Black Friday at Me and Em and The White Company, I spent about two hours online trying to shop and find a deal.

The items I want never ever go on sale.

I don’t buy very much when it comes to consuming new fashion and home wares. I shop once a year. I get what I like. I have to spend a fair amount but the things I buy last me all year. I like what I like and stick with the brands I love but even these brands never really seem to reward my years of loyalty with a discount on the things I love and repeat buy.

I was lucky this year, by persistently unsubscribing to email lists, being militant about never disclosing my email to anyone and very selective about the apps I download and what I subscribe to, this year I was only contacted by two brands, two of my favourites to be fair, The White Company and Me and Em.

The White company sheets I sleep on every night and what would be described as a raving fan and Me and Em the same, I wear a vest or T shirt of theirs most days without fail. Some might say I’m boring, others she just knows what she likes. When In the movie

Something’s Gotta Give (the hilarious Nancy Meyer) Jack Nicholson's character, Harry Sanborn, asks Diane Keaton's character, Erica Barry, "What's with the turtlenecks?" because it was the middle of summer. Erica's iconic response is, "I like them. I've always liked them and I'm just a turtleneck kind of gal". 

I like many women chuckled to myself That’s me, not turtlenecks specifically but you know where I am driving.

So the two companies that emailed me got my attention for a split. I was excited to receive 50% off at the White Company and up to 70% off at Me and Em except the things I wanted to buy, the things I always buy, the things I love, the basics I live in and use and want to replace, rotate, have a new one of aren’t in the sale at all. The things I like are all still full price. Not Black Friday exclusives, Black Friday exclusions.

The sale items all appeared to me to be mistakes, things no one bought or wanted, things the brands wanted to get rid of. Strange colours and designs, not the gorgeous quality staple items like the simple white fitted flat sheets and pillow cases they are known for at the White Company or the M

tanks and long sleeve T shirts in black and white, I like the fabrics that are NEVER included in the sale.

Loads of hype around Black Friday savings but I’d be very interested to hear about if anyone actually shopped and if they did, what they bought and how much they saved.

I’m going to have to bite the bullet and pay RRP for the things I want after browsing the Black Friday offering from a couple of my favourite brands.

I think I’d prefer some kind of discount that can be used on anything at Black Friday, not just the reductions on stuff the brands are struggling to sell.

Not sure that’s going to happen anytime soon though but if marketing teams or even Clare Hornby herself are reading this, what you do dilutes the love I have for you for sure and doesn’t keep me brand loyal. I am on the search now for alternatives.