Friday 1 September 2017

What I Bought After a No Shop Challenge: The End of 7 Months Without Shopping

There's been a lot of interest in what I'd buy after I managed to complete not just the 6 months I'd planned but 7 months without shopping.

I'd had one big splurge planned but other than that I wasn't really sure what I wanted, as I tended to overthink most things I went to buy. I ended up making a few impulse buys. I've actually had quite a lot enter my wardrobe too, mainly from my sister's wardrobe clear out.

What was added to my wardrobe during my no-shop challenge:






What I Bought in August:










As you can see, only one of the things I bought was with one of my end-of-challenge gift cards. I'd asked for gift cards for Christmas and set them aside to spend at the end of my no-shop challenge. I just haven't seen anything I had to have that looked as good as I imagined when I tried it on (with the exception of the impulse buy polka dot tee, which is SO soft). With more spring and summer stock coming into the stores as winter ends I'm sure I'll have spent them before they expire in December. Being in Brisbane, winter clothing isn't a priority for me to buy as I tend to wear my summer pieces year-round, just with a few extra layers.


I still have my 'wear it twice in the month I bought it' rule to ensure that everything I buy and add to my wardrobe will work with what I already own. While there might have been a few impulse buys, I'd mostly been thinking about adding similar pieces for a while, and I've hit two wears on everything this month.

The Kmart dress is the only thing I bought full price. I probably could have waited for a sale, but seeing it while I was on my no-shop challenge and then starting to notice the stock levels falling in my local store made me go snap it up before I missed out quite quickly in August! It was only $15 so I'm not too upset I paid full price - still a bargain! And out of stock in my size now in my local Kmart so a good purchase.


The Starfish Project necklaces were an impulse buy too, I was a few days into August and hadn't bought anything yet when I stumbled across the brand on Instagram. From their website, 'the Starfish Project restores hope to women escaping human trafficking and exploitation in Asia.' They provide shelter for women and their children, counselling and employment and education. For every piece on their website that you can buy, it tells you exactly what that money can do. The yellow Veronica necklace is equal to the cost of 5 days of room and board at the Starfish Project shelter. The turquoise Hannah necklace is is equal to the cost of 1 week of counseling for an exploited woman.

This isn't a sponsored post, I bought the necklaces with my own money - but I wanted to share as with Christmas coming up it's a lovely gift idea - especially as you get a little note with each purchase. A nice way to help someone look and feel good when they unwrap your gift on Christmas day! I may have added a gift for someone special to my order too...

How I Wore It:




thrifted billabong red printed maxi skirt / Jeanswest polka dot tee

Starfish Project turquoise necklace / thrifted mustard yellow cardigan / Kmart little black dress / Jeanswest polka dot tee




What I'm Buying in September:


I'm going to try Beth's #noSpenderSeptember now! With some hand-me-downs coming into my wardrobe during my no-shop challenge, and having bought a few pieces in August, I'm pretty wardrobe content at the moment. I still have a lot of gift cards to spend though so we will see what happens...

Linking up with Weekend Wear, Friday FavesFlashback Fashion, Passion for Fashion, Friday Favourites, Style Nudge, Mummy Monday, Mix It Monday, Hello Monday, Modest Monday.


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Wednesday 30 August 2017

Plain Jersey Maxi Skirts and Striped Tops

The classic rule of 'you can't go wrong with stripes' is one I follow when I'm not sure what to wear. With my plain maxi skirts, a striped top is a great addition. Add in a few colourful layers and you have a comfortable and practical outfit stay at home mum outfit for running around with two toddlers.

What I wore:

denim jacket, stripe tee, drawstring waist maxi skirt blanket scarf | Away From Blue

Rebecca Minkoff MAB mini in soft grey, maxi skirt | AwayFromTheBlue
Jacket: Bubblegum denim jacket
ScarfMarc by Marc Jacobs scarf in Island pine-print
TopAtmos&Here 3/4 sleeve stripe tee in berry white
SkirtJeanswest Luxe jersey maxi skirt
ShoesWalnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats (also available in silver, 15% off both with code 'TREAT')
BagRebecca Minkoff MAB mini in soft grey (on sale, 30% off!)
Nails: OPI Fire Escape Rendezvous

Why I wore it:

I've been playing along a little with #FMSPAD_STYLE style challenge on Instagram, which is taking the FMS picture a day challenges and making them style orientated. I posted this one for the letter 'G' due to the green in the scarf, but I'd actually worn it a few days before. I had a couple of errands to run with the boys and we had a relaxing morning which then translated to me rushing around the stores trying to fit everything in before lunch time, ha! At least I was comfortable with all the running around.

This striped tee is one of my favourites but it hasn't been worn much this winter. It was good to get it out again and it was a nice print to pair with the plain drawstring waist maxi skirt. The scarf was cosy for the cooler morning and I like the colour combo of the scarf with the burgundy stripes. I've worn it them together before.


Last worn: denim jacket, Marc Jacobs scarf, burgundy stripe tee, drawstring maxi skirt, Walnut Melbourne flats, Rebecca Minkoff MAB mini.

Other ways to weardenim jacket and maxi dress, Marc Jacobs scarf and flares, burgundy stripe tee and skinny jeans, drawstring maxi skirt worn two ways, Walnut Melbourne flats and skinny jeans, Rebecca Minkoff MAB mini and colourful printed skirt.

Perfect for pregnancy: denim jacket and second trimester bump, printed scarf in early first trimester, striped tee in third trimester, ballet flats and maternity wrap dress, Rebecca Minkoff MAM and maternity pencil skirts.


Plain Maxi Skirts Under $50:






What I wore:

stripe henely, maxi skirt, mustard yellow cardigan, Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan | Away From Blue

Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan satchel in Harvest Gold | Away From The Blue
Jacket: thrifted SES Fashions mustard yellow cardigan
Necklace: Nibbly Bits Feather pendant in peach (C/O)
TopJeanswest 'Marina' stripe henley
Skirt: Target grey marle maxi skirt
ShoesMarc by Marc Jacobs silver tuxedo flats
BagRebecca Minkoff micro Regan satchel in Harvest Gold

Why I wore it:

It was a quieter morning when I wore this. Again sticking with the plain maxi skirt and striped top combo, this time with my mustard yellow cardigan. If you follow me on Instagram you'll have seen this cardi pop up a lot recently!

I've always admired mustard yellow cardigans on others and wanted to add one to my wardrobe, but never found the right one. Until a few months into my #6MonthsWithoutShopping challenge, when I saw the perfect cardigan at an opshop, for $2. I really wanted it but had to walk away to stick to my challenge. Every time I passed I'd see it and wish I could get it. Until one day, it was gone as someone else bought it. 😢

While taking some bags of clothes from mine and my sister's wardrobe to the opshop the other week I had a little browse on the racks and spotted this! Not the same style as the other cardigan I'd seen, and not in as good condition, but it does have pockets and it was also $2 so I'm happy! I like the colour it added to the otherwise neutral outfit. Although the Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan isn't an exact match to the mustard shade, I think they look nice together.


Last worn: striped henley, grey maxi skirt, metallic silver ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan bag.

Other ways to wearstriped henley and denim shorts, grey maxi skirt and black tee, metallic silver ballet flats and skinny jeans, Rebecca Minkoff micro Regan bag and floral dress.

Perfect for pregnancy: striped henley in third trimester, maxi skirt and graphic tee in third trimester




Long Sleeve Striped Tees Under $50:









How You Can Wear It:


You really can wear stripes with anything! A plain, block colour maxi skirt is a nice base for a printed top. If you want to add more you could try mixing stripes with another pattern with a scarf, or add a colourful layer with a cardigan and let the stripes be the only print in your outfit.




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