Friday 10 January 2014

"Frugal Feb 2013" success; catching up in 2014.

What started as Frugal Feb last year turned into a year-long budgeting exercise.  I tracked all income and expenditure relating to fashion and made it within budget by $200 by 31st December 2013.  I realistically thought I would only last til March or April at a stretch but suddenly as I approached October and still in the green I thought maybe I can actually pull this off.

Having said that, being starved of the freedom to purchase whatever I wanted on a whim, I've started this year with a shopping bang.

My most exciting purchase in the last 10 days has been my Lover Horizon dress.  I decided late last year that I needed some Lover in my life, but due to my dwindling fashion budget  put this 'need' in a box and forced myself to stop thinking about it.  The start of this year coincided nicely with huge online sales and I nabbed this beautiful lace dress.


I also picked up a silk blouse from Seed Heritage on sale - hoping their clothes are true to size and the blouse doesn't drown me.


Of course I've also had Asos deliveries (yes that's plural) this year.  I'm returning about half of it, and keeping the below:



I'm undecided about this navy maxi - I bought it for a wedding next month but I'm finding it too 'booby' for my own liking.  I've got a bigger bust than the model above and feel too exposed.  Will try it on again and make a final decision.

What have you bought lately??

14 comments:

  1. Lover dress is amazeeeeee.. yes you need that.

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  2. Loving the Lover too!

    Well done on the frugality. ASOS are great wth returns.

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    1. One of the main reasons why I shop with Asos are their returns policy. So easy :)

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  3. Awesome purchases, good way to start the year.
    Can you send some of your frugality energy my way? It's my year to not to spend!

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    1. Hehe I have no frugal energy this year :( If you start keeping track of purchases that might help you. Just seeing a tally of the amount of money I spent on fashion was a bit confronting when I first started and that helped curb my spending. Good luck xx

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  4. A couple of years ago I participated in Buy Nothing New Month, and a GF and I have decided to have a crack at Buy Nothing New 2014 (we're starting in Feb though, as we both bought things this month).
    The idea is that while you are prevented from purchasing new things, you are allowed to buy second-hand. It really made me question the origin of the items, and just how much crap accumulates in my life without actually adding anything positive. I'm also conscious of reducing my footprint, so actually buying something becomes an activity I've invested significant thinking time into.

    Anyway, wish us luck! I'm going to try and extend it to Frankie as well, by getting her bundles of second-hand clothes from eBay and Gumtree. It's amazing how many listings are for baby clothes with their tags still attached, and they grow out of them so quickly.
    x

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    1. Wow I like that idea!! I don't think I could pull that off though, I'm too much of an impulsive shopping hehe.

      Awwww Frankie is just the cutest. Yeah I've heard about baby's clothes getting sold really cheap. I guess that's what happens when babies grow out of clothes so quickly!! Kx.

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  5. I LOVE the seed blouse and the black ASOS top, such a beautiful neckline!

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    1. Looove the laser cut neckline of the Asos top. It's such a statement and so easy to wear.

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  6. I'm not totally sold on the ASOS navy maxi...
    Could you wear that lover dress to the wedding instead (and get more use out of it?) or you want something totally different.
    How does it wear one you (given the height). I like those dresses but seeing it modelled on a tall models makes me think it will go to my ankles.

    It's great you did budgeting for the year, I think I really need to start doing that. So far I haven't bought anything much for 2014. Let's hope it stays that way! (even if a bit longer)

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    1. Thankyou for your honest opinion. I tried it on again over the weekend and got my Mum and sisters' opinions and I decided I cannot make it work. With a bra it pushes me up and I'm exposing half my breast, without bra I'm way too saggy and I'm still exposing 1/4 breast haha. I think i might buy a blue slip to wear under the Lover dress (wedding theme is blue) and wear that instead.

      Good work with no purchases this year, keep it up!!

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  7. Kay, that Lover dress is amazing!
    Will look fantastic with all your sky scrapper Loubies. :-)

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    1. Tried them on last night with fuchsia Lady Peeps (150mm) and I love it!! Can't wait to wear it to a wedding in Feb :)

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