Wishlists & Spending £1000!!!

Thursday 3 January 2013


Funny things these wish lists. I'm always coming across them and I've done the odd one myself but mine never seem very high brow or wishful. Most of the ones I see feature beautiful clothes from NAP or Matches or any of the other more expensive shopping sites.  Mine rarely feature anything from them because I simply don't have the funds to buy from these places and so I rarely look. I'm not good with all this wishful thinking and oh yes, some of the things, I wouldn't choose to wear anyway no matter how expensive. They're just not me .....

..... however, I always wondered what would I do if a small lottery win came my way. What would I spend £1000 on today if it came and knocked on my door and said "SPEND ME".


Knock knock. Oh! Hello £1000! What you want me to spend you? Oh go on then ... you've twisted my arm! Let's go shopping!

First shop - Massimo Dutti. Could I have these black ankle boots please?

Could you get any plainer after the Kooples boots?

After the fat legs episode, the Kooples boots have finally been exorcised from my brain. However, now I would like these Massimo Dutti black ankle boots which I feel would sit in my wardrobe far better as they are relatively understated, have a slightly pointed toe to make them more current and a mid heel to give me that much needed couple of inches in height. I had a look in Massimo Dutti when I was in London a little while back and was really impressed with their shoes actually. These boots are leather lined (bonus) and are reduced from £125. These could be the replacements for my Topshop Ambush boots which I have definitely decided to give up on as they make my legs look a tad too carroty. The MD boots will probably make my legs look carroty too but I like them more than my Ambush ones so I can deal with it. I can talk myself around anything when I put my mind to it.

Next shop - what? Not more shoes? Yes - some nice burgundy Bass Weejun Wayfarer loafers please.

Think classic Margaret Howell - not school shoes.

I love loafers. I love brogues too but I don't think I suit them as much as they seem to cut my legs short somehow. These loafers are an original classic, have quite a high vamp and hold your foot in a lot better and are more flattering on than the more shallow types as I have wide fat feet. Oh crikey, it's all coming out now - big head, short legs, fat feet. I am a vision of loveliness. Anyway, moving on ... I like the Bass Weejuns as they remind me of when I was a teenager dragging my sister and her husband down the length of the Kings Road to find a pair of said loafers on a blistering hot day. I found a pair too that day and they lasted me a long time but I can no longer remember what happened to them. However just recently I have had a hankering for another pair - a burgundy pair would be lovely thank you very much. Perfect for transitioning in to Spring - yes, I'm thinking ahead already.

Next stop - Plumo. This Catalan wool scarf would go lovely with so much of my wardrobe.

It's big, it's tartan, it's ace!

Funny shop this Plumo. Lots of quirky items - and some really nice unusual pieces. I really liked their collection this year and had a big wishlist of their stuff but never actually got round to ordering anything as some of the items are priced at the top end of my budget. However, today I have virtual money to spend so I'll have this scarf please. How much have I got left? About £770 approx. Cool.

Bags! I haven't had any nice bags for ages! Let's go to the handbag shop! I've got my eye on this little beauty!

Green, green ... err green!

I just really like this Claire Vivier messenger bag especially in this green. It goes with everything and nothing in my wardrobe. What I mean by that is, it's green - let's just clash it with everything! I no longer subscribe to the school of matching shoes and handbags so that means we can carry what we like when we like if we like. Apart from the fact that this is a messenger - a big plus in my eyes, it is a simple, clean, design and has no discernible distinguishing labels. This is about £225 after the $ to £ conversion. And ... I'm thinking ... this will look perfect against navy. Blue and green should never be seen ...  says who?

Oh I do like this virtual spending! But wait! I'm not making the most of this. I still have over £500 burning a hole in my virtual pocket! Let's have a blowout on some Bobby wedge sneakers.

Isabel Marant Bobby Sneakers (Link to Purple Ones)
They're cool. End of.

Okay, so I've just had a pair of wedge sneakers but these are different. These go well with boyfriend jeans. My current ones don't. So that means I need another pair. Yes it really does! I'd like a taupe pair but they don't seem to do them in that colour anymore but Morgan Clare are getting new stock in soon and they are doing them in "gris". That sounds like grey to me and grey is always good in my books. So these are around £370 currently... when they hit the shops. Yikes, I've nearly spent up!

With the last £175 approx - I'm going to indulge in a little more Marant. Come on - how often do I get to spend without guilt?

Errr ... I just like it and I don't have anything like this ... I think.

I'm going for this reddish hued top because I like the pattern and the stying which is loose and flattering. I saw it paired with grey/black jeans and tan ankle boots on the Matches website - that will slot beautifully in with similar existing items I have and I don't even have to think what to wear it with. Come the warmer weather - maybe a pair of beige or cream cropped jeans and my tan Krimble sandals and I'm good to go. So I'm more or less done ... practically all spent up. That was fun!

Now what you might have garnered from this rather unexciting list is that I don't covet very splashy high end items. I don't covet items which shout 'look at me!' and I don't really go for things which will date too much. I had a budget of £1000 and what I did was I blew it on things which would compliment the existing wardrobe. I wanted a few nice items to lift and refresh the current wardrobe and to make myself excited about wearing what I already have, hence the fact that my list is rather accessories heavy. You might argue that the loafers are a bit pre-pubescent but I think they will work perfectly with the boyfriend or skinny jeans for Spring going in to Summer with lightweight jumpers and being burgundy - they are less harsh than black. The Bobby sneakers - yes they seem faddy and fashiony but these are at the tamer end of the wedge trainer spectrum and they've been around a while now and to be honest, I think they're going to be around a little longer. I've picked a lovely big scarf in my favourite muted tones which I will enjoy this winter and next and the one after that. And I'm having my little pop of colour with the Claire Vivier bag - I love the way the colour shouts but the design doesn't. The top - the soft red means it doesn't scream at you - that totally ties in with the way I dress.  So does anyone understand my way of thinking and how I'm choosing to spend my virtual £1000? Or am I being too sensible and practical? If you had £1000 today - what would be top of  your list? One big spend or lots of little things like me? I like a lot of bang for my buck admittedly.


30 comments

  1. I love Bobby trainers too!! I prefer them to Beckett ones. The rest of my £1000 would probably go on a ludicrously overpriced bag.

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    1. Yes - the Bobbys are fab but alas I haven't got £1000! But if I had ... :o)

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  2. Those boots are gorgeous! And as the owner of a navy Clare vivier messenger bag, I can assure you that your choice is bang on.
    After a bout of Christmas shopping, I don't have much of a wish list at the moment. I suspect i would probably spend my thousand on a leather belt, maybe a small leather bag with silver hardware (Upto 250 pounds - I can't stomach spending more than that on a small bag), a pair of flat knee-high boots in black leather, a couple of silk dresses from my favourite Indian label White Champa, and a selection of delicate gold jewelry.

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    1. The navy version of the bag is gorgeous too but the green caught my eye. On a practical level, the navy is a winner and I'm swaying to the navy .... what am I saying?? I'm talking like I'm about to buy one! Just a question though - is there any dye transfer from the bag to clothes? With it being such a dark dyed bag - I thought this might be a possible problem. I like the sound of the delicate gold jewellery ... how chic.

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    2. I haven't experienced any dye transfer at all. The first few days I wore it, a few of the nubuck fibres inside the bag shed a little but now I don't have that problem. FYI, I bought mine after mulling over the purchase for more than two years and am so glad I did! I bought it online from Bodie and Fou who offer ten percent off once a month to anyone who registers for their emails. A small saving but I thought I would let you know in case you are seriously considering buying one!

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  3. My £1,000 went in the Harrods sale on three handbags - so worth it but I haven't nothing to wear!

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    1. But if you have great handbags - who's looking at the clothes eh? Love your Anya!

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  4. Those boots are awesome. You should get those even if the money doesn't knock on your door. The CV bag as well, absolutely stunning, and I totally think that green would go with everything. I've been coveting her bags for so long but I never actually spend money on a bag so it feels more like fantasy to me. I spend big bucks on shoes mostly, everything else tends to be fairly moderately priced (says I!). But it is fun to dream big sometimes, what if you had a budget of 10,000? (hahaha...)

    http://nomadic-d.blogspot.com/

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    1. Yes the boots are actually affordable and look like a good wardrobe investment. I couldn't even begin to imagine spending £10,000 ... but it might be fun to try! I would really like to get in the habit of saving up for a better quality item but the quick thrill is too much for me usually. Can't walk past a H&M or Zara without having a peek!

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    2. I am equally unable to resist the pull of Zara. Luckily I also have a habit of buying and then returning, so I get the immediate satisfaction of the impulse buy as well as the chance to save up for larger purchases.

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  5. I totally understand - you've made very good choices and I can see how each piece would get a lot of use! The only things left on my shopping list are a pair of camel ankle boots and I'd love those ones by APC. I already found the black coat I was after and you know about the *cough* other bf jeans! Looking ahead to the next 6 months, I'm even covered for a wedding in August. In general I would want more things for my money too but it just depends since I've started the shopping list and planning purchases much more carefully. It's really only accessories such as a couple more pairs of nice ballet flats for Spring - can't seem to find a decent style in my size I like, with studs, so may try the Valentino ones which I think would use up the rest of the budget.

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    1. The camel ones by APC are lovely. I was looking at a pair like those originally when I settled on something more along my budget lines. However, I have noticed that Topshop are doing some excellent copies at the moment of the APC boots if we are thinking of the same boots. Wow - you're after the Valentino rock studs? That would blow the budget big time!

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  6. Great post and Happy New Year by the way! If I had a £1000 to spend, I think it would also go on accessories ... first on my list would be a pair of Ash Genial wedges and then possibly a handbag. Not sure which one though .. decisions, decisions!!

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    1. Hi Helen and Happy New Year to you too. Hope you had a fab time in New York - I can imagine it was very cold. I went in the February one year and I wore two coats everywhere and Central Park was white but beautiful! Ah .. sometimes its easier not to be able to afford after all there would be too many difficult decisions to make! Which bag? Which shoes?

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  7. Love all of those (except the trainers.....too trendy for me). So glad to see loafers on th list. I bought a similar pair in the autumn and love them but haven't seen anyone wearing them! I adore the green bag and the scarf is sooooo tempting! You're a bad influence!

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    1. I love loafers - have been on the lookout for the last couple of years for the perfect pair and now it feels like I''m going back to basics. I love being a bad influence :o)

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  8. Hope you enjoyed the holidays Sue!

    I like your picks here, especially the Marant blouse. What I tend to do with wishlists (I keep a private tumblr full of em!) is seek out more affordable alternatives whilst still trying to keep an eye on quality/necessity. I haven't noticed a great difference between higher end pieces, quality wise, and those which I have purchased mid range, so I try concentrate upon sticking within that middle ground as much as possible. And as much as the luxury items appeal to me in essence, I just can't get on board with the inflated prices: for example, Margaret Howell selling utilitarian, minimal designs for over £500. They are beautiful, and they appeal to me, but I feel as though the mission statement of the designer (simplicity, pared down chic, utilitarian, etc) really doesn't jive with the actual prices (not remotely simple or utilitarian at all!).

    So, I'm still trying to strike a balance between fun purchases (tops, skirts) and more practical, well thought out pieces (bags, coats, shoes). And you have to step away from the web sometimes to clear your head a little! I have begun to approach shopping intuitively now, as opposed to planning, which rarely works out well for me. I sort of feel what I need or love, and let it come to me when the time is right, if that makes sense. Planning got me nowhere, perhaps made me even more confused (too many options!) and I also had to learn to accept that many styles which I love don't actually suit my personal look/body frame, etc (remember my Mango herringbone coat? Disaster!).

    Since altering how I shop, I have bought less, but am much happier with my purchases. I recently found a vintage Theory velvet blazer via Ebay (love!) and finally a wool winter coat which fits well, which turned out to be more fitted and feminine than the more masculine styles I generally go for....which rarely suit me:(

    x

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    1. I did Louise and I hope you enjoyed your break too. Still gutted about you giving up your blog but I totally understand.

      I'm really trying to take a step back from being too heavily influenced by what I see on the blogs - I threw open the doors of the wardrobe the other day and thought what a lucky girl I am and I should try to get more wear out of what I already have hence the hypothetical picks which I think would add and help me enjoy the existing wardrobe more. I'm already looking forward to the Spring/Summer wardrobe and getting the Krimbles out - I hope I love these as much this year as I did last year and that I don't feel fixated on having to update and get new sandals - it's so easy to fall in love with new things as they come in to the shops.

      I totally relate on the Margaret Howell front - very simplistic pieces and though well made - the prices are not warranted. Besides - they don't fit me that well either. I don't suit the clothes but I love the marketing and merchandising and the imagery behind the brand. I look like a member of Mao's army when I wear something that simple! Did you not get on at all with the Mango jacket/coat then? I remember you saying you bought an XS and it was still a little oversized (thought it was meant to be) but not in a bad way. I have a size small - just goes to prove how slim you are which surprises me when you say you don't suit the boyish looks which you love (and me too). I think I am too curvy for the look and yet I think you have the perfect body shape to carry off that look! Swap you?!?

      I'll have to check out your Tumblr to see if there are any new pics of your blazer and coat coming up!

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    2. Sue, it's an odd thing, the body shape issue: even though I am very slim/small the more masculine cuts don't seem to suit me, they kind of make my head appear tiny, or broaden my shoulders to a silly degree. Anything with slouch can really overwhelm me, so I wonder if this aesthetic is perhaps better suited to someone either taller or differently proportioned. I have longer legs and a really short torso (high waist) so many dresses hang oddly, and I need larger waistbands because skirts and pants have to sit on my hips instead of my natural waist - if any of that makes sense! So I think we all have these individual challenges when clothes shopping, no matter our overall look. Proportions tend to have more influence over what suits us than actual bodyweight/size.

      I am still sad about the coat, but I could never quite get comfortable in it so I may have to try Ebay, or simply send it to charity. The funny thing about wardrobe building is that we are always learning, no matter how old we are, and that's kind of exciting and terrifying at the same time!
      Really looking forward to wearing my krimble sandals! And the APC pair in navy. I am determined they shall last me a long time, and can't imagine wanting to update...I have also sworn off flats now, seeing as a 1 or 2 inch heel really works best for me, so these sandals shall become firm faves once again when the weather picks up!

      I'm glad you liked the blog, too. It just seemed silly paying £10 per month for something I rarely updated. I'm still here though! x

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    3. Lapindelune, I really miss your blog too! X

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  9. I like the trainers. I bought a similar pair in River Island sale which I will blog about shortly! Fantasy shopping trips are a useful exercise in identifying what you really want... x

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    1. Setting yourself a limit - even a hypothetical one is quite fun but quite challenging. I thought I wanted lots of things but found myself struggling to reach the end. What I haven't put down are the little things like some basic tees and another pair of jeans etc the basics of a working wardrobe. You can never have too many of the basics.

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  10. I love the boots, not sure if they have a high enough heel for me though! Oh to have £1000 to blow in the sales...off to buy a Euromillions ticket now!
    A very Happy New year Sue with even more fabulous blogging from you,
    Jane
    X

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    1. Not high enough for you? Oh crikey. I have a real come down to earth bump (literally) when I take off any shoes and boots with heels more than 3 inches high. I think I scare people with how short I really am sometimes - it surprises the hubs sometimes even!

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    1. Thanks Milex and for stopping past. Glad to find another fellow Yorkshire person!

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  12. Hi Sue! I'm back from the land of the living dead :P I've only bought bits and pieces from the sale. The flu seemed to be the perfect antidote for shopping. Nothing exciting but just a couple of things that have been on my wish list for a while. You need to get the IM Bobbys. I've worn my Kooples wedge sneakers to bits. I wouldn't mind going for the black Bobbys but alas, you know my problem...... I hate having such tiny feet.

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    1. Hi Marlene. So sorry to find that you've been so poorly over the Christmas period - but it's lovely to have you back - it's not the same without you! I would love the Bobbys - but alas this is purely a wish list. I suppose the only thing I have over you is I have somewhat normal sized feet .... even if you are taller - hee hee!

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  13. love your 1000quid spend list, haha, actually really practical and stylish! love the massimo dutti boots and they look like they'd be worn for ages. i'd prolly do something silly like spend it all on a bag..

    steph / absolutely-fuzzy.com

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    1. So would I if I didn't have such a frugal head on my shoulders (though how you can call £370 trainers frugal - I don't know!

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Susie So So