April Budget

I have absolutely no clue what day or month it is ever anymore. All I know over here is that we're quickly marching down to our move out date (this week - eep!) and there's a thousand things to do and the days are just dripping away into nothing. 

I got excited by the couple of days of warm weather and ignored the 25 days of cold weather in April and went all in on summer clothes. Jeff's mom is going to be super confused when I move in this week with 25 summer dresses for seven weeks. Of course, if she doesn't know by now that I'm packing 17 suitcases for our #hotgirlspring at her house, then she might not know me at all. 

Here's what I bought in April: 

LOFT Puff Sleeve Top - originally $44.50, on sale $22.25, used rewards $12.25. The puff on these sleeves is not messing around, but I'm still into it. This is super cute with light wash denim or shorts to transition to warmer weather. The cut is a little small and short so I suggest sizing up for this one. 

J.Crew Tiered Tee Shirt Dress - originally $49.50, on sale $29.70. I bought this in white last summer and loved the easy shape and lightweight fabric - perfect for those hot, hot summer days! The white was a little tricky because every time I wore it I immediately spilled something on it (anyone else with white clothes?! I swear I never spill on other stuff) so I was excited to see a few new colors this year. 

J.Crew Eyelet Shirt Dress - originally $158.00, on sale $94.80, used giftcard $44.80. This reminded me of my favorite white shirt dress that I brought on my honeymoon to Italy SIX YEARS AGO that sadly no longer fits because it turns out you don't stay down at your lowest wedding weight for very long so I basically had to have it. It is two different pieces, a slip and the eyelet dress, and the fit is surprisingly cute and flattering. The sleeves are poofy but not too poofy. I'm all in. 

J.Crew Factory Eyelet Tiered Shirt - originally $69.50, on sale $33.57. I have this weird thing where I'm obsessed with black eyelet fabric. It's like, take summer but make it night time? I don't know. It's wrong and feels right? Nope let's pretend I didn't say that. I'm always worried that tops with a seam right above the bust will fall weird over my chest, but add a cami underneath to make a cute little uniboob and you're good to go. Yes, uniboobs can be good sometimes. Oh god I'm just going to stop here. 

Total Spent: $120.32

God only knows what will happen with my spending in May. Maybe I won't order anything because I'm already embarrassed by how many packages I've sent to my MIL's house? Maybe I'll want to actually SHOP IN STORES because I'll be fully vaccinated and good to go? Maybe I'll forget about how many clothes I own because most of them will be in storage and accidentally purchase a full new wardrobe? Stay tuned! 

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March Budget

I share my clothing budget here every month. My budget per month is $350, which may seem like a lot to some people or a little to others, but for me feels just right. I include all of my clothes, coats, shoes, and accessories in that budget, but not athletic gear, pajamas, or intimates.

Better late than never on this post, amiright?! I apparently did one LOFT order in March, and purchased nothing else. This is the time of year when we have one warm day I'm like "GAH NEED ALL THE SPRING CLOTHES" which is exactly what happened here. We had a few days in the 70's and 80's so I got to wear a few of these, and my fav is definitely the black dress - it's so easy and fun to wear! 

Here's what I bought in March: 

LOFT Peplum Tee (sold out noooo - here are one, two, three similar tops) - originally $59.50, on sale $35.70. It's a little breezy for Chicago weather, but super cute! I somehow got a stain on it immediately when wearing it the first time so I'm currently crossing my fingers it comes out in the wash! 

LOFT Black Shirtdress - originally $89.50, on sale $44.75. This is my favorite cut of dress from LOFT from last summer so I was excited to see it again. It's very light and breezy, perfect for hot hot summer days. The only funny thing about it is that the buttons are all functional, and I did look in the mirror while wearing it and realized one of the middle buttons had come undone - whoops! 

LOFT Everyday Sweater - originally $49.50, on sale $24.75. Actually I'm not sure why I said the black dress was my favorite because I have definitely been reaching for this sweater every time it comes out of the wash. It's a great lightweight sweater for spring, but the fabric is still really soft, not scratchy like a lot of lightweight sweaters can be. I might need it in another color or two...

LOFT V-Neck Shell - originally $44.50, on sale $22.25. I always want to wear cute little camis under sweaters and blazers, but they look terrible with my bras when I inevitably get too hot and take the top layer off. I love that this has the feel of a cami but with the ability to hide thicker straps. 

Total spent: $127.45

In April I'm trying really hard not to buy anything because... we're moving!! More details to come, but we are spending this month packing so I probably don't need to buy anything more to pack up... right? Right. Right? 

We'll see in a month ;)

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February Budget

I share my clothing budget here every month. My budget per month is $350, which may seem like a lot to some people or a little to others, but for me feels just right. I include all of my clothes, coats, shoes, and accessories in that budget, but not athletic gear, pajamas, or intimates.

We did a little shopping this month, and for non-pajamas/loungewear/athleisure too! I even shopped IN A STORE. I TRIED THINGS ON IN THE DRESSING ROOM. I mean, I didn't buy those things, but still! It's been literally a whole year since I've been in a dressing room. And then a woman peered in at me through the crack of the door and tried to come in (she somehow thought the room was empty?) and I will not be going into a dressing room again for a while.

I've now swung hard the other way from my pajama rut of January and February. Now that we've seen 50 degree weather in Chicago in the past week, I'm all about getting dressed again, and I want to get dressed in something pretty. Bring me some lacy, frilly, floral spring blouses. I'm all in. 

Here's what I bought in February: 

J.Crew White Skinny Jeans - originally $110.00, on sale $54.50. I went to put on my white skinny jeans from last year and they looked terrible - all stretched out and covered in stains! So it was definitely time for a new pair. I've tried J.Crew's white toothpick jeans in the past and didn't like the fit around the knee / ankle, but this year they somehow work for me. They're great because they're stretchy enough but aren't skintight and aren't see-through. Win win win. 

J.Crew Blue Floral Ruffle Blouse - originally $89.50 on sale $39.50. Love love love this. It's one of those tops that can be dressed up or down really easily. There's really pretty lace detail at the neckline and at the hem, and I love the little ruffle details at the shoulder. I wore it here.

J.Crew Ruffle Button Down - originally $118.00 on sale $82.50 used rewards $72.50. This blouse is so beautiful in person!!! The ruffle details on the sleeves and collar are so fun and well done, and the whole shirt just feels really well put together. I wore it here.

Madewell Light Wash Skinny Jeans - originally $128.00, on sale $77.40. I saw light wash jeans with an 8 inch rise and I pounced! Most jeans on the market these days seem to have a 10 inch rise, and I can't wear them because as a short-torsoed individual, they basically go up to my bra-line. These are thick, don't stretch out, and the talls are the perfect length for me. 

Total Spent: $253.90

I also ordered these flats but they did not work on me, the tiny bit of canvas around the top rubbed really bad. I also ordered this pretty blouse and am still waiting for it to show up! Besides the blouse, I'm also on the hunt for some pretty spring dresses! 

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January Budget

I share my clothing budget here every month. My budget per month is $350, which may seem like a lot to some people or a little to others, but for me feels just right. I include all of my clothes, coats, shoes, and accessories in that budget, but not athletic gear, pajamas, or intimates.

Coming in hot (and by "hot," I mean "late") with the first budget post of the year! I did not shop much in January, in case you couldn't tell. I also didn't get dressed much in January. TBH I'm finally feeling the quarantine blues, between the cold, the lack of holidays to look forward to, and feeling discouraged about how much longer this whole global pandemic thing is going to go on. I'm finally starting to see family get appointments for the vaccine, but it feels a long way off until Jeff and I will be eligible (assuming as healthy young adults who work from home... we're last?). So January saw me in a lot of sweats, leggings, and pajamas. All day erry day. 

Anyway, I did buy two things in January. TWO. And I used a giftcard for one. So this is a particularly interesting post. Here's what I bought in January: 

Target Leopard Sneakers - originally $24.99, on sale $12.49. Yes, that's really how much I spent on a pair of shoes. Usually I just skip the Target shoe section because they aren't high enough quality for my very picky feet, but I saw a couple people sporting these on las instas and decided to give them a try in store. And woah. So comfortable! They have a memory foam cushion insole, and the (faux) leather around the ankle doesn't rub. So far I've only worn these around the house because right after I bought them Chicago decided it was time for winter, but I'm confident they'll hold up once we leave the house. If leopard isn't your thing, they also come in white. You can see them on my feet here.

Treasure & Bond Cowl Neck Sweatshirt - originally $45.00, used giftcard $0. I also got influenced by a few people to try this one when I was sinking deep into my sweatshirt phase, and I'm v glad to have it in the Kristina's Closet family. The fabric is surprisingly lightweight but it's fleece on the inside, so you get warmth without bulk. Plus, it's so so soft and cozy, and pairs great with leggings. You can see me in it here. 

Total Spent: $12.49

I just ordered a couple of things for spring from J.Crew (including this super cute floral blouse) so hopefully my February budget post will be a little more exciting!

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December Budget

I share my clothing budget here every month. My budget per month is $350, which may seem like a lot to some people or a little to others, but for me feels just right. I include all of my clothes, coats, shoes, and accessories in that budget, but not athletic gear, pajamas, or intimates.

What a weird year for clothes shopping, am I right? And obviously, that was the weirdest part of 2020. Definitely nothing weirder happened. 

I was joking with some friends that mentally I just hit the pandemic clothing phase that everyone else reached by the last week of March. I think it's probably because it's been cold so we've been doing a lot less, but I've been living in leggings, matching sets, and sweatshirts lately. Lounge all day. Which my December purchases clearly fall in line with. Two novelty sweatshirts and sequined joggers, what more does a girl need?!

Alice & Wonder Ya Filthy Animal Sweatshirt - originally $46.00, on sale $36.80. Still available in a few sizes and on super sale if you want to get ready for next year! These are unisex sweatshirts so the sizing runs large, I still went with my usual size since I wanted a relaxed fit. This also comes in black.

Alice & Wonder Merry Little Cocktail Sweatshirt - originally $46.00, on sale $36.80. This one is sadly sold out now. If you're looking for fun, Chicago lounge wear though, definitely check out Alice & Wonder as they have the cutest Chicago merch! 

LOFT Sequined Joggers - originally $89.50, on sale $44.75. These sold out basically immediately so I'm sorry I couldn't share a link! Really though, they are the ultimate quarantine *fancy* loungewear lolol. I've been wearing them with my novelty sweatshirt collection, but also dressed them up with a black blouse for NYE. This same material is still available in a dress or plus size midi skirt.

Total Spent: $118.35

A look back at my 2020 Budget

What a rollercoaster of a year! It's funny to see my spending and what I bought in terms of what I thought I needed as I thought quarantine would go on longer, when we expanded our bubble slightly, and when Chicago went back into full stay home mode. Here's a breakdown of my spending by month (each linking to that specific post in case you want to take a look):

January - $159.49

February - $133.40

March - $483.54

April - $210.95

May - $331.57

June - $189.08

July - $215.85

August - $155.10

September - $545.20

October - $20.08

November - $230.15

December - $118.35

Total Spent: $2,792.76

Average Per Month: $232.73

And here we are, officially at my lowest annual average spend per month since I started tracking my clothing budget in 2014! In a pandemic it isn't so much of a surprise, but I'm still proud of myself for continuing to rein myself in while still buying (mostly) *nicer* items than I did back in the day when I'd attack the Forever 21 sale racks during my lunch break. 

It's hard to say what my spending will look like in 2021, because honestly, who knows what the world will look like moving forward. Will we go back to having work events that I'll need to dress up for? Will we travel? Will we get to go to parties and see all of our friends again? Will I ever work in an office again? 

What I do know is that I need some more comfy basics to wear at home so I don't just end up in the same pair of sweatpants day in and day out. I did a little bit of post-Christmas sale shopping, and am excited to get this (slightly) fancier tee and this sweatshirt in the mail soon! 

Post-Christmas winter wear for me always means shifting my color palette from the richer shades of fall and Christmas reds and plaid to something softer and lighter. I'm currently on the hunt for sweaters in shades of blush pink, creamy white, and soft grays - I've currently got my eye on this one and this one.

Want to see more? Check out my budget recaps from 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014.

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November Budget

I share my clothing budget here every month. My budget per month is $350, which may seem like a lot to some people or a little to others, but for me feels just right. I include all of my clothes, coats, shoes, and accessories in that budget, but not athletic gear, pajamas, or intimates.

Oh heeeyyyyyy I haven't written a blog post in two weeks!! Holy moly I've heard moms complain before about how crazy the Christmas season is, and now that I have a toddler running around I fully get it. I have one thousand things on my to-do list to complete before next week. But it's all in the name of making Christmas special for Mia, so I'm happy to do it. 

That being said, I'm so sorry for not getting to my November budget earlier, because it's a lot of Christmas clothes, and it's now probably too late for you to get any of them in time. So really, I'm sorry for being such a tease over here. I decided Mia and I were going to match as much as possible this holiday season, and that plus the few pounds more I weigh than I did pre-babies and pre-pandemic, means a few new holiday items. 

My absolute favorite thing though are these velvet pants. They are so comfy but make you look dressed up - basically fancy joggers. I wore them for Thanksgiving and have been putting them on for some fancy WFH, and fully plan on pulling them out again for Christmas. I went with my typical dress size, but I'd suggest going down one size for these as they are a little roomy.

Here's the rest of my purchases for November: 

LOFT Poncho: originally $59.50, on sale + used rewards $20.46. I bought this durning a November heat wave when I thought a short sleeve sweater would be a good idea. We are now past that part of Chicago winter haha, but I really liked this the two times I wore it! 

J.Crew Factory Plaid Ruffle Blouse: originally $64.50, on sale $25.60. I bought this specifically to twin with Mia. I thought it wouldn't be particularly flattering on me, but I was surprised by how cute it is in person! I wore this here. 

J.Crew Factory Pearl Bow Earrings: originally $22.50, on sale $8.80. These are my favorite earrings forever and ever. I've been wearing them basically every day. They are so, so cute for the holidays, but I think I'll keep wearing them until the *fun* summer earrings come out to play ;) 

J.Crew Factory Plaid Bow Scrunchie (sold out but the J.Crew version is almost identical): originally $16.50, on sale $6.37. I obviously needed this for holiday matching. Worth it. 

LOFT Cowl Neck Tunic Sweater: originally $59.50, on sale + used rewards $20.46. Really, I was just looking for more tops to wear with leggings since I've gotten super into quarantine style lately. This isn't anything special, but it fits the "wear with leggings" bill. 

J.Crew Velvet Wide-Leg Pants: originally $118, on sale $59.00. Like I said above, these are the perfect holiday pant, because they look classy but are super comfy to wear. Definitely not the most flattering thing in the world, but I'm not letting that stop me! 

J.Crew Ribbed Ruffle Neck T-Shirt: originally $49.50, on sale $24.75. I reeeeeeally wanted this and was going crazy waiting for it to go on sale. I had the tank top version of this top in white and black for summer (seen here) and both the tank top and long sleeve versions are perfect for tucking into skirts or higher waisted pants if you, like me, don't like bodysuits. Plus the ruffle detail is so cute! The scoop neck is a little low for me though, I wouldn't wear it for work. Unless I'm not turning on my camera for meetings ;) 

LOFT Bobble Sweater: originally $59.50, on sale + used rewards $20.46. I like the texture on this but it is super see-through and not so warm. It worked great during warmer fall weather, but I wouldn't recommend it for true winter. 

J.Crew Factory Plaid Button-Down: originally $59.50, on sale $24.65. I bought this specifically to twin with Mia too, and then the top for her ended up getting cancelled. Wah wahhhhhhh. This top is a little more "business" than most of my button-downs and it definitely isn't my favorite because of that, but I still have been wearing it because I cannot stop with the plaid. 

J.Crew Factory Plaid Scarf: originally $49.50, on sale $19.60. I kept telling myself not to buy more plaid scarves because I have like five of these plaid scarves from J.Crew Factory from previous years, but then I bought Mia some blackwatch plaid and obviously I needed this scarf to match. Someone please send help. 

Total Spent: $230.15

Moving forward, I'll share a budget post for December but I think for next year I'm going to drop the full "budget" post every month and just share my favorites. My guess is, you're less interested in how much I spent and saved on new things in my closet, and more interested in my current finds and favorites. Let me know if I'm wrong! 

For December I'm basically not shopping for myself besides a couple of novelty Christmas sweatshirts from Alice & Wonder. The pandemic seems to have finally caught up with me ;) 

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October Budget

I share my clothing budget here every month. My budget per month is $350, which may seem like a lot to some people or a little to others, but for me feels just right. I include all of my clothes, coats, shoes, and accessories in that budget, but not athletic gear, pajamas, or intimates.

It's almost November which means it's CHRISTMAS CLOTHES SEASON. The most wonderful time of the year ;) I've ordered a couple of things to twin with Mia for the holidays (like this top for me and this skirt for her) which officially makes me that mom, and honestly, I'm here for it. The only thing left for me before I officially turn into my mom is making her add a white turtleneck under everything. 

While I have kind of a lot of items currently headed my way, I actually only have one purchase for this month! I know, what, who am I?!?!! And my one purchase was actually an emergency Target pick up order for our family photo reshoots, ha! I planned very carefully for our family photos and had outfits picked out months in advance, but then Mia was crying or pouting in literally every photo except for this one. Our photographer offered to have us come back, which meant I had to figure out a new set of coordinating family outfits, which obviously meant I needed new boots. I have been trying to buy tall slouchy boots with a not-too-tall heel for years and years, and I honestly can't believe my Target pick up order are the pair that actually work. 

Target Boots - originally $39.99, on sale + used rewards $20.08

I did also order these jeans so I could do the cool girl thing and pair them with booties, but the fit was a little too baggy in the knees and slightly too short with my booties, so sadly they're going back.

For November, I'm most excited about getting this top in the mail that looks like the long-sleeve version of my favorite tank from this summer. Oh and of course, this scarf that I got to match with Mia in this jumper. Lol don't judge me 🙈 

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September Budget

I share my clothing budget here every month. My budget per month is $350, which may seem like a lot to some people or a little to others, but for me feels just right. I include all of my clothes, coats, shoes, and accessories in that budget, but not athletic gear, pajamas, or intimates.

What did I even buy this month?!? After sharing my budget posts for years (eep 2014!) somehow my organization system went off the rails. So I think this is all I bought in September, but really, who knows.

I keep going through phases of only wanting to wear loungewear (because I'm late to the quarantine party) and wanting to really get dressed, if that tells you anything about my purchases for the month. Usually I end up doing loungewear for getting up with Mia and getting her to preschool, and then get dressed "for work" when I get home. It's like a mullet day. 

I did however go a little crazy on the shoes this month. Usually what happens is, I order a bunch of shoes online (because I can't usually find my shoe size, eleven, in stores!) and I try them on and hate all of them for not being comfortable enough. But this time, I got three pairs in the mail on the same day and I LIKED EVERY SINGLE ONE. So now I have three new pairs of fall shoes to wear in my clofficeroom (closet/office/bedroom). You're welcome, Zoom calls. 

Anyway, here's what I bought in September... maybe.

Madewell Striped Sweater - originally $79.50, on sale $55.65. One of those things I saw and *HAD* to have. The stripes are navy and tan so it looks really cute with darker wash jeans. I wore it here. 

Abercrombie Black Bodysuit - $39.00. I bought a BODYSUIT and let me tell you, they're a little weird to wear! I thought I'd beat the system by just tucking it in and not actually doing the crotch snaps, but then you just have a little tail hanging down 😂 I mean sometimes it's nice to wear with skirts but overall a bizarre experience. This one is nice though because the material is like a light sweater and soft, versus feeling like you're wearing a leotard.

J.Crew Leopard Dress - originally $128.00, on sale $83.20.  EDIT: RETURNED I'm still a little on the fence about whether to keep this dress. On the one side, obviously it's leopard and I like the structure of the top. But, it's also really big throughout the body, which I like during the summer but am not so sure about it with tights and boots for winter. Plus we're in a pandemic so like, when am I wearing this? On the other side, if I'm inside all winter I don't necessarily have to wear tights with it, and I'm all about a good comfy house dress these days. 

UGG Tan Booties - $139.95. Lol yes these are UGG brand, ha! But no fleece inside sadly. I ordered these because they dip low in the front of the ankle and I haaaaaate when booties rub my ankles (see my rant with the other pair of booties haha) so I thought I'd give these a try. So cute, comfortable, and they fill a hole in my closet! Just a note that I thought they'd be closer to a nude from the pictures, but they're definitely brown.

J.Crew Loafers - originally $158.00, on sale $102.70. I am always a sucker for a good smoking slipper, even though they don't actually feel anything like slippers. Really cute with skinny jeans or leggings.

Abercrombie Colorblock Sweatshirt - $49.00. Oh my gosh I just realized I spent $49.00 on this. Why did I not try to get it on sale?!?! It is definitely not fifty dollars worth of sweatshirt, but it is amazingly soft and super cute with leggings for lazy mom day. 

Botkier Black Booties - originally $187.95, on sale $109.90. I had never heard of this brand before, and ended up ordering these right at the tail end of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale when everything else I ordered didn't work out. I love that these are a little bit dressier of a boot, and the shaft is slightly above the ankle so I don't have to worry about ankle rubbing (why 99% of the booties I order get returned). Some of the reviews complain about the ankle being too wide, and I really don't know what they're talking about because I have amazingly narrow ankles and these fit fine. My feet are the weirdest things - extra long, slightly wide, with tiny ankles. I wear any shoes with an ankle strap on the tightest setting. No wonder I can never find shoes. Foot rant over.

Abercrombie Striped Pullover - $45.00. Okay so this hoodie is the reason I ordered those other two Abercrombie items at full price. I decided I HAD to have this and it was about to sell out in my size, so I just went for it. So so so cute and cozy in person. They only have a few random sizes in different colors left, but I highly recommend it. 

Total Spent: $628.40

EDIT: Total Spent: $545.20

Yiiiiiikes. I mean, I knew I had gone over budget what with all of the shoes, but still! The only good news is that I've been mostly way under budget for the rest of the year, so it should all balance out in the end. 

I'm on a real cozy kick at the moment what with the temperatures dropping in Chicago (I woke up to temps in the '40s this week!!) so I'm assuming October will be filled with more lounge wear :) 

Are you still shopping? Or are you on a quarantine freeze? Let me know! 

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August Budget

I share my clothing budget here every month. My budget per month is $350, which may seem like a lot to some people or a little to others, but for me feels just right. I include all of my clothes, coats, shoes, and accessories in that budget, but not athletic gear, pajamas, or intimates.

Happy SEPTEMBER!! What??!?!?! September means it's been a full six months of quarantine, and a full year since I went back to work from maternity leave. It also means Mia is officially a year and a half old - 18 months tomorrow! 

I shopped and shopped and shopped at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale so I held back purchasing anything else. Then my Nordstrom order came and I only wanted to keep one thing, so we've got a bit of a lighter month. I'm super excited for the couple of items from LOFT, they're so gorgeous and fun for fall! Unfortunately that leopard print skirt is already sold out, which is especially sad because the fit is much more flattering than the bias-cut slip skirts that have been so popular. I'm linking it anyway in case it comes back in stock! It sold out super fast so I'm hoping they do a restock.

Here are my purchases in August: 

LOFT Leopard Skirt - originally $79.50, on sale $35.70. Crossing my fingers this comes back in stock for you! Zero stretch so keep that in mind for sizing. 

LOFT Tiered Dress - originally $80.00, on sale $30.00. This is the exact same cut as my pink bird dress, so basically perfection. It's loose and flowy but also manages to still be flattering. I love the print because I think it will work well with tights once the weather cools down. Also are we still doing tights in 2020 or are we just giving up once it gets too cold for bare legs? 

Leith Cozy Long Cardigan - originally $69.00, on sale $39.90. The one item from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale I decided to keep! It's surprisingly soft and fills a hole in my closet. 

J.Crew Striped Tee - originally $39.50, on sale $19.75. Just another wardrobe staple over here! I love J.Crew's tees because they're nice and thick. I suggest sizing up as they tend to shrink a little in the wash. 

LOFT Tiered Skirt - originally $59.50, on sale $29.75. Super comfy thanks to the stretchy waistband. I got a tall so it isn't too short on me. I wore it with a black tank in my Instagram stories, but it also has a hint of pink in it so it would look cute with a pink sweater too. 

Total spent: $155.10

For September, I'm on my perpetual hunt for the perfect booties (not too high of a heel, either lower profile on the front of the ankle or taller than ankle length) and probably stocking up on a few sweaters as all of my favorites are getting a little old looking. How about you? 

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July Budget

I share my clothing budget here every month. My budget per month is $350, which may seem like a lot to some people or a little to others, but for me feels just right. I include all of my clothes, coats, shoes, and accessories in that budget, but not athletic gear, pajamas, or intimates.


I always sit down to write my monthly budget posts like, "oh, I didn't buy anything this month right?" and then there are like 10 things sitting on my budget Pinterest board. But like, really, I think because we went out of town twice this month, I totally blacked out on everything I bought in July.

The standouts though are definitely the ruffle tank and these jeans! I got the ruffle tank in black and white, and I basically wear both of them once a week. So cute with skirts and pull-on shorts! And then the jeans. Omg the jeans. They might be the perfect skinny jeans. They stretch, they're amazingly comfortable, but they don't stretch out. Just calling it now, I will wear them every day this fall.

Here's the rest of the damage for July:

LOFT Striped Shorts - originally $59.50, on sale $24.75
LOFT Stitched Belt - originally $39.50, on sale $19.75
J.Crew Rain Boots - originally $68.00, on sale $34.00
J.Crew Stone Cluster Ring - originally $29.50, on sale $14.75
J.Crew Ruffle Ribbed Tank (in black and white) - originally $49.50, on sale + used rewards $17.30 x2 = $34.60
J.Crew Dot Chain Bracelet - originally $19.50, on sale $14.25.
J.Crew Stacking Ring - originally $29.50, on sale $14.75
J.Crew Jeans - originally $128.00, on sale $64.00, used rewards $59.00.

Total spent: $215.85


For August, I'm going to be shopping the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale with (hopefully) a bit of restraint. I mostly have my eye on these booties, this dress, these sneakers, and this (splurge) bag. I get access on Monday, so cross your fingers for me! If you aren't familiar, the sale opens based on your Nordstrom status on four different days, and then to the general public on 8/19 - full details here.

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June Budget

I share my clothing budget here every month. My budget per month is $350, which may seem like a lot to some people or a little to others, but for me feels just right. I include all of my clothes, coats, shoes, and accessories in that budget, but not athletic gear, pajamas, or intimates.


Weren't we just here?

I posted my May budget a couple weeks late, so it really feels like I just shared a bunch of purchases. Don't worry, I still managed to buy a few things since then! If you have a larger chest and are on the hunt for a new bra, I did just have to share that I just tried this one and am in love! Comfortable all day, and with the stretchy cups it's a perfect fit! Plus it's pretty, which doesn't hurt. Bras don't fit in my budgeting rules, but I thought I'd share anyway!

I'm probably most excited, you know, besides the bra, about these ruffled tank tops. I've been wearing them on my conference calls for work and have gotten tons of compliments. They're perfect tucked into a skirt or into pull-on shorts (like these).

J.Crew Ruffled Tank (purchased in black and white) - originally $49.50, on sale + used rewards $17.30 x2 = $34.60. Like I said above, so freaking cute! It's more fitted than most tees are right now, but stick with your usual size.
LOFT Straw Pom Pom Bag - originally $59.50, on sale $23.80. Helloooooo new summer bag! I didn't even realize it's a convertible cross-body, so the chain can be worn long or can be doubled for a shorter shoulder bag. I freaking love the pom poms, so cute. It's not huge, but I have enough room for my phone, keys, sunglasses (without a case), card holder, and chapstick/hand sanitizer.
LOFT Floral Pleated Shorts - originally $49.50, on sale $19.80. So adorable! I sized down because the solid black pair I got in May was stretchy and ran big, but definitely stick with your usual size! These are not a stretchy fabric. I never thought I'd be buying culottes, but you can't beat them for running after a toddler! I've been pairing them with one of the ruffled tanks or just a plain white tee. So easy and cute!
J.Crew Factory Black Denim Shorts - originally $59.50, on sale $9.95. Okay so I definitely bought these because of the sale price, but I haven't actually worn them yet. They just don't feel quite right for spring / early summer! But I have a feeling I'll get a lot of use out of them as summer winds down but the heat remains.
Daily Ritual Romper - $30.18. I realized I talked about this a couple times on Instagram but forgot to include it in a budget round up! It's so soft and comfortable, definitely my go-to for quarantine lounge wear! I suggest sizing down from your usual Daily Ritual size, it runs a little big. Mine did end up shrinking a tiny bit in the wash.
LOFT Weekend Sweater - originally $64.50, on sale $25.80. I always love a lightweight sweater with white shorts for the summer, it's perfect for slightly cooler nights.
Birkenstock Waterproof Sandal - $44.95. Oh my god I can't believe I bought these. But I'm a sucker for comfort these days, and saw a bunch of people raving about these so I caved. They're basically like Crocs, but look like a Birkenstock. I bought them specifically for wearing on our roof while we're doing water activities with Mia, and they really are so comfortable (and cute? maybe?) that I've worn them out of the house a few times too. I was worried that the white would get dirty easily, but I haven't had any issues yet. The soles are slightly darker but that's it. Just a note to go down a size! I usually wear a 10.5/11, and am in the 10-10.5 size.

Total spent: $189.08

Not bad for the month, thanks to all of those crazy sales!

I'm still looking for more easy, lightweight summer dresses (my fav for looking pulled together but still comfy during all of those video calls), but have nothing specific on my shopping list at the moment. July is usually interesting because that's when fall clothes start coming out, so we shall see - could turn into a crazy shopping month if history means anything!

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May Budget

I share my clothing budget here every month. My budget per month is $350, which may seem like a lot to some people or a little to others, but for me feels just right. I include all of my clothes, coats, shoes, and accessories in that budget, but not athletic gear, pajamas, or intimates.

Whoops, am I, you know, two weeks late with this post?

It's hard to jump back into posting when the world feels so crazy right now. Is it appropriate for me to be talking about clothes when it hasn't been business as usual and our country is busy fighting for Black lives, protesting, changing mindsets, and focusing on being anti-racist? I still don't think so, I don't really know how to go back to business as usual here. So I really apologize if this post seems tone deaf. I just really don't know what the right thing is to do.

And then I also want to apologize for not being business as usual, since a lot of these are now sold out. I will definitely try to be more on top of things in June!

So without further ado, here's what I bought in May:

Old Navy Pink Striped Tee - originally $14.99, on sale $7.98. Just a cute basic, looks great with white shorts! Size up for a relaxed fit. (worn here.)
J.Crew White Floral Dress - originally $138.00, on sale and used rewards $64.00. Just an FYI, it is a little bit of a weird shape. I got an XL (seen here) and it looks really cute from the front and back but from the side it looks huge. But the drop waist is strangely cuter than I thought it would be. True drop waists can emphasize your stomach area but this one does not.
Old Navy Striped Dress - originally $29.99, on sale $20. I've been wanting more "house dresses" for summer. You know, dresses that are so comfortable they feel like pajamas, but feel put together if you decide to leave the house. This definitely fits the bill. I got a tall and it comes to my knees (I'm 5'9"), which feels a little more like work-wear. If you want it shorter, definitely go for the regular size.
J.Crew Lace Tee (a version with just the lace sleeves) - originally $69.50, on sale $34.75. So so so so cute. This is definitely my cute tee of summer, it feels elevated because of the lace but it still is mainly tee shirt material. You will need a nude cami or something underneath because the lace v in the front goes down really low. Definitely snap this up as it is about to sell out, or grab this other version if you love the blue. (worn here.)
LOFT Pleated Shorts - originally $49.50, on sale $12.54. Okay so once you have a baby you're basically never wearing a mini skirt again, but these shorts give the look of a mini skirt but still let you bend over. Win win. Definitely go a size down as they run big. I think the black may be sold out, but they also have a cute floral pattern (that I may have also ordered!).
LOFT Floral Kimono - originally $49.50, on sale and used rewards $21.75. Super cute with white shorts, the perfect outfit topper for summer!
J.Crew White Jeans - originally $69.50, on sale $34.75. Yes, I bought another pair of white crop flares that look exactly like the pair I bought in April. But these have cute frayed hems! And also I realized once you have a toddler it definitely does not hurt to have backups for your favorite white jeans ;)
LOFT Bird Tiered Dress - originally $80, on sale and used rewards $36.75. This one is definitely sold out now, sorry friends :( (worn here.)
Old Navy Red Blue Striped Tee - originally $14.99, on sale $9.60. I love a good red white and blue stripe, so much more fun than your usual navy! Also really cute with those white shorts :) (worn here.)
J.Crew Ribbed Striped Ruffle Tank - originally $49.50, on sale and used rewards $24.70. Okay I. Love. This. Tank. It's striped, the little ruffle is adorable, and the ribbing makes it more flattering than your usual tank because it doesn't cling. This has definitely been on WFH repeat.
Old Navy Denim Shorts - originally $29.99, on sale $20.00. Super cute, but go with your regular denim size (not your Old Navy denim size).
Old Navy Tie Dye Sweatshirt - originally $34.99, on sale $20. Gah this is definitely sold out in the red, white and blue. Sorry! But there are some other patterns that are also adorable. This is not a soft sweatshirt, it feels more like terry cloth inside (but like, old terry cloth? You know, like the towels you should probably get rid of). It feels like something you should wear on a beach vacation at night. Does that make sense? Man, I really should not write these posts after having a glass of wine...
J.Crew Tiered Tee Dress - originally $49.50, on sale $24.75. Looooove this dress! It also fits into my house dress category, as it feels like pajamas but looks like so much more. I just really should not have gotten the white, as my toddler is hell bent on destroying it. (worn here.)

Total Spent: $331.57


Honestly, I'm really surprised I came in under budget. I keep opening packages of things I genuinely forgot I ordered. Mia currently has four swimsuits for this summer. Send help.

I definitely know I have these shorts and this cute pom-pom bag on the way, but who knows what else.

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April Budget

I share my clothing budget here every month. My budget per month is $350, which may seem like a lot to some people or a little to others, but for me feels just right. I include all of my clothes, coats, shoes, and accessories in that budget, but not athletic gear, pajamas, or intimates.


End of a full month of quarantine, yaaaaaaay!!!

After spending a TON on sale items in March, I really pulled back in April! Not really on purpose, it's just hard to feel like you really *need* something when I know we won't be going anywhere until at least June.

My favorite purchase has to be these comfy lounge pants - they're so soft!! I usually don't include loungewear in my budget posts, but I feel like with the right top and shoes, they could turn into everyday pants too.

Here's what I bought in April:

LOFT Striped Sweater - originally $49.50, on sale $24.75. This sweater is one I'm not sure I'd recommend. It's a super thin material that's not soft, and it's definitely sparklier in person than I realized (the tan and grey stripes are "shimmer"). I'm still keeping it and plan to wear it with white jeans or shorts.
Madewell White Jeans - originally $128, on sale $75. I finally made good on that promise to buy some non-skinny jeans! These fit like a cropped flare, and are skinny on the top and flare out below the knee. I've been having a tricky time with Madewell's sizing lately, went down a size in these and am very happy I did so they stay fitted through the thigh and knees - just a liiiiittle tight in the waist. That may be COVID alcohol & cookie consumption related though ;) I wore them here.
Daily Ritual Coulottes - $31.45. I've been wearing these nonstop, as pajamas and as regular clothes. I love the cropped length and wide leg, it makes them comfier than leggings and avoids the awkward length that most full length pajama pants are on me (read: several inches too short). I wore these here.
LOFT Kimono Wrap - originally $69.50, on sale $34.75. Wearing this as I type! It's a really pretty mix of pastel colors, cute and soft. I've been tossing this over tee shirts to feel a little more put together for work calls. I wore it here.
LOFT Floral Dress - originally $90, on sale $45. This was my Easter dress! I think the pattern is adorable in person, and I love the fluttery hem. I did size down in this per another dress I have that's the same cut, and it was a bad move. Definitely stay at your regular size. Also don't wear this one on a windy day! I wore it here.

Total spent: $210.95


Like I said, I'm not really looking for a ton right now. I did just empty out a bunch of old spring/summer tops from my closet (while Mia emptied my underwear drawer and marched all of my shoes out of my closet - thanks girl!) so some new ones (that all allow for wearing with a regular bra please - what was up with all those off the shoulder tops hmm?!) are probably in order. Should I put more words into parentheses?

Did you shop this month, or have you been tightening the purse strings?

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March Budget

I share my clothing budget here every month. My budget per month is $350, which may seem like a lot to some people or a little to others, but for me feels just right. I include all of my clothes, coats, shoes, and accessories in that budget, but not athletic gear, pajamas, or intimates.

So about that March budget. Yikes. Things have really fallen off the rails! Between all the sales but also not being able to go to stores to return stuff, I'm kind of at a loss here! Usually I'm really good at tracking my purchases and have a private Pinterest board with all of my purchases for the month all lined up all nice and neat with what I spent on each item. Yeah, I really have no idea now. Were there more things than this? Probably yes. Will I be keeping all of this? Guessing no, I'll definitely change my mind about something (and probably decide to keep something else that's currently in my "to return" pile).

Here's what I bought in March:

Sam Edelman Elva Mules - originally $130, on sale $110.50 (on way better sale now!!). I realized Sam Edelman shoes are my favorites (every pair is so comfortable!!) so I seek them out now when Shopbop and Nordstrom have big sales. I'm definitely pairing these with cutoffs and jeans as soon as the weather improves!
J.Crew camisole - originally $49.50, on sale $29.70. Whenever I get dressed up to go out (or heck, even try to find something to wear with a blazer or cardigan!) I always wish I had more camisoles in my closet. I never want to buy spaghetti straps since they'll show my bra straps (no waaaaaay I'm strapping these girls into a strapless bra if I don't have to anymore!!) but I finally realized that if I'm wearing the tank under something, spaghetti straps are fine! Definitely size up in this if you have a larger chest to get the right drape. Wore this for our at-home date night on Saturday!
LOFT Pointelle Sweater (purchased in black AND white cause I'm cray ;) - $59.50, on sale $35.70 x2 = $71.40 (currently 50% off though!). I got these at the end of February and they are my new favorite things, I've been wearing them back to back to back. You'll need a nude cami to go underneath as they are completely see through. But I really love them, with the balloon sleeves and mockneck they feel very chic and now. I wore it here.
Steve Madden Sandals - originally $99.95, on sale $74.96. I saw these and HAD to have them. It looks like they're selling out so I'd snag them fast if they're on your wishlist. The heel is a tinge higher than I like these days, but I'm currently in the process of getting rid of all of my old super high heeled sandals that I literally can't walk in anymore so these could fill a nice hole in my closet. They definitely wouldn't be for everyday chasing a toddler, but more for date nights and hanging with my girlfriends. I got the camel color, which is a pretty good match for my skin tone (nude / disappearing sandals are super in right now) but they come in five colors.
Gorjana Evil Eye Bracelet - originally $65, on sale $55.25, used gift card $0 (on better sale now!). This was a birthday gift to myself! I never buy myself "expensive" jewelry (which for me is anything over $30) but decided to treat myself with this cute little bracelet. I'm loving that evil eyes are all over jewelry right now! I've been putting this when I work from home and it brings me so much joy! You can sort of see it here.
Sam Edelman Danee Sandals - originally $150, on sale $127.50 (also on better sale now!). Another pair of Sam Edelman shoes that are oh so cute and will hopefully fill another hole in my closet! These are definitely date night / wedding shoes.
Old Navy Quarter Zip Sweatshirt - originally $29.99, on sale + used rewards $12.99. I literally am not sure what possessed me to buy this. The brown color is not so cute (why didn't I just get black?!) and I definitely wouldn't keep it if we weren't in quarantine. The tall size isn't quite long enough in the sleeves for me either. But, with all of the sweatshirts I've been wearing lately I felt like I needed another in the rotation. So I put it on, pulled off the tag, and here we are.
Old Navy Braided Mules - originally $29.99, on sale + used rewards $12.99. Another budget buy I'm not sure I would recommend. As far as comfort goes, these don't hold a candle to the (quite similar) Sam Edelman pair I bought above. They're fine, so if you're feet aren't so picky I think they'll work for you. I haven't worn these out of the house yet because #socialdistancing so I can't really judge them too harshly yet, and they are pretty cute (especially for the price). But if it were normal times, I probably would have returned them.
Caslon Boyfriend Shorts - originally $58.00, on sale $43.50. These are super comfy (go a size up for a slouchier fit!) and will be perfect for this momma who likes to go on lots of long summer walks but doesn't particularly want to deal with chub rub anymore.

Total spent: $483.54

That actually wasn't as bad as I was thinking!! I mean, it's bad, but I was worried things were going to top out closer to $600 with all of those shoes. Luckily I didn't spend much in January or February so things will balance out.

I'm currently on the hunt for jeans in a more interesting shape than skinny (I have these on the brain, but I'm worried the 9.5" inseam on the tall sizes will be too much on me) plus some fun warm weather clothes. If you saw my Loft sale post from the weekend, I did already order this dress, this sweater, and this kimono. I'm going to try to be a little more intentional in April though, and (hopefully) spend a little less.

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February Budget

I share my clothing budget here every month. My budget per month is $350, which may seem like a lot to some people or a little to others, but for me feels just right. I include all of my clothes, coats, shoes, and accessories in that budget, but not athletic gear, pajamas, or intimates.

Whew, and goodbye February!! I know a lot of people hate February because it's cold and gray and whatever, I always enjoy it between Valentine's Day, my birthday, and now getting ready for Mia's birthday! Her due date was in February but she decided to wait until March to make an appearance (much to 41 weeks pregnant Kristina's chagrin). Her party is this weekend though, and I spent the past month thinking about and prepping it so it was a major part of February.

Also a major part of February? PINK! Ha, apparently Valentine's Day really affected me this year. Here's everything I bought this month:

LOFT Boyfriend Blazer: originally $130, on sale + used rewards $67.71, used giftcard $47.71. I've actually been looking for a pink blazer since I saw a friend of a friend wearing one out to dinner like literally three years ago at this point. I ordered this one thinking it would definitely go back, but in person it's so cute! Perfectly relaxed but not oversized, with cropped sleeves that make it feel modern and cool. I dressed it up here for a meeting downtown with our financial planners, but I also am planning to pair it with a white tee and distressed jeans for a cool mix of dressy and casual.
J.Crew Pointelle Sweater: originally $69.50, on sale $41.70. I've been all about finding sweaters with interesting textures lately, and this one fits the bill. Really pretty but a bit more pink in person, and the stitching is very open so you have to wear a nude cami underneath. This is great for warmer winter days or will be nice for transitioning into spring. I wore it here.
Lesa Michele Baguette Ring: $42.00, used gift card $0. Okay so this is kind of funny, but I saw Natasha on an episode of The Bachelor rocking a rainbow baguette ring and immediately started googling to find something similar. I ended up finding this pretty pink/purple ombré instead of a rainbow and it is so gorgeous in person. I don't usually wear any rings but my wedding / engagement rings, but for this stunner I'm definitely willing to make an exception.
LOFT Striped Sweater: originally $59.50, on sale + used rewards $30.99, used gift card $0. I saw this sweater when it was in the LOFT Sneak Preview section months ago and stalked their new arrivals forever waiting for it to show up so I could get it on sale. It looks so much higher-end than it is, the details on it make it feel designer and fashion-y. You can see me wearing it here.
R.Vivimos Bohemian Maxi Dress: $31.99. Okay so this is a bit of an Amazon wildcard. It's by the same company that made the "Amazon Nightgown" dress that was so popular last summer. I wanted to try that one, but knew the silhouette wouldn't work on my body. When I saw this one was available, I decided to give it a try. Does it fit? Yesish. Is it flattering? Yesish. I will say that the fabric is really pretty in person and doesn't feel cheap. If I had come across this dress in stores I probably wouldn't have bought it, but I decided I'd rather keep it than bother figuring out how to return it. I'll definitely wear it over the summer, but it wasn't the best buy. (I actually have a different pattern that is no longer available - mine is more white with blue flowers.)
Old Navy Cardigan Sweater: originally $44.99, on sale $42.00, used giftcard $12.00. I'd been wanting to try the "cardigan as a sweater" trend for a while, so I decided to try this Old Navy sweater with a gift card I realized I hadn't used from Christmas 2018!! I really like the style, it's low cut without showing too much and is an easy way to try out the trend. I originally bought a regular XL, and returned it for a tall large. Then I washed it and wasn't thinking and threw it in the dryer, so now it fits like a regular medium haha. So you can definitely size down, and be careful about washing/drying. I wore it here.
Old Navy Boyfriend Blazer: originally $49.99, on clearance $6.47, used gift card $0. When I was in the store returning the first iteration of the cardigan, I spotted this blazer. There was only one in the store and it happened to be a large tall - it was like fate! It is so cute, and it's a stretchy fabric so it's comfortable too. I wore it here.

Total Spent: $133.40



Okay, so that total is obviously skewed a bit because there were a lot of gift cards involved, but I'm feeling pretty good about it ;) For next month, I'm on the hunt for a dress to wear to a friend's bachelorette party, some new jeans in a non-skinny fit, and some summer clothes for a few trips we're planning.

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