February Budget & Buys

I'm actually really happy with this month's report, I have to admit.  Usually I kind of dread doing my monthly budget because I don't want to see it all together, but this year is going well for me in terms of smart buying and restraint.  I feel really... accomplished this month, for lack of a better word.  I feel like I spent smart, stayed in budget, and only purchased things I really loved and know will get a lot of use in my current lifestyle and wardrobe.  Even better is that even though they're "practical" (hate that word), they're still exciting to me because they're all appropriate for spring, which is where my mind's at even if there is snow on the ground.

I wasn't really planning on shopping (still riding that high of the way under-budget January) and actually didn't shop at all for most of the month.  I'm so over winter and being bundled up that even good sales haven't really been speaking to me - I'm just not in the mood to buy another sweater or pair of tights that I don't even want to wear and will be hidden under a massive North Face puffer anyway (side note that I think this is partially why I've been neglecting outfit photos...).  Anyway, I was planning on spending some cash in Florida while I was there, but (a) nothing really grabbed me there either (even hit up like 5 thrift stores and came up with nothing!), and (b) I bring a really small weekend bag when I go on those trips, so I didn't have much room to take anything home with me anyway.  So I thought I might get out of February with another low-budget month.

But then (of course), J. Crew and their dang 30% (and then 40%!!!) off sale items got to me last week.  I tried to stay reasonable, but since I still had my entire budget available, I decided to go for a few of the higher quality items that I usually wouldn't spend the money on.  Here's what I ended up with.

I didn't buy them to wear together all at once, but is it wrong that now I want to?

J. Crew Blythe Blouse in Alabaster - $62.48

J. Crew Tippi Sweater in Heather Turquoise - $36.25

J. Crew Scout Chino in Neon Rose - $40.40

J. Crew Mona Pumps in Deep Peri - $64.59 (no longer available)

Grand total - $203.48

Since I only spent $35 in January, I'm okay with that extra $3.48 - technically I'm still under budget for the year by about $160, so I think I'm good.  Quick and grateful shout out too - I actually bought these during the 30% off sale, but the awesome customer service gals price-adjusted for me when it went to 40% literally 2 days later, so that helped me keep all 4 things while staying in budget  :)  Also fun to note - I've only added 8 things to my wardrobe (including accessories) so far this year!  Should make spring cleaning a little easier...

Okay, details.  I've been lusting after the white Blythe for what feels like ages, and when it was randomly slightly on sale so it qualified for the extra discount, I was seriously giddy.  The Tippi sweater is pretty much my favorite color, and after a quick look in my closet, I found that I didn't have a sweater or even a long-sleeved tee in that shade (honestly!), so at that price I was definitely in.  The chinos are super cute and bright for spring, but they're not so neon that they're not work-appropriate.  I do have a (Factory) pencil skirt in this shade though, so these are the only thing I'm considering returning.

And, saving the best for last, the shoes... oh, the shoes.  I was really, really nervous about these because I did something really slightly irresponsible... I bought them final sale when I'd never seen them in person and have never tried the Mona pumps on before, so I wasn't even sure about my size - eek!  And even though they were on major sale, that's still a lot for me to spend on one pair of shoes, but since I've been so burned by cheap shoes, I think I'm pretty much persuaded that it's worth it to spend the money on a decent pair.  All in fitting with the quality over quality mentality, right?  Plus, I figured I could resell them at least for what I paid if I really hated them or they didn't fit.  I had toyed with buying them back in January too, but then they went out of stock.  When they came back in stock for like 1 minute, only in my size, during this sale, I frantically added them to my cart and checked out, like immediately.  Then I panicked for the next 2 days because I thought for sure my order would be cancelled due to no inventory, but alas, they were available, I got them, and... I LOVE THEM.  The color is even better than I thought it would be, and luckily for me, they fit like a dream - honestly one of the most comfortable pumps I own!  Fate & luck, I owe you one.

It feels awesome to only have bought 4 things rather than adding a bunch of cheap stuff that will fall apart or be obsolete sooner rather than later, and I'm happy to have spent the additional money on these pieces that I can see myself using for years.  It feels like money well spent rather than soon-to-be-wasted.  I'm also working on a new targeted wish list to help me continue shopping smart (probably one overall and one for each season, something like Fran's Holes in My Closet list), so I can continue to focus my spending and feel good about what I'm adding to my closet.

Also linking up with Fran's Budgeting Bloggers series - can't wait to see how you all did this month too!