December Purchases

My weekly sales routing takes me past tons of great shopping. Some of my customers even carry clothing and accessories in their salons! Therefore, it took a remarkable amount of willpower to only make two purchases in December.

Sequels
I’ve lost my receipt, but I estimate I spent about $70 on these two items.

1. Harve Benard mod skirt.
2. Tri Collections plaid poncho.


December total: $70.00

Total spending for the year: $1493.14.

I spent $1540 in 2011 and $1701 in 2010 (with the same goal of $1200 all three years). As a result of having a budget, I’ve gotten better at keeping my purchases in check, but $100/month is still tough. For 2013, I’m increasing my budget to $120 a month. I decided on the new limit based on monthly budget recommendations, my current income, and the importance of appearance in my new job (in the beauty industry). If $1440 had been my yearly budget for 2012, I would have been very close!

Nothing New

Lately, I’ve been revisiting old combinations. Living in a new place, my old outfits seem fresh again.


Jacket, Forever 21 (overdyed). Sweater and leggings, Mossimo. Dress, Jams World (thrifted). Socks, Sock Dreams. Boots, Vince Camuto. Sunglasses, Target. Fur collar and necklace, heirlooms. Bag, H&M.

This outfit is a combination of these two old ensembles:




Photos by Beefy Muchacho with Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 35 mm 1:1.8G lens.

For the Birds

Beefy is a fan of The Big Year, so I bought him binoculars and a couple of bird guides for Christmas. After excitedly identifying house finches, yellow-beaked magpies, dark-eyed juncos, and northern flickers in our yard, we were ready for a real birding expedition. We headed to the Cosumnes River Preserve. There, we saw American coots, sandhill cranes, great egrets, Canada geese, a northern harrier, a great blue heron, northern shovelers, turkey vultures, and teals (blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon)!


Sweater, Banana Republic (thrifted and gifted). Tunic, Wet Seal (thrifted). Blouse, Sans Souci. Leggings, Reebok. Boots, Madden Girl. Sunglasses, Target. Earrings, Monica D. Gloves, Bebe. Bag, H&M



Photos by Beefy Muchacho with Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 50 mm 1:1.4G lens (except the photo of the Great Blue Heron…I took that one).

Houseguests

We had our first guests today. Not just guests…overnight guests! I spent the day frantically cleaning and finishing the last of the decorating. I chose an outfit I could prep in and then add a few pieces (the cardigan, boots, and jewelry) to receive company.


Sweater, INC. Tee, Jones New York (thrifted). Skirt, No Boundaries (thrifted). Tights, Target. Boots, Style & Co (thrifted). Sunglasses, Girlprops. Necklace, thrifted.


Photos by Beefy Muchacho with Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 50 mm 1:1.4G lens.

Drowned

In search of a picture of the inferior sweater I mentioned in my last post, I was reminded of one of my favorite outfits, worn last October. I swapped out the shirt and boots and bag, added a jacket and hat, and rewore it today.


Jacket, H&M (thrifted). Sweater, Energie (thrifted). Shirt, Sans Souci. Tunic, Urban Behavior (swap). Leggings, Reebock. Boots, Matisse. Hat, Target. Sunglasses, Betsey Johnson. Nekclace, thrifted. Bag, H&M.

Last October:


Last time I wore this outfit, I had just left a great swim practice. It’s fitting that I wore it again on a day that seemed underwater. It’s been raining forever and we awoke to thick fog this morning. The American River, behind me, is swollen with runoff. I’ve been missing my swim workouts, but, at this rate, I won’t need to join a pool to get my swim on.

Handwarmer

I thrifted this sweater forever (almost 6 years) ago and it remains a favorite. I love the heavy cotton knit, mix of brown, black, and white yarn, button front, and, most of all, the handwarmer pockets.


Sweater, Mossimo (thrifted). Skirt, One Star. Leggings, Allen B. Boots, Style & Co (thrifted). Bag, Mondani. Sunglasses, Girlprops

I thrifted a similar sweater by Energie, but it falls short in every way…including the pockets.


Photos by Beefy Muchacho with Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 50 mm 1:1.4G lens.

My favorite sweater:


The sweater hasn’t always been a part of my most stylish ensembles, but I certainly had warm hands.

Molly

The folks at my neighborhood Starbucks think my name is Molly.

They may think that because I told them so. In fact, I tell the staff at Panera the same thing. “Molly” is easier than repeating “Kasmira” three times and then spelling it out.


Blazer, J Crew. Shirt, Old Navy. Skirt, American Eagle (thrifted). Tights, We Love Colors. Boots, Miz Mooz. Sunglasses, Betsey Johnson. Necklace, Macy’s. Scarf, gift from Londyn. Rings, Black Hills Gold, Puzzrollrings, and vintage.

Sometimes I’m caught when the cashier takes a closer look at the name on my debit card. Then, I have to awkwardly explain the deception.