Seeing as this is primarily a website devoted to sale worship what better way to start 2008 than with a good old sale guide?

For the past few months I have been head down, credit card safely stashed, permanently clad in lycra and jersey maternity wear with no real need to visit the shops or keep abreast of what’s going on in the world of sales.

If you had told me six months ago that I would be this sick of black roll down pants and white maternity singlets I would’ve laughed right at you. I was so excited at the prospect of wearing maternity gear that some of you may remember I had purchased an entire nine months worth prior to becoming knocked up. Fast forward six months and I am here wearing the same tired pants and singlet no longer caring that said pants have splashes of white paint from nursery decorating and my singet is beyond saving covered with the food that my swollen hands can no longer seem to negotiate to my mouth.

But I digress……………….as I seem to do these days…………..

Its pretty hard to keep a good shopper down and after many many months my credit card was burning a furnace in my pants. I decided I needed to stock up on a whole new post pregnancy wardrobe to fit in with my new life as a wannabe yummy mummy. As a stylist I have to say I have friends in high places and I had the 411 on the sale of the year the mighty Herringbone feast at their stores with up to 30% off. If you can make it to their outlet store in Surry Hills I encourage you all to visit at some point in your life for the big changerooms, plenty of staff, eftpos all encased within a bright, open space with stacks of racks with slacks and everything else Herringbone your heart might desire. Their sale got me into the good books big time with hubby, coming home with arm loads of clothing for him and four of the most divine pure merino wool knits for under $80 each from the spring summer 07 line. Being a Herringbone devotee I normally smilingly part with four times this much for their knitwear. The ever helpful staff got to know me well as I revisited 3 times just to make sure I got everything.

Being in the good books with hubby certainly counts for something when shopping – you rack up more credits towards purchases for yourself. I just did what any normal girl would do – I walked those credits into Country Road. It was difficult but I managed to hold myself out for the New Year and wait for the big one. Not the 25% off the sale price no that ones for amateurs, I held out for the 50% off the sale price and was it worth it? Oh yeah. When it comes to chain stores who have multiples of the same item in several styles, its worth the wait. I walked away with many key pieces that will become wardrobe staples. I steer clear of the trend pieces and picked up Jacquie O cropped jackets in three colours and styles, fabulous knitwear, patent flat slingbacks and cotton scarves perfect for bad hair days with child.

By this time I had my staples wardrobe well stocked. It was time for a designer injection. When I get the need – the need for speed there is only one place I can get my fix. It was time for the Leona………my Leona Edmiston store of choice is always The Strand as its close to the Chifley store just in case I need a piece in another size I can whip over. And you doubt my expertise dear reader………………I picked up yet another jersey maxi dress I don’t need but will love myself sick in each time I wear it (and get the comments to match) a gorgeous floral print cocktail frock (its for the christening I keep telling myself!) and several pairs of Leona pins to keep in the gift cupboard when a last minute birthday crops up.

I was finally sated. It remains to be seen as to whether I ever fit into these items but my justification is this – at the price I got them for which is at least 75% off the original retail price, I can easily ebay them and make a tidy profit to spend at the mid year sales!