I don’t really believe in making New Year’s resolutions.

Making up rules for myself seems to bring with it the overwhelming temptation to immediately break them. Just because I can.

But that notwithstanding, I have been very good since returning from Australia.

I have been eating smaller and more healthy meals. I have not been drinking so much wine or eating biscuits. And I have not given in to temptation on the shopping front.

But this weekend that all went out of the window a bit. I had a tipple – or two. I scoffed veggie bacon sandwiches for breakfast and a Chinese takeaway for tea.

And I bought myself a frock.

I blame it on lad.  Well, the frock part, anyway.

We were in town for his weekly guitar lesson and I asked if there was anything he would like to do afterwards. And he said “I’d quite like to look in a few charity shops”.

Well… you could have knocked me down with a feather!

His usual attitude to my rummaging addiction is to sigh deeply, roll his eyes, and (depending upon his mood) either to slump morosely on any available charity shop seating, OR to physically tug at my coat sleeve in the direction of the shop door, whilst urging me to “come ON!”

So this weekend’s enthusiasm was, to say the least, unusual. And of it, of course, I took full advantage. Which resulted in the purchase of the frock.

It cost a bit more than I usually pay (an outrageous £20!) but that print could not be passed up…

It is, once again, testament to my ongoing love affair with Crimplene.

This particular purchase is not the thick, bobbly, textured variety of day-dress Crimplene, but more of a slightly slinky, evening wear-grade of man-made fibre.

A Crimplene cut-above, you could say.

The frock is a tad shorter and lower-cut than I would ideally like.

But, after a little wardrobe experimentation, I found that the addition of a longer black skirt and a t-shirt underneath makes for a very satisfying compromise, enabling both cleavage and knees to remain, thankfully, concealed when said frock is worn.

Of course, I did not miss Crimplene whilst I was in Australia.

In fact, the very thought of wearing man-made fibres in that extreme heat and humidity brings me out in a sweat.

But back home, it is an entirely different prospect. Quick-drying for those rain-soaked trips to Sainsbury’s, non-creasing for lazy evenings on the sofa, it seems perfectly suited to my current, almost sweat-free existence.

So, with my new frock hung on the wardrobe in readiness for it’s first outing, it’s back to austerity and healthy living for me.

I just hope my Crimplene capers haven’t put lad off charity shops again forever. ♥