I no longer leap into action on Boxing day and pound the pavements for hours on end in search of a bargain, any bargain, just as long as it's REDUCED!!
I do still love a bargain however, and will venture out at some point to particular favourite shops hoping to find something lovely at at least half it's original price.
I had a small list of things I actually needed, but everybody knows I'm not going to stick to a list right?
Having said that I did manage to some things from it so clearly I can do it when I try, mostly though I just can't be arsed to try.
Anyway from my list I bought the following :
I showed it to Himself and he started smirking, I'm like "What?" "WHAAT?" and he said " Nothing, nothing, it's nice.........but it is a bit 'Margo' "
In my eyes this of course is not a bad thing so it's staying.
Next up
Also from Accessorize
It has to have 2 separate zipped compartments for a start, I have been looking on and off for a new one for 2 years and I finally found this one. It's not 100% perfect and it is smaller so fitting all my 'stuff' in it is a challenge but it will do.
Another item ticked of the list are a new pair of patent brogues to replace my brown ones that split I ordered them from the Office sale but they haven't arrived yet. I couldn't get brown so I went for ox-blood as I figure they should go with most things too.
Then of course we reach the items that weren't on the list but somehow I ended up buying anyway.
Like the day I went into Oxford to buy theatre tickets and came home with theatre tickets and 2 dresses.
Or the day I went into BHS looking for pillowcases and came out with a dress but no pillowcases.
As requested I add a picture of my Cath Kidston burglar dress. I haven't even tried it on yet let alone worn it and no I really have no idea why I do that with some items of clothing. It's just plain weird and I'm the first to admit it.
Finally here is my before Christmas Ebay purchase, photographed after the toxic armpits have had a liberal dosing of the, as recommended by Vix, vodka & water spray. Neither of us drinks vodka so I bought the smallest cheapest bottle Tesco had to offer, I hope the dress won't hold that against me. Now I just need some slightly glam event to wear it too.
It's back to the painful early starts and the waiting for a train in the pitch black, freezing cold morning. Roll on the spring say I.
I do find this time of year does seem to induce a certain amount of navel gazing in me. I've said before on this blog I'm not one for New Year resolutions, I find 9 times out of 10 you fail and that's just something else to beat yourself up about, but, I do give myself a few goals to aim for.
This year I want to be a bit more proactive about my waistline. I spent last year losing and gaining and losing and gaining the same half a stone to the point where it just got ridiculous!
I'm not as big as I was in 2013, but I didn't end 2014 as slim as I would have liked either. Much as I would love to lose a stone or 2 I know it's never going to happen, because not only do I have 0% willpower, I'm lazy to the point of coma and basically I'm a greedy pig.
So I will aim for more realistic goals like keeping that half stone off for good, and losing another into the bargain.
Also I have signed up to start a Pilates class in February. If this helps lose a little weight it will be an added bonus, but the main motivation behind it is to get some fitness and flexibility back.
Serious health issues for a couple of people close to me has really brought home the fact that as you age, unless you use it, you lose it and when it comes to both of the above I am already losing it.
It's been 18 months since my friend Susan died so also 18 months since I did the Alexander Technique with a teacher. I miss it, and her, I practised with her for the best part of 20 years and I just can't bring myself to start again with a new teacher, it doesn't seem right somehow. That might change of course, but for now I've decided to look for something new but with similar priciples and Pilates seems to fit the bill.
The class I have found is not only just down the road from my house, but also lets you sign up and pay for 4 sessions at a time, so if I don't like it I can leave after my 1st 4 are done.
I like the fact it starts in February, I feel somehow I will be more likely to stick with it than if I started it in January!
Other plans are to carry on with last years goal of accepting more invitations and going out and doing more, I have to say that was particularly successful.
I add to that spending more time in my garden which got sadly and shamefully neglected last year!
I also plan on upping the number of books I read, another thing like gardening, that brings me great joy and yet I never seemed to find the time or inclination for either last year.
Finally my itchy feet are urging me to travel states side again, I need an America fix, so that's another thing I need to work on.
That blue Ebay dress is gorgeous!!!! I've been on a bit of a shopping spree myself and it's def time to slow my roll. The Pilates seems like a good fitness plan. I've got to get more active myself---I've been a bit of a slug and I'm gaining weight fast.
ReplyDeleteMy friend has taken up Pilates and she looks amazing - I had been thinking about taking it up myself, but I'm just too lazy! That fabric on your Cath Kidston dress is amazing, very Beano-esque, which is a goog thing in my book!
ReplyDeleteApologies for my excessive use of 'amazing' - my excuse is that it's Sunday morning and I'm still half-asleep!!
ReplyDeleteFrocks, a bag, slippers and a dressing gown - the shopping year has begun! Glad the vodka worked on the dress, I always use it when you can't soak things and it really helps. Now, you need to get that beauty worn - in fact, all those unworn beauties need to be out and about this year!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a resolution-making person either, but having some ideas about what you might like to do and places you'd like to visit just seems sensible! Good luck with all your plans. Here's a thought - wear the unworn dresses when you accept all the invitations to go out, thereby killing two birds! xxx
I just love seeing everyone's 'haul' at this time of year, I think you've done exceptionally well. The Ebay dress is stunning, and how clever about the vodka technique! I'll have to remember that. Best of luck with all of your goals for 2015, some very sensible and achievable ones there I'd say. x
ReplyDeleteThe dresses are all so pretty! I love the slippers - so cute!
ReplyDeleteThat dressing gown is gorgeous as is the stinky (hopefully not any longer) dress and the print on the Cath Kidston number!
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough, after you'd blogged about that dress one of my friends turned up at the pub wearing it - with a yellow belt, denim jacket and 16 hole Doc Martens - a look which would look brilliant on you, too.
Pilates is ace. As Walsall is one of the Uk's fattest towns the council lay on loads of free exercise classes to get the residents fit (sadly the overweight people rarely bother) I did it for a couple of years and it made a huge amount of difference. xxx
Did the vodka do the trick?
ReplyDeleteLooking like Margo could never be a bad thing.
Boys don't seem to realise that Margo is a compliment! Look at your haul, blimey, you did well. I love the look of that red bag. Lots of compartments to organise things in. The vodka tip is a good one, that frock looks marvellous. Xxx
ReplyDeleteYou did well on the sales. I know what you mean about the work bag...it's got to be right! That's a cracker too. I do love a red bag. Or bags in general really.
ReplyDeletePilates is great. I have a 'mild' scoliosis that I didn't know about until I was diagnosed with it when I was pregnant and Pilates sorted it right out. Plans are great...you'll be in the US before long.
Margo is a compliment.
xxxxx
I totally love that dressing gown! And all the dresses. I had a rake around Debenhams but most of the sale stuff in my local one was big sizes, I keep meaning to try the bigger one in town for some dresses. I'm with you on being a fussy bag person, if you use it every day it has to be just right! :)
ReplyDeleteVodka and water, must remember that! of course the dress won't mind, she'll be out soon hehe! it's a great haul there, a Margo dressing gown is a must, I'll imagine you wafting around the house magnificently! pilates is all good, have fun! I came to that crushing realisation last year that I have to exercise, despite my hideous moaning, I do feel better x x x
ReplyDelete{{{Hugs}}} I think you're doing really well with dealing with Susan's death. Thank you for sharing more about her passing and the personal aftermath you've been contenting with here with all of us, sweet lady.
ReplyDeleteGreat finds! That red purse is fabulous! I have a classic mid-century red handbag and it gets tons of use all year round (in my top five most used purses most years). I hope yours serves you as well, too.
♥ Jessica