Girl On A Mission: Summer Shopping

Today I'm a girl on a mission. I'm in the market for some holiday items for my trip to Hong Kong next week. My man doesn't know it yet, but he's in for a fun day of shopping with me! Cue evil villain laugh.

At the centre point of any summertime city break wardrobe there's one key thing, perhaps the most important of all, a great pair of flat sandals.

You need a pair you can rely on. A pair that will get you through a long day trekking the city streets, whilst still looking stylish of course! They also need to be trendy and smart enough to transition to the evening if there's no time for going back to your hotel. In my case, these sandals are also going to have to get me up 'The Peak', one of Hong Kong's most famous tourist attractions and also deal with an afternoon on the beach. So all in all I'm looking for one very versatile pair of sandals. Okay, maybe two...

I've been browsing the net for some inspiration and I've put together some of the best sandals for summer 2012!

1. Zara - $36   2. Nordstrom - $160  3. Tory Burch - $290  4. Topshop - $48  5. Marc by Marc Jacobs - $112
6. Forever21 - $15  7. Zara - $80  8. Steve Madden - $70  9. Oasis - $45

I think 1, 3 and 7 are the most suited to my needs. I also wouldn't mind getting a great white sun-dress and some new accessories - you can never have too many accessories can you!

I'm sure you all know how hard it is to find something when you actually know what you want and even more so, when you actually need it for a change, so wish me luck please! You might want to wish my man some luck too because chances are he's going to need it even more than me, poor guy!

xxx

eBay Finds: Rhinestone Collar Necklace

eBay is like a treasure hunt to me. I know there's good stuff out there I just have to find it. I've got to admit I waste a lot of time searching through the endless array of other people's unwanted items and the cheap junk straight from China that you just know will fall apart within a week! Once in a while I hit on something that makes it all worth while though.

I'd had a crappy day at work today, one of those Monday's you just will to be over. It doesn't help when I know all my friends and family in England will be enjoying a nice bank holiday today either. On returning home my spirits got lifted though when I saw that a package had arrived. 

Cue excitement! 

It could have been any number of things (lately I've been doing a lot of treasure hunting - usually on my phone in bed when I should be sleeping!) but I was surprised to find it was this necklace that wasn't due to arrive for another two weeks. 

Unlike most things I buy on eBay, this necklace didn't spend any time on my Watch List. As soon as I spied it I had to get it, even if it was coming from Shanghai. 'Buy It Now'... click!

I knew the quality wouldn't be great especially since the price tag was under $20 but the mix of cream enamel, rhinestones and cute collar design won me over. Despite loving the look of the detached collars that are everywhere at the moment, for some reason I just feel ridiculous whenever I try one on. Does anyone else feel that?! 

This necklace is a great alternative to those but still has a similar aesthetic. I love how it looks a little bit vintage but the chunky cream enamel keeps it bang on trend. As expected the quality isn't great, the chain seems a little lightweight, but I think it'll survive the summer at least. I can't wait to wear it! Collar necklaces are already available in a lot of different stores and I'm sure they're going to be huge by summer.

Here's a few more (not from eBay) that I wouldn't mind wearing:

1. Miss Selfridge 2. Modcloth 3. Topshop 4. ASOS 5. Dannijo 6. Dannijo 7. Topshop 8. Miss Selfridge

If you like then one I found on eBay you can click here to see the listing. They also sell it in black and the postage is free worldwide.

Have you found any treasures on eBay? Tell me where, I'm always on the hunt for more! 
What do you think of collar necklaces, do you own any?