Mumsnet Talk

I'm on a spending ban so want to live vicariously through other people's purchases

Mine is a pair a pair of Primark tan ankle boots

I've been on the hunt for a pair since autumn, but never really found 'The Ones'. Nipped into Primark last Sunday, and there on the shelf was the perfect pair. Only one pair left, and amazingly my size! For three quid

It was fate

This year? We have hardly started!

Um....I think it would have to be my army surplus style jacket from H&M, it looks great with everything.

Most worn is a boiled wool coatigan from (whispers) Next. I got a fab and bargainous jacket from Zara in the sale which has already made several outings despite it not being a winter weight. Accessorised with several fab scarves and bags. They are always my most worn items anyway.

An Oasis shirt in a red/burgundy with swan motif. It fits really nicely, is flattering, doesn't look/feel like polyester (even though it is) and looks pretty. And also a navy jumper from Oasis (first purchases from Oasis in years and years) with a navy false silky shirt sticking out the bottom and sleeves in the same material as the shirt. Also lovely fit, smart yet casual and v useful.

This sweatshirt

It's from Pull and Bear and has just the right amount of slouch. I love this shop and wish we had one in Nottingham

Two very cute wee mulberry alikes from Accessorise at a bargainous £12 each Here Got the gold one too. Bought as gift for DD before a school trip to Paris. She was very chuffed.

A green cardigan from a charity shop and a FT wrap dress in a sale. I have to be prised out of them at the moment.

Lovely buys!

I like that Pull & Bear website

I was hunting for an army surplus style jacket, I found one I kind of liked on Matalan's website, but it just didn't grab me irl

Best bargain definitely these boots from
Shoeaholics website for £29. Very comfortable and look great with everything.

Second is biker coat./clothing/Warehouse/fcp-product/4223058372 this coat from warehouse for £40 as I was in a maternity coat all winter.

I must admit I haven't bought much, but I have been v v pleased with a pair of black platform shoes for work.

These

a desk top easel that will drop down so that i can use it while i'm in my wheelchair £15 off ebay...

Not sure what I've bought this year that's been great so far. Haven't bought that much though. Will think a bit.

I got a few pairs of jeans totally bargainously in the Donna Ida sale and was debating to myself whether the best buy was nobody cult skinnies in moss green cord that do not go baggy (wore for five days without washing...I know I'm minging and still no bag at the knees) or j brand 811s in pelt which I grabbed in the final extra 20% off bit and have proved to be just the colour my wardrobe was missing.

But then I remembered going into Zara well towards the end of the sale and in amongst the the shoes all odd ones or size 3 or 8 was one pair of greige ankle boots for £16.99 that were just so exactly what was missing from my shoe wardrobe that I have to have a firm word with myself some mornings to actually remember to wear any of my other footwear.

direct.asda.com/george/womens-tops/lace-sweater-cream/G004155056,default,pd.html i know lace is everywhere at the moment but this is a bargain at £10 and has washed well (I put it in one of those mesh lingerie bags as the fabric is very delicate).

Not clothing, but I have also tried the L'oreal Elvive hair oil which has made my bleached ends like silk. Not cheap at £10 but it has been on promo at the supermarkets recently.

A really beautiful pale orange mohair jumper by Fillipa K, in the Atterley Road sale. I heard about the brand lurking on the MN Vogue thread, and found Atterley Road by searching for the jumper. Love it - fast, free delivery and free returns.

Never heard of Pull & Bear but am off to take a look after seeing your lovely sweatshirt QueenLatifa. Cannot believe the price either!

Queen Latifa I've pm'd you re sizing at Pull & Bear. Hope you don't mind. Ta.

This Gap parka (except I paid £17 mire for it less than a fortnight ago. Grr!)

A vast and capacious 6-ply Johnstons cashmere coatigan, colour of milk chocolate, for 6.50 in a charity shop.

Vintage Mulberry cross-body bag for a fiver in same shop - thanks, Balham.

A pair of Joules pyjama bottoms and a Boden dressing gown for ds- 5 quid from a charity shop.

Silk shirts from The Et Vous range at Matalan in cream and slate.But the range is all in the sale at the mo. and the section seems to have disappeared in my local store.It looks like it might be being discontinued.Lace cashmere scarfs from Wrap in sparkly pink and grey.Really good priced long thin scarves that i wear every day.

Pair of Monki jeans, skinny high waisters. They're a Swedish brand you can't get here. In my perfect size and length.

One pound fifty from charity shop.

i really can't choose. everything i've bought so far this year has had a LOT of wear already. two pairs of blue skinnies from shopbop have been in use almost daily, but a charcoal grey slouchy jumper from the sale rail in gap is also right up there.

My 99p BNWT eBay grey, pencil skirt from Evie which arrived at the weekend and which I'm currently wearing for work. Very 'Mad Men'!

I bought a lovely navy sweater from Monsoon and although it wasn't in the sale I have worn it ever such a lot, so a good buy.

I bought a really nice jumper from Wallis, of all places. Knitted, navy and white horizontal stripes, with cherries in mock diamente type sticker things near one shoulder. I am making it sound hideous, but its really flattering and easy to wear with dark jeans, and only about £22.

this zara jacket

I have just bought a military style coat from tescos online for £25 in their sale. Haven't even picked it up from the store yet but I've been looking for an affordable one in this style for years!

Gap distressed skinnies from Save the Children, until yesterday when I got the most beautiful leather biker jacket from River Island. I'm not ever taking it off! It will go with everything I own. So soft and gorgeous, I really recommend it to anyone in the market for a leather jacket, it's a total bargain and as good quality as the Whistles one IMO.

A pair of sugar morigami boots from soletrader outlet which I've worn all the time. And although not technically a buy getting my hair cut pixie short. Best decision I ever made!

2 long sleeved landsend nighties in Pima cotton jersey that are long to the floor. So pleased with them.

Mango Mickey Mouse T Shirt for 7 Euro

Esprit leather jacket.

A pair of jeans and a black wool jacket from Bennetton outlet shop which was closing down - £2.70 each - less than charity shop price - that's what I call a bargain.

A black silk-mix longline cardigan by Calvin Klein. It cost me £29 in TK Maxx - the first time I have ever got a bargainous 'label' in there!

A burnt red wool coat fromFrench Connection.

Reduced from £195 to £38... 80% off.

these jeans from Debenhams, have made my legs look about six inches longer

£50 for some 7 for all mankind skinnies from Tks. I do need to shorten them though.

queenlatina I need another grey sweatshirt like a hole in the head BUT that one is gorgeous. please tell me about the sizing.... I'm between 14-16. Does it come up big or small. Thanks

ah...style and beauty...that will be why there are no other easels on here

Some flat black over the knee leather boots in a sale in December from R&B. They go with absolutely everything and spice up every outfit. Bloody love them and will. E gutted when boots weather draws to a close.

Freddie I'm only 2 days into my month spending ban and I'm already miserable about it!

So far this year my best buy has been a padded, down jacket in purple from Primak. I have had so many compliments on it and it was only £16, plu sit is very warm. I'm cold blooded so I'm wearing it all the time at the moment.

I've bought a few scarves that were cheap but seem to really finish off an outfit well and make me look a bit more 'put together'. I've had a few from Primark and a few from ebay and they have all been about £4. I'm after one that has green in it but I'll have to wait for April to start looking once my self-imposed ban is over.

oooh Corygal - which shop in Balham?

your easel sounds fab!! lol

Jumper have to ask you about the leather jacket, I am looking for one in tan and this might fit the bill but.. I am rather petite and I was wondering if it is really fitted or is it looser ? Just a bit worried it will swamp me. thanks

A garden sofa, 2 armchairs and coffee table. I live in a warm climate and although we had a dining table and chairs in the garden I rarely sat outside unless we were eating outside. Now I sit outside for a bit most evenings. It's lovely.

thank you Piratecat ,it is ...

Pocket the model is wearing size medium on the website so if you want it really slouchy like that I would go for a L or XL.

I have a 35 inch chest and I bought the small as I wanted it a bit more fitted than in the picture and hope srings eternal for losing that last stone, slouchy rather than baggy iyswim.

If you have enough grey sweatshirts why not get the pink instead? <enables>

MorrisZap, you can get Monki here, in London atleast. And online.

knee length super comfy drapey knit dress in my colours on the clearance rack at Target for $5 (about 7 pounds?) Already had couple of compliments on it

vintage tan leather gloves from the charity shop- £10, perfectly worn in.... awesome. Til I left them on the train.
Also picked up a bargain Philip Treacy butterfly handbag for £50

I got a £300 french connection cost brand new with tags on eBay two weeks ago for £35! And a nude silk reiss skirt for £10. And an all saints parachute dress, again eBay, for £48 (instead of the £200 it wld have been in the shop).
And french sole pumps for £12.

Purchase? Ha! <-- Bitter laugh.

Chance'd be a fine thing.

<goes off to read about other people's...>

Eldon - British Heart Foundation. I swear they were both pricing errors, normally the shop is packed with old primark vests for a fiver.

The sancury hair mask sachets [currently three for two at boots i think] think they call them butter shine something or other

Oh and an oasis cross body bag that looks to me like its new from a charity shop for less than four quid

Today! - jade green satin dress from coast reduced from £135 to £39, haggled down to £35 as tiny mark on sash
It perfectly matches KG green silk shoes with silver heels I already have.
Now need opportunity to wear it .

Another British heart foundation bargain - Marc Jacobs aqua jacket for £8.99! When I asked what brand it was the gormless shop assistant (adolescent boy) said 'Jacob - whoever HE is'

My new (skeleton) size 12 wardrobe, to replace my old size 16 wardrobe. There's not much if it, so it all gets worn a lot.

These nude loafers to wear with my skinny jeans when the weather warms up a bit.

Black eyeliner pencil from Aldi's Lacura range. I usually use L'Oreal but I thought for 1.99 for about 3x the pencil (including a sharpener as well), I should give it a go.

It's amazing. You have to sharpen it first even though it has a point when you buy it (you'll see what I mean, if you get it) but after that it is the smoothest eyeliner I've ever used. And... it doesn't smear immediately. My eyelids tend to smear eyeliner around, but this one doesn't do that. Not for a few hours at least, and much much less so than the L'Oreal version. Normal touchups totally negate this.

I went back and purchased another, just because I know it was a weekly special at Aldi and I wanted a second in case they don't add it to their normal collection.

Also I bought a ruffled grey scarf there for 4.99, looks fab.

queeflatina. Think I might get both [enabler].

My best buy has been a pair of Ilse Jacobsen blue Wellies for less than half price ( still a lot of money but I have been coveting them for awhile AND they are so comfortable)

Proskins leggings - my legs are smoother after just a few days!

I forgot about a pair of biscuity/beige skinnies, £5 in the H&M sale which I've worn quite a bit too

My spending ban is suffering, I keep looking up everyone's lovely purchases.

I must hold firm, I must hold firm, I must hold firm.

I haven't put an end date on mine, perhaps that would make it seem less like torture. At the moment, it's a vague 'when the weather warms up'

Right, end of April too!

Oh, and another one I forgot

£1 for 2 packs cleansing wipes from Primark

Fab for removing make up and makes my face feel lovely afterwards

Homeaway - it is v close fitting, but size down if you want it tight, I'm an 8/10 and the 8 fits like a glove. Nice long sleeves too. It's more delicate in a good way than it looks on the website, the leather is smooth and really soft.

Such a bargain, go for it!

Either the MUA Love Hearts pale pink nail varnish- the colour is perfect and looks fab with everything, or the bargain blue peplum pencil dress I discovered in the Primark sale- three bloody pounds and it makes my bum look amazing

A black and grey jersey DKNY dress reduced from £185 to £10!!!

Where did you get a £10 DKNY Onelittlelady?
Another vote here for 7FAM skinnies at TKMaxx and a Pure Collection red cardi at TKMaxx.

long cashmere mix grey marl cardigan from French Connection from a second hand rose shop. about £15.

most of my stuff is charity/second hand, and i have got much better at buying decent stuff - i now mostly look for wool or cahsmere, but find it much much easier to find tops or jackets than jeans or skirts.

The Versace Collection navy blue pencil skirt I am wearing today. £40 instead of £270 from TK Maxx website and it is a PERFECT fit.

Very boring, but indigo legging jeans from Gap. Have really struggled with jeans since having dc (3 sections, so stomach truly effed) and these are perfect!

My engagement ring didnt buy it myself mind you but I love it!!!

Freddie it's quite a warm day today

A gorgeous soft pale blue leather jacket from la redoute with a huge offer discount, worked out only about £50.. here

Full length cream, furry lined suede coat - spotted being put on a manikin in a charity shop window - new with tags - my size exactly - £35 - label is Top Shop for £185 - its warm, its elegant, it sponges down well with baby wipes - the lady in the shop said they were pricing it low as they thought the colour would put people off

Freddie it's quite a warm day today

. I did mention that this morning. DH just rolled his eyes at me

Answering a bit late butLibertychick the DKNY came from the House of Fraser outlet.

QuinnFabray, I'm going to be in London soon! Where can I avail myself of Monki jeans?

A pair of apple green heels (summer shoes!) that are awesome.

But as a result I have no money to buy more clothes etc. this month.

Ooooh just to add, I happened to be in Milan last weekend (I know, I know) and I found a MiuMiu skirt for a friend (It was a pink A-line circle skirt, NOT for me) which was marked down from 1200 Euros to 100 Euros!!

This [http://www.bonprix.co.uk/product/black-biker-jacket-black-978838/ jacket]] Its so flattering and cosy.

try again bloody phone

Monki is in carnaby street. Check out the sake section upstairs.

sake? sale obviously

Awesome, thanks

Some Next indigo "sexy straight leg" jeans, £3 from a charity shop. They fit perfectly and have given me confidence to step away from the bootlegs (have recently lost 2 dress sizes and can not get used to wearing anything skinny, fitted or a 12).

Boden empire line top in Navy. I am wearing it as a maternity top and reckon it will see me through until at least 6-7 months and no doubt will be wearing it for months after baby arrives too, love it! (but wouldnt like it if I wasnt pregnant as it definitely has a maternity-look to it!).

Thank you jumpher, I think I might order it as I have just sent back a dress, trousers and cardigan to baukjen so my credit card will be happier !

My two new Brora jumpers. They are cozy and go with so many things in my wardrobe.

Speedos.... Have been pondering proskins for a while, what do they look like on? Could you wear them for Gymn and under dresses? Also do you have to wear them all the time for them to work?

Mine is Babylis Hot Rollers.

They make my hair do exactly what I always wanted it to.

Just need to find a way to make my hair hold the style for more than a few hours

hettie they are amazing. My legs look lean and smooth with them on alone for the gym and you can't notice them under trousers as they are really thin material, thinner and lighter than any other gym capris I have. Wore them today for spinning class and I thought legs would be wobbling but they didn't.

I have only worn them about a week but managed to wear all day as you hardly notice they're there, not sure if they would be hot in summer though.

I just do not understand how they can work but I'm sure my cellulite is not as bad, it is still there though....

I am a 10 but lookfantastic.com had only the size 12 on offer, £30 instead of £45 for the capris. I have also just ordered a 10 in the longer version as I gym everyday and they need to get washed!

The only negative is the cost as they are bloody expensive and the offer above is the only one I found anywhere.

Thanks!