An Ode to Topshop...

Yet another afternoon lost, sucked into that oh-too-familiar black hole of online shopping, never to be returned or used for more productive pursuits.  Oh well, why change the habit of a lifetime?!  In all seriousness though, I was utterly captivated by Topshop.com for a good couple of hours and probably wouldn't have stopped there if Sophie hadn't arrived to drag me out of the flat and force some actual human interaction.  I don't know if it's due to my current lack of funds and unfortunate global positioning which make any non-hypothetical purchases all but impossible, or if Topshop are now making their clothes (and bags and shoes and hats and jewellery......) out of magical fairy dust which instantly makes them more appealing? 

Whatever they're doing, they're definitely on the right track - my usual game of 'let's fill my shopping basket with as many items as possible before I realise that I can't afford any of it and quickly step away from the computer' led to some phenomenally unrealistic numbers appearing at the bottom of the screen.  I couldn't help myself; so many wonderful dresses/shoes/bags/hats/necklaces/{insert any item of clothing here} all in one place, it was all I could do to keep my already battered debit card firmly in my bag (in reality, the whereabouts of my debit card are irrelevant - years of online shopping have left my bank details permanently imprinted on my brain, but you get the metaphor...)

I had to distract myself somehow and prevent the financial ruin that would undoubtedly occur should I allow myself to make even one purchase - it's a slippery slope, and one that I would quickly tumble down, landing in a crumpled heap at the bottom.  This distraction came in the form of collage compilation, and so I proudly present a relatively small selection (when compared to the contents of my basket!) of hypothetical 'must-haves' that would find themselves in my wardrobe in a heartbeat, should money suddenly become no object.

1. Vintage Sequin Beret - £16 - I need a hat, Lyon is incredibly cold at the moment and sequins as well as a warm head? This beret is my idea of heaven!

2. Parisian Wedges - £130 - I feel no explanation is necessary here, just look at them, they are beautiful!

3. Velvet Cameo Cross Body Bag - £30 - Velvet-y perfection in bag form. I'm still struggling to convince myself I can live without it.

4. Pearl Double Fabric Belt - £35 - A belt like this would bring a touch of class and elegance to any outfit - who doesn't need that in their lives?!

5. Sequin Mini Skirt - £85 - More sequins?  Not really surprising, it is my wish-list after all...
6. Velvet Bow Playsuit - £60 - Velvet is rapidly making its way on to my list of obsessions, after all, who doesn't enjoy wearing clothes that everybody wants to stroke?! 
7. Striped Gold Button Cardigan - £28 - The first practical item on this list - everyone needs cardigans in the winter; this one might actually manage to worm its way into my wardrobe!
8. Cameo Print Purse - £20 - I love the cameo print and the monochrome colours, it's just a shame that Topshop will soon have all my money and I'll have no need for a purse.
9. Diamante High Waisted Hotpants - £35 - The word diamante would normally put me off, but for some reason I'm still lusting after them.  I think the 'high-waisted' element must counteract it somehow.
10. Bow Charm Bangle - £8 - Big, bangle-y goodness with added bows and beads?  I realise this sounds like a cereal advert - I think this bracelet would improve my mornings more than Special K ever could.
11. Fur Trapper Hat - £22 - Another sensible suggestion - everybody needs warm ears in the depths of winter and your head will be so much happier in a beautiful (faux) fur hat!
12. Leather Metallic Bag - £25 - Wonderful colour, beautiful gold edging and big enough to actually put things in - a match made in bag heaven?!
13. Large Flower Ring - £14 - Obnoxiously large rings are definitely the way forward, especially when they're flower-shaped.
14. Sherbert Bow Platform Shoe - £70 - Monochromatic without being boring, bows without being cutsey, what a delicious combination!

And my hypothetical spending spree comes in at the rather terrifying total of £578!  Well, who needs to pay rent anyway?!