Saturday, 6 May 2017

April's Buyers Archive And A Look Back On The Last Year

Would you believe it's been a year since I did my very first Buyer's Archive post and it's all thanks to Elise's blog which started the idea.  I feel like I should have a party and cake to celebrate.

Curious as to how much I had spent in a year I added up all my purchase and came up with the grand total of $505.87.  I have no idea if that's a lot of money or not.  Looking back on what I brought I think I did pretty well... maybe?

During the year that was I brought:

5 cardigans
5 camisoles
5 skirts
5 pairs of socks 
5 bottles of nail polish...

...5 obviously seems to be a thing for me..., plus

1 pair of pants
1 jumper
1 short sleeve top
1 pair of PJs
1 nightie
3 pairs of shoes
1 vanity case set
1 suitcase
1 handbag
2 bangles
1 compact mirror 
3 tubes of body lotion
and 2 bottles of perfume.

A few of the items were one-off things, such as the suitcase, vanity set etc. so these are items that I probably won't be buying again for a few years at least.  The rest of the stuff I definitely needed... or at least about 90% of them... okay maybe more like 80%.  Truthfully I probably didn't need to buy the perfume or compact mirror or even the socks and nail polish.  Then again it was fun doing so, so I'm not going to beat myself up too much about it.

It'll be interesting to see how I go this next year.  Can I spend less or will I have a complete blow out and end up buying all the things?

As for last April... well of the 3 cardigans I sold the blue one (for some reason it made my skin itch which is weird because the others which were the exactly the same brand were perfectly fine), hardly wear the brownish/pinkish one (I'm probably going to donate this to charity as it really just isn't me) and have worn the apricot one heaps.  It's pretty much become a standard in my wardrobe so I'm going to be a little sad when it finally falls apart.  

The skirt got a lot of wear initially but lately it's be stuck in the back of my wardrobe being all neglected.  I'm hoping I'll wear in more when summer comes back around.  And finally the compact mirror has a permanent place in my handbag.  I don't actually use it that much but it's nice to know it's there if and when I ever need it.

Now for this month's April purchases.

Black Skirt with checkered panels - $8 from TradeMe

My entire wardrobe is pretty lacking (surprise, surprise I know considering the $500 odd dollars I spent in the last 12 months) so I've been actively searching for items to add.  This black skirt was a super great find for me as it fits perfectly, is nice and stretchy (great for those times when you want to be comfortable and have eaten way too much) and it looks really fab with the black and white checkered panels on the front and back.

I'm hoping this will get plenty of wear this winter as it should look brilliant with tights and my black loafers.
Grey pleated skirt - $10 from Factorie

I found this skirt on the sales racket and couldn't believe the price.  Even better it looks great on and will also go fab with tights and loafers.

Mocha jumper - $29 from Cotton On

I dithered over this jumper for the last for weeks as I couldn't quite decide if it was me or not and also the $39 price tag kind of made me reluctant to fork out quite so much money.  Luckily my mind was made up for me when it was suddenly reduced by 25% on sale.  I'm thinking it should go pretty well with either of the skirts I just brought or my trusty black knee-length skirt which I have worn for years.  Either way I'm hoping it will be a good addition to my winter wardrobe.
Coral/Dark Peach top - $15 from Cotton On

And another sale bargain because how could I resist.   The colour is so me and it's so super soft that I may never take it off.  I'm already praying for some super cold weather so I can wear this.
Total spend for the month $60.00

Wednesday, 3 May 2017

May's Plans and April's Outcomes

It never rains it pours - at least in terms of all my book requests turning up all at once.  So as you can imagine this month's plans are pretty much taken care of.  As for last month's plans.... well I managed to read all the books on my list, watched both movies and made a good start on the knitting so yay me.

1.     Dark Crimes by Michael Hambling
        I've been seriously getting into detective crime novels so I'm super pleased to find a 
        new series to get stuck into.
2.     Gone Without A Trace by Mary Torjussen 
        A thriller along the lines of Gone Girl and Girl On The Train.
3.     My Sister by Michelle Adams
        And yet another thriller.  Because yes they are my thing.
4.     Defender by G X Todd 
        I really like the sound of this one which has been described as a cross between 
        Stephen King and Neil Gaiman.
5.     Relics by Tim Lebbon
        I've enjoyed the author's previous books Coldbrook and The Silence so I'm looking 
        forward to reading this one.
6.     The Ninth Rain by Jen Williams  
        I'm not a big fantasy reader mostly because things like wizards and dragons etc. just 
        really don't do it for me.  This one though sounds more Joe Abercrombie fantasy with 
        bad ass chicks and battles.
7.     More Of Me by Kathryn Evans
        A YA about a girl who unintentionally clones herself every year.
8.     Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty
        Another book about clones, this is more sci-fi and more murderery.
9.     Letters To The Lost by Brigid Kemmerer 
        One of those YA's that can be utterly heart wrenching.
10.   Gilt Hollow by Lorie Langdon 
         I'm on a YA roll.
11.   Nemesis by Brendan Reichs
         This YA sounds totally dark which is exactly my kind of thing.  A story of a girl who 
         keeps getting murdered over and over again. 
12.   The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You by Lily Anderson 
         A geek girl YA who loves Doctor Who.
13.   It's Not Me, It's You by Stephanie Strohm  
         Yep another YA.
14.   The Many Reflections of Miss Jane Deming by J Anderson Coats
         I don't often read children's books but this one sounds a bit like Anne of Green Gables 
         so of course I am totally there.
15.   Unexpectedly Hers by Jamie Beck
        A romance book about an erotic fiction writer. 
16.   About Last Night by Catherine Alliott
         A chick lit book by one of my favourite authors.
17.   Puzzle by Rachael Featherstone
         And another chick lit
18.   Honeymoon Suite by Wendy Holden
         And yet another chick lit.
19.  Crossing Hearts by Kimberly Kincaid
        What can I say, I love a good romance.
20.   How To Make A French Family by Samantha Verant
         Finally something nonfiction to throw into the mix.
21.   Bloom by Estee Lalonde
         I have absolutely no idea why I choice this one. 
22.   Line Of Duty Season Four
        This show is seriously addictive.  As I write this I've already watched 4 episodes back to 
        back and I can't wait to see how it ends.
23.   Bosch Season Three
        Somehow I missed the news that this had screened recently so I can definitely see a 
        weekend marathon is on the cards.
24.  Death In Paradise
       A lighter crime show with awesome Caribbean music.  
25.   Write More
         Still on the list.
26.   Knitting
         So not only did I choose the wool and the pattern but I have actually began knitting and 
         so far this latest project is going well.  And it's not a scarf or a blanket.  So go me for 
         being adventurous.
27.   Lose Weight and Get Fit
         Due to a few minor but annoying medical issues I'm having to adjust my eating.  No 
         more caffeine or spicy food or too fatty foods for me which hopefully will have the side 
         benefit of helping with this goal.