NYC – What I Bought & A GIVEAWAY!

My final NYC post is all about the shopping. The opportunities were limited but we made the most of them. I would have loved one more day to just dander around the shops instead of the rushing we did but it was probably a blessing in disguise for the bank balance! But I did make time to buy something to give away on the blog – full details further down. So first up – lippy, a watch, a bag and a new top…

Mac Plumful Lipstick – because everyone was raving about what good value Mac is in the US, I headed in to see what the fuss was about and decided to buy a lipstick. Only buying a lipstick seemed confusing for the overeager sales staff who checked several times to make sure that I didn’t want a primer/liner/gloss/blush/mascara. NO I JUST WANT ONE LIPSTICK!! The verdict? A bit cheaper than at home – £11 in the US v £15 in the UK – and I love it! Finally found the perfect shade of plum for me.

Michael Kors Silver Watch (similar on link) & Open Cuff Bracelet – a slightly exhausted/jet-lagged purchase on the first day we arrived – using birthday money given to me by my husband, sister and sister in law. Almost every blogger these days has a MK watch and usually I steer clear of a trend when this is the case but I do genuinely like the oversized style. I tried on the rose gold and the gold but neither grabbed me like the silver….and the bracelet is just perfect with it. Price wise, there’s not a huge difference between here and the US..if you know what you want and search enough, you’ll find them similarly priced here in the UK.

I’ve had a nude leather bag on my list for a while so I was delighted to see this Cole Haan Adele bag reduced in TJ Maxx. I wanted something that was big enough to be practical but small enough to carry on a night out – I have some nude high sandals that I don’t often wear but this bag will work perfectly with them. Cole Haan make great bags – I bought a pink one 10 years ago and used to bring it to work every day but it still looks like new.

NYC saw my first purchase in All Saints – the blame is squarely at the feet of Joanna & Cali! Cali was wearing this oversized top the day we met up and I loved it. It’s reduced in the sale in the US to $44 though isn’t showing on either the US or UK websites. Sizewise – it’s huge…I’m wearing the S!

New navy sunnies were next on the list – these Calvin Klein’s were only $19.99 in Century 21. While I was there, I saw some Sperry Topsider skater shoes that took my fancy. I’d never heard of the brand before - you can see their website here – they have a great range of espadrilles, slip on and laced trainers, and sailing/boat style shoes. I paid $34.99 for them so they’re perhaps past season as they’re $70 on the website..though they look the same to me. I swore I wouldn’t do this look – any of the skater shoes I’ve tried on before have looked huge on my feet and felt uncomfortable but these fit beautifully, don’t make my feet look like boats and they are sparkly…no brainer!

Finally, the dRA Rosie peasant top I showed you on the last post was a birthday present also – this time from my godmother. I saw it in Urban Outfitters (not showing on the UK site though) and just loved it immediately. It’s got fabulous neon detail on it and will be great over some denim shorts or even a swimsuit. You can buy it on this link where it’s showing in the Piperlime sale at just over £20 but postage and taxes for the UK bring it up to £50, which is roughly what I paid for it.

Apart from that, I got a couple of jersey basics in Uniqlo – a must visit for anyone going to the US as the UK prices are in dollars. I got some great PJ’s and a very ‘all-saints style’ jersey dress (a bit like this one – just longer) for $9.90 each…and I could have bought so much more but we were there on the last day of the holiday so funds had run out!

And I didn’t forget some presents for the family…the Disney store did well out of me. AND I bought a present for one lucky reader of the blog too! This fabulous pink leather Michael Kors wristlet purse.

Made from butter-soft leather, it’s the perfect size for cash, cards, lippy and your mobile on a night out. I have a Coach wristlet that I use all the time when I’m going out or going on holidays and I find it great for chucking into a larger handbag or using on its own whenever you don’t want to carry so much with you.
But that’s not all – I’m also adding in a butterfly scarf and a gold/blush necklace that matches the scarf, both from my own shop.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply follow the instructions on the rafflecopter below. The competition will close on 21st June at 10pm and I’ll announce the winner on Sunday 22nd June.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

And that’s it from the US posts….here’s hoping it’s not 10 more years before I visit again!
Hope you’re having a great weekend.

Ax