Festive Outfits: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and 2016 Budget

Although there is a fairly large pile of outfit photos waiting to be posted I figured I'd best share my festive outfits before 2017 arrives. Also wanted to share the spending total for 2016 as my last post for the year too.

My 5 year blogaversary is this weekend, so come back Monday for a special post to celebrate. You can enter my Charlotte Tilbury giveaway on youtube in the meantime.

What I wore:

Dress: festive glitter Santa tee

Shorts: Jeanswest Trinity Bermuda denim shorts (currently on sale, 40% off!)
Shoes: black slim Havaianas thongs
Bag: Mulberry Lily in maroon metallic suede leopard (get it in pink!)

Why I wore it:

The traditional Christmas tee for our family Christmas eve celebrations. I've worn this tee every year since we started the novelty Christmas tee tradition. Even while pregnant!

I have been playing along with two December style challenges on instagram so brought out this pretty but rarely used Mulberry Lily bag to meet the December Wear What Where challenge. It was last worn 3 years ago! I wear it so sparingly as it's so delicate being metallic suede, and it's so special to me. The glitter in the tee was perfect for the DAREcember challenge too.

A nice casual and comfortable outfit for a day down the coast listening to Christmas music, doing Christmas craft and of course making Christmas cookies! One of which toddler T left out for Santa that night.


Last worn: Santa tee, Bermuda denim shorts, Havaianas, Mulberry leopard print Lily bag. 

Other ways to wear: Christmas tee trio, Bermuda denim shorts and khaki tank, Mulberry leopard print Lily bag and maxi dress. 

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What I wore:

Dress: Kmart Tropicana sleeveless tiered maxi dress (new purchase)

Shoes: slim gold Havaianas
Bracelets: the usual plus gifted Tous pink and cream bracelet
Bag: Chanel vintage quilted lambskin flap (same in pink, and beige)

Why I wore it:

This was my outfit for Christmas day. After present opening and lunch and naps for the boys we headed over to the in-laws for the afternoon and dinner.

I got this dress after seeing it on two people on Instagram in quick succession. My sister called as I was scrolling through and she had just left Kmart, so I asked her to go back and get it, ha! I wasn't sure how practical it would be for breastfeeding in, but the adjustable straps kept coming undone and sliding off my shoulders unprompted anyway! I spent more time pulling it up than pulling it down for feeding. I'm hoping it behaves a little more and the straps stay in place next time I wear it, as it really is such a pretty dress.

Last worn: Havaianas, vintage Chanel bag. First time I've worn the dress as it's a new purchase.

Other ways to wear: vintage Chanel bag at 39 weeks pregnant.

2016 Budget

As this is my final post for the year, an update on my spending budget.

In 2014 I set myself a goal to wear everything I buy at least twice in a month after buying it. I was frustrated by how many items I was discovering in my wardrobe with tags on! Earlier this year I changed the goal to wear things twice in the month I buy them. It meant I spent less near the end of the month as I had to be really sure I was going to wear things twice in quick succession. It was a good tool to slow my spending even more.

There were some exceptions to the wear twice in a month rule. Most recently, a stunning trench coat I picked up for over $100 off in the Cyber Monday sales that is not going to get worn in a Queensland summer!
The items I bought early in December weren't worn as much as they could have been after staying in hospital with baby boy for two weeks. I have bought a lot at the end of December in the boxing day sales that probably won't even arrive until January so anything I keep from those orders will fail that test too. I'm still pleased with how this rule has helped me think more critically about what I've bought over the year though, and will be continuing to use it.

What I bought in December:

• Kmart Tropicana sleeveless tiered maxi dress (worn once, above)
• Jeanswest Monica MAC trench coat in Indigo (not worn)
• Jeanswest Tory textured shirt (worn once)
• Jeanswest Luxe maxi jersey skirt (not worn)
• Jeanswest Peri drape sleeveless jacket (not worn)
• Atmos & Here Amorita jersey assymetric skirt (not worn)
• Atmos&Here Arlette Jersey Wrap Dress (not worn)
• Atmos&Here Avery chambray shirt dress  (not worn)

Some of the above might be returned if it doesn't fit or work as well in my wardrobe as I imagined, but I've included it in the total spend in case I keep it all.

What I Bought in 2016

My monthly spending posts for the year: January, nothing in February or March, April, May, June, No buy July, August, No Spender September, October, November.

Over 2016, I spent $1,824.11. The majority of that was in the first 6 months of the year, but it works out as an average of $152 a month. Doesn't sound a lot, but when you add it up it looks pretty large! For 2017, my goal is to spend less. I'm pleased I spent less in the second half of the year. January (post-Christmas sales!) and June (start of winter) were my biggest spending months in 2016.


Did you track your spending for the year? How did you go?


Linking up with Weekend Wear, Passion for Fashion, Budget Bloggers, Friday Faves, Let It Shine.

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