Happy New Year fashionistas! Hoping you had a wonderful break and are raring to go for 2011? I worked through but was lucky enough to spend a few days with my family by the beach (not that I left the house to go to the beach, I slept a lot and watched old movies – on VHS!!).

But now the new year is here and it seems just 5 days in that we have been at it for months already. I haven’t even bought any shoes this year yet! But I did pick up a few other bits and bobs on my travels over the past weeks that I thought I would share with you.

David Lawrence had a handbag I was dead keen on. I swear there was a puddle outside the Collins Street store where I drooled everytime I walked by. It had the charm of an over the arm strap with the sophistication of a work satchel. And it was leather. Sigh. And it was $280.

                              
Um, no. Thanks. It is still just a bag. So I went to Country Road (30% off storewide) and picked up Capri pants and a skirt for work. I ventured past Ojay (40% off storewide, including sale items!) and procured a skirt and a dress. I shopped at ASOS.com and found a dress, skirt, 2 tees, a watch and 2 pairs of sunnies. It was a very Merry Christmas for me.

I stayed away from the Boxing Day sales. I figured I’d had my fun before Christmas and it wasn’t like I needed anything. Not really anyways. But working between Christmas and New Year is a dangerous time for a shopaholic alone in the city and I was alone the day I wandered past David Lawrence and noticed the big red signs in the window.

Fifty. Per. Cent. Off.

EVERYTHING.

The bag was mine! For only $139! A far more reasonable purchase and almost like a shopping karma reward for not going to the boxing day sales and for holding out when I knew I didn’t need it, only wanted it! Success! Or so I tell myself.

That very same day I called into Flight Centre to peruse the Paris plans.

The bag should be considered my last purchase for at least a few months. If I learnt anything from Dry July (for those of you who missed my shopping ban, check it out here), I know I can save (or rather, not spend) when I have to, so this is it. Paris or bust.

Or, I will be bust if I don’t stop buying things!

Happy New Year folks! What did you get at the sales?