Smart Holiday Shopping

We are on the cusp of the busiest shopping season. Retailers are gearing up to tempt you with sales, flashy new arrivals, & the general good cheer & loose wallet mentality that surrounds the holidays. 

While we all want to score the best presents for our friends & family (& maybe a thing or two for ourselves)... just like with the eggnog, it is best to go in with a plan. 

Here are my 9 tips from the holidays, with a 10th one borrowed from Mr. Clinton Kelly himself.

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1. Spend on classic items that you will have forever. Save on trendier pieces.

2. Leave an item in your shopping cart for 24 hours. If you are still obsessing over it the next day, then maybe it is worth it!

3. Check out the return policy - after the cloud of flash sale shine wears off, you might want to return your impulse buy

4. Make sure you can think of 3 things in your closet to go with what you are about to purchase.

5. Ask yourself: Can I live without this? Do I have something similar already in my closet? Will this be versatile?

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6. Sign up for your favorite online retailers' emails. You will find out about the best deals first.

7. Social media can be your best friend, search for the e-tailers' accounts for the inside scoop & sale codes that other shoppers have shared. (make a Twitter list so you can see the sales easily)

8. Keep a record of purchases. Whether you prefer Excel spreadsheets, a private Pinterest Board or an Evernote note. The cold hard truth of your expenditures will be good for you.

9. Take advantage of brand perks, reward points. 

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10. "When something catches your eye, try it on without looking at the price tag. If you like it and it works with at least 5 things in your wardrobe, make up a price that it's worth to you - say, $150. Then flip the tag over. If it's that or less, buy it. But if it's over, say "No, thanks, I'm outta here" - Clinton Kelly, author of "Freakin' Fabulous on a Budget"

How do you stay on budget during the holiday rush?

my leather jacket story

Well, to be honest, maybe this should be called my leather jackets story... more on that in a bit!

Original post here, with all your great suggestions/comments

Last month I ended up ordering 2 leather jackets & after polling you smart & opinionated folks on Instagram, I was no closer to sending one home without a rose. 

You see, I have been on the hunt for a perfect leather jacket for 4 years. I wanted it to be soft, fitted, but not too small, badass, but not too casual, versatile & more importantly in my price range. I had been eyeing the selection at Zara for some time, but with most ringing in at $150+ (more like $200 with shipping, let's be honest), & not checking all my boxes, I was frozen, unable to click that darn "add to basket" button!

I was in a leather jacket drought. But as the saying goes, when it rains it pours!

Within the same week I stumbled upon this badass H&M leather jacket & this more subdued number from Chicnova. It was leather jacket nirvana.

Left original post // Right original post

So I did what any rational person would do, I kept them both. Seriously though, as a budget conscious blogger, the fact that I was keeping two very similar jackets made me think long & hard. But I came to the following conclusions:

1. The H&M + Chicnova* jackets combined rang in at under $120, about what I was looking to spend for just 1 jacket

2. While similar in that they are both black & {faux} leather, the jackets are actually quite different. I can see myself wearing one with dressier pieces, while the other one totally speaks to my inner biker chick (after all I have the burn to be legit!)

3. These are quality made pieces that fit me perfectly in their un-altered state... how often is that going to come along?

4. I won't have to purchase a leather jacket for at least twice as long now. The only way I am going to be looking at a new leather jacket is if I decide to make the bump up to real leather.

And because I can't be the only woman in the world searching for her leather jacket soulmate, I rounded up my 10 favorites for your shopping enjoyment!

(Psst.... they are all under $100!)

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10

Have you ever purchased multiples of your favorite items?

Any other recent leather jacket success stories out there?

*Chicnova provided me with a gift card with which I purchased this jacket. I would never accept/choose gifted items if they were not my personal taste. This jacket rocks, I would have gladly paid full price for it, out of my pocket.

P.S. Linking up with Laura's TN blogger linky today.

curated closet: road to recovery

Hi my name is Jessica & I am addicted to shopping.

There were so many other shopaholic confessions on Tuesday's post that I wanted to take some time to address the issue further.

Looks like I am not the only one struggling with the notion of a curated closet, filled with things you LOVE not just like.

The List that started it all - check out the original post here & my shopping recommendations here

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So how do you switch your mind-set from fast fashion oriented to building the closet of your dreams?

Here are 10 tips to achieving closet nirvana:

 (many brought up in the comment section of this post)

1. Set a budget. So this one isn't Earth shattering. The "experts" say you should be spending no more than 4% of your take-home pay on optional expenses (i.e. clothes). You know your money situation better than me, so I am not going to toss out any numbers here. What really matters is that you set a concrete budget, with in your means & stick to it, no putting it on your credit card or nothing! When you run out, stop.

2. Identify holes in your closet. I think I can safely say that no one reading my blog (including myself) needs clothes. But sure there are some versatile pieces that if you had, would maximize the use of your other clothes. Maybe some wardrobe staples that you are lacking?

3. Make a list. Ok, so you have identified some holes in your closet. But what do you need now, this season? What other trendy items are you wanting to snatch up?
Write it down. Put it in your wallet. Make a note on your phone.

My shopping list for May looks something like this:

Closet holes to fill:

- black bikini

- quality leather sandals

Trendy items to keep an eye out for a good deal:

- floral pants

- stripe peplum top

Give yourself a mission. When you know what you are looking for, your mind is less likely to wander. If it isn't on your list, ask yourself why before proceeding (see also #6, #8, #9)

4. Don't shop alone. I can't be the only one that is guilty of walking into Target to get toothpaste & walking out $100 poorer. But somehow, when Ty goes with me, I only get the toothpaste (& maybe 1 new scarf!). If you can't trust yourself to stick to your budget & mission, bring someone along - not your friend that tells you everything looks good on your, but some one who is going to ask you, "Do you really need that?" while giving you judge-y eyes.

5. Stop putting things in your online cart just so you can get free shipping. Just stop it already. If you aren't willing to pay for shipping to get it, you don't really want it. 

6. Sleep on it. Cut those impulses down to size.

7. Organize your closet. If you are having the shopping itch (i.e. just put way too many items in your J.Crew online shopping cart <-- GUILTY), go organize your closet. You will find new items that you will be exited to wear & maybe identify some holes (#2) to shop for in the future.

8. Imagine 3 outfits with what you are about to purchase. If you are going to get the most out of your closet, each piece needs to play well with the others. (for inspiration see my Pinterest board here)

9. Calculate the cost/wear. Sure a classic $300 Michael Kors bag might be a hefty upfront expense, but if you wear that quality made baby multiple times per week, for years, the cost might work out better than buying a cheap-o purse every season instead.

10. Don't be afraid to return things. So often the in the past I would order something online, see it in person and feel totally "meh", but be too lazy to return it. What's worse than driving to the post office, staring at that space sucker everyday in my closet.

Bonus tip: Tattoo this motto on your credit card wielding arm:  "spend money as well as you can once, instead of three times poorly."

:: Now that you are on the road to recovery, share this friendly PSA with your friends ::

(disclaimer: I am not a money expert, I do not have a degree in this area, not all of these tips will be helpful to everyone, but I hope that you can keep some of them in mind next time you are shopping. If you have other sage advice, I know that myself & others would love to hear it, so please leave it in the comments)

How do you avoid impulse shopping?
What is at the top of your "closet holes" list?

The "Forever21 Effect"

I am thrilled to have so many new faces around here & I wanted to take the opportunity to talk about my focus on building a functional & versatile wardrobe. I think this first & foremost starts with filling your closet with classic staples.

In the past, my shopping habits could be described like a squirrel gathering nuts for an imminent Winter, but unlike those adorable woodland creatures, I didn't actually need any nuts clothes.

But boy did I want them. 

And while defining the staple "holes" in my personal closet has helped me to shop smarter, it has not totally cured my shopping addiction.

Case in point, I have been drooling over this chic Madewell leather tote for MONTHS, but the price tag has prevented me from clicking "purchase" on this bad boy.

 Madewell transport tote $168.00 

In my mind, $168 is either ONE bag, or EIGHT things from Forever21.

I suffer form quantity-over-quality-itis. 

polka dot pencil skirt $17.80 // studded peplum top $17.80 // polka dot skinnies $24.80 // lace skirt $24.80 // cropped floral pants $22.80 // heart print blouse $19.80 // D'Orsay pointed toe flats $19.80 // scalloped flap purse $24.80

So what would YOU do?

Purchase the expensive staple that will mix & match with many things in your closet, & last for years to come?

OR stock up on the trendy "fast fashion" pieces, that will be fun this year, but probably not be touched again next season?

** I have nothing against Forever21. I think "fast fashion" has its time & place, but can often be a distraction from my game-plan to build a carefully curated closet.

2013 Stylish Resolutions

At the 2nd half of last year, I began sharing my shopping budget*, how I stick to it (or don't), what I purchase, & how these items fit in to my existing wardrobe... but this year I am going big or going home.... A budget for the whole year!

Based on my average shopping allowance of $250/month, my year shopping budget is $3,000.... which admittedly sounds like an incredibly large amount of money to this cheap graduate student. So I am resolving to spend this money wisely, continue my journey to build a versatile closet based around my 50 wardrobe staples, & find quality items for less along the way!

What am I dreaming of adding to my closet in 2013?

These 10 fabulous items top my wish list:

{1.} structured bag, {2.} classy tuxedo jacket, {3.} day-to-night wool dress pants, {4.} timeless tortoise shell sunnies, {5.} a simple, but stunning day dress, {6.} moto-chic leather gloves, {7.} gorgeous silk scarf, {8.} flattering A-line skirt, {9.} silk PJs (pretty enough for out of the house), {10.} unique, statement necklace (I research frogs at school, so I definitely have my eye on this one)

{ 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 }

The total dollar amount of these 10 items tops $2,300 so I will definitely be scouting equally fabulous items but for a fraction of the price! Being called a frugal fashionista is a compliment in my book!

What are you style resolutions for 2013?

Any dream items you would love to score for a deal?

(*Want to learn more about how I set my shopping budget, read this post)
P.S. This post is now part of DailyBuzz Style : Style Resolutions Highlight { here }

justify

Ok, I am feeling a little bit guilty about my shopping habit, especially after that post this morning.

After thinking about it some more, I feel like I have to justify spending $200-$300 per month on clothes/personal shopping. That just sounds like a lot to me... and I am curious to see if it seems like a lot to you too.

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I am fortunate to not have a car payment, to pay very little in rent (in relation to my location, and quality of life), split utilities/groceries with my roommate, and have a steady income that I can rely on month to month.
I also justify my shopping based on the fact that is my only habit/hobby - I don't spend money on gardening, crafting, or home brewing (like the boyfriend), or fixing up my house like other people do.

I also justify the fact that during this stage in my life I can get away with it... I figure once I have a husband, kids, mortgage, my selfish shopping habit will dry up quickly.

I also shop smart, and love everything that I buy.
(Read on for more of these "smart" shopper tips...)