8. Congratulations on being on the up and comer list! And I love that jacket!
    http://heidiswanderings.blogspot.com/

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  9. You did a good job in December! I need to start setting a budget for myself each month. Some months I go crazy and some I don't buy anything.

    -AJ
    FitTravelerAJ.blogspot.com

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  10. becauseshannasaidsoJanuary 3, 2013 at 2:34 PM

    I am so proud of you!!!!!! I just looked at the Bloglovin list and I am on there too....but way down the line from you!!! Congrats!! And you hit 700 followers!!! BOOM!! And good luck with that budget!!! Love ya!!

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  11. GET IT GIRL! Look at you go :) I'm in the market for a leopard coat as well, but I'm banned until February 1st so I'll just have to hope they're still around.

    Samantha @ Sam ipsa loquitur

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  12. Erin @ Thanks, I Made ItJanuary 3, 2013 at 5:41 PM

    That awesome about the bloglovin' list! congrats!

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  13. Congrats on being #1. Also you did great on shopping for December. 

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  14. Happy New Year!  Looking forward to all the lovely things in store for your blog in 2013.  :)
    http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com/

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  15. #1 Up and Coming!? GET IT GIRL!! So proud of you and can't wait to see what 2013 holds for your blog. Happy New Year sweet friend!

    Amanda
    It's an Easy Life]

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  16. I have been making myself monthly budgets and somehow sticking with them! And haha, there is definitely no "popping into" F. 21... it's one of the reasons I try to avoid it! 

    Happy New Year, look forward to seeing your cute looks in 2013 :) 

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  17. Mildly obsessed with your leopard coat - SO cute and sassy girlfriend!

    Annie
    The Other Side of Gray

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  18. Congrats on being #1 on the list, that is so incredible! I hope that one day my blog is half as successful as yours!

    Also I have to say that budgeting/shopping posts are some of my favorite posts I read on blogs so please keep it up! I love seeing how other bloggers spend their money and manage to stay on budget.

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  19. Girl you got some great pieces. While I could never EVER pull of a leopard coat, it just makes sense for you! Can't wait to see many more outfits with it.

    Thanks for linking up - you know I love seeing what you are investing in :)

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  20. Girrrrrrlllll!! Congrats on #3, that's so AMAZING. All that hard work, and cute outfits are paying off:) Give us all some details, how do you did it?!! Happy New year love.

    www.McKennaBleu.blogspot.com

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  21. I need to make a budget.  You got some fantastic deals!  Thanks for linking up!
    Penniless
    Socialite


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