Well 2014's glass is almost empty & it's time to think ahead to 2015...

I shopped a lot in 2014 but still not enough to greatly inflate my wardrobe. I have a sense of what should feel 'just right' and eventually I'll get there. It is a lot easier to get dressed for a week of work with these new pieces!

I did replace a few items. The cheap little ponte blazer I bought in winter got misshapen after a few washings so I upgraded to this pleather moto by Marc New York. My ponte mini skirt from ATLoft was a) ancient and b) too short and c) pilled so I got a knee length scuba pencil skirt by INC. Love scuba knits!

Bought 2 other skirts: the Boden denim A-line is a real workhorse; easygoing as a pair of jeans... the Joes army green twill skirt is short (I know!) but I didn't buy it for the classroom. We're planning a trip to Hawaii this summer & I got it to replace a pair of worn out shorts. I love the color & the notched high-low hemline.

The Madewell plaid shirt was great when first purchased but hasn't held it's line very well. I'm not impressed at their quality. The deep red Crew boyfriend sweater compliments it nicely, but merino gives me hives if any square inch of bare skin is exposed so that rather limits it's usefulness. Sighs...

2014 was a good year for tees, something I will buy in multiples if I like. Absolutely love the boxy Uniqlo scoopnecks in supima cotton. And the Madewell linen swing tees are great, albeit slightly short. After ordering half a dozen long sleeve tees from Aritzia I only kept 2, a boxy purple v-neck with a great hemline and a slouchy peplum in a color suspiciously similar to Pantone's much maligned 'marsala'...

I experimented with pullovers at entry level prices. They work again now that the hot flashes have ended for me. Yippee! I got an oatmeal & black color blocked cotton pullover by Vince at TJMaxx and a teak cotton shaker stitch pullover at Old Navy.

Shoes needed upgrading for my new job so I got 3 pairs of flats and 3 pairs of low heeled boots/booties. I also found I needed a compact, soft sided bag for locking up at crowded school sites, and found this tignanello cognac leather backpack on 75% off clearance. I love it.

I added two pairs of Hudson skinny 'Collin' jeans to my closet, one black & one a dark Belfast wash (not pictured). I've worn them enough to prove that jeans are really never too expensive on a CPW basis if I really like them!

The last few purchases were scarves: my first infinity (not pictured), a terrific oversized red paisley, and the poor ruana I had butchered down to a scarf.
The rest of what I bought -- not pictured here -- was thrifted: a few classic trench coats, some skirt shapes I wanted to try, etc.

I didn't have a budget this year, but what I spent matches the budget for the new year, the only challenge will be that this year that money will have to cover haircuts, gear & underwear purchases, and make up as well.

I want to slow things way down in terms of quality & sustainability so I am looking to focus my 2015 purchases on some Eileen Fisher and Everlane pieces. I'll keep thrifting in a very picky way. I always enjoy my shoes, so I'll just plug away there. Top of my list for 2015 are some nude booties to wear with bare legs and slip on sneaks.

Thanks for all the inspiration I get from this forum. It really helps me a lot! Happy New Year! xoxo