What I Bought: January 2020
I thought I might start this as a new monthly series. Not sure if I’ll do All The Things…or just clothes. But I figured I’d start with both, especially thinking that my clothing shopping is winding down this time of year. Let me know what you think! Is it a help…or boring?
SET OF 8 MULTI-SIZED EXTRA THICK ECO-FRIENDLY REUSABLE FOOD STORAGE BAGS
I was getting close to the last of my sandwich-sized plastic Ziplock baggies and just thought there might be a better option. So far, so good with these! No leakage, they’ve washed-up easily enough (I mean NOTHING is as easy as just dropping something in the trash can, but…I can make a LITTLE effort to help the planet).
Vanity Fair Women’s Body Caress Hi-Cut Panty
These have been my go-panties for a gazillion years. Seriously, since like my 20’s. They’ve gone through several iterations, cut styles have changed, new fabrics have come out, but they’re still the best blend of sucking-in + comfort I’ve found in a panty. And they’re relatively inexpensive (as plus-sized underwear goes) and easily ordered through Amazon. I wear the 9, which is their XXL and usually the largest size I can find. I typically get them in Damask Neutral and Midnight Black.
Aneco 288 Pieces Window Clings Heart Window Sticker Static Stickers Window Decals for Party Favors and Party Decorations
This was a fun purchase. I put these all around the office for Valentine’s Day but they’d be fun all year round as love notes on bathroom mirrors, your SO or friend’s car windshield, cell phones, lunch boxes or more! There are LITERALLY 288 pieces in the package, of all different sizes, colors, shapes and designs. I’m Valentine’s Window Clinged for life!
PRETTY LITTER CAT LITTER
I’m weak. I renewed my subscription to Pretty Litter after one month of not having it (have been using it since June 2019). It’s not inexpensive but it is The Best kitty litter I’ve ever used…and I’ve had cats for 40 years. It’s long-lasting, dust-free, easy to use, keeps smells down to nothing, and arrives by mail every 4-6 weeks (you set the delivery schedule) so you don’t have to lug heavy bags or tubs from store to car, car to house. It also has a health tracking ingredient that shows if your cat’s urine gets too alkaline or acidic or contains blood – all indications there could be a health issue.
Sanctuary Curve New Generation Boyfriend Shirt
This is a shirt I had in my January nuuly.com rental box that I LOVED and wore a whole bunch. The thought of returning it made me sad and like there’d be a hole in my wardrobe without it…so I found it on sale at Bloomingdales and bought it there. I’ve styled it so many ways already and still have more ways to go! I got it in a 3x.
LOFT PLUS BUTTON DOWN TUNIC SHIRT
I found myself wearing my white linen shirt so much during the winter that I thought I could use a “less summery” version that wouldn’t wrinkle so much, like for work. This is rayon and has good drape and movement…and I’ve had a tailored white button-down blouse on my list for a long time. I got it in a 3x.
SEDONA WOOL SWEATER COAT
This was a splurge, for sure. After getting the camel coat last fall I told myself that was it. If I wanted another coat, I would wait til next year. But. Then I got this coat from nuuly.com and fell in deep deep love. It’s got The Three C’s: Cozy, Comfy, and Cute. A real outlier from my usual solid, neutral, classic style…but I just love it and have worn it tons. I got it in a 2x and maybe could have gone down to a 1x, it’s that roomy.
CATHERINE MALANDRINO CASHMERE CREWNECK PULLOVER
Remember the thing I said above about the coat? One this year, one next year? I said the same about $$ sweaters. But I’ve worn my black one SO much this year and I knew I wanted to get a grey one next year…that when this went on sale for TWENTY-SIX DOLLARS, come on! I’m pretty confident it would not be $26 at the beginning of fall/winter next year…it would be back up to $100, if I could even find one I liked! It took me two years to find a black one I liked! So. I bought it. It made financial sense. Right?
MEJURI GOLD MIDI HOOPS
I’ve wanted these for a long time…first I waited to convince myself to spend the money…then I waited for the money…then they sold out…then I tried several times to buy them on ebay but kept missing the end of the auction…THEN in a magical twist of fate, I got a Visa gift card for Christmas AND they came back in stock at exactly the same time – it was as if the Universe WANTED me to have them. And how do you say no to the Universe?? I’ve worn them lots and love them.
And that is all I bought in January – besides groceries and drug-store type health/beauty stuff cuz things I don’t buy online are harder to keep track of.
So, do you appreciate posts like this…or not so much?
This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you buy something as a result of clicking that link, at no extra cost to you. I appreciate you shopping through my links.
Cheryl
I really liked reading your purchases for the month. At the moment I’m wearing a mismatched pair of gold hoop earrings because I’ve lost one from each pair, your new hoops are lovely!
bettyewp
Haha, my everyday earrings were the same for over a year – little dangle discs, but one silver and one gold cuz I’d lost one from each pair. Amazingly no one ever commented!
We could just be setting a new style trend! Go Us!
Deborah Stinedurf
Hey friend! I’m super intrigued by the re-usable baggies. They are a fabulous idea and I might have to give them a try. And how lucky were you with that cashmere sweater…what a steal! And you know that you’ll wear it forever, it’s the perfect basic. Happy weekend gorgeous! xo
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
bettyewp
Yep, I’m still using the reusable baggies! It’s def not as easy as disposables, but “easy” and “convenient” is how we got the world into this mess! And OMG my mind is still blown over the $26 cashmere!
julia
I always like hearing something different from bloggers and those little plastic baggies got me thinking. I’m really hating single use plastics now too so these would be really handy and not take up as much room as containers. Just FYI, it might be more beneficial for you to just go directly through Amazon instead through ShopStyle.
bettyewp
You know, I tried using the Amazon affiliate thingie when I first started affiliating…but I feel like a) there was a $100 threshold before you’d get payment and it just seemed like that was gonna take me YEARS cuz you make SO little money off Amazon sales, and b) I also thought there was a rule that if you didn’t make any sales through your links in 180 days, they discontinued your membership (or whatever it’s called). So when I went to ShopStyle it just seemed easier to do them all the same way. Have those things changed (or perhaps I misunderstood them in the first place – wouldn’t be a surprise)?
Marian
I live All The Things! Not boring. You’re never boring!
I’m not an anthropologist but there is a part of me that lives to see how others live. And I respect so many of the choices you’ve made on clothing, etc and followed your inspiration and bought similar things that of course this is of interest. The red shirt is great!
I just found yellow flats and Merrill hiking shoes at Nordstrom Rack when I went to return a shirt. Finding 2 pairs of shoes that are really comfy and fill a hole in my wardrobe almost never happens. There went my budget! Can’t buy any more for now. But every time I see a red shirt I think of yours.
bettyewp
You made my day, Marian!
Ooh, yellow flats! A couple years back I was dying for a pair of marigold yellow pointy-toed Rothy flats but I just couldn’t bring myself to spend the $120 for them – even though I feel like they would have gone with almost every one of my summer dresses. Just recently I saw some golden yellow mules that were dreamy…I saved them to a wish list but can’t think of where that was (!) AND I keep seeing sneakers in that color and I think They Are So Fun!!!
Yes, shoes are TOUGH. When you find them that check all your boxes, you should definitely go for it!
Rhonda
Sounds like you made some very good decisions in your January shopping! Never resist a $26 cashmere, for sure! Didn’t realize the standard zip top baggies were “single” use…I wash and reuse mine till the zip part no longer works, or they start to leak! 🤣😂Drives my son crazy!!! I may have to change over to the ones you purchased once I recycle through all of my “single” use!😊 And, if I still had cats, I’d for sure want that litter subscription, especially for the urine detection ability! That’s awesome!
bettyewp
I didn’t generally “single use” plastic baggies either…but I usually only kept them about a week, putting the same thing in them day after day (apple slices, grapes, cheese, etc) then sticking them in the fridge til refilling them the next day. I think the box I have right now that’s ALMOST empty I bought when I first moved to my current apartment, and that was a year ago. So I never used many, but still. Now I’ll go through even less. And I believe these are a more eco friendly material than a traditional plastic baggie.
Michelle
Fun concept! That cashmere sweater was a steal, and even better that it was something you were actively looking for! I think good pieces are always worth investing in whenever you find the right one.
Those reusable baggies are a great idea. Do you hand wash them or put them in the top rack of the dishwasher?
bettyewp
I’m the dishwasher 🙂 I put a little soap and hot water in them, zip them up, shake so it sloshes the soapy water around, open and give a quick swipe with the sponge, rinse, and upend over whatever long-handled utensil happens to be standing up in the dish-drain.
jodie filogomo
I looked into that kitty litter too. But we just couldn’t pull the trigger. We have found that the Arm & Hammer clump and seal and 100% dust free has been wonderful. And not as expensive.
I’m glad you splurged on that coat Bettye. It’s fun and unique just like you!
OXOX
Jodie
bettyewp
Yeah, I had a hard time going to that price. But after so many years of trying SO many litters (fresh step lightweight was my favorite before – a very lightweight clumping litter) and hating lugging tubs from the store, up the steps to the apartment AND not wanting to put it on my landlords to have to bring heavy boxes of mailordered litter downstairs to me (they get my mail at their front door, then carry it downstairs – indoors – to the basement and leave it on their side of the door connecting my apartment to the rest of their basement, then text me to say I have mail…and I just open the door, grab my stuff, and shut and relock the door, like a scared little mouse, ha ha). The Pretty Litter bag is only 4 pounds and lasts a month, so it’s easy on all of us. That said, I HAD just canceled it, though I hadn’t run out of it yet…and only resubscribed before going away so that would be the litter in use while Mrs Landlady was watching Janey as it is SO easy to use. Less work, less disposal. I have one more bag that will take me well into March and then I may have to find something else again as it *is* a lot of money (though I feel worth it). I see Fresh Step now has a crystal type litter that seems similar to Pretty Litter, in that it is non-clumping (but NOT like old school litter).
Wow, that was a lot of talk about KITTY LITTER 🙂
I do love that horse coat!
Iris
I use the Arm & Hammer clump and seal too and have been really pleased with it.
Grace & Peace,Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
Marceline Miller
Fun! Kind of like having a personal shopping service.😊
bettyewp
🙂
Susan
Love this post, Bettye!
Also love cashmere…
Leslie Susan Clingan
I have had the reusable ziplock bags on my Amazon wish list for months. Glad to hear from someone I know that they are worth the money. You are right about taking a little effort to save the planet.
bettyewp
All it takes is everyone doing a LITTLE something 🙂
Iris
I love this post – I’d be afraid to post my monthly purchases. I seem to be going over my budget almost every month lately. Case in point – new garage door opener TODAY!
Grace & Peace,Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
bettyewp
Well, garage door opener seems way more practical than the stuff I buy!