August Budget & Buys

Since tomorrow is Fitness Friday and those get pretty wordy on their own, I'm doing the monthly budget wrap up today even though tomorrow is actually the last day of the month.  Don't worry, I won't spend any money today or tomorrow :)  I'm also linking up with Franishh for Budgeting Bloggers, so head over there to check out her great buys for August, see other budgeting posts, and submit your own if you're so inclined!

Since I was on a shopping ban for the month of August (previous updates here, here, and here), the goal was to buy nothing at all.  I didn't quite accomplish that, but hear me out.  Here's what I actually added to my closet for this month.

Left: Diesel gray skinny trouser jeans (via Gilt)

Top right: House of Harlow gold arrow necklace (via Gilt)

Bottom right: Gap perfect dot shirt

I ended up spending $8.50 on these three items.  So what happened was this:

I actually bought this exact House of Harlow necklace on Gilt awhile ago as part of my May budget (although I think I forgot to include it since I hadn't received it yet at that point).  It was listed on Gilt for $40, but I used a $20 off $40 purchase credit so it only cost $20 at that time ($25 with shipping).  They cancelled my order after a few weeks saying the inventory had run out and it was no longer available.  I didn't want to lose the $20 promo because of the cancelled order, so I emailed them and of course they were really great about it and issued a $20 promo to my cart for 2 weeks only (which would have been before the end of August - bummer!) plus an extra $10 off for the trouble.  I was all, "oh great, but I'm not buying anything this month, so it doesn't matter."  And I meant it.  But then I got an email a few days after that saying that this exact necklace was available again, so I went to check it out.  Same price, but since I had the extra $10 off and the $20 credit, it was actually going to only cost $15.  Since it was already part of my May budget, I obviously I had to get it because I had already spent the $ in May (not part of my August budget), and I was basically getting $10 back for buying the same thing.

Then I also noticed that they left the original $20 credit on my account, and shipping is free for an hour after you buy something in case you want anything else, so I ended up getting a pair of Diesel skinny jeans (originally listed for $29) and a New Balance dri-fit shirt for my hubby for $12.  That came to $41, but I paid $21 because of the credit, so if you take out the gift I got for J, my jeans cost $9.  Less than the $10 I got back from my original purchase, so... basically I saved myself a dollar and got a pair of Diesel jeans out of the deal!

The Gap shirt was another serendipitous deal that was too good to pass up.  I went to Gap to return two tanks that shrunk terribly in the wash (these - definitely wouldn't recommend!), and I happened to have a 40% off one full-price item coupon on me.  I had intended to try on this oxford button-down to see if I wanted to put it at the top of my September shopping list, but I couldn't find it in the store I was at.  Instead, I found this adorable polka-dot top, which is really similar to J. Crew's button down, except not in "popover" style.  The Gap top is currently $50, but with the 40% off, it came down to $30, and then I had a $14ish credit from the returns I made.  I also had a $10 Banana Republic reward, so I used that, which brought the total to about $8.50.  I actually also had a $25 gift card which I tried to use so it would be free, but I had to use my Banana Card in order to get the 40% off.  I figured it was worth it.

So overall, I spent 8.50, which I will just take out of my September budget.  Thoughts on these items:

- Diesel jeans: I already knew that these run really small because I bought a pair in my usual size from Rue La La a few years back.  Big mistake.  They are destined to stay in my closet unworn because I can barely button them and don't have the patience to break them in.  I bought this pair 2 sizes up, and they fit but are still really sausage-casing-tight fitted in the legs.  They'll be fine once I wear them once, but man - be forewarned if you ever buy Diesel, they run small for gals with athletic legs in my opinion.

- House of Harlow arrow necklace: I do really like this, but I will say that it is definitely not even worth $40, much less $80 - that price is a total racket.  I'm happy with the $15 I paid for this, but I probably would have even been disappointed if I had gotten it originally for $25.  It is not very substantial and feels light and somewhat flimsy.  It is very pretty and I'll wear it for sure, but again, be forewarned on the quality of these pieces - I would not recommend paying full price!

- Gap button-down: love it!  Fits perfectly in my usual size at Gap, I didn't notice any gaping in the buttons, and it is lightweight but substantial enough for work.  Definitely recommend!

I also thought I'd mention that I returned the Madewell sandals from the last budget update - they were too big and just didn't fit as well as I would've liked for the price.  I did keep the Nike running top though - I need to be motivated for colder weather running and it fit so nice and comfy!

Since this was awfully wordy with so few pictures (not shopping is kind of visually boring, no?), I'm going to post a little outfit action for the day too.  This is literally what I am wearing at work today, so I had to snap a quick pic on the way out the door!

 

I'm Wearing

Gap v-neck white t - really old

 C. Wonder seersucker pencil skirt - $20 (trying to get one more wear before Labor Day!)

J. Crew Factory pink skinny belt - $15

Silver key necklaces - really old, don't remember

Michael Kors rose gold watch

Vera Wang via Kohl's sandals - old, $15ish

If you have a budget, how did it go in August?  Were you on a ban or trying to cut back?  If not, what did you end up getting?  I love to hear about others' budgets and buys too, so talk to me in the comments!