A rite of passage

One of the brilliant things about having a job is

a) having money (at least theoretically)
b) having less free time to spend said money (ok, so not a great bonus, but you should see me with a bit of freetime... topshop ransacked in a day)

It makes me feel better that with my usual shift at work, due to starting at the godforsaken hour of 6am, my break is at 9am. Good time, as there are no shops open (at least no good ones, although saying that, I even managed to spend the best part of £20 in Boots last week).

This week, however, I am having a lunch break at the proper time for eating lunch - 1 until 2pm. And being based in the very central point of Leicester Square, I cannot avoid the delights of shopping. It's only an hour, I can't do much damage in an hour.

Oh yes I can.

Under the guise of getting the father a birthday present I've ventured out every lunchtime this week (don't actually need a guise - my father's list is so appalling that without browsing he will be getting only a card. His list consists of 2 items: Trips to fun and exotic places eg. The Ukraine, Blackpool, and secondly Books about fun and exotic places, eg. The Ukraine and Blackpool).

So three days into the week, and I have managed to buy myself 4 skirts (all black and of a similar style, but essential to my wardrobe - especially as a favourite northerner has "borrowed" my favourite black skirt, hence the necessity of replacements) and three dresses. I have also bought a pair of shoes, three pairs of novelty tights, a pair of earrings and three books.

By wednesday. This is not good.

And so today I reconciled myself to being a responsible adult. And I actually TOOK THINGS BACK!! It pained me. And I did actually snatch a skirt back from the assistant (it has layers of black lace, and is virtually completely different from most of my other skirts). And kept a dress (very practical - has given me an opportunity to wear my new gold belt) and the earrings (can't return those) and some tights (but those are really important, what with the onset of winter and all) and a book (need to keep the mind educated). But aside from that I took everything back.

I felt the need to share this. If only for the congratualtions I'm hoping to receive from fellow shopaholics. It really felt like a rite of passage.

I rewarded myself on the way home with a necklace. But at £7 , and with all the money I made by taking things back, I practically made money by getting it.

Letting the side down

Apologies. I have been beyond abysmal at keeping up this blogging malarky. In fact, I totally forgot that I had one. Until a wonderful friend mentioned that she was starting one, and suddenly, from the darkest, deepest depths of the memory, I remembered this one.

So. I've decided that actually keeping the blog going was fun. And I will now make a conscious effort to do it more. It also forces me to plan activities that I can catalogue on said blog.

As a brief update on the last 18mnths (gasp!) of my life I am:

1. No longer a student. Sigh.
2. Now in the world of work (getting paid - yay!)
3. Have graduated to more grown up work, and no longer at pub. Sigh.
4. Am still living in Brixton (although in times of snobbery I say Clapham - don't want to scare off potential guests)
5. Still have the boyfriend (touch wood)
6. But have lost the Wiganer to, well, Wigan. Sadly she returned to the northern roots and pie shops.
7. Shoes are still my biggest weakness.

I also live in a nicer, although hazard strewn flat (currently fighting the landlord in an effort to get the 14ft pit beneath the flat filled, and the door to said pit sealed off. Yes, there is a door in my flat to a giant hole. Great talking point for visitors).

Anyway. This is to be the concerted effort to be more conscientious on the old blog front.