Well, readers, I really need your help. You see, I've been doing a LOT of thinking lately, and I really need to put myself on a stricter budget. I've always been a "Shopaholic," but since starting this fashion blog, which I LOVE, I've found myself getting swept up in the frenzy of buy-buy-buy and my bank account is really suffering.
Never fear, though, I have a plan, and I think it's pretty realistic for my lifestyle. I've decided to allot a certain portion of my salary each month to shopping, but I really need to stick to that number and not continue to spend foolishly. I am not putting myself on a total shopping ban. I've tried that, and it never works for me. As long as I remain employed, I plan to "treat" myself to something nice each month. Maybe this means skipping more Anthro sales, or shopping more on Ebay or ModCloth or other, more reasonably priced sites...who knows?? Or I may just end up with one great new Anthro item each month...it all depends on what I like in a particular month.
That being said, I'm coming to terms with this leaner, meaner budget, but I have a dilemma...I am in LOVE with 2 Nathalie Lete for Anthropologie dresses, and I need your help in deciding which to purchase. Neither is available in my store yet, so I may just order online. Remember, I can only select ONE (Sob!) due to the new and improved June budget...can you help me decide which to pick?:)
Stemmed Sweetbriar Dress
Pigment & Canvas Dress
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Unfortunately, I think if you were going to order them, I'd order both. Try them both on and see which one suits your best. They're different cuts and different styles. I think once you have them on, your decision will be a lot easier.
ReplyDeleteTien, I know what you mean, but I don't trust myself to order both, lol. I've really been lusting after that bird dress, because it's so unique and special, BUT I adore the cut and color of the Sweetbriar Dress. It's torture!;)
ReplyDeleteHi Chrissy, have you read some of the reviews for the stemmed sweetbriar dress? There were some complaints about the top being too short, forcing the waistline to be too high. I like the pigment and canvas dress a lot but it's a steep price. Sorry if I'm not much help!
ReplyDeleteAlso, shopping is like dieting. You just can't get to a ban! You'll definitely come to a point where you'll splurge. Being in finance and accounting, I have this really complicated process I go through every month, but to keep it simple, I have several checking accounts and one is designated for "kickin' it"...which is my own personal do whatever I want account. The amount that goes into that account is whatever is leftover after I take out mortgage, regular household expenses, and savings. It's a checking and I have a checkcard so when that hits $0, I know I can't spend until my next paycheck. I find it difficult to keep everything in one account because if I see a $1500 balance, depending on what time of the month, I'd totally forget about my mortgage payment! So I keep things separate in separate accounts to make it simpler. Besides, checking accounts are truly free now! Doesn't hurt to have more! :)
Chrissy, I honestly believe both will make it to sales. Maybe on sale, you can have both? Personally, I'm torn between the bird and the octopus, but I won't pay full price for either of them. On sale, maybe I'd get both.
ReplyDeleteTien, you're right, maybe I should hold out for a sale. I can't stomach $248 for that bird dress, as much as I love it!
ReplyDeleteCindi, that's a great idea keeping the separate accounts like that. I'm with you, if I see one lump sum of money, it's like I forget I have bills to pay, lol. I could never go on a total ban unless I truly had no income coming in, so I'm just trying to spend a LOT less. I don't need to be buying 4 new dresses every much just because other bloggers may be doing so.
And Cindi, I did see the reviews, but I also saw how great the dress looks on Kim at Anthroholic, and she and I have similar builds...
ReplyDeleteI like the bird dress better, but I agree that they will both make it to sale. :)
ReplyDeleteThis budget sounds like a great idea and your bank account will thank you for it. I've been thinking about setting up a shopping budget too, but just haven't put it into action yet. :)
ReplyDeleteBoth dresses are really cute, but the $200+ dress is just a tad too much money and there are no reviews. Does this seem like a popular dress? If not, there is a probability it will go on sale at some point. If both dresses make your heart go pitter-patter equally, then I would go for the less expensive option and then keep an eye out for the other at sale time. Honestly, there will always be cute dresses at Anthro, I would hold out (unless I would kick myself years to come for missing out on that one dress that got away).
oh Chrissy this IS a dilemma!
ReplyDeletewould it be possible for you to order both, try them on, and if you truly love both of them...just put them away for a loooooooong enough time till they hit sale and return them and order again...- -// (okay this seems like a very bad idea...)
as for shopping, I really feel I have an addiction that needs professional help! I'm trying to convince myself that I do not NEED more clothes but I may just WANT some...so if I go on a tighter budget I might be able to splurge on a couple nicer items a month...and they'd last forever (or a very long time?)...
that said...I do not know how I'd be able to stick to that>_<
I personally love the sweetbriar dress. I think the cut of it will be flattering and it has a omore timeless look. Plus, I think the color would look great on you with your light hair color and it's cheaper. That's my vote!!
ReplyDeleteI personally like the sweetbriar dress more. I think the color would look great on you and it's cheaper. I also think the cut of it is more flattering and it has a more timeless look. That's my vote!!
ReplyDeleteI like the Pigment and Canvas dress....but I agree, wait for sale! Get the cheaper dress now to satisfy your urge :)
ReplyDeleteI think the bird dress is more versatile, but I agree with Tien that it'll likely make it to sale. It's lovely, but I don't personally think it's worth FP.
ReplyDeleteChrissy - I know it can be SO hard to wait for things to go on sale, but in this case, you will not be disappointed. Even if the Anthro site says it's out of stock, you will still be able to find it through a CS search. And if that fails, call every store you can until you find it (annoying, but SO worth it)! I've done it before, and my method has NEVER failed.
ReplyDeleteI love the Pigment & Canvas Dress. Maybe it's not as "classic", but it's way more unique.
I really like the first dress.
ReplyDeleteI have a monthly budget for shopping, too :). My fiance and I like to call that "disposable spending"
Hope you will enter my giveaway of a J Crew pearl bracelet at petitegorgeous.blogspot.com
The Stemmed Sweetbriar Dress has your name written all over it (from what I can tell from reading your blog daily). However, I think fit should be your biggest deciding factor. And with all these new arrivals, good luck picking! I know the feeling of needing to stick to a budget...it's so hard, especially when Anthro is just so gorgeous. You can do it!
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ReplyDeleteSigh, it's damn near impossible to keep a budget, lol. I love how I announce to the world that I plan to be fiscally responsible, and then Anthro releases a whole bevy of beauties the very next day.
ReplyDeletetop dress by FAR,.
ReplyDeleteIm the same, i need to cut down my shopping bigtime...!!!
x
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