Day 14 of No Buy July ... //Life Lessons

I'm going to be on call Day 15 of No Buy July, hence this post is a day early.

I used to UNDERESTIMATE Rate of Return - I can't believe it's been half a month since I've bought anything to really add to my wardrobe, and it's finally given a chance for all the store credits and things to start to catch up with my return rate! I didn't know I quite returned that many things, but I've started to accumulate a bunch of store gift cards and credits that I think I'm going to start thinking about how to use. My H&M credit is going to expire soon, and I'm definitely going to use that up!! I know that I bought a lot of things, but didn't know how many of them were going back in the store, and if net I'd be spending more or less. I am using also YNAB to help track things, and it's nice to see a working total of every month's budget.

I used to UNDERESTMATE the amount of Extra Fees I accumulate - as a Canadian, paying duties was just natural to me. I didn't know how MUCH duties I was paying until now. The only thing I am paying out is duties, and with YNAB, I can see up to ONE THIRD of my total budget goes towards duties. Yes; one third. It's insane!!! I need to think of how I am going to tackle this in the future! Once only 20% of my purchases got dinged from ModCloth now consistently it's been 100%. I think they target the ModCloth boxes and I am so annoyed that I have to pay about $26 on every $60 I purchase. This is too high for me and I'm not willing to pay this extra markup. 

I have OTHER HOBBIES too! - I am spending more time (and energy) on doing other things aside from pursuing the next biggest and brightest thing in my wardrobe. I spend time with paper crafts and organizing my planner, as well as making detailed charts and notes about my patients and their progress. My preceptor thinks I'm a bit over-the-top, but really it's because I want to use all of my coloured pens!!! I have also revived my fountain pen and found a few friends who share my love of Noodler's Inks and my Lamy pink pen!

I want to wear the same things Over and Over again and have to stop myself - I found myself checking YLF's WIW's to see when I wore something last! I want to wear more of my closet, but right now the Cotton Collection is getting a workout because of the temperatures! I think I really like pockets! And not-fit-and-flares are not the enemy!

I find OTHER ways of expressing myself - Whether that be experimenting with how I part my hair, or do my daily makeup, it's a good time in honing my style in those often neglected areas. I am also spending some time researching about what type of glasses I should order for myself, too!

That's enough musings for now ... has anyone else learned anything during their first 15 days?

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WiW 7.14 - Keeping It Cool...

... Because it is a week of 30C!! Thank goodness for air conditioning! :) It will be all cottony frocks this week, though, but I don't mind because my cotton frock capsule (haha) is in good shape!

To start off the week will be a monochromatic ensemble... I thought of a pop of colour with brighter heels, but pattern match in the same colour family is as about as much some people at work can probably handle!

I do have a cardigan in my bag in case it is The Iron Grip of Winter at work! :)

  • Earrings, necklace: Anthropologie
  • Dress: Emily & Fin
  • Pumps: Naturalizer
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WiW 7.12 - Slouchy!

I need to stand up straighter! I think my excuse is that I was pretty tired and grumpy that morning.

I really am fond of this dress but the lining is starting to split at the seams. I have only had it for one year and at Anthro prices you'd want something you like to last a bit longer!!

Maybe it's a sign I'm a bit pudgy. Grr.

  • Blazer, Dress: Anthropologie
  • Belt: Eva Franco
  • Earrings: Walmart?
  • Flats: Born
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WiW 7.13 - Simple and Easy :) And Washi Tape!

These days I have been trying to take it a bit easy with the fashion end of things. I have been spending some time with my paper arts instead!

My sister thinks I have "enough" washi tape. I have no idea what that means! :)

  • Earrings, Necklace: Anthropologie
  • Dress: F&F
  • Sandals: Clark's
  • Tote: Zara
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WiW 7.11 - Alternating: dark light dark light dark!

Teeheehee.

Another warm day here ... I had some pics of my work outfit too, but I'll try to locate them. For now, after hours is my favourite summer flowery dress to get a few groceries. The lady at the grocery store wanted to talk to me about dresses and what they mean - it was incredibly lovely to talk to her, although my sister said I started to use my therapy voice to talk to her!

Tried to go for a high contrast today, as my shoes of light-contrast made me a little blister-y in my feet, so I had to wear my comfy flats. It's kind of a dark-light-dark-light-dark situation ... and I think I sort of like it :)

And I have the weekend off!

  • Dress: Taylor
  • Belt: Eva Franco
  • Flats: Born
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WiW 7.10 - All The Little Things...

Like sleeves and pockets and knee length! So hard to find in a dress to make it appropriate for work on it's own! I will definitely miss eShakti.

I have been staring at the pattern and it's sometimes "blue four leaf clovers" but at other times "white stars" :) will amuse me on call tonight, probably!

Have a lovely day!

  • Earrings: Ruche
  • Dress: eShakti
  • Belt: Anthropologie
  • Sandals: Clarks
  • Purse: Kate Spade
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WiW 7.09 - Size is Just a Number...

Especially when it comes to second hand shopping! I haven't worn this for a really long time and I remember buying it to modify.

In this brand I am usually a 2 or a 4, but I thought the pattern was cute so I purchased it for a song. The consignment store woman said no one could fit this dress.

No wonder! Tried it on recently (No Buy July you know!) and it fits!

Guess what it's labelled as? A 10. There is no way someone sized 10 would fit this dress. Uh uh. It's not even that stretchy.

Yay!! Less work for me! :) I think Carol Middleton wore a similar pattern recently. Ugh. She's younger than MY mom though!

  • Earrings, Pumps: Le Chateau
  • Dress: Eva Franco
  • Belt: Joe Fresh
  • Purse: Kate Spade
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WiW 7.06 - Old Dress vs. New Me!

I am going to win out!!! A lot of troubles with this dress when I was on call that I never had before: red welts on my arms from tight arm holes and a feeling of too stretched in the front.

Out of my closet and into someone else's life!!!

  • Cardigan: Reitmans
  • Earrings: Etsy
  • Dress: eShakti
  • Flats: Born
  • Purse: Kate Spade
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WiW 7.07 - A YLF Gift!

Just wanted to post some quick snaps of a dress I had been YLF gifted! Some lovely people were able to get an eShakti order with my coupon code for $35 off and I got a $10 thank you! I hope everyone had a good experience and this is what I ended up getting for myself thanks to your generosity (you guys know who you are!!! Love!)

And there are pockets!!!!

For my lovely eShakti people this is the end of that store for me: they are no longer shipping to Canada. It makes me quite sad, even though the duties are crazy, it was nice to have a source of clothes you know for sure will fit you.

More raving:
It's thankfully cut to my measure and not leaving marks on my arms like some other of my dresses with sleeves! It actually works backwards as well, I put it on initially backwards this morning (Friday, Sunday call people!)

You'll note there is no belt and no cardigan today!! :)

Do you think I could bookend with dark grey pumps? Black?

  • Earrings: Walmart
  • Dress: eShakti
  • Watch: Bulova
  • Pumps: Le Chateau
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WiW 7.04 - Keepin' it Simple, But Not Too Plain!

I got this dotty dress awhile ago but never ended up wearing it because ... I don't remember why even!

So, out to play on an a call night! It even has pockets!

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