Black Friday

Friday 29 November 2013


Black Friday. It's Friday and you wear black. No, not really but I think it would be a good idea for when you have to think up a theme for those days when you can dress out of the norm at work. Every one loves a bit of black don't they? Black Friday is actually that funny sales thing that goes on the US where the shops get a bit discount crazy. We don't really have it over here in quite such a major way but I think we're catching up fast.

I got a sudden influx of emails saying 20% off this, 25% off that, 30% off that. If it wasn't for the fact that I've got major Christmas shopping to do for everyone else but me, I'd seriously be thinking of dropping some of these in my basket :



I think pointy shoes are here to stay for another year at least. I've decided that I'm not doing the pointy leopard heeled court as I'm not going to get my wear out of something like that. I think I would prefer to do strange nod to animal (but couldn't tell you for sure what animal - guinea fowl maybe?) print and keep it a bit more under the radar. Coupled with the pointy factor, I can knock two trends on the head in one fell swoop. Woo hoo. Oh yes, the vamp also comes up a little higher than some of the other pointy flats I've seen (yes, I'm looking at you Whistles) and so are a little more flattering for those who are fat of foot. These are from Jigsaw and have 20% off till Sunday. 




I really want the burgundy ones but can I get them for love or money over here in the UK? Can I eckers like! (I think that's a northern expression). They have them all over the jot in the US and the nearest I can get over here is the black version from Yoox. But the more I look at the black, the more I like them. I hear they are doing something like 30% discounts over on the Yoox US site but we can only muster up a measly 10% off over here in Europe. Which leads me on to grumble about if we are going to jump on the Black Friday bandwagon, can we have the full whammy discount too? Please? But 10% discount is 10% discount and you get free delivery too with the code CHRISTMAS13.





Err yes. Another bit of footwear. It has come to my attention in the last year that I have a thing for shoes in a way I don't have a thing for bags. And I have a thing for practical shoes that I don't have for impractical 4" heeled shoes. Anyway, I started at the beginning of this year looking at trainers in this post and did I get anywhere? No. Not until now. I did do a mad search for some burgundy New Balance 410's round about March but they sold out everywhere by the time I decided those were the babies to be had. So new season, new version and I'm loving these.




A little bit retro, a little bit cool. A word of warning - they come up small and you're best advised to go up a size. They also do them in a navy for all you navy lovers but the burgundy are the ones to get you noticed. Office have a good selection of New Balance which you can get 20% off with the code ELF and there's a lot of styles to decide between. But if you really want the burgundy 410's, they are in stock full price on Asos where there is no discount code (humph).



I've wanted this since I first clapped eyes on it but it's a little steep. It's still a little steep even with a 25% discount from Avenue 32 but every little bit helps. I toyed with the Whistles logo'd sweatshirts and I've to'd fro'd with the Madewell Bien one but I think I'm really holding out for this one. I already have plain sweatshirts so I'd quite like one which is a little more interesting and maybe this will hopefully make me look like an intellectual as it has a scholarly vibe about it. Actually, it will probably take a lot more than a sweatshirt to make me look like I've got half a working brain. Maybe if I add a pair of spectacles in to the mix? Hmmm.





I guess the thing with these sudden Black Friday discounts is not to lose sight of the things which you actually had your eye on and use them as an aide for something which you had already earmarked. Everything I've chosen is something which I've had on a wish list and slots in to my wardrobe quite seamlessly.

Now a little competition for you guys. One of these four are on their way to me. Can you guess what it is? And Michelle - you're not allowed to say as I know you know. 

Put your guess on a comment and next Wednesday, I will pick one of the correct guessers and they will be sent a little handmade jewellery gift. To see what I do, take a peek in my shop at the top of this page. By the way I will be adding a couple of extra bracelets and necklaces over the weekend if anyone is looking for stocking fillers or Christmas gifts so pop back.

Go on, get guessing :o)







36 comments

  1. Psst....Sue, my lips are sealed!! Said item is on it's way to me too!

    Sigh.....now looking to secure the other 3 items though! Lol x

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    1. I honestly would love all of them if funds permitted. It is hard to choose :o)

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  2. Hey Sue, gonna guess the loafers!

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  3. Everyone in my house has New Balance except me of course. I think there might be an asos code very soon, keep your eyes peeled. Black Friday is over rated unless of course you are in the states and NAP sale starts - so unfair. I mean £30 off an ipad air just isn't worth the bother. x

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    1. Our savings are quite poxy compared to what they get in the US which is why such a big thing is made of it over there. But there are a few companies jumping on board over here. We're getting there. And there are never many savings to be had on any Apple stuff at any time of the year.

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  4. Those burgundy balance trainers? I'm with you about not losing sight of what's already on your shopping list and using it to guide your Black Friday purchases. Believe it or not I don't have anything on my shopping list now and come the big sales it will be mainly stuff for the kids - fortunately I get as excited about those too!

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    1. I think it's really easy to get browsing and get sucked in to buying stuff which we had never set out to do so having a list somewhere always helps. It's the things you keep going back to but either didn't get because they were just a little too much at the time but suddenly they seem within reach.

      And I don't get excited about the boys clothes any more. They just want to wear jogging bottoms.

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  5. I'm dying to get the NB trainers too. The only problem is either I get loud contrasty colors from the kids section or I get ones with velcro. Blech.

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    1. Okay the velcro is definitely a no go. I actually have a NB outlet near me which got me all excited except there was virtually nothing worth looking at in there ... till the other day when the most perfect grey pair with tan trims jumped out at me. I left them though ... I was being good. But now they keep coming back to haunt me.

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  6. Oh God, this is hard - I'm hoping it's the loafers as I inherited a practically identical pair (Dubarry) from a neighbour whose daughter turned her nose up at them and declared them too 'grannyish' to wear to school. LOL! Would love to see how you style them. However, I think I'm going to go with the trainers - I think you may go for those (whilst internally I'm screaming WHY???!!!)

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    1. You're hilarious Helen. Your insides can scream all they like but I like them :o)

      The loafers are good aren't they? I had some when I was in my teens - they honestly are such a classic and I can't believe that I want some again. And they should be easy to style - how are you going to wear yours?

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    2. I've absolutely no idea .. they've been languishing in my wardrobe since September. I'm waiting for inspiration :)

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  7. I love them all, especially the sweatshirt. I've tried it on and its really flattering, unlike a lot of apc tops. But I think you'll get the trainers because they're gorgeous and you've wanted them for so long. And they'll also look good with ankle length jeans and grey socks, which is a trend I love. Fashionable and warm! X

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    1. Ooh - so you've seen the sweatshirt in real life and tried it. Is it true to size? I know what you mean about APC clothes though, a lot of their styles are in quite boxy shapes which don't suit many people so it's good to hear that this is one of their better ones. And I've never thought about ankle length jeans and grey socks - I might have to save that for the young uns. The school mums will think I've flipped.

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    2. Ha! Yep the sweatshirt is true to size. I'm a Size 10 and the Small fit me perfectly. The neckline is a bit lower than normal APC stuff too, which is nice.

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  8. Well I cannot predict your purchase, but I will say that I wish I had those sneakers myself. I've been really wanting some NB classics, but honestly I find myself unable to navigate through the options and get so confused I just close the laptop and run away. But these seem absolutely perfect. So if that's what you ended up getting, we might have to be sneaker twinsies, because they're going straight on my christmas wishlist right now.

    www.nomadicd.com

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    1. It's a bit of a hard slog working through the New Balance range. I had that block earlier this year - I couldn't get my head around which styles I liked and every time I looked at something, I just thought, hmm, really not me. But I came across these in a store which probably helped no end as I could actually see what they were going to be like. They are a little more retro and a slightly more elegant shape than some of the others. The 420 range is very similar and good too. But I think you might like the 501 backpack range. http://www.footasylum.com/new-balance-new-balance-womens-501-backpack-trainer-048192/?src=froogle&gclid=CK7D9ePljrsCFWmWtAod4WsABw I quite like these myself - it's the tan trims that do it.

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    2. Ooh, those are nice! Thanks for being my personal shopper :) Still, I like the more streamlined lines of the 410. I think I've just realized the difference between those and the 420s - that little curvy bit on the big toe. I have officially decided I like them best without that, so the 410s are the winners. It helps that I popped into a store today to try them on and look at them in person, like you said, it's just so hard to figure it out through the pictures. (I had to do it, since you posted these I haven't been able to get them out of my head). So 410s for me! Now I just have to decide on a color.... Or maybe I'll just let Santa be the judge?

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    3. I would let Santa be the Judge so there is still an element of surprise for Christmas :o) But make sure he knows which colour options you are deciding between. Or else you could end up with the pair in the colour that you really didn't want and that would be bad.

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  9. Black Friday is steadily creeping up on us northerners as well, especially online. I guess it is unavoidable, seeing how people can just as easily order things from the U.S. It hasn't hit our actual stores yet though, but my town has two days a year - one in July and one in November - where the stores stay open until midnight and have crazy sales. Often the sales will increase the later you shop, i.e 10% off after 5 pm, 20% off after 6pm and so on. November's was this Thursday and people go absolutely nuts! We stayed in and ate pizza instead.

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    1. Oh you're good. Hiding away and eating pizza instead. I have to admit I've not been out to the shops themselves to see what's happening out there but have just done the online thing instead. As it gets nearer to Christmas, I feel less and less inclined to brave the shopping masses. I like to shop when it's a relatively quiet affair. And looking at your instagram pics - all seems calm where you are.

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  10. Sweet Weejuns! That footbed looks super comfortable too. Hope you find your pair!

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    1. Ah - you're a loafer girl. I was going through some of your previous posts and have spotted you in a pair.

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    2. Sure am. Though I have to say Cole Haan tends to run narrow and thus I have not worn them as much I ought to. Also the sequoia or reddish brown shade I bought mine in isn't as easy to pair as I thought it would be.

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  11. I didn't really know what Black Friday was Sue but now I do! I really like the loafers actually but I'd guess at the trainers for yourself (haven't got a clue really!) :)

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    1. I love both the loafers and the New Balance. I wonder, I wonder :o)

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  12. I think the new balance trainers. Love your blog, have been reading for a while xx

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    1. Hi Rachael. Thanks for leaving a comment and lovely to hear from you :o) Glad you like the blog.

      So the New Balance look to be the popular choice at the moment. We shall have to wait for Wednesday to see if you're right!

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  13. i don't even dare open some of the emails in my inbox! it's crazy how many sales are happening right now. i'm tempted to look but i know i'll end up spending more than i want, haha. i think you bought the jigsaw flats? i hope you did, they're amazing!

    steph / absolutely-fuzzy.com

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    1. Actually - I could see you in those Jigsaw flats now that you mention them.

      And the deals are scary - they had me all over the place and then I reigned myself in. Tight.

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  14. Whilst I'm hoping you went for the new balance I actually think it might be the Madame Rue sweatshirt...... Just a hunch tho!!

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  15. I am thinking the sweatshirt! Love the trainers though - have got them myself!

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  16. I love the Jigsaw Bayswater Shoes. I look so comfy to a bigfoot girl like me who is pregnant. from http://IBEXTechCorp.com electrician in miami

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Susie So So