After not going too crazy when it came to shopping during the first one hundred or so days of lockdown, as you will have seen in my first Lockdown Money Diary. I definitely had more of a 'treat yo' self' mentality during July, August and September.
My second holiday of 2020, this time to New York and Orlando, was quite rightly cancelled. And yet I was only too happy to buy some bits for my next trip away somewhere warm and sunny, whenever that may be.
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So here's more of what I spent in lockdown;
Fashion
New Look Blue Spot Square Neck Belted Midi Dress (£27.99 - bought for £21 with 25% discount code)
As soon as I saw this dress and more specifically the spot print, it immediately gave me Reformation vibes. I mean, look how similar it is to this dress but at a tenth of the price!
I have lost a bit of weight during lockdown due to keeping up my hourly daily walks regardless of the weather. But I did have to order this in a size 8, so it appears to run large size-wise, if you're placing an order yourself. I always like the way that navy blue goes with my pale skin and auburn hair. And I couldn't be happier with this dress.
H&M Leopard Print Puff-Sleeved Dress (£19.99)
You know when you find a piece of clothing that was 100% made for you? Well that's what happened with this dress. Shirring; check. Leopard print; check. Midi length; check.
My Dad did call me Carole Baskin as I paraded through the house whilst trying this on. But I absolutely love it.
New Look Black Button Front Heart Midi Dress (£27.99 - bought for £21 with 25% discount code)
This dress reminded me of one that I saw on Nobody's Child last year that I kicked myself for not buying. So I simply had to get this one. I can't wait to *fingers crossed* wear this in New York next year and just in the warmer months more generally.
Hotter White Tourist Sandals (£65 - bought for £35 in the sale)
For years now, the Hotter Tourist Sandals are the only sandals that I've worn. I've gotten so much wear out of my aqua pair, that I simply had to pick up a white pair when they went into the sale.
They are easily the comfiest sandals that I have ever tried. Plus, you don't need to break them in, like you do other sandals or shoes. My only slight issue with the new design (they have a circle buckle instead of a square one now) is that the circle buckle makes it difficult to get the strap through when you're taking them on and off. It's also hard to get it to buckle on the tightest hole because of the buckle and strap design. It is a slight issue in the grand scheme of things. But it does bother me, especially when I compare them to my beloved original pair.
Total £96.99
Beauty
Wishful Honey Balm Jelly Moisturizer (£43 - bought for £30 with Boots Advantage Card points)
I was browsing the Boots £10 Tuesday deals, which if you don't already know about, you 100% need to get yourself on the Boots website early on Tuesday mornings. Since lockdown started they've been doing unbelievable one day sales on so many incredible items such as the Ole Henriksen PHAT Glow Facial and Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paints. All for just £10, for one day only.
But it was when I was browsing that I stumbled across this interesting looking moisturiser from Huda's Wishful range. Now, it wasn't £10 but I did have £13 worth of Advantage Card points saved up and decided to trade them in for the Honey Jelly Balm. So let me know if you'd like me to do a full review on it some day soon.
Total £30
Entertainment
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager (£19.99 - bought for £9.99 with Amazon gift card)
Bizarrely Riley Sager's latest book (you'll remember how much I adored Lock Every Door and Last Time I Lied) isn't released in the UK until several months after the US release. But the hardback was on Amazon at the start of July, which is when I managed to grab one. And when it arrived it was a US copy, so I'm not exactly sure what happened there. But I am so glad that I got my hands on this book.
It does say on Amazon that the Kindle edition is out on October 1st so it's not too long a wait if this sounds right up your street. And I absolutely loved this book. I'll be sharing the full review in my 2020 Goodreads Reading Challenge: July-September blog post next month. Or if you'd like a sneak peek of my review, you'll find it on my Goodreads account.
hayu subscription (£4.99 a month - free trial for first month)
Now, I may have won a hayu six month subscription thanks to Cohorted's Instagram giveaway. But I simply had to mention the streaming service in today's blog post as it is 100% worth the £4.99 a month subscription fee.
If you saw my What To Watch On Netflix & Amazon Prime This Month blog post, you will know that I became more than a little bit obsessed with Below Deck when the first two seasons dropped on Netflix. So knowing that hayu had all seven seasons of Below Deck, plus five seasons of Below Deck: Mediterranean and a season of Below Deck: Sailing Yacht, made me so happy.
Since starting my hayu subscription, I've been watching the new seasons of Project Runway, caught up with The Rachel Zoe Project, started The DNA Of Murder With Paul Holes and Listing Impossible. And obviously binged all things Below Deck. Plus so much more. You'll also find the latest episodes of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Real Housewives, etc. the very same day as they air in the US.
Total £9.99
Miscellaneous
Primark Rose Gold Minnie Mouse Ears (£3)
Even though my trip to Orlando and in turn Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party, was cancelled, I couldn't resist picking up this gorgeous pair of Minnie ears in Primark. I've had my eye on the infamous rose gold ears for years now. And I actually think I prefer this Primark pair more. Plus, not everyone in the parks will have this exact pair on when I'm next there.
Primark Sequin Minnie Mouse Ears (£3)
I couldn't choose which of the two I preferred more, so I ended up getting both. To be totally honest, given that I hadn't been to Primark since February, spending just £6 felt like a win in and of itself. Plus, how pretty is the sequin design on these?
Cadbury Orange Twirls (79p at my local newsagents x 3)
As soon as I heard that Orange Twirls would be making a comeback in September, I knew that I had to track some down. If you haven't had one yet, they 100% live up to the hype. And I'll definitely be stocking up on some more whilst they're still available. I've also been keeping my eyes peeled for the Cadbury Dairy Milk Orange Giant Buttons, which I haven't yet been able to find anywhere in Glasgow.
Next 2 Pack Animal Brights Reversible Duvet Cover And Pillowcase Set (£42 - bought for £32 with a £10 off Next code)
Technically these are part of the Next Home children's range. But since they do them in a double size and they're reversible, I simply had to treat myself to some new bedding. Again, the different coloured leopard print variations just made me smile. And if something does that at the moment, it can only be a good thing.
Total £38.97
Lockdown Total (part two) £181.77
I don't think that amount is too bad, considering the fact that it was spread over a couple of months and pretty much all of the purchases have brought me real joy.
What have you been buying over the past few months? And what do you think of what I purchased recently? Have you been shopping different since lockdown?
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