My recent purchases

We are supposed to travel to London next weekend to attend Adele concert but decided to cancel the trip altogether. Flight prices are insanely expensive these days. One ticket to London from Ohio right now is roughly $2K. 3 flight tickets would cost us $6K, plus accommodation, food and other expenses. However, the real issue is that we only had 2 concert tickets. I cannot get an additional ticket for Madelyn right now. They are completely sold out. There won't be anyone to look after Madelyn when we're at the concert. The trip is going to be very expensive so we decided that we're going to wait. I sold both concert tickets and we're heading to FL instead! We will be spending a month in FL. I am so excited! We'll be staying with relatives for 2 weeks, then taking an 8-day cruise. Once we're back from the cruise, we'll stay with them for another week before heading home. It's been years since we've been on a cruise. Can't wait to relax and spend quality time with the family. I hope everything goes as planned. It's still very unpredictable these days when it comes to travel. Thank goodness for the ability of working from home. My husband and I can basically work anywhere. In preparation for the trip. I've been slowly buying things. Today, I wanted to share my recent purchases just in case you're interested. All pieces are super affordable. I don't tend to spend a lot of money on clothes. I ordered a lot more but this is what I am keeping so far. I have a few more orders coming =)

Swiss dot white dress: The upper half is double lined. The bottom half isn't but it's not see through either. The quality is decent. Lightweight and comfortable to wear. Great for those hot summer days. I also purchased the matching dress for Madelyn

Mint green cut-out dress: I love this dress. It's so flattering. The material is slightly ribbed which I love and not see through. The length is perfect on me (I am 5'2"). Available in a bunch of colors. I might pick up another one in a different color.

Green cami dress: I am into green lately so I picked up another casual dress in green. Even though it's not lined, the fabric is opaque. The quality is good. It's one of those summer dresses that you can throw on and look instantly chic.

High-waisted mom shorts: This is a repeat purchase. I have the same pair in several washes. They fit amazing and the best part? They're only $15. Go grab a pair and thank me later =)

Green floral dress: And we have another green dress =) This one is slightly dressier. I love it. High-neck dresses are my weakness and this one is so so cute.

2-piece set: A fun and comfy set for the summer. I have nothing to complain about. Keep in mind that I am short. The top is slightly cropped on me which I love. If you're taller than 5'2", the top might be too short for you.

Sleeveless button down shirt: It's not very cropped on me. This top is great pairing with a pair of cut-off denim shorts.

Beach Riot blue one-piece swimsuit: I picked up a few new swimsuits and this one is my favorite. The fit is amazing. I love the side cutouts. Availalbe in 22 colors and prints.

Becca by Rebecca Virtual Savannah Swimsuit: I've always been a fan of the brand. I have 3 or 4 swimsuits from her and I love them all. Added this pretty white one piece to my closet this year.

Blue high-neck dress: I bought a few formal dresses for the cruise. As mentioned above, I love high-neck dresses. This one is literally perfect. It fits me so well and the color is very fun!

Express satin slip dress: This is my very first slip dress and I am obsessed. Love the color and how it hangs. It runs slightly small so I'd suggest sizing up one size.

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My recent purchases

Recent purchases

Happy Sunday, ladies! Sharing a few of my recent purchases including my dream shoes =)

Clothing items:

Drop Shoulder Colorblock Sweater: I love this sweater so much. The knit is thick and warm. Looks and feels expensive even though it's only $20. I got a size small but if you want a loser fit, I'd suggest going up a size.

Half zip striped sweater: I've always love a half-zip pullover and this one is great. It's quite cropped. If you're taller than 5'2", I'd skip this. It's lightweight and perfect for those Spring days.

Button up cardigan: I love this cardigan. So chunky and warm. Looks great with black jeans or leather leggings. It's 70% off right now.

A few pieces I purchased for our upcoming Spring break trip:

7/8 leggings: These leggings are incredibly soft and comfortable to wear. I got a size XS petite so the length was absolutely perfect on me. I've been very impressed with Old Navy clothing items lately.

Oversized puffer: I needed a puffer jacket for the trip and am drawn to the color of this one. As the name suggests, it's very oversized. I got a size XXS and still have plenty of room for layering. 2 large front pockets are great for storing essentials.

We're going to be in Las Vegas for a day so I picked up 2 dresses (one dressy and one casual for the occasion)

One shoulder cutout dress: This dress is so flattering. It fits so well. Fabric is stretchy and wrinkle-free. If you're looking for a fun and affordable dress, get this one. You won't be disappointed. Available in 16 colors and it's only $35.

Floral dress: This is my casual option for Vegas. The print is so pretty. The quality is decent. I love a good floral maxi dress and this one is perfect.

A couple of non-clothing items:

GHD Platinum flat iron: This was an unexpected purchase. My T3 flat iron broke after 3 years. I've had it since 2019. I was thinking about getting the Dyson Corrale but the reviews weren't that great. Also, I have the Dyson hair dryer and I wasn't impressed. I spent some time researching and decided to go with the GHD flat iron. So far so good. It heats up quickly and gets to the right temperature without over-drying. My hair is shiny and healthy-looking when done. Although, I try to avoid using it every day. I only use hot tools on days that I am going to the office. When I am working from home, I give my hair a break.

Manolo Blahnik Hangisi pumps: I save the best purchase for last. After 2 years of contemplating, I finally pulled the trigger on my dream shoes!! I purchased these last month when Saks offered $200 off your $800 purchase. I also had a $250 gift card when I purchased my Chanel 19. I basically got the shoes for 45% off which was a steal. I went with the 70mm version. They're so absolutely beautiful and comfortable in person.

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Recent purchases

Monthly Recap :: October

October was a busy but fun month for us. We did so many great things with friends and the kids.

Highlights of the month:

• I went camping for the first time! We went camping with 5 other families and it was so much fun. Honestly, the idea of sleeping in a tent at night did not sound very appealing to me but it turned out enjoyable. The kids played together while the adults catching up. Everyone had a great time and we already planned the next camping trip.

• Our Fall trip to Asheville, NC - You can read more about it here
• Our annual trip to the pumpkin show. They didn't have it last year due to Covid so we were excited to be back this year. We've been going to this festive event for years and we enjoy it every year. It's one of our family traditions. Outfit details: BlankNYC leather jacket | Louis Vuitton Speedy 25 bag

• Halloween: I had an idea of what I wanted to be this year but we seriously couldn't find time to make costumes. The only thing we were able to do was Courtney's angle wings. Took us (mainly my husband) the entire weekend but she loved the way the wings turned out. Madelyn went trick or treating with her friends. They were ghostbusters and Finn was a handsome ghost =)

• I save the best highlight for last - We got tickets to Adele's concert next year! WE ARE GOING TO LONDON NEXT SUMMER TO SEE ADELE! I know it's still a long way away but I can't contain my excitement. Not going to lie, it's going to be a very expensive trip but seeing Adele in person is absolutely worth it. I truly love her voice.

What I am looking forward for in November:

• My Dad's birthday: He's going to be 81 years old! I am so thankful that my parents are healthy and we are excited to celebrate the holidays together. 
• Speaking of thankful, I am looking foward to Thanksgiving. My brother in laws and his girlfriend are coming to visit us for Thanksgiving. We are meeting her for the first time. I am looking to get her a small welcome gift. They're from FL so they are not used to the cold weather. I am thinking about getting her a cashmere scarf but let me know if you have any other ideas. Other than that, I am just looking forward to some downtime in general.

Purchases of the month:

For our anniversary, hubby did upgrade my camera. I used to have a Canon 6D. It has served me well. We traded the 6D and got the 6D Mark II. I am still playing with the settings but so far so good. Another purchase last month was these amazing leather pants (currently on sale). I've been wearing them non-stop (on me here). I bought several dresses for the upcoming holiday parties. I haven't decided which ones I am going to keep yet but I will review them next week just in case you're interested.

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Monthly Recap :: October

Monthy Recap (August & September)

It's been a crazy few weeks to say the least. September has always been the busiest month for our family with the madness of back to school, Madelyn's birthday, my birthday and our anniversary. I finally caught a break and wanted to do a little life update today.

We got Courtney a car!!! It's still hard to believe that my first born is now driving. I am bursting with pride and joy, but it’s all also a little bittersweet. I am so proud of this kid. School is going so well for her. She has a part-time job and making a small amount of spending money for herself. She is heavily involved in a lot of active sports and overall, just a happy and well-rounded teenager. College planning is going great as well. Sometimes, I can't help but smile when I look at her. I must have done something right. With the chip shortage, it was quite a challenge to find her a car but we did it. We got her the exact car that she wanted which is a 2022 Honda Civic LX black on black. The kid couldn't be happier. She even got her nails to match her car =)

Last weekend, Madelyn had a slumber party with a few friends to celebrate her 9th birthday. How is she 9 already? Hubby and I entertained 5 girls all weekend long and let me tell you, we were exhausted! They have so much energy (or we're getting old). Madelyn had so much fun celebrating her birthday and that's all that matters.

I mentioned in the beginning of this year that I was planning on getting a touch up on my eyes. It's been 12 years since I had Lasik. I went through a few evaluations and the dr finally gave it a go. I got a PRK touch up on my left eye last Thursday. I had a follow-up appointment yesterday and it's healing nicely. My current vision is 20/50 (which is better than expected). The vision will continue to change for the next 6 months. I am undecided whether I am going to have a touch up on my right eye or not. Right now, I am using my left eye for distance and my right eye for reading. If they have no problem adjusting then I won't mess with my right eye.

Our anniversary was last weekend as well lol I am telling you, September is a crazy month for us. Since I am still recovering from the PRK procedure and Madelyn was having friends over, we kept it pretty low-key. Went out for dinner with a few friends and call it a night =) Hubby did get me something for our anniversary =) Will share soon!

Monthly purchases: Other than the big haul for my birthday, I didn't make any additional purchases (which is great). I am planning to add a few basics to my Fall wardrobe.

Looking forward to:

• I am looking forward to the cooler weather. We are going on a camping trip with 5 other families next weekend and I am so excited. I have never camped before so this should be fun
• We also planned a weekend trip to see Fall foliage in a couple of weeks. Looking forward to beautiful Fall scenery, hiking trails and connecting with nature
• Running is basically non-existent these days. I try to walk at least 2-3 miles a day with Finn but really wanted to get back to running. Happy October everyone! I hope you all enjoy spooky month!

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Monthy Recap (August & September)

May Recap

Happy Tuesday, everyone! As always, I am fashionably late with my monthly recap post but better late than never, right? For the most part, May was uneventful. I feel like all we did was working, going home, spending time with the kids and back to working. Work has been extremely busy for both of us. I was looking to hire additional resources to help me with some upcoming big projects. I've spent the last 4 weeks interviewing candidates. I finally made an offer to someone yesterday. It'd take a few weeks for the new hire to relocate from Chicago to Columbus, OH but I am excited to grow my team and get started on new projects.

Highlights of the month:

• The school year has officially ended. It's been an incredibly challenging year for everyone but I am so thankful that the kids handled it well (as much as they could). We all had our moments but at the end of the day, our family’s love will get us through anything. Despite all the challenges, Courtney has earned a 4.148 weighted GPA. I couldn’t be prouder!
• Speaking of Courtney, it's still hard to believe Courtney is 16 now. Nothing makes me happier than seeing this girl growing into a wonderful young lady
• Got together with our big group of friends for the first time in nearly a year for Mother’s Day. It was so much fun to catch up with fun and kind-hearted people
• First harvest from my garden! Watering my garden beds has become one of my favorite things to do at the end of the day. It’s so much fun growing my own vegetables. The lettuces taste amazing! Can't wait for more fresh veggies and fruits this summer from my very own garden beds
• Madelyn started taking horse riding lessons. This girl is completely and utterly obsessed with horses. She's saving her allowance to buy her own horse =) Not sure if that's ever going to happen but for now, she's so happy learning how to ride a horse
  
• Courtney will be spending a part of her summer building her community service experiences as it's so important for college admissions. Last month, she volunteered to help refugee children as they adjust to the life in the U.S. So proud of this kid for making a positive impact while getting life experience

Monthly purchases and favorites: I bought quite a few pieces last month and I love them all. 

• GAP jacquard hoodie: On major sale. This is great for those cool summer evenings on the boat
• GAP sleeveless jumpsuit: Super petite-friendly
• GAP high rise paperbag shorts: Read my review here
• GAP sleeveless maxi dress: See it on me here
• Hermes lipstick: Is it worth it? Read my review here
• H&M maxi dress: This dress was from their wildflowers collection. It's absolutely stunning in person. Most pieces are sold out online and in-store but you can find them on eBay if you don't mind a higher price tag
• H&M slides: So comfortable and easy to wear. These braided slides are super on-trend right now. Thanks to Bottega Veneta!
• Scoop dress: Very flattering and affordable. Read my review here
• Super high-rise pull on shorts: These are perfect for lounging. They run extremly small - I sized up 2 sizes to a M

Looking forward to a busy summer:

• Life is almost back to normal. Everyone in our family (including Courtney) has been fully vaccinated. It's nice to be out and about doing what we love. The kids are having a busy summer and I couldn't be more pleased. I want to keep them busy. It's not only good for your their physical health but also their mental health. Courtney is heading to California next week for a weeklong vacation with her older cousins. This is the first time she will be traveling without me. Am I nervous? Yes, absolutely but I trust her making smart choices. I am strict but I am not overprotective. They’re allowed to make mistakes as long as a mistake does not have a risk to their well-being. As they get older, I am hoping that their decision-making skills will improve and they will become more independent. She is also busy with her summer job, summer classes and 2 AP exams. She is also taking the ACT for the first time next month plus more volunteer opportunities. As for Madelyn, she's taking private horse riding lessons twice a week, gymnastics practices between 12-15 hours a week and attending summer camps twice a week.
• I am still working from home through the end of the summer and I am so thankful for that. Even though I miss the social interactions, I have a lot more time to get the girls around to all their activities
• Summer travel: I can't decide whether I want to take a summer vacation this year or not. I want to save money for our big trip to Japan next year (hopefully!) but at the same time, I don't know if I can stay home for the next 3 months =) Travel makes me so happy. I am thinking of either taking a trip out West or heading to St. Thomas (US Virgin Islands) for a beach vacation. Not sure what to do yet. 

Monthly miles: I only ran 22 miles that month which was terrible but there is only so many hours in the day to get things done =(

As I write this post every month, I can't help but feel incredibly grateful for everything I have. My posts may be a little sporadic going forward as between work, kids, Finn and social life, I have very little to no time left for this space. Thank you for letting me share and I hope you have a good rest of the month.

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May Recap

June Recap :: July Plans

I know I said it a million times but the month just went by so fast! Our highlight of the month was definitely the trip to Aruba. It was incredible! You can read more about it here and here. We're not doing any big trips in July but have a few fun things planned with the kids

Goal of the month: This month I promised my husband that I will learn how to drive the boat. We have the boat for almost a year now and I kept putting it off. Now that it's hot outside, he wants to do all kinds of water sports and would need someone to drive the boat while he's doing so (lol).

Looking forward to:
- We're hosting a BBQ with friends and family tomorrow! We started our backyard landscape last weekend and hope to finish it today
- Planning a camping trip with the kids this month
- Celebrating my nephew's birthday. He'll be 5!

June purchases:
1. Misguided floral dress *a Zimmerman dress dupe - 50% off* - $23.50
2. GymShark leggings - $13.50
3. GymShark crop top - $10.50
4. GymShark tank top - $7.50 - *got all my Gymshark pieces when they were 70% off*
5. H&M one piece swimsuit *fits amazing!* - $12
6. Old Navy maxi dress *size XS Petite* - $30
7. Vineyard vines x Target rompers *on me - $30*
Total spent in June: $127

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June Recap :: July Plans

April Purchases :: Weekend Sales

{Leopard coat | Belt | Jeans}

Just wanted to quickly share a few weekend sales. This J.Crew leopard coat is almost $200 less than the original price. There is only one size left and that's the size I am wearing here. Grab it now while it's still available. The quality is amazing! I know this is not the time for outerwear but think how chic you'll look in the Fall wearing this coat.

Petite culotte jumpsuits
Tulip essential shirt
Leopard top coat
Red sweater dress
Petite midi dress
One shoulder swimsuit
Halter one-piece swimsuit
I also wanted to share my purchases for April so far since all of them are on sale right now just in case you're interested. A few things that I purchased this month in preparation for our summer vacation. I got this dress and this jumpsuit in the mail yesterday. I wasn't expecting to love both pieces so much. I probably won't be able to take pictures anytime soon but mark my words, they're amazing! I got them both in a size XS petite and couldn't have asked for a better fit. They're 50% off today!! I for sure will go back and order other colors. They make summer dressing a breeze.

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April Purchases :: Weekend Sales

July and August purchases

Today, I wanted to quickly share my purchases for the month of July and August. Most of the items I bought were on sale. Limited sizes are still available if anyone's interested.

Previous monthly purchases: Jan - April | May - June

July: 
1. Black pencil skirt ($17): I wore this skirt to death (wearing here and here). For only $17, it was well worth it.
2. White eyelet dress ($32): This is the ultimate summer dress. I've worn it a few times last month and am looking forward to restyling it for the upcoming Fall.
3. Chambray rompers ($27): Didn't get to wear it as much as I would have liked (on me here)
4. Ruched knit skirt ($5): Best $5 I've ever spent! (on me here)
5. Floral pencil skirt ($8): Bought it at a warehouse sale (on me here and here). I link the exact same skirt in a different print.
6. Quay sunglasses ($50): You're probably sick of seeing these sunglasses. I can't help it. I love them so much. They fit and compliment my face well.

August: 
For the entire month of August, I spent a big fat $0 on shopping. It's lame to say but I am super proud of myself for not buying anything for the entire month. However, September (#birthdaymonth) is a total different story.

Total purchases: $139
Sold a few items from my blog sale: ($55)
Total spent in July and August: $84

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July and August purchases

May & June purchases

It feels like it's been raining forever. Truthfully, I do miss taking blog photos. Today, I wanted to share what I have purchased for the month of May and June. Click here to read my previous monthly purchases.

May purchases:
- White denim and distressed skinny jeans: Buy one get one $29.90 - full review here *get $25 off every $100 with code 1197*
- Cargo vest: $25 *currently on sale* - see it on me
- Floral swimsuit and chambray shirt: paid $25 for both after rewards - see both on me
Total spent in May: $160

June purchases:

- Sunglasses: $20

- Sandals: $15 *currently on sale*

- Neon pink tee: $7 *currently on sale*

- Chambray shirt: $17 *50% off with code TheBig50*

- Flannel shirt: $17 *50% off with code TheBig50*

Total spent in June: $76

I cleaned out my closet last month and made roughly $100 in sales. Over the span of two months, I spent a total of $136 on clothes

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May & June purchases

Monthly purchases recap (Jan - April)

Just like most people, I go through phrases when it comes to shopping. It wasn't intended but the first 2 months of 2015 was no buy months for me. I didn't spend a penny on fashion items. I thought I was going to make it through March but caved in and purchased these snow boots. Then I needed a few items for my trip in April and it was all downhill from there =) Here is the recap of my purchases for the first 4 months of 2015.

March: As mentioned previously, the only purchase for the month was these Sperry for J.Crew snow boots (read my full review here). They're no longer available but you can still purchase the original version here and here.

April:  April was a big month for me in terms of spending lol

• I bought this neon skirt, this graphic tee and a pair of comfy sneakers for my vacation (can't gush enough about the sneakers!).
• While in Rome, I picked up these gorgeous Valentino pumps (full story here) 
• Picked up this long-sleeve striped top and this short-sleeve tee when J.Crew offered an extra 50% off  all sale items 2 weeks ago. Believe it or not, I didn't own a striped top previously. 
• Picked up these stud sandals during Saks F&F sale - This is a replacement for these LOFT sandals that I wore to death. They went in the trash before the winter kicked in.
• I also purchased this gorgeous white summer dress that I posted here
• On the very last day April, I also pulled the trigger on this amazing leather jacket. It is also a replacement for my Soia & Kyo jacket. I found a new home for it because I wasn't feeling the jacket anymore. Will talk about both jackets in a later post. 
• For those who are curious, I ended up returning these jeans from this post just because I was not 100% happy with it. So excited that these Express jeans are back in stock (in all sizes!). I ordered this pair and this pair (currently buy one get one for $29.90). Will keep you posed!

Even though I bought quite a few items in April, they were either missing in my closet or is a replacement for something that I am no longer interested in. I seriously need to slow down my shopping spree. Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

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Monthly purchases recap (Jan - April)

Fall Fashion Series: LOFT Snow Leopard coat

Since some of my pre-owned items have found their new homes, I allowed myself one more purchase for the month of October. Read about my 1st purchase here. Of course, the 2nd purchase was another coat =)  I've been eyeing this little number forever. Petite sizes are gone months ago online. I kept checking back for weeks but no luck. I caved in and ordered an XS regular to try. As expected, it was too big all around. Out of the blue, I was able to locate a size XXSP by using the "find in store" feature. The store which had the jacket located 20 minutes away from where I live. At first I thought the inventory wasn't updated correctly but when I called, the jacket was indeed available.

What I am wearing:
Jacket: LOFT snow leopard coat - size XXSP
Leggings: Express scuba leggings
Pumps: Ann Taylor *old* (this year's version)
Sunglasses: Dolce & Gabbana

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Fall Fashion Series: LOFT Snow Leopard coat

September purchase: Rue Gembon Tess earrings

I decided to return the jacket I reviewed here. The jacket was nice but it wasn't special enough for me to keep. These earrings were the only purchase I made for the month of September. I adore them! They're very unique and different than my every day studs. I get compliments every time I wear them. This was my first time order from Rue Gembon and I am impressed. My order arrived within a week (they're located in Hong Kong). These earrings look very nice in person and definitely catch the attention. If you're looking for a pair of studs with a twist, I highly recommend you try them out. Shop their entire ear jackets here.

Wearing: Rue Gembon earrings (almost identical here) | Dolce & Gabanna sunglasses | Cover Girl lipstick (delish - 255)

Disclaimer: Not a sponsored post. I purchased these earrings with my own money =)

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September purchase: Rue Gembon Tess earrings

August purchase: Chanel caviar wallet on chain (WOC)

August purchase was actually a gift from the husband. We just celebrated our milestones anniversary last month. The plan was to take a trip somewhere but his travel schedule was just too crazy for the month of September. Since we decided to forgo the trip, he said I can cross something off my wishlist as a gift for our anniversary =) I ended up getting the Chanel wallet on chain in navy. I was looking for a non-black, caviar, silver-hardware WOC and this little beauty couldn't be more perfect. I can't even express how much I adore this bag. It's classic, timeless and functional at the same time. I am not going to review this bag. These days, you probably can find anything you want to know with a few Google searches. Pre-own Chanel WOCs are widely available on the market these days. Just a quick search I found many pre-owned versions available here or get the exact same one here.

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August purchase: Chanel caviar wallet on chain (WOC)

July purchase: Banana Republic non-iron striped shirt

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I went ombré last weekend. Staying true to my natural hair color for the past 10 years, this is kind of a big deal for me. While I fully enjoy my new hairdo at the moment, I am not sure how long I am going to keep up with it.

Now, onto my outfits - For the month of July, I bought this classic shirt and these adorable espadrilles. I know I failed the one item per month challenge but they both were on super sale =) The first item was this shirt from Banana Republic. This is my first non-iron shirt and I must say, I am impressed. You just can't go wrong with a classic striped shirt. The beauty of the blue and white combo is that it goes with almost anything. Below are a couple ways to style this shirt but the possibilities are endless. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Click here to read more about my purchases for previous months. Linking up with Manic Monday today!

What I am wearing:

Shirt: BR non-iron shirt - size 0P

Skirt: H&amp (similar, similar)

Shorts: AE midi shorts - size 00
Espadrilles: J.Crew (on super sale!)
Sunglasses: Kate Spade and Forever 21 aviator
Hat: Forever 21 straw hat

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July purchase: Banana Republic non-iron striped shirt

June purchase: AQUA floral print scuba dress

 

I bought this dress for my vacation in June. It was my first purchase ever from AQUA (Bloomingdale’s exclusive brand) and I am impressed. I was looking for something fun, unique, flirty and low maintenance and this dress met all my requirements. I love the scuba-like fabric this dress is made of. It holds everything in place yet is very comfortable. The material does not wrinkle at all. This dress kept its shape perfectly right out of the suitcase. If you are a fan of Clover Canyon dresses, I highly recommend you give this dress a try. There are no Bloomingdales stores in Ohio but I definitely will keep this brand in mind for future purchases.

Previous monthly purchases:
January | February | March | April | May | June

 
What I am wearing:
Dress: AQUA fit and flare dress - size XS
Sunglasses: Burberry round frame
Sandals: Express *old*
Bag: Chanel (same bag - preowned)

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June purchase: AQUA floral print scuba dress

April purchase: J.Crew Tartine mini satchel in pebbled leather

• January purchase
• February purchase
• March purchase
• April purchase
• May purchase
• June purchase (review coming soon!)

Clearly, I am super behind on posting my monthly purchases but better late than never, right? This J.Crew satchel was the only thing I bought for the month of April. It is of course no longer available but I still want to share a quick review. This one is almost identical. This purse was available in 2 sizes: the regular and the mini. I got the mini one which I thought was a tad small for me originally. However, after using it for a few weeks, I am convinced that the size is perfect for me. I try not to carry too much stuff on a daily basic and this bag is a great choice for daily use.

 

I am a huge fan of pebble leather. I love textured leather in general. The leather is incredibly soft yet durable at the same time. I love that it's not the typical black or brown. The pewter color is different but plays well with other colors of all ranges. I tend to lean towards silver hardware when it comes to handbags. However, I think the gold hardware compliments the pewter so well in this case. This J.Crew satchel has a very similar design to the popular Givenchy Antigona. Below are a few options if you're looking for a similar design.

Under $2000 | Under $500

Under $200 | Under $100

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April purchase: J.Crew Tartine mini satchel in pebbled leather

May purchases: Vacation haul

I've been keeping up with the “one item per month” challenge for the past 4 months. However, it was a fail for the month of May =) I do have a good reason though. I seriously need a few new summer pieces for our upcoming summer vacation. Wanted to quickly share what I bought last month just in case you’re interested. Everything mentioned below was on sale. I will post pictures of me wearing them in the near future. If you're curious about my previous purchases, click on the links below:

• January purchase
• February purchase
• March purchase
• April purchase

Distressed shorts | Striped shorts | Eyelet tee | Eyelet shirt

Cropped top | Swimsuit | Bracelet | Straw hat

Cost breakdown: 
2 pairs of shorts (buy one get one for $10) = $50 - see the white pair on me
Cropped tee (w/ extra 50% off) = $10 - runs small
Eyelet shirt (w/ extra 40% off) = $25 - wearing an XXSP in this video
Cropped top = $10 (more on this top in a later post) - *no longer available online* (similar, similar)
Bracelet (w/ 40% off) = $15
Swimsuit = $8 (more on this suit in a later post)
Hat = $12.80

Total cost: $130 (not too shabby for 8 pieces)

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May purchases: Vacation haul