I am currently at home in Ireland for a little break and have been busy catching up with friends and relatives. Been itching to tell you about the trials and tribulations of getting ready for The Challenge but this is the first chance I've had to sit down and write.
Firstly, I need to update you on the The List. Somewhat inevitably, after I revealed the first draft to the world in this post last week, lots of you came up with other things that I might need to add to it in order to make it through the year, and I, of course, thought of a few extras that I wanted to add for myself.
I composed this final draft last Monday, with a week to go before it started, and now that The Challenge is truly under way (that's right I have bought absolutely nothing since the start of April, call me the ultimate April fool) I am so glad that I added the extra...
The Original List:
1. Underwear
2. Socks
3. Tights
4. A good supply of leggings and jeggings.
5. Vest/tank tops
6. Slips
7. A good pair of flat black leather ankle boots
8. A black leather tote
9. Some flat pumps
10. A pair of casual summer sandals
Additions to The List
(things I forgot...or just really want...)
11. T-shirts - a few plain cotton
12. Tube tops - I wear these under everything and could do with a couple to replace those that have gotten a bit tatty looking
13. White shirt - Everyone needs one of these and mine is definitely no longer white...
14. Black Winter Coat - All of my coats (and, yes, I have more than a few) are wacky, wonderful and a statement in themselves but I could really do with something plain. This is another thing that I have always found too boring to buy but I'd be lying if I said I haven't often wished I had one to throw on.
15. Plain Cardigans - Again, too boring to be made a priority by moi but they would be so useful for layering, whatever the season.
16. Heeled Black Boots - After my flat black boots, these are without doubt my most worn piece of footwear. I have very big feet for my height so like to wear heels when I can to disguise this fact. Heeled boots are so much easier to wear than heeled shoes, particularly when you do a lot of walking from tubes to buses etc. I often wear them on nights out. I'm currently wearing these little cheapy gems from New Look which are coming to the end of their life so will need to be replaced. Unfortunately they are now sold out in my size or I would be tempted to grab a couple of pairs to keep me going for the year. Perhaps I should be sensible and find a real leather pair that will last...
N.B. I am aware that the next couple of items might not be deemed essentials by all but I know I will find them very useful to keep me going through the year's clothing drought!
17. Denim skater skirt -My version of jeans
18. Leather skater skirt - I would love to find a nice one that could be worn both dressy and casual. Been looking for one for a while so if I see the right one before The Challenge commences I may have to purchase..
19. Leather trousers - a bit like with the leather skirt, I have been angling towards buying a pair of these since November but have yet to find the right pair. If I strike lucky before the 1st I am going to go for it.
20. A couple of Statement Necklaces - these are everywhere at the moment and will be just the ticket for jazzing up the clothes I get bored with. I love the way they can completely change the look of an outfit. Will definitely picking up a couple before The Challenge begins, as most of my jewellery is a little on the delicate side.
Shopping The List
So rewind to last Monday when, with only a week to go until The Challenge was due to commence and thanks to a rare day off, I decided to crack on with tackling The (newly updated) List. As if I wasn't torturing myself enough already with this mad undertaking, I hit Oxford Street.
I wore my favourite little smock dress:
It is black, floral, floaty, pleated and has kimono sleeves so ticks five of my favourite boxes. This is a Kate Moss for Topshop number that was originally £65. I got it BNWT (that's 'brand new with tags' for you eBay novices out there) for a mere £12!
Now THAT'S why I love eBay.
Check out the pretty pleated flowers:
Perfect for wearing whilst drinking cocktails...
It was freezing so I layered up:
So I was all wrapped up and good to go and which shop did I brave first?
Topshop, Oxford Circus!
Now, I NEVER shop there. You'd think it would be a shopaholic's paradise but actually I find it to be an absolute nightmare. It's just way too overwhelming.
I'll never forget my first visit there at the age of seventeen. I was so overwhelmed that I got a sore head, felt nauseous, had to sit down and ended up buying nothing. One of the very few times in my life that I set out with the intention of shopping and yet DIDN'T BUY A THING.
Topshop Oxford Circus is just too big, and there is far too much beautiful stuff. You find something wonderful, decide to buy it, and then walk around the corner and there is something else equally wondrous; another corner and another amazing beautifully cut piece of cloth and so it goes on...
It's like you are aboard a ship on a stormy sea, being hurled from port to starboard; just when you find your feet, are feeling pretty proud, sure and secure in your decision, and are en route to the till, along comes another violent (yet decadently dreamy lace) wave to knock you off course and send you head first into a rack of mint green sweater dresses.
Nope, that is not my idea of shopping heaven at all. More like the shopaholics' version of purgatory. Imagine being stuck there FOREVER. I feel a headache coming on...
Anyway, that fateful last Monday of shopping, I decided the above scenario was most definitely NOT going to happen. I would go in, armed with The List and clear and present purpose, no danger to be had. I would know exactly what I was there to get and I would stay on course, squall of pretty printed purses or no squall of pretty printed purses. I was a capable sensible woman, with A LIST. Hurrah!
It was torture.
Actually, to be fair on myself, it started well. I wandered around the ground floor with freeing sense focus and determination, and actually found myself looking at the other crazed shoppers with pity. I picked up the things that caught my eye, enjoyed the feel of them for a moment, and then moved on - it was liberating.
Then I made the mistake of going into the Miss Selfridge that is attached to Topshop.
EVERYTHING was wonderful. I panicked. I found myself piling things over my arm with no restraint: dresses, tops and skirts. I even lifted a couple of dresses that I thought might have been suitable for my friends' wedding, which isn't until May 2014! Over a year away! I seriously lost the plot.
My friend Jiminy Cricket's evil alter ego was settled on my shoulder and whispering into my ear:
Bloody. Terrifying.
After a stressful half hour in the changing room, I managed to calm myself down and narrowed my choices to the basics that were on The List. Dead proud.
But I still weep a little when I think of this beauty, which is currently sitting on the top spot on my ever growing Wish List:
Just look how gorgeous the pattern is! *sigh*
Anyway, here are some of the nice things that I did allow myself to buy on that fateful day:
So, that was numbers 7, 8, and 10 ticked off the list (admittedly, the snakeskin courts weren't strictly on The List but I had been looking for a pair just like them for such a long time that I just went for it. I know I will wear them a lot - hold me to that, eh? Besides, I think if you had witnessed the restraint I showed on that day you would have been very proud of me and allowed a wee treat as a reward).
I also managed to get a nice studded 'pleather' skirt from Miss Selfridge which left me happy to tick off number 18 (you saw me wearing this on Friday) and a stop in at Pull&Bear (how have I only discovered this place?! It's amazing and such good value) bagged me a pretty neutral t-shirt. I like my basics to have a bit of a twist.
I finished the day with mega visit to Primark which enabled me to tick off numbers 2, 3, 4, 5 and 11 (but not without lots of funny looks from the cashiers when they saw just how many pairs of black cotton socks I was purchasing...). I then proceeded to nearly knock down Rafe Spall *swoon* by inadvertently whacking him with my bag full of socks on my way back to Oxford Circus (not quite how I had envisioned our first encounter).
I have, of course, finished my preparatory shopping now (I am 2 days into the challenge, after all!) but I'll fill you in on the rest next time.
Over and out.
M x
 |
| Really old New Look over-knee boots in faux suede they are falling apart but I can't bring myself to throw them out I love them so and they are super comfortable |
 |
| LOVE this Zara Leather Jacket I picked it up when I was home for Christmas. I had forgotten to pack my own leather jacket so borrowed my friend's (Hi, Emma!) Fell in love so bought it for myself... whoops! Collar is detachable but it is too cold for that yet! |
 |
| Lots of scarves needed (in March)! Grey/Beige Cashmere once belonged to my dad (sorry papa) Cream Crochet Primark number a fairly recent purchase |
Topshop, Oxford Circus!
Now, I NEVER shop there. You'd think it would be a shopaholic's paradise but actually I find it to be an absolute nightmare. It's just way too overwhelming.
I'll never forget my first visit there at the age of seventeen. I was so overwhelmed that I got a sore head, felt nauseous, had to sit down and ended up buying nothing. One of the very few times in my life that I set out with the intention of shopping and yet DIDN'T BUY A THING.
Topshop Oxford Circus is just too big, and there is far too much beautiful stuff. You find something wonderful, decide to buy it, and then walk around the corner and there is something else equally wondrous; another corner and another amazing beautifully cut piece of cloth and so it goes on...
It's like you are aboard a ship on a stormy sea, being hurled from port to starboard; just when you find your feet, are feeling pretty proud, sure and secure in your decision, and are en route to the till, along comes another violent (yet decadently dreamy lace) wave to knock you off course and send you head first into a rack of mint green sweater dresses.
Nope, that is not my idea of shopping heaven at all. More like the shopaholics' version of purgatory. Imagine being stuck there FOREVER. I feel a headache coming on...
Anyway, that fateful last Monday of shopping, I decided the above scenario was most definitely NOT going to happen. I would go in, armed with The List and clear and present purpose, no danger to be had. I would know exactly what I was there to get and I would stay on course, squall of pretty printed purses or no squall of pretty printed purses. I was a capable sensible woman, with A LIST. Hurrah!
It was torture.
Actually, to be fair on myself, it started well. I wandered around the ground floor with freeing sense focus and determination, and actually found myself looking at the other crazed shoppers with pity. I picked up the things that caught my eye, enjoyed the feel of them for a moment, and then moved on - it was liberating.
Then I made the mistake of going into the Miss Selfridge that is attached to Topshop.
EVERYTHING was wonderful. I panicked. I found myself piling things over my arm with no restraint: dresses, tops and skirts. I even lifted a couple of dresses that I thought might have been suitable for my friends' wedding, which isn't until May 2014! Over a year away! I seriously lost the plot.
My friend Jiminy Cricket's evil alter ego was settled on my shoulder and whispering into my ear:
'What if you don't find anything in the 6 weeks between the end of The Challenge and the wedding?
Or, even worse, what if your (evil) friend Caroline predicted correctly and the excitement of finally being allowed to buy clothes makes you go buck mad, lose all sense of style and you turn up looking like a peacock?!'
Bloody. Terrifying.
After a stressful half hour in the changing room, I managed to calm myself down and narrowed my choices to the basics that were on The List. Dead proud.
But I still weep a little when I think of this beauty, which is currently sitting on the top spot on my ever growing Wish List:
 |
| Miss Selfridge Printed Lace Dress |
Just look how gorgeous the pattern is! *sigh*
Anyway, here are some of the nice things that I did allow myself to buy on that fateful day:
 |
| Miss Selfridge Andi Suede Black Fringe Boot Pull&Bear Turquoise Leather Strap Sandles Topshop HAPPY Closed Strippy Sandals in Tan Miss Selfridge Stolen Mid Heel Court |
 |
| Topshop Leather Shopper Tote (which goes so perfectly with my Schuh Bob boots (o:) |
I also managed to get a nice studded 'pleather' skirt from Miss Selfridge which left me happy to tick off number 18 (you saw me wearing this on Friday) and a stop in at Pull&Bear (how have I only discovered this place?! It's amazing and such good value) bagged me a pretty neutral t-shirt. I like my basics to have a bit of a twist.
I finished the day with mega visit to Primark which enabled me to tick off numbers 2, 3, 4, 5 and 11 (but not without lots of funny looks from the cashiers when they saw just how many pairs of black cotton socks I was purchasing...). I then proceeded to nearly knock down Rafe Spall *swoon* by inadvertently whacking him with my bag full of socks on my way back to Oxford Circus (not quite how I had envisioned our first encounter).
I have, of course, finished my preparatory shopping now (I am 2 days into the challenge, after all!) but I'll fill you in on the rest next time.
Over and out.
M x
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