January Purchases

My 2015 budget didn’t have the most auspicious beginning. Thanks to a $300 impulse buy, I’m already 20% through my yearly budget. At least I had a $100 gift card to offset the damage.

Manhattan Denim

Since I hardly wear jeans, I thought nothing in a store with “denim” in its name would appeal to me. I was surprised to find this perfect blazer among the ripped denim and maxi dresses. It is now the most expensive blazer I own, surpassing the previous record holder, my $198 J Crew schoolboy blazer. Ironically, this blazer is the long searched for upgrade to my three dollar, thrifted Odds ‘n Evens tuxedo blazer. Upgrading is expensive.

1. James Jeans tuxedo jacket in blue black ponte, $309 - $100 gift card = $209.00


Goodwill

2. Peruvian striped turtleneck, $4.99


Thrift Town

3. Bass button-front, wool miniskirt, $5.99


Renaissance

Both these items were lightly (or not) worn but heavily discounted from their original, “new” price.

4. Etcetera wool and leather cardigan, $36.00
5. Cut 25 striped, leather sleeve dress, $32.00


Target

6. Polkadot sunglasses, $14.99


Forever 21

7. Pleated denim miniskirt, $15.90. (This is a size large. Size up, ladies! There's nothing like Forever 21 to make you feel fat.)
8. Snow White sweatshirt, $22.90


Epcot Mexico

I’ve been spoiled by the easy access to cheap imports in Sacramento. The World Showcase shopping isn’t that exciting now that I can pop into World Market or Adobe Imports whenever I like.

9. Crochet hoop earrings, $10.99


January total: $352.76.

Total spending for the year: $352.76

Remaining 2015 budget: $1447.24

Walt Disney World January 2015 Capsule

For our eight day Disney World trip, I wore a capsule wardrobe consisting of:

1. A denim shirt
2. A black and white buffalo check tunic
3. A Star Wars tee
4. A Mickey Mouse hoodie
5. A Snow White sweatshirt
6. A pair of denim shorts
7. A pleated denim skirt
8. Four pairs of leggings
9. A faux leather jacket
10. A camo infinity scarf.
11. Two pairs of boots.

Lows were in the 40s and highs in the 60s or 70s. Mornings were quite brisk and often windy! The first days never warmed enough for me to discard my jacket. The scarf seemed silly when I packed it, but proved indispensable!

The neutrals (black, white, gray, olive, and denim) were easily combined into eight different outfits (and I could have made a few more). I wish I had brought a second scarf (my yellow Mickey scarf) and some lipstick (DYING without my signature bright lip), but I was otherwise quite satisfied with this capsule.


Curious about what the other women tourists wore? Mostly skinny jeans, sneakers, and sweatshirts. I saw plenty of leggings-as-pants (especially when the dance teams were in town for a competition) and Disney character apparel, so I fit right in with that crowd. I saw only a single pair of cowboy boots (on a little girl), but a few ladies wore riding boots with their skinny jeans. Due to the chilly conditions, very few people wore dresses or skirts. Some, like me, layered leggings under their shorts. Temps warmed up by Friday, though, and skin was bared in short shorts, low cut tops, and a few sundresses. I thought it was still too cold to expose my limbs, but I can understand the temptation to revel in the sunshine while much of the country is snowed in!

DTD

On our Walt Disney World trips, we often find ourselves at Downtown Disney. It’s open late, it’s free, and the people watching is amazing. We ended our trip here with some of the best weather so far. I can’t wait to return and see the improvements and additions currently under construction.


Shirt, Levi’s (thrifted). Tunic, Wet Seal. Leggings, Target. Boots, Steve Madden. Sunglasses, Target. Necklace, thrifted. Bag, Nine West.



Someday, I’m going to ride in that balloon!

Forced Perspective

I learned about forced perspective when I watched the “making of” feature on my Darby O’Gill and the Little People DVD. The scenes in the leprechaun cave used forced perspective, instead of modern CGI, to create the illusion of “little people.” Disney uses forced perspective outside of films to make the Main Street buildings and castle of both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland appear taller than they really are. The scene behind me (in Hollywood Studios) is trompe l’oeil, not exactly forced perspective, but it messes with your mind all the same (especially when combined with the forced perspective of the street facade in front of the mural).


Sweatshirt and shorts, Forever 21. Leggings, We Love Colors. Boots, Ariat. Sunglasses and belt, Target. Scarf, Charming Charlie. Bag, Nine West.



Mater (above) and my 365 photo (below) have nothing to do with tricking the eye.

Princesses

I was tricked into dining with princesses. Beefy made reservations at Akershus, telling me that Norway was the final Epcot country in which he had yet to dine. I was prepared for pickled fish and reindeer steaks. Instead, it was much more horrible: princesses at every turn! Akershus is a character dining restaurant. I met Belle and Ariel and Aurora and Cinderella and Snow White and was forced to make small talk and pose for portraits with each.


Shirt, Levi’s (thrifted). Tee, Fifth Sun. Skirt, Forever 21. Leggings, Amour. Boots, Steve Madden. Sunglasses, Target. Earrings, Epcot Mexico. Bag, Nine West.

It wouldn’t have been so bad if Beefy had prepared me. I would have come dressed in my ballgown, crown, and fake eyelashes. Instead, I looked like a commoner among the glamorous princesses. I hate underdressing.



I started the day with a villain. There’s nothing like a Maleficent caramel apple for breakfast. Much better than lunch with princesses.

Epcot Morocco

Of all the countries featured in Epcot’s World Showcase, I would most like to travel to Morocco. Visiting the Morocco pavilion just makes me want it more.


Jacket, H&M (thrifted). Hoodie, Disney (2009). Tunic, Wet Seal. Leggings, We Love Colors. Boots, Ariat. Sunglasses, Target. Earrings, Claire’s. Scarf, Charming Charlie. Bag, Nine West. Belt, thrifted.



Epcot is probably our favorite park. I love the World Showcase and Beefy loves Spaceship Earth.