September 2017 Wardrobe Additions

Kipling 'Claudette' small backpack (seen here): $97 (originally $139; used gift card)
Grana silk bomber: $129 (used credit)
Earth 'Zag' velvet sneakers (c/o; seen here)
Earthies 'Apollo' velvet ankle boots (c/o; seen here)

September Total = $0

$241 ($500 quarterly budget - $259 overspent) - $0 (September) = $241 left for October and November

I mentioned last month that even though I overspent, I was increasing my quarterly budget from $400 back up to $500 thanks to having a real job. I have quite a reduced budget this quarter due to overspending, but it could have been a much larger hit had I still kept my $400 budget.

To my surprise, I didn't spend any of my actual money this month! A gift card, credit, and my ongoing partnership with Earth Brands allowed me to add a few things without spending a dime. 

I bought the Kipling backpack using some of the remaining balance on a gift card I won in a Chictopia contest a couple of years ago. I wanted something smaller than my large Longchamp 'Le Pliage Neo' tote for carrying my day-to-day items to work (read: snacks). Everything tends to get lost in my big tote so unless I need to bring a change of shoes or an extra layer, this backpack works great!

I purchased the silk bomber jacket from Grana using credit earned from my referral link (as always, you get 10% off your first purchase if you use it). I have the same jacket in black in size XS, but the sleeves are a tad short, so I sized up to a small in this jacket. I love the color and can't wait to feature it here! 

You've already seen the two pairs of velvet shoes I received courtesy of Earth Brands in recent outfit posts. I got both of them in my usual size 7 and they fit great! I would size up a half size in the boots if you want to wear them with thick socks, though. I wore the sneakers without socks because my "no-show" socks still showed, so I guess I need to find a few pairs of true "no-show" socks. Any recom-mendations? I love my boot socks from Smartwool so maybe they have a style that is more discreet.

I also ordered a couple of pairs of Everlane denim on the day they were released. I got the midrise skinny jeans in black, ankle-length in two sizes. The larger size (26) fit well when I first put them on but then stretched out after wearing them for a few hours. The smaller size (25) is my typical size at Madewell and most other retailers but were quite snug on my waist when I put them on the first time. They loosened up a bit after wearing them around, but they also dug into my groin on only one side when I walked, so I sent them back and will be getting a new pair soon. Hopefully the second pair works! They're definitely stiffer/less stretchy than other pairs of denim I own so that's something to get used to. I'll be adding them to next month's budget post if they work. (I'll likely order more items from Everlane next month because their upcoming releases look too good...!)

I have my Madewell birthday order en route and will hopefully get to share everything in outfit posts before mentioning them in my October budget post. My last three Madewell orders have all been busts (due to sizing/fit issues) but I have faith that this one will work out since I got a bag and a hat! ;)