Stripes and Spots

Have I used that title before?  It's hard to remember, and with the proliferation of stripes and polka dots in the world of fashion, it's kind of hard to keep the titles/puns/descriptions straight.  I hope you won't mind just this once (not promising it won't happen again...)

I've been pretty into pencil skirts lately, and yesterday I wore another one I recently purchased for only $20 - summer sales were seriously good this year!

Cardigan for my office on the polar ice cap

Sans cardigan for the suprisingly comfortable weather outside

I'm Wearing

Marshalls coral/white chiffon top - $20 (similar)

J. Crew Factory captain's ship wheel necklace - $13 (really similar and gorgeous)

C. Wonder seersucker pencil skirt (sold out, but these pants are the same fabric/pattern!) - $20

Mia Honney wedges via Piperlime - $27 (no longer available, but these are close)

Michael Kors watch - gift

J. Crew (via Ebay) crystal bracelet - $11

First of all, I have to give props to Franziska for this bracelet buy - I totally stole the idea right from her - Fran, thanks for the tip, it's gorgeous in person and I love it!  Second, this pencil skirt was a random find at C. Wonder during that awesome 50% off of sale items promo last month (I also got a few plates and mugs from the indigo collection - they're lovely!).  I was sort of hesitant because I've never purchased anything from them before, but the deals were too good to pass on, so I went for it.  I was pleasantly surprised by this skirt (and the dishes, actually) - it is really, really comfortable.  I honestly felt like I was wearing pajamas all day!  That might be partially because it's a wee bit big, but I don't mind, and it's nothing I can't get altered if it becomes necessary.  It also gets pretty wrinkly, but that's a small price to pay for how cute and lightweight it is for summer.  Overall, definitely worth it!  (Not a sponsored post, I just really like comfortable and lightweight workwear).

And finally, now that it's August 16, I'm past the halfway point of my August month shopping ban and pleased to report that it's going well (with one exception that actually did not cost me any money, which I'll explain at the end of the month).  The last shopping ban I completed in June was a success, however I did purchase additional home items that I "really needed" with the extra funds since I wasn't spending money on clothes, accessories, or beauty items.  This time, I have not just shifted my spending to something else I needed instead; I have just not been spending the money.  It's weird, but in a good way.  It also allowed me to buy my Mom a birthday present that I was proud to give her (not that there's anything wrong with my original idea of John Deere...)

Polka dot Kate Spade laptop case

And yes, it was really hard to go into Kate Spade and not buy a single thing for myself...

but I did it.

Polka dot infatuation is not limited to bloggers - my mom has been a fan forever! :)