After my blog birthday, I shared my challenge for this upcoming year of thrifting – to focus on mindfulness. Part of that is being a more mindful consumer and sticking to a thrifting budget of $45/month which is less than half of what I spent last year (er, and the year before that and the year before that!). I am using my Splurge Sorority funds as my budget this year and forcing myself to make hard choices when it comes to thrifting! I find so many good things, but the reality is that, like many women, I end up buying things that don’t “spark joy” after that initial purchase. I believe this challenge will make me a more conscious consumer AND help hone my style. To help keep me honest, I plan to share my monthly thrift hauls and budget recap! There are many budgeting fashion bloggers including Franish and Sarah’s Real Life so I’m joining the party in my own thrifty way! Here is what I bought:
First, my selections from the National Thrift Day 50% off sale at Value Village!
BCBG Max Azaria silk dress/tunic for $5.I adore the colours in this piece – teal, blush, mustard, yellow, caramel! Can’t wait to style it up and brag about the cost!You can’t have too many wool coats, right? (Don’t answer that.) I couldn’t resist because my sister said it looked “anthropologie-esque” and it was only $3.50. I also love the vintage vibe and sparkly buttons!Louben wool blazer in perfect condition for $4. The colour is so pretty and I just have to accept that I love blazers and blazers love me.This $3 ponte knit skirt is stretchy and the front cross-over hem makes it interesting. As soon as I pictured it with a chambray, I had to invite it into my skirt collection!Pashmina/silk scarf in golden-mustardy-brown baroque-y wonderfulness for $5. I can’t wait to wear it with my vintage wool coat! And my grey wool coat and my camel wool coat. Um, they *all* spark joy. Be quiet.Love the colours in this $1 scarf and plan to use it to try out the skinny-scarf trend!I don’t have a silver-based short sparkly statement necklace so I got this one for $5 even though it wasn’t covered by the sale. One can never have too many necklaces, right? (Don’t answer that.)PAIGE DENIM FOR THREE DOLLARS!!! I’m two weeks of Whole 30 away from rocking these in a trendy way – stay tuned!
Believe it or not, I had to make some hard cuts on sale day. There was a sequined fringed long skinny scarf that I almost bought, a long cardigan that my sister had to pry from my hands (it had several pulls), and more… Sigh. It was a good exercise in restraint! I only made one other thrift stop in August and used one of my many 30% off cards from Konmari-Method-donations!
I went shopping specifically for a sporty bathing suit because another part of my mindfulness challenge is to be intentional with my time – and squeeze in some exercise somewhere somehow. I have a plan to try swimming in September and here’s my $4.20 attempt to equip myself for that plan!And my favourite purchase of all, one that I wrestled with because it put me slightly over budget, was this pretty á reve new-with-tags mustard and lace dress – tres cher at $15.40!!! But it sparked fireworks of joy so I bought it even though it was pricey. I’m just going to have to mix it with casual pieces and wear it everywhere!
In summary:
BCBG $5.00
Coat $3.50
Louben blazer $4
Print skirt $3
Pashmina $5
Scarf $1
Necklace $5
Paige denim $3
Bathing suit $4.20
Dress $15.40
TOTAL: $49.10
I was all prepared to justify my $4.10 overage by getting nitty-gritty with the 83 cents per month I didn’t mention BUT THEN just today another friend joined Splurge Club which means an increased budget of $50/month!!! So I’m under budget for August! This budget mindfulness thing is a piece of cake. (Be quiet.)
You made my week! Please post a pic of your skinny scarf style.
Suzanne Dennis
i am SO happy you got the mustard dress, was a little concerned that you considered not getting it. it was a nail biter till i saw this confirmation post…i cant wait to see it on you! ha – the only thing i like better than getting a good deal myself, is to see someone else get one too! #happythrifting #yegthrift
Elizabeth Taylor
I can’t wait to see what that last dress looks like on!
Peni Christopher
I share your love of all things mustard. The dress is very lovely
4 Comments
You made my week! Please post a pic of your skinny scarf style.
i am SO happy you got the mustard dress, was a little concerned that you considered not getting it. it was a nail biter till i saw this confirmation post…i cant wait to see it on you! ha – the only thing i like better than getting a good deal myself, is to see someone else get one too! #happythrifting #yegthrift
I can’t wait to see what that last dress looks like on!
I share your love of all things mustard. The dress is very lovely