random inspiration + fall wishlish

So I've made it past the two week mark for No Shop September and we're cruising through to week three. I can't believe how fast this month is flying by. It's been so jam packed I honestly haven't had time to shop. Well I mean, I have had time to browse online and daydream about everything I plan on buying come October. The good thing about this shopping hiatus is that I have really taken the time to think about every item I see that I like and would otherwise have just impulsively bought. I'm sure we've all heard the old "make sure you can think of at least three outfits it goes with before you buy it" rule of shopping thumb, but how often have we really followed it? I've been more conscious of that rule when I've seen something I like these past few weeks, and I can safely say the following items will go with much more than three items in my closet, so they're on the top of my list for October:

1. Calvin Klein Carly Heel - $98: I have been forever searching for a pair of perfect black pumps. I think these might fit the bill. I tried on this season's version (the Scarlet) and they fit like a dream and were sooo comfy. So I'll either save a few dollars and get these, or splurge for this season's version. I figure you gotta have a comfy black pump, right?

2. Archie Grand Notebook via J.Crew - $10: An adorable notebook perfect for writing down blog ideas or notes on short stories! For ten bucks this is a must.

3. Vince Camuto Canasta Heel - $129: I LOVE these shoes! They're pricey, but I think if I save my money they'll be worth it. They'd go with so much all through fall and winter, and even next spring. Plus they have a nice, sturdy looking heel which I love. 

4. Old Navy Tweed Skirt - $26.50: The price is right on this on-trend skirt. Easily dressed up or down, this will go with pretty much everything in my wardrobe. I can't wait to wear it with colored tights, ankle boots, and a cozy sweater.

5. American Eagle Boyfriend Tank - $15.50: American Eagle makes my favorite basic tanks. They're fitted with just the right amount of stretch. Plus they're nice and long and never change shape in the wash. I'm thinking I need a navy one and the plum colored one, perfect for layering up for fall.

6. Gap City Flats - $39.50: I have a Groupon for the Gap (spend $50 get 50% off!) so I'm thinking I'll either get these comfy looking ballet flats...

7. Gap Perfect Boot Jeans - $69.50: ...or these jeans. All my jeans are starting to be just a touch too big! A few more pounds and it will be time to start replacing. Gap's jeans have been my favorite for awhile now, so they're my go-to when I need my butt to look good! ;]

There's also so much awesome inspiration for fall floating around on the internet right now. Perhaps the most exciting feature I've come across is Forever 21 and their blogger feature! They picked five awesome bloggers and had them each pick some of their favorite Forever 21 looks. They made some amazing choices, and they're all affordable! I'm partial to the looks chosen by Louise and Kelly Which one do you like the best?

I'm also loving Piperlime's recent campaigns. I like that they are encouraging people to stop thinking "comfortable" is only synonymous with "sweatpants" and "sneakers." A great pair of jeans and flats is just as comfortable but you'll look so much more put together and feel so much more put together. Plus, getting dressed is fun!

What's on your fall wishlist? Are you stocking up on basics or going for the big trends?

grab that cash with both hands and make a stash

So I am entering into my second week of No Shop September, and I have to say, Week One wasn't as terrible as I thought. Did I want to buy things? You bet. Did I have money? Not a cent. However, I get paid tomorrow. Which means cash in my account. Which means temptation.

I have managed to appease my urge to buy clothing using a few tactics:

1. I am allowing myself to buy Super Mario Galaxy 2 tomorrow, which will then take up a good chunk of my time and keep me from shopping.

2. I have also decided to allow myself to purchase two small posters for my cubicle (it needs a face lift! I spend the majority of my time in here, it should be cute!)

3. I stumbled across Budgets are $exy this morning, and reading financial advice always makes me want to save and be thrifty. I discovered that if I save $800 a month for the next fifteen years and never touch a penny of it I will be a millionaire by age 39. That's insane. Imagine if I saved more than that, and opened a Roth IRA. Even if I did use some of my savings (say, for a house or something) I'd still be able to become a millionaire before retirement age. This is now a new goal: BECOME MILLIONAIRE BY AGE 55. I just arbitrarily chose 55 but that sounds good to me, so we'll go with it.

4. Not gonna lie, I have devised a well-edited list of purchases I plan on making in October. Stay tuned for a visual list.

I can't lie on here (at least not too badly...) so I will confess that I did spend money this month. A decent amount. But it wasn't on clothes, so technically it's in the rules. There was a Groupon for skydiving and I've always wanted to go, so I took the plunge. The deal was for almost 50% off, so it was totally worth it. I think Best Friend Jamie and I are going to hold off until the spring to go, but I couldn't be more excited!

Dramatic representation of what I will look like plummeting from the sky.

no shop september

So I was just over on Chaucee's blog and it turns out, without even knowing each other, we have both decided to put a ban on buying clothing for the month of Spetember. While she is just doing it for herself and her own personal reasons (and really, so was I) I think I will extend this offer out to anyone who would like to participate.

So what say you, blog readers? Are you up to it? Should we all go buy Super Mario Galaxy 2 and spend our days playing that instead of shopping?

Drop me a comment below if you want to save some cash and join in with No Shop September!

the end of the world as i know it

So this is it. The last day. Tomorrow marks September first and thus the beginning of my entire month of no buying clothing. I am kind of freaking out, but I also have a weird sense of relaxation. Of course, the relaxation is probably brought on by me fantasizing about the other things I will buy instead of clothing. Here's what I scored in a mad frenzy to buy whatever I could this past weekend:

Marc Jacobs Latin Phrase Ring -$3

Marc Jacobs Swallow Earrings -$32

ring only found at Marc Jacobs stores, earrings can be found at shopstyle.com

Jamie and I spent the afternoon in Boston on Sunday (more on that in another post). Happily, that meant we got to hit up Marc Jacobs for some affordable accessories and also to drool over shoes and bags. 

Forever 21 Leatherette Jacket - $34.50

I. Love. This. Jacket. I have wanted a cropped leather jacket (faux or otherwise) for the longest time. I do have one, but it's not quite so motorcycle-esque, which is why I really like this one. I plan on putting it over every dress I own once the weather cools down. It is the softest, squishiest fake leather too. (Note: blogger is telling me I spelled "faux" wrong, which I did not, but has nothing to say about "squishiest" which feels made up. Hmph.)

And that's really it! I did buy a work out tank for yoga, and to be honest I will probably buy more in September, but I think work out clothes should be excluded, seeing as I truly have none. I go to yoga twice a week and need a clean outfit each time as I sweat like a you-know-what in church. I don't have the time or inclination to do laundry more than once a week, thus I need more workout gear. The tank I bought (and am about to test-drive for the first time) is Under Armor, bought on sale at Nordstrom. I can't imagine a plain work out tank is interesting enough that anyone will be upset I am not including a photo. Google it if it is bothering you that much. :P

Oh and I did purchase a sweater dress and a pair of tights at French Connection, but they were bought with store credit and so I am not counting them! (I am feeling very sassy with this post, can you tell?) You will get to see them come fall when they are inevitably included in an outfit post. 

What do I plan on spending my hard-earned money on in September that isn't clothing, you ask?

Wa-BAM! Super Mario Galaxy 2 my friends. I will be hibernating for all of September with this, waiting for October, when the mall is once again a safe haven. Just me, Yoshi, and those adorable little stars. Special times are just ahead.