These Are Not Hipster Glasses

shirt: j.crew; jeans: gap; shoes: nine west via piperlime; jacket: express

I swear, they are my actual glasses. I got them like two years ago. [Nailed it.]

When I started planning this post I was so excited to tell you guys that despite being allowed to shop, I hadn't really bought much since paying off my credit cards. Then Saturday happened. Let's just say I had a good run.

On another note, I found some amazing pieces for Spring at Old Navy. [side note: Old navy and me, we  don't always see eye-to-eye or small-to-small if you will.] I ended up with 2 dresses, 2 shirts, and sweater for about $90. Yes, you read that right, dresses. Whatch out blog I managed to cross something off my wishlist. And speaking of good deals I totally scored those shoes for $10.

I think this is what they call a "shopping high".

I guess what I am trying to say is that it was a good weekend. How was yours?

Bloggers & Budgets: Alyson, Alyson is Neat

This week's installment of Bloggers & Budgets comes from Alyson. If you don't know Alyson you need to. This girl gave up shopping for an entire year! Seriously. I can't even imagine that, but she did it. Not to mention that I just absolutely adore her style.



1. How would you describe your approach to personal finance: hands-on or hands-off?
I am very hands-on, but definitely not to the point of SSF. I love keeping budgets and seeing where my money has gone and where its going. I adopted the "adding on spare paper" disease from my mother. She was always keeping track of bills, expenses, incomes, etc on the back of envelopes, receipts, open spiral notebooks... you name it. I try to keep track of what I will have left over and make my budgets every two weeks (which is when I get paid). This became even more true when I lost my job in 2010. Call it worrying, but I like to see what I'm going to have when all the bills have hit the floor. I have several apps on my phone that allow me to be instantly connected to my expenses, bills and most importantly my bank account. I will definitely say I am still in the beginning stages of taking the reins of this race horse called finance, but I know the race is going to get good.


2. How do you balance your finances with style blogging? (Buy everything on sale, remix, budgets?)

Well, my first year of style blogging, I didn't buy clothes for a year. I borrowed a lot. I accepted hand me downs. I sewed. I got REAL creative with my closet. But I didn't buy any clothes for that whole year. Now that I've started shopping again, I shop very wisely. I try and get things on a discount, and definitely shop sales. I only buy stuff that I really really want. I hate paying full price on something new, but I will pay a little bit more for hand-made and vintage. I set myself a budget for clothing each two weeks. Depending on what I have coming up... birthday for a friend? vacation to save up for? a nice dinner with my man? All of those things will go before shopping. This amount can range anywhere from $30 to $100 or more. Its usually closer to about $50 a pay period, but sometimes lower.


3. What do you want to accomplish [financially] in the next five years?

Get. Out. of. DEBT! I have two credit cards with about $5,500 on them total. I have a $14,400 student loan. I need to save up a 6 month emergency fund. My job has fantastic benefits when it comes to retirement funds, and I am excited to take advantage of that as well.


4. Do you have any financial regrets? (something you wish you had done sooner, hadn't done at all?)
I fully regret using credit cards before I knew how bad they could get. I wish I had believed what everyone had said which was, "Don't get a credit card. You don't need to buy those clothes." I also wish that I had gotten professional help from my days of being a shopaholic. When I decided to not buy clothing for a year, it all started when I read an article about being a shopaholic and some tell-tale signs. There were 50 characteristics I think, and if you exhibited 18 you were considered a shopaholic... well, I had way more than that. I wish I had seen it sooner, and identified why. The way we spend money can be directly related to our emotions. It is scary. Now, I understand why when I have a bad day, I want to hit up Wal-Greens and get some new nail polish. Instead of shopping, I try to take responsibility for my own role in my bad day, and what I had no control over, then let it go.

5. Share with us your best/favorite tip for saving/spending/paying off debt.
Cut off access to credit. Its the same concept as freezing your credit cards in ice but who has the freezer space for that? I've heard of people sewing their credit cards into fabric pockets. What I did though was use what I had on me at the time. I took a few sheets of paper and scribbled in bold black letters NO!, I then wrapped my credit cards in the paper, and then wrapped them in clear packing tape. I stopped using credit. I kept them in my wallet in case of an emergency. I have since had to rip them back out, but it took some WORK! They need to go back into their safe homes... its time.

Obsession of the Week: Riding Boots

So just because I said yesterday my priorities were shifting does not mean I will not always be shopping in my head. I may struggle with what I currently have, but I never seem to have a problem knowing what I want. This week it is cognac riding boots.

Call me crazy, but one day I just woke up and said holy crap, I need me some riding boots. But not any riding boots, cognac ones. Do you know what? These things are a bitch to find right now. Although that may just be a by-product of my stringent requirements though. Ahem, knee-high, real leather, very slight heel, not $200. If you see them out there, be a dear and let me know.

Work in Process

So here is the thing. I've been kind of really blah  uninspired overwhlemed. I've been trying to figure out how to tell you all, and only a little bit procrastinating in hopes that this would all magically dissolve into an amazing, inspired blog post. It hasn't yet though and I've been quiet for too long. Just to be clear, I'm not shutting this thing down, not even for a second. This is more like a fair warning that my priorties have been shifting a little and that may come through a little more on this blog then in the past.

I'm going through a phase where I am trying to put things in perspective.

You all know I paid off my credit card not too long ago, but the truth is I still have a long way to go. In less than a year I will be required to start chipping away at student loan that is into six figures. I've been racking my brain lately trying to nail down a plan to tackle it. Not to mention the whole wedding thing. I don't want this to come across all "Woe is me" because that's not me at all. I don't want you to feel bad for me. I mean afterall I did this to myself and now it's my responsibility to fix it. (Although if I were a bank, I'm sure the government would just bail me out... but I digress).

Anyway, the last couple weeks I've been focusing on myself. I want to make myself a better person. I want to change my habits that I don't particularly like (laziness) but most of all I'm trying to figure out what I want to accomplish in my life. Maybe that last part sounds a little ridiculous but I've always been a flakey person. I've never really known what I wanted to do, I have just always expeceted opportunity to come to me. Over the last couple months I've become an avid reader of Jess's blog and have become kind of dedicated to "building a life with intention". So.. that's kinda where I'm at.

What does that have to do with all the previously mentioned financial obligations? I'm not really sure. But that is afterall what I'm trying to figure out. I promise this blog will still be about fashion and finance, but I can't promise that will be it.

But promise you'll stick with me, k?

ps. happy 54 monthiversary SFF.

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Are You....

I just wanted to pop in and say hi..."hi!" I'm sorry I've been MIA this week. My days have consisted of waking up at 5, coffee with SSF, work, school, sleep--In that order. I promise I'll be back next week.

But in the meantime, have a good weekend!

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I need a $25,000 raise

I was crunching some numbers the other day (shocker) when I started thinking about a quote I read. I seriously can't remember where I saw it, who said it, or the exact wording, but it was along the lines of: There is a limit to how much you can save (as in cutting expenses) but there is no limit on what you can earn. The ultimate piece in the personal finance puzzle: earning more.

It kind of resonated with me for the first time. SSF and I always worry about money and how we are going to save enough and slashing expenses all over the place when the real question we should be asking ourselves is "how can we earn more?"

I did some quick math taking into account out current expenses (house, cars, food, his student loans, utilities etc) and then added in my future student loan payments. Next I built in a comfortable standard of living for us. Meaning, I added in how much I would want to have for contributing to retirement accounts each month, entertainment, and savings. With all that factored in I came to the conclusion that SSF and I need a $25,000 raise. While maybe the whole math part sounded fun to some of you(SSF), the real fun begins now. As in trying to figure out where an additional 25 large is going to come from. I thought of a few possibilities (the lottery, gambling, letting someone harvest my eggs) but something tells me those aren't viable streams of income. At the same time I don't really have any special skills (I can't paint, sew, or make music of any kind-I'm lucky enough that so many of you actually read this blog, have I mentioned-thank you?). That leaves me with either getting a promotion and raise, like now, or possibly taking on a part-time job.

What about guys? What do you do for extra income?


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These are not my best pictures

shirt & sweater: Gap
pants: J.Crew
boots: Aldo
jacket: Express

I will be the first to admit that these are not my best pictures but to be fair there were extenuating circumstances. You see, SSF and I were running out the door on our way up to Philly for the day, it was windy, and SSF didn't want to mess up his perfectly coiffed hair. As a result, most of my pictures involved goofy faces, bad light, or some whacky combination of the two. I'm sorry, you'll live though right? Thought so. 

Can I tell you I am feaking excited. The temperatures are going to be creeping up here in the Maryland over the course of the week (like possible 60's on Friday). Yesss! In an act of premature celebration I brought out my cropped twill pants from J.Crew. Probably not my best choice for Saturday, the wind went right through them. brr. By the way, I almost forgot today was Valentines Day. Which is a great segway into my next point- SSF and I don't really celebrate it. We have nothing against. It's just kind of eh for us. My best friend Anne and her fiance don't really either. So instead of getting all couply on Saturday the four of us hit up a BYOB place outside of Philly called Fayette Street Grill for some drinking and delicious food. Followed by "America's Cutest Cat" on Animal Planet. Seriously. I can't even make this stuff up.

But what about you? Do you celebrate Valentine's Day? Do you have big plans?

Weekend Wedding Fun Times

I considered a post today about how although my credit cards were paid off I still had a long way to go with my student loan debt, but it's Friday, let's save that depressing stuff for a Monday. Instead, let's talk weddings. Mum's been the word around here when it comes to weddings because I've planned basically nothing. SSF and I are hoping for a September 2012 wedding but we're still in "we'll see" mode. I figured in the meantime it doesn't hurt to look. And by look I mean completely submerse myself in the wonderful world of wedding blogs. I am seriously totally addicted to the "real weddings" section of any wedding inspiration blog.

While skimming through tons of photographs of other people weddings I've been loosely forming ideas about how I envision my own. I know that my budget will be small but there are a few things I refuse to compromise on:

1. the location (the beach)
2. an amazing photographer 
3. my dress

Everything else could go to hell, as long as those three things are intact I will be a happy Mrs. SSF at the end of the day. Ok, maybe that's not entirely true, but its good enough for right now.

Speaking of dresses, here are some of my favorites:

The simpliest by far, but I love the flow. J.Crew (surprised?)


I love the blush color and the many, many layers. Vera Wang


Again with the layers, but also the sweetheart neckline: Ivy & Aster


By far my favorite yet least attainable: Douglas Hannant

I think you see where I am going with these. I'm even considering the plant on my head instead of a veil. Thoughts?

Happy Wedding, Weekend!

Bloggers & Budgets: Tieka, Selective Potential

I'm so excited to bring you the second edition of Bloggers & Budgets. I'm sure most of you know this next blogger. She is basically ubiquitous with the genre of personal style blogging. She is one of the first bloggers I came across when I started my foray into blogging and she has continued to be a source of inspiration. She has a magnetic personality that seeps through everything she writes and of course she is from the great state of Michigan.   This week the lovely Tieka of Selective Potential talks personal finance!



My name is Tieka and I'm the blogger behind Selective Potential. Currently, I'm 24 years old and I live on the shoreline of west Michigan. I work full-time as a graphic designer at a communications company in the city. I've been married for three and a half years to my amazing husband, Brett, and currently we don't have children (yet!) We spend a lot of our time riding scooters, playing in our punk band and catching movies on the weekends. We love to take adventures and small trips around the state and find the corniest things possible to do with our time. We're kids at heart!


The Questions

1. How would you describe your approach to personal finance: hands-on or hands-off?
I am very hands-on with our personal finance situation. Brett lets me take the reigns of our budget and I thrive on it. Plus, I'm just better with money than he is. If it were up to him, we'd own a record shop and eat a $30 pizza every night for dinner! I plan way ahead for our budget. Before each month begins, I have a budget where I plan on all of the bills and additional expenses I can guess we are going to have. I track my checkbook balance in a very detailed spreadsheet - making sure to create formulas so I know how much we've spent on: groceries, dining out, entertainment, clothing, etc. If I see that we're getting close to the end-cap on a budget, I'll try to cut back. On a daily basis, I'm balancing our checkbook and paying bills! I like to be ahead of the game and always know where we stand - financially!



2. How do you balance your finances with style blogging? (Buy everything on sale, remix, budgets?)
When I first started style blogging, it was so easy for me because I had an entire closet of clothing I hadn't yet showed off to the world! After a few months and I had exhausted my closet, I knew I would have to start purchasing more items to keep it fresh on the blog. In the very beginning, I turned to thrift stores for new ideas. Some of my best ideas came from remixing and thinking of a piece of clothing in a different way than what it was meant for. Like turning a larger skirt into a dress with a belt, perusing the old men's section for grandpa cardigans, etc. I also thought of very inexpensive ways to make a bold fashion statement - and that's where I turned to crazy patterned tights or large chunky belts over everything. Now I have a full time career and a budget to shop, but I still look to my old ways of remixing items and hunting for sales. But once in a while, I'll splurge on something I truly love and it feels great!



3. What do you want to accomplish [financially] in the next five years?
Financially, in the next five years, my husband and I would love to own a house. We've been working hard at saving 10% for a down payment and having extra in the bank in case of those pesky "hidden costs". It has been insanely hard for us to save money for some reason. I feel like any extra money we get - we take a trip, or we go on a shopping spree. We don't save any money. So when our cars break down or we need to pay a medical bill, we are so unprepared. I'd love to have a savings account that can bail us out in case of emergencies and I'd love to comfortably pay a mortgage. Those are two huge goals for us!

(editors tip: I've always found paying yourself first is the easiest way to save. Build and amount of savings into your budget by taking it out before you pay all your other bills. Schedule an automatic transfer to savings the same day you get paid. Along the same lines as the automatic deductions for tax, health care, and/or retirement plans- it stings at first to have less, but you eventually stop noticing and have way more in savings)

4. Do you have any financial regrets? (something you wish you had done sooner, hadn't done at all?)
When I was in college, I racked up some major credit card debt. I went to a very expensive private art college and it was all paid for in financial aid and student loans - but it left me with no extra money for food, fuel, utilities, etc. It paid for classes and rent - and that was it. I had a small part-time job at a coffee shop, but that didn't go very far either, so anything extra I needed or wanted - I used my credit cards. I got engaged my freshman year in college and so Brett and I put so much of our wedding expenses on credit cards (so dumb!) so by the time we were married, we had over $7,500+ in credit card debt! I was so lost and felt totally overwhelmed that I had to sign up for a "debt relief" payment plan! They reduced all of our interest rates and closed all of our credit cards - and within 3 years - we paid it all off. I totally learned my lesson there and would never do anything like that again. We have two credit cards now - with very low limits- and I keep it that way. Even if we get the offer to increase our credit limit, I always turn it down.


5. Share with us your best/favorite tip for saving/spending/paying off debt.
Well, I can't help you with saving money. I'm still a mess in that department. But I'm great at budgeting spending costs - even though I never budget in savings. Ha! Shame on me! But, all of our bills are paid on time, every month, we always have money for groceries, entertainment, fuel and anything else we'll need that month. I would just recommend creating a budget each month. Guesstimate what you think you'll have to spend - on bills, utilities, groceries, everything. Even if you can't stick to it exactly, it will help you realize what you are spending each month and you'll be able to cut down on things you don't exactly need.

Woooooooooo!

That is all.

"No Spending Challenges are for Wussies"-- A Rebuttal

Last week Debt Ninja wrote this post calling out anyone who particpiated in no-spend challenges "wussies". Yeah, that's right, he called me a wussie. If you are participating in the 30x30 challenge he called you a wussie, and Alyson since you gave up shopping for an entire year you must be a mega-wussie.

To quote the man himself he said "Personally, I think these no spend challenges are for wussies. Or at least for people who need a false sense of self-control."

My first reaction was to get "all no he didn't" in the comment section but it was getting close to when I had to leave for work and my hair wasn't straightened yet so I just walked away. It really got me thinking though. I think it's interesting that debt ninja, a natural saver, would criticize an activity that promotes saving and in some cases punching debt in the face.The words that come to mind are "easy for you to say"

I'm going to assume that a majority of the people that commit to these challenges are other spenders like myself. Whether its compulsive, impulsive, or emotionally fuelled it doesn't matter, we (spenders) are hard-wired to spend. Even after I had committed myself to becoming credit-card debt free I continued to shop and accrue debt because I never made an attempt to change my shopping habits. I went to the mall as "something to do" which only fueled my addiction. It sounds like a no-brainer to just avoid the allure but shopping was such a part of my life, like breathing, that it was hard to just stop. That's where no spending challenges entered my life. I can only speak for myself but giving up shopping not only gave me a sense of control but also changed the way I saw the activity. Shopping became less of a routine and more of an special activity. The act of shopping became engaging and thoughtful instead of mindless. Most importantly, no spending, helped me appreciate a swelling bank account and understand myself better.By separating myself from the activity of shopping I figured out what fuelled it. No-spending challenges didn't give me a "false sense of control" they gave me the psychological edge I needed to get my finances under control, once and for all.

With that said, no spend challenges are not for wussies but for people looking to make a change in their life. No-spend challenges take away what once was routine, whether it be a trip to the mall, starbucks, or dinner out. That is no easy feat and therefore not for wussies.
So what do you think, are no-spending challenges legit? Or are they the monetary equivalent of a fad diet?

Scouting Report

I was feeling sweatpants and a hoody more than outfit pictures this weekend. I think that makes me a poor style blogger but I don't regret it. Sometimes you just need a weekend off. Right? It kind of goes without saying, but no outfit pictures today. [sad face]. What I do have for you is well, my shopping list[Yaay!]. As I've been creeping closer to [credit card] debt freedom I've been thinking about items I want to add to my closet. I have some holes to fill and will have a little cap space to do it so I've been scouting items online and think I have found some good prospects.

First up: Dresses
Dresses and skirts are a big opportunity for my closet. I'm a self-stated pants person but still believe there is room in my closest for a few casual dresses. I'm in love with this green number from Urban Outfitters ($70)



The ties waist and inset necklines make this dress for me. It would be so versatile. I've already styled it at least 5 ways in my mind.

My second choice would be this one from Madewell. ($115)


I love the print and neutral colors, plus the fact that it is sleeveless makes it perfect for late spring to summer.

Also on my radar: Shoes

My shoes closet has been pared down to bare bones but in order to make this an all-star closet I need to bite the bullet and pull in some aces.

First and foremost, another draft from Urban Outfitters, the suede pump.


I've seen them on other bloggers in many colors. I'm convinced they are the perfect shoe.

My backup would be these desert boots from Aldo (via Zappos) $68

No Such Thing as too Much

While these items I don't necessarily need, I would love to have in the system in case I need to call them up on short notice.

 This button-down from J.Crew ($78) is a great alternative to an everyday shirt.


It's super casual and the asymetrical ruffles add visual interest.

Finally, I love this weekender from Need Supply Co.($72). It just is the icing on the cake to my decidedly neutral palette.

So that's it, this is what I spent my weekend doing. This and well eating Superbowl treats. How was your weekend? What about Spring? Have you given any thought to your spring additions? Are you still scouting or have you already gone out and signed some big names?

Outfit Post!

Now that I lured you here under the false pretense of outfit photos, In the last few weeks  I've been tagged by Samantha, Lindsey, and Melrose (thank you ladies!)to share 7 random facts about myself. I usually hesitate when it comes to doing these kinds of posts, but what the hell. Let's just get weird.

1. I have two stuffed dogs that reside in my guest room, their names are "A Tarantula" and "Assassin Spider".

2. I don't use any condiments on my cheeseburgers. Just cheese, meat, and a bun please.

3. Speaking of food, I try to avoid Twizzlers because when I buy them, I eat the whole bag-- and I'm not talking those small bags at the front of Rite-Aid, I mean the family size ones that you find in the candy aisle, or Costco.

4. My undergrad degree is in Political Science, and I am about 2 classes short of a second BA in Marketing.

5. SSF recently pointed out to me that I sing the words to every song, whether I like the song or not, and on the rare occasions I don't know the words I hum.

6. When I was in high school what passed as fashion for me was a "wife beater" (or for the politically correct, a-shirt), black or khaki pants, and adidas slides alternately referred to as "flops". I was meat-head jock, I didn't know any better back then.
7. When I was in college my best friend/roommate and I would have full-on photo sessions after nights at the bar. One of my favorites was the night I found a giant stick on the walk home and modeled with it.


Moustache, before it was mainstream


Bass Guitar


And of course, Samarouri Sword (we were obsessed with Kill Bill)



That's it, now you know and it's up to you to decide if you want to continue reading my blog. (I hope you do) Instead of tagging a bunch of bloggers how about all of you get weird right here in the comments. I want to hear 7 random things about you guys. Like now.

Excuse me one moment while I covet...

Nautical Sweater Jacket, Lands' End Canvas
Buy Here

This is going to be quick--I'm a sucker for stripes and structure. Therefore, I need this in my life.
Welcome, first item on my spring wishlist.

That is all.

xoxo,
Gossip Girl

When Life Happens...

No no no, i'm just kidding, don't do that.

Since this blog is about full disclosure, I thought I should give you guys the scoop on the fact that I bought a laptop this weekend. I'm honestly suprised I didn't get a "WTF Grace, why are you buying laptops" comment yesterday. What's the deal? You guys are supposed to be keeping me honest. Sheesh.

Ok so the laptop, it is kind of one of those unexpected expenses, I've been half-expecting for awhile now. My computer has been acting up since Novemeber. It was kind of only a matter of time. The funny thing is SSF has a desktop and I have a laptop for work, but for some reason replacing my personal laptop was non-negotiable. I may have been able to put it off a little bit, but truth be told, you would never see me if I didn't have my own computer to blog from. Do you have any items that are "non-negotiable"? (I mean besides clothes.)

I ended up spending about $600 after tax, but got a mega sweet deal on the shelf model of this Toshiba. I am fortunate enough to be getting a hefty tax refund (thank you lifetime learning credit) that will cover the cost in full. I'm bummed that I won't be able to put that $600 in the wedding fund but it's something I'll just have to suck up and deal with. But the real question is what would I have done if my tax refund wasn't right around the corner? I mean, I don't exactly have an emergency fund to work from right now. Maybe next time it's my car, or some other unexpected "probably should have saved for this ahead of time for" expense. Maybe I should have thought of this before, but it looks like above all else (wedding, home improvements, etc) I need to put away a some money for my "just-in-case" fund. Or next time I will be having the above reaction.

Learn something new everyday.

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