Whoever said money can't buy happiness, simply didn't know where to go shopping - or the Wise & Avid lot!

[OllieWollieWoo]

Stamp on the new thread (quote from Bo Derek btw!!!)

Hi all,

The red Anglomania dress has been worn twice and I am very pleased with it not being black. Thank you for the recommendation.

As a lover of leopard print I also bought these and returned the LK Bennett Jane shoes as the KG's looked better for work too. The KG's have stretched their sizing as a 41 is generous!

I did feel a bit out of sorts going to dinner this week at a hotel - most of the women were wearing jeans and I was so excited to be going away with DH and DC that I wanted to dress up. Is it not the done thing to put on a dress for dinner anymore?

What a pain dt. I always dress up regardless. I fear the never knowingly underdressed crowd are in a minority though. Love the look of red and leopard. Leopards are a bit inconsiderate re their colouring for me though!

ltec, are they suede?? (Looks out of rain-lashed of window).

Phew - thank goodness someone has agreed with me. I felt a bit horrible making such an observation. I am not criticising at all. I actually started to worry that there was a new fashion code in hotel dining i.e. dress down big time to jeans and tops (disclaimer: I love jeans and tops).

I just wanted to make an effort as I am in corporate wear all week and not much opportunity to go out.

Back to unpacking and washing and domesticity.....

agree w bloss - don't let the great unwashed unstylish majority lower your your standards. That way lies the madness of the fleece ...

on that note, why let the rain dictate your shoes choices? Hmph. Sodden it!! Red suede it is!!

cough

LTEC good to see you back- was peeking at your blog yesterday- are those boots really from Primark? They look great!

I love all red shoes, I have far too many of them. V good with breton etc

Well A&W ones, I have a childminder, hurrah, well I don't, but I might have by next week when I go and see her so I may only have to rely on P for one day (and she's trilingual and marvellously cheap for London- ie not my entire salary or more). She sounds good because I used to spek to DD in Spanish and her first words were quite a mixture of English and Spanish, so I want the same for DS ideally, but we shall see when I go next week.

No shopping news from me but got exam results today and they were good

OOPS bloss less discreet cough

I used to always be 'well put together' shall we say, from a really young age

but then I actively tried to look a mess so I fitted in. Like jeans, moth eaten faded t-shirt, notsoartfully dishevelled mess, even when going out in London

But it's really no fun. Have quit now. Do not let the masses dictate your style!

ltec you can make suede waterproof with that shoe spray?

vino Well done you! Have a glass of champagne to celebrate (exams and arranging childcare!).

dt Another vote for never knowingly underdressed. I know that most people will turn up in jeans for tomorrow night but I don't care and will dress up nevertheless.

cake Love the shoes and envy your ability to walk in such high heels. I would swagger like a drunken giraffe.

Vino Congats!! On both fronts!

God I agree about dressing up for dinner. I actually (in a funny way) enjoy being more dressed up - as it makes other people feel under-dressed

Great unwashed! Love that. There is nothing I like more than being the best dressed, best groomed in the room.
I love red and breton and camel. Hate camel colour on me though.

I'm the same, vino. Apart from my overlong grunge phase (where I still wore chanel cosmetics!!)

vino, congratulations. I may have to crack open the wine to toast your success later. (Not on an empty stomach again though, so no drunken posting!)

Quick one from me... DH and I like to go to the opera, always wearing something formal, and I am scandalised at the number of great unwashed attendees who go in jeans and T-shirts. If you are not getting dressed up for a Saturday night at the Royal Opera House, when are you getting dressed up? Even when 8 months' pregnant (w DD) I was still in a cocktail dress and heels. I am not an animal, after all

Hi Cakey! Red, red, red - the best colour for accessories!

Hmm, again, normal am anti-Boden, but those trousers are v nice and I like the bag, but actually in the anthracite (aka grey) or tan, over the pewter.

Vin - yay - congrats!! On both exam results and child minder - well done!!!

Have to run and finish chores before DD arrives back from the park w babysitter...

bunny We love the ballet and cannot fathom some of the outfits you see! It's actually quite extraordinary.

massive congrats vino that's great news! BTW forgot to say, LOL at your charity shop trousers and very about lace dress - am still looking.

agree re heel height fritz but block heel so comfy?? ish??

bloss the pale beige-y camels are rubish on me but the richer toffee type is good. I know I said nbo camel coat for me this year but I succumbed. Also bought red Jaeger number in wool and cashmere, lovely. Both 100x better than the Mj one, with arms that come all the way down

Am going out for dinner with SIL and new new husband in a few weeks time - saw them yesterday and she and I had both independently decided to dress up for the occasion, even if everyone else in the restaurant is wearing jeans. We just don't get so many chances to glam up these days - so why not?

Well done on your results vin

Hi there cake nice to see you. Love soon-to-be-your red shoes. I wore a red coat yesterday - so cheery on a grey day.

My loafers arrived today. They're a lovely dark berry patent colour with a chunky heel - loving them.

LTEC - lovely to have you bag. Beautiful heels - I too envy you being able to walk in them! Well you being doing links to illustrate you recent avidity?

Fleecy - can you link? They sound exactly what I have been looking for!

A plea for a recommendation for a girls coat. DD is very tall and 21 months (takes gap age 3 . l I seem to recall there was discussion about a brilliant girls coat but I can't find the link or the sizing advice!!! I stupidly didn't read it at the time as I thought her coat was o.k - but now realising it's not warm enough.

Vino - thank goodness! That's great news.

have you bag?? Have you back!

Hells I think it was this

LTEC - spill what have you bought? Those red shoes are lovely - they were in grazia this week I think.

Bunny - 'I am not an animal' made me laugh I am also of the always overdressed camp.

Vin - well done you!

LTEC - ignore the styling but this is very nice in the flesh.

This scarf very nice too.

Can you tell I've just been to M&S via hobbycraft with DS1. God - being out with just him was bliss - actually could look at stuff and he has a keen sartorial eye

HF - haven't really got Germany sorted just had conversation with DH about it being a good idea for next summer. Good for biking so very high on his list.

tracey thanks for that. It crossed my mind that cycling might have something to do with it!!

If I had an endless pot of money I could go on holiday permanently! I have wasted so much time today looking at websites. I love Italy - but hotels are very £££. Well the ones I like anyway

Great shoes, LTEC, I love red.

Congrats on the exam results and great you found a childminder, Vin.

Hells, MM and I both bought Mayoral puffa coats for our DDs, AlexandAlexa have them, also PanacheKids. Sorry, would link but feeling bleugh and have to go to bed.

hf and tracey Let me know if I can be of any help. What kind of holiday are you looking for. Apart from biking for DHs? Or is it only tracey's DH?

Yay! Have finished editing manuscript for my friend and hope she can use my comments to find a publisher. DH on his way with pizza and salad so will crack open the red now.

fleecy Dark berry high-heeled loafers sound lush. Can you link please?

hells they are here

Am slightly embarrassed because I haven't bought anything from Clarks for years! But I have to say they work with loads and I actually prefer them to the brogues I had before. Am going to wear them in a shameless WIT rip off!

Oh also, there are some cheaper on eBay if you nose around - just linked for speed!