Sunday, June 26, 2011

Garden Party

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cardigan and belt - gap / dress - uo / sandals - zara

Hello!
My $100 (now $32 after this past weekend) Summer budget is forcing me to shop in my own closet. Before I lost my job, I was looking for some sleeved sundresses because I'm still not comfortable with wearing tank tops and showing my flabby arms (I have a really bad farmers tan too). I still am looking for them, but it's not guaranteed that they will be within my budget. I was pleasantly surprised to find this dress hidden in the back of my closet. I remember buying this dress two years ago. It didn't quite fit, but it was on sale and I figured I would eventually lose weight and be able to wear it. I was therefore really surprised and pleased that it fits now. Even though it's not a sleeved sundress, I have fallen back in love with the bright vibrant colors. Thankfully it hasn't gotten to a point where it's too hot for cardigans or layers. I have no tea party to attend in it so a sushi date with Robert on Friday was where I went in it. I can't wait to try more looks with this old/new dress of mine.

I wondered what else is hidden in the back of my closet, so on Friday night (when I was supposed to be studying), I planned some outfits with what's already in my closet. I am reconnecting with clothes that at one point thought I desperately needed and wanted. My closet is suddenly a store where everything is cute. When I went shopping yesterday, I shopped mostly in the sale sections and only bought versatile items. My one item from F21 turned out to be the most expensive item. That's how good the sales were! This may sound weird, but I think it has been more fun shopping on a budget because what I ended up buying is something I really love since I had to really think about it. It's so satisfying too find a good thing on sale too. I took money and clothes for granted for too long. I hope now it doesn't take unemployment to get me to realize this again. I'm pretty sure the remainder of my dwindled Summer budget is going towards a sundress or I'm going to hold out for something really good. Now that I don't have to worry about outfits for a few weeks...it's really time to buckle down and study for my CSET exam.

How was your weekend?

Until next post,
Jasmine

14 comments:

  1. lovely outfit and photos!! that dress is so beautiful <3

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  2. That dress is so lovely. And the cardigan is the perfect color to make the dress a little less bold. I actually bought the same one at the Gap sale last weekend.

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  3. beautiful! I never knew that you bought this dress..the length is perfect for you. and YAY GAP!

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  4. oh that dress is my cup of tea!
    it looks beautiful on you..glad you found it in your closet. :P
    i as well, dislike my flabby arms..ugh. but it is getting a little warm so people are just going to have to deal with my untoned arms all summer..hahaha.
    have a wonderful upcoming week jasmine.

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  5. You look positively lovely!! I am loving that garden print and you wore it beautifully with the cardi and shoes.

    And your new shopping philosophy is a great one!! Good luck:) I'm on a no spending at all budget for now! Goody gumdrops!! ;)

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  6. I am on the hunt for sleeved sundress as well!
    Hmmm.. Maybe I should consider a shopping budget as well. I shop way too much lately!

    Your sundress is so colorful and lively! I like the fact that it's old but new! :)

    The background is gorgeous! Like in a movie or something

    <3
    http://escapesweetest.blogspot.com3

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  7. This outfit is just perfect for a garden party!

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  8. This dress is so cute ^^ and the cardy has a really pretty color. I am reinventing my closet too since I have to keep a tight budget. Love the things I find! x

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  9. I love that you took an old dress and rediscovered it to make it new again. The colors are so vibrant and gorgeous and you look lovely. I've been trying to shop my own closet lately too but working in NYC makes shopping so tempting. I haven't given in to my urges yet but that H&M I pass every day (twice) keeps calling my name. Good luck with the studying!! :)

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  10. you're adorable! love the floral dress and the color palette of this outfit!

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  11. This is such a pretty dress! I love the cheery colors! I know what you mean about the thrill of finding a good bargain, hehe. Shopping on a budget really does make you appreciate the things you buy that much more! :)

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  12. Oh, you look so pretty Jasmine! That cardigan is the perfect peachy color, and I love how fun that floral print is!
    I definitely need to start "shopping" in my own closet more too and start saving some of my money! :)

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  13. That is quite possibly the prettiest sundress I've seen in a long time! The colors are GORGEOUS and I love the big flower print. So lucky you already had it in your closet! I think it's one of those things that will last a while. (:

    I love finding great stuff that fit my budget, too! It's just so much more rewarding and exciting for me.

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