Weekend Review

A little hard to believe that its already 7:20 on Sunday night - where did this weekend go?  Here's some shots from this weekend...

My friend Nikki walking the runway at a Mary Kay/White House Black Market event. Her hair and dress were outstanding!

Pretty pumps that may or may not have hitched a ride home in a shopping bag...

My work outfit on Fridayin the newest section of my office. Sweater and striped buttondown, Madewell. Jeans and shoes, Banana Republic.

Hipstamatic photos from a bar called The Owl's Nest on Friday night with friends. Loved the lighting in the place!

 Not quite sure what's better than a Louis Vuitton cupcake... If only all cupcakes came with a Vuitton bag as a cherry on top then I'd be happy!

Grey suede pumps that may or may not have also stolen into my bag today.... decisions! 

Hope everyone had a great weekend - January is almost over! I'm so excited to move toward another new month and see what February has in store. Plus... its a short month, the super bowl is coming up, and how about that Jason Wu collection for target that's being released on Sunday? (Get ready ladies, I'm first in line!)

Pocket full of savings.

January, where have you gone? Today is the 25th - I can't believe the first month of 2012 is already coming to a close.

Things at work have been hectic. I'm beginning to transfer into a new role at work which I'm thrilled about but also means that I have a full plate while we try to find my replacement.

I don't tend to talk about money much but I guess I'd consider myself a reformed shopaholic. Or at least trying to be better about my consuming. Back in 2008 at my first job I got a 20% paycut. After some unhealthy spending habits (hello, vuitton and balenciaga) and struggling through most of 2009 I decided to make a change. Starting in 2010 I sold off the majority of my bags to rebuild my savings account. Today I've already hit my goal for 2012 (in part thanks to an unexpected bonus) and I have to admit that the itch to buy something grand and fabulous is rearing its ugly head.

Instead, I've decided to try out the envelope/L bill method. Since I'm trying to go back to a cash budget for weekdays (think lunches, coffees, etc) I've decided to start stashing dollar bills that are L series and saving them for something that I want. Maybe one day it'll equal a new bag or a pair of shoes or an awesome wool skirt.  But until then... I'm still stashing my bills.

The before - my entire closet on my bed..

I'm also trying to be better about impulse/sale spending. What has helped me a bit was going through my wardrobe and re-evaluating what I have and what I need. The truth? I need nothing. My wardrobe is well stocked and I need to learn how to shop it.

The after - organized! Dresses, slacks, skirts, blouses, blazers

So for now, or at least until I win the lottery, I'm content with what I have, and also with saving - for my own peace of mind, and also saving my L bills.

One day - hello chanel..hello louboutins!

As of late

Things have just been busy, so I thought I'd share some pics of what I've been up to. This past weekend we did a girls weekend away for a friend's hen party, and work has been a bit hectic. But here's some photos nonetheless!

Sweater, skirt - Nordstroms (gift). Tights - Gap. Shoes - Cole Haan

This was my outfit yesterday. I really liked it - although the lighting in the bathroom isn't the greatest. I've realized also that I've been wearing tights much more. I'm really digging being able to wear skirts now in the winter. If anyone has any reccommendations for tights - whether they are sweater, plain, or otherwise let me know!

And some random snapshots..

Birds of paradise from our visit over the weekend to the Conservatory of Flowers in SF.

Hotel Huntington on top of Nob Hill from the front of my apartment building.

View of the Golden Gate Bridge on the 101 heading back into the city.

The monster under the blanket who attacks me in the mornings.

Hope everyone is having a great week - Friday is in sight!

My new friend Tory

..Burch that is. I remember walking through Nordstrom one day lusting after this particular collection. I made a mental note to check back when and if it ever went on sale. And then December happened. The bag went on sale. And I bit. Hard.

And once I started bringing this bag out I knew it was a good buy (1: it was on sale. NO RETAIL PRICES!. 2: i didn't have anything like it. 3: its extremely businessy, something that I needed since I am a late twenty-something working professional. 4: its durable as all heck.)

I honestly adore this bag. It has inside pockets which are perfect for me to separate my stuff (wallet, makeup case, notebook, planner), a cell phone pocket, another smaller pocket (good for keys!) and also a detachable mirror! It also has feet on the bottom of it so I don't have to feel so bad about setting it down somplace other than my lap. And the fact that it makes me feel like an adult is fun, too.

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Everybody Everywear - Black and white

Slacks, buttondown: Banana Republic. Poncho: JCrew. Opera length pearls: Gift. Face I'm making: Not pretty.

January's everybody everywhere challenge was black and white. So I started off with black slacks, a crisp white button down and pearls. And then I added my JCrew sweater. My own take on the original jcrew styling.

More to come later - including my  new handbag love.

For 2012

Happy 2012 everyone! I hope that the new year has started off as great for you as it has for me. We rang in the new year up in Tahoe with a firework show at Squaw Valley followed by champagne at midnight back at our friends cabin. It was really great to spend a nice relaxing NYE without feeling as if I had to run amok and do something crazy.

Our last photo of 2011!

With 2012 being only two days old I thought I'd share my goals/resolutions for the new year, in no particular order.

1) Be more mindful of my spending. I think I've gone off the clothing deep end with all the holiday sales but I'm going to try a shopping ban for January (wish me luck). I need to set a bit aside for things that I'd like to get and need to ask myself more often "Do I really need this?".

2) Get back into a healthier routine. With a ton of travel and weddings this year I think its even more important to start eating better and working out more. Even if I don't have time to hit the gym a walk throughout the hills would do.

3) Spend more time with my camera. It's a passion that I sometimes neglect - and I'd love to start taking more pictures.

4) Save more money. Yep.. ties in to number 1 but I'd like to go back to a cash budget for during the work weeks. I have a goal in mind by my wedding day... so fingers crossed I can hit it by then.

5) Laugh more.

6) Cook at home more often. Also a good money saver.

7) Post more outfit photos.

8) Dress my age. I've really gotta get rid of these hoodies..

9) Spend more time interacting with the chinchillas and Rosie.

10) Be more positive.

That's about it for me... what's on your list for 2012?