Unexpected £200 windfall - what to buy?

[Nomoremargaritas]

As the title says, I've been gifted £200 by a generous relative on the provision I spent it on myself. For context, I'm on unpaid mat leave at the moment and recently when I've gone shopping I've just treated the DC.

Not back to work until the summer and so currently I'm spending a lot of time in leggings and fleeces 😂

I'm also good for a hair cut and colour (have an appointment in a few weeks which I've already put money aside for) in case anyone suggests that.

So, wise Mumsnetters - what would you treat yourself to?

I’d book a massage
get someone to have the baby. Nice long sit in a coffee shop with a book and a bit of lunch
massage
mooch about the shops and pick up some nice bath bits

Go on Vinted, more for your money! But give us an idea what you want? Clothes, bag 🤷🏼‍♀️

I would walk straight into Me & Em!

Something that would last - a picture, print, pot or maybe a piece of jewellery.

-A pretty top/photo frame/cookery book/funky light from Oliver Bonas.
-Some lovely Yankee Candles.
-A decorative piece from Swarovski.
-A nice bracelet from Pandora.

None of the above will break the bank but they will make you feel nice and pretty!

Perfume
Earrings/necklace
Handbag

A massage is a good idea

A new moisturiser and/or perfume?

Some lovely bubble bath

New boots

Leather jacket

For me it would be jewellery, shoes or a great bag. Something you can use and enjoy no matter what pregnancy and hormones do to your body! (I am one of those women whose body didn't snap back, can you tell?!)

Really good trainers or sandals for a spring/summer of pram pushing.

A relaxing treat like a facial, manicure, pedicure, massage etc.

Skincare like a cleansing balm and a good moisturiser.

Spa treatments! Facial & massage 😍

Lvl lashes. I love them. They really make me feel better about myself even when I’ve made no effort. Once they are done they last about 8 weeks. LVLs over nails any day for me.
Then probably a lovely book, bath stuff. All of these items would be about £80 so plenty to spend on a nice top/bag/accessories. Don’t rush your decision then you will enjoy it even more.

oh Chelsea peers short pjs are lovely too. They are about £40…..

Necklace or something long term that will always remind you of this special time.

I'd get:
Something to wear, probably trainers
A great book or two (or 3 if Waterstones is doing a deal!)
Something yummy to eat, probably chocolate
A daily luxury e.g. L'occitaine almond shower oil or tribe517 body scrub or a candle
Depending on how much is left over: something that will last and make you smile in years to come thinking of this person e.g. a pair of earrings or a pretty mug.

A kindle if you don’t already have one for night feeds/ reading whilst feeding (I can’t read a normal book and hold baby) Get the paperwhite as it has a warm light so less disruptive of alseep.

Audible subscription for audiobooks whilst walking / chores around house.

Ooh some great suggestions, thanks all.

Love the idea of a massage and/or other treatments but always think they're great at the time but then they're over and you have nothing to show for it!

I love a good bag but my trusty Uniqlo cross body bag is doing me proud at the moment. I've got nicer bags I can use if I go anywhere fancy. On the other hand, if someone knows how to make the £200 stretch to a Bottega bag I'd love to hear it...

I think I'll have a mooch in Me & Em as @Vivienne1000 suggested, but not sure I'd get much use out of anything while I'm on mat leave. Maybe it's better to wait and get something to make me feel fabulous when I go back to work.

I do need perfume but no clue where to start. I used to wear Byredo Gypsy Water and Penhaligons Empressa, but neither felt like they should be my signature scent. I get a bit nose blind after smelling a few. Any suggestions gratefully received - something classic but a bit unusual would be great. I probably prefer more masculine scents over anything too floral.

The other thing I was thinking about was getting my ears pierced again with some nice earrings, so that each ear had 2 holes rather than one. I'm pushing 40 though so don't know if I'm trying to clutch at youth!

A kindle is also a great shout - thanks @Creamice.

I've just ordered the Tart book from Amazon and can't wait to read it. £6.50 gone so £193.50 left!

I was given some money before Christmas and bought a cashmere Lily Silk sweater. The quality is brilliant and it has barely been off my back. They are around £200. Some of the lighter Springwear ones are about £120, so you'd have money left over for some scent or candles.

Ear piercing is a great idea! Definitely do that.

You could go to penhalligans and do their blind scent test and see what they suggest for you if you are after perfume. I wear empress after doing that and it is 100% my scent.

If you are doing piercing get your helix done. I had mine done for my 40th at Maria Tash and I love it.

If you’re anywhere near London you could try Liberty’s ‘discover your signature scent’ service https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/services/the-fragrance-lounge-services.html The service is £50 so you’d have funds left after that for perfume too

Have you tried on all your shoes since giving birth? My feet grew very slightly during pregnancy but my trainers still fit so I didn’t notice straight away. I got a nasty surprise when I tried my fancier shoes on as all of them were too small. So perhaps do that before deciding how to spend the money.

Ears pierced and some lovely everyday studs is a brilliant idea.

After years of trying, I think I might have found my signature scent - Korres Black Pepper. It’s quite masculine but also fresh and light. I love it. I also love Penhaligons Halfeti but it’s scarily expensive.