Additions from Net-a-Porter - My first purchases of 2012

My first purchases of the year arrived on Monday... and I am delighted with all my selections.

I systematically reduced the contents of my shopping cart from close to 20 items to just 4 items (yeah, I know I'm talking as it if it's some great feat).

NIXON watch, a DAY Birger et Mikkelsen top and a Chinti & Parker skirt

Isabel Marant Dickers in anthracite

The NIXON 42-20 Chrono stainless steel watch has been saved to my Net-a-Porter wishlist since the day it arrived.  I resisted temptation when it was reduced by 30% , but my will power crumbled when I saw that it was reduced to 70% off its original price.  I really love its chunkiness.  It will be a nice statement accessory.  The last time I got a new watch was for my 21st birthday (a long time ago) but I have been hanging out for a more casual watch for ages now. I've looked, but no watch has ever grabbed me (not including the unaffordable ones that do) until this one.  A gold toned watch is next on my list.

The beautifully beaded striped top by Day Birger et Mikkelsen just caught my eye.  I have a few events coming up and I think this will look great with my black Country Road jeggings (which I only wear with long tops and lucky this top is).  It's quite a heavy top and looks to be really made well.  My only other experience with this brand is a dress I once bought, which although well made was quite loose and sack-y.  Never fear though, my money was not wasted... the dress is currently doing the rounds as a maternity dress amongst one group of my girlfriends - already well used and enjoyed by two!  One day it will be my turn to wear it once more :)

The Chinti & Parker skirt is something that I NEED.  Apart from the Witchery maxi I mentioned in this post, dressing casually this Summer has been challenging for me - there's always jeans, but I've discovered they get hot.  I looked into buying some shorts a few weeks back, but given that at the best of times (i.e. when I was skinnier) shorts did not sit right on me, I gave up.  When I saw this skirt at a bargain price, I decided to give it a whirl.  I'm glad I did because it is very cute.  I sized up so that is less tube-y and mini like and more pencil skirt like.

Last but not least, the Isabel Marant Dickers in anthracite, bought because I love my taupe ones.  I am hoping that the anthracite colour will be easier to "corporatise" so to speak as the faded black will not stand out so much as the lighter boot, which lends itself to more causal outfits (correct me if I am wrong... I am all ears).  In my mind I can see myself wearing these boots with black, grey and navy blue pants and with black opaques with some of my work dresses.  Here's hoping my vision holds true.

Images source: Net-a-Porter

I would now really love to exercise some self control and and refrain from serious shopping* until I arrive in New York City (in less than 2 months now!).  I wonder if I can do that?

* with the exception of using up a couple of vouchers which are due to expire in the coming weeks, but my rule with respect to using these vouchers is to limit my spend to around the value of the vouchers**.

** I seem to have a lot of these fine print disclaimers.  Must stop doing this!