April budget

Or... as I shall say, ouch. I went way over budget this month. New York really threw a wrench into my plans. I thought I was done.. and then there was C Wonder. And J Crew. And no sales tax on clothes if you spend under 110.
At least everything I got was on sale? :/

April budget by lnforner featuring j.crew tees

C Wonder jeweled necklace: 28

C Wonder Chevron sweater: ~35

C Wonder Long sleeve striped shirt: ~25

J Crew silk collared blouse: 35

J Crew factory tissue tee: 7

J Crew factory white button down: 25

J Crew dot blazer: 55

Ralph Lauren long sleeved blouse: 35

Not pictured:

J Crew outlet convertible skirt/dress: ~30

J Crew peter pan collared sweater: ~30

So yeah. I'll have to be really, really good in May. Although I do need a new swimsuit for the Mexico trip that may be the only thing that I allow myself for next month.

Linking up with Franish - how did you do this month?

New York

New York you are fantastic. I've prolly left your fantastic city with a few more pounds to my hips but that's okay.  I had such a fun time with all of my coworkers and being able to stay and visit with my in laws, but its always good to come home and sleep in my own bed and be with the furkids.

Here's some snapshots from our trip:

Near Columbus Circle, a few blocks away from the inlaws 

Yankee Stadium

Cheese fries at the ballgame.

Baked by Melissa peanut butter chocolate cupcakes. YUM!

My friend I made walking to work on 28th..

Globe outside 59th St Station

View from office 1 

Empire State Building 

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Office number 2's pool room 

A flagel. It was good! 

Central park 

Manolo store

C Wonder goodies

Whew. I swear each night we had something going on after work and the jet lag messed with me for a few days. But I had a great time and hope to go back soon. Next month is Mexico... so I might need some beach clothes!

April wishlist

Life has been busy lately.. but here's what I'm dreaming of for the rest of April and May. 

What are you eying lately?

Liberty for J Crew Floral Blazer

Oh Liberty, how I love you, let me count the ways. There is something about the Liberty of London for J Crew line that seems to get me every time. Whimsical floral prints that before I'd shy away from have suddenly become some of my favorite go-to's in my closet. And these little notebooks found their way home from London with me, too.

When I first spotted this blazer I was too sure about it... but it eventually grew on me. So I took the plunge this past weekend when it was marked down in store to 99.99 - 30%. I figured it would be a good transitional piece from spring to summer here - and since our summers often go through September I'm hoping to get some good use out of it. The material is a lighter fabric and the buttons are gold with an adorable coat of arms on them. I took my normal size 8 in this blazer and its the schoolboy fit.

 
And oh look, crooked smile up above. Because it's almost 5 PM.

I'm also really excited about the chain necklace my mom got me - I might need to add an extender on to it but its a good weight and good length.

Blazer: Liberty of London for J Crew
Turtleneck: J Crew, exact
Necklace: Gift (thanks mom!), similar
Jeans: Seven for all mankind

March 2013 Budget

So right off the bat let me say this month was odd. With London & Paris I bought things that I had set money aside for since it was outside of my normal budget, and I got to do some extra shopping with my bonus payout. And I had to improvise on some of the items since gap outlet doesn't have a website.

Gap Outlet boatneck sweater - 8.10, similar
J Crew Nautical colorblock popover - 21.99, exact
Gap Outlet striped T - 6.90, similar
Ferragamo lace flats - 26.50 after giftcards
J Crew outlet striped T - 16.99, exact
Gap outlet terry hoodie - 23.99, similar
J Crew outlet charley sweater - 34.75, exact
Gap outlet polka dot blouse - 12.00, similar
J Crew Bon Voyage Tee - 21.99, exact

Clothing total: 173.21.

So clearly, I need to either a) stick to outlets or b) stop shopping all together. I think I'm going to lean toward b. We do have an upcoming trip to NY mid-month but hopefully I can hold out for that.

I'm proud that I cut back.. but with my bonus money I've gone a bit crazy in the past few days. I really need to re-evaluate my wardrobe and start displaying my clothes better - I feel as though I tend to buy the same things over and over again since my sweaters are in my cedar chest. Alas, I shall figure something out.

I want to be better in April, especially with a week in New York mid-month.

How did you do so far this month?

Linking up with Franish and other budgeting bloggers here!

I see London, I see France...

And I had a great time. Below are some photos of my trip...including the goodies I brought home. And please pardon my spacing/bad photos...it took me 24 hours to get home and I'm still tired. Hah.

Some trip highlights:
Finally seeing Abbey Road & The Apple Recording studios
Sticky toffee pudding
Afternoon tea at Fortnam & Mason
Nightly wine near the fireplace in our hotel
Shopping on the Rue St. Honore
Going up the Eiffel Tower at night

View from Buckingham Palace

Dragon Slayer along Embankment

Buckingham Palace

Mind the Gap

Abbey Road

Stamping my initials on my bag at Cambridge Satchel Co

Big Ben

My requisite sticky toffee pudding

Arc d'Triumph with the Eiffel Tower in the background

Roof view at night

Arc view during the day

Another tower shot

I just thought this was cute.

Macarons at Laduree

St. Chappelle

Eiffel Tower on our last night

Final Paris shot

And my goodies... ;)

Cambridge Satchel Company bag with my initials

Limited edition Eiffel Tower Longchamp Le Pliage

And a orange box... My new Hermes Coup de Fouet scarf in black colorway.

Thank you so much for reading along and just being here. :)

Bon Voyage

Well it's off to Newark and then London later today...feel free o follow along with me on my instagram @ makeupandpearls.

Until later.... Cheers!