What I'm Wearing: Wednesday Addams

I haven't taken outfit photos in forever, but recently I layered an outfit together that I really liked and wanted to post about.  So, in classic Aubrey fashion, I got some iPhone photos of it.  Thanks to my friend Lauren for snapping the photos after a lunch during the work week!

Pardon the light posts, this is right outside the office!

Shirt: Joe Fresh (similar) Dress:  ASOS (similar, similar, splurge) Leggings:  Danskin via Walmart Boots:  Nine West (similar, similar, splurge)

I lovingly called this outfit the Wednesday Addams Goes to Work outfit, given the monochrome.  My favorite part was that the layers kept me warm all day, and it gave me another way to wear this shirt.  I like this better than the last outfit I styled with this silk print top.  The dress needed some ironing, but overall I put it in the "wear-again" mental file.

Linking up with...

Sunday Best // Watch What I Am Wearing

Friday Favorites v.2

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, for those Americans reading!  Regardless of the controversial origins of the holiday, I always enjoy some time off to spend with my family.  I took the day off from blogging to do so, nut now I'm back sharing even more Friday Favorites that I've spotted online this week.

I was born into the wrong decade for dresses, but thankfully the internet has amazing reproductions and designs available!  (I recently ordered the first dress... perfect for work!)

eShakti  //  Voodoo Vixen  //  Lindy Bop  //  Bernie Dexter

The only time I really remember eating Snickerdoodles when I was younger was when my

cousins made them.  I was convinced they knew how to make delicious things because

they got to do 4H or something.  These look amazing.

Squee cat photos make me go squee.  (Source unknown, here's the imgur link!)

I love Anne Taintor so much I dressed as one of her creations for Halloween.

This flask is pretty much perfect.

The fact that a word exists in the Japanese language for this very real phenomenon makes me smile with happiness.  Tsundoku!

+  SQUEE!  Munchkin the Shih Tzu walks on a treadmill while wearing a teddy bear costume.  Watch it now.
+  Rainbow chip frosting is my fav canned frosting, and thankfully I have Katy Perry on my side to try to bring it back!
+  The Sing-Off is coming back with a holiday special!  Bring on the puns, Nick Lachey!
+So many feelings after watching this!  Family hears son’s heart beat in Vietnam vet’s chest after life-saving transplant.
+  I'm pretty excited to see Into the Woods in theaters this winter, even though it breaks my policy of seeing a film version of a musical before I see it on stage.  I met the actress who plays Little Red when she was the lead in Annie on Broadway!
+  If you don't follow Anna Kendrick on Twitter, you ought to.  Check out some of her hilarious tweets.  She'll be joining Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, and Mindy Kaling in my dream girl gang.
Flashback Favorite:  About a year ago, I did my very first "My Life in GIFs" post and felt so sassy!
+ Platters in the shape of every state?  YES!  Love this Indiana state dish!

Budgeting Bloggers: November 2014

November was not a heavy shopping month... but I already know that December will probably put me over my self-imposed budget given I can't resist sales and impulse buys.  I love everything I got this month!  It's all being worn and used, which is a great sign.  My closet is much more efficient and compact than it used to be, if that makes sense.

1. Old Navy Quilted Zip-Front Vest in Forest Floor (originally $35, on sale for $30+ discount):  Yes, I have this in black.  I had $40 in Old Navy dollars to use, and I decided to use that, plus free shipping, to get some more basics for the fall/winter.  I wear my black vest so much, I needed another option!  Such a great layering piece.
2. Old Navy Rockstar Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans in Rise (originally $35):  I am a pair of skinny jeans short after having to toss a couple of pairs, so these fill an important gap in my closet.  Mid-rise is my friend!  I can't stand low-rise pants anymore.  Until I hit my happy place in terms of weight, I'll live in Old Navy jeans instead of investing in pricier ones.
3. Old Navy Terry-Fleece Skinny Sweatpants in Heather Grey (originally $27):  These just looked perfect for the cooler weather and lounging around at home!  I won't wear them out, but I included them here because, well, accountability.  (I'm not sure about the price of my Old Navy items after sale price and the $40 Old Navy dollars I had, because I did the math and then subtracted returns... and lost the calculations.  Sorry.)
4. ELLE Eyelet Fit and Flare Dress in Flirty Pink (retail $68, FREE):  My Mom bought be a great pink dress on clearance at Kohl's... FREE to me, and a great savings!  It will get more wear in the spring, though I may try my hand at layering it this winter for a pop of pink.
5. Lucky Brand Chain Tassel Necklace in Gold (retail $35, paid $21):  I broke the LOFT tassel necklace that I've worn for ages, so I had to hunt online immediately for a replacement!  Lucky won out among the rest because of free shipping; I saw one from another retailer I wanted, but shipping was $9!  I seriously couldn't get by without this go-to accessory; it's the one statement necklace I wear all the time.  This is a great necklace.

$85 spent - $24 sold = $61 total $142 savings
Quarterly Budget: $400 - $176 October - $61 November = $163 remaining
I'm proud that I actively returned items that I didn't love this month...  it's a big deal for me not to just keep unused stuff in my wardrobe!  I have another big pile of things that will go to Goodwill too, and I'm putting items in my Poshmark closet for sale.  Lastly, I mailed off another bag to thredUP that should be paid next month.
I'm starting to think I might do something different about my quarterly budget next year.  I'm getting really into vintage-inspired dresses (think late 50s and 60s) and I am thinking of getting one beautiful dress per month, then leave a smaller budget per quarter for other things.  We'll see.  Mostly I want to buy some beautiful, quality items vs. lamenting that I didn't get one big purchase because of all the littles.
Check out the rest of this month's Budget Bloggers at the linkup at Franish!