Wise ladies....step this way and Avidly share your most fabulous fashion finds .....

[notyummy]

Hello all!

Cake - come back we neeeeeed you to tell us about your holiday....

Everytime you lot mention barbours I have to go off and have yet another look at the website and only thoroughly confuse myself with the number and ranges (classic, heritage, contemporary etc) the styles (international, cameron, sapper etc) and the finishes (quilted, polarquilt, waxed, cotton, silk etc). It's impossible!
The whole thing just confuses me. Those of you barbour owners with catalogues to look at, tell me please if I want a waterproof lightweight bum covering coat that is reasonably fitted/stylish what should I go for? Must be light enough to wear on a wet day in spring/autumn not depths of winter' ideally under £200. Any ideas?

Having a nightmare clotheswise - have 2 massive ASOS boxes to go back to post office containing these in 2 sizes, neither of which fits properly plus massive Outnet order which was all a load of tat bar this scarf which I'm only really keeping to justify the postage charge and 2 pairs of tights.

3 weeks ago I was looking at last winter's stuff and thinking that I didn't really need anything - have looked at it this week and decided that I hate all of it and need to start again. No pressure then.

Can we have a list of things you have bought/are planning to buy for A/W to inspire me please?

Esher shame about your on-line shop. Don't suppose your Outnet order included this dress did it What do you think of it, wondering if it'd be a bit too oversize on me?

Zembo - I ordered a bunch of IRO stuff but the bits I wanted were all only available in a size 1 and all too big (bar a pair of size 1 IRO trousers which I couldn't get over my calves, although if I had, the waist would've been too big .
you will definitely need a size 0 imo.

hf wtf!

esher, you definitely need contemporary fit. I went for the cameron because I need a hood, it is tunic length and I need a waist and it has a belt. The Kate that dolcee has is lovely but no belt or hood. The cameron might be warmer. And the Kate is £199.

I'm struggling with a/w too. I want smarter stuff. I'm looking forward to trying on the gap really skinny trousers, some shoeboots and 'blouses'. I'm fine for every day (yeah right!)

notyummy and Zembo my heart goes out to you. I am so very (selfishly)glad that I am not having to contend with any of that yet.

esher that's a pain about your orders.

Fritzi that is so kind of you re: the 7s. May I ask anyone here (tracey maybe?) what the sizing is like? the jeans I bought at the weekend are a 28 but I'm sure I could easily be a 29 most days!! Plus, as eie said the other day when I passed my leather pencil skirt on to her, it's easy to be bigger in winter!

I can't be trusted to leave the house. Took my dying car (all of the spark plugs needed replacing) to the garage today and on the walk home managed to 'just nip in' to a local boutique to 'just look' at coats 'just for inspiration and comparison' and somehow 'just managed to buy' a knit. Very gorgeous though, and I also stopped to chat to a chugger from Shelter and pledge a quarterly donation, so karmically balanced, no?

all this talk of fashion fairies and klothing karma got me thinking ... who's up for some kind of ongoing clothing swap where, instead of giving each other money, we donate to a charity? Given the sadly high proportion of infant losses on this thread, I thought perhaps a charity of that nature, but maybe any of you have other ideas? We all have so much stuff that we all seem to tire of quite quickly (that's being avid, for you) but prob can't be too often bothered with ebay.. I know I am dreading my next cull, if only bc of the thought of all the ebay faffola.

mm I know you're on hols now but hope they are very happy ones and that you get lots of coitus of the non-interruptus kind!!!

Esher Shame about your shop. Off the top of my head I have bought

Jumper

Cardigan

Dress in Femme Fatale

Quite nice on Black Poncho

Some long sleeved T-shirts/Vests from Whistles and Brora.

New black riding style boots. Have decent brown ones already.

I'm just trying to keep it simple and work with what I have - you know, denim mini, jeans, cargo pants etc. I have plenty of jackets, shoes, bags etc. Do need a new coat though but reluctant to spend £££.

Will probably buy a couple of plain sweater dresses a la Crumpet style and a couple of skirts like this

Paul and Joe Sister have a few nice bits. Also need to check out Zara - have not been in for ages.

Whistles have some nice things Like this

Just following the US Open final on the BBC - is it really sad that I quite fancy Nadal? If I had got busy very early he could just about be my son.

That's wrong, isn't it?

LTEC - Think your suggestion sounds great. A specific charity like SANDS, or maybe a childrens related one like UNICEF? I will have to cough up sharpish, as I think Fritzi has kindly gifted me something.

cake love the idea of a clothes swap/donation scheme! If you bought a size 28 the 7s might be too big on you. Maybe I could measure them tomorrow and you could compare to the pair you bought?

I'm getting confused by all the Barbour talk but don't want to get too involved in case I suddenly develop the urge to buy one.

notyummy and zembo I'm sure your DDs have the best Mums they can wish for! You both sound so wonderful and caring. DD hasn't started school yet but I also feel guilty when she asks me why she has to have lunch at kindergarten while some of her friends are being picked up before lunch and eat at home with their Mums . I try to make up for it in many ways but sometimes it is hard.

ooooh, Hf thanks for the link to that Whistles skater dress - I had thought it was sold out - didn't think of checking ASOS - doh!

I think the fact that it's not yet boot and coat weather isn't helping - am not good at this inbetweeny dressing as it just means jeans and ash hi-tops every day, boring.

Thanks Bloss - am off to check out the cameron and the kate again.......

Waves to Cake.

Also have not been in a rl shop since end July!!! (DD2 not back at nursery till next Monday!!!) Online browsing ok but omg the pain of returns and I really need to have a wander around and get a feel for what's out there

Y'know guys, much as am delighted that I make everyone am wondering exactly how and in what way?
Am really hoping everyone is laughing with and not at as really don't think my posts are that side-splitting (or interesting come to that) - or are they .

P.S. Am coming perilously close to losing shopping/style mojo.
Looked around today and realised was wearing a variation (and not necessarily the best variation) of late thirties mummy uniform.
Time. To. Up. Ante.

Oh looks like there are lots of todays links to enjoy when I have the chance to peruse.

I have had a lot on this weekend so I don't know if anyone looked at the giggling babies link I posted - I adore it! I watched it over and over again until my cheeks ached with laughing.

Still waiting for my Next boots to be dispatched... I feel a saga coming on!

Proper autumn weather here witht he leaves falling off the trees. I washed my car yesterday and already it looks like stigofthedump.

I looked in Next the other day and really liked some of their tops for work.

My mother got mildly narked though when she asked about some jeans she had seen in the directory which 'fitted to the waist' and the sales assistant said 'Oh you mean hipsters?' My mother who wore hipsters the first time round was unimpressed.
It turns out they don't carry them in all the stores. Poor Mother, she can't cope with the stress of shopping these days.

Looking forward to all the lovely links.

yes, fgs, esher am I the only one out there who still wears the rats??

am holding off on all things boots/ hi-toppish for the mo and am wearing Blochs almost daily (luckily have 3 pairs so avoiding ennui) ... packed all of my glads, bar the beaded Antiks, off to chazza shop within a day or two of return from Italy, as well as a Breton dress which had hung, tags on, unworn, all summer long in my wardrobe

you make me laugh too but only bc of the way you put things. Fizz and sparkle.

Had K O'C over during the summer and learned of his crush on you!!

Thanks a mill fritzi.

bugger, something I really wanted to say and have now forgotten ... going to have a squizz back to remind self

Oh that was it. Barbours - dh bought a very Barbouresque jacket from French Connection today (for him, not me, but assume they have female ones too?) for £100ish.

oh, and AW purchases so far:

faux fur gilet
black smart trousers
skinny jeans
Belstaff boots
l/s embellished knit
s/s embellished knit
um, maybe a few dresses
wool shorts

still to come:
coat
lace tights
sweater dress or two
lace blouse
leather skirt
wedge ankle boots

hf - I love those Michael Kors wellies!! Am I the only one? Think they would be v practical.

MM - oh dear re MIL show - hope you were both able to make it over the finishing line, though . Have a GREAT holiday!

notyummy and zembo - must have been so hard leaving your little girls at school, but imagine it was only hard on you and not on them. DD is only 15 months and I can't believe she isn't really a baby any more (more of a toddler).

Re talking DDs, DD babbles all day but doesn't say a word I understand (except for yes). Dear me.

THe only things I have bought lately are baby clothes! Was going to buy a LK Bennett handbag (linked earlier - it was orange saffron) but it sold out. The gods have decided it wasn't meant to be.

Am going to have another try at sleeping - pregnancy insomnia is NOT good, esp as am going to be shattered later on.

Morning bunny! Hope you could go back to sleep or have the chance of a nap later in the day.

esher I feel the same about in between season dressing but I try to wear as many of my lovely summer clothes with layers as possible. If I start wearing proper autumn/winter stuff now I will be bored by October . Or buy more new stuff...

I'm wearing boots already - its cold here.

I feel so fat though - and as its only a month to meet up need to get on and lose the weight before you all start giving me links to evans

Esher - yeap you need to wander round the shop - I know its a nasy job but you'll have to do it

I am so loving my barbour - verity - has your minx arrived yet?

Right - better get on - only one child ready.

NY and Zembo - I think the transition to school is hard but my experience is its when the teacher wants a word every night - well lets just say thats more of a problem. Not obviously that I'm that mother with the monkey child - oh no

LTEC - I think the roxannes come up slightly smaller than other 7fam's so the 29 may be ok but I'd have thought you were more of a 28.

I am avoiding my nice light grey acne and 7fams atm and thrown blochs to back of wardrobe. So yesterday I wore VW suede beige boots and digging further back to a really nice Paul & Joe oatmeal sleeveless poncho-ish thing with big buttons down sides and dark green Wang skirt.

Jeans are rare on the sr. Last week was a riot of colour eg a green 50s dress / high red pumps, fur gilet, harems and bejewelled sandals galore, military. So yes I need to step up also. (still, lovely to see).

I like the wellies hf, I am buying non-hunter ones soon, will add those.

Ps lol at Evans, Tracey what are you wearing boots with? Jeans? Are they ankle/flat, riding? Soz I am so used to ballet flas and skinnies it's hard to break.

Hello all, hope well.

Bunny Good breastfeeding dress, very much like the one LTEC had last year from Princess Tam Tam I think

I so want a fur gilet - so cross that I didn't order the m&s one.

Marsha - they're sort of mid calf black chunky heel - a bit like Frye Campus.

Not very stylish but school grounds very muddy/rough so need a good grip!

Ooooh - just checked and it was back in stock so have ordered.

Probably will go back as will undoubtedly make me look womble like.

Right must go and drop eldest at school and then go to supermarket.

brilliant, thanks tracey. I'd love the Roxannes then thanks Fritzi - will email you. Even if a smidge too big am bound to get my period back one of these days so that's at least one week a month where they will be snug!!

tracey which M&S gilet was it? wonder if the same one that I liked....

hi libra!! yes the Hush dress is lovely but a word of warning bunny - a bfing friend of mine ordered it last year when the Tam Tam sold out and the buttons did not come down far enough to comfortably breastfeed.

ah. x-post. Yes, I think that is the same one. I think my Zara one is only good for over jeans, need a shorter one for over dresses a la VV Brown (???? is that her name??) in the M&S catalogue.