I have found the whole Black Friday phenomenon…..overwhelming. I honestly haven’t known which retail website to visit first or if I am considering buying items simply because they are such a bargain or because I actually like them.
You know when you are confronted with an all-you-can-eat buffet and you feel the need to put loads of stuff on your plate and shovel it down really quickly even though you don’t need to do either? That.
Throw in the fact I’ve got 13 coming for Christmas dinner, the house is currently an assault course of unopened boxes, half painted rooms, ripped-up carpet and furniture-less spaces and I think I’m having some kind of minor shopping meltdown.
I can’t begin to tell you how many things are currently sitting in various virtual baskets waiting for me to do something with them. Yet every time I go to press “complete purchase” I just can’t quite bring myself to do it. If the things I really need are not on offer then what’s the point?
I know. When did I become so sensible?
Now then, I’m not completely without the powers of enabling, because me not buying anything at all would be like me giving up cake. Or Prosecco. Or both together. So here is a small list of what I’ve actually bought (apologies in advance if not all of it is currently discounted.)
I needed a cheap, medium sized bag for carrying around both Mabel’s and my essentials – her toddler required “kit” has significantly reduced recently but I still need to fit in wipes and a bib for potential accidents. This grey shoulder bag by Kin at John Lewis is perfect. And only £39.
I’m VERY into pink right now – I’m loving this chunky knit blush jumper from Fashion Union at ASOS and an ASOS own brand crew neck number in nude. (Currently 20% off with the code GOGOGO until the 29th November 8am GMT.)
I am officially the scruffiest woman at my gym. Seriously, I’m not fishing for compliments or exaggerating – my workout gear is an old, over-washed embarrassment. And so I’ve bought the Zen Yoga Leggings from Sweaty Betty to help improve my chic rating whilst my thighs are burning like hell during reformer pilates. They are uber flattering. And as I type there is 20% off everything. If you need to up your fitness fashion game then buy a pair. I promise your bum will thank you for it.
I’ve stocked up on my Estee lauder favourites whilst there is 10% off beauty products pretty much everywhere right now. The Double Wear Brush On Glow BB concealer and the Little Black Liner are staples in my make-up bag.
Our festive social calendar is already looking crazy bananas but on the nights we have yet to fill with friends and mulled wine, not only are we still to find a local babysitter so we will more than likely have to stay in (and I am pleased, so geek thrilled not to have to do anything!) but we are also frankly exhausted. This new house sorting lark is bloody knackering. I would appreciate some film recommendations from you lovely lot if you have a moment – nothing too challenging if possible as my brain can’t handle it (over the weekend we watched 50 Shades Of Grey which was surprisingly no where near as awful as I was expecting, but still admittedly pretty cringe-y).
If you are wondering about the reasoning behind my header image of choice it’s because the bride is wearing my favourite wedding dress of the year (Am I allowed to have a favourite? well sod it – I do) and it’s by Needle & Thread whom make THE most exquisitely embroidered pieces for far less than you would expect. There are currently various items by them for 50% off on The Outnet . Well worth a butchers if you are yet to find that dazzling dress for NYE.
How have you felt about the sales? Do you feel the pressure to find multiple bargains and do it quick it case you miss out? Isn’t today cyber Monday?!
I know. Discount codes everywhere and the worry that you’ll miss out on something… All a bit overwhelming #thirdworldproblems.
The deal I’ve made with myself is that I’m only buying things I’ve had my eye on before the Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals. So among a couple of other considered purchases:
– 25% Whistles, yes I’m going to get their diffusion line Lulu Frost earrings (gorgeous!)
– 40% off Happy Socks and free delivery, yes, the husband is getting more socks in his Christmas stocking
– 20% Kiehls, topped up my hydrating serum as I’m out right now.
– 30% off some gold sequin Converse. Just because!
Almost shopped out – almost…
Ooh I haven’t looked in Whistles in ages Caroline… I’m very tempted (!)
Also gold sequin shoes… love x
No, not at all. I just decided not to play the game and didn’t do any shopping. It’s surprisingly empowering -I recommend x
Got some half price Joules wellies, and thought long and hard about a bed for S, before finding an almost identical one in Argos at £100 less than the sale price for the fancy one I fell for… so didn’t buy.
Films: at Christmas there are some I love to watch. Cold Mountain always gets me. Also, I decorate the house to the BBC Pride and Prejudice every year.
I went to see 50 Shades on its opening day, alone and 2 weeks from giving birth, as part of a bet with a group of US friends. I felt a total chump. But the film is not as bad as you expect!
Bless you Lucy, that sounds like quite the cinema outing! Do you know I don’t think I’ve ever seen Cold Mountain, thanks for the tip xx
Without realising Friday was the only day I had to hit the shops & do some Christmas shopping – and surprisingly they were not busy. I enjoyed the 20% off in H&M but only bought what I really liked. Extra discounts appeared in some shops (hof) when purchasing planned gifts for the family so that worked well.
In another note – I’m an independent retailer and refuse to take part in Black Friday instead use to promote local charities & on Saturday we gave 10% of sales to our local foodbank. I hope Black Friday dies off in the next few years it saddens to me to see the indie makers & shops being forced to join in from their own FOMO of missing out on sales – it would be almost impossible to restock quickly at this time of year in time to please your Christmas shoppers who want to pay full price
Completely feel for the independents Sarah, especially at such a busy time of year.
I think the charity donation idea is wonderful x
Oh I forgot films… an old classic I think you’d like is The Chorus Line – moody Michael Douglas, lots of dancing & amazing outfits
I’ve been buying a gift for Refuge via their gift list scheme each Christmas, its a great thing to do, and will be doing so again this year – you can find details here: http://www.refuge.org.uk/get-involved/christmas/christmas-gift-list/
Love the idea of doing something more worthy to mark black Friday! I have so many issues with the concept as a whole and would wholeheartedly support more of my local businesses doing something like this. I hate that this borrowed American holiday affects smaller shops so much, and as others have said in the comments, shops don’t tend to get so busy here as we are all mostly at work as it isn’t a bank holiday. Plus as you say it makes things very difficults for independents and also kind of kicks off this whole pre-Christmas discounting period which started a few years ago. As much as it’s nice to have a discount if you’re buying presents, it does make things more complicated as you never know when things are going to be further discounted. I am a firm believer in trying to avoid the crazy consumerism elements of Christmas and shopping small and local wherever possible – RMS I would love to see a post on this
xx
Hi India, request noted xx
Oh Charlotte, I was just wondering how many important real life emails I’ve missed over the last 5 days due to my inbox pinging with offers every half hour.
I did buy a few bits too though… things we *need*. Some bedding from The White Company and a few basics from H&M – both had 20% off and free delivery. I’ve been remarkably restrained.
Now, have you seen The Dressmaker with Kate Winslet? It’s on Sky at the moment and it’s wonderful. Quirky Australian 50’s village life with fabulous fashion and the hot guy who played Gale in the Hunger Games. You’ll love it. Xx
Karen I haven’t seen the dressmaker! Sounds super. I do admit to having a bit of a splurge in H&M – I actually think the T-shirts and knitwear are great value xx
They are aren’t they? I picked up a fab pair of biker leggings… and the kidswear!
Let me know what you think if you watch the film 🙂 x
Hi Charlotte, I have been lusting over the sweaty betty leggings for a while now (I’d like to say I go to the gym, but I don’t, shh) I do like wearing leggings with trainers and a jumper for the comfy factor though when pottering at the weekend. I just wanted to ask if they are high waisted leggings? I didn’t know about the 20% off so thank you for that!! xx
Sarah they are high waisted – which I like… they pull in the over consumption of crisps ?
I also recommend the Sweaty Betty dance pants for lounging, I now have two pairs as I love them THAT much xx
Ooh lovely, thank you I will check those out too!! #enabler xx
For weeks I was looking forward to Black Friday, but when it finally arrived I didn’t need a lot of things and therefore didn’t buy as much as I thought I would. I was browsing through many websites, but finally didn’t buy much. Anthropology had 20% off and I ordered the golden monogramm mugs with a M and an A, as they are so pretty and instagrammable 🙂 I bought a knitted sweater at H&M and one at Mango, but I think I will only keep one of them. One black dress I wanted from Mango was sold out in my size. So all in all it was a little stressful and in the end I didn’t buy much.
For films: I love “Far from the madding crowd” with Matthias Schoenaerts and Carry Mulligan. I can also recommend The longes ride, Pitch Perfect 1 and 2 and Me before you. At the moment we re-watch all Harry Potter movies and it is really great to watch them again. They are perfect for winter and christmas time.
Have you seen the original of ‘Far from the madding crowd’ with Julie Christie – really recommend.
Oh, I don’t know the one with Julie Christie. I have to look that up. Thank you.
Am a firm believer that if you didn’t want it before the sales then don’t get sucked in! If you did have your eye on something then, go for it and it does become a bargain then. I had loads of discount codes for White Company, White Stuff, Joules etc etc but despite looking decided I needed nothing.
The only Black Friday deal I went for was some uber smart cycling gear from Rapha for my husband. They had some good deals on over the weekend and I was planning on buying him something from there anyway for Christmas, so I was pretty thrilled.
Films: don’t watch many but we did watch the one about Mars with Matt Damon the other month and got pretty engrossed. Also saw this year the latest Jason Bourne – can watch those films over and over (maybe there’s a Matt Damon theme going on here!!!). I always love Mrs Miracle as a Christmas film at this time of year and I know loads of people will cringe at this but I do love ‘The Lake House’ with Sandra Bullock.
I did my Christmas shopping on Friday without realising it was Black Friday. Nothing I had on the list was really discounted so I stuck to it instead of being tempted by offers. It wasn’t reduced but I bought this lovely leather look skirt from Next and it was a bargain anyway at £22! http://www.next.co.uk/g6440s5#461685
i got a gorg DKNY cross body saddle bag in the selfridges 20% off sale 😉
and a YSL mascara, felt overwhelmed with the pressure to shop though xx