Can she do it?!

Since my blog is essentially just me copying my darling Jessa's blog, it's time to revisit my goals!

Shopping Goals
1. Khaki trench coat
2. Rain boot flats
3. Tory Birch flats
4. Sperry's
5. Burberry quilted coat
7. Pair of stilleto black pumps that are comfy and long lasting


Financial Goals

8. Pay off credit card
9. Make my savings larger than my debt
10. Have enough in my checking account to cover rent for 2 months
11. Start a Roth IRA
12. Start a 401K
13. Meet with a financial planner and figure out how much I need for retirement
14. Find a position that keeps me on track of my $100k/annually by 30
15. Figure out if I want to buy an investment property in Fresno, or a home for myself in DC (I found my dream home, and am a few months from being able to get a loan. If I wait another year, I could get an even better place).


Personal Goals

16. Stop thinking about/actively hating people I don't like
17. Lose the weight I put on from being stressed while with my ex (10 15 pounds down already!)
18. Read Wayne's favorite book
19. See my family at least 3 times (last year I saw them twice)
20. Keep my bedroom in order for at least a week
21. Cook dinner at home every night for a whole week
22. Take a day off work to spend with Wayne and only Wayne
23. Go a whole month without blowing off plans because I "don't feel like it"
24. Get all my broken stiletto heel tips fixed
25. Go a whole month without repeating an article of clothing without buying a new piece (not including shoes--this will probably happen over the summer as I have enough dresses to wear a different one every day of a month...and halfway into the next month)

Well, I was pretty good with the first 2 sets of goals. Knocked out 20%.

I've also started a new job that I'm loving, been to Vegas twice in the past month (surprised I'm not dead), met Wayne's family, introduced Wayne to my family, and eaten In-n-Out. Yeah. Life is good.

100 Goals...before 25

A good friend of mine made a list of 100 things to do before summer. I don't have time for 100, so how about 25 before 25? I will be 25 next summer, so here goes!


Shopping Goals
'Cause if I have goals, I won't overdo it.


1. Khaki trench coat
2. Rain boot flats
3. Tory Birch flats
4. Sperry's 
5. Burberry quilted coat
7. Pair of stilleto black pumps that are comfy and long lasting




Financial Goals
'cause nothing is more fabulous than a girl who know what she wants...in her bank account.


8. Pay off credit card
9. Make my savings larger than my debt
10. Have enough in my checking account to cover rent for 2 months
11. Start a Roth IRA
12. Start a 401K
13. Meet with a financial planner and figure out how much I need for retirement
14. Find a position that keeps me on track of my $100k/annually by 30 
15. Figure out if I want to buy an investment property in Fresno, or a home for myself in DC



Personal Goals
'Cause I DO have a life beyond money and work...I think...


16. Stop thinking about/actively hating people I don't like
17. Lose the weight I put on from being stressed while with my ex (10 pounds down already!)
18. Read Wayne's favorite book
19. See my family at least 3 times (last year I saw them twice)
20. Keep my bedroom in order for at least a week
21. Cook dinner at home every night for a whole week
22. Take a day off work to spend with Wayne and only Wayne
23. Go a whole month without blowing off plans because I "don't feel like it"
24. Get all my broken stiletto heel tips fixed
25. Go a whole month without repeating an article of clothing without buying a new piece (not including shoes--this will probably happen over the summer as I have enough dresses to wear a different one every day of a month...and halfway into the next month)

My secrets to fabulous on a budget: Consignment Stores

In my last post I mentioned consignment shopping. Consignment shopping is similar to thrift store shopping in that everything is pre-owned. However, unlike a thrift store everything (if you go to the right place) is in perfect condition. Here are a few things to remember when consignment shopping:

-You're probably not going to barter

Consignment stores have a set price because they are actually just a middle man for the seller. Usually the price will go down as the piece gets more and more out of season. However, the price is significantly less than what you'll pay at full price. If you bring in pieces of your own to sell, you can usually get store credit which is worth more than actual cash.

-As always: Know what you want before you go in!!!

My little niecee-poo Janen needed a winter coat. So I walked in looking specifically for a winter coat. Here is what I found:

                                                                  
Perfect, right? When you know what you're looking for, you won't spend a ton of money AND you won't get overwhelmed.

So, let's review:

-Don't be upset if they won't barter.
-Know what you want.

Consignment store shopping can be seriously overwhelming, but also a lot of fun and a great way to get new-to-you items. If you're a little hippie that wants to be green it's ABSOLUTELY perfect--such a great way to recycle and prevent waste.

Inappropriate? Yes. Hilarious? Also yes.

So, I know this is very uncouth of me, and I know my sense of humor can be quite gauche and distasteful. However, this is just...well...fabulous.

Gaddafi: A terribly fabulous man.

Enjoy!

My secrets to fabulous on a budget: Flea Markets

Three phrases will get you anything you want (but you MUST know what you want):

-Flea Markets
-Consignment
-Outlets

Anyone that knows me knows that I frequent all three...well...frequently. I am the lucky to live in a large city that has flea markets every weekend. These are a few important rules for flea market shopping (if you want it  to actually be a deal):

-Know what you want!

Make a list of things you want in your wardrobe. I, for one, have been itching for a fur. Literally, for years I have been searching for the perfect piece: it had to be brown, and I preferred mink. Without $10k it was a challenge (as you can imagine).

-Know your vendor!

There are a few guys at the market near me who sell fur. However, one guy in particular consistently has gorgeous furs (and vintage designer handbags--when he gets a Gucci you KNOW I'll be first in line). He buys everything at estate sales, so there is an EXCELLENT chance that a piece is genuine and an even better chance that the piece is in excellent condition.

-Know your price!

Clearly, I will never be able to afford a seven thousand dollar fur stole like this one. Well, never in the next 5 years. However, I knew I couldn't find something for super cheap. I set my number at about $200. I know, I know, still low for a mink, but high for something I'll "only wear" on "special occasions" (let's be honest, I've worn it outside to have a cigarette). And yet, I found this:

She's gorgeous. Beautiful. PERFECT!!! Just looking at her warms my heart. And she was marked at $150. Right? I know. Get up off the ground and back into your chair ('cause you're about to fall out again). My vendor had marked it down to $75. Right?! Now back into your chair one last time... He took another $10! That's right, for that beautiful piece of heaven I paid $65. I promise to post pictures when I'm not wearing it with leggings and Uggs on my balcony. 

So let's review our rules for flea markets:

-Know what you want.

-Know your vendor.

-Know your price.

With these simple rules you won't spend too much, and though gratification isn't as instant as just showing up and purchasing willy-nilly, you'll end up with pieces that your children will fight over inheriting in your will.

Changing it up!

I've changed a bit over the last six months...year...two years, and I've decided to update my blog accordingly. I've got a lot of new friends, a new boyfriend, some new nieces and nephews, and quite a few new fabulous pieces to my wardrobe. I'm going to share them all with you here.

More to come!

Staying Positive II

So, around this time last year I put together this list of things I love. I am going to take the same headers, now, and see write about the reasons I love them still:

Reasons I love my job:
1. Where else (besides my house) can I wear house slippers all day?
2. It's where half my groceries live.
3. Get money, get paid SON!
4. I love my clients. I just absolutely adore [most] of the people I work for, and I think that many of them are completely inspirational.
5. We just upgraded to a better office AND better computers, so it's finally tolerable to be here 10-14 hours a day.
6. It gives me an excuse to pretty much live at the Capitol Hill Club.

Reasons I love the beef:
1. He's a doll. He's like my giant baby.
2. Even if he'd rather go to his house, he stays with me if I am terribly homesick.
3. He encourages me to be the best at my job.
4. He tells me when he's proud of me.
5. He's pretty much everyone's favorite person, and he's all mine!

Reasons I love my DC friends:
1. They understand that Britney Spear and Lady Gaga are goddesses among women.
2. They can keep up!
3. They are smart/funny/and just a good time.
4. They make my life a constant party.


Reasons I love my Fresno friends:
1. They understand that Britney Spear and Lady Gaga are goddesses among women..
2. We can still talk like we saw each other yesterday.

3. They're lives are so different from mine and it's so great that we can still be close even though we've chosen such different paths.

Reasons I love DC:
1. It's a Tuesday night and I can party. It's a Wednesday night and I can party. It's a Thursday night and EVERYONE IS PARTYING! It's just a party out here.
2. It's unlike NYC in that it sleeps--I do like a good time, but I also like to be in bed at a decent hour.

Reasons I love Fresno:
1. My mom lives there. (same as last year)