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Hitting The Sales

Wednesday 5 January 2011


A moderate amount of sales shopping took place over the holidays. Frankly I couldn't be bothered fighting my way through the crowds in the shops or trawling through endless crap on the websites, so I've probably missed a lot of good stuff. I'm not particularly bothered by this though as I didn't have much to spend and I was mainly trying to be sensible. I went into it aimed with a list of things I actually needed, and determined not to buy stuff just because it was reduced. So what did I end up with?

First of all, from my trusty Dorothy Perkins:


See, look at me being sensible with a pair of khaki skinny cords. I have no trousers anymore, only jeans, and I can't get away with those forever. So I've indulged my fondness for cord trousers and bought these.



Erm, I suppose I technically didn't need this but I love jumpers, I really do. And this has pockets!! Plus I put it on and immediately boinged round in it and I think that any piece of clothing that can provide that level of instant joy is an immediate keeper.

I also bought some other random bits (belts etc) but didn't like them when they turned up. I think I'm coming to the conclusion that belts should never be bought online as the pictures never reflect what they actually look like. So I took them back to the store yesterday and exchanged them for a pair of tights (oh how I love DP tights) and this scarf, but in red rather than brown.

Then from River Island:

I am so pleased with these shoes. Eagle eyed readers may have noticed that I was wearing them back in this post. I first bought them in early December in a moment of madness when I was desperate for some nice grey shoes or boots and couldn't find a pair anywhere. At £75 they were a tad (well, a lot) expensive and being suede, not the most practical choice of footwear. But I love them so that makes it ok. As luck would have it, the weather promptly turned evil and they hadn't been worn out of the house when I discovered that they were down to £35 in the sale. Hurrah! First pair promptly returned for a full refund and a new pair bought in the online sale.



This also fell into my basket when repurchasing the shoes. I am entirely blaming Margaret for this. If I hadn't seen it on her blog and fallen in love with it then I doubt I would have gone hunting through the website for it. It feels so lovely and I adore a dress with sleeves. However I'm still not entirely convinced that I suit high necklines and so am currently deciding whether it would be wiser to just return it for a refund. I might take a quick snap of it and post it on here for opinions when I can be bothered getting dressed.


Then when I was down in London I treated myself to this lovely green bag from H&M. It's probably fair to say that it's more than a little influenced by the Mulberry Alexa but I don't give a toss about designer bags so I really don't care. I like it. It's green. It was under £15. Why buy one that cost £750 instead?



I went to Gap for nice basics too. Their website is RUBBISH so I can't get you any photos of my purchases but I bought some gorgeous grey wool checked shorts which I'd been admiring muchly when they were full price, and a lovely forest green cardi, both of which I plan on wearing a lot. I'm sure you'll see them on here sooner rather than later.

Oh and before I go, thank you all for your lovely comments on the last post. I don't like to bang on about the weightloss too much so have always rather shied away from writing about it but some of you have asked for more info so I'll put something up soon. As for the books, yes I read very fast. I always feel that I'm a bit crap at writing reviews of things so don't tend to talk about books much on here but again, I'll give it a go if you want to read about it!

27 comments:

  1. oooh, some amazing bargains there! Loving the cords and the River Island dress in particular.
    Matt has put me on a spending ban, which I feel is harsh considering I'm the one with a job, but he has a point. We'll see how long it lasts eh?!

    xxx Maddie

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  2. THOSE CORDS! and the bag. Love.

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  3. oh i love the bag!
    i was almost tempted by a green "alexa-inspired" one in forever21 the other day, but resisted telling myself that i didn't need another bag.

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  4. Lots of lovely stuff and I love that you got a refund on the shoes!! :D

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  5. Ooooh I'm after cords and wouldn't have thought of DPs. Awesome tip off!
    x

    PS// Topshop Nail Polish Giveaway over at mine :)

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  6. Dearest Alex, the cords and star jumper are my favourites from the sales.

    The heart dress from Margaret's blog is stunning!! If you're not sure about the high collar a dry cleaner would be able to chop that off and re-hem it for you. I've done things with loads of my clothes.

    Please email me a list of what you're looking for on Ebay and I'll see if I can help. I have spotted a dress you might love... it's green... C xx

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  7. Ooh, I do love those cords. I tried a pair on in Gap that were very similar, but they didn't have my size in stock.

    And I've being meaning to come on here and say thank you - my prize arrived on Christmas Eve (such good timing!!). I was so excited! The magnets are already on my fridge, and the sweets didn't last two seconds! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

    xx

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  8. What fabulous choices, Alex! I love the cords and the retro-inspired jumper especially.
    I was watching the Antiques Roadtrip earlier and was squealing with excitement as your workplace was on it. Why on earth weren't you giving the guided tour? A missed opportunity! xxx

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  9. Well those River Island wedges are the tops! I would rush out and get some if it weren't for my style challenge so it is saving me tons of money!

    Prefer your green bag to the real deal - much nice and less structured. I'm not a fan of the Alexa (sshhh)
    xx

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  10. PS quote of the day when some shop owner was telling me about her pom pom necklace sell out - they were very expensive and from Italy

    The petit garcon pipes up 'we've got a pom pom necklace' - yep he's worn it too! xx

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  11. The khaki cords were a very wise purchase indeed, in fact I need something like that myself so I might have to check out DP. And the jumper top is lovely - is that DP too? I reaaaally like it. I haven't bought much other than shoes in the sales, and some perfume that was down to an amazing £9 in a one day Amazon sale.

    Regarding the pom, if you were able to make me a new one I would love you forever! And in return I'll treat you to tea and cake when you are next down, just email me your dates x

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  12. That dress is simply gorgeous!! xx

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  13. Love the bits Alex, I have always had a love of cords. The bag is very you!! Looking forward to more info on the weight loss.
    Kandi x

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  14. Good finds - love the dress with the long sleeves, the cords and that paisley scarf is fab also!

    I haven't got much in the sales, have been after maternity things, but there so hard to come by - especially things for work, unless I go to a bigger town - which i couldn't be bothered to do as yet .... may have to give in though soon!

    Sal xXx

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  15. Ooh my look at all the lovely things! How exciting!?

    My Dorothy Perkins order turned up this evening :) Am still waiting on quite a few other orders though - oops :/ !

    You've managed to get some great things there - my favourite being: the grey boots. Because they're grey. I love grey. Dunno if I've mentioned that before.
    The heart print dress. Love it! Def think you should put a pic on here (so we can all convince you it's amazing & to keep it!)
    The green bag. Gorgeous. Looks far more expensive than 'under £15'. Don't blame you for not being able to resist. I certainly wouldn't be able to!

    www.heart-shaped-bruise.blogspot.com

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  16. I love the thought of you boinging about in the jumper!

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  17. I love that H&M bag! May have to trawl online, see if I can find it...

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  18. What great finds. The cords look lovely. I always think of cords as frumpy or too casual but those skinny ones look quite the opposite.

    The bag is a real steal and the perfect colour. It seems like I'm missing a bag opportunity so I'm gonna pop into H&M very soon.

    Oh and I'd love to read some book reviews and recommendations.

    x

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  19. what a result with those shoes, sales are amazing:) especially worth it when those boots are SO pretty. love your bag too xxx

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  20. Love the River Island boot story, I've done that before! Lucky you hadn't worn them.

    I wish I had a Gap nearby. Ours closed down just as I was getting into a more preppy style.

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  21. I love the green H&M bag, far lovelier than the said Alexa, and doesn’t actually bankrupt you in the process. I don’t think I’ve ever quite understood the designer bag thing either.

    Thanks for the heads up about the Sainsbury lanterns, I will have to go and have a nosey! x

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  22. 1 I love the shoes, and go you for being brave enough to make sure you got the discount! 2 I. WANT. YOUR. BAG. 3. I love the dress, something I would never pick out but I bet it looks DIVINE on! I look forward to seeing.

    I think you did pretty good out of the sales, better than me at least!

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  23. And I forgot about the jumper, how could I. I'm a big fan of the humble jumper, it serves me very well!

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  24. Brilliant Sales bargains, I love the dress :) xxx

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  25. Amazing purchases.
    I will admit, I saw the green bag on this blog and went to H&M literally the day after to find it, it's such a good bag!

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  26. i've got the same h&m's satchel but in brown and i adore it! It's really similar to the mulberry alexa bag!

    wanna join my giveaway?
    click click click and good luck!http://eightbiscuits.blogspot.com/

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