Need and want are different things... my latest H&M haul

A few weeks ago I took out my spring and summer clothes that had been packed away over winter to first of all remind myself what I've got already, and then I guess see if I possibly "needed" to get a few complimentary things this season. In truth I quickly established that I didn't NEED to get anything - I have enough clothes to be able to follow most of the trends this season a few times over, but as we all know that need and WANT are two completely different things. So while I was on the shopping ban wagon while I was in Sweden and managed very well to only try things on and then put them back again, which isn't nearly as much fun as actually buying - not to mention slightly masochistic, I spectacularly fell off the wagon in H&M a few weeks ago.

You might think that this was a bit of a lapse in self discipline, but if you think about it there are some clothes that are staple items in a wardrobe and therefore they really are "must have's", e.g. blazers. I don't think there's anything more timeless and classic than a tuxedo style jacket, which you can wear both for work and for play, and since I didn't have one in a nice neutral shade I had a gap in my jacket section that needed to be filled, which I happily did with this lined figure hugging Tuxedo Jacket in cognac brown  (£29.99). I think it'll be really useful not only as a transition jacket into summer, but it'll be chic in the autumn and winter too - in short we have a jacket for all seasons, and who can say no to that!

I have a few events coming up this spring and summer and since you can't really risk wearing the same dress in the same group of people (nooo, don't say this is just me...?!) I just HAD to get something new and the knee length Sleeveless Dress (£29.99) in dark turquoise is just perfect with it's slim top and pretty flaring skirt. I like the simplicity of it and with different statement necklaces and shoes, you can reinvent it over and over again - so it's definitely an investment, not a reckless spend! Breton stripes are all the rave this spring and summer season and although I did have one from last year it was looking a bit tired, depressed and lonely and since I'm a caring person I thought I would try and cheer it up by giving it some company in the shape of this white and red long sleeved Striped Top (£12.99). It's a fresh and casual top with little gold buttons on the shoulder, and it'll be nice for a nautical look says she who gets seasick in a rocking chair...

If you follow me on Instagram you may recognise these Sneakers (£29.99) that I picked up before I went to Sweden actually, and this purchase was entirely because of the weather. Here in the UK we've had the most amazing lovely spring days, but since they are about a month and a half behind us in terms of weather and temperature over there, I didn't quite know what to bring in terms of shoes - and these were a happy medium that would work in all weathers. These aren't really my style at all, but having worn them quite a lot now I have to say that not only are the very comfortable - not a word I can normally use about the shoes I tend to wear, but they're also quite chic and trendy with the quilted material and the metal chain at the back, they're a poor possums option to Chanel sneakers. I have a vivid imagination and can spin a yarn, but not even I can come up with a good reason why I had to get the studded snake imitation Bracelet (£5.99), try as I might. Fact is I just plain wanted it, guilty as charged! There you have it and as you can now tell I had some very good reasons why in the end I really needed to pick up most of these things that I initially first thought that I just wanted... for once wants turned into needs - isn't that fortunate!