I’ve got money to spend on myself. ME! What do I buy?

[OnTheJourneyOnwards]

So I’ve got cash to spend for a rare shopping trip, upwards of £200 just for me. This hasn’t happened in YEARS. I’m so excited! 😆

Clothes and shoes are high on my list. I’m throwing out my entire wardrobe of sad mum clothes and starting fresh.

And I also want some nice candles or oil burner. Love a bit of nice homeware 😍

What else could I get for myself that’s super nice? What shops are good for candles? And what shops would you go to for clothes? I used to be a TopShop and Debenhams person but they’re gone now!

You really are not going to get much for £200 sadly. A decent coat is just about that. And shoes as well, good quality will be at the very least about £100.

If you have one near, I’d go to John Lewis or the White Company for candles. Enjoy!

I’ve just treated myself to a shopping trip, spent about £200, got three pairs of trousers, two jumpers, three tops, some wireless Bluetooth headphones from Next, Uniqlo and John Lewis, plus some home bits from Sostrene Green. Now sitting having a manicure & pedicure. I’m having a LOVELY day! :-D

You’re behind the times - Topshop is up and running again!

Topshop

and they’ll have physical concessions in John Lewis from early next year.

That other place is no longer a proper shop, but still uses the name. Avoid.

What sort of stuff are you looking for now - working day or cocktails at dusk?

If you want to get lots of clothes and update your wardrobe for £200, then I'd suggest just going on Vinted. Otherwise, your money just won't go very far. £200 would probably get me about 3/4 items at a push if I was buying new. Currently, I avoid buying new and I am enjoying Vinted for most clothes.

Actually Topshop is comparatively much cheaper than when it was last on the High St. Lots available below £50 - though I don’t suppose the quality can be high.

Whaaaaa?

you see, this is why I need to be told these things 😆🤦‍♀️

Top shop is in store at Libertys, I think?

Ooh the White Company! I haven’t been in one of those in ages 😁

You’re going to drop £20/30 on a naice candle (and I completely would, too; love a Neom candle!) so TK Maxx would be a good place to look and sniff. They have so many in mine that I think the whole shop is a front for a candle/money laundering operation 😆

I’ll have a look at Vinted, I’ve never really thought about 2nd hand things.

But I want to have a ‘treat’ day and go shopping rather than sit at home online! But one to think about 😊

Ooh good idea, adding TK Maxx to my list of places to go! 😁

I’ve recently discovered the Kerastase shampoo/conditioner/hair oil. It has made a massive difference to my hair. Take the test on their website to find what hair care is best for you and enjoy your new bouncy, glossy hair!!

That sounds absolutely LUSH 😍

That’s exactly what I want to do, along with a trip to get my hair done! 💇‍♀️

Love a bit of John Lewis!

Oh enjoy!
Even if you just go out and discover your new sizes have a lovely brunch and then come home and look on vinted for similar items.
We sometimes need a day like this!
I did some shopping last Saturday spent £100 on a jumper and three dresses and had a lovely time.

That’s not a bad idea to be fair, knowing me I’ll find some brand name item that will blow the budget but I’ll love it, so trying it on in store and finding it later online might be a good way to do it (cheaper too!)

All that for £200? Where from? Primark? (serious question!)

If i were you I would buy a second hand good quality coat and boots that someone has bought and didn’t return because they didn’t fit and any money left over on an oil burner rather than a candle so that you can continue to use it and buy inexpensive fragrance oils from places such as Craftastik.

Definitely TK Maxx for candles. Maybe when you're in there look at the skincare section for a new face cream or body lotion?

Uniqlo is my go-to shop for decent basics if you're starting a wardrobe from scratch.

Totally agree that even if you just go and try things on then that can be a really nice day. I did it recently and found a style of t shirt in White Stuff that really suited me so I bought one there and then but then I went home and bought a couple more from Vinted.

I also like treating myself by going into Rituals and buying one of their shower foams. They're about £10 so more luxury than my usual shower gel but won't break the bank and feels like a nice treat. You can sniff all of the different scents to find what you like best. If you don't have a Rituals shop then go into Boots and Sanctuary do a similar sort of thing.

Two pairs of trousers and a top from Next, jeans, two jumpers and two tops from Uniqlo, headphones £34 in John Lewis (Sony ones) - I was quite pleasantly surprised at how far £200 stretched!

How about starting in Primark? They have loads of autumn/winter stuff in and you would get a lot for your money.

Oh yeah I forgot Primark existed!!! This is my first shopping day for myself in 6 years so I only ever think of it as a place for cheap kids clothes 😅

I did used to have an oil burner and I loved it but it got smashed (small kids, eh?!) so love this idea! 💡

I’d go to your nearest high st which still has a good selection of bricks &
mortar clothes shops and enjoy a nice browse. Browsing with money in your pocket is such a nice feeling. That way, you’ll get a feel for what shapes & colours are in this season, try some of those on & work out which are most flattering for you. Unless this is the beginning of a permanent change in your finances, you’re probably going to want to buy things which you’ll still
be wearing in 6 months, a year & two years rather than really distinctive items that you might only wear a few times before feeling that you have worn them to death.

I'd go to TK Maxx/Homesense for candles 100% - see if you can get Sand & Fog or Chesapeake Bay brands, they are VERY good.