Picks for spring

25 March 2013

My friend Nancy just posted a great challenge on her blog. You should go check it out for yourself, but the gist is that participants will give up shopping for clothes, accessories, household decor, and “stuff” in the months of April, May, and June.

My initial instinct was to enthusiastically join in, because unsurprisingly I love a good budget challenge. But then, I thought about a few things:

Point one: So far, I have spent $0 of my clothing budget for 2013. No accessories, either. I’ve effectively been holding my own one-person challenge for the first quarter of the year.
Point two: In the whole of 2012, I spent $182.15 on clothing and accessories, not counting the dress I bought for our rehearsal dinner and a dress I bought for a work event. The exact items: 1 yellow striped shirt, 1 bathing suit, 1 belt, 1 scarf, 1 pink tunic, 1 pink blouse, 1 pair of earrings, and $20 of my cowboy boots (the rest was in gift cards!).
Point three: I realized last weekend that I wore shirts with holes in them for three days in a row.

Now, I’m certainly not saying that I’m destitute, and I’m obviously not asking for pity — I have what many consider to be a full closet, and it’s not that we don’t necessarily have the money to spend, it’s just that we choose to spend it on (or save it for) other things.

But, it’s gotten to the point where I’m so used to NOT spending money on clothing that’s it’s become very difficult to pull the trigger. Which is a good thing, of course, but I now seem to be incapable of spending even gift cards: for example, I currently have a $40 Nordstrom gift card and almost $200 in J.Crew gift cards that have been sitting in my wallet for months. Ridiculous! So, with spring (hopefully?) around the corner, and our honeymoon coming up, I’ve decided it’s time to spend… just a little :) Here are a few of the pieces I’m eyeing:

spring-picks

1. Cross-back sundress in sunshine ($56) | 2. One-shoulder dress in soft fuchsia ($35) | 3. Short-sleeve dress in emerald ($34) | 4. Striped maxi dress ($98) | 5. Striped top in green ($15) | 6. Striped dress in coral ($28) | 7, 8, 10. Chino shorts in neon azalea, bright spearmint, and cerise ($28) | 9. Girls’ patent tortoise belt ($10) | 11. Skinny jeans in spearmint ($50) | 12. Gingham shirt ($44) | 13. Neon pink studs ($15) | 14. Sophia studs in clover ($32) | 15. Leather sandals ($50)

Any favorites?

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March 25, 2013 10:39 am

Have you SEEN the dresses at J. Crew this season? The Navy scalloped or the Coral Camille are so flattering and comfortable!

March 25, 2013 11:52 am

1, 3, and 6 are AMAZINGOHMYGOODNESS!!! But they are all beautiful, treat yourself, girl, you deserve it!! Especially if it is being done with gift cards :)

Elizabeth
March 25, 2013 12:57 pm

I love all of your choices! Cute, cute, cute!!

March 25, 2013 2:55 pm

I love Gingham Shirts! Definitely on the basics list for this year! (Even though no, I don’t really need clothes! I need exercise!!)

Shelby
March 25, 2013 3:59 pm

I see a theme of bright & stripes! I am utterly in love with the Emerald dress though! Cute and casual, perfect!

Em
March 25, 2013 5:39 pm

You all are the best! I started my mini shopping spree by picking up nos. 7, 9, and 11 with my J.Crew card this weekend! Baby steps :)

Victoria
March 26, 2013 8:22 pm

Go emily! I love so much about this, specifically being that you did what was right for YOU! :)

March 27, 2013 10:05 pm

Love everything! I keep watching the skinny jean in spearmint for a really great deal, $50 isn’t bad at all but with shipping and duty to Canada it really adds up!