It was a wet, drizzly morning here so after spin class I didn’t quite know what to do with myself.  What I should have done is finish painting the spare room for when our guests arrive in 2 weeks – what I did do was head to the Mall.  Now it is always dangerous for me to head to the Mall when I am on a spending freeze (self imposed after the Golden Goose purchases).  It is rare I can escape the Mall without something getting lodged in my head screaming ‘buy me! buy me!’.  In order to try and mitigate a complete failure I thought Forever 21 would be a safe destination, firstly because everything is so young I would be in complete mutton territory, but secondly if there was to be something screaming at me it might just be a teeny tiny $20 scream that no one would notice.

Friday morning is the BEST time to be in Forever 21 – full racks and empty changing rooms.  It is essential to try everything as they don’t do refunds here – only exchanges – not sure if this is the same in the UK?  Of course, after muttering ‘spending freeze’, within the first 2 racks I found items that I thought I should try – for the sake of research of course – I’m helping you girls out!  Half way around the store a lovely man said ‘you look like you need this’ – and handed me a bag.  Now some of what I picked up was honestly just for a giggle – if I was going to try things I might as well have some fun.

First up was this denim dress – now I did quite like this when I picked it up – I thought it might be fun with my Dickers or with sandals.  Hideous on and the poppers gaped with my boobs.

But wait it gets worse – next up was this ‘dress’ – on putting it on it has to be a tunic – you could even see it was time for a bikini wax again!  And yes – just confirmed it is a tunic looking here on the Forever 21 site – I’m obviously losing my mind.  Regardless it still made me look incredibly top heavy…

Now I didn’t try the following with the intention of wearing them together, but I had to nip and get my bag of other items, and I wanted to spare the other customers the sight of me in my control underwear.  I do really like both items separately.  I probably need a large in the top – but it was a great sweatshirt material with embellished shoulders – great with jeans.  I also loved the skirt – a gorgeous pattern – but Forever 21 are cheap for a reason – the quality was not good.  The pattern wouldn’t sit straight – for some reason the waistband was crooked, it would have driven me nuts.

Now we’re getting to the ridiculous – a playsuit.  I started to sweat when I realized getting this off was more difficult than getting it on…panic set in when I knew there was no over the head option.

Now this skirt – you may think is complete mutton – but there was something about it that made me take a second look.  With the right top and shoes I think it could be quite nice – I just really struggle to like lace.  The leopard print top with it makes me look like I should be behind the bar at The Rovers.

Next are two tops I LOVED and damn it I can’t see either online – which is probably good as I may have ordered them.  I really liked these t-shirts and I would have bought them were it not for not wanting to spend money.  This one was lovely but I needed a medium – the large was just a tad too big, though would probably shrink in the wash – just $10 – brilliant. (Update online here).

This was my favorite – a gorgeous drapey knit.  Sorry about the rubbish photo – I got all excited because I liked it so much.  It drapes at the back too and the marks are on the mirror not the top.

So a lot of fun was had by me this morning.  I did go and buy more paint so maybe that can be considered painting progress?

Finally I must thank School Gate Style – she very kindly went out of her way to buy and send me this dress from Ted Baker.  It arrived yesterday and is simply gorgeous.  It helps to have good friends around the globe:)  It is sold here but is completely sold out online.  Some Bloomingdale’s do have concessions though.  There is also a gorgeous scarf available in the same print here.

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