Retail therapy

Now, let's get things straight. I'm not one for retail therapy per se. I'll buy myself a nice hand cream perhaps, or more likely a fancy pants Waitrose food item, but clothes shopping? Not really my thing. You see, I'm not the average body shape and hence find shopping for clothes such as trousers/ skirts/ dresses rather frustrating at times. No I don't have a third leg, just a very generous backside, which doesn't quite find its place on the British high street. But recently, I've been splashing the cash. And before you say anything, I feel quite guilty about it. I know it's totally ok to buy things occasionally, it is rather cold outside and I can't carry on wearing the same old clothes I did when I was a teenager (oh yes, I still have quite a few of those left) and really bad clothes make me feel frumpy. Frumpy Petit Filoux = uncomfortable Petit Filoux = unhappy Petit Filoux. Yep, pretty simple. So a couple of weeks ago, I decided to go on the lookout for a faux fur black jacket to go with the dress I was planning on wearing at the two weddings I was invited to attend. After spending many a lunch break perusing shops on Oxford Street, I finally found what I was after: a long sleeve jacket, not a cropped top or sleeveless number, no, this is to keep me warm after all.

I'm particularly pleased with this purchase because I can see myself wearing it on numerous occasions. Times when I'm dressing up and don't want to wear a standard old coat. Anyway, following on from this success, I was determined I should get myself a new coat this winter. The last one I bought was probably about 3-4 years ago, which says a lot about the other coats I'm still wearing. One in particular was starting to edge on embarrassing, with bobbles being a permanent fixture. It was time to ditch it. To start with, I had a quick look online (does anyone else do that? I really hate going from shop to shop, makes me go all hot and sweaty and uncomfortable, so I'd rather establish a short list from the internet from the comfort of my own home/ office).

There, I'd found it. And yes, it would have to be red. Much to the despair of Boyfriend who decidedly still isn't too keen on this colour, I'm growing more and more fond of it. So yes, I've bought myself a red winter coat. But not any kind of coat. A duffle coat. I hope it doesn't make me look like I'm 12 or trying to copy little red riding hood, but honestly, I'm in love with that coat. The inside lining? Honestly, it makes my heart flutter :-)

Finally, I got myself a bag. (See, no offending articles of the trouser/ skirt/ dress department to remind me that I have quite some way to go with weight loss!). To my embarrassment, I've recently got into the habit of using this bag I got for free with a magazine. I know, shocking. I feel quite embarrassed when I see other people with it in the street. Not a good look. Especially as recently it has decided on shedding its inside lining in the most unfashionable of ways. Pretty gross. When I emptied my bag on the bedroom floor yesterday morning, frantically trying to find my keys/ train card/ lip salve etc, it also shed a multitude of black specks on the beige carpet. Hmmm, who's up for a bit of hoovering tonight? So yes, I gave in, I bought myself a bag. A cute little one, didn't break the bank either. And the shop assistant told me I looked beautiful, so honestly, I couldn't possibly put it back on the shelf. Physically impossible I tell thee. (It looks a funny colour in the photo below, but really it's a nice 'night blue' as we say in French. Navy I guess? Not quite but you get the idea!)

And anyway, I got paid last Friday so it's all ok really.

Have you treated yourself to anything lately?