Sales try-on #2 - Boden, Topshop & the rest...

Well the good news is that I got on better with what I ordered from Boden, Topshop & ASOS. Which just goes to show you how unpredictable online shopping can be and which turns out to be ok because after much deliberation, I ended up returning ALL my Zara items (apart from the irregular jumpers), making my total Zara expenditure just £25.98 and therefore the Christmas money was mostly unspent.

For the record, the girl who processed my returns in the Belfast Zara store was not full of the customer love, making me stand for around 15 minutes while she painstakingly retagged & rehung every item. Very slowly...all while having various conversations with her co-workers. Frustrating as the store was quiet with plenty of staff milling about who could have helped her to process it all a LOT faster. I'd purposely come in early and only had an hour on the parking meter. I was tempted to suggest that I go for a little browse while she took her time processing it all! I worked in retail for many years and stores (even the mighty Zara) can't get stroppy about returns. It's all part of the customer service experience and the consequence of my experience today is that I left without browsing and purchasing more...and now I've blogged about it too! 

Compare that to the experience returning to Topshop a few minutes later? Completely different. Absolutely charming girl on the till and the return only took minutes....meaning I got back to the car just in time.

I digress.....let's get on with the second of my sales try on posts and you'll remember from this post the items I fell for in Boden. First up - my most favourite item...the Katie Jumper:

Just love this - the shape, the colours, everything about it....I don't really like jumpers as they so often have a clingy waist band but this one doesn't...it's loose fit with a slightly longer hem at the back. EXCEPT....when I took it off and looked at the label and saw it's dry clean only. FGS Boden?! No mum has time to dry clean a jumper?! I know it was clear on the online description but I never even thought for a minute to read through the care information. Sadly, I only realised this once it had been worn so I'm stuck with it now. Interestingly, the care label also says 'reshape while damp' so I'm confused and reckon I could hand wash it. What do you think? It's just merino wool at the end of the day. Size-wise, I got the 10 (as the comments said to size down) and it fits perfectly. 

Next, the Zoe Coat in navy (sold out online but watch for returns!) which I had the lowest hopes for but I really like it too! The material is so soft - I immediately checked the label to see if there was cashmere in the mix (there's not). I really like the oversized shape of it and the fact that it looks good open and closed. With the extra 10% off, it's a great coat for the price so I'm keeping it. 

I ordered the M as there were no S left in stock. It's the kind of oversized coat that has very little difference between sizes. I reckon the M would work for up to a size 14/16.

And then....be still my beating heart - the Lille Heel in black! After ordering and sending back the Alice heels in black as they were insecure on my foot and too small in the 39/too big in the 40, I was sure the fit of these would be the same but it seems to be a tiny bit bigger and they also feel more secure on my foot.

Just adore them - they've a beautiful shape on the foot, the most perfect heel height and I will wear them lots to choir concerts and on nights out. Wish I could justify the red colour way also!

Finally, the candle is fab - it's actually the exact scent of the one Boden gives to party hosts. It matches my kitchen and smells divine. Deciding whether to hold as a gift or keep for myself. It's sold out online but watch on this link for returns.

Moving onto Topshop, where I ordered the flat lace up shoes in the sale for just £10 - mainly to bring my order over the free delivery threshold. I didn't have high hopes but I really love them....they're so comfortable and I think the fact that they're not pointed means they suit my foot better. Sold out online but these are gorgeous too and a TOTAL bargain!

They're not investment items nor something I'll have for many years but they tick a trend box and I'll wear them occasionally over the spring/autumn and enjoy the fact that they didn't cost the earth.

My other purchase was the Joni jeans - black coated (not in the sale), which seem to be like hens' teeth as I can never see them online or in-store in my size. I ordered the petite ones in the hope that they'd work but they really are a petite fitting and were way too short:

These jeans are the best coated ones I've seen and the fit is fab. High waisted and snug but flattering too...and tight to the ankle, which I always look for in a skinny jean. I've since picked up the right size in the Boucher road store - they will be worn this week! My size in these is a 30/32 by the way...a size 12 Regular leg.

I had a Navy bag gap in my wardrobe and this beauty from Yoshi has filled it perfectly. For £20, you could not go wrong with this gorgeous leather cross body bag. Perfection. I'm going to enjoy using it for many years. 

Lastly, I ordered this scarf from ASOS. It is even better in the flesh and I'm keeping it. Love the colour mix and how cosy it is. Tempted to buy in the navy colour way too - for my new coat!!

So all in all, I'm delighted with everything and the Christmas money (and my remaining Boden credit) is well and truly spent. 

Ok - no spend rest of January commences today.....haha!

Ax