October Spending Recap

As part of this new style adventure, I've decided to start tracking my expenditures to make sure things don't get out of hand.  We are currently moving from TX to NY, so our whole budget has been turned upside down for the time being.  As I find a job in NY and we get settled, I'll be able to set a more definite clothing budget sometime after Thanksgiving.  For now, I'll just track what I do spend as a reference!

October has been a light shopping month, since I've been busy packing up/painting stuff at our house in TX, plus not having too much on the social calender (bachelorette party & wedding).  Also, I'm in a purging state of mind with the move, so I haven't done much shopping lately!

I spent $54(ish) on clothing in October.  Here's what I came away with:

H&M LBD $24.95 {Now on Sale $12.95}

I am a sucker for tights in the fall/winter, and at $8 a pair at Target, they can slowly add up if you ruin them as often as I do.  Whether it's my pup Lola, my boots rubbing on the calf, or just me clumsily running into things, I go through tights pretty quickly.  I was excited to find a great deal at Ross Dress for Less on Kensie tights.  They were packaged in sets of two for only $4.99.  I picked up a black set, a brown set, and also found a fleece lined pair for $5.99.  I thought they might come in handy up north!  Ross doesn't offer online shopping, so be sure to check in your local Ross.

Dallas Sam Moon's $12.99 {Similar}

I purchased a blazer similar to this one at TJ Maxx.  I decided it had a little bit too much pink in it, so back it went!  I loved it, but building the wardrobe back up I wanted to hold out for a closet staple more like this.  There's no shame in buyer's remorse, as long as you kept your receipt!  

xoxo, 

Sarah Jane  

Closet Clean-Out: Clothing Edition

My sincerest apologies for not posting the rest of my closet clean-out last week, but things were chaotic!  I had 11 visitors stay with me over the weekend (so fun, btw)!  I purged well over 100 pieces of clothing, mostly because I don't wear them.  Brady's closet is already packed fort the move, so I was able to use his closet to help sort clothes out.  It's so nice to fit all of my clothes in the closet now without having to wedge hangers in!  While having a Texas sized walk-in to myself has been lovely, the built-in 1925 home in NY isn't so accommodating on the closet space!    

I took all of the clothes to Plato's Closet, who was VERY selective. They bought only three items, which were from TJ Maxx, Ross & Marshall's.  I was surprised they weren't interested in any of the name brand items (7, Miss Me, Big Star, J. Crew, Banana Republic, Gap, Ann Taylor).  Anyways, we had a moving sale Saturday so I just sold most of the clothes there and made several hundred dollars.  It's a sad sad feeling seeing a bag of shoes walk out of your life for less than you paid for one of those pairs!  

In the few days between the closet purge and actually getting rid of them, I saved one piece from the chopping block.  A week later, I'm still glad I did.  Although I haven't worn it yet this year, this tweed cropped blazer is a timeless piece!

I still can't believe I forgot to take pictures of the clothes before getting rid of them, Eek!  Please forgive me, I'm still new to the blogging world!  I got rid of four large plastic totes and a blue Ikea bag full of clothes.  For a little perspective, here's a shot of all the lonely hangers (please excuse the hubby's shotgun)!

This woman is looking to rebuild her wardrobe, slowly but surely!  Out of all the pieces in your closet, which is your very favorite, must-have, go-to, can't live without piece??

xoxo,

Sarah Jane

Favorite Fall Footwear

I can already tell these classics are going to be my favorites this fall!  

Frye boots are made in my hometown & are greatly discounted at the factory (only $90).  I picked up these leather heels at the Fossil outlet a few years back & probably wear them too often!  These Sperry oxfords were a gift from the hubs this past spring.  I have yet to wear them because I can't figure out what to pair them with.  

Any suggestions for styling these oxfords?

What are your favorite shoes in your arsenal? 

Check back tomorrow for the clothes clean-out!

xoxo,

Sarah Jane

Closet Clean-Out Shoes Edition

Ok, it's time!  No guilty feelings or wishful thinking are going to get in the way of this closet clean-out!

Plato's Closet is the destination for my discard pile.  It's a resale shop that will give you cash for your gently used clothing, shoes & jewelry.  What they don't buy, I'll be donating.

I moved to Dallas in March.  Since living here the temperature has ranged from 35 degrees to 105 degrees.  So my thought process for the entire clean-out will be: If I haven't worn the item since moving to Dallas or if item is worn out, IT'S OUTTA HERE!

Shoes, shoes, shoes...

Today I am saying goodbye to 29 pairs of shoes, specifically two boots, a dozen heels, six flats & nine sandals.  

The pair I'll miss the most:

I wore these ruby red Nine West beauties on one of my first dates with the hubs.

Reality: They're a half size too big and give me blisters every time I wear them.

There is a tinge of guilt about telling so many soles goodbye, but I haven't worn a single pair in the past eight months.  Besides, my closet feels cleaner already!

xoxo

Sarah Jane

My Style Mission

After years of heading straight for the sale rack in stores, wearing hand-me-downs or impulse buying trendy items I'd only wear once (or never), it's finally time to up my game.  This blog will follow along with me on my style evolution!  

Every few years I try to clean out my closet, but I don't get rid of nearly enough.  Here are a few things that run through my head that stall the clean-out:

1. "I paid a lot of money for that, I'd feel so guilty getting rid of it."

2. "Even though it's too small, I'll be able to wear that again one day."

3. "It was a gift, and would be rude to get rid of."

Well, times they are a changing!  It is time for the ultimate closet cleanse.  So what if it was pricey, I don't wear it.  Let's be real, I'll never fit into it again, & if I do, it will probably be out of style by then.  Lastly, people give gifts, they shouldn't come with conditions & the gift giver wouldn't want the item to be a burden if you no longer wear the piece!  I can't wait to free up real estate in the closet for new pieces!

What's your process for cleaning out the closet?  Do you have any roadblocks that stop you from purging?

xoxo

Sarah Jane

Sarah Jane Brady Here

I'm a newlywed navigating my way through life, enjoying the pretty things along the way.  Soon to be New Yorker, I'll always be an Arkansan at heart!

I'm uber proud of the barn my husband & I revamped for our wedding, we always love a good DIY project.  A few of them may creep their way onto the blog from time to time, especially with us moving into a new house after Thanksgiving!

Last but not least, let me introduce you to my sweet pup Lola.  She's pretty cool :)

xoxo,
Sarah Jane









<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11113109/?claim=tu4b4yewx2b">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>