On Tuesday,Jennifer updated us on the purchases she has made from her summer must-have list. As usual, she hit all the right marks and did so in an amazingly cost-effective manner. My June shopping list (and budget) went in a different direction. Here’s the scoop:

June was an exciting month for me because it took me South Africa, England and the United Arab Emirates. To say that it was a significant item to cross off my bucket list would be a major understatement. But it also meant that most of my June shopping was for the trip. And because it is winter in South Africa (and most days feel like winter in foggy London town), I was “summer” shopping for sweaters, jackets and scarves. So while I didn’t make too much progress on my summer wishlist, I did pick up a few items that will be invaluable to me in seasons — and, I hope, holidays — to come.

Admiring a tree sculpture outside the gorgeous Tokara Winery in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Click on the items for details.

I have to admit, I did a pretty fantastic job of packing for this trip. How do you pack 15 days’ worth of winter clothes into one small bag? By choosing versatile pieces like the Madewell Spotshadow Jacket ($104, with 20% off card). It proved to be a great layering piece, working on its own on a sunny day of wine tasting, but still light enough to wear under my heavy jacket at night. The Dooney & Bourke Nylon Crossbody Bag ($58) is the perfect travel bag. It fits all the necessities and works well with any outfit. I also like that it’s flat so I can wear it under a jacket when I think that safety may be an issue.

View from the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. Click on the items for details.

The Broken-In Khakis from Gap ($30, with 40% discount) are a versatile choice for just about any occasion. I wore this pair hiking, on game drives, even paired with ballet flats for an evening out. The lightweight North Face hoodie ($35, on sale) accompanied me everywhere — the perfect layering piece.

Staying warm in my Madewell Ombre Circle Scarf and REI jacket at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa. Click on the jacket for details.

I love this Madewell Ombre Circle Scarf (apparently so did everywhere else, as it’s sold out — click here for similar style). It will no doubt be a permanent fixture in my fall wardrobe, just as it was on the trip. But I really hit the jackpot with the REI Revelcloud Jacket ($149). It is surprisingly warm, given how lightweight it is. I love the slim fit that is still generous enough to accommodate multiple layers without looking too bulky. The best part: you can roll it up and stuff it in a little accompanying drawstring bag! It took up virtually no space in my bag. I will be wearing this jacket all winter as I navigate the Phoenix public transit system, and it will no doubt join me on future visits to cold-weather climates.

Making new friends at Balule Nature Reserve, South Africa.

I’ve had the Lucy beanie for years, but the Gap Woven-Striped Scarf was a purchase for the trip. I’m not sure what I would’ve done without this scarf — it kept me warm on the early morning game drives. The style I bought is sold out; click here for a similar style.

In addition to my trip necessities, I actually did buy a few things that were on my must-have list:
- The perfect lightweight movie theatre cardigan: J. Crew Linen Cable-Knight Cardigan in Heirloom Pink ($68, 15% off with the J. Crew educator discount).
- Sophisticated shorts: I love the higher waist and slim cut of these Madewell Double-Dutch Shorts (now on sale for $39.99). I can wear them on a day of errand-running or dress them up for dinner with friends.
- The any-occasion maxi dress: I brought the J. Crew Raj Paisley Midsummer Maxi Dress ($119.99)  dress on my trip to wear in Dubai. I love the fun print. It worked perfectly for a fancy evening out (paired with the aforementioned cardigan), and it’s also a great go-to for weekend brunch.

Total Spent: $686

So in the end, I didn’t make too much progress on my must-have list, and I went way over budget..yikes. But it was the best June ever.