My 18th birthday gift- what to ask for?

I think they're quite good prices for what they are. Look at it this way; you will always need some good shoes, a decent bag and a black dress. Personally I'd prefer to spend a couple of hundred pounds on a high quality, well cut dress I'll be able to wear for years than one that doesn't fit as nice and won't last as long that cost £40 from Topshop or New Look or something.

The bags are overpriced, I agree. But the dresses and shoes are well priced I think. I'd pay that much for them (if I had it!).

Private number plate if u drive?

I'd rather buy 125 bags from Primark for the same price than one of those bags. Infact I think my £4 bag from Primark is alot nicer and more practicle than any of those bags.
I can also safely say that I would never pay a couple of hundred pounds for a dress, a pair of shoes OR a bag. I buy these sorts of items every year and I've never had a problem with sizes. Atleast if some moron spills a drink over me I'm not going to be distraught that my dress, bag, shoes are ruined.
I've seen girls wearing dresses that I later found out they paid with a whole months pay package and they really didn't look any better or worse than the girls wearing £40 dresses from topshop/river island/dorothy perkins/debenhams.
In 30 years time I don't think I would look back and think "aww what a great bag". This is the reason that 18th birthdays usually leave you adorned with jewellry.

In terms of budget, not over 500 pounds, and preferably a bit below that amount.

I definitely agree with amie here! I've never found anything in Primark but know that plenty others do! I'd rather spend quite a bit (if I have the money), on designer items because they do usually have better quality and last longer. It's tedious having to buy jeans over and over again because they fall apart, when having 3/4 very good quality ones last absolutely ages.

In saying this, I do have quite a few High Street clothes because I like to keep up to date. I think a good wardrobe is one which consists of quality staple items such as nice jeans, a quality handbag, a quality pair of shoes & then slotting in some high street t-shirts/tops and dresses or whatever which keep you up to date if you are concerned with following trends!

But, sometimes designer clothes aren't necessarily synonymous with quality. My dad has a lot of Lacoste shirts, (I know these aren't top notch designer) but they are the flimsiest material ever and look like they could rip any moment. Whereas his abundance of Matalan shirts seem to be strong and durable. So it's swings and roundabouts really!

OUCH! You and I obviously have very different ideas of what good value is. Do people actually pay those prices?

Thankyou, everyone.

Lucy, your party sounds like it's going to be absolutely fabulous!

groseille, thanks for your suggestions. Those Pedro Garcia shoes are so sexy! The Anna Sui dress is adorable; I could certainly see myself wearing that. As regards the Mulberry Rosemary bag, I am seriously considering it, but in an alternative colourway. I wouldn't order anything from net-a-porter though, on principle. It has a good selection but is too often a rip off, in my opinion.

-x-buttercup-x- I know you would! If I remember rightly I think I recall seeing the multitude of things you bought for 18th birthday! lol.

I can see everyone loves jewellery!, but unfortunately I really did mean what I said: I rarely, if ever wear any. I am such a loser, obviously.

Watches are a nice idea but I think if I was going to spend 500 pounds on one, I'd ideally like to spend a bit more while I was at it. What I mean is, to me, such a watch would be very nice, but it wouldn't be likely to be a classic at that price. So I'd rather wait until I'm a bit older and richer to afford a classic one.

So yes, at the mo I'm leaning towards the Rosemary bag.

Anyone else here got a Mulberry bag?

Oh, I use the 3 - step, but I don't know whether to try something else now. I've been using it for 2+ years, and my skin feels lovely and smooth, but isn't exactly how I would expect for the money! I think I just expect too much, but I told my friends they might be better off with Clinique and came off it straight the way saying it did next to nothing for them. Perhaps they didn't give it enough time, but I do feel I might swap soon! Does it improve your skin much amie?

Different strokes for different folks

oh and re lush prods i use one of their handcreams as a mosituriser (lol but i did one day cos i couldnt find a real facial moisturiser and it was really good!) dyu put the mask thing on everyday amiebefore u go out? (sorry if thts a silly quest!)