Day 2 - Ahh Shopping

Working in a shopping centre most certainly has its positives. Staff car parking is definitely the number one advantage, no more car park rage or wasted hours for the endless search for Siany. Then of course there is the instant access to all the shops when there are diary date events like Stella McCartney for Target. You're the first to see all the lovely new seasons and the trends they bring, it's ideal for those last minute gift/food/alcohol purchases and the opportunity and encouragement to window shop daily, because after all, I need to know what the shops are selling. However it is interesting how my total dynamic towards shopping has changed over the years.

There are times when I purposely ensure I only look ahead when I am walking the mall, this is due to either the pang of my credit card due to bills, or the constant thoughts that come into my head...save for Japan, save for the future, save for a rainy day, save just in case, save, save, save, save, mo fo save!! Yeah I am a saver at heart.

When I lived at home, I used to buy a lot, oh the joys of having bugger all expenses bar petrol, my mobile phone, dollar drinks and cabs...do we remember those days kids?? Le sigh. Then when I moved out of home at almost the same time I was introduced to the world of Vogue and dang, I had a list of lemmings the size of a football field and just as many purchases piled up along the side line.

Yes the majority were unnecessary, but you know at the time I was working full time, had a large income stream I wasn't used to having, and like anything new and exciting it seemed important to have have all those lipglosses/nail polishs/moisturisers/ shower gels/perfumes/tanners/exfoliators/make-up removers/hair serums/hair balms/hair treatments/split end products/styling gels/straightening creams/magazines/yada yada yada because the reviews were out of this world awesome!! I was such a consumer and the amount of money I spent on 'stuff' was ridiculous but I loved shopping. I would spend a lot of my free time trawling the stores with my friends, it was one of my favourite hobbies that started way back in High School.

After a while I realised everything started to add up and on top of shopping purchases I had all these other 'adult' things I had to start paying for, so when I couldn't fit anything more in my bathroom cabinets, my wardrobe and drawers were overflowing it was time to cut ties with Vogue and shopping. In order to cease my temptation, I literally stopped shopping, rarely venture into those "threads" online and magazines were something to be enjoyed on a minimal basis.

Soon after overseas travel became my new thing and saving for them became my number one priority and it has stayed that way ever since. It's incredible how much one can save simply by cutting back on buying shit or when you really question whether you truly need it or not...whodathunkit?? LOL On top of lovely holidays, buying a house was next on the agenda 4 and half years ago, so add a massive eff-off mortgage to the cards and it really curbs ones spending, makes you more sensible and aware of your situation.

Sure I splurge every now and then, and sometimes go a little overboard, but that is rare and usually only when I have gift cards/birthday money, specifically need something or I am overseas but you know what?? 80% of the time when I do actually have money to burn do you think I can find anything I want??

As you saw I spent 2010 using up things, and this will continue this year. I am SO impressed with my control and it is exciting to actually know that I can buy a few things because I haven't got any left (without the guilt of knowing that I have 5 already but just want that number 6) or I really need something new as X has been worn to death. So I guess there has been somewhat of a positive for all my Vogue days, it set me up for a good few years!! LOL

Working for Westfield is VERY dangerous, holy cow some of the other Marketing Execs and Managers spend up big weekly and are hopelessly addicted to fashion. They have the most amazing up-to-date wardrobes and accessories and rarely wear things twice a month, because they don't need to. It doesn't help that we work so closely with our Stylists who are amazing at their jobs. Thankfully the girls I work with are way more controlled than those listed above which helps, as I tend to wear things over and over and over again until they are fall apart now, so we are all used to seeing each others "core" work clothes every week because we're all in the same boat. LOL

This year however I am going to have to invest a little into my work wardrobe, due to the majority of my clothes either being super old (going back two jobs ago type old) so they are really starting to show their age or they aren't really work appropriate e.g. event wear dresses.

I am going to be really savvy with what I buy though. They are going to have to fit that 'can be worn to work and out' category where all I need is a few accessories to jazz up. I am going to have to invest in some new heels and flats too as I sadly have to wear closed in shoes to work. It's sad to see all my pretty peep-toes lying dormant in my wardrobe now and my few closed in numbers cop an absolute flogging. :(

Here are two dresses I picked up today thanks to Xmas Gift Cards...they both fit into the perfect purchasing category and are both absolutely gorgeous. The black dress is from Diish and is tres SATC. It's actually my first maxi-style dress that I own, but is an ideal all year round dress as it's relatively thick, so will be fine in Winter donned with a jacket. The picture doesn't really do it justice, but it is beautifully pleated all the way down and around.

The cute black with white bird print from Cue is just me to a tee. It came with a slick little back belt too like the majority of Cue dresses come with now. I own a similar patterned dress that I bought in Putney last year, love this print sick. There was one left and the perfect size, it was clearly meant to be. xx