Come and spend £30,000 in a day - that was the invitation to woman's editor KATE THOMPSON. Not suprisingly she jumped at the chance and here's the result...
IT'S NOT every day you get a phone call asking you if you would like to blow £30,000 in a day - so when the call came through I simply had to say yes.
Ever since the law was passed that every woman should spend at least ten hours a week shopping, I for one have stuck rigidly to the rules.
I know it's a cliche but women are just meant to go shopping.
While men find the whole experience tedious and inhibiting, I feel liberated the moment I enter my favourite boutique or department store.
Sadly this was to be a make- believe exercise, as the National Lottery people were not about to hand over a wad of cash just so I could write about it.
Having said that, I was literally given the red carpet treatment.
It's amazing what you can do with some money in your pocket - and even more interesting to discover just what that money will buy.
I was picked up from the office in a gleaming white stretch limo from Home James, driven by chauffeuse Isobel. There was a bottle of bubbly on ice and I sipped from a glass as Isobel whisked me off to the John Lewis store at WestQuay, where I was due to meet fashion expert Michelle Norris.
With a notional £30,000 in my pocket, I wanted to party and with Michelle's expert advice I chose a couple of over-the-top outfits.
(I must state at this stage that I was concerned that the fascinator - a funny little hat that looked like an elaborate TV aerial - would change the channel of my on-board telly in the limo).
Getting all dressed up was great fun - I particularly liked the shocking pink shoes by Carvela complete with ballet ribbon.
They were a snitch at a mere £69 so I would have bought at least five pairs in an array of colours.
When Isobel dropped me off at WestQuay she asked what time I would like picking up.
I innocently replied, that I had to visit the jewellers nearby so I could get back to WestQuay by midday or so.
"Oh no Madam, I'll drive you to the jewellers," she replied.
Of course I had forgotten that when money is no object you don't walk anywhere - you are driven there.
And so it was that we arrived outside Parkhouse & Wyatt, the jewellers on Above Bar Street.
I wanted a memento of my win - and a sparkly bauble seemed the perfect way to remember my day.
The attentive staff asked me what I would like to view and I made a beeline for the most glittering pieces.
There was the yellow and white 18ct gold ring with a 1.96ct royal crest diamond costing £19,250.
But I decided against this because I thought it might get in the way when I'm drinking my gin and tonic.
I had to take a closer look at the 18ct white gold line bracelet with oodles of diamonds just because it cost £25,000 and I have never held anything that valuable before.
Trying on rings and things, I was painfully aware that my nails were letting me down. I needed a manicure - and I needed it now.
I jumped back in the limo - and yes I did sip a bit more bubbly as we drove to the Saks salon at the David Lloyd fitness centre at Nursling.
Katie made a good job of my nails - and when the polish had dried, I found myself back in the limo heading for Rhinefield House.
All this shopping had given me an appetite.
I tucked into scallops for starters followed by monkfish, washed down with a rather good glass of wine.
I took tea overlooking the Koi fish pool and reflected on a hectic day.
It was great to see how the other half live and to imagine how I could spend £30,000 in a day.
Yes it was frivolous - but there's nothing wrong with that every now and then, is there?
SHOPPING LIST:
Limousine from Home James
£270
Two outfits plus a winter coat - £765
Manicure - £20
Lunch plus wine and afternoon tea - £30
18ct white gold diamond line bracelet - £25,000
Two evening dresses - £450
Diamond cut eternity ring - £1,915
Omega constellation stainless steel watch - £1,550
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