The September Savings

This post is kind of word-heavy, but I hope you'll read it all. It' something that's important to me and might be important to you.

I'm usually not the type to jump on the bandwagon and join a cause. I definitely like getting behind something and supporting it, but if in general tons of people are doing something it looses its appeal to me.

With that said I want to share something with you.  The entire month of September I am going on a shopping ban.  Here is what is being banned: any type of clothing or accessory.  What I can buy is anything for the apartment (it's not even furnished at this point and me and my roommates are all splitting the costs , any school related costs (like textbooks, etc), food, etc.

Basically the point is this: avoid any unnecessary and frivolous purchases. I want to instill some self discipline in my life in the area of shopping.  Lately it's gotten a little out of hand and I really don't like that...at all. I have tons of other financial responsibilities (like school, car, holidays, apartment related things, and more much) to pay for so it makes sense to just make a conscious effort to not buy anything clothing or accessory related during the month of September.

If you want to join me in this effort then you can, but I'm not forming any kind of organized group. This is something that's personal to me and a personal decision. I'm not creating a movement or trying to get something started, but I just want to share with you that I'm just a college girl on a budget trying to look good and feel good while being financially wise. However if you feel the need to participate in your own shopping ban, leave a comment below telling me what you're choosing to ban for the month of September.

This is something that's going to be really hard for me - especially when I see a sale.  It's SO hard for me to pass up a good sale.  But I'm going to try my best at this shopping ban. I hope to learn how to control my money and when to purchase and when not to purchase.

If you've gotten this far in the reading, thank you. I truly appreciate you taking the time to read a post that doesn't have many pictures (I rarely do it myself!). And with that I'm off to start my first spend-free day!

Daily Life: First Day Recap

*These pictures were taken on one of the last days I had with my girls that I nannied during the summer.

The first day of classes went well. I got two parking tickets, but other than that it was good. Oh yeah, and the AC was out in basically the entire building of classes and where we gathered for chapel.  But other than that it was good. Ha.

Being back at school reminds me of just how many couples we have on campus. We are a pretty small University so everyone knows who's with who. I wish it wasn't like this. Sometimes I wish I was at a larger University so there was anonymity, but then again I really like seeing people I know wherever I go.

Although I don't have any style pictures to share with you. I'm not sure how this is all going to work out with me being able to take style pictures while being so busy with school and what-not.

I hope you are having a great Tuesday! I'll share some pictures of my room once it gets all organized and decorated.

Ps - It's my brother's 19th birthday.  He's all the way out in Wisconsin so we won't celebrate today but we had a celebration last week. Happy Birthday Bryce!

August Favorite Looks

{click on the image to enlarge}

Last month I did a round up of all my favorite outfits that I wore that month (you can see the July post here). Well I decided to do the same thing this month just as a fun look back on what I wore : ) These are my favorite looks.  Do you have a favorite?

Style Files: First Day Of Classes

I'm hosting a giveaway over at Rachel's blog for a gift certificate to my etsy shop! You can head on over and enter here!

This bag is from the etsy shop Kibber.  As you know I've admired this bag from a afar for a time now and I'm so thankful to have it just in time for classes this year! I'm also grateful to Kibber because they are a sponsor of my blog The Searched and Found.

But enough about the bag and more about the outfit!  Both of these pieces are from Gap. I got them on a really good sale.  I actually have this same skirt but in gray.  However the gray skirt is a size too big and this blue one fits much better : )

I also wore this outfit for the E-town fair (as pictured above), but I thought that wedges might be a bit much for that occasion so I switched into some leather sandal flats instead. Can't scare the people too much!

Today is the first day of classes at the University.  It's all about finding where to go, printing out syllabi, and running last minute errands and unpacking, as well as the late night ice cream social! I have so much to do that I'm about to burst. I hope I can get it all done soon.

It's going to be a challenge to make our apartment look cute, but we're determined to do it while on a budget. I don't have mad decorating skills so any tips would be great!

Well there's still so much to write but I won't bore you with the details : ) Have a great Monday!

More Owl Affection

I'm glad you all love owls as much as I do. They are so adorable, no?
Ps - This is my sister Brea and her boyfriend James. He isn't one much for pictures but he hung in there :)

I'm heading back to school today. I'm excited to get back but I'm running on no sleep today. My dog saw it fit to be constantly moving all night and left me with about an hour of sleep. I hope I can hang in there.

Last Night: The E-Town Fair

Last night I went to the local fair in my area.  It's been a while since I've been to a fair so it was fun! I have a lot more pictures to share with you I just have to give them a few more touch-ups and they'll be ready!  In the meantime today is going to be FILLED with packing for college.  I was planning on moving back in today but I'm not sure if I'll be able to make the deadline, so I'm shooting for tomorrow possibly.  But keep your fingers crossed for me! : )

I hope you all have a great Saturday!

Style Files: It's Friday!

Caridgan-Target, Top-Old Navy, Necklace-White Owl on Etsy, Skirt-(actually a dress) from Old Navy, Shoes-Target, Belt-Target

Do you notice something different?  Yup, I dyed my hair darker! As you know I was having trouble deciding which route to go - blonde or brown. But after weighing the costs I just figured I couldn't actually afford turning my hair blonde again, so brown I went : )  I just wanted to get rid of that orange color!

Today is Friday and I'm so excited. This week went by really fast but was exhausting. I still have so much to pack for school and I don't even want to think about all the unpacking I have to do once I get on campus! The next few days are going to be extremely busy. I hope your weekend goes well!

Thank You!

This past week has been a good one for the shop. I had my first sale from a reader (thank you dear!) and Taylor House was featured on two blogs and in two etsy treasuries! Here are the links below.

"Remembering"

"Golden Glow"

Taylor House was also featured on two of my favorite blogs: Wattlebird by Annie, and Jewel Me Pretty by Rin!

Next week is going to be even better.  I'm hosting a few giveaways which means you can win a chance to get one of the cowls! I'll post the links here so keep your eyes peeled : )

Ps - Just found out the mustard cowl was featured in another treasury!