Dog new tricks

Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Chloe is going to be 11 this winter, and last year I wanted to teach her to speak. It took a whole year, but she finally did learn.



Here she is showing off her talents.

But as for me, can I learn to stick to my budget?
I realized I hadn't worn the top I got at TJMaxx in September. Since it still had the tags on it, I thought I would return it. The whole point of the budget was to spend my money on things I love, so the fact that the tags were still on over a month later was a clear sign that I wasn't in love with the top.

But I didn't just bring back the shirt and leave. I browsed, and inevitably found things I liked.
I found the exact same fur vest that my sister got. It's by American Eagle (past season) and was only $20. While I carried it around the store, three people stopped me to tell me how much they loved it, ask where I found it, and ask me how I planned on styling it. So I had to get it (because my sister wont be too keen on my repeatedly stealing hers).
At this point, I needed to just leave. But then I spotted this striped dress. And what with my new found love of stripes and sweater dresses... I tried it on.

and I took it home.
It was $25, which means I am negative $20.72 for the month. Should I bring it back? Should I deduct it from next month? Should I make the next four weeks a complete shopping ban as punishment?
Or do I realize that starting a budget after years of not worrying is a hard thing to do, let it slide, and start fresh in November?
I know so many of you are on budgets right now, so what would you do?

So, today's outfit photos were not taken today, but on Saturday. This brick path was dug up and I wanted to have at least one more outfit photo there, so it's in memorandum. This is what I wore today though, and it was nice to not have to worry about the light today. (Dark in the morning, and dark again when I got home.)

The Rundown

Sweater Elle for Kohls - Top Gap - Pants Express - Shoes Areosoles - Necklace Simply Vera - Earrings Aldo

Which made me think that during the winter, what if I planned out all my outfits on the weekend and photographed them when I didn't have to worry about catching the light.

The pros would be, getting all my outfits planned ahead of time, and being able to get the photos I want.

The cons would be having to commit to the outfits for the week (and trusting the weather forecast), also having to get dressed, take photos, change, take photos, change, take photos (you get it), which could potentially take a few hours of my Saturday.

I think I might give it a try though, and see if the pros outweigh the cons.

I also finally switched out my closet, and added some more things to the shop!