Monday 19 May 2008

A small window of opportunity

I’ve always been jealous of those girls who manage hefty discounts on luxury items – you know the type, the girls who work for L’Oreal who get discounts on "like everything", beauty editors who have so many free night cream samples that they complain about not having enough skin or nights to trial it all on (sucks to be them) and even closer to home are those major big gun bloggers who receive random luxury goods in the post in hope of a little free advertising in return. I love love love to hate hate hate these girls and I’m completely aware that this built up angst is generated by pure, undeniable, green with envy, jealously. Sadly, I have always paid the full, fat price for my goods and services plus any extra VAT, shipping, alteration, gift wrapping, steaming or any other ridiculous made up consumer cost.
Last Friday, however, saw me swanning the floors of Burberry's flag ship store on Bond St for the trunk show preview of the AW08 range. This joyful experience included both AW08 Pre collection and AW08 Runway. To die for, I know. How I ended up as a VIP warranting an invite to this elite event is a long “I know someone in head office who knows someone in head office” story, but never the less, there I was faced with 3 floors of luxury ‘not yet for sale’ items and a nice 40% discount on top of a “I know someone in head office who knows someone in head office” discount.

With an exceptional markdown situation staring me in the face, a beautiful display of some of the worlds most extravagant and lavish items I suddenly began to feel a little light headed and hot, really hot actually, the red ears, rash on the neck, Prince Harry pink cheeks type of hot. Was it the bubbly that was served to me by a waiter who was most possibly the most handsome man in the entire universe? Was it the sugar hit my blood system was getting from the most delightful bite sized dessert canapé also served by an outrageously handsome man or was it the fact that for the first time in my life I was “one of those girls” one of the rare lucky ones. Lets keep in mind this was a once in a life time opportunity for me, imagine the pressure, I had no choice but to choose well and to choose smart, the pressure was so intense.

It all started to became too much, should I use this rare, lucky break to purchase the classic double breasted trench? Should I stick with beige or should I risk a seasonal colour, Aubergine anyone? Should I play it super safe and buy an LBD that I will hand down to my ever so stylish (not yet conceived) daughter or should I enter my birthday soiree next week in a never before seen, out of this world Burberry creation that will blow my crowd away with its pure awesomeness and its fashion forward theme. AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
It was at this point that I think I began to have a small breakdown. I had to get out, I couldn’t cope, I didn’t know what to do, where to turn, let alone what to buy.

So I left.

With nothing.

Not a single purchase.

.....and now the show is over and I may never again have the chance to be served champagne by the worlds most handsome man or buy an heirloom trench at ridiculous %ages off.

It’s official. I suck.

15 people have commented:

Anonymous said...

Oh what a nightmare! I can see the dilemma I may have ran away just like you or I would have bought everything and regreated it later.

Ella Gregory said...

I'm sure you will get a chance like this again
You can always imagine you brought everything
Fantasy disscount shopping...

Anonymous said...

Trust me when I say opportunities like this will flood your way....
it's a classic shopper's block that will be resovled the next time a hefty discount comes your way....
Did you register for the Chloe sample sale which has started today?

Unknown said...

I was nodding in agreement as I read the frst paragraph and let out a Napolean Dynamite-esque, "Lucky" as I got to the second...and well, as I've just finished reading the entry, all I can say is- I feel your pain, sister! Like, I actually feel a little sad.

Here's wishing you [and me, cause I'm a tad selfish] many more of such golden oppurtunities. Amen [for good measure incase God's listening]

Unknown said...

Argh...what a roller coaster of emotions this entry was!

As I was reading the introduction, I was eagerly nodding along [mentally, so as not to look like a bobble-head] and as I read the actual story, I felt a bit envious and managed to let out a Napolean Dynamite-esque, "Lucky!"...but, the ending, well, all I can say is, I feel your pain, sister! I am actually left feeling, "wistful"...I think.

Anyway, here's wishing you [and me, because I am selfish] a thousand more golden oppurtunities like this- and even more handsome servers-and heirlooms galore. Amen [for good measure, incase God's paying attention here!]

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about your bad luck...but just remember if there was anything you really really needed, you would have left with it.

Anonymous said...

haha, I totally feel the same way. Why arent people sending me free stuff??? Though I do get a 20% off at whole paycheck where I work, but thats not nearly as luxurious :-( (thanks for the comp on my new banner, I was afraid it would look a little conceited, but eh, whatever!)

-Giselle <3<3<3

Rebecca, A Clothes Horse said...

I sympathize. I HATE those silly, spoiled girls who "work" for fashion magazines (*cough* LC *cough*), but I think it's mostly because I covet their job.

Richel said...

I'm sorry you didn't get anything. I'm sure you have a wonderful closet filled with beautiful things!

emsydo said...

aw thats sad. maybe another oppurtunity will come along some time.

Anonymous said...

Ah, hindsight, its always 20-20.. I stick to the old adage of 'If unsure, just buy more'.

Okay, I actually never use that phrase, just wanted something clever to write to express my attitude towards the matter. And now that I read it, it's not even that clever..

As with a lot of your other readers, Francis, I feel your pain, though my retail indulgence history is littered with 'classic' impulse purchases that now gather dust in my closet. But I'm never going to die wondering..

Anonymous said...

Oh, and please be so kind as to share the details of the aforementioned birthday soiree so we can make sure we are properly attired with stylish new threads!

Make Do Style said...

Oh never mind - it will have been for the best and next time you'll be fine!!

If you look in May's edition of French vogue - you'll see a Burberry mac of a different variety less expensive but very chic in an autre way!

ineedmoredrama said...

lol. i would have panicked and bought as much as my credit limit on my card would allow. i think walking away with nothing is ok. i'm sure you'll get another chance again and hopefully that chance comes together with being served by the most handsome man

Anonymous said...

I know I'm a week late on this post, but, HAH! This will not hardly be your last chance at grabbing goodies! If it happened once, it's bound to happen again for you, girl! Next time, just take sloooowwww, deeeep, breaths and get your mind right. You can do it...you have to, because at this point, the most I can do is live vicariously through you...