If only in my dreams...

Diane von Furstenberg wrap wool blend coat / Comme des Garçons 'Play' striped tee / Current/Elliott 'The Stiletto' midrise skinny jeans / Salvatore Ferragamo 'Vara' pumps

My main goal with this blog is to share my evolving personal style while staying on budget and inspiring you along the way. While I tend to shop mostly in the lower-end stores because of my budget, I do have a soft spot for the finer things...who doesn't, really? ;)

My first foray into higher-end/designer was the addition of my Cole Haan pumps thanks to my mom. I loved them so much that I upgraded to a nice pair of Cole Haan tall boots. Then, I purchased a Joie wool-cashmere sweater from TJ Maxx a couple of years ago. After that, I bought a Helmut Lang sweatshirt I had my eyes on for months, and it's still one of my favorite items. I added a couple of vintage Coach bags to my arsenal (not expensive by any means, but the brand is still higher-end as far as I'm concerned) as well as a Kate Spade bag (also a higher-end brand on my budget). I also picked up a Longchamp bag last year (LOVE!). A couple of months ago, thanks in part to my Shopbop collaboration, my dream shoes were added to my wardrobe: navy Charlotte Olympia 'Kitty' flats. To be honest, I didn't realize I had this many higher-end items until I started making this list!

That said, you know how it goes...there's always something else on the wishlist! Above are a few of the things I would ask for (or just buy myself!) if money were no object. Being that I live on a very limited grad student income, owning many of these items is out of the cards unless I save for an extended period of time (and for some of them, it probably won't happen ever).

I've always loved the Comme des Garçons 'Play' branding with the cute little red heart. It looks so adorable over navy stripes! Still, it's hard to even think about dropping $150 on a tee (I mean, could the quality really be that much better than, say, a $50 tee?). In dream land, though, I would definitely own it. Haha. And ever since I tried on a bunch of designer denim in search of my perfect pair of white denim, I've wanted to own a designer pair for myself. 'The Stiletto' by Current/Elliott fit me the best out of the brands and style I tried, but I'm not sure what wash to get if I decide to go for it...something tried-and-true, like this medium blue wash, or something new, like black?

I have major heart eyes for the Salvatore Ferragamo 'Vara' pumps (as well as the 'Varina' flats). The combination of the patent leather and signature bow is too good. I'm also 100% into the low block-heel trend happening right now. While I absolutely adore the bright red of the pumps here, the practical side of me would probably end up with black or beige. (But...red!) I've been planning to upgrade my camel coat hopefully in about a year. There isn't one brand in particular that I'm dying to own, but I love this wrap-style coat by Diane von Furstenberg. Of course, it'd be fun to own one of the brand's iconic wrap dresses, but I haven't had the best luck with that style in the past.

My dream wishlist doesn't end there! I included a bunch of other pretty things in the widget below, including the timeless Burberry plaid scarf and a cozy Canada Goose coat (because I hate being cold so much). What higher-end/designer items would you own if you could?