Since it's been a year since I started this blog, let's take a look back, shall we? Conveniently, I started budgeting along with Fran's Budgeting Bloggers in July 2014, so there's a good place to start. I haven't always stuck to my budget, of course, but I do feel like the idea of a budget and putting together an organized closet has made me into a more mindful shopper over the past year.

So which purchases from my budget posts have gotten the most use?

Top Shoe Purchase: For spring/summer, obv it's these White Mountain sandals, which I've been wearing like every other day! For winter, my North Face Thermoball booties from Zappos (they're so warm and light-weight!).

Top Beauty Product: The Dior Addict Lip Glow that I was skeptical of back in February. I use it all the time, and it's become a go-to lip balm. The price is really the only thing that would keep me from re-purchasing.

Top Bag: A toss up between a slouchy gray hobo from Target (I bought it last fall so I don't see it on their website, boo) and the small Longchamp Le Pliage tote I scored on eBay for $20. Both are lightweight and accommodate my daily crap without being cavernous.

Top Clothing Item: My gray cardigan from Old Navy--how boring!! But I guess this just highlights the need to buy pieces that are versatile. This sweater is really soft and comfy without being too light or too heavy, and it's grey, so duh, it just goes with everything! (I think it's this one on Old Navy.com, but if so, it's no longer available in grey.)

Top Jewelry Purchase: The Tiara Midi Ring from Baublebar. It fits perfectly on my teeny tiny fingers, and I've seriously worn it every day since buying it in March. It's so dainty and simple without being plain--I love it.

In mid-July 2014, I also made a list of five goals for the year. Weird, I know, but I actually have a hard time making New Year's Resolutions in January because I find the end of the calendar year to be very sad and unsettling. ANYHOO, here are my goals for the past year, and how they went:

Have $5,000 in emergency savings: Ummm no comment. I do have some money saved, just not nearly that much. Whoops. Sorry, Ambitious 2014 Self.

Pay down my student loans: I've been diligently making my payments, and occasionally making extra payments, so I can check this one off, I suppose. $5,000 was again a little ambitious.

Be a regular blogger: YES! To Sparkle Punch wasn't even a week old when I made these resolutions, so clearly I was concerned about the fizzle factor that I talked about here!

Take 3 trips: I actually went on six!! #overachiever Ok, so two were just bus trips to NYC, but I am generally an old lady who does nothing on the weekends, so I'm going to count them :)

Weekend getaway with the bf, where I learned that I AM capable of relaxing... as long as I am hundreds of miles away from my house :)

The top pic is from waiting to get in to Dodger Stadium to see PAUL MCCARTNEY!!!

You haven't lived until you've done Disney and Universal in a walking boot (lol)! Luckily, my bffl Soph and her fam are Disney pros, and so we went on "Maman's Sitting Tour," aka all of her mom's favorite seated, air conditioned attractions (like Turtle Talk with Crush and the spectacular Aladdin show), in addition to the ush It's a Small World, Soarin' Over California, Big Thunder Mountain, etc. GENIUS.