Blinking in the brightness of the lightbulb moment

Cat2011

prettypaula wrote: »

hey cat, ebay people, only there mothers could love them!

Lol - at least that's my only bad experience so far . Hopefully selling the rest of my things/tat will go smoothly.... going to be a long process - I have a lot of tat!

Cat2011

Had a fairly good day today. Most of my team have been away at a conference all week, so the office has been nice and quiet. The week so far has been very hectic - several things going wrong, people demanding my attention on things with zero notice, having to do some of the things the rest of my team were meant to do...but I at least got some experiments done. Been analysing all day and not got it finished, and my boss will want to see it the instant he gets in tomorrow - so I'll have to get up uber early . Managed to dash out of work a little early and amazingly managed to do two mystery shops (thank god for their extended opening hours), I thought I'd get neither done. Those were my last shops til Christmas - concentrating on the study now...

Got home to a lovely surprise. I have £17 in vouchers for M&S, due to the money I put on the M&S credit card :j . Will add that to my £15 in love2shop vouchers - must check the expiry dates.. Hopefully might be able to use for Christmas pressies, if not can use for a pressie for me! I'm in desperate need of some new clothes, but want to lose a few pounds first... Trying to make my life better in all aspects, so want to try and get a bit more fashionable - I'm too much of a jeans and jumper girl... think I ought to take a bit more care of myself, but don't really know where to start.... My treat once I'm debt free will definitely be a clothes shopping spree (all saved up for in advance of course!)

Cat2011

So had another ponder about savings accounts, and decided to open another Preferred current account to earn another 5% on 2.5k. Think that's the easiest way to earn interest for now. Once that's full I'll have another think...

ZTD

Cat2011 wrote: »

Trying to make my life better in all aspects, so want to try and get a bit more fashionable - I'm too much of a jeans and jumper girl... think I ought to take a bit more care of myself, but don't really know where to start.... My treat once I'm debt free will definitely be a clothes shopping spree (all saved up for in advance of course!)

You can go and consult personal shoppers in various department stores, who will recommend things for you. But it does depend on what kind of style you're aiming for, and what kinds of things you're comfortable with.

Hypno had the concept of a capsule wardrobe on her last thread.

Cat2011

ZTD wrote: »

You can go and consult personal shoppers in various department stores, who will recommend things for you. But it does depend on what kind of style you're aiming for, and what kinds of things you're comfortable with.

Hypno had the concept of a capsule wardrobe on her last thread.

Think I'll look into the personal shopper thing . I just want to have a few key pieces, and to learn how to wear them. Also learn the confidence to know how to wear a trend. I guess reading some fashion mags (or browsing online would be free) might help. I'm not too sure what I'm "allowed" to wear, I can't carry off the things a 19yo might wear, but don't want to dress like I'm 40... not sure where the middle ground is.

ZTD

Cat2011 wrote: »

Think I'll look into the personal shopper thing . I just want to have a few key pieces, and to learn how to wear them. Also learn the confidence to know how to wear a trend. I guess reading some fashion mags (or browsing online would be free) might help. I'm not too sure what I'm "allowed" to wear, I can't carry off the things a 19yo might wear, but don't want to dress like I'm 40... not sure where the middle ground is.

This is part of developing a style. Most 19 year olds don't have a style as such, it's just more bangles than an 80's big-hair revival during the daytime, and more flesh than an abattoir during the night time.

There are exceptions of course, but style is learned by experience usually.

You can go for the classic styles - do you want to be always smart, or something a little casual? You can even choose a period. Someone I know loves the 40's (1940s) and dresses well in that style, however 80's shoulder pads should be avoided. If more contemporary trend-following is your thing, then there's the usual Trinny & Susanna and Gok Wan snippets of advice and guidance.

Souk (on this board) may also offer some more guidance if you ask nicely.

Cat2011

ZTD wrote: »

This is part of developing a style. Most 19 year olds don't have a style as such, it's just more bangles than an 80's big-hair revival during the daytime, and more flesh than an abattoir during the night time.

There are exceptions of course, but style is learned by experience usually.

You can go for the classic styles - do you want to be always smart, or something a little casual? You can even choose a period. Someone I know loves the 40's (1940s) and dresses well in that style, however 80's shoulder pads should be avoided. If more contemporary trend-following is your thing, then there's the usual Trinny & Susanna and Gok Wan snippets of advice and guidance.

Souk (on this board) may also offer some more guidance if you ask nicely.

I don't really want to be smart all the time, just... well put together. I like those 1940's dresses too , can be really flattering. I think more contemporary is probably where I'm headed tho, I had a google of those names and came up with a few helpful sites . Thanks

Cat2011

So - having looked at some "style" websites, and seen the prices - I think the way forward will be eBay . My housemate had a Jack Wills catalogue delivered - there is no way I am spending £69 on a fricking skirt! I've found a few ideas, and think I'll trickle buy a few things over the next few months - maybe things that don't depend so much on size, like jewellery, shoes and floaty dresses. Then when I'm happier with my size I might attempt some skinny jeans etc. I'm going to try and expand the colours in my wardrobe, and try a few different patterns, my wardrobe is mainly plain colours.

Now, having finally got into the mindset of *Do I need it?* *Can I afford it*, I'm a bit unwilling to fritter money on clothes. I have more than enough clothes to make me not naked on a regular basis. So I need some rules with eBay shopping (any shopping). I can see myself thinking, ooh it's only £15.... only £30.... only £95... it's a slippery slope, and I have no intention of making my debt worse. So - I'm not allowed to spend more than £10 incl. P&P on any one thing. If I can't get want I want for less than that, then tough - someone will sell it for 99p eventually. Secondly, I'm only allowed to use my "Spend" money - which is the money each month I'm allowed to spend on whatever I like, so no damaging the amount I save each month. Thirdly, I must use cashback/Nectar/vouchers to get as many bonuses as I can. Finally, job+study+getting out of debt comes first. No spending hours glued to websites/eBay!

So - I made my first purchase . Spotted a floaty dress, cream with lightly coloured large orangey and a few blue butterflies on it - £8.50 total . Might either save it for next summer, or could maybe contrast the floaty with some tights/boots and keep warm with a thick knit cardi? Think my workmates might die of shock if I turn up at work not wearing jeans....

As for taking care of myself a bit more. I actually put on a little make-up this morning . That was partly from being in town the other day and playing with some electronics that took pictures. The device had a user-facing camera, and I spotted my shiny makeup-less face and fizzy wild hair on the camera and was horrified! I need to try and make a bit more effort with the hair as well, so have put hair treatment stuff on my Christmas list, and might treat myself to a few things with my Boots points. Along with learning how to style my hair in different ways - rather than the usual scrapped back and in a bun.

I've always found it interesting how some people go through life never wearing make-up, and wearing "practical" clothes, and others won't leave their bedrooms without a full face of slap, and spend a small fortune on clothes/hair/make-up, and always always are super stylish. I'm not saying either mode is right or wrong, just interesting how people have different priorities. I have no problem leaving the house bare-faced in jeans and trainers, and will continue to do so, but perhaps on a less than daily basis.... I will try and wear a bit more make-up/ actually think about my hair and put together decent outfits on a slightly more regular basis.

Well, that's more than enough musings for one day.

ZTD

Cat2011 wrote: »

So - having looked at some "style" websites, and seen the prices - I think the way forward will be eBay

I'm not familiar with that style. This is from ebay,



it's not something I would have thought of...

Cat2011 wrote: »

. My housemate had a Jack Wills catalogue delivered - there is no way I am spending £69 on a fricking skirt! I've found a few ideas, and think I'll trickle buy a few things over the next few months - maybe things that don't depend so much on size, like jewellery, shoes and floaty dresses. Then when I'm happier with my size I might attempt some skinny jeans etc. I'm going to try and expand the colours in my wardrobe, and try a few different patterns, my wardrobe is mainly plain colours.

One things some people do is just buy a small selection of quality clothes, then accessorise, adding colours.

Cat2011 wrote: »

Think my workmates might die of shock if I turn up at work not wearing jeans....

Go to your boss first. They may promote from the ranks to replace them...

Cat2011 wrote: »

I need to try and make a bit more effort with the hair as well, so have put hair treatment stuff on my Christmas list, and might treat myself to a few things with my Boots points. Along with learning how to style my hair in different ways - rather than the usual scrapped back and in a bun.

Well what do you fancy? Beehive? Elfin?

Cat2011 wrote: »

I've always found it interesting how some people go through life never wearing make-up, and wearing "practical" clothes, and others won't leave their bedrooms without a full face of slap, and spend a small fortune on clothes/hair/make-up, and always always are super stylish. I'm not saying either mode is right or wrong, just interesting how people have different priorities.

People are different - it's what makes the world go round. Just imagine if everyone was like me. The entire world would be perfect - and you wouldn't want that...

Cat2011 wrote: »

I have no problem leaving the house bare-faced in jeans and trainers, and will continue to do so, but perhaps on a less than daily basis.... I will try and wear a bit more make-up/ actually think about my hair and put together decent outfits on a slightly more regular basis.

Well, that's more than enough musings for one day.

No, no - keep musing. It'll help you decide what *YOUR* priorities are.

Cat2011

Thanks ZTD, your posts always make me smile