One Year of No Shopping

Well, it is official: I did not shop for anything fashion-related for ONE year! As difficult as it was at times, I really can't believe how fast it went! And as much as I am SO excited to go shopping again, it almost feels weird and wrong since it's been so long.  But not THAT wrong ;)

Over the last year, there have been many questions from my friends and family about my no shopping vow, like "how do you do it!?", but there were 2 particular questions that I was consistently asked: 1. Were you able to save a lot of money? and 2. What are you going to buy first?

In regards to the first question, I know that I saved money, but it's hard for me to estimate how much.  Without me spending money on fashion-related items that I don't need, I was able to do things like go out to eat with friends, and buy a plane ticket to visit my boyfriend without as much worry.  If I had to do this over again, I might try to find a way to keep track of just how much I saved.  As for the second question - I don't know what to buy!  I am torn between so many items, and I am trying very hard to buy pieces that I NEED and not necessarily just want; I have also been on the lookout for online sales/deals - let me know if you know of any!

Elizabeth and James fur vest {here} <--- on sale!
Alexander Wang shoes {here}
Ellen Himic ring {here}
Rebecca Minkoff bag {here}

Thank you to everyone for all of the support over the last year {and my friends who let me borrow clothes!}; the year honestly flew by and I would recommend to anyone to challenge themselves to try it - you have stronger willpower than you think! :)

Well, I am off to shop! I will post in the next week to post about my first shopping experience after abstaining for a year, and what I decided to purchase.  Wish me luck! :)

xoxo

Cassidy

One Year of No Shopping: Clothes

So far this week I've posted about shoes {here} and jewelry {here} that I cannot wait to shop for, and today is about what I might be most excited about: clothes! I've recently been going through my closet and donating pieces that I have not worn in forever, and making room for some NEW clothes.  I am not sure which article of clothing will be my first purchase, but I can almost guarantee it will be on sale {I will make a conscious effort not to spend a fortune!} Here are some pieces I am wanting desperately to buy:

1. Clover Canyon dress {here}

2. Zara coat {here}

3. Diane von Furstenberg pants {here}

4. Elizabeth and James dress {here}

5. Diane von Furstenberg jacket {here}

6. Tory Burch bathing suit {here}

7. Rebecca Minkoff dress {here}

xoxo
Cassidy

Spring Leather

I've mentioned in a previous post {here} that I love leather apparel and would love to figure out a way to wear it during spring or even early summer.  Below is my idea of the perfect spring outfit involving leather; it has light neutrals and turquoise pieces to balance out the black leather pants.  I will DEFINITELY be on the lookout for leather leggings on sale once I can shop again!

Ippolita clear quartz stud earrings {here}

Onna Ehrlich bag {here}

Equipment blouse {here}

Elizabeth and James leather pants {here}

Mociun ring {here}

David Yurman ring {here}

B Brian Atwood heels {here}

Happy Monday!

xoxo
Cassidy

Shopping Temptations: Stefani Bags

For anyone that knows me, you are aware of my handbag obsession.  I do not care to admit to how much money I've spent on bags throughout the years, or how many I own, but somehow I am constantly searching for a new one.  Stefani Bags {check out here} is a great site with an amazing selection of handbags {and other fashion-related goods}, and offers exclusive deals and sales quite often {sign up for their Rewards Program here}.  When I can shop again I will DEFINITELY be checking out Stefani Bags for their handbag selection:

1. House of Harlow clutch {here}

2. Bryna clutch {here}

3. Elizabeth and James sunglasses {here}

4. Dolce Vita flats {here}

5. Rebecca Minkoff rings {here}

6. Rebecca Minkoff M.A.C. {here}

7. Rebecca Minkoff bangle {here}

8. Foley + Corinna bag {here}

9. Diane von Furstenberg clutch {here}

10. Claire Vivier clutch {here}

xoxo
Cassidy

Shopping Temptations: Bluefly

With less than a month left to go before I can shop again, I've decided to dedicate this week to potential sites I may shop on and buy my first fashion related purchase from.  I often am asked what I want to buy first, and I honestly don't know; I do know that  I don't want to ruin my bank account with some crazy purchase, so I will most likely stick to sites like Bluefly to find something I love at a discounted price.  Here are a few Bluefly finds that I am loving and may buy once May 13th rolls around:

Judith Ripka earrings {here}

Notte by Marchesa dress {here}

Wyatt blouse {here}

Cartier ring {here}

Elizabeth and James sunglasses {here}

Diane von Furstenberg belt {here}

Chloe shoes {here}

Rebecca Minkoff bag {here}

Missoni scarf {here}

Marc by Marc Jacobs skirt {here}

xoxo

Cassidy

Heart of Gold

I tend to wear a lot of silver jewelry, but I also really love gold.  Once I can go shopping again, I fully intend to invest in more gold pieces.  Below is a collage I created with Polyvore that showcases some pieces that I am currently loving.  Cannot wait to shop for a few of these items! 

1. Rag & Bone dress {buy here}

2. Elizabeth and James sunglasses {buy here}

3. Rebecca Minkoff handbag {buy here}

4. Tory Burch high heel sandals {buy here}

5. Ellen Himic ring {buy here}

6. Jennifer Fisher bangle {buy here}



Happy Friday!
xoxo
Cassidy

Natural + Neon

For all of us Midwesterners, let's HOPE we can start wearing sandals and light jackets SOON! Below is an outfit that I would love to wear in the spring; I love an ensemble with mostly natural color pieces with a pop of color {preferably turquoise, one of my current favorite shades for the season!}  Hopefully by the time I start shopping again {May 13th} the weather will actually permit outfits like this:

Blumera ring {buy here}
Ellen Himic earrings {buy here}
Elizabeth and James blazer {buy here}
Tibi dress {buy here}
LC Lauren Conrad sandals {buy here}
Onna Ehrlich bag {buy here}

Happy Friday!

xoxo
Cassidy

Peony Time of Year

Although I love neutrals and pinks at any time of year, somehow SPRING it just seems most appropriate! Here are some spring-friendly pieces that I wish I could shop for {hopefully a few of these will be on sale by the time I can shop again!}

1. Essie's "Lady Like" {buy here}

2. 3.1 Phillip Lim clutch {buy here}

3. Elizabeth and James sunglasses {buy here}

4. Jouer's "Valerie" lipstick {buy here}

5. Tory Burch cuff {buy here}

6. Dara Ettinger ring {buy here}

7. Ippolita earrings {buy here}

8. Paper Crown dress {buy here}

9. Jennifer Fisher stacking rings {buy here}

10. NARS Illuminator {buy here}

11. Pianegonda ring {buy here}

12. Joie sandals {buy here}

Have a great Monday!

xoxo

Cassidy

Colors + Patterns

I've been having a love affair with fashion for as long as I can remember, and there is one thing I've noticed about women who have the BEST fashion sense: they aren't afraid to mix and match.  They take risks and never wear cliche ensembles {I despise matchy-matchy}.  When I think back on outfits I wore in college, I cringe: skinny jeans tucked into Uggs, a North Face fleece, and a Coach wristlet with the "C"s all over it - how boring is that?  Not that there is anything wrong with those brands, but it is so much more appealing to me to wear something unexpected even if most people don't appreciate it.  Below is a collage one such outfit, and I wish so badly I could shop for it! Less than 2 months until I can shop again! :)

J Crew cardigan {buy here}

Elizabeth and James shirt {buy here}

Stella & Dot necklace {buy here}

J Crew skirt {buy here}

Rebecca Minkoff shoes {buy here}

Marc Jacobs sunglasses {buy here}

Happy Friday!

xoxo

Cassidy

Almost Spring

Spring is SO CLOSE! It's that time of year when the weather is teasing us {some days cold..some days sunny..some days nonstop rain...}, and it's also the time of year when I am dying to wear floral spring dresses, but the temperature outside doesn't quite permit it.  Below is a collage of my idea of the perfect outfit for the transition into spring: a chic trench {with GORGEOUS leather sleeves}, black leather accessories, and pops of pale pink.  If only I could SHOP for these items! :) 

1. Rag & Bone trench {buy here}
2. Jessica Jensen envelope clutch {buy here}
3. Sephora by OPI's "A True Romantic" {buy here}
4. NARS lipstick in "Catfight" {buy here}
5. Elizabeth and James shoes {buy here}
6. Blumera lemon quartz ring {buy here}
7. Ellen Himic trelis earrings {buy here}

Have a wonderful weekend!

xoxo
Cassidy

1 Year Reward

As of today, I have not shopped for 9 months! I cannot believe how fast the time has passed, but it honestly gets more difficult not to shop - maybe because I know the end is near and I am DYING to add some new pieces to my closet! It really has been a rewarding journey so far, and I love hearing my friends tell me how they are trying to go through a period without spending money on fashion-related shopping! Of course I often think about what I will buy once my year of no shopping is over, so here are some items that have recently caught my eye:

Kooba Soho Charlton bag {here}

Madewell parka {here}

Ellen Himic ring {here}

McQ Alexander McQueen studded neon pumps {here}

Alexis Bittar hinged bracelet {here}

Tory Burch hat - it's on sale! {here}

Loeffler Randall Quinnie flats {here}

Burberry scarf {here}

Kevia hoop earrings {here}

Rebecca Minkoff Affair bag {here}

Avanessi rose gold Love ring {here}

Foley + Corinna Simpatico backpack {here}

David Yurman Renaissance ring {here}

Rebecca Minkoff Diva heel {here}

Dannijo bracelet {here}

Elizabeth and James Paige sandals {here}

Ippolita stud earrings {here}

Which piece would you choose after a year of no shopping?

xoxo

Cassidy