May Shopping Recap + Giveaway!

May was a bit of a spendy month for me.  I was fresh off my spending freeze and trying to figure out how much to budget for myself.  In the meantime, I shopped and ate and drank like I wasn't on a budget at all - partly because I wasn't, and partly because I knew I soon would be.  It probably wasn't the best course of action, but I got a lot of great things that I have been needing (and of course, some that I didn't!).

1 - Kate Spade "One in a Million" Necklace - M.  I used a Nordstrom note for this purchase - they are normally around $50.  I got it in silver and love it!

2 - Daniel Rainn - I snatched up three new tops.  I love how they are flowy with fun prints.  These were a Nordstrom Rack find, so about $20 each.  I will be buying more - I love how I can wear them to work with a jacket or sweater, or wear them on their own on weekends.

3 - Baby Lips.  I have a bit of an obsession with these.  I love how they make your lips so soft (the name doesn't lie!) but also give you a bit of color.  I might have at least six different shades.  They are cheap though - seriously just go pick up one to try!

4 - Kate Spade Watch.  This was my Mother's Day gift, so I'm not sure I should count it in my shopping recap, but it's definitely a favorite so I had to include it!

5 - Burt's Bees Brightening Even Skin Tone Moisturizing Cream.  This gem cost about $20, at Target, and I will probably never try another moisturizer.  Smells amazing, goes on smoothly and doesn't leave my face feeling greasy.  I've noticed a bit of a change in my skin tone and I feel like I look more "awake".  A new, and probably forever, favorite.

6 - Jack Rogers Sandals.  These were another Nordstrom Rack find - and a steal at that.  I spend just $26 on these beauties, and got them in that exact color.

7 - (I am bolding this because it is that important).  I finally have found my forever-fitting, love-them, loyal-customer brand of jeans.  Did you catch the Blogger Love post where I shared Sarah's post about medium sized girls not being able to find the perfect pants?  Well friends, here are mine.  Democracy brand.  They are all "curvy" and fit like a dream.  I tried one pair on and immediately bought all of the other styles they had.  Another Nordstrom Rack find.

8 - Kate Spade purse.  It was May 1, I could officially shop again, and there was a sale.  Enough said.  It's also the perfect summer color!

Of my shopping picks, there are a few obvious things to note - I should not be allowed in Nordstrom Rack without supervision.  I also should block myself from Kate Spade emails.  What do you think of my finds?  I like to keep it honest here, so don't expect much for my June spending - I'm a girl on a budget these days!

In case you have your eye on anything fun for June, I've teamed up with some lovely ladies to bring one of you $240 CASH.  Enter on!

Your June Blogiversary Host Ladies: Emelia, Kerri & Melissa

The Party People & Awesome Co-Hosts: 

Niki, Becca, Anne, Kati 

The Gals- B&M, Rebekah, Lisa, Julia, Hope

Lindsay, Kate, Linda, Alex, Rachael

Meagan, Kristin, Erica, Kelly, Rebecca 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Budgeting Is.... Awesome?

Yes, friends, yes it is.  I haven't always felt this way - I thought it was too restrictive and wouldn't allow for those spontaneous shopping trips or weekend getaways.

For the month of April, I put myself on a spending freeze.  Overall, I surprised myself.  Not buying anything for myself all month worked, for the most part.  But at the end of the month I was left confused - how could I make myself a budget, and stick with it?

For the month of May, I tracked everything I spent on myself and the girls.  Clothes, makeup, food, drinks, basically anything that was just for me, or clothes/accessories/toys just for the girls.  Again, I was shocked.  But not in a "I-did-so-awesome!" kind of way.  More of a "omg-I-spent-WHAT" kind of way.  I did get some great things, which will be shared with you in the near future.  But my new things are a little over shadowed by the number that is glaring in my mind!

So, for June, I've come up with a plan.  I decided to go with a cash only system, and have given myself a certain amount to spend each month.  Some for me, some for the girls.  I will occasionally use credit cards - when it's double points day, or I have a coupon that can only be used with the card.  When that happens, I will take cash from my wallet and set it aside to pay our nanny each week.  I am so dedicated to this, that today over my lunch break I marched over to the bank and took out my monthly spending amount.  Systems work, friends!

In honor of my new-found commitment to budgets, I thought linking up with Anne for the Awesome List was a great idea!

Budgets Are Awesome!

|| It will help me determine what I want, vs. what I need.  (A lesson I need to learn!)

|| Anything that I don't spend will be rolled over to the next month.  Maybe one month in the future I will have enough to make a large splurge!

|| I will be saving money for our upcoming move = new furniture, decor, and paint!

|| I can start to teach E and A about budgeting.  If there is a certain toy they want, they will need to choose wisely.

|| Someone has to offset my husbands spending.  Golf is not my friend!

|| Towards the end of the month, I have a feeling I will be forced to eat at home more often.  Saving money and saving calories.

Have you put yourself on a strict budget?  How does it work for you?  I welcome any and all tips!

Also, if you are on a budget but still want to sponsor someone - I am having a 30% off sale with code RIGHTSTUFF (yes, that is a nkotb reference).  Limited uses!

The Freeze Is Lifted

Let's take a moment to look back at April 1st, where I voluntarily put myself on a spending freeze.  Today is April 30th, which means my month of no spending is officially over.  And let me tell you friends, it was a very long month.  Let's recap, shall we?

If you remember, I gave myself a few guidelines exceptions to "no spending":

|| House Spending:  I'm happy to report that I didn't buy anything for the house all month!

|| Clothes, Shoes, Makeup, Etc:  I surprised myself here.  I didn't buy anything I didn't need.  Let me explain - last weekend, we went to DC for a wedding.  On the Wednesday before, I realized that all of my fancier dresses were in storage.  So I needed a dress!  I found a cute one, 75% off, and I had a giftcard.  In the end I only spent $35 on it.  I'd call that a win!  (You can see the dress here)

|| Clothing for the girls: I had allowed myself to buy A shoes, and both girls capri leggings.  I didn't buy either!

|| I gave myself the out of using giftcards I had from Christmas.  Besides the above dress, I used part of one for a sandwich. 

|| Food, including lunches out:  I'll be honest here, I slipped on this a few times.  What can I say?  #ilovefood

Overall, I think I did pretty good.  I'm proud of myself for not running to the mall when stressed, or killing time at work by shopping online here and there.  And the fact that I didn't buy the girls anything all month really needs to be documented.  That hasn't happened since I was pregnant with E!

Moving forward, I've decided to give myself a budget each month.  I'm ashamed to admit that I've never done that before.  I looked at budgets today, discussed with Lindsay what was "normal", and still have no idea how much to budget for myself.

This will be for purely spending - lunches, going out, clothes, shoes, makeup, subscription boxes, etc.  Basically, anything that only benefits me.  So, world wide web, help me out - if you don't mind sharing, how much do you budget for this each month?