I love series

Light blue beads vintage Trifari - Black vintage hand bag Paloma Picassi 

Black vintage skirt Club Monaco

Black and white perforated flats Nine West

 

Just like my t shirt reads: I love series. I get my fix from Netflix.

My purchases in 2011

Unlike the first 6 months of year 2010, when I did a self imposed shopping ban 

in 2011 I decided to set myself free and not control my purchasing habits.

No limits, no restrains.

I chose not to control and just monitor. 

So, I did.

Month by month when I bought something I

took note of how much I spent and what it was.

As you may or may not have noticed I spent very little on 

each item. I make an effort to buy items when they are on sale

and I do not buy expensive labels.

So taking the above into consideration I thought I would

not spend that much.

But, then I started adding what I spent each month...

well I was quite surprised.

Here is the list of what I bought during the year:

19 dresses.

7 skirts

19 trousers (pants, jeans, shorts...)

Some pants had to be hemmed.

I did not consider that cost in the final number as it would 

only make it more complicated.

44 tops (blazers, cardigans, shirts, tshirts...)

7 bags

16 pairs of shoes.

My total was 1,994.16 USD, which I honestly find outrageous.

Sure, some people spend that on a bag or a pair of shoes but 

I am not one of those people.

So, after seeing the amount I spent and also seeing that

I have over thirty unworn garments with their tags on, I 

decided to start a shopping ban.

It's not a new year's resolution, it's just my reaction.

Maybe I'll stop the shopping ban as soon as I wear all these items.

Maybe I will hold the ban for 6 months.

Maybe I'll just replace items or do the one garment in-one garment out method.

Maybe I'll set a budget.

At this point I am just glad that I am aware.

When you are aware of something you can act upon it.

I am no longer in the dark in regards to my shopping habits.

I have seen the light :)

December Purchases

In December we are usually busy.

Busy running around and shopping for gifts.

Usually in the midst of it all, you find gifts for youself,

much like I did.

Here are my december gifts for me:

These houndstooth H&M trousers are actually from November but I had forgotten to include them, I loved the fit for 34.95 USD.

Horses, horseshoe, Peter Pan collar all in one top ?

Yes, an equestrian top from Via Vai for 21.95 USD seemed reasonable.

Yet another animal print item.

I have acquired a special love for them as they always take your

 outfit to the next level.

This animal print top by Da Moda seemed perfect

for 7.99 USD, don't you think ?

I know I do not need another black top.

But this one won my heart at the sleeves and then the buttons in the back !

Black top by April Lost for 33.00 USD

Wool sweater for when I travel, on sale at Mango for 27.00 USD.

A blue "klein" dress also from the MANGO sale for 35.00 USD.

My December purchases including taxes added up to 104.74 USD.

Which is not bad - I could have done worst.

How about you ?

Did you "gift yourself" for the holidays ?

November purchases

In November I went a little overboard.

It's no excuse but mere reality that I went on vacation

and then some...

Here's what my purchases included.

Lace t shirt Forever 21, 5.99 USD

Sparkly brown t shirt for 7.99 USD from Forever 21

More sparkles coming your way...  for 5.99 USD I got a scarf

that I just think will add a special touch to anything I wear.

My new green jeans were just  0.99 cents well  plus tax !

One black pair of shoes from Aerosoles (these are so comfy!) on sale for 39.99 USD

I walked into every.single.H&M.store I saw. which were quite a few.

Here I picked up some things that I just fell in love with.

I picked up even more than what you will see here, I had a buyer's remorse

after noticing that I had 3 garments with exactly the SAME print and

I just went back and returned them. 

Yes, I have buyer's remorse... sometimes, 

not very often.

A star print and a bow on the same garment ? Yes, this pink and black

 starred top from H&M I picked up for 24.95 USD

Image Via H&M

I also picked up the H&M black kimono from the Conscious Collection.

I loved it when it was 14.95 USD but was even happier 

to score it for 5.00 USD at 4:00 am on Black Friday.

What's a kimono without a belt ?

Well, for me it's just a robe. 

So I picked up the belt too... for twice the price 

of the kimono. Kimono belt for 12.95 USD.

Another pair of black trousers, these are from H&M for 34.95 USD.

 You can never have enough black trousers.

A black tuxedo like jacket from the H&M Conscious Collection for 29.95 USD.

Image via H&M

H&M black tuxedo trousers for 34.95 USD

A black and white dress Be Bop brand on sale at Ross for 7.49 USD

A red dress.

This had been on my list for a while.

I got a red Emma & Michelle dress at Ross for 14.99 USD

Also from Ross this blue striped Tommy Hilfiger 

from the Fall 2011 collection for 19.99 USD

A pair of jeans from Salt Works NYC for 13.99 USD.

A black patent envelope like bag from Nine West for 15.99 USD

A purple bag from Kenneth Cole Reaction for 24.99 USD.

Not proud.

Even kind of ashamed.

These add up to three hundred seventeen dollars and forty one cents.

I think it's time for a ban.