We are Avidly snapping up Primarni brogues, whilst Wisely swapping (for charidee!) our unwanted clothes...

[notyummy]

This way ladies....

Oh, and because of my size/figure 90% of things won't fit or suit anyway. Anything empire-lined, yoked or tunicy is out...

Hi Mippy - just a quick answer as I should really be in bed!

I quite like Warehouse, and they do up to your size, and I think are fairly broad in their demographic (i.e I am 38 and buy stuff from their...but so do my much younger friends!)

Depends on how much cash you want to spend as well.

Have you looked online at ASOS? It has so much stuff, and would defintely have plenty in your size. Quality is variable - everything from designer stuff at £££ to Polyester central....but there should be enough to find something exciting.

I do quite like Zara at the moment - but the sizing is slightly odd, and sometimes things can be reaallly long. Not so much a problem for me at 5ft 10, but could be for others!

Warehouse are too small on the bust (I'm 36FF, so anywhere too young is bad) which is a shame as I do like some of their stuff. I'm 5ft 10 too. Height twins!

I can't be doing with artificial fibres at all, which makes shopping hard if I don't want to spend ££. One of the reasons I don't much like Dotty P these days.

Hi Mippy,

I wouldn't rule out any shops entirely based on your shape.

I've been an hourglass 16 and most of my stuff was Oasis/Ted Baker/Whistles with a fair bit of New Look/H&M/Warehouse thrown in/

I would rate whistles especially as having well cut and good quality stuff.

I would second notyummy's ASOS recommendation but advise to order loads with the view to having a mass trying on as I find things that I like most online I like least in rl and vice versa.

Ltec Having a party for DD next weekend, she is so excited, for her birthday I've booked the day off work and taking her, her cousin and best friend to lunch/softplay after nursery then having family for a birthday tea.

She had first of her three cakes today my granny made her a chocolate one with pink accessories. She has asked for a barbie princess cake for her party and I'll do some sort of cupcake tower for her birthday day one.

Little sweetie has asked for a barbie toothbrush for her birthday. Or a ds. We've gone with the toothbrush - oh to be 4 forever!

HI mippy! I'd definitely try Asos - and second the recommendation of ordering lots with a view to returning stuff. Delivery and returns are free and I've found refunds are pretty quick.

Congrats on distinction verity

And well done rufus! What a nightmare that she didn't show. I would have been furious!

I am very excited at the thought of your barn tracey - my cousin has just done it and it sounds amazing. I have only learnt about it via her blog, though, so I guess I don't really know the impact it's had on family (DH and 2 kids, 5 & 7). I'm guessing it will always be tough, but the overwhelming majority of people I either know of who've done it or have seen on TV don't regret it.

It's not outsize, no, but it feels like it when I go shopping, or look in magazines. I can't zip up dresses in French Connection or Topshop, and New Look dresses are indecent length on me. I did buy a jersey dress from Oasis a couple of months ago but that was the first thing I've bought for years there.

The thing is, for years I've lived in printed T-shirts and I'd like things that are that bit quirky but less teenagery. Leaning toward skirts and vests/cardis (hence liking a bit of White Stuff just now).

Morning. Had at 5am wake up call from DS2 this morning - and its half term so was half hoping for an extra snooze.

Hello mippy - you sound a similar shape to my sister (tho she is smaller height wise). She too likes White Stuff but has also picked up some lovely bits from Mantary in Debenhams which is like WS but cheaper here. She seems to get quite a bit from Debenhams esp from the Rocha.John Rocha range here Have you looked at Boden as well? Think quality may be an issue according to posts on S&B but there is also Joe Browns?

Happily loved the sound of your shorts outfit - sorry you had a chair/tights related accident tho!!! It tickled me that your DD wanted a toothbrush or a DS!
Rufus - well done for improvising at the party!

Re meet ups - I WILL make one, just don't think it can be before Christmas as diary already pretty full (Dutch celebrate Sinterklaas - their equvalent of Christmas - at the beginning of Dec so have parties etc during Nov.....). Put me down for a New Years/early Spring one I promise tho! Am dying to meet you all too!

Ollie that's not a very good start for halfterm. Better get the coffee machine going. What are you doing with the DSs today? DD is at home today too. had high temp during the night again and I was up from 2-4. She is still asleep next to me. Curled up like a cat, so cute.

I would love to come to next meetup but would probably so nervous that I couldn't say a word and just stare at everyone's gorgeousness.

Tracey - oops, think my post was sneery re caravans - sorry! Think barn conversion sounds fab (must be v v exciting contemplating a major renovation like that!), although caravan sounds a bit challenging w 3 DCs. However, a little cottage sounds completely doable.

Mippy - hello!

Rufus - sharp intake of breathe at no-show entertainer! Although v impressed w your improv beauty parlour! Bet the girls loved it.

DD woke last night, calling for DH (good girl! Let Mummy be...) and was awake for 1.5 hours, although babies were obv having a physical fight judging by the kicking going on, so couldn't sleep anyway so relieved him. Dear me, naughty DCs!

Re Christmas meet-up, will obv need to see how we go. If I come, I will bring the babies, though as I expect you to all be my childcare they will be too young to leave w DH.

Esher - love the Helmut top (v slinky and beautiful), but not the skirt - looks unflattering to me, even on the model.

OWW - 5am, really? Oh ouch! Am about to stagger off to make coffee, too... Will raise my mug to you.

Hallelujah! Woken up at 7.30am this morning by DD happily talking to herself in her cot after weeks of night waking and early starts. Bliss!

Rufus - have you phoned and shouted? I would have done. Well done on improvisation - I'm sure the guests didn't notice.

Mippy - hello. Love your throwing up on the curtains analogy - never fear, newcomers of all shapes and budgets welcome here. I would second recommendations for Asos, Gap or Debenhams.

Frizi-sorry DD is feeling unwell -enjoy the extra snuggles. I will be joining you in the nervous staring at the next meet up.

Happily - how cute that your DD wants a toothbrush - oh to be so easily pleased

Mippy - sounds like you have got some good advice! At 32A (on a good day...) I really am in no position to properly advice ladies with bountiful bosoms

happily - love the Barbie toothbrush request! I am also relishing DD at the age where she is clueless about consumerism. With no older siblings, and my blanket ban on adverts by only letting her watch childrens DVDs that I like as well (Anne of Green Gables anyone..?) the poor girl really hasn't got a clue. (Such an evil mother...) She does go to Kids Club after school where she mixes with older children, and in the holidays she was interested in their DS's - but all she has wanted to do is draw one and pretend to play it. When she was asked by an older lady in a shop last week what she wanted Santa to bring (yes, I was like ...it's October FGS...) she said she would like a toy fluffy mouse and the DVD of Nanny MacPhee. I think I can stretch to that.

OWW - Sorry to hear about the early morning call.

Def up for a Xmas meet-up. Logistics/diary may conspire against me, but we shall see. If everyone is really busy then we could do post Christmas/NY bash instead...like the pantos that go on into January!

I am doing a load of mock interviews today as people start to realise that they will be unemployed soon, and try to brush up their skills - I will try and be appropriately scary . Wearing Jigsaw wool skirt suit, Inwear blue top, lace tights and high heeled brogues with my new bracelet from DH.

Morning all, welcome Mippy. Just about get to 32A myself with chicken fillets so I can't help really. I imagine it must be hard work on the shoulders carrying a FF, apart from anything else. Bet you can do some incredible cleavage-tastic evening wear though.

My kids are total consumers. DS2, nearly 6, asked me whether he could have his own macbook Pro for his 9th birthday yesterday . I said s'th along the lines of you have to be f&*k%$g kidding!

In fact, being a total sucker, I popped out on saturday to buy the latest, must-have, biros for ds1 (8yo). They were out of stock (wait lists for special biros!!), but the trip was not wasted, as I went to H&M and got a beige sweater dress with cowl neck, 2 roll necks for under other things, a black poncho, which I'm wearing now, as freezing in my house, and some wool herringbone shorts to do that city short thing. Still need a pair of shoe boots though.

Sorry about the night fights Bunny. Less trouble in than out though

morning all. Welcome mippy. Another bustily challenged one here but glad you have had some good advice from the others.

sorry about early wake-ups/ disturbed nights/ poorly dc but hurrah for P, mrsJ

colour qu' for all of you colour sages - magenta. Argh. Yesterday was wearing magenta cashmere sweater some would say lipstick LOL tho truth be told think mine is a bit darker than this with denim mini and black tights and biker boots but the black looks a bit harsh against the pink. But brown looks wrong too. What do you think? I have this problem with pink colours (which I love) every flipping winter, need to sort it out.

also, was a bit bemused by my scant winter wardrobe today - surely I have lots of clothes??- until I realised that. of the last 4 winters, I have spent 2 with new babies, hence heavier and bfing around the clock, and 2 back home in the sun.

So now I feel like I need to buy lots of new things

How about grey like this

Cake - you have similar colouring to DH - he looks great in jewelled colours. Or would if he would wear them. Would charcoal tights work?

Magenta is a really hard colour to coordinate in winter. I cannot wear magenta anyway but think it is easier on tanned summer skin.

In winter lighter pinks generally go well with all the beige/greige/silver shades (think Chloé). Think pale beige suede and pale pink chiffon.

Snap Roma!

Love pale beige suede with pink chiffon, esp if from Chloe. Sigh, not sure that fits my life in massively rainy and freezing city with bouncy golden retriever and 3 grubby boys.

Mind you, it did occur to me when looking at the 19euro tops in H&M on Saturday that I was wearing: E200 coral cashmere tunic from boutique in Asolo (Veneto); £150 JBrand jeggings; £350 Bally riding boots; £219 Barbour parka; £200 Furla handbag; £400 iPhone4. Extravagant, moi?

Gold Ash hi-tops with magenta jumper?

Talking of pink and black, what do you think of the styling at IO? I've wondered whether it works or not. here

hmm, well being of asian extraction I have tanned summer skin no matter what the season, really

I think that before I go haring off and buying grey boots, I will circumvent the tights problem by only wearing said sweater with indigo jeans and my lovely (fingers x'd) new blue-with-pink-highlights MJ coat which, as my trusty DHL driver as just phoned to tell me, should be with me in about 30mins

then the shoes will be less of an issue too

I am a bit about the grey thing but only bc I wore (or tried to) my purple tam Tam last year with grey opaques and grey suede boots and my legs looked like sausages. It has put me off but must take into consideration fact that was carrying baby weight ... might be worth another go now...

Roma - you sound ripe for a mugging from a fashion savvy hoody... .

LTEC - I think magenta could work with dark grey (charcoal.)

I dunno about that IO pic Roma.. one of those ones where it looks okay in the pic but in RL wouldn't your legs be cold??