"Simply not solvent!

Sea78

Seaxwyn - do you have a big boots near you? Not sure if the Johnsons extra points thing is still on - you could do a little hamper for your friend with choc etc for her, maybe a cheap book (for when the baby is about 3 and she finally gets some time to herself again!!lol). Or not.

I reckon you can get boots and pressie for about £30 max and then it might help cover the train and diesel?

Sea xx

Seaxwyn

Thanks Sea! The Boots here is quite small but I'll go and see what offers there are. Where would you go for cheap boots? I'm torn as when I've bought cheap ones in the past they only last a year or two. I thought it might be more MSE in the long run to buy expensive ones. What do you advise?

Sea78

Well, I'm probably not the best to advise on boots as I tend to go for very cheap ones - like £15 or less - some with major heels, some quite nice and flat too. I go to those priceless shoe shops. I then get them reheeled quite regularly, or a pair I got in the sale for £30 I got resoled and they've lasted me 4 years.

blackangeluk

Oh bless you "ever so young", not quite but just under the mid thirties :rotfl:

Have you booked your train fare yet, did you do it by getting single fares rather than returns? That has worked so much cheaper for me.

I have walked through town today and there seems to be loads of sales on today so you should hopefully be able to get a pair of shoes in the sale. I have always bought more expensive boots. Today I was wearing some I have had for years so I think it is definately more DFW, just think how much wear you will get out them, especially until the weather is nice again.

Can you knit - you could always knit something quickly for the baby? (only a suggestion don't laugh) I'm teaching DD to knit, shall I get her to knock you something up, mind you baby might just be grown up by then! I know with both of mine I found just basics helpful when mine were little, like babygros etc

Still not done the shopping list!!! See what happens when I come back to this site :rolleyes:

hmmmm. just read Sea78 reply and she is sooooooo much more sensible than me, listen to her!

hypno06

Hi Seaxwyn! I would go for a quality pair of classic boots. You will pay a bit more but they will last years and years and years, and will work on every occasion, formal or informal.

Having said that....I would steer clear of Jones the Bootmakers.....luvverely, but expensive!! Debenhams, Clarkes and even M&S would be worth a go.

Are there any factory shoe outlets nearby - you can get fab bargains if you have one of those.

Jillinoz

Boots, did someone say boots????

Forgive me for butting in, but shoes/boots would probably be my preferred MasterMind topic!

These discount vouchers on the Handbag site may be worth checking out. Admittedly, 20% off LK Bennett prices etc may not be completely MSE, but as my Mum always says to me 'buy cheap, buy twice'.

HTH.

Sea78

ooh yes - there is a Clarks outlet near us and they do have good prices - would be good to go somewhere like that, but I still think you shouldn't need to spend more than £30 on a quality pair in a sale - but depends what you have near you and how long you've got though.

Are you creative? How much are you wanting to spend on your friend's pressie? I''m gearing myself up for a nappy cake for my friend who is due in Jan - I'll have to see how it goes though!

Seaxwyn

Thanks all! And thanks Jilli for the info on the Handbag vouchers - will check that out.

I live in a shopping desert, no big shops or factory outlets anywhere near so I'm probably stuck with Clarks & M&S.

"buy cheap, buy twice" is good advice. My dad, aged 75, still wears the shoes he bought when started work over 50 years ago. He has seven pairs of shoes, which he polishes on Sunday nights and wears once a week each.

Seaxwyn

Oh yes - present for T - NOT creative at all! And the new mum is the world's best knitter so I'm sure her baby is well off for handmade cardies. I think I'll get a couple of babygros and a good book for mum.

dreams_R_free

Sea78 wrote: »

I''m gearing myself up for a nappy cake for my friend who is due in Jan - I'll have to see how it goes though!

What the dickens is a nappy cake, Sea ? The mind boggles:eek: