Thinking of a New Budget

(source)

While finalizing my New Year’s Resolution, I wanted to share a new part of it. This is the first year that I’ll be writing a pretty thorough resolution complete with short term and long term goals. Today’s section is about food.

During the summer, I did my own version of the Food Stamp Challenge where I spent less than $80 a month on groceries. It was pretty successful and it didn’t really change my lifestyle all that much. This time around, for January, I’ll be making a deeper cut into my budget. I’ll be setting my grocery budget to $50 for the entire month with the following conditions:

• No coupons unless it is already marked off with my rewards cards
• No processed/frozen food (unless it’s sausage and tofu)
• Must have balanced meals (no living off of ramen and mac&cheese)
• Can eat out twice this month (leftovers not allowed and prices don’t count in budget)
• Spices, oil, and 10 other things in the pantry does not count (it’s a bit cheating, but it’s already in the fridge and I don’t want them to go to waste)

A lot of people say that in order to be healthy, you have to spend a lot more money than to be unhealthy. But I want to prove them wrong, it can be done…to be healthy and to be cheap are not mutually exclusive. Sure, it might not be possible for me to buy organic, but it will be ok. This challenge would probably be the toughest part of my resolution since I love food and I eat 4-6 meals/snacks a day.

So wish me luck as I plan January’s food budget!

All things Madewell

I’ve been eyeing Madewell recently. It feels like they re-vamped their collection this season and it looks AMAZING! J.Crew owns this brand, and definitely fits into that aesthetic…but there’s something more youthful about Madewell. It has a denim bar with many different jean styles and washes which makes it a great place if you’re looking for variety. Great basics and key statement pieces mix feminine stylings with rugged details at this store.

I love their style!

As I was meandering through the Century City Mall waiting for a movie to start…I stopped by the store. When I visited it last (summer), I was sadly disheartened. The smallest jean size they carried was a size 25 and even the slimmest cut looked baggy. I tried on several shirts and tees in XS and still felt it was too large for my frame. The Olsens can pull off the oversized stuff, but not me.

This time, I wanted to see what was in stock…pretty things to look at even if it’s big. A plaid shirt caught my eye and I quickly rushed to it. In XS, it looked perfectly sized for me and I had to try it on. For the top half of my torso, it fit well. The shoulders were in the right place…the sleeves were 3/4, but looked better rolled up to my elbows. The length hit mid-hip…which was what I wanted. But past the bust, the shirt was quite baggy. I preferred something more fitted and a couple of darts in the back would quickly remedy the problem. The price…$58!

Sigh.

I think they might have resized everything…or they just have XS sizes now…but things seem slimmer and fit better for me. The cardigans are still a big long in length and sleeve, but I kind of like that look. Boots are awesome…if I had a limitless budget…I’d buy every pair!

FYI, they’re doing a denim recycling program where you turn your old denim and purchase a new pair with 15% off.

Oh Madewell, you are my new window-shopping addiction!

On the Coat Hunt

Looking for a great winter coat…in a color other than black, navy, or gray.

Every year, they always come out with some wonderfully colorful coats, but I never really found one I liked or that fit. The perfect coat should have smaller details like cuffs and collars to go with my smaller stature. I’m really drawn to double breasted styles, but it’d be perfect if it wasn’t. Also, the length should hit mid-thigh because if it was any longer, I’d have to wear it with heels all the time.

This time, I found a coat that I liked and it’s the one Nicole Richie wore. If it was only less than $200 I would’ve bought it by now.

I scoured a bunch of places and few had the styles or the colors I was looking for. It doesn’t have to red…but lately, I’m drawn more towards that color. It just makes the entire winter outfit look more cheery.

Comparable Value

For the price of one of these:

you can send one of these

and a house for these

to help feed a village in Africa.

Would you help?

Winter Accessories!

I love winter because then, you get to bust out the hats and scarves! I’m gradually building up my hat wardrobe and picking up a couple of colorful scarves in the process. Accessories are perfect for brightening up any dreary day. Plus, you can get them for cheap and still look chic. That’s where H&M and Forever 21 come into the picture perfectly. Where else can you find dozens of different hat styles and scarf patterns for under $10?

So here’s a couple of winter hat looks just for fun!

The slouchy beret/beanie:

A small bib beanie…which I got for $3 at H&M in the guys section because they were having a 50% accessories sale.

Or how about this cute pom pom cap from Forever21?

I can’t wait for Christmas to wear these hats when I head off skiing/snowboarding in Lake Tahoe!