I Resolve To...Stay on Budget!!

Hope you've been enjoying my style resolutions for 2015.  You can click on the text links to catch up with my resolutions to wear more color and show more leg.

Today's resolution is the least fun of my five style resolutions, but it's the most important to achieve.  This year, I resolve to stick to my style budget.  While budgeting is not fun for me, reducing how much I spend on clothes each month frees up my income for more important things - like buying a house, getting married, and taking trips.  Which actually sound like pretty fun things!!

I am very much a shopaholic, but I'm working on reducing my monthly clothing expenditures.  I did really well with my November budget as I discussed here.  

In December, I got off track - between Christmas gifts of cash and gift cards, lots of sales, purchases and returns (I returned a few pieces from my November budget), rewards and other coupons, I'm honestly not sure how much I spent.  I very well may have stayed within budget - I'm just not sure!! 

But, I need to be sure.  It's important that I stay on top of what I'm spending to avoid my tendency towards overspending.

I'm not doing a round-up of my December purchases this month, since I'm not sure of my budget, but last month I did get the red dress, leopard print cami, clutch, and boyfriend jeans from my December wish list, as well as the Dior-inspired earrings from my November wish list, among other things.

For January, I resolve to stay on top of my expenditures better.  On my wish list for this month?

1.  Shoes - always on the lookout for pairs that fit my small, wide feet, shoes are sort of a permanent wish list inclusion.

2.  Preppy Sweater - I'm not usually one to like preppy or sporty styles, but I love this sweater.  It reminds me of tennis looks from the 1920s, which I really enjoy!

3.  Lace cami - I am all about black lace all the time.  Add a black and white palette, and I'm sold!!

4.  Pink faux leather - I'm currently having a love affair with reds and pinks.  With Valentine's Day around the corner, these colors seem especially fitting.  Soft pinks in faux leather feel a little girly, a little edgy.  And, I am loving the idea of mixing soft pink with red!  I might achieve that resolution to wear more color, after all!! :-)

5.  Nautical-inspired resort pieces - It might be freezing cold right now, but my mind is on the spring.  I love sailor pants and nautical stripes. 

* Silky Stripe Dress

* Sailor Pants

Do you budget for fashion?  What's on your shopping radar for the next month or so?

I Resolve To...Show More Leg!!

Told you my style resolutions were fun!!

Sweater:  New York & Company (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)

Over the last year, I decided that I love my legs, so this year, I'm resolving to show them off even more!!

Back in my early 20s, I used to wear mini skirts all the time.  After gaining weight, I thought that I was too big to wear them.  Being in my mid-late 30s, I also thought that maybe I was simply too old.

Tights:  The Limited (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)

Heels:  Target

Then, I decided to ignore those silly voices and to EMBRACE THE THIGHS.  LOLOL

Paired with some mini fishnet tights, an over-sized tunic sweater turns into a mini-dress for short girls!!  The perks of being petite!

Ring:  The Limited

I enjoy wearing short skirts and dresses.  They make me feel sexy, sure, but they also just make me feel free...kind of a feeling of being naked while still being covered.  I like that feeling of freedom.

In general, it is just so freeing to get rid of the rules we have created for ourselves or allowed to seep in from family, friends, or the larger society.  Maybe you don't want to show off your legs, but I challenge you to find one fashion rule, whether socially imposed, self-imposed, or both, and break it with the reckless abandon and delight of a rebellious child!!

Do you have a favorite body part you love to flaunt?  A fashion rule you love or want to break?

P.S.  My plans for fun location photos are getting a bit delayed with our subzero cold temps.  My living room had to do.  It was only after taking the pics that I realized the corner of the floor had pine needles, wrapping paper remnants, and packaging bits from Christmas.  We had just taken down the tree a few minutes before.  Whoops!!  Embracing the imperfect life and imperfect photos!!  :-D

I Resolve To...Wear More Color!

I didn't make any serious resolutions for 2015, but I've been thinking about my style evolution and the direction I want to take it in the coming year.

In 2014, I feel like I really solidified my sartorial point of view, so 2015 is all about taking this vision to the next level.

Camisole:  The Limited (Available here)

Pants:  The Limited (Similar here and here)

In that vein, I thought it would be fun to come up with some style resolutions and share them with you.

The first of my resolutions is to wear more color.

Blazer:  The Limited (Similar here)

Boots:  Fergalicious by Fergie

Don't get me confused...black is an always will be the chicest, easiest, and hands-down best color to wear. In recognizing my fashion preferences, I have come to realize that I greatly prefer neutrals, especially black.  I generally find them to be chicer, more sophisticated, and more expensive looking.

BUT, I'm finding that mixing in more non-black neutrals and pops of color into my wardrobe creates a more nuanced look that feels much more interesting.  Other neutrals can be just as flattering as black, if not more so.  Color, if done well, can be just as chic as black.  It's also a surefire mood booster!

Clutch:  The Limited

Cuff:  Express

Earrings:  The Limited

I probably won't typically be wearing as much color as I am today.  It's a little too colorful for my more conservative workplace and I don't have many other places to wear a look like this, but it's fun to go bold with color every now and then.

Are you a fan of wearing color, or do you tend to opt mostly for neutrals?

For these pants in another look, see here.
For this blazer in other looks, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.