Bag A Bargain

Now you don't have to be the most observant of people to have noticed that we aren't having the best of springs (something of an understatement I know as we currently have  around 6" of snow) but what we are having a lot of at the moment is sales! And if you're anything like me (a retailer's dream) as soon as an email pings into my inbox with the magic words 'sale' then I feel the need (for research purposes obviously) to click on the link & check out what's on offer.

Of course you don't have to be a fortune teller gazing into a crystal ball to know that this inevitably means that I will see at least one item which I realise I just HAVE to have! Then of course to qualify for the free shipping I'll add a few more items to the shopping basket which will be justified on the basis of avoiding delivery charges but no doubt result in me falling in love with at least one of the extra items when they arrive thus spending more than if I had just paid the delivery charge in the first place (is this just me?!)

Add in that if the retailer is also on Quidco (a cashback site) I will then have further excuse (by which I mean reason!) to explain (of course I mean justify) to hubby that as well as saving X% I have also earnt X% cashback! Which of course will be spent ten times over before said cashback is paid, like I said a retailer's dream!

But if you are looking for a particular item or have a gap in your summer wardrobe that you need to fill, not to mention clothing for ever growing children then of course the sales & offers are the time to take advantage plus nab your size before it becomes sold out (another handy excuse I like to use from time to time, read week to week!).

Also there's nothing nicer than having your parcel arrive at your door (is it just me or has anyone else ever been tempted to write a 'gift message' to themselves??) Then of course the anticipation as you cut open said package & tear through the tissue paper to see the goodies you drooled over on online & then try them on in the comfort of your own home with all your accessories to hand. Not to mention not having to try & image the look while crammed into a changing room. Or having to pop out to show hubby while the other abandoned husbands/boyfriends try not to look as you endeavour to explain to your other half just how you'd wear this item, how it would go with everything & of course does this make my bum look big in this? Knowing that they too will shortly face this barrage of questions from their partner & praying that they give the right answer when required!

Now don't get me wrong, having said all this miracles do (on the very rare occasion) happen & much to hubby's relief whole orders can be returned after that must have top/dress/trousers turns out to not be as fabulous as you envisaged. And of course this is where my reasoning of trying to avoid delivery costs & increase my order value comes in because as long as I haven't had to pay delivery & can return the items free of charge then I've nothing to loose (apart from more cash of course) & everything to gain!

Of course what I should also point out at this stage is that I am now on first name terms with several of the delivery men who will even wave if they pass while I'm out & about around the village. Not to mention the local Post Office assistant who I think would pass out with shock if I didn't go in each week with at least one return for Zara! But now with writing this blog I am thinking there is less of a concern on the shopaholic front & more of a  'in the interests of research front', yes???

So after all my ramblings (justifications) I did choose to undertake some 'research' when the email from Banana Republic pinged into my inbox announcing their sale with items up to 50% off.

I first discovered Banana Republic, who are part of the same chain as GAP when visiting my sister who was over in America for several months & there were a few things which caught my eye. I haven't really shopped that much with them in the meantime but recently brought some great jewellery from there (as previously blogged about) & had seen a jacket plus some other jewellery I liked but decided to leave ordering as I felt the jacket in particular to be a lot of money for a knitted blazer.

That was of course until the sales email pinged into Outlook. As wait for it (here comes the justification), if the jacket did have 50% off I also knew that I could get an additional 15% off by signing up hubby as a new customer plus an additional 10% cashback from Quidco!!! So luckily for me (unluckily for bank balance) the knitted blazer was in the sale & instead of having to pay £65 I have paid just under £30 once I receive my cashback, so a result!

Banana Republic Double Breasted Knitted Blazer

And here's a picture of me wearing said jacket, which they also do in a classic navy & cream stripe which I was also tempted by (no surprise there!) but decided to go for something a little different with the colours as I think there's quite a few navy & cream jacket combinations about plus I'd already got the perfect green blouse to wear with this & I felt the navy & green option could easily be worn in winter too, handy seeing as we're not having much of a spring!

I also brought this lovely pearl & coral necklace (which you can see me wearing in today's below - scroll down to see), which is very pretty & again will go with lots of colours & look lovely & fresh worn with jeans & a white shirt.

Banana Republic Bloom Necklace

Now before I love & leave you all, here's a few pictures of what I've been wearing the last few days.

Outfit One

Quilted Jacket - Zara

Scarf - Zara

Bracelets - J Crew & Mango

Jumper - East

Belt - Massimo Dutti (not shown)

Jeans - GAP

Shoe Boots - M&S

Outfit Two

Jacket - Zara

Necklace - Zara

Linen top - Zara

Belt - Massimo Dutti (not shown)

Jeans - Zara

Boots - Zara

Outfit Three

Snakeprint Scarf - Massimo Dutti

Bracelet - Banana Republic

Jumper - GAP

Belt - Massimo Dutti (not shown)

Jeans - M&S

Boots - Zara

Outfit Four

Necklace - Mango

Light Grey Denim Shirt - Zara

Bracelets - Mango & Banana Republic

Belt - H&M

Leather Skirt - M&S

Shoe Boots - M&S

Outfit Five

Necklace - Banana Republic

Shirt - Massimo Dutti

Jumper - GAP

Bracelets - Handmade

Jeans - Zara

Shoes - Next

So has anyone else been tempted by the sales that are currently on offer or is the snow & the cold & the need for thermals putting you off? I'd love to hear about your new bargains & justifications!

Right I'm off to re-think my outfits for hubby's 40th celebrations the fact that we currently have soooo much snow & minus degrees temperatures was not factored in to the plans so some re-thinking of outfits may be necessary! By which of course I mean the purchasing of some vital items ;) At least when I hit the big one in December I'll know it will be cold plus of course we could have more snow by then!

Have a great Sunday x