Just a little budgetary record-keeping for this year’s $250 challenge.
When last we left our budget, we had $187.39 left to spend. And spend, we did! (Sensibly, of course.) We’ve already worn some of our purchases, several to Buckingham Palace, where the royal we is more appreciated by us.
First we I hit a big Gap sale, where I took an additional 40% off sale items. I picked up two dresses. This one, for $13.79…
And this one, a ridiculous steal at $4.19…
Okay, so here’s the thing about this dress. It’s hard to show (at least without removing the tags, and you know I won’t do that until I have to), but that sashy thing is a separate piece. I can’t find any info about it, but I assume it was originally sold online with a bunch of helpful instructions on the 1001 ways you can wear it. Without those instructions, I’m on my own. Or I would be, without you! Let me know if you have any ideas– I’m going to fool with it and share the embarrassing results.
At this price, there’s another catch– this gray is like death on me. Grays in general are not bad a bad look, but this shade washes me out. Solution? I have a couple boxes of Rit dye hanging around, and I could buy any color I like for a couple bucks down at Rite Aid. I am open to your color suggestions for flattery and versatility.
Total spent at Gap: $13.79 + $4.19 + Tax = $19.01
Moving on to accessories…
There are, of course, these fabulous shoes, purchased from Ross for a criminal $6.99, and the earrings also pictured here, purchased for $1.25 at Up Against the Wall:
Then there was this belt, purchased at Gap Outlet on clearance for $1.68. (Sign up for emails and you’ll get a 15% off coupon.)
Total spent on accessories: $6.99 + $1.25 + $1.68 + Assorted Taxes = $10.49
Lucky me also found a skirt I had previously returned because I didn’t want to spend $14.90– it went on sale/clearance for $5, so I was under legal obligation to buy it:
Then there was the recent Bloomie’s sale, where I got this cute three-season Ralph Lauren sweater on clearance for $17.99:
Total spent on other stuff: $5 + $17.99 + Various Taxes = $24.36
Because I returned those red shoes and yellow belt, I once again had some Filene’s Basement store credit. And given the state of FB, I was eager to use it. I picked up a couple of jersey dresses I thought I could wear through the fall with cardigans and whatnot. They don’t look like much on the hanger, but they stretch to fit nicely. There’s this one, from a no-name brand, for $14:
And this one, from James Perse, a pretty good deal at $30:
Total spent at Filene’s Basement: $14 + $30 + Tax – $46.09 (The Rest of My) Store Credit =
$0.44
Still with me? Probably not. It’s okay, I’m almost done. Remember that $100 birthday gift card my mom gave me to use at 6pm.com? I ended up getting the Gossard Superboost (the 32G was the best fit), the Aerosoles Ruf N Tough in black, and this pair of Softwalks, which were on sale for $19.95. I know they’re not cute, but they are easily the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned– I only regret that they sold out of the cuter styles before I pulled the trigger. With shipping (and return shipping for the ill-fitting 32F and 32FF bras), the whole order came to almost exactly $100. Score.
Alright.
Total:
- Gap: $19.01
- Accessories: $10.49
- Other Stuff: $24.36
- Filene’s: $0.44
= $54.30
—
Pretty Year Budget–
$250 – $20.71 (January) =
$229.29 – $5.10 (March) =
$224.19 – $36.80 (April) =
$187.39 — $54.30 (May/June) =
$133.09 left to spend in 2009.
Hmmm… Let’s see if I can make it without a new winter coat.
Related posts:
- Michelle’s Pretty Year: Just For the Record
- It’s the moooost wonderful tiiiime of the year
- Michelle's Pretty Year: Money for Nothin'
- Michelle’s Pretty Year: A Thrifting Virgin’s Guide to Thrifting, Part II
- Should It Stay or Should It Go: Keepers
You look wonderful in deep colors. I’m thinking a rich garnet red may be a color to dye that grey dress.
I have no suggestions on the sash thingy.
That grey Gap dress was called the T-Shirt Scarf Dress. The attached piece is a scarf made out of the same material as the dress.
As an employee, I can say it was one of the lest successful designs of the Spring 2009 line. Poor quality fabric (for a clingy dress), poorly executed concept. And don’t worry about taking the tags off- it’s final sale, thus non-returnable.
Thanks, Anon. I guess I’ll just have to make the best of it. And thanks, Candace– I’m thinking the heathering might lend itself to a purple? And then I was thinking– why not dye the scarf a different color? Like green?
I also think that purple is your best shot for the dress.. now I would leave the scarf in grey…. and maybe throw in some yellow or gold accesories… I am sure you will make it work … !
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