Payday Pleasures

It's the start of the month which, following the overnight visit of the wage fairy to my bank account, means that I can realistically consider buying some of the items I've been eyeing up in the last month. Unfortunately, an expensive trip to the garage last month means that the likelihood of any purchases is pretty slim but, hey, a guy can dream. Here is the pick of the bunch:

Daniel Wellington - Classic St Andrews
I've been on the hunt for a new watch since my trusty gold Casio started to get a lil' risque and reveal the tasty pink undergarments beneath its gold shell. Having spotted the Daniel Wellington range on a giveaway by The Londoner, I've been intent on getting my hands on one of these classic timepieces to go with both work and casual wear. Likely to set me back £150 (still pretty reasonable for a watch), my Casio is probably safe until July.

Vans Old Skool
While I was at uni I had a part-time job at Office and these have stayed on my radar since then. I'm picturing wearing these to death throughout the summer. After destroying two pairs of Authentics (complete with identical holes for big toe) and two pairs of Nike Air Pegasus, it's high time I invested in a new summer staple.

Ray Ban Clubmaster Tortoise
I've been looking at adding some Clubmasters to my much-worn Wayfarers for the last few summers. Do I need them? Probably not. Could I get something similar for a tenner? Almost certainly. Unfortunately, when it comes to sunglasses, I'm a sucker for branding (I blame my dad) and it's Ray Ban or nothing. For a bit of differentiation from my black Wayfarers, I've opted for the tortoise finish.

Nike Free 3.0
Giving barefoot running a go is something I've been considering since the start of this year. When you're running at least 10k most days, as I was when I was preparing for the Manchester Marathon, your joints take a real pounding. If you're not au fait with barefoot running, it's basically about reducing the impact on your knees and hips by adopting a more 'natural' running action. While I'm between running challenges, now would be as good a time as any to give it a go. I've struggled with Asics running shoes before and, since then, have found Nike my 'go to' trainer so the Nike Free 3.0 seem like the route to go down.

American Apparel Corduroy Slim Slack
Ok, so I'm cheating a little here as I've had a pair of these in my wardrobe for the last 4-5 years. It's fair to say they've served me well but, as with all good things, their time has come to an end and they are in need of replacement since the back pocket tore (beyond repair) at the seam. Luckily for me, they're currently reduced on the AA website, so I should be able to find room in my budget for them. They're a necessity after all...

So, those are my picks for this month. Tell me about yours...