I was hoping to allocate my entire "clothing" budget to gifts for others, but instead, I spent money on myself and then I still spent money on gifts. I ended up pushing purchases into random categories to try to make sure I stuck to my budget and I think I came out OK for this month.
Things I bought for myself:
4 blouses from Old Navy: $45
Dress and Jacket from Forever 21: $35 (after using a $20 store credit)
Neiman Marcus x Target Tory Burch Lunch Box
TOTAL: $133 (I give myself $200 a month for clothing)
Things I got for others:
Bath & Body Works: $64 (2 candles, 3 lotions, and 3 body scrubs)
wine preserver
Wrapping paper/supplies & wine from Walgreens: $19
Neiman Marcus x Target Tracy Reese Dessert Plates
TOTAL: $119 (I put these items into my "entertainment" category which I allocate $100 to each month, so I was about $20 over budget)
Obviously it was also Christmas and my birthday is on the 28th, so I was bombarded with gifts. I don't want to brag about things I got but I wanted to highlight some of my favorite things that I thankfully was able to receive without pulling from my own tight budget.
For Christmas, my parents got me (and I picked it out for myself and my cousin) the Sephora Fragrance Sampler. I just found out about this sampler this year, and I wish I had known about it sooner. The sampler comes with 10 mini bottles of popular fragrances AND includes a voucher to redeem your favorite of the 10 in a full-size bottle. I think it's a great deal because a bottle of perfume usually costs the same amount as the entire set, and this way, you get to choose your favorite rather than end up with a perfume that sits on your counter never used!
For my birthday, my parents got me a gold leather Kate Spade business card holder. It was not what I was expecting for a business card holder (I was planning on purchasing one myself in like a chrome or other metal) but after receiving it I decided it's perfect for me. I'm a woman, obviously, so I think it's OK to go a little glam with something like a business card holder. It adds a little personality to something so serious! I love the color gold they chose for me, I wish I could find it online!
My aunt gave me the fantastic Michael Kors Gia Tote for my belated law school graduation present. We talked about her getting me a big tote for work a few months ago but I thought she forgot - I was pleasantly surprised that she didn't! I love how sturdy this bag feels, and how it's large enough to fit almost anything, including the ever-important legal file or my computer.
I hope everyone had a happy holiday! My flight(s) were cancelled and now I'm "stuck" in CT (could be worse!) until Friday morning.
That is such a gorgeous MK bag! I'm a fellow petite and a new follower :)
ReplyDelete-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
Ooh I love that big tote!! And that perfume sampler is so smart! Can't wait to hear your favorite :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Visiting by way of Franish's Budgeting Bloggers link up. I really like the KS business card holder! I have a metal one but think I need to switch!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous bag!
ReplyDeleteThat perfume sampler thing is SO SMART! Have you decided which one you're going to get?
ReplyDeleteI haven't yet - I've been trying a new one every day and I've only gone through about 5 of the 10 so far. I think its going to be a tough decision, especially because the one I thought I'd like the best (Clean - Warm Cotton) actually doesn't smell that great on me!
ReplyDelete