VLOG - Finally!

I promised a VLOG a couple months ago and finally did it. Sorry for the 

'ummmmss', lack of make-up, and messy hair, but I try to keep it real up in this hood.

Enjoy!

My YEAR of NO shopping: Update

Read about my resolution and the reasoning behind it {here}.
Weddings, weddings, weddings. I feel like that is the only reason I have been dressing up lately.  To be honest, it is flipping hotter than you know what. Every outfit is planned on disguising sweat marks, and every hair style is based around an up-do. Even the dogs can't take the heat. I cannot believe that seven months are gone and I haven't bought any clothes. To say this journey has been life changing would be an understatement.  I know I say it every time, but I have become more humble than I ever thought possible. Even Chris is blown away that I have stuck to this challenge, and it has almost become fun to not shop. It is challenging to rediscover your own closet and everyone knows I love a challenge.  Getting down to the financial aspect of this resolution has been mind-blowing. Y'all, we have saved so much money. More than we ever have before and I know a lot of the savings comes from me not shopping. Here's the deal with girls and shopping. We don't just 'run' into the mall for one thing. We make a day of it. We go out to eat, we shop the entire mall, we hit up stores around the mall, and we buy for other people.  I used to go to the mall for a dress and come out with Starbucks, Dippin' Dots, a candle, a couple items for Chris, make-up, a scarf, a purse, a dress, and a shirt, and a pair of shoes. As you can see just the act of going shopping is expensive! Here are some tips on not going overboard when shopping: - Eat before you go. You won't be tempted by all the expensive mall food.  - If you have a shopping buddy, make sure they are honest. I have some friends who would tell me I look great in a trash bag and I know not to bring them shopping. I want honesty. Tell me if I look fat in that dress, or if it isn't my color. Having someone tell you that everything looks great on you only hurts your wallet, and you may not even be in love with the item. - Try to buy online. Buying online is awesome for saving. Not only are you more likely to use coupons, but you also are not tempted by all the other things in the mall. - Set a time limit, or go between activities. If you have nothing to do for the day, you have no time limit. Going shopping on your lunch break or one hour before closing is a great way to force yourself to not linger and buy tons of unnecessary items. - Have a budget. Really analyze how much you are wanting to spend before you go. - And my #1 rule. Carry the item around for at least 10 minutes before deciding on purchasing it. That really allows you to get over the "oh-my-gosh-I-NEED-this-so-bad" stage and clears your mind to let you realize if you really love the item. Only five months to go! Thanks for joining me on this journey!

I bought a shirt...ooops.

Let me explain.
Last year Chris and I decided it would be a good idea for us to get a new credit card. We wanted one that we could see the benefits and wasn't a "college" credit card. 
As I was checking out at Banana Republic one chill November afternoon (it's story time, okay?) the cashier asked me if I would like to sign up for a Banana Republic credit card. Usually I am a stickler for saying no, no, no, but this time I let her explain. 
Did I mention the sales person is a friend of a friend who I highly trust?
So, after she told me all the benefits, I signed up. No annual fee, on the lower end of the interest rate scale, and awesome rewards.
Let me tell y'all what a great decision that was! Chris and I both love shopping at BR, so the rewards are perfect. We put everything we spend on the card, pay it off every month, then get rewarded with 'free money' at BR, Gap, Old Navy, and a couple other stores. 
Let me say I am in no way getting paid for this post, I am just setting up the scene for how I bought a brand new shirt without breaking my resolution of no shopping for a year. 
You see, we had $40 in rewards money to spend and Chris repeatedly said he didn't need anything, so of course I couldn't let the money expire!
I wandered into BR last week while at the mall with my brother and his friends and knew I had to find something under $40 or I could NOT buy it.  
I have really been eyeing those Gingham shirts, but that little resolution of mine is holding me back. Well not anymore, ladies! The most perfect Gingham shirt was IS on sale for $39.99. 
I know you're thinking, "but with tax that is over $40..." BUT WAIT, that's not all I have to say. For some really odd reason/blessing, the size small Gingham shirts were marked down to $32.99. SCORE!
So basically I just wrote a whole pointless post on an awesome shirt that I have yet to wear because it is still scorching hot here in good 'ole Tejas.
But actually I just wanted to let y'all know that the shirt is still on sale for $39.99! Marked down from $64.50! BR has the top in pink, lavender, and blue. 
I can't wait to pair it with a statement necklace, skinnies, and my favorite boots for fall. Now, if only Texas would leave the heat advisories in the dust and squeeze on into fall...wishful thinking. 
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