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5 Things I’ve Bought That I Effing Love

5 Things I’ve Bought That I Effing Love
Carly Jacobs

In recent months I’ve stocked up on some basics that I’ve been hankering after for ages. They’re quality items, around $80 to $150 and I can’t recommend them highly enough. No buyer’s remorse to be seen here.

Midas Flat Shoes

I’ve been searching for months for a pair of plain black ballet flats with a decent sole and I was willing to drop a little coin on them. Finally one Saturday afternoon I stumbled upon these little beauties at Midas. The girl behind the counter said they have a ‘pavement pounding’ sole. I jumped up and down and said ‘I’M A PAVEMENT POUNDER!!! Do you want to see my FitBit? and then I realised she didn’t know what I was talking about and I was officially being weird. So I just bought the shoes and left… but they’re awesome. Really comfortable and indeed you can pound the pavement in them.

* RECOMMENDATION RETRACTION: After owning these shoes for just 2 months one of them wore a hole right through the sole. I went back to Midas to exchange the shoes and they were unwilling to offer an exchange or refund on the grounds that it was ‘normal wear and tear’. I’m un-recommending them as I expect a lot more than 2 months wear out of shoes that cost $150. I will also no longer be supporting Midas. As a long-term and loyal buyer of their shoes I’m really disappointed in their customer service and will not waste any more money on their products. 

shoes

Uashmama Tote

I first saw Uashmama bags in Spacecraft on Gertrude St and could not stop stroking them. They’re made of washable paper that feels like leather. It’s like science and design had a classy baby. Anyway, all the bags they stock are white. They’re gorgeous but because I’m a little grub I need something a bit darker to cover up my chocolate and red wine stains, so I visited the website and bought one of these babies. It arrived yesterday and I love it. It’s massive so I can fit my laptop in it but it’s really light as well so it doesn’t add to the weight of all the crap I lug around with me everywhere. They have so much awesome stuff so visit their site – link in the heading.

bag

Randolph Sunglasses

These are actually men’s sunglasses but Mr Smags has had a pair for a few years and absolutely swears by them. I was sick and tired of paying $200 for plastic fashion sunglasses with a brand name on them so I bit the bullet and bought a pair of their simple aviators with mirror finish and bright chrome. With a discount voucher they cost me $130 including shipping and I love them. They’re super slim so they can fit in my small hand bags and I’ve had no less than four people call me a rock star while I’ve been wearing them. Money well spent.

* 2nd Edit: I asked Mr Smaggle to proof read this post before I published it and he said ‘Um… maybe you should mention that they’re US Military issue sunglasses for Top Gun pilots and NASA astronauts. I think your readers would want to know that they could fucking fly INTO SPACE wearing these sunglasses. Okay? And Don Draper and Johnny Depp and Ewan McGregor wear them too. They are extremely cool sunglasses.’ Got that guys? These sunglasses are EXTREMELY cool.

* 3rd Edit: After checking the 2nd edit he said this: ‘They’re OFFICIAL US Military issue. There’s a difference.’ I think you all need to buy some Randolphs or Mr Smaggle is going to lose his shit.

glasses

Metalicus Skirt

This isn’t the exact skirt I have (mine is longer and little less ruched) but I’ve had my eye on it for years. I finally stopped by the Bridge Road discount outlet and it was 40% off. Sold. Best. Purchase. Ever.

skirt

Swedish Hasbeens

I’ve had my eye on these for years and I finally bought them in January. I got mine on Amazon (for about $160 including postage) and they were an excellent purchase. I’m in the process of wearing them in but I’m so close to being able to wear them all day. They go with practically everything. I think I’m going to get some of their ankle boots for winter too.

hasbeens

What have you bought recently that you love? Links in the comments please!

23 Comments

  1. Alisa Muir 10 years ago

    Awwww I think i LOVE that Mr smaggle is a details man… haha.. Got to get the OFFICIAL in there. Don’t under sell those babies.

    • Author
      Smaggle 10 years ago

      He’s hilarious. And afterwards we were watching a show about pilot and he was all ‘LOOK! Randolph’s, Randolph’s, RANDOLPH’S!!!!’. I’m like dude. Get a hobby.

      • Alisa Muir 10 years ago

        And now I am going to be all “Randolph’s Randolph’s Randolph’s:” When I see them now. Its like a gift that keeps on giving. lol

  2. Evea 10 years ago

    Let’s see:
    * Booties from Ecoo. I just love that brand, all their shoes are so comfortable.
    * My sports bra from Panache.
    * My hot water bottle. It’s just a normal one, but I really like going to bed with it.
    * My menstruation cup. I’ll never ever go back to pads or tampons, they seem so disgusting in retrospect.

    • Author
      Smaggle 10 years ago

      Oh!!!! Link to the menstration cup? I’ve been to try one and review it on the blog!

  3. kforkarli 10 years ago

    Ooooh I love this post. Ummmm…I can’t think what I’ve bought…I did get a $70 tangerine Country Road Dress at DFO but I’m not that in love with it. I do highly recommend buying some Jasmine Dowling typography. She made me 3 custom prints for my office and I LOVE THEM.

    • Author
      Smaggle 10 years ago

      You know I’m always disapointed when I buy things on sale at CR. It’s weird but I totally get what you’re sayig. Will have to look in to Jasmine Dowling! Thanks!

  4. Ali 10 years ago

    I just bought some timberland boots to wear around Japan and they’re so yellow and stompy and I LOVE them. my husband was getting shoes too and it was frustrating me how men’s shoes are all like ‘it’s got all these technologies and the best leather and waterproofing and stress tested and you can climb Everest in them and they’re basically magic’ and women’s shoes are like ‘well we just kind of glued some fake leather to a plastic sole so they won’t do much but aren’t they pretty?’ (your pavement pounding shoes reminded me of this rant).
    so YEP I’m excited to finally have some properly made shoes and I’ve been stomping around the house in them all week.

    • Author
      Smaggle 10 years ago

      I think ‘yellow and stompy’ is my favourite comment of the week.

  5. Nicole McCann 10 years ago

    Ohh. So going to get me in trouble. I want the shoes in the taupe. Love that they have embossing on parts. What have I bought. Harem pants to wear around the house when I work from home so i don’t stay in my pjs. A beauty gift voucher because someone somewhere would have wanted me to. A lovely hydrating face mask by SK -II.. and an Audrey 3 movie set because I can.

    • Author
      Smaggle 10 years ago

      I’m thinking about getting them in taupe as well. They’re so comfy I’m wearing them almost every day!

  6. Erika 10 years ago

    Essie nail polish. I am happy with small things, and they help keep my so brittle nails in order as well as letting me feel like I’ve done a bit of self-care 🙂

    Tracing wheel (for patterns on quilts and making paper patterns from existing clothes) – actually given to me by a friend, used to belong to one of her great-aunts.

    BARF patties for the dogs for breakfast. AWESOME. Winston gets whatever I grab from the freezer, Molly has the Lite variety (bitches with hip dysplasia must watch their weight).

    And Earthies. Can’t believe it, sandals I can wear without my orthotics!

    • Author
      Smaggle 10 years ago

      I LOVE Essie nail polish! It’s the best!

  7. Liz 10 years ago

    – New underpants. Bonds online had a sale so I bought 9 pairs. NINE. Threw out all my old ones which were a size too small and awful and stretched. Amazing.

    – New socks. Ditto the above — Bonds Outlet online had 42 pairs of socks for $50. Bought them and split them with my friends. I now have 14 pairs of socks. TWO WEEKS OF SOCKS. Yesss.

    – I’m a men’s wallet kinda lady, and my last beautiful wallet from Cheddar Pocket was getting on, so I got this beautiful one from Orchill: http://orchill.com/product/magic-greygreen/ I stroke the embossing on it all the time.

    • Author
      Smaggle 10 years ago

      I’m totally in the market for new undies and bras… I might actually ask my FB wall their suggestions.

  8. Nicole 10 years ago

    I am looking for good quality basic tees: long sleeves, short sleeves and all in between. I am on the prowl for a soft clutch to go in a nappy bag so I don’t have my shit hanging around the bottom of a cavernous black bag. Also, nursing bras that don’t make me look like I forgot I live in 2014.
    I am semi-successful on the basic tee front….

    • Author
      Smaggle 10 years ago

      I suck at buying t-shirts. I just steal Mr Smags.

  9. Natalie Mulford 10 years ago

    Mr Smaggle certainly knows his sunnies! Umm, I’ve not really bought anything lately, I’m TRYING to save to move to Melbourne.

    • Author
      Smaggle 10 years ago

      Oh you’re moving here? How exciting!

  10. Kathryn OHalloran 10 years ago

    Wow, the Midas shoes look like the exact thing I’ve been trying to find. I’m going to Europe in July and want to get some summer shoes while I can but anything that isn’t as ugly as a bucket of assholes.

    On the Europe thing, the best thing I bought lately was a ticket for a tour that gets you into the Sistine Chapel 90 minutes before it opens to the public! I actually had to think about that for a couple of days then was like – why am I even thinking about this? This is what travel is about… doing the special things.

  11. Carly 10 years ago

    So far I’m loving there three new items I bought on the new vintage/designer clothes swap/sell Facebook community Raid My Closet. I got a great Gorman top, Karen Walker dress and & Metalicus dress; Bargain! I’ve also listed some items for sale so effectively I’m buying for free! The link is https://www.facebook.com/groups/660143950696111/ I love that it’s free (no Ebay fees) and sustainable 🙂

  12. Justine 10 years ago

    Did you get any Swedish Hasbeens boots!? I now have 3 pairs. Love them love them love them. Need more than 2 feet.

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