The September Shopping List

My monthly update on trying to stick to what I actually need in my wardrobe continues.  On working it all out, I feel I have been fairly successful this last month so maybe I should ensure this is a definite  regular post (even if it is purely just for my own benefit...!).

So the 'ticks' are as follows;

• Beige ankle boots: after mixed views from my Insta buddies, I ended up keeping this style in the biege/sand/nude (call them what you want).  When I returned the black to store, I had to look away, I still love them!  But I don't need them, nor do I need doubles of the same style.  Vairety is the spice of life!  I have sprayed mine so they are protected and worn them several times already (blog to follow on those outfits).  At £30, they were cheaper than the ones I returned in my August list here, they are flatter and more sand in colour than taupe which was my original criteria. 

Now don't anyone else tell me they preferred the black...

The keepers!  Worn, no going back now! Topshop £30

• Casual skirts/dresses: I wasn't properly on the look out as my focus was mainly on sorting a wedding outfit but I grabbed this grey dress in Dublin's Topshop when I was visiting my sister.  It worked out at under £20 and was so comfortable, ideal for my hot holiday in October. 

• Trophy jacket: not a proper tick but I got this Gap number from the outlet and is light and casual, a little bit thicker than a cardi.  

Gap £30

• Denim shorts: well no, I didn't find any but I did find some in the Zara sale for £9.99 so I bought those in stead - that's a tick right?!?!   

Zara £9.99

The usual with denim shorts.  These were from Zara.

Topshop's wall of denim shorts couldn't even help me

• Shirts/blouses: I found this Zara one in store for a ridiculous £5.99 and this Whistles silk one from the outlets for £35 (was £125) so a proper tick for these two.  My wardrobe is very casual so they have been a welcome addition.  Both have already been worn, will share pictures soon. 

Zara

Whistles

• Swimming costume: now this I thought was a definite unrealistic addition to my shopping list,  but I found not one but two!  I'm yet to christen them so I can't comment on how they wear but I was surprised at how easy I found them.  The black strapless was in TK Maxx in Dublin and the navy M&S was whilst I was down in Cornwall.  Both heavily reduced so that made me even more happy.  

TK MAxx $109 originally, €13 to me

M&S £17, I love that it has adjustable straps.

• Wedding outfit: another item ticked that was easier than I thought.  I did a lot of online shopping for this, I was not successful when I was looking around shops, I just found nothing.  In the end I had 3 to choose from and luckily for me and my bank balance, the cheapest was the winner.  I'm on a role with Topshop this month.  Am I the only one who seems to find this with them, I buy nothing for a while then find loads in there? 

Light and easy to wear.  It will be jazzed up don't you worry!

I just need one of those straps to pinch my bra in as the back is cut out, which I love.

The rejections; 

This was second in line and was from Miss Selfridge, £60 (I found a code as always and got it for £50).  It fitted beautifully and if it wasn't a beach wedding, this would have won.

This was originally my favourite reduced to £27 in Topshop but after several people said the colour did nothing for me, there was no chance it was staying put.

I loved the back though.  Damn it. 

Additional purchases; oops.  Slipped off the 'shopping list' wagon.  Apologies, but pretty self explanatory why (will write it out though just in case someone questions my motives...)

It's cotton and cashmere, Antoni & Alison at TK Maxx and was £8 odd.  Quirky, natural fabric, cheaper than Primark!

My sisters fault.  I introduced her to the black trainer, she purchased then, I then wanted them even more.  I've worn my Onitsuka navy suede ones loads, I needed black.  But I did wait until I got back into the UK and got these for £50 with a voucher (they were over £100 in Dublin). 

Ok, ok, epic fail on the breton front.  But it was a good quality, well fitting black breton which I don't have and again, I waited until I got back to the UK and bought from Topshop for £16.

I missed out on the J Crew camo sweater that went into the sale so when I saw this for £4.99 in Gap, it didn't take much to part with my cash.  Love it.

So that leaves me with what I am looking for this month.  I'm saving now and on count down until my holiday so the list needs to be teeny tiny.

• Diamante sandals for wedding (but I have a back up that may have to work as I'm been on the look out and seen nothing glam enough so far).

Carried over August's list:

• Black jeans
• Denim shorts - but on the verge of giving up!

I'm not thinking too far ahead to Winter yet, I'm still in Summer mode whilst my holiday is on the horizon.  I may not be saying that in a few weeks though....!

The Ones That Got Away This Week

Well I'm back to my 'do I really need it stage' with shopping.  I think this is my husbands favourite stage for obvious reasons.  Maybe it's that Christmas is looming however I think not.  I do tend to go in phases of finding loads then nothing.  So today I am sharing with you what's got away!  Starting with this dress from FCUK in Bicester Village.  I was drawn mainly due to the price tag I will admit, £97 down to £15 then a further 20% off that day so £13.  However there was also a Brucey bonus in that it was silk, one of my favourite materials.  However it just hung.  High neckline; check, fibre composition; check, price; check, does it actually do anything for me; um, big fat no.  Could I make a cushion cover from this amazing fabric purely because the price for that piece of material is sooo cheap?  Oh come on Natalie, put it back.  So I did.  

I'd started getting dressed when I realised I should share it, so trousers were back on, sorry!

It did need a good iron but for £13 I could have lived with that

Next up also at Bicester Village were these Gucci sunglasses, £220 down to £100.  Now I struggle with sunnies, I have a slight paranoia that they must cover my eyebrows.  I had a little disaster in the week with some contact lens solution (resulting in A&E, I am slightly embarrassed to confess, but all's well) so it was a glasses day.  I am blind as a bat so there I was trying these on with my face literally pressed up against the mirror, it steamed up, I moved back and decided to ask about their returns policy.  Trying them on and seeing them on was not an option in store that day.  No refunds so no buying for me.  Can I afford £100 on sunglasses, absolutely not, maybe my eyes were trying to tell me something.  But I think they did cover my eyebrows.....

I didn't manage to snap a piccy but I was in TK Maxx for something and saw my absolute favourite Nike joggers I have, in grey for £16.99.  I decided I didn't need two pairs, despite their comfort, I own a washing machine so why waste money on two of the same?  Goodness, what is going on with my logic?!?  So what did I actually purchase last week, wait for it......

A bloody teapot (I can swear on my own blog right?).  It matches the rest of my Le Creuset set which was bought to match my tiles.  Obsessed?  Me?  Much?  £28 down to £9.99.  My logic behind this purchase (other than the most obvious that it matches)?  Well it's going to save me pennies on tea bags, 1 bag will do 2 cups of tea instead of a bag in each cup.

Someone save me.

Ending with some colour, my favourite shop window at Bicester Village goes to Anya Hindmarch with her clutches that were all wired up to open and close with sweeties all around.  It had lots of people stopping to look!

Bits & Bobs Blog!

Starting to see some lovely Spring pastels coming through now, love the above from River Island, with a turned up pale blue jean and white top. Hoping Spring comes quickly, I love the change in colours!

Found a school run coat, so not what I would normally buy but desperate cold times call for desperate measures - practical! What a dull word! But this Nike coat was half price in the shop so for £62 I don't feel too cheated. Straight after Christmas and Birthday season in my family, the credit card had to get an airing. I normally only use for petrol and food shopping as get loads of points and clear monthly, but I was in need and it is a small price to pay to keep warm and dry!

I was lucky enough to get some Just Sheepskin slippers for Christmas, on the recommendation from my sister. How comfy are they! No slipping over for me, and I've noticed how much warmer I am just buy having a really good slipper on my toe toes. Only problem is, they are so similar to Uggs and feel so good that I have gone out in them then had to run back in to change!