Archive for November 2015

Home Archive for November 2015

Well - my first piece of advice would be, swerve it. BUT (and who are we kidding?!) it would surely be rude not to take advantage of some of the amazing offers that are out there?

I think we should play them at their own game and definitely make the most of the offers whilst they're around this weekend.

Especially as you're more likely to get what you want now, than wait for the sale when it inevitably will be sold out.

Is it possible to snag a bargain?

Well, I have come up with some rules that IF you follow, you shouldn't make a mistake. To be honest, these are generic shopping rules but I find somehow, my brain (what's left of it) decides to take a sabbatical and I turn into a headless chicken and buy EVERYTHING when there's an offer on or there's a sale. Because it's a bargain.

So before you go in - I would maybe have a read of these. No, none of them are rocket science, but sometimes it does take a reminder to remember them.

If in doubt stick to a colour palette If you don't have anything else fuchsia pink yet decide on the spur of the moment you HAVE to have that jumper - you may find that by Monday, you'll realise you didn't. Do not impulse buy a colour you don't usually wear *stares at green coat hanging in wardrobe and weeps*.
Know your lifestyle. That skirt is marvellous. Seriously how often will you wear it.....on the school run, at playgroup, in the supermarket..... Do not buy something that you don't usually wear just because you "might" or you "should". You won't.
And on that subject, only buy something if you can think of three occasions when you will wear it. Go on.... (and you can wear almost anything on Christmas Day, I've discovered)
Sticking with three - you must be able to make three outfits with it, from things you already own in your wardrobe (that skirt you want for example.. will you need new tops, new boots and a new jacket/coat to go with it??! Put the skirt back.)
"Don't you have one of those already?", courtesy of The Husband. Buy three black polo necks but make sure they're all different shapes, sleeve lengths, knits and go with different trousers/skirts/for different occasions. The same black jumper shape in a black cable knit does not count. Buy it in a different colour instead (from your colour palette...put that pink jumper back. By the way, I now really want a pink jumper!)
Would you buy it if at the same reduced price if it was full price in Zara...? Are you just buying it because it's a bargain? Do you REALLY love it?
And my fave (which I'm sure someone told me on here actually and I have shamelessly stolen and added to my list) - if it doesn't look as good on as the outfit you wore into the changing room does, don't buy it.

This clearly is not an inexhaustible list but it's a good start to stop yourself stocking up on "bargains" that are only a bargain as there was 30% off.

My other advice would be - make a list. If you don't have one already, make it now so you can hopefully box clever come the January sales. Your first port of call should be to always check items that are on your list. Change your list regularly, add to it. There are certainly things at the start of the season that I thought MUST HAVE and didn't splurge on, that I now think - meh... I can live without them.

And speaking of that, I have two complete treat purchases to report on. These, I have wanted for months and the want is still definitely a NEED.

Now, I will admit, I haven't decided if I'm keeping them yet (ok so I so have - they will get wrapped up for Christmas). But as they are two things I have had on my list for so long, I feel totally justified in buying them (especially as they both go with lots of things I have had for years and years AND will work especially well with the £20 New Look bargain trousers which = justification right there and none other needed).

Firstly - I couldn't play chicken anymore with the Golden Goose trainers that I wanted. Oh - and here's a piece of extra advice. It's an idea to perhaps just verify that the thing that you can't live without, is as good in the flesh as you think it's going to be. (I'm not going to lie - this does go horribly wrong if it is just as amazing as you had suspected it would be and you have to send it back. Heartbreaking isn't the word)

But sometimes it does pan out as I ordered both the red suede and the red mesh leather Golden Goose sneakers and the red suede ones really weren't all that at all. The mesh leather ones on the other hand... be still my beating heart. Yes there is a metallic tone to them and yes they do look as if they belonged to a tramp.

Golden Goose Superstar trainers £265 from Shoescribe (zero discount)

They are genuinely so so so so SO much better in the flesh.

However I did manage to snag a deal AT LAST with my beloved Bella Freud Jumper that I have been salivating over.

From Selfridges instore FINALLY. And now sold out (apparently I did get the last one).

BUT BUT BUT - there is a better deal to be had although they've sold out of the 1970 ones but some others left at Coggles with 30% off - code, BLACKFRIDAY (off everything)

My advice would be is that these are tiny. Mine's a Large. It's not that large.

My obsession with red continues.

Bella Freud Black Queen Jumper £270 A much more wine shade than the very tomato shade of the 1970 one (which I very much like and surprised myself)

Or the classic Ginsburg is God... £290 again pre 30% off.

And there are still some deals to be had on others - lots to choose from with 30 % off at Avenue 32.

My favourite of the bunch would be Jordan's Eyes jumper (I'm assuming this isn't Jordan Peter Andre Jordan as if it is, I've just been a little bit sick in my mouth and wouldn't give you 5p for this. Actually I lie, I would. I LOVE this jumper and it does look even better in the flesh that it does online)

Bella Freud Jumper from Avenue 32 pre 30% off

And some others at Selfridges with 20% off (code SELFCCE)

However if we are talking about Selfridges and you do fancy yourself a pair of Golden Goose. Before they sell out (as they are now selling ridiculously well now and if you tried a pair on, you would know why) then it's worth having a look at them with 20% off.

Which would I pick? Well, they don't have my red ones otherwise obviously I'd have bought them in a heartbeat (I could only find mine at Shoescribe, hence I bought them already).

Top of my picks would be either of these. I have to switch off otherwise I may convince myself I need a black pair (I DON'T and actually they're sold out in my size. See?!)

Golden Goose Superstar 15th Trainers £285 pre 20% off.

And in the white again (OUCH) £285

So there we have my ultimate buys of the season, that usually I would have waited until the January sales for except both were in danger of selling out (one has!). BUT I did manage to snag a bargain (completely relative term for something heinously expensive) with one of them and both are my Christmas presents.

I'll be reporting on Me+Em tomorrow (although they do have a Black Friday offer with 25% off if you want to have a sneak preview) as there's just too much to talk about at the moment. As well as my lovely morning with Anna Lou of London and a whole host of wonderful ladies at the coffee morning in Earsfield I was invited to.

Quick here's what I wore... Hair is not surviving this weather. If it's actual drizzle, it's damp. Or then it's damp and you come in and it's humid in the central heating. This is worse than Monica in the Caribbean.

Grey cashmere jumper - Me+Em

Grey blazer - Me+Em

Burgundy leather leggings - hush

Black buckle boots - Toga

Black Mario bag - Jerome Dreyfuss

I'm now off to get changed for a Christmas party having been driving the children around non stop since 3.15pm. I think I'm going for more sequins....(and leather and fringing - going against the grain and throwing every fashion fad at the outfit this evening in an attempt to swerve attention away from my halo of frizz).

PS - the only bargain I am way more pleased at snagging than I should be is Fifa 16 for only £25 for the Xbox 360. I need to get out more. This is until I go to pick it up at Asda tomorrow and find they've sold out but they're happy to refund me... hmmmmm.