I'm not buying it

So, May 1 has come and gone and here's where I'm at.

So far so splendid.

I realise I should have started this experiment from pay day and not the 1st of the month which I did as a nice obvious start date. 

I did go to the Wills Moody jumble sale in Islington just before the trial and picked up a cashmere cardigan with a fur collar for £10 which could have set me back around £100 in vintage shops I've seen them. I was also swayed by a dress from a high street store that I've had my eye on for ages which was only £3.

Since May 1 I probably haven't put myself in as many tempting situations as I usually would. Still, over the bank holiday I ventured via some boutiques, a boot sale - and so it begins.

Check the progress of my pins at http://pinterest.com/hackneyotter/im-not-buying-it/

Shopping on the first day of summer, I could easily have been down nearly £40 on either of these two beauties. They're both just my colours, one offs in my mind and not too pricey all things considered.

Dress £35 (photo by Tori Mayo)

Skirt £38 (photo by Tori Mayo)

I also spotted these navy shoes in Beyond Retro. Not too shabby at £18 and perfect for summer swing dancing.

Blue pumps £18, Beyond Retro (photo by Tori Mayo)

I couldn't help but notice this little number on sale on Facebook which would also be swell for my holiday next month.

Vintage swimming costume, $78, Ooh La La! Vintage Swap and Sell Shop, facebook.

Whenever I'm in the market for something practical I still like to feel I unearthed it or discovered a unique version. The need suddenly feels ever greater when something really special presents itself.

I could use a new mobile phone cover and I feel I hit the jackpot at the Princess May boot sale on Kingsland Road. I met a lovely Greek lady selling these charming covers. 

made-to-order iPhone cover £12-£14 (photo by Tori Mayo)

She incorporates photos and illustrations from her granddad's postcard collection into the kind of old-school covers I'd like to have had on my Major Morgan or Speak & Spell.

Postcard used for iPhone cover design (photo by Tori Mayo)

Meeting the lady herself and hearing how she turned something so personal into an adorable product was a really endearing experience.

I don't think I'll be able to stop myself from buying one of these once this experiment officially ends...

It's this part of shopping I find really difficult not to indulge in.

Still, no slip-ups so far.

I have to realise there will always be nice things out there and I need to learn to detach a sense of self I see in those which tempt me...