Old Navy dress; Rebecca Minkoff ‘Love’ crossbody bag; ℅ Ted and Muffy leopard boots.

I can still remember the first pair of ‘expensive’ shoes I bought. They were leopard flats, very classic, with a  little bow on the toe. I spent $90 on them in Downtown Ft. Lauderdale and I was really nervous to spend that much on a pair of shoes. It was an impulsive purchase that I never regretted. I wore those shoes to death as a teacher. They looked really great with a cropped pair of pants and a tucked in blouse, and also looked awesome on casual Friday with dark skinny jeans and a tunic top. I wore those flats until I literally wore a hole in the bottom of the sole. (I’m still sad about that.)

I’ve learned over the years that there are some times that it is totally worth the splurge on, and other things that just aren’t. Let’s discuss:

*Let’s be honest here, too! A splurge for me is any shoe over $30, a bag that is over $50, and clothes over $40 or so. Each of us have a number in our head that constitutes a splurge or save item, mine tends to hover around anything not from Target being a splurge;)

1) Shoes are something that I love to buy. I love having a ton of shoe options available, and shoes are a great way to keep up with trends without changing too much of your wardrobe. In my opinion, I will only splurge on a classic shoe. I have a pair of beige Sam Edelman “Petty” boots that go with everything, a pair of studded flats that I love wearing to work, running shoes are something I spend good money on, and that is about it!

 I also consider anything leopard to be a classic (see story above!) These leopard boots from Ted and Muffy are the perfect game changing boot. They jazz up a simple outfit, work well with other patterns (LOVE mixing plaid and leopard in the Fall), and ankle boots look great with dresses and pants alike. I had a cheaper pair of leopard ankle boots, but found the pattern was off and they just looked cheap. Well done leopard is hard to find, surprisingly, and worth the money if you find the perfect pair. Sam Edelman makes a pair of their Petty boots in leopard that are similar (and a bit less expensive,) than this pair. 

The shoes I don’t spend money on? Anything trendy! I buy most of my shoes from Target and I have never been disappointed. They almost always have the hottest style shoes available (still kicking myself over buying the real Birkenstock’s over the cuter, studded Target pair. Ugh!) I’ve had boots and shoes from Target that have lasted for years and never get gross. My favorite RIGHT NOW are a pair of fringe boots that I saw for a lot more money elsewhere, as well as another fringe and buckle pair that I bought years ago. 

Also, I just bought this pair of tie up flats from Topshop that I can’t wait to get! 

2) It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I started spending a bit more money on my handbags. I have been on a mission to collect some classic ones over various holiday and birthday celebrations that I think will stay chic forever. When I buy an expensive bag I go with a neutral color. Mostly black and grey bags, I’m also looking to add a natural looking tan bag soon. Oh, and maybe a blush one?! Ha. I love my Rebecca Minkoff Love bag (above), as well as the Mini 5 zip convertible bag in black. 

Something I don’t spend money on (and carry on the days I’m out and about with the kids), are totes. I love my reversible tote from Nordstrom that feels like real leather (and looks just like the Madewell Transport tote), as well as a bucket bag from Old Navy I bought last year, and another patterned tote from Target I bring to work a lot. I usually buy trendier bags (fringed, brightly colored, etc), for less. I don’t like to invest in anything trendy, this is where Target, Old Navy, American Eagle, and other similar stores some in. 

3) Some things I almost never spend a lot of money on? Clothes! I shop mostly at (you guessed it…), Target and Old Navy, and sometimes online at Nordstrom. I find that quality on most things from these stores is comparable to more expensive places, so why spend more? I’m a buy more, buy often kind of gal, so it just doesn’t make sense to spend good money on clothes that I may get sick of, or be sad if I spill food all over. The only clothing item I would splurge on are coats, which makes sense to me. It is something that is worn almost exclusively for months on end where I live, so a good coat makes sense. My leopard coat from Asos (bought a couple of years ago), was worth everything I paid for it. I would buy that things  couple hundred times over;)