How to… shop till you drop without breaking the bank

This is something that I have tried and continue to strive to do, therefore this post has a little of a “do as I say, not as I do” undertone to it.

I think that as bloggers we have a responsibility to our readers not to just become another part of the peer pressure that can force some people into a danger spiral of spending and debt from trying to keep up with all of the trends all of the time. This is something that was discussed in this Friend Friday discssion. Sure, there are some people – and bloggers – who can afford to spend all of their days dressed head-to-toe in designer clobber but I’m not one of them and I don’t think that many of my readers are either.


1. First – and this is the one that I struggle with the most – make a budget and stick to it. Make it realistic. Look at how much you actually spend each month and work out roughly how much you can afford to spend. Don’t make it so limiting that within the first day of the month you’ve bought one thing and blown it and then end up scraping the budget and spending too much. Again. I speak from personal experience.

2. Sleep on something you want. If you still want it the next day, it’ll still be there. If, of course, it is the last one and in your size, why not buy it but then leave it in the bag, with its receipt and tags on, and sleep on it. More often than not, when I do either of these I find I didn’t actually want it as much as I thought I did and I end up “saving” however much I would have wasted on it.

3. Look out for things that you lusted after, but didn’t fit in your budget, at sales time. I have managed to find a few things like this and it always feels even more like a bargain.

4. I have read this so many times and have never seemed to be able to do it but if you can, I think it must work: take an inventory of your wardrobe and work out what is missing from it and make a list. Then, when you’re shopping, hunt out these rather than going into a shop with no plan whatsoever.

5. Allow yourself one frivolous, non-essential buy every couple of months. If you’re always waiting till you find the one thing that your wardrobe’s missing, or your waiting to see if that one piece you’re lusting after goes into the sales, you’ll soon get despondent and likely give up on the whole thing. So allow yourself frivolous buys occasionally. They make you feel good and will add something to your wardrobe.

Of course, there is no real sure-fire way to stop yourself from bankrupting yourself with your shopping, except to go cold turkey. If you think you might be a bona fide shopaholic, check out my post here. And to see how I did when I went cold turkey last year for six months, go see my posts here.

What are your tips for budget shopping? Do these apply to you? Do you think bloggers have a responsibility to encourage readers not to overspend?

LUST LIST: Paris-inspired tees

Paris-inspired fashion seems to be everywhere at the moment.

This is my Top 10 list of Paris/French tees! I think one or two might have to be purchased before my trip to the French capital later this year!!

Dorothy Perkins' White perfume bottle tee, £18

Dorothy Perkins' Cream 'Voltaire' motif tee, £18

Topshop Paris Stripe Motif Tee, £20

Topshop Beaded Eiffel Tower Vest, £32

 

Topshop Vintage Paris Vest, £18

 

 

Topshop Spotty Paris Vest, £16

 

 

Topshop Bonjour Body, £18

Oasis Black & White Sequin No 6 Stripe Tee, £38

Oasis Navy Paris L'amore Tee, £28

 

Oasis Mid Grey Necklace Placement T-Shirt, £35

Which is your favourite?

Be Happy - Go Shopping!

Sorry for a distinct lack of posts recently. I am currently learning the hard way that leaving things to the last minute does not pay off!! By 'things', I mean my masters dissertation! I have just under two weeks to finish my 20 000 word thesis!! Current word count: about 8 000!!! Agh!!!


Anyway, I did just about manage to write my (now monthly) column for British Style Bloggers. I didn't quite manage to post it but the lovely Amy did for me - so you can read it here.


I will be back in business very very soon. In the meantime, think of me!


More soon. Love, SG

It's true what they say...

"shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist"!!


In Confessions of a Shopaholic - which could be my life story (!!) - Rebecca Bloomwood says,


"When I shop the world gets better, the world is better; and then it's not anymore and I have to do it again."


So today, I made my world better.


With my dissertation deadline looming, the stress levels are definitely rising. But instead of spending my lunch hour wisely, i.e. reading notes, I spent it shopping!!


Not only did I shop, I nabbed a couple of rather yummy bargains.


A gorgeous purple bobble hat - just what I was looking for - of course! And two beautiful belts that were very bargainous!! All from Dorothy Perkins accessories sale - which I highly recommend. (Photos to follow very soon)


I should probably take this opportunity to apologise for any lack of posts in the next two weeks due to the dreaded dissertation.


Much love, SG

Monday Morning Pic-Me-Up: Topshop PARISIENNE Lookbook

The Spring Summer 2010 Collections have arrived at Topshop. At last!


There are four collections: Parisienne, Saloon, Meadow and Downtown.


I am in love with the PARISIENNE Collection. Topshop describes the collection below:

"Flirty, feminine and fun, fashion has always been in love with stripes, polka dots and pearls, so get ready to fall head over heels for Parisienne glamour with flouncy dresses, boucle jackets, embroidered tess and playful accessories that have the perfect dose of ladylike cool."

These are the photos from the Lookbook:

I love the cut-out trousers in the bottom left pic and the socks in the bottom right and the pumps in the top left!! And everything really!!!!


I have a Topshop voucher from the in laws for Christmas. Off for some fantasy shopping...

Help me! Dressing Dilemma, Darlings!

January is a month for hibernating - not partying. In my world, anyway.


So when I was invited out for a birthday dinner on a cold snowy Friday night in January I had a major outfit dilemma.


Now, that Friday night is tomorrow night and I still have no idea.


So, I am opening the floor to all you lovely people and hoping that you might come to my aid with some advice. Please!


I have put together a couple of possible outfit choices - emphasis on warmth and fun!


What do you think?

These outfits consist of a long sleeved black Primark tee, print Topshop lantern skirt, New Look shoes (see below) and either mustard or royal blue tights.

These outfits consist of my black New Look jumper dress. Left to right, with royal blue tights and New Look shoes; with mustard tights, New Look shoes and wooden bangles; and finally, with mustard tights, New Look shoes, gold-coloured bangles and pearls.

These are the New Look heels - in close-up - that I bought when I broke my shopping ban!


Love, SG

Bargain Hunter: my first proper shopping trip, plus 365 project: Day 2

This is my 365 project: Day 2 photo - it is my new beginning as a responsible shopper!!! You can follow me here.

Below are more detailed and individual shots of what I got myself.

I live in jumper dresses in the winter and this one will go perfectly with a scarf mum got me for Christmas - I know it's black but I will make sure to wear coloured accessories with it. I promise! (Also it was a bargain, £8!!!!)

Flat pointed shoes are my addiction! These babies were on sale at £15 from something crazy like £50!

And to help to add colour to my wardrobe - plus I had been after this colour for aaaages - mustard tights, from Topshop for the bargain price of 90p!!


Maybe I should try it all together?!! It would one kooky - but I think, cute - outfit!!


What bargains have you snagged yourselves in the sales?


Another day of studying means my 365 project photo is lame. Again. Maybe I'll get out somewhere nice tomorrow. Maybe!

Shopping Ban: The End

It's oooooooover!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally. I can shop again. Six months. 24 weeks. Of no shopping. I had a couple of slip ups but on the whole I think I have managed ok. It is certainly a challenge I do not wish to undertake again any time soon but I am pleased to have done it. All those months ago it seemed like such a long time! In order to make sure that I don't go mad now that the ban is lifted, I have set myself:


10 Shopping Commandments:


1. I shall not turn to my credit card for clothes.


2. I shall budget and stick to it.


3. I shall save for that much coveted item.


4. I shall not buy in a hurry.


5. I shall go home and if I still want it tomorrow then maybe I'll get it.


6. I shall buy classic and investment pieces.


7. I shall not dash madly through Primark grabbing armfuls of clothes just because it has a price tag under a fiver - and I shall remember that it all adds up.


8. I shall continue to love the clothes and shoes I already own.


9. I shall carefully decide what is missing from my wardrobe and stick to this list when out shopping.


10. I shall not be tempted by a sales sign.


When I started this ban six months ago I had a couple of reasons for doing it;


1. To save money - for a deposit for a house and to finish learning to drive before I'm 30!!


2. Because I was fed up with being told that I "have too many clothes"!! And was intrigued as to what was actually in my wardrobe - the stats say that most women only wear 10-20% of what they own, so maybe I can start wearing some of the remaining 80-90% of mine!!


Well, I have managed to (re) start learning to drive and will hopefully be passing my (second) driving test sometime in the first half of 2010. The house deposit part was maybe a little ambitious but I have proved that I have the will-power to not spend spend spend and when we do decide to start saving, I will be able to!


As for the second reason; I have certainly had to stretch my wardrobe to its limits and have found things I had forgotten about. It has also shown me where there are gaps in my wardrobe and hopefully, I can fill them over time without going mad on things I don't need!


Today, I did end up in town and found myself dashing through the sales like a mad woman!! But I was good and only spent the money I'd been given for Christmas - so not even any of my own!! It's like I haven't even shopped yet!! Haha!!


I'll post my bargain finds a bit later.


Love, SG

365 project

As my shopping ban ends, so I feel I need a new project to keep my occupied! 


365 Project seemed just the ticket. The idea is to take a photo a day, every day, for a year.


You can either choose a subject for the project; clothes, food, etc or just use it as a picture diary for the year.


I have decided that to make it (slightly) easier and to get you all involved, I want you to suggest a topic a week. If you have an idea for the first week - starting on Thursday - please leave a comment here!


I will, of course, upload my photos to here. But as I use film a lot, they might not be uploaded every day.

How to... shop successfully in the sale: The shopping plan

Christmas Day is over and so the sales have begun!


My treat - to celebrate the long awaited and anticipated end of my six month shopping ban - is some much needed sales shopping in Cardiff with my mum! (Next week)


Sales shopping is always a tricky one. There is always the temptation to just dive in and buy anything and everything just because it is reduced and therefore, a bargain. But how much of a bargain is it when you have spent £££ on a lot of stuff you don't actually need or even want.


The key to successful sales shopping is to have a plan. Know what is missing from your wardrobe and what you hope to pick up and aim for that. If you see a couple of 'surprise' bargains along the way then you can always grab these too, of course!


1. Winter coats are always good. I have managed to get all five of mine in the past two winter sales. They tend to be classic pieces that will last for more than one season.


2. Boots are on my list this year. I have my beautiful Primark over-the-knee boots but want some sturdier ones that might last a bit longer (see my top ten winter boots!).


3. Jeans are another good sales find. If you can find a pair in your size and a style you like, then you are in business. This year, I am on the hunt for some jeggings.


4. Party wear is always on sale after the festive and New Year party seasons are over. Anything in black with some embellishment is likely to be classic enough to last you a couple of party seasons.


5. Underwear. M&S, in particular, usually have massive discounts on their lingerie. Grab some cute undies for the New Year! It's a good time to stock up!


6. Costume jewellery is always cheap in the sales. As it is one size you are sure to find something you love! Most high street stores cut their costume jewellery to £1 later in the sales.


7. Check out gift sets of cosmetics and perfume in the post-Christmas sales. These are always discounted and you can often find something you use in amongst them.


8. It might be terribly geeky or OCD of me but I always buy Christmas wrapping paper and cards in the sales. It saves the hassle next year and I get some nice Paperchase ones for half the price!


9. Decorations are also discounted come January. I like to buy a couple of really special ones for next year's tree!


10. CDs and DVDs. I always end up going home with new films or music from the sales - they are always bargainous!!


As always, happy shopping! I'll post my sales stash next week!


More soon. Love, SG

10 things I like.... no, LOVE... about FANTASY SHOPPING!!

Fantasy shopping is something I have invented over the past five and a half months. Ok, so a quick goggle search for 'fantasy shopping' proves that I did not in fact invent the term but I have certainly perfected the art.

Fantasy shopping is a little like window shopping but it has the edge, I think. It is online shopping without hitting the 'checkout' button. Here are my 10 reasons why I have come to love it so much:

1. Money is no object. There is no need to fear one's credit card bill or bank balance after a fantasy shopping spree.

2. No store snobbery. You can check out really expensive stores on line without having to worry about the looks the security men will give you when you walk in. And what's more, you can 'buy' from these stores too!

3. Warm and dry. There's no need to go out in the cold and wet in the winter. You can stay wrapped up warm and dry inside, in front of the computer screen.

4. No opening hours. You can shop at 4am or 11pm or even 1pm. Whenever you want!

5. No bags. Fuss and baggage free!! Not shopping means that I travel light these days.

6. No queue rage. Saturday queues and crowds drive me into an uncontrollable frenzy. I hate them. On line shopping fantasy sprees have none of these. Thank goodness!

7. Anywhere in the world. The world is quite literally your shopping centre. You are not confined by postcode, country or postage fees when fantasy shopping. You can go anywhere you want.

8. No scary changing room mirrors. Or lights. The lights in some changing rooms are soooo unflattering. Why do you think they put lights in changing rooms that make you look so ill; they do not entice you to buy the clothes you are trying on one bit.

9. Try something new. You can go outside of your comfort zone and 'try' something completely different and new.

10. It's fun!! Most importantly.

Of course, many of these also apply to internet shopping in general. Tell me about your fantasy shopping sprees.

More soon. Love, SG

Better late than never!!

This is my mantra every day of the week as I dash to work, at five to nine and ten minutes away!


Well, today it is also the case for my weekly column on British Style Bloggers! But it is now done and here for all to read!


This week, I have taken myself 'fantasy shopping' for a sparkly new Christmas party outfit!! 'Fantasy shopping' is my new favourite thing to do!!!


More soon. Love, SG

Confessions of a Shopaholic: confession-time

"Everything in life can be fixed by shopping".


So said my very wise friend at the weekend.


On Saturday I decided to test this theory.


Yes, I confess, I broke my shopping ban!! I have fallen off the wagon. But I promise that I am back on it again for the last 4 weeks. I had a moment of weakness that is all.


What did I buy? I hear you ask?!


Shoes. Shoes are my downfall. They always have been. When a beautiful pair of shoes confronts me, I cannot say no.


In March I came face-to-face with a GORGEOUS pair of Carvela heels. They had a price tag of £120. I resisted. Somehow.


On Saturday I found a pair of near identical heels in New Look for £20. I could NOT resist. So I didn't.


Now that I have confessed I promise to go home, say my "hail Manolos" and stay on the wagon - and away from temptation - until the end of the year. I promise.


To read this column on British Style Bloggers, click here.

Mary Portas agrees with me!!!!

Ok, so she hasn't read my blog or my most recent column on British Style Bloggers but she did say in an interview in the Times at the weekend,


"Our shopping habits have been transformed and they will transform again. We have always bought what we wanted, when we wanted it and for the price we wanted it. This is how it has been for the past 15 years. But it has to change. Now it’s not just about commercialism but community."


She went on to claim that,


"Fast fashion is rather vulgar now".


I couldn't agree more.

Christmas shopping

There is a lot of debate over when the best time to do your Christmas shopping is. Some people in my office had already finished their Christmas shopping before the beginning of November whilst I'm sure others will leave it until late on Christmas Eve.


I sit somewhere in the middle of these two extremes. Most years I have finished my Christmas shopping at least a week before Christmas and have usually started it before the end of November.


I haven't started it just yet. Although I have started to put the feelers out there.


This year, due to the shopping ban and "credit crunch" I am trying to be a little more thrifty than usual. I have also decided to try to find more quirky and individual presents that might look as if I have put some special thought into the gifts. Which, naturally, I have!


Yesterday I stumbled upon Sunday Girl Accessories. Sunday Girl Accessories offers customised brightly coloured acrylic accessories. I have chosen the initial necklaces for my girlfriends for Christmas. I think they are cute and personal and I love the colours they come in! I am also in love with the pink flamingo but as I don't wear brooches, it might not be so useful.


I can't wait for them to arrive. Of course, I will let you know!

Shopping ban update

After being stuck in bed for four days last week with the dreaded lurgy I unfortunately couldn't make the Jimmy Choo for H&M launch in London last Friday. Was most disappointed. It did, of course, mean that I didn't break the shopping ban.


Tonight however I have had to "sort of" break the ban. I'm sure everyone reading this blog will understand how weight is always an issue for us women. Mine seems to fluctuate so much. Well after putting weight on and having to buy the appropriate skinny jeans a year ago I have now lost that weight and both pairs of skinny jeans are now baggy jeans. So tonight, out of necessity (and therefore not an official break) I bought a new pair of smaller sized skinny jeans from H&M.


It is quite dangerous though as I can feel myself being bitten by the shopping bug and am now lusting after two other things I saw tonight. Not so good. So I now want:

1. A lovely faux fur jacket in black (left).


2. A black jumper dress with detailing on the sleeves.


I shall have to be good. I have come this far. Only another 6 and a half weeks to go!


More soon. Love, SG

British Style Bloggers

So, not only has the lovely Amy at British Style Bloggers nominated me for Blog of the Month, she has also given me a weekly column for the remaining 8 weeks of my shopping ban to document how I am getting along! You can check out the first column here. Please check back to the British Style Bloggers site each Wednesday for the next installment.


Hope you enjoy it!

New boots!

After waking me at 3am on Saturday morning it only seemed fair that the boyf buy me the beautiful boots that I had fallen in love with in Primark to make up for it! So he did.

I have literally not taken them off since. If he'd let me wear them to bed, I would!!

Aren't they beautiful?! (And a bargain at £15!!!!)

Are you intelligent shopping?

For 15 weeks I have been on a self-imposed shopping ban – no new clothes, shoes or accessories. The aim is to refrain for 6 months. So far, I am succeeding.


The main driving force behind the ban when it started was money; a lack of it due to my over-indulgence in shops like Topshop and a desire to pay off my student overdraft and to maybe start putting together some meaningful savings.


However, while my bank balance at the end of each month is looking decidedly healthier, the ban has also made me think about why and how I shop in the first place. It is certainly true that shopping can be a form of therapy; there have been countless occasions when, after a bad day at work or a difficult test at university, I have found myself trudging home from town hours later with a few shopping bags in tow. And I would be lying if I said that I hadn’t felt compelled to dash to the shops after a long and stressful day in the office in the past 15 weeks and make myself feel better. But I have resisted. Nearly always, after such a trip in the past, something, if not all of what, I have bought has been taken back once I have felt better anyway.


The ban has also made me question the way in which I shop.


In recent years cheaper and cheaper clothes available on the high street have fuelled a trend for “throw-away fashion”. Despite the obvious ethical questions behind how a t-shirt can possibly only cost £2 or a pair of shoes only £5, the price tag is often too tempting for many people to dwell on these for too long. But who wants a wardrobe full of cheap clothes that will not only age quickly but likely fall apart after just a few wears. It might be boring to hear it, but spending more on essentials and basics that you will return to again and again really does pay off. With no new clothes to inject something fresh into my looks for over 3 months now I have had to really stretch my wardrobe to stop my outfits looking tired too quickly and I have found that it is those items on which I spent a little more that continue to look good.


Likewise, I have also begun to realise that I shouldn’t always buy something just because I love it; it needs to be able to fill a gap in my wardrobe. There is no point in buying a skirt for which I know I have no shoes and, in the same vain, there is no point in buying items which are essentially the same as others I already own; unless to replace something. This is particularly true of accessories; I have discovered an absolute treasure trove of earrings and necklaces, most forgotten and bags for every occasion. Sure, it is always nice to have something new for a special occasion but going without means that you appreciate it so much more.


As the recession has hit and people are thinking more carefully about what they spend their money on, so-called “intelligent shopping” certainly seems to be a trend that has come to stay. Fashion lovers everywhere are more conscious and well informed of where their clothes come from and so have sparked a trend of greener, wallet-friendlier and more intelligent shopping.


Make-do-and-mend – of the post-war era – has made a comeback. Indeed, the credit crunch has made some people look to new ways to acquire a new outfit without spending too much money. Swap parties have become THE place to “shop”, while many women are learning to customise old or tired or charity shop finds.


Tell me how your shopping habits have changed – or not – as a result of the credit crunch?


Happy shopping ladies. More soon. Love, SG

We're off to see... the new St David's 2 shopping centre!!!

As soon as I get out of the office tonight I am off to check out the new St David's 2 shopping centre in Cardiff. Obviously I will not be spending, except maybe on a celebratory dinner for the very clever boyf who has had a shiny promotion (well done to him!).


But, of course, I will let you all know what I think!


More soon. Love, SG