Don't get me started on the downturn in the economy!Not only has the cost of living gone up considerably but my husband is an estate agent so with the poor property market our income has also dropped significantly.So this affects us from all angles.The main things we are forced to cut back on are holidays ,going out and of course clothes.At least if you don't go out ,you don't need as many clothes!Items I feel we do need/want I am looking much harder to find a bargain and shopping at lower priced shops.Where I would normally mix more expensive items of clothing with some lower quality items to create a good outfit for a reasonable cost,I am currently only buying the cheaper items and less overall.I even looked at the sale items in Asda today & bought a fine knit jumper for work for only £6.I still havn't managed to find a navy blue cardigan yet by the way but did see one today in Asda and thought I had resolved my issue,but on closer inspection it had nautical buttons on it,with anchors.This unfortunately blew it right out of the water for me!!

I have been looking for a navy blue fine knit cardigan over the last couple of weeks but with no success.Considering there is quite a bit of navy clothing in the shops at the moment I thought it would be simple,but it would seem not.I went to Fosse park and started at Asda.Didn't feel inspired by anything currently in there,other than a rather cute navy waistcoat with large gold buttons, I thought would suit my daughter(I shall take her back to look at that).Next I tried all the other shops.I thought Next was disappointing in their current range but always think they present their shops well,looking clean,tidy and coordinating.I often buy work clothes from here.Gap has some nice wide leg trousers( I shall keep these in mind and come back to them when I have more time) but their knitwear is all neutral colours.I have to really love something to buy from Gap as I generally think they are expensive for the standard of quality,with fabrics often quite thin and see through.River island always looks inviting and glamorous,and although they hadn't a navy cardigan,I stumbled accross a snakeskin handbag which I have been drawn to on several visits recently.I have debated for some time what it would go with in my wardrobe and how much use I would get from it.But to my joy it was reduced to only £10.This was obviously meant to be mine & I bought it.Marks & Spencer surely would have the cardigan I was looking for,but no.Quite a few nice styles but still not navy.The search continues and I will have to try to get into Leicester with all my hopes on H&M or Primark.