The perfect hot weather linen dress in my favourite colour.
One of only a few items I paid RRP for this year.

A pair of El Naturalista flat booties in forest green, by orthopedist prescription ( other choices were just as expensive and frankly too discouragingly ugly). I don't even enjoy them, although I get compliments... "Cute boots!" but probably because pple notice them as they stand out on my chunky short legs. Totally stumpifying. And so expensive too! Still burns. But my toe is starting to love me again.

#1, my new Prada tortoiseshell specs.

Followed by two oversized boyfriend style v-neck cashmere sweaters, one in a light heathered grey, the other in a deep cranberry/burgundy color.

Special mention not for price, but for luxuriousness and happiness factor goes out to really large, and vibrantly hued ombre silk scarf in shades that I love.

Ooh, Claudia, I would love to see those specs. I've been fascinated with tortoiseshell lately, and I love the ones Una posted.

Looking forward into 2014, I think my big splurge is going to be the studded Old Gringo boots. I need to contain my fashion splurges after that, because my big non-fashion splurge is my Antarctic trip.

Janet, they are the Prada PR230V in Havana/Yellow.

http://www.otticagold.it/ita/c.....LLOW-DEMO-

The above link has all the colors this style comes in. I like these glasses on me so much I am thinking of also getting them in prescription sunglasses in either the Havana Spotted Blue or the Light Havana color.

ETA a crisper picture in 360 degree http://www.1010direct.com/sung.....v%20fal%20

Lisa -isn't that the best when you finally find exactly what you have been looking for!! Glad the shopping gods were with you and you can't beat NAS!! Nothing more fab than a leather jacket and you can't be Theory for style, quality and elegance!!
Joy - how marvelous!! What an amazing trip that must have been and what fabulous memories!! Wow a fiery KS bag would look stunning with your coloring. I am sure you are enjoying!! Good luck on the boot hunt!! Nothing better than happy, dry and warm, stylish feet!!
Cocolion - that Vince coat is totally stunning on you!! i am so glad you got it so I can vicariously enjoy it!! Awesome pick!!
Deborah - you always select such stunning boots and I love the Laura Ashley dress on you. I think I've only seen one but it was fabulous and so different than what we saw in the 80's in the USA. Just love!! Enjoy!
Parkmommychic - gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous boots!! I can see why they haunted you!! So glad you have and are enjoying them!!

Chiming back in to say that you're fabulous, gryffin. It's stylish how you respond back to everyone on this thread in a very engaged and thoughtful manner. You rock.

Responding to Jacky - the heel height was one of the reasons I hesitated too. It is just at the edge of my tolerance level! I also had to go up 1/2 size from my typical size. But I have no regrets - I might not be able to run a marathon in them though.

Anne- your coat sounds very special and I am sure the dress is beautiful. Something that is well crafted, beautiful and a pleasure to wear is defintely worth the extra expense. Plus slow and steady wins the race. If we could have a ton of beautiful things all at once would we really appreciate how special they are? I think having to be selective has advantages. Enjoy your beautiful coat, dress and happy feet!
Lyn - the perfect dress is a thing of beauty. Kudos and enjoy!!
Krishnidoux - so sorry you are not enjoying your boots. but I think the forest green color sounds awesome. I know a lot of shoes that are comfortable are not made in a style we like and that's a tough pill to swallow. But I am sure the compliments you got were sincere. I think we are our own worst judges. I'm glad your toe is happy. Perhaps it will feel so good that you'll be back in "cute" shoes/booties soon!! Hang in there!!
Claudia - awesome sunnies!! I am sure you look fabulously chic in them!! Definitely movie star glamour going on! Cashmere boyfriend sweaters and ombre silk scarf major yum!! You are all set to be warm, elegant and snug!!
Janet - I am looking so forward to seeing which old gringos you pick!! Can't wait!
Angie - many thanks!! I am really enjoying reading about everyones treasures. It is so kind of everyone to take the time to share their splurges and it's an honor to be able to share in their delight with all their wonderful new things!!

Holy smokes! I would have killed for those shoes! Lol! A happy girl = a happy family/neighborhood/city/country

I don't think I splurge on one item. I am not sure why. I think I am just greedy and end up buying more items instead of one killer item! So yeah, I think I have splurged on my entire wardrobe this year!

Ooh, Claudia, I like those. The Havana spotted blue are so cool. Thanks for sharing.

I think it's a tie between my gray Born boots and turquoise Fossil satchel. The boots immediately fit like old friends on my feet. My only almost-regret with the bag is if I had to do it over again, I would get the satchel in black. Oh well... it is what it is. The bag is great, functions well, and I will wear it out. But I still need a black bag!

Neel - there is absolutely nothing wrong with splurging on choice!! I am sure you have many, many beautiful things to enjoy!!
afBrenda - love your boots!! Sorry you are not absolutely crushing on your turquoise bag - it's beautiful. I sympathize since my standard line is "does this come in black!!" But I think the lovely color really adds something to an outfit!! Great picks!

Thinking again and after reading everyone's splurges - I wanted boots this month and my budget was 350$- for boots. I had set my eyes on zara for the boots and you would think I bought them because I was all set. Well two days back, I bought 2 pairs of boots from forever 21. 1 pair of oxfords again from there. AND a bunch of dressy tops, slouchy printed pant, a plaid pant and a dressy vest from Mango in the same budget o_O So you see .... I will never have one splurge item ever!

In my defense, Mango was on sale and I don't have any of the items that I bought or anything similar either. Oh and the shoes are comfy too :D.

Qfbrenda, I think we are splurge cousins.

My biggest splurge this year was on a Fossil item as well--my first watch in over ten years. I found it on sale for $70 at an outlet mall, so I'm not sure the rest of you will consider it a splurge, but it was quite a panic-inducing moment for me. It was so worth it though! I have worn it almost every day, and it has inspired me to wear earth tones more often.

http://www.fossil.com/webapp/w.....ath=ES3200

Frye Veronica slouch boots. After lusting after them for nearly three years, I found the perfect Amazon Cyber Monday sale and bought them as a Christmas present for myself. This

Neel - you are too funny!! You are the smorgasbord queen!! Lots of lovely things to add to your choices!! Can't wait to see all the goodies!
Ajoanna - which watch did you get? Was it the rose gold? They are all very beautiful!! I love wearing a watch. Cell phones don't do it for me. Glad you are enjoying!!
Andrea - great score! Do we not all live for amazon cyber mondays!! Your patience has been rewarded not off you go to rock those gorgeous fryes!!

I bought a pair of Beija-flor burnt orange jeans. I had been looking for a pair of orange jeans and saw them in a local boutique and they fit perfect. I failed to look at the price tag before trying them on . . . $178 (yikes). I'm new to the brand which is women-owned, women-designed. That's a little more than I'd like to spend on a pair of jeans but if they perform well then they'll be worth it. I just got them and haven't worn them yet . . . we'll see!

Janet, that is marvelous news. No tuition, total awesomeness.

Burberry limited edition purple trench. Purchased second hand but it had never been worn as it was too small for the owner. Less than half the normal price but still a lot for me. I intend owning and wearing it FOREVER.

Thanks for starting this thread Gryffin, great reading.

Gryffin, what a great thread! So fun when everyone chimes in. Late to the party but mine was a michael kors black wool coat with sheepwool collar....cheating in NOK 5300.

Never indulged so much before but after a week of angonizing over it, I went back and bought it, full price, in the middle of summer. Cannot even wear it yet as it is too warm so far this winter! But i will, I so will!

Destri - burnt orange jeans !! They sound awesome!! Well fitting, comfortable jeans are so hard to find that I do think they are worth the investment. plus the color will amp up the wattage on any outfit!! Kudso on such a great find!!
DizzyLizzy - wow, wow, wow, wow, wow!! Do my eyes deceive me?!! Burberry, purple, never worn, half price!!! wow, wow, wow. That just sounds so awesome. Gosh what are the odds!! Major score!! Kudos!! Enjoy it and wear it well!! I have yet to even try on Burberry and, needless to say, no more splurges till I save up again, maybe if I am lucky fall 2014. So I am crushing on your find!! Great investment piece, unique, just perfect!!
Jayne - a gorgeous coat is such an inverstment piece that you will enjoy and wear for years to come. You bought when there was probably lots of choice and sizes. I know, hard to pull the trigger for delayed gratification, but that was the way to do it! Not sure if it's fair to wish you cold weather to wear it so I will just wish you many opportunities for stylish outtings with you new coat. It sounds totally awesome!!

I tend to be pretty extravagant by many people's standards...but this year, last January, I bought myself a Cartier Tank Francaise watch. I had wanted a Cartier Tank for over thirty years...originally the one with a leather strap, but I like the metal bracelet better now. I was marking an important milestone for myself and I love my watch. No regrets at all.

Retailgirl - by all standards the cartier tank is the motherload of all watches. It will last a lifetime. What better way to celebrate a milestone. It will go with everything and you will enjoy it every single day - talk about cost/wear. Kudos!! Enjoy and may it bring you pleasure every second of every day!!

A combination of finances, most of my time being spent at home, and just not seeing a lot that inspired me this year kept my overall purchases at a several year low. I did have a splurge purchase that has made me very happy. My DKNY Cozy in azurite. It is so versatile and has inspired me to get in my closet to see just how many different ways I can wear it.

What fun reading about everyone's splurges. I have to say I'm living vicariously through you gryffin (and Janet) with your Rockstuds! And also everyone with a Burberry.

My Brooks Brothers trench was my biggest splurge this year, and I'd better never even try on a Burberry one. Also I'd put my Okalas in the same category. I won't get tons and tons of wear from either one because of my climate and lifestyle, but every time I step out in either of them, I feel like a million bucks. What a great thread! Thanks for starting it.

My orange Furla bag. The price on its own wasn't too exorbitant, but I wonder if it was a smart purchase. The orange color still gives me pause. And especially after reading of rae and others falling madly in love with their handbag purchases, I feel this lack of excitement acutely. Maybe its purpose was to teach me to set my standards more strictly. It's a beautiful bag, but I don't know that it's really my style and a workable color for me.

(the color looks richer in this pic)

http://loricurie.files.wordpre.....g_3197.jpg

I actually want to change my answer and say my biggest fashion-related splurge was participating in Shoptoberfest! SO FUN! Plus it really gave me something to look forward to when things were tough, and some fab memories and great friendships to treasure when things got tough again!

Nancy, I think that's a great bag. Sometimes wardrobe love (like relationship love) is a slower burning thing that grows gradually over time, rather than falling hard and fast. I hope the bag proves to be that for you!