Tell me a bit about yourself
I’m a 30-something year old mother of one voracious toddler (Baby Bun) and my partner is not into fashion AT ALL.
Can’t speak for Baby Bun yet, he’s only 2.
This means I have started becoming more interested in practical style that is not typical “Mommy” wear that plagues tired, stressed out mothers everywhere (read: sweatpants and a stained t-shirt with a look of despair).
It’s a slippery slope down, folks.
Anyway, aside from talking about money and minimalism, I love shopping.
I’m definitely a shopaholic who has been reformed and now am aiming to do something called #LuxeMinimalism where I thoughtfully consider each and every piece of clothing that comes into my home, look for the psychological roots of why I want it and why I bought it.
What’s your money motto and where did you learn about budgeting?
I have plenty of money mottos but my favourite is also my tagline:
save and spend your money where it matters
I learned about budgeting when I got into $60,000 of student debt & had to learn how to dig myself out of it.
Fast.
I cleared that in 18 months. You can read a bit about my money history here and my journey out of debt here.
Do you create a clothing/wardrobe budget and how did you come about the method?
Frankly, I have never given myself a clothing or wardrobe budget in the past.
This is what I’ve spent since 2009 with 2013, 2013 and last year (2015) having been particularly crazy!
On a chart it looks a little more gloomy. How did I do only $4000 in 2014!?
Ah well.
So anyway, no budget thus far but 2016 will be a different year. A #LuxeMinimalism year.
No specific dollar budget, but a challenge to really restrict what enters my wardrobe.
What do you like to shop for and why?
What don’t I like to shop for?!
I would say in order:
- Coats — I love love LOVE me a good coat. Doesn’t matter the season.
- Sweaters — See #1. Cosy, cuddly, what’s not to love?
- Dresses — They’re so easy and fun to wear; like a one-stop outfit.
- Collared shirts — I am always on the hunt for a great collared shirt
- Jewellery — A good necklace, a statement ring…! Less on earrings & bracelets.
Is there anything you hate shopping for? Why?
Footwear.
Ballet flats and heels in particular…I always get disappointed.
It’s very hard to find a great ballet flat at a reasonable price point, I am still searching and as for heels, the only brand I like is Manolo Blahnik but at $1000 – $3000 a pop, it is not something I can buy often, if at all.
I’m always scouring consignment shops for the perfect MB heel.
What is the all-time best and worst item(s) you’ve purchased and what have you learned from its purchases?
Best Item: Pair of perfect, comfortable thrifted Manolo Blahnik heels for $60
I got them repaired over the 5 years I have been wearing them for $300 (5 times what I paid for them originally), and I will repair them until they can go no more. They’re my go-to pair of heels at work.
Worst Item: DKNY Wool Poncho Cape for $300
I knew it was a mistake because I hate things that constrict at the neck, but I was enamoured by it being $300, DKNY and a wonderful wool cape.
A photo posted by Sherry @ Save. Spend. Splurge. (@saverspender) on
Do you ever go off track from your budget? If so, how do you recover from it and fix the situation (if at all)?
Hard to go off track your budget when you don’t set any limits onto yourselves.
I think to recover from it, I need to learn how to cut in other areas to deprive myself of something else I wanted (yoga?) and to try better the next time.
Your 1-3 favourite outfits and how much each item cost in each photo
OUTFIT ONE = $1359
{ ONE & SHOES : Banana Republic Striped Cobalt Tunic ($35) | Club Monaco Bernadine Skirt ($281) | Cuyana Navy Wrap Coat ($900) | Banana Republic Ballet Flats ($43) | Fossil Watch ($100) }
It’s simple, classic, feminine but still masculine with the striped collared shirt.
The coat is what killed the price but that’s why I put a lot of money into coats — so that they always look good over any outfit!
It makes me feel like I’m in the 50s in the South of France.
OUTFIT TWO = $830
{ TWO : J. Crew V-Neck Cashmere Sweater [Thrifted] ($35) | AG Stilt Jeans ($220) | Hermes Leather Wrap Buckled Boots [Thrifted] ($575) }
The boots are what put this outfit over the top for me. Hermes makes the most amazing leather boots but in the $2000 range, they’re not uncomfortably out of my price range but I don’t feel any urge to buy them at retail.
I scored them secondhand and could not be happier.
Designer thrift shopping is one of my favourite things to do and I love scoring classic pieces at a more reasonable / affordable price tag. Otherwise, I would feel rather sick paying retail, even during a sale.
OUTFIT THREE =$423
{ THREE : Liz Lange Maternity for Target Maxi Dress ($15) | Herve Leger Cashmere Ivory Wrap [Thrifted] $300 | Anthropologie Tribal Obi Belt ($65) | Banana Republic Ballet Flats ($43) }
My BR flats (and flats in general) have been my staple in many outfits, so it’s $43 well spent. I am also thrilled I scored this gorgeous, elegant maxi for only $15 at a Target fire sale (it doesn’t look like a maternity dress does it?!).
Lastly, making it a chic, comfortable outfit with a cosy designer wrap (thrifted, naturally) and belted for some visual interest is my core style.
It took me a while (and a lot of wasted money) to realize that I enjoy prints and patterns but only bold, statement ones that are not too Rainbow Brite. I like graphic, obscure things like paint splatters, and geometric patterns.
I don’t like wearing only neutrals but I do like classic pieces and then spicing it up with some interesting accessories.
Your 5 favourite places to shop (offline and online)
- Éspace Pépin (Montréal)
- Haute Classics (Toronto)
- Vestiare Collective (Online)
- Mine & Yours (Vancouver)
- Boutique Sharyn Scott (Montréal)
What is the one best piece of advice you can give to someone starting out in budgeting?
Avoid temptation & shop with a curated pre-defined list.
My main trigger is that I am tempted. I browse online, I browse in-store, I graze on what I see out there “just to see” (FOMO comes in play here), and I end up getting tempted because I SAW THE ITEM and now I cannot think of anything else but owning it.
So… my best advice?
Avoid temptation.
Unsubscribe from all emails.
Stop browsing mindlessly and make a list of things you want & use your hunting skills in shops and online to find THAT PIECE so you can cross off your list.
About “Style Bloggers <3 Budgeting”:
I love shopping. I love budgeting.
I love the idea of the two marrying.
Thus, Style Bloggers <3 Budgeting was born.
I want to bring to you different viewpoints of people who love fashion & style (like myself) but also want to make it work on a budget.
We all have different budgets, shopping personalities, styles and ways of looking at things, and it is fascinating to peer into the mind of others and to maybe grab some inspiration & sneak a peek into their wardrobe.
Are you a style blogger who would like to participate?
Contact me here or leave a comment.
The only pre-requisite is you must be a style blogger of some sort, whether you post outfits on Instagram only (like me) or do it on your blog itself.
The Asian Pear
This is such a fun series! I can’t wait to see who participates. 😀