A bad girl's guide to buying - part one

When I embarked on my style challenge it was with the knowledge of having a budget of only £100 a month. I was extremely joyful when out of my beret I pulled the designer category.

In my head it gave me exciting options to recreate looks and really work my wardrobe well. At first I felt the opportunities were endless because if you look factually at the range of options to buy designer then The Outnet, eBay, TK Maxx and charity shops plus car boot sales then you can do it all within a reasonable budget.

At first I was flush with success, a Valentino skirt, (The Outnet) a Calvin Klein dress and a Pringle jumper (TK Maxx). All 3 have been wonderful and yes I will get round to posting 5 ways to wear one skirt but I'm enlisting a photographer for the shoot as it requires more than bedroom posing!

Then of course I fell off the wagon with a mad frenzy on one Saturday in late January in the high street stores. It was like being let lose in a sweetie shop. I got completely carried away but I did buy a blouse from H&M which is a winner, a pleated skirt from Topshop which I love but if I'm honest it is rubbish quality and won't last 2 minutes, plus some sale shoes for £14 in Zara which I have worn as going out shoes three times now and I love them.

After that I abandoned all attempts to stick to the challenge, it seemed utterly pointless but then when bad girl's fall they do it big style! I did buy a top from Zara which then was returned because the material was damaged and I hadn't noticed. It was £39.99 so it had to go back. You can't wear something once, realise it is damaged and then think it is ok not to return the item. Luckily Zara were marvellous and completely agreed with me.

So now I'm back to re-evaluating my buying strategy. I always have a plan. Styling has made me ultra organised and I plan outfits, how my wardrobe works and what to buy and why.

Suddenly as I wave bye bye to styling, not only do I feel a huge weight off my shoulders regarding the incompatibility of the work with my parental responsibilities, I feel quite liberated in terms of what to buy and why.

I feel as if I'm going to be dressing purely for me. Which sounds silly as I've always worn what I like but I've equally felt the pressure to exude a notion of what people are buying off me and have dressed accordingly.

I'm good at putting on a performance with my selection of clothes and I thoroughly enjoy working a look but now I'm going to be buying purely for pleasure. It is a different angle for selecting and buying.

I will reveal as I buy...