I like my money right where I can see it - hanging in my closet. - Carrie Bradshaw.

I know I'm not alone in finding January to be horrendously depressing - I vaguely remember reading that more people kill themselves in the first thirty-one days of the year than at any other time and I'm not entirely sure I blame them.  Okay, so I'm being slightly melodramatic, but seriously, the combination of the post-Christmas anticlimax, almost developing snow-induced cabin fever and being abandoned by all but my very closest family as they pursue more exciting endeavours; how could January fail to induce anything other than feelings of utter despondency?!

This month does have one, rather substantial and exciting saving grace and it landed with a satisfying thud right into my bank account on Monday morning, in the form of the latest student loan instalment.  While I am fully aware that this money needs to pay my rent for the next three months and should definitely not be charitably donated to Philip Green or any other equally needy entrepreneurs, I could not resist treating myself slightly in celebration - I guess old habits really do die hard!

I was actually uncharacteristically restrained and only made purchases which were either a) absolute unimaginable bargains or b) completely and utterly necessary to my future happiness and well-being.  And so I introduce - courtesy of my new camera, an inherited tripod and a series of bizarre facial expressions - the most recent additions to my wardrobe...

Black Velvet Body - Topshop

* Blue Bodycon Skirt - H&M

Lace Tights - H&M

* Cocktail Ring - Topshop

* Bracelet - H&M

Pearls - H&M

* Flower Hair Clip - H&M

* Sheer Blouse - H&M

Bandeau Bra - American Apparel

Black Jeans - Topshop

* Flower Hair Clip - H&M

* Cocktail Ring - Topshop

Pearls - H&M

* Bracelet - H&M

* Floral Cut-Out Dress - Topshop

Lace Tights - H&M

Pearls - H&M

* Cocktail Ring - Topshop

* Bracelet - H&M

I should add that only the starred items are actually new, unfortunately I wasn't quite the spend-thrift that this post would like to imply!

Anyway, I am Canterbury-bound for the weekend to visit some of my favourite, hard-working third years, and am then headed back to France for a brief visit on Tuesday so will probably be rather absent from the blogging world in the meantime.  I do, however, promise a dramatic return at the end of next week and some (hopefully) exciting stories to tell - let's face it, any stories would be better than the news that I've been moping around Surrey with the January blues for another week!