The Adventures of a Debt Defying Diva

RainbowBridgeReturns

The wardrobe audit is finished! Once I had rescued my clothes from various hiding places around the house and in the garage, and thrown out anything that didn't deserve wearing or re-homing, I am left with quite a lot of decent clothes, with some glaring gaps.

DH likes to buy 'me' nice dresses and fancy underwear, so I have enough of these to last a long life time. Interestingly, quite a bit is in a size 10/12, and has never been worn. He must have been indulging in some particularly wishful thinking.

I have found two beautiful, brand new, Per Una dresses, that would be ideal for the summer if (WHEN) I am ten pounds lighter, so that will be my goal for the beginning of June.

I have enough 3/4 length trousers, skirts and tops.

What I am desperate for is:-

Jeans
Light summer Mac/Raincoat
Sludge Boots
Pumps

I could really do with another:-

Pair of smart trousers
Smart jacket
Smart shirt
Smart shoes

I have already located the items I am "desperate" for in NEXT, unfortunately none of them are in the sale and I have NO card. The Jeans, Mac, pumps and sludge boots would cost £170.00, which I would have thought nothing of spending a few months ago, but, I am a REFORMED character, so if:-

1. I have £500.00 in my emergency fund at the end of April
2. Have come in on budget in April
3. Earned the £170.00 as extra money in a £5.66 a day challenge, then, and only then, can I buy these items, reasoning that "I AM INVESTING IN MY SAVINGS FUTURE' Thanks Sassy x.

I am now panicking that they will be out of stock by the end of April, but I will have to live with that feeling and keep my fingers and toes firmly crossed.

TTFN xx.

in_need_of_direction

you'll do it though hopefully you'll have better luck than I with jeans. despite many try ons, i can't get the fit i want

RainbowBridgeReturns

I have my eyes set on the high waisted, skinny jeans from N*XT, but I have not actually tried them on yet ............

sassychick2014

So glad my investing in your savings future has made a mark with you! You made me laugh reading that!

It's great that you've spotted these things in Next and are saving for them but have you thought about buying them elsewhere? I'm sure you could get these for just as good quality at a lesser price - Peacocks and H&M come to mind and of course there's ebay and/or charity shops. I know some people don't like buying from these but I found a lovely pair of jeans that still had the tags on in our local charity shop. The tags said they were £90 and I got them for £3.50. Obviously you won't always find a bargain but there may be something for you.

RainbowBridgeReturns

Good Points Sassy. I kind of have this feeling that because I have been buying a few things at charity shops and on Ebay that I deserve some brand new clothes and I am really missing my N*xt card.

However, I will rise to your new challenge, try on the things that I REALLY, REALLY WANT at N*xt and see if I can source better, cheaper items elsewhere. I have a whole month after all, now that I am not enjoying the pleasures of instant gratification. Big sigh .... onwards and upwards xx.

RainbowBridgeReturns

Good morning,

On the clothing front, I picked up a parcel yesterday for a jacket that I bought on ebay for 0.99p + postage. It is very similar in style to the N*xt lightweight jacket I like, but it is a much thicker material, suitable for autumn, winter, and the next month.....

I opened up the parcel and was horrified. It was absolutely covered in hair, had a few muddy patches on it and a doggy odour. My first instinct was to bin it, but in true MSE style I brushed it hard, washed it on a wool wash and then pressed it and it turned out to be a really nice 3/4 length jacket, in dark purple that fits me really well, and looks hardly worn.

My dilemma is, what do I say as feedback? I am tempted to say, "Nice coat, pity it was used as a dog blanket." but I did get it really cheap and she has a 100% record, and sometimes giving negative feedback is far more trouble than it is worth. What would you do?

Three things to do today:-

1. Sort out IT issue on work tablet.
2. Do last wash in the washing basket and take a picture.
3. Waitrose online shop using £25.00 off voucher.

Today I am grateful for my washing machine, what would my month have been like if I had, had to do all that washing by hand ......

in_need_of_direction

I'd probably duck the issue on ebay while knowing I shouldn't.

Emzilla

Hello - I'm delurking!!

I'd maybe leave a neutral. I don't think that will affect her 100% record but may make her be more careful on future.

Emz xx

sassychick2014

Morning

Well done on the jacket, it's just as shame that it was sent in such bad condition but at least it's now lovely. With regards to her feedback I would put neutral and then put something in there such as "arrived quick". That way you're not slating the seller but usually people reading will guess that it wasn't 100%. Or you could just leave it neutral, or you could just not bother putting any at all.

Have a good day, feels like you'll need that jacket in this weather! x

RainbowBridgeReturns

Thanks everyone, and welcome Emzilla, it was lovely to read your post, and your avatar is so cute, is it your cat?

My default position would be exactly the same as yours INOD. I think that I secretly fear that by leaving negative feedback or comments I run the risk of an ebay stalker retaliating.

I decided to face my fear and leave neutral feedback with a comment. I didn't realise that neutral didn't affect the rating. I put, "lovely coat, great value, speedy delivery, but mud and a lot of hairs on it". Honesty is the best policy ....... or is it ?????? Time will tell xx.