September Budget

August typically feels like a pretty long month, and in contrast September always feels like it's gone in an instant. I think it partly has to do with how drastically the days become shorter - sunset at 6:30 p.m. - ugh!

I was trying not to do too much shopping this month, and was really, really good up until this past week when I went a little crazy at Banana Republic. But I had credit card rewards, so I rationalized it was mostly guilt free shopping. Though the floral shirtdress hasn't arrived yet, so it may or may not be sticking around. I included it because of symmetry, haha.

The items from Loft I haven't received yet either, but they are going to be part of a sponsored post.

Hope you have a lovely weekend and your October gets off to a good start!

Banana Republic Factory Lace Sheath Dress, free after gift card
Banana Republic Modern Rings Necklace, free after rewards

Banana Republic Floral Shirtdress $13 after rewards

The Dressing Room Boutique Gold Bon Bon Earrings, $23

Loft Skyline Dress, gifted

Pearls and Plaid Grey Tassel Earrings, gift from Meg

Banana Republic Scalloped Shirtdress, $28 after rewards
Loft Gold Ball Hoop Earrings, gifted
Eight Sixty Floral Camisole, $8 via Poshmark

Never let 'Dry Clean Only' keep you from the clothes you love

This post is written in partnership with Dryel, I was selected to be a brand ambassador for them, but as always, all my views and opinions are my own.

When I shop, it's often love at first sight. A great print, material that feels so soft I don't want to let it go, or those special details, lace, fringe, embroidery... But once I've tried it on, the very next thing I do is check the tag for care instructions, and I can't tell you the number of times I've allowed the dreaded "Dry Clean Only" to make me rethink a purchase.

Since I've had the opportunity to have Dryel as a mainstay in my laundry room this year, not only have I been able to save money skipping trips to the dry cleaner with the pieces I already have, but I've also allowed myself to add new items to my closet I might have otherwise put back on the rack.

As you know, I love thrift shopping, and when I bring home pieces from Goodwill, their very first stop is the washing machine. Of course sometimes my thrift bargains come attached with pricy dry clean only tags too, but now Dryel saves me from turning my thrift steal into a thrift splurge! For the price of what I'd spend sending one shirt to the dry cleaners, I can clean up to 20 pieces with Dryel - talk about savings!

       

The Rundown
Bow Blouse Alfani via Goodwill similar
Lace Pencil Skirt Banana Republic similar
Toe Cap Heels Me Too via TJMaxx similar
Suede Accordion Bag Banana Republic similar
Filmore Earrings Rudiment via Rocksbox
Modern Rings Pendant Necklace Banana Republic
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "Twill Seeker" Essie

Stylin' in St. Louis's Spotlight Linkup

and

Elegance & Mommyhood's Thursday Moda

Ruched Dress

"As I work through a problem, I move closer to my goals."

I love the soft, comfortable style of the ruched jersey dress. It's something which can easily be dressed up or down, and with our little heat wave coming to an end this weekend, I think this dress would be really cute with sneakers and a denim jacket.

I found this dress on Swap.com over the summer and paid next to nothing for it - there is an identical one on the site right now and it's less than $10! Over the weekend I went through my closet purgatory bin and packed up the entirety of its contents to send to Swap.com - while the consignment payouts of my last box didn't average more than $4 a piece, any money is better than none and I can work on freeing up more closet space.

      

The Rundown

Dress Express via Swap.com similar
Black Pumps "Natalie" Naturalizer
Tilly Tote Matine
Filmore Earrings Rudiment via Rocksbox
Chandler Ring Ava Rose via Rocksbox
Freesia Pendant Necklace Aster via Rocksbox
(Use code lydiaxoxo for a free month of Rocksbox!)
Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Sunglasses "Cinque Terre" Kam Dhillon c/o Coastal
Nail Color "Twill Seeker" Essie

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday

and

Sandy a la Mode's On Trend Tuesday