I CANNOT BELIEVE IT’S ALMOST SEPTEMBER ALREADY!!!

Yes, all caps and three exclamations marks are totally necessary. A year of maternity leave just went … poof! Like Keyser Soze, it is gone. But we’re here to talk about August, which was pretty cool. It’s my birthday month, after all. I will never be too old to get excited about birthdays – or, rather, birthday presents. Consider this your warning that this is going to be a longish post.

In addition to my birthday loot, I also (finally) got around to picking up some work gear. Including pants, blessed be the consignment gods. The numbers shake out thusly: 11 items for a total of $288 (original retail approx. $1,493), plus 7 gifts.

J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer (burnished rust)
J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer (burnished rust)

I really liked the black schoolboy blazer I picked up last month, so when I came across this version in a consignment store, I figured it was worth … asking my husband if it was too much orange for this ginger. For better or worse, he said no, so the blazer came home with me. A blazer is never remiss in my work wardrobe, and we’ll see if I’m up to the challenge of styling this one.

J. Crew Minnie Twill Pants (byzantine blue)
J. Crew Minnie Twill Pants (byzantine blue)

Finally, some work pants. Granted, they’re bright – and I mean bright – blue, but I love the cut of the Minnie, and these looked really nice in the magical mirrors at Red Pony, so … sold.

Banana Republic Sloan Ankle-Cut Pants
Banana Republic Sloan Ankle-Cut Pants

Lots of people love the Sloan cut, essentially BR’s version of the Minnie. I stumbled onto a black pair, in my size, at the consignment store, which is a minor miracle. (Good black pants are a consignment holy grail of mine. They’re just ridiculously hard to find, unless you like those extra bottom-flappy ones.) So I bought them, even though they are a titch baggy behind the knees – a complaint you’ve heard from me before. I might get them tailored if this ends up bugging me.

Deletta Alstroemeria Top
Deletta Alstroemeria Top

It’s been a good month for thrifting Anthro pieces (see also below). Go figure. I ain’t complaining.

Ann Taylor LOFT Cardigan
Ann Taylor LOFT Cardigan

Obligatory impulse buy. Surely you are not surprised. Florals, you know. But, also, I dig the colour scheme – all that mustard and olive green – and I think it’s going to look great with other pieces in my closet. Plus, I found it on the same day as the next item, and it seemed like these two were just meant to be together. In my closet.

MbMJ Posh Turnlock Convertible Clutch
MbMJ Posh Turnlock Convertible Clutch

See what I mean? I’ve been casually looking for a mustard yellow bag to eventually replace my rapidly-falling-apart 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target bag since the beginning of the year. Do you know how hard it is to find a nice looking, leather bag in mustard yellow? Like, super hard. This MbMJ is pretty basic, style-wise, but the colour is lovely. I eyed it a few times, first when the price tag said $149, later when it said $99, and later still when it said $75. I hesitated … and it paid off. I didn’t think it would ever hit the half-off, final sale rack, since most people pull their unsold designer stuff before it goes on clearance. Lucky me! (Googling the bag, I realized that the strap is actually detachable, and the bag can be used as an over-sized clutch, hence its name. Bonus.)

Old Navy Clogs
Old Navy Clogs

I couldn’t resist these Swedish Hasbeens lookalikes. Nicole looked too adorable wearing hers. When they rang up at a whopping $7, you bet yo’self I did a little happy dance.

Vince Camuto Sandals
Vince Camuto Sandals

This was me being proactive, and scooping up my next summer’s Jesus sandals on mega sale.

Old Navy Sueded Demi Wedge Sandals (neon yellow, not black)
Old Navy Sueded Demi Wedge Sandals (neon yellow, not black)

This was me caving in, and buying the only semi-decent pair of yellow sandals I have seen. All. Summer. Long. Apparently, mustard yellow shoes (like bags) are some kind of unicorn, so I had to settle for citron yellow. Also, the quality of this pair isn’t great (I hate the faux suede material, it’s a magnet for dirt, which abounds wherever toddlers dwell), but for the price, they’ll do until I find something better.

Edme & Esyllte Tulip Perspective Skirt
Edme & Esyllte Tulip Perspective Skirt

I kept running into this skirt on eBay time and time again (not surprising when you spend a lot of time searching for “Anthro” + “florals”), and never quite deciding if I liked it enough to buy it. When I stumbled upon it at a local thrift store, the decision was made. I’m just glad Value Village hasn’t figured out Anthro brands yet, otherwise this skirt would have set me back $20 or more. (That’s me, tsk-tsk-ing VV’s current pricing approach. Love ya, but come on, VV!) I have to add – this has quickly become my favourite skirt of the summer.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Totally Turnlock Magazine bag
Marc by Marc Jacobs Totally Turnlock Magazine bag

All the glorious details are here.

Presents time!

weekend shortlist
Marc by Marc Jacobs Turnlock Mag Bag

Yeah, I know. I KNOW. But, uh, listen: I was really sad about how my supposed-to-be-burgundy Mag bag turned out to be not-burgundy, and I had a lead on an actually-burgundy-scout’s-honour version, and my husband felt sorry for me/was all out of gift ideas, and … here I am. With two Mag bags. In my further defence, they are definitely not the same colour. And the Mag is, like, my favourite bag ever. I rest my case.

Moving on.

Banana Republic Chambray Chic Pendant Necklace
Banana Republic Chambray Chic Pendant Necklace

Tassel necklace quest complete. Thanks, mom & dad!

I also got a bunch of birthday money and, of course, I couldn’t wait to spend it. You are not surprised. I started with these:

J. Crew Cece ballet flats
J. Crew Cece ballet flats

I’m a big fan of my Factory Anyas, so I’ve been wanting to try the retail Ceces for a while. At this price (secondhand but new), I couldn’t resist – even if the colour is a little bit wild. Oh well, who doesn’t need a bit of neon pink in their closet? Perhaps not a 34-year old? Pshaw!

J. Crew Deco Arrow Earrings
J. Crew Deco Arrow Earrings

These earrings were just too cute (and hella inexpensive) to pass up. I love me some art deco-inspired joolz. I also got the matching necklace ($13), this Gap Factory maxi dress ($28), and this Free People tunic ($25). And I still have a little bit of birthday loot left! And gift cards! Hurray!

As always, I’m linking up with Fran and the other budgeting bloggers, so head on over here for more shopping recap fun. And then come back and tell me whether you were as profligate as me this month.

12 Comments on What I Bought: August

  1. I love that Deletta Alstroemeria Top!!! It’s so pretty and floral.

    I also think those Minnie pants are nice. I know that blue very well and it is a bright cobalt blue, but a real nice pop of colour. The Minnie is a good pant except the rise is too low for my flat butt. Same with the BR sloan fit.. and it’s all made in China so.. *shrug*

  2. cannot wait to see the blue pants paired with the pink shoes and something neutral on top. also the blue pants with the orange blazer. someday i’ll thrift one of those schoolboy blazers for real instead of just in my dreams. tell me about the minnie pant. there’s a jcrew pant that i recently realized zips up the back (that sounds like a terrible idea). what’s the zipper/button situation like on these?

    also, so stoked you got the clogs! i can’t believe how comfy they are for being as cheap as they were. they would look awesome with your floral anthro skirt!

    • Ok, so the Minnie’s zip up the side, which is my new favourite thing in pants. I hate when the front zipper thingie sticks out right over my, ahem, stomach area, and this eliminates that problem. I prefer the wool Minnies over the twill version, but I haven’t worn the twill ones enough to know how they hold up to wear over the long term. I will let you know šŸ™‚

      Those clogs are the best thing I’ve bought at Old Navy this year, I think. I’ve been wearing them non-stop. Comfortable, versatile, and so cute.

  3. You are a thrifting wizard! And I had no idea you were on a whole year of maternity leave – that’s awesome!

  4. Nice mustard shoes are like trying to catch a leprechaun! I’m either a season too late or the “too popular” size to get a decent pair. It’s a black hole of need lists.

    • I just don’t get why they’re so hard to find. Maybe they’re more of a blogger staple, and there isn’t sufficient demand from “regular” folks. I don’t know. I don’t like it, though.

  5. Okay, so I came across your blog on GOMI ( they like you, lol). Am noticing though that there are no links that I can click on to find your finds. Any help with this?

    • Thanks! Most of my clothes are secondhand, so usually there is no product link I can add that would enable you to buy the item. I do try to include original product names, so that readers can try finding things on eBay if they wish. As for things that I buy new, I usually do the same … mostly because I’m lazy, LOL! And I kind of assume that people aren’t necessarily interested in buying the exact same clothes anyway. It’s never been much of an issue before.

      With that said, if people are interested, I will try to make more of an effort to include product links. I don’t use affiliate links, so I’ll try to use direct links and hope the URLs don’t change. I’m sorry, I don’t have much experience with this.
      Peeps, please feel free to chime in here: are direct product links (where possible) be something y’all would find useful?