Day 14: brought to you by the color red

Scarf: Boutique on Mission Street, Cardigan: gifted by Christie, Necklace: gifted, Dress: $8 from the Painted Bird 5 years ago, Belt: hand-me-down from Rachel, Leggings: Spanx- overpriced but at least they are think, Shoes: Izod on sale $16, Jacket: gifted from Jenny

Confession: I only wore this in the morning. I had to do a mid-day outfit change because I got invited to the Giants game. We were playing the Nationals. I didn't want to show up wearing red. 

Second Confession: The same thing happened with yesterday's outfit. I ended up changing tops before I went out for the evening because it was getting colder.  

Final Confession: I LOVE wearing red. I wasn't allowed to wear it at my old job and I am just so, so very happy that it is no longer off limits. 

Day 13 and Roses

I am not sure what is happening with my face, and I think my dog is confused as well.

 

Top: Modcloth bought with gift certificate I got from them for doing a customer survey, Bracelets: Target, Coffee Cup: Ritual Roasters- Christmas gift from my favorite person, Jeans: GAP gifted by Christie, Shoes: Bass on sale $40ish- such quality shoes! 

I took some time to enjoy the roses in bloom on my run in Golden Gate Park. They match my top, so I thought I would share. (Mostly, Grandma, I wanted you to enjoy them.)

Trade as One, Warm weather, and Sutro

My Trade as One box came in today!!! Trade as One has started doing a seasonal box of organic, fair trade pantry staples and have a subscription. I am super excited about the food, for a few reasons. 1) I am not good at planning appropriately for grocery shopping. I don't do well keeping staples stocked. 2) 95% of the box is things I actually need. Rice, oats, quinoa, and beans- 5% is chocolate! I also joined the coffee club, so I get my favorite drink in the world. Plus, it came with lip balm and soap. 3) Everything in the box is helping farmers receive a fair wage- and Trade as One did all the work to be sure I was eating ethically. 4) They have a gluten free box option, so I can eat everything in my box! 

JOY! They sent recipes and some information about the history of rice as well. I am excited! 

Also, my box came with 4 coupons for 20% off your first box. Let me know if you are interested and I will share a coupon with you. 

See the website for a list of the items in the box. 

Now on to clothes:

Today has been remarkably warm, so I am going to be brave (or silly) and wear shorts out in my city. I spent most of the day in work out clothes- I was supposed to go on a 8 mile run. I ran 5 miles, but as soon as I got to Sutro Baths I had to slow down and roam the area- it is just too beautiful to not enjoy slowly. So, I walked around then walked the 5 miles home. Over all it was lovely. 

Top: LOFT on sale for under $20, Shorts: LOFT gifted from Christie L (I have 3 Christies in my life and 2 of them give me clothes) Shoes: Gifted by my parents - side note on the shoes, they came with an odd story about how they were designed by a stay at home mom who wanted more comfortable shoes for chasing her kids around. I love them for roaming the city. They are Libby Edelman.

These are my two fave photos from Sutro today. I also posted them on instagram, but I didn't apply a filter to these two.

Day 7 & 8 and personal finance tool/options

First: I have to admit I often wear the same clothes multiple times in one week, but usually no one notices because I see different people. Well,  now that I am documenting my outfits that doesn't work.

Second (and more importantly): I set up my Mint account and my Credit Karma account today. I was super happy that a) they were both super easy it was to set up b) my credit score is good (I don't know if it is wise to tell the world I have good credit, but I do and I am excited!) c) they both gave me options for how to save money and how to improve my credit score. Overall, I am excited about my endeavor to become financially stable. If you haven't created an account I recommend you do. 

Day 7

Cardigan: Taget $20, Shirt: Modcloth $27 (wore it Wednesday and Thursday- but I only wore it 4 hours on Wednesday), Pants: Target $20 bought with Gift Card from Candace 4 years ago, Shoes: Izod on sale for $14 (3 months old and I have already worn a hole in the back heal)

Day 8

 Scarf: Free and I think it was gifted or I got it at a clothing swap, Necklace: hand me down from my lovely grandmother, Blazer: Target $20, Top: The LOFT $25 over 5 years ago, Jeans: Indi custom jeans, seriously you send in your measurements and they send you jeans that fit, but I think they went out of business. (You might notice that I bought 3 pairs of $200 jeans in the past few years. All of them were on sale for $80-90. I am still unsure if these were a good or bad choice. I think all three of them fit better than less expensive jeans I have bought in the past, and I am not planning to buy more jeans anytime soon.) Shoes: Ambiance sale $27

I chopped my head off in the posts, and that is unfortunate because I wore an awesome braid today. 

Freebee selfie

I just posted this because like this and think it is more fun than the actual selflies, but you can't actually see the clothes.

Day 6 of clothing simplicity and Food Justice

So, we are only a week in and I slacked on all of my weekend wardrobe. I will work on a recap post tomorrow. 

Here is what I wore today, I had an interview so I dressed up a bit and then I had hang out time and a meeting in I was hosting in my apartment so I wore something comfy and casual. 

 Top: Modcloth Pam Breeze-ly Tunic $30ish, Necklace: Boutique in Austin $20, Pants: LOFT: on sale for $20, Shoes: Ambiance on sale (I wear them all the time, in fact they are the second pair I have of the same shoes) 

Same outfit as above but this is how I actually wore it for the interview 

Blazer: Gifted by Jenny and Purse: hand-me-down from Rachel

Sweater/long cardigan: hand-me-down from Rachel, Top: gifted by Christie, Jeans: Gilt Ernest Sewn flash sale $90 retail $200- they are my FAVORITE jeans, Shoes: Gift from mom and dad

As I have been thinking about the sources of my wardrobe I can't help but be grateful for my friends and their generosity. 

Also, I ran this morning.  I am training for a half marathon- I think I am going to post all my workout clothes in one post. I am going to have to be careful about workout clothes becoming my new cheat. I went into GAP and realized I love their workout collection, but do I really need to look good while I sweat?

Tomorrow I am joining a learning salon hosted by IDEX that will be focused on food justice. This is the book I am supposed to read before tomorrow at 5. I attended a lecture by the other about a year ago so I am excited about the book.

Day 2 of Clothing Simplicity

Within no time of making my no clothing commitment I walked by a store I love having a sale. I am really grateful that I am doing this whole public accountability thing. I walked past the store. I didn't even go in. 

So, I spent the day in doors mostly in sweets, expect when I went running. I applied for 10 jobs and even heard back from a few already. I may or may not be going out tonight, if I do I will be wearing this.

Dress: H&M $5 on final sale, Necklace: Purchased 5+ years ago at the boutique in Houston with Rachel, Boots: one of those online flash sale member only sales $90 

I have decided that those are a bad idea for me (and most people). The pressure to buy fast makes me spend money before I am sure and the super low prices tempt me to buy things I don't need. Also, I fail to research the companies to verify ethical clothing practices.

Lastly, I am so very happy it accrued to me that I could take photos of the clothes before I put them on. No more selfies.

What are some spending traps you know to avoid?

Trying out the simplicity thing (AGAIN)

Fun fact #1: I became unemployed in December.

Fun fact #2: I am really bad at budgeting.

Fun fact #3: I love clothes and have a substantial wardrobe.

Fun fact #4: I feel like the people I know are really generous and I have my needs met.

Fun fact #5: I have been reading some budgeting blogs and decided I need to get back in the blogging game.

Fun fact #6: I am better at things when I am accountable for them. (aka: when I blog)

Fun fact #7: I am setting a goal to not purchase any unnecessary clothing or accessories for the next year. (yep, not until May 7, 2014) 

Not so fun fact: I have set this goal before and failed. So here is the idea- I am going to blog about it. Mostly by posting my outfits and other related information. Based on what I can remember about each outfit I will try to say cost, store of purchase, and how long I have had the item.

Here is todays outfit:

Necklace: handed down from my mother, Jacket: gifted from Jenny, Shirt: $10 Gap purchased at Buffalo Exchange, Bracelets: Purchased at Target in 2006; Sunglasses: $10 Buffalo Exchange, Jeans: Gap gifted to me by Christie, Shoes: Purchased at Ambiance on sale for $26

Necessary items that can be purchased are: undergarments, shoes when my current ones get holes, workout attire- but only when my current workout clothes have holes, running shoes - I will aim to borrow clothing for special events- I don't think anyone I know is going to ask me to a brides made in the next 12 months, but if it happens I will buy the dress 

I am choosing my clothes as my main focus because I feel they are one of the most significant ways that I am part of exploiting the poor in the world. You will notice that I mention some brands and stores that are not amazing when it comes to their justice policies. I will try to blog about that as well.

I am also going to try to take on some other spending cuts and share them. I know I need to rethink my spending on food and entertainment. 

I am being inspired by And Then We Saved, also once upon a time I read Your Money or Your Life, and I liked the $30 a Week blog when it was going.

Are any of you reading budget blogs? I would love to hear your suggestions!

So, yes I am finally crossing over into the blog world of people who post selflies - but I hope it is for a good cause.