J Crew 40% off sale picks

J Crew had me at extra 40% off sale. I finally had an excuse to use my gift card that I got for my birthday so here's what I got...

Polka dots on a baseball tee. Instantly sold. I would suggest wearing a tank top underneath the grey otherwise its pretty sheer. I had to size down in this one. 14.99 after discounts.

I adore peter pan collars and had wanted this one for awhile, but with the 40% off I was able to not feel so guilty. I adore the lace details on this and  took my normal size M and love this! Style 04691 and came to 29.99.

For the longest time I've been wanting a lace overlay top and finally they had one in my size. The cream color is a bit sheer, as evidenced by the dark skirt showing through underneath. I'm wearing a M, style 03280, came to 35.99.

I definitely think after this weekend that my sweatshirt collection is complete. I nabbed this cozy one for 23.99 and took a size M. Item 04811.

And notebooks. Who doesn't love notebooks? I clearly have a stationary problem and should probably seek help for it, but that's okay. At least I have pretty things to write in.

This scarf also made it home with me. Item is 05867 and is called the Cubist Houndstooth scarf. I think I shall call it scarf I'm now addicted to. It's wool and amazing. I believe it was around 25 after discounts.

And of course.. the skirt I'm wearing. Finally, the Number 2 pencil skirt in tipped wool. Item 03427 and still full price on the website (along with a lot of these other items I'm noticing..). I paid 59.99 and I ended up with a size 8. If it happens to become too large with wear I will get it altered.

Whew! Have you gotten anything during this awesome J Crew sale?

September Budget

September, I'm bidding you goodbye today and with you out goes a great month of shopping. Here's what I got below...

From top left:

Banana Republic striped skirt: 13.00

Orvis Signature sweatshirt: 34.99

J Crew Factory peter pan collar shirt: ~25

Polo Ralph Lauren factory button down: 29.99

Old Navy jeweled sweatshirt: 19

Old Navy striped sweatshirt: 10

Converse all stars: 44.99

Bass Wejuns: 75.99

Not pictured:

Uniqlo flannel plaid shirt: 29

Uniqlo v neck tops, 5.90 each x 3

Gap factory lace camisoles, 5 x 3

Gap factory black cardigan: 10

Banana Republic jeweled sweatshirt: 15

J Crew Factory jacket: 75

Total: I'm in denial. Somewhere around 415.00.

EEEEPPPP. Normally, I'd freak out. However, the majority of these items were purchased in Oregon without sales tax. So I did save a ton of money there. And... August was my birthday. I had 200 in birthday cash, plus I did a focus group for 100 and another for 75.  

My normal monthly fun budget is 300, so I really went over by 115, which my birthday money covers. But, I really am feeling as though my fall wardrobe is complete. I adore my converse (probably the first pair I've bought in 7 years) and I can't get enough of the J Crew jacket I bought. 

With two trips coming up in October, I'm scaling back for this month. Although, I do have my eye on these. And I still have leftover cash. So... perhaps booties? We shall see.

Linking up with Fran!

Contemplating fall boots

So I'm clearly contemplating a pair of boots. These are my top choices... what do you think? They all have their pros and cons but I need some serious help deciding!

From top left:

DV by Dolce Vita Jacksen Boot

J Crew Aggie Boot

Madewell Billie Boot

Boden biker boots

Seeing stripes

September and October in San Francisco are usually the best months of the year. Morning fog often burns off to leave the rest of the day and evening in sunshine. I dragged the tripod out to the backyard tonight.

Old Navy has really had some great J Crew dupes lately - and at a price point that's more than 1/3 of the cost. I picked the following striped sweatshirt up this weekend during a 50% off one item promo and couldn't wait to wear it today. I paired it with chambray and a black sweater skirt.

My backyard got even better when these guys decided to stop by.. our newest neighbors, some of the telegraph hill parrots. The parrots of telegraph hill have been in San Francisco for years. They're gorgeous, often fly in groups, and are quite loud. At least 4 have taken over some nearby trees as of late and today I got to get up close with a few of them.

This one seemed to particularly enjoy eating an apple and then making sure I saw him. What a little bugger.

Outfit details:
Striped sweatshirt: Old Navy (exact)
Chambray shirt: Nordstrom (similar)
Skirt: Loft (similar)

Mellow Yellow

So I finally found my long lost tripod (it had been hiding in my car trunk at my parents house) and now I can actually use the tripod for what it was intended for. Yes, that's right. Awkward outfit photos of yours truly.

When a box from Anthropologie showed up the week of my birthday at work I was thinking to myself, 'What the heck did I order?' But when I opened it, this yellow necklace was inside. Not only was I super thrilled because this necklace is so me, but because its yellow and this is my first yellow necklace. I'm really excited to pair this with everything from the outfit below to a simple t shirt and jeans. And on such a dreary day like today this brightened my mood and made me smile. So a huge thanks to KO for making my birthday that much sweeter (you are the best, really!)

Necklace: Gift
Black sweater: J Crew factory (exact)
Button down: J Crew (similar)
Skirt: Gary Graham, gift (similar)

Ooooh and stay tuned... the tripod and I will be sharing our deals and steals from the tax free land of Oregon fairly soon! :)

Oregon Road Trip

Dear Oregon, you are a pretty awesome state. I honestly have never seen a more green state before - green trees were in every direction and the I-5 was dotted with rivers and streams.

We saw and hiked waterfalls, rode a zipline and an alpine slide, and ate to our hearts content. I feel as if there are still so many pieces of Portland that we didn't get a chance to see and I'm kinda already wanting to go back (but fly next time... 600+ miles in a car is hard). And hello, no sales tax! Yes outlets, we became best friends over our short stay.

Until next time Oregon.. stay green.

Fountain at the Rose Garden

Mount Hood!

Riding the ski lift to the top of the alpine slide

Multnomah Falls

At the top of the hike

Our digs in Portland

Voodoo Doughnut selection

If you go...

Eat/drink:
Por Que No? - Awesome Mexican food.
The Ram's Head at McMennamins - Ruby is my new favorite beer.
Tin Shed - Visited by Guy Fieri, huge plates that don't disappoint.
Radio Room - Outdoor fire pit and a great place to hang out when the sun goes down with good burgers and fries.
Belmont Station - Over 1200 beers. DH was in heaven.
Pine State Biscuits - Heaven on a biscuit. Fried chicken, bacon, cheese, and gravy in between a biscuit. Don't check my cholesterol.
The Bungalo Bar - A bit of a college vibe, but its a bar in what was a house. The backyard has hammocks and swing chairs!
Ninkasi Brewery (Eugene) - A Eugene based brewery with outdoor seating and is near the U of O stadium.
Jory at the Allison Inn & Spa (Newburg) - An amazing restaurant with a great view of vineyards. The beef tips were amazing.
Voodoo Doughnuts - No intro necessary. We definitely got a donut in our box with bubble gum in it. We went around 8:45AM and there was no line!


Activities:
Multnomah Falls * - A double fall water fall where you can hike to the top. Reward yourself with ice cream at the bottom - it's a daunting mile up!
Rose Garden * - See why Portland is called the City of Roses. The test rose garden is amazing and offers a great view of the city as well.
Mt. Hood SkiBowl - An alpine slide. Down a mountain. And in winter, they have cosmic tubing (!!!)

* denotes free things to do. Score!

August Budget

By comparison to other months, August seemed so long. I did well on my budget this month but the J Crew Factory sale is calling my name... I might have to get this sweatshirt because I missed it last year and I kicked myself a few times.

Yellow Owl Workshop bee pendant - 25.46

J Crew Factory Houndstooth sweatshirt - ~30

Marais USA sandals - 50.96

Kate Spade iPhone cover - 15.30

J Crew Factory dot skirt - ~60

*Not pictured because I'm not sure if they fit okay - Anthropologie Piped Sabattical Loafers - 39.99

Total: 221.71

Phew. Under my monthly budget. I did sell a small purse for 75 so that helps. The skirt was a hefty price but I figure it's a piece that I will get a lot of use out of and it can be dressed up or down. I had been wanting a pair of strappy sandals with a bit of a wedge for ages. I had seen the above ones earlier this year in a storefront window but waited until the price was dropped - and I scored them with my Anthro birthday rewards. The iPhone case was a fun pick-me-up and still for some reason shows full price on their website but in store it was marked down. And I love the print - it makes me happy.

So.. how did you do this month?

Linking up with Fran!