October Budget

Another month of using shopping as the replacement for everything else in life has resulted in this mess, and I'm going to be honest, I didn't include everything. T.J.Maxx OCD online order placing aside, I did find some unique and gorgeous secondhand pieces at Coco's on the Green, and the prettiest little vintage tapestry bag at Vintanthromodern that I may have spent a tiny bit more on than I should have, but certainly couldn't let anyone else buy them!


The biggest time, energy, and financial drain of the month was that damn leopard dress from L.K. Bennett. It's my fault for following bloggers in the UK, then breaking my rules of not making purchases where I'd have to pay shipping, returning, and restocking fees. Despite how globally connected we are, and the fact that I can get a dress at my doorstep from the UK in three days, size charts and customer reviews are still utterly useless. Based on the size chart I should have been a perfect UK 12, so I took the chance and placed the order with it's $15 shipping fee. Naturally it arrived and was too big; I should have ordered the UK 10, which I would have, had I not scrutinized the size chart. Another $15 to send it back, as well as a $7 restocking fee, and then of course $15 more to ship the new dress... which arrived damaged. To be more accurate, soaking wet. Bizarrely, in it's plastic bag, drenched. It wasn't raining that day and it's hard to imagine what happened, but after a couple weeks and half a dozen emails with customer service, I got a full refund for the damaged dress and my return shipping fees reimbursed. Silver lining, when I placed the order for the replacement dress it was $16 less, so it was almost like getting my original shipping refunded. Now I just need to wear it before it gets too cold.




L.K. Bennett Leopard Dress $148
Gorjana Earrings, $8 via TJMaxx
Vince Brown Velvet Bomber Jacket, $40 via Coco's on the Green
Gorjana Quinn Circle Necklace, $13 via TJMaxx
Gorjana Tanner Bar Necklace, $13 via TJMaxx
Shutz Boots, $60 via The Outnet
Marti x Dani Stahl for Calypso Printed Leather Jacket, $52 via Coco's on the Green
Vintage Floral Tapestry Bag, $42 via Vintanthromodern
Tahari Blush Boucle Coat, $70 via TJMaxx
Numph Striped Sweater, $20 via Coco's on the Green
H&M Brown Fedora, $24
Joie Deer Print Silk Blouse, $30 via ThredUP
Joie Lace Blouse, $12 via Coco's on the Green
Ann Taylor Wide Leg Faux Suede Pants, $50
Lulu's Tan Croc Mules, $15
Banana Republic Sweater Tank, $30
Nine West Calf Hair Leopard Mules, $30 via TJMaxx
14k Gold Ring, $49 via TJMaxx
Golden Cleff 14k Infinity Curb Chain Ring, $59 via TJMaxx
Banana Republic Cream Cropped Denim Jacket, $40 
H&M Wide Leg Pants, $12
Gorjana Maya Bracelet, $13 via TJMaxx
Banana Republic Floral Wrap Bodysuit, $20
Gap Factory Black Icon Denim Jacket, $32
Banana Republic Factory Printed Pleated Skirt, $22
Nine West Jewel Strap Patent Pumps, $40 via TJMaxx

6 comments

  1. Well at least it's a pretty dress and kind of worked out in the end after all the craziness! I think my favorite things are the velvet jacket, deer blouse and Calypso leather jacket!
    https://www.closet-fashionista.com/

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  2. How frustrating with the dress! I'm glad you got what you wanted in the end, and that it was a bit cheaper! Shows your persistence paid off! :) You got a lot of cute things this month! I wasn't planning to buy anything but then I was in store and saw a dress and had to have it...and ended up getting replacement shoes to try support my knee a bit better as my old running shoes were falling apart!

    Hope that you have a great weekend ahead :)

    Away From Blue

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  3. I am absolutely mystified as to how a dress in a plastic bag could arrive soaking wet. Yes, that is what I took away from this post, and I am just dying to know how that magic occurred. (The whole of the story sounds beyond frustrating and that was probably just about enough to push you over the edge in the moment, but to an outsider with a curious mind, it just raises so many questions.) Although I can appreciate why you're feeling you went overboard shopping in October, you did some truly beautiful pieces to your collection. The fluffy handbag in particular caught my eye when I saw it in your stories - it's so unique and beautiful!
    xox,
    Cee

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  4. I'm really glad you were able to get your refund for that dress back. Ordering from overseas can be very hard! I hope you get to wear it because it is truly gorgeous!

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  5. Hi Lyddie. . sorry to hear about your online order. I have not had much luck with online shopping so I stay away. I used to read your blog often and somehow it got lost. I'm back and taking a browse. Happy November!

    Neti.

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  6. The return sounds like it was a hassle, but the leopard print dress is really pretty!

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