WHAT I BOUGHT (& returned) IN AUGUST

As someone who loves living through other peoples purchases I thought it would be fun to share what I bought and returned in August.

Pre-quarantine I was VERY strategic with my purchases to help build a strong capsule wardrobe but now that my capsule wardrobe is built and I’m doing more bored/stressed/emotional shopping I’ve gotten a little loose with my strategy.

WTBS, the strategic Rule of 5 creator lives within me so my purchases still remain pretty true to form even without thinking about it.

I live in sweats so the fact that everyone else is more into lounge wear makes me very happy because now I can further justify my sweatsuit purchases because, “it’s what the people want”. I say that to say this, there’s A LOT of sweats and oversized tees below.

Now let’s get into what I bought this month (& why)

WHAT I BOUGHT …

NEW JEWELRY FROM MY SHOP

A new season calls for new pieces in my shop and just like you, I have to buy it! While this is a shameless plug to be completely clear I have been purchasing way more jewelry these days (there’s more below).

The reason is because we’re wearing a lot of basic sweatshirts and tees, we’re on FaceTime, Zoom and Social Media more than ever.

Do you know what will elevate your look and make you feel like you got dressed while in sweats? Doing your hair and a shit ton of jewelry!

NUMBER NECKLACE

I have been seeing this trend all of social. It’s far more popular with the years 1995 and such because the 90’s are currently trending and young 20 somethings are usually the ones spending on trends.

I love the look and yolo’d it with the year of my birth. You can get an number between 1-9999, you don’t have to get your birth year. It can be a lucky number, birth year, birth date, etc

HEART RING

I won’t lie I thought this was super childish when I first saw it in a photo then I ordered mine as soon as I received it I feel in love it’s hands down my new favorite ring!

NAME RING

A fun addition to my ring stacks, a subtle script name ring. She’s cute!

CHUNKY NAME NECKLACE

This is tecnically a restock, it sold out in June after 3 weeks and just came back! This is one of my absolute favorites.

It has a cool trendy vibe and screams 90’s fashion. I can’t recommend this one enough.

NIKE SET

NIKE SWEATSUIT SET

As stated in the beginning, I LOVE a sweatsuit! I’ve been into oversized fits lately, they just feel like a hug. I don’t have one this style so when it was on sale during the Anniversary Sale at Nordstrom I had to jump on it.

Everyone said to go down a size in the pants, while the size down worked I ultimately went with my TTS as I wanted them to be oversized just like they were meant to be.

I see myself wearing this at least once a week, even if around the house. When I leave the house I’ll for sure be wearing it with white platform sneakers.

TOPSHOP CARDIGAN

OVERSIZED CARDIGAN

Grandma has been wanting an oversized ankle length cardigan for a year or two now. The only one I’ve found (I haven’t been searching hard FYI) that passes my quality check was $100+, as someone who has never worn a cardigan before I couldn’t justify the cost. I need to know I’ll wear the style before I’ll drop that much $ on an item.

WTBS, this TopShop version is almost what I was looking for and was marked down during the Anniversary Sale so I made the purchase.

I sized up one size to a large so I could get it as big and cozy as possible and I’m so happy I did! While this isn’t floor length I plan on wearing this a lot this Fall Winter!

Styling Ideas: as shown here (lol), with an all white/off white sweater set, over a black bodysuit and black straight leg jeans, over a graphic tee, jeans and heeled booties.

P.S. I did find an order a floor length cardigan for $30 ish but it hasn’t come in yet … it’s coming from the UK and taking forever. I’ll share in next months round up. Assuming it comes in by then.

CELINE INSPIRED SUNGLASSES

These were 100% an impulse purchase I made from watching Emily Ann Gemma’s IG stories. They’re from Amazon, only $15 so it was a no brainer. Last check, this color is sold out but others are available.

ASOS SWEATSUIT

BUBBLE HEM SWEATSUIT SET

A bit of an impulse purchase but it was only $57 (for the set) and I’m stacking up on sweats this year so I justified it.

This is really soft and cozy. I’ve worn it working from home a couple of times already. I say it runs TTS but a few people said it runs big. If you’re unsure, order 2 sizes and return what doesn’t work.

SHEILD SUNGLASSES

I bought these from Quay when they had their BOGO sale. I love shield styles and have a few different pairs.

As someone with very sensitive eyes I squint anytime I’m outside even during an overcast so I always wear sunglasses. My sensitive eyes are also why I always wear sunglasses in my photos, it’s not to be cool it’s because 90% of my photos are unusable because my eyes look closed. Wearing sunglasses saves me time when shooting.

Long story short, this is why I have so many sunglasses.

ZARA BUTTON DOWN

BUTTON DOWN TUNIC/DRESS

This is technically a tunic but when you’re 5’4″ it’s a dress! I bought my TTS and it’s still very oversized (as it’s meant to be). I haven’t been able to find this dress online at Zara, it has been spotted online by others though. I have found a similar style from a different retailer, clicked the photo above for that.

This was kind of an impulse purchase but not really. I originally saw this style on someone in the mall 5 years ago (she said it was from Zara), then I stalked Pinterest for similar styles and pinned tons but couldn’t find any for purchase. I have purchased 3 other similar tops trying to get this look, they were all cute but not quite right.

To the impulse part, I was in Zara making a return when I saw this. I didn’t think twice, I immediately grabbed it and made the purchase I’ve been looking for for 5 years.

It was shopping fate!

This is definitely a piece I’ll wear mostly in Summer but this would be super chic over slouchy jeans with heels in the Fall, same look but with a hat a longline overcoat in the winter. Over shorts in the Summer is another option too.

ZARA SHOULD PAD T-SHIRT DRESS

SHOULDER PAD T-SHIRT DRESS

The shoulder pad trend is everywhere right now and I will not lie and say I have not taken it too far.

Each Summer I buy 1 or 2 inexpensive throw on and go dresses and this was mine this year. It’s literally a t-shirt dress but looks chic because of the shoulder pads.

I bought one size up for my hips and it was a little too big but when I washed it it shrunk because that’s who my dryer is. I’d say it shrunk down to my TTS, it’s literally 2-3 inches shorter now. Photographed is after washing/shrinking.

ZARA SHOULDER PAD SWEATSHIRT + ACID WASH MOM JEANS

LOWERCASE INITIAL NECKLACE

SHOULDER PAD SWEATSHIRT

I told y’all I’ve been taking the shoulder pad trend too far. This one is another inexpensive style from Zara. Runs TTS, I didn’t need it but thought it would be a good back drop when I’m taking jewelry shots for my shop.

ACID WASH MOM JEANS (gifted)

When people recommend sizing up in Abercrombie jeans they’re not kidding. These are a little snug but with a wear or two they should break-in, they are my TTS.

This is the Curve Love Mom Jean. While it says Acid Wash in the description, the product image on the website just looks like a light wash. They are in fact legit Acid Wash which makes them fun and gives your denim collection some variety.

CAT EYE SUNGLASSES

I bought this style sunglasses from Nordstrom last Summer in a brown ombre, they sold out right away but I found a listing on Amazon that looked almost identical. Well, I finally ordered them in black and they are actually identical irl too!

YSL TIE DYE SWEATSHIRT

Another impulse purchase brought to from watching Emily Ann Gemma’s IG stories in the middle of the night. I’m influenced too guys! Even though this is not weather appropriate (yet) I’ve worn it a few times. It’s classic, chic, on trend and comfy and that’s a yes for me dawg!

Runs TTS, I sized up for an oversized fit. You can easily size up twice if you want a slouchy oversized look.

BLACK AVIATOR SUNGLASSES

While shopping the Quay BOGO sale I saw these but didn’t purchase. They were put on my “next purchase” list so when I impulse purchased the sweatshirt I knew I needed the sunglasses to wear with it so I kinda impulse purchased these too. Kinda.

I will say of the 5 pairs of sunglasses I bought in August these are hands down my favorite. HIGHLY recommend! They are, imo, worth the full price too.

MENS TIE DYE T-SHIRT

$8 MENS OVERSIZED T-SHIRT

Impulse purchase, thought it would be great to wear around the house. It is. Sized up one for oversized fit.

EVERLANE JUMPSUIT

DENIM COVERALL JUMPSUIT (gifted)

We know I LOVE a denim jumpsuit so here’s another one! If you want a fitted look order your TTS, go up a size for a looser fit.

I actually requested this in white but was sent denim. I really like it so I went with it.

I can see this style in the Fall/Winter under a longline coat with loafers or sneakers.

ABERCROMBIE JEANS & BODYSUIT

Last month, I made my first Abercrombie purchase(s) and loved the items I bought. You guys loved them so much too so I reached out to their team and they were so kind to gift a few pieces.

BODYSUIT

The ribbed long sleeve bodysuits were already in my shopping cart so of course when gifted I went with them in both black and white.

I love the quality, it’s a really good weight not too heavy or too light. The ribbing helps disguise your lunch baby.

TTS, super soft

STRAIGHT LEG JEANS

I really loved these online, then when I got them in person they’re very similar to the slim boy jeans I got from Madewell 3 years ago. You guys loved those so I knew you’d want to know about these! I’ve already worn them a few times.

These are also the Curve Love fit and I say they run TTS.

NAME NECKLACE

Not a new item in my shop but a new piece in my collection. I have wanted this 14kt Solid Gold Carrie Name Necklace for years. It took me so long to get it because it is pricey and I needed to buy samples of all the other pieces in my shop. Since I already had the Carrie dipped I thought I didn’t “need” this Solid Gold option.

I was WRONG!!! so worth it even if I have a million name necklaces! My favorite part of this necklace is the twist chain, it glistens in the sun and just says, money!!

This is a really great gifting item if you’re looking for a higher quality piece.

MCM BUM BAG

Technically, I bought this in July but since this is my first round up post I added it in because it was a good purchase.

I love the quality of MCM pieces. When it comes to handbags I’m a hands free girl, if I have to keep up with a handbag I don’t want it. Bum Bags are really trending right now so I yolo’d it and splurged on this one. It was worth it.

I envision wearing this a lot in the winter with all black, long line black overcoat and white sneakers.

AMAZON JEWELRY

Like mentioned above I’ve been adding to my jewelry collection, it’s just an instant glam. Everything linked if you click the image above.

DALMATION SLIPPERS

We all need a new pair of slippers, right? I was in dire need. Scored these on Amazon $20 ish

BEAUTY

*click photos to shop products shown*

WHAT I RETURNED …

I just knew this was going to be a long list, it is not. Click the image above to shop any of the items.

ASOS SWEATSHIRT DRESS: I liked it but didn’t love it. I also have barely worn dresses this year which means I probably would not have worn it. I’d recommend it if you like it though.

NIKE SET (size small): I bought 2 sizes to compare. I went with my TTS, medium, for the slouchy look the set it meant to have.

ASOS CARDIGAN: *hated it!* It’s a marble print/color, makes it look cheap because it is cheap. Also not oversized, it fits and I want planet throw over the shoulders while going to the kitchen for a snack oversized.

QUAY BLACK HIGH KEYS: I wanted to compare these to the gradient pair above, the pair I end up keeping kicked this pairs peach!

ABERCROMBIE TANK: I meant to buy the bodysuit version and was moving too fast and bought this.