Bargain Basket Beauties

Naturally, as soon as Christmas is over (in fact often starting before the big day) the sales serve to torture you with all those things you have had on your wish list, now slashed to 75% off. Or worse, the pricey items you might have bought for your loved ones, now at a fraction of the price. So cruel! I routinely browse around my favourite online stores, adding things to my shopping cart that I particularly love. Rarely do I actually buy any of this stuff that sits suspended in my basket, but still it gives me a little thrill. Guilt free shopping. Except when those things I have had my eye on drop so dramatically in price that I am wracked with anxiety about missing out on the bargain of the year! Here are some things I have been watching and might just pull the trigger on.

Freida Duvet Cover and Pillow Shams from Serena & Lily

34th Street Treesh Large Bag, Kate Spade
Meribel Neda Wallet, Kate Spade

Gilded Sweater Jacket, J.Crew

Lemlem® Tarara wrap, J.Crew

Talitha Needlepoint Pillow, Jonathan Adler

Shelter Island Table Lamp, Jonathan Adler

Urban Biker Jacket, Boden

Velvet Jewel Flats, Boden

Torture! So many bargains to be had and really no reason to spend except for shear lust for these beauties. One wouldn't hurt...

G is for Girly

I have said this many times before but although I have an obsession with pink bordering on certifiable, I am not a exactly a girly gal. I don't wear dresses or skirts, almost never wear heels and daily grooming routine pretty much amounts to brushing my hair and tying it up in a bun. BUT...I always wear make-up (just a touch, mascara and blush), I have my toenails painted all of the time, I have a killer bag collection and I love to accessorize. Statement pieces of jewellery, are my thing. Anyway, I guess I have always had this underlying desire to be more of a typical girl, and despite my less than girly age (I fear I am approaching middle age too fast!) I am drawn to the feminine and cute in things.

Here are my latest objects of girly desire...

Blythe Dolls

...and the awesome obsession that Danielle Thompson of Kitschy Digitals and Tiny Bazaar has for these strangely cute little ladies. The sheer fact that their eye colour can be changed had me hooked.

Anthropologie anything...
Dresses
Blouses
Bags

Breaking news: Anthro is opening a store in Edinburgh pretty much next door to my old restaurant and although I am green with envy, I have to be thankful that I am not in a position to blow my "fortune" on after work shopping anymore!

Ballet flats with embellishments...

Frenchie Flat

Abbie Flat

Clara's Slippers

Rising Starlet Flats

Sequin Bow Flats

Over the top costume jewellery...

Fringe Cuff

Carrington Crystal Bow necklace

Crystal Rose necklace

Silver and Opal Bow belt buckle

It's all about the shoes

I have never considered myself the marrying kind, but if I ever did take the plunge I know that the single most important piece of my attire would be the shoes. People have images of the dress they have dreamed of since they were a little girl, but for me this would be the perfect time to drop a serious amount of cash on the most fabulous, outrageous and show-stopping footware I could afford. One of my best male friends was recently the "Mate of Honour" at a girlfriend's wedding, where she wore a stunning pair of gold Christian Louboutin's as the main focal point to her wedding outfit (the dress was unique and gorgeous too, it has to be said). She's my kind of Gal!

So I thought I would play dress up today and choose a few gems that would have me running down the aisle (well, not exactly running in those heels!).

Charm by Kate Spade

Chrisette by Kate Spade

Heart Peep Toe by Alexander McQueen

Poseidon 120 Pumps by Christian Louboutin

Margo Python Pumps by Charlotte Olympia

And no white in sight!