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....

Brown used to be part of my winter wardrobe staple but grey is so much better for me I think. Have promised myself to sort out wardrobe before I buy or order anything new. I almost can't remember what I wore during that long winter last year. Good incentive to get started soon!

blossoming - What have you planned for your birthday?

Very quiet here tonight...

Cain - That is kind, I expect to fall off too, hopefully not onto gravel! Spin class use spd fittings so if I don't feel secure on roads I can wear them for spinning and won't have wasted £££s. You should pop your shoes on ebay, they seem to fetch a fair bit second hand.

Fritzi - The grey boots are divine, I love them.

bunny the LK Bennett bag is scrummy, I love the Mulberry Alexa is the blood orange colour that Fearne Cotton is pictured with so often.

Fleecy have a great holiday

Morning lovelies! Grey and dull here today. Still haven't decided on outfit.

To fill the void of not buying more for myself I have shifted my sartorial energy to DD and DH. Two questions re: shoes.

Planning on buying some shoes for autumn for DD (4) when we come to London in three weeks (counting the days, yay!) Those of you with DDs: Where do you buy shoes? Any particular shops in London apart from the obvious (Clarks, R&B) which are good?

Second shoe question: What kind of casual shoes do your DHs wear? DH wears suits and formal shoes for work and only has one pair of casual shoes. They are an old pair of hideous scuffed Geox. He usually wears jeans and shirts/T-shirts on weekends. Ideas?

Sorry, that was all about me, me, me. How is the dieting going for everyone? And where is cake??? We miss you and need you to tell us about Italian sunshine and summer outfits!!!

Morning Wise Ladies!

Quick question as can hear DD... What size do you think I should get the WC velour hooded robe in (normally a size 10)?

Am loving brown leather goods and also thinking grey would be a good idea, too - less harsh than just black. Although do love brown black (aka bitter chocolate Kew boots...). You ladies are bringing me up to date w how things can/should be done beyond just black.

Fritzi - DD's "proper" shoes come from Papillon (Marylebone Lane just off Marylebone High St or Elizabeth St SW1) and also Zara for "fashion" shoes.

bunny description says "long and lean fit". Maybe a medium would be ok?

Thanks bunny! Have just googled Papillon and the shoes are divine. DD will love them. Have added Marylebone to the places we have to go to. Lovely other shops round that area too.

Fritzi - the best English little girl shoes are Start-Rite English classics - I love pink or grey suede Clare or navy suede or leather Delphine.

RIP Diana, the more grown-up girl version of Caty - the little button fastening was delicious, but too fiddly for little fingers.

Hey ladies, what a grey day it is here. We are going to Gambado this morning and I am going to pack this afternoon.

I love the longer length AH Barbour. Also Thirstymerc and Fritzi's boots!

My dh has absolutely no interest in clothes (luckily, or we would be in the poorhouse). He wears Converse or a very old pair of Prada loafers at the weekends.

Bunny, my White Co dressing gown is size medium and I am a 12.

Bloss, Houlihans are arriving tomorrow and I have also ordered these grey J Brands as I have them in another colour and they are v. nice on but not sure I will keep them.

Welcome back Bunjies and have a great holiday Fleecy!

Bunny I have a White Co dressing gown that is too big and so irritating. It is the towelling one though and the general consensus seems to be that it is heavy and uncomfy. I've heard great things about the velour one. There was a dressing gown thread a few months back where it was "voted" the number 1. Might be worth searching for thread and see if it says anything about sizing if you have a minute.

Fritzi my dp is really into clothes. He has bought these from Paul Smith which look great with jeans and more relaxed trousers. He has last year's version of these which don't have any Boss logos on, these which are great for winter / park etc and these from Jeffrey West which I am not so keen on. He has developed a deep love for JW though and came home a few weeks ago with no less than 4 new pairs of JW shoes .

Who asked about the ASOS biker trousers on the last thread? Mine have been consigned to the back of the wardrobe already as they've gone so baggy. Within an hour or two of wearing them they look like (this from dp) I'm wearing a nappy apparently . I ordered the La Redoute ones and their biker jeans and both have gone back. I think I am just going to stick to skinny jeans.

The miracle bikini bottoms seem to have disappeared from the Debenhams website. They are plain black and "shape enhancing". I tried shape wear swimwear just post dd and bought a criminal swimming costume which makes me look 7 months pregnant, frumpy and hump backed. Needless to say I no longer wear that.

I think I am going to start packing today. I am a bit obsessive about holiday packing and have numorous lists with tick boxes . Everything is currently laid out on the bed in dd's room. Dp thinks it is too early (we leave 2am Sunday night/Monday morning) but I am very excited.

We are going to a wedding Saturday evening and I am wondering what to wear. When I bought the Reiss Tracey dress I planned to wear it for this wedding too but it is an evening reception for a couple in their 60s both of whom are widowers (spg?) and is quite low key so I am wondering if this other Reiss dress might be better? I was thinking I'd wear it with black peeptoe shoes boots maybe?

Have a few days of beautifying pre holiday - haircut and pedi Saturday, waxing and threading on Friday which I am dreading. I hate having my bikini line waxed and find the whole thing painful and humiliating. My sister still lives down the road where we grew up and it is a very culturally mixed area. She went to have her threading and waxing done the other day and it wasn't until the woman had started threading her eyebrows and moved up her head that she realised they had booked her in wrong - for a full face and body thread and wax! It's quite common among some of our Asian mates and with Eid tomorrow or Friday lots of girls are getting it done. I laughed so much.

Rambling from me - sorry! Waiting for more shopping deliveries so may report back later if anything is a keeper.

Morning all!

Soooo foggy here this morning - could barely see! Wearing Jigsaw suit and drapey top. Trying not to buy anything after rather expensive underwear splurge at weekend (although feeling very va-va-voom in new, correctly fitted, padded bra!)

Fritzi - Shoes for men - hmm. DH doesn't have loads either tbh. He has a bad back so bought some MBTs (some of the more 'normal' looking ones) and has trainers/walking boots....and thats about it! Would these be for winter wear, as my first thought was around some cool trainer style things - converse perhaps? That may not be his 'thing' though. Perhaps boots to wear with jeans/combats - here

Hope all of those with DCs starting school are ok! DD starts PM only today for the rest of the week. Sadly, I will not be there as I have already taken loads of leave - and of course with DH away we can't juggle. Mum and Dad arrived yesterday however, so they will be taking her and picking her up today and tomorrow; at least I know people who love her very much will be taking her round for the first day and taking the pics!

Couldn't sleep at all last night for some reason - despite doing a really long run yesterday. You would have thought I would be knackered! Bleary eyed now though - early to bed for me I think. Not Dukaning any more. Trying to do mainly Low GI (with the occasional treat). This has maintained my BMI/body fat where I like it for the past few years, so hopefully having dropped the few unwanted pounds via Dukan, it will work again. I think this is my bodies 'natural weight' , and although I have been a stone lighter than I am now, it was done via some pretty restrictive eating practices and generally not a healthy approach to food. Not a good example to DD!

Hope you all have great days.

Fritzi, I agree with Bonsoir, Start-Rite shoes are lovely and very classic. I just bought these for my DD

MM - given your description of the wedding, I think I would go with the second dress. They are both lovely though!

How rude of me - Thirstymerc thank you very much for the link. I really like them though everywhere seems sold out in a 7. Dp is going to pop into Selfridges later to have a look.

Everything have I misunderstood that you've been thinking of setting up a kids' suitcase type business? Have you seen these Trunkis?

Esher I saw that Zara bag in rl and liked it. I have a See by Chloe one I love and as I use it everyday I think it was well worth it on a cost per wear basis.

Bonsoir those shoes are divine. My dd has a few pairs of Pedipeds, some Kickers, lovely red converse and her own favourite Crocs .

Me again.

Tracey how is Dukan going on day 2? I haven't shredded for two days and had a massive ice cream with cream yesterday. I feel so much happier since I've decided to relax and have realised I will swim every day whilst away. My Italian side refuses to let me be fussy/controlled about food . Have had alcohol free week though (apart from Sunday) which I am quite proud of as I usually have a red wine or two every night.

Carciofi just the mention of Gambardo fills me with dread. I took dd to a party there. She loved loved it and I had a secret cry in the toilets. Dp takes her now.

MM, I can't bear it when it is busy so only go in the mornings! DD and I both like the dodgems though. I also have a glass of wine most nights. :) I think I would go with the second dress for the wedding. Have a great time.

I agree that the Startrite English Classics are really nice, but the issues I have are 1) they only go to an F fitting (DD is v wode of hoof w a G fitting! ); and 2) the colours - I love DD in silver shoes (maybe even a pale gold and certainly bronze is a contender) and it seems only [http://www.papillon4children.com/childrens_shoes_details.php?productID=89&categoryID=9 the Papillon Hebe's]] meet this criteria. Convinced? Am thinking of casually mentioning to DH that I need to get her the next couple of sizes up and if there's a flaw in the argument, need to sort it now! As much as DH loves forking out GBP60 for DD's shoes

Re DH's shoes - all his leather ones are from Russell & Bromley and he has these hideous Nike hightops w neon green trimming and laces that he chose by himself. I begged him not to buy them (caught him trying to buy them when I wasn't looking) but he refused. Hideous.

Re bags - shopped in my wardrobe and found an Oroton (Aus brand) bag that fits the bill re for playgroup/playground (small and sleek). And am going to get another free Boots bag for nappies. Which leaves me at the LK Bennett bag. Oh how I love thee! Will continue to ponder then purchase next time have tough day.

Thanks for the WC robe feedback!! And apologies for egocentric post!!

Bunny forgot to mention my dp's Nike high tops. He occasionally puts a baseball cap on with them and wraps his arms around himself Ali G style. He thinks it is amusing.

Morning folks. I have more boots than I need these days. But saw (get sent sale items by email) these are discounted quite a bit. Not bad for a basic boot.

If any one else fancies them..

MM - you have my sympathies. Those bloody Nike high tops make my heart sink. He tried to wear them w shorts a few weeks ago. I had to kick up a fuss to make him stop. I usually hate his sneakers.

Carciofi - good luck at Gambardo! Think we must live near each other - go to/know of similar places. I haven't been to Gambardo, but other mums I know do go. Poor MM - sounds like a traumatic visit you had!!

Marsha - ooh, I like those Steve Maddens v much.

bonsoir thanks! The start-rites are gorgeous. Just what I was looking for. Can't believe how comparably cheap they are. Would pay at least 80 to 100 Euros here for premium quality shoes like these .

j Brands look super, Barbour is fantastic tracey and I am very intrigued by these miracle bikini bottoms of which you speak mm
My computer has malfunctioned and I can't get asos links to open and nor can I access theoutnet I have no idea why it keeps doing this!
I think the gods are trying to tell me to stop internet shopping following a few recent disasters.. bag from browns (too expensive to even link) was hideous, got sent back by dhl who didnt give me an airwaybill and it has disappeared....!!! M&S order to arrive on Monday just never turned up (vests etc for DS and some random undies for me) which you know isn't a crisis but it is very annoying, NAP order went back.. sigh..

Anyway! MUST BE LESS AVID and in future will consult my style gurus here first! silly silly vin

OWW those great plains dresses are lovely!

I am another one who has never ever used a nappy bag, I bought one and it has sat under the cot collecting dust for a good few years, I just throw stuff into normal bag (bit annoying when cup of milk leaks over lanvin though though that is probably my fault being too avid)

Right exams are looming and work are harrassing me so I nmay be a bit awol til next week but I shall return.
Hope all you who have returned from breaks had great times and mm have a lovely time next week on your viaggio !

and tracey, wine is the key ingredient to any succesful diet! After drinking it you look far slimmer and more attractive when peering into a mirror, it is daily essential. Go for red it is good for you, full of flavonoids and antioxidants and polysomethings. Remember dukaners, you are what you eat.. saw someone wearing this the other day

apologies for smiley overload am on 3rd cup of coffee...!

PS Blossoming your cow chase experience had ne laughing all day!!

My dh hates shopping too, but I have managed to get him to buy his shoes in Russell & Bromley in recent years. That reminds me I had a newsletter from the House of Colour lady which offered colour and styling for men. I suggested it to dh, and he didn't say no!!

For my birthday I'll go out with dh one night and shopping/boozy lunch with girlfriends another day. Probably a little party at home on the day with sis and bil, dh working late. Not very interesting but suits me!!

coffee seems to also cause typos HOW CUTE are those little girls shoes?
Oh one positive shopping experience- gap! ordered some baby clothes online from gap.eu (as DS is absolutely suddenly huge) on a Sunday with standard delivery and, this is amazing, it was here by Monday! Excellent.