WIT or Wisdom? Who cares... the festive season is nearly upon us and one thing is certain: Avidity is the new black.

[LetThemEatCake]

Trick or treat! [hsmile]

Ooh, report back on that new shopping place dt, then I can send my dh next time he's down there!!

Morning!

MM - You have been avid haven't you?! Lots of lovely links to click on. I like that Gap dress and can see that it could be worn with so many things.

Tracey - Enjoy your well deserved rest!

Rnjoy the shopping DT!

Miserable weather here. Am shivering in wool jigsaw suit,polo neck, trench coat and animal print scarf.

Hello! Back from a trip to the UK. It was lovely - esp Halloween, we did brilliant carved pumpkins with flying witches and loads of the neighbours had gone to town with the decorating, US-style. Twas all much fun, luckily as I'm a Hallowe'en baby (quite shocked to be 38 already ). Don't have time to read through, hope everyone's OK. Bunny still pg? Blowing a gale over here.

bloss - it's ok at New Change. A bit dark in the shops - need more lighting and some of the assistants are not as clued up on the products.

Reiss - ok, not as good as Leadenhall.

Banana Republic - nothing in there!

LK Bennett - I have two stores now to fight look for size 42 shoes!

Hobbs - good.

Karen Millen - too noisy.

Hugo Boss - lovely staff, lovely layout, lovely prices!

KG - great for anyone with size 6 feet but very busy.

Phase 8 - good. I have already called them but no answer. I have called Broad Street and they all sizes so if anyone wants anything I am going at 12.30pm.....

I have only ventured into the clothes shops.

Hello! Bit nervous about interrupting with my post - I've read your posts sometimes and love that you all obsess about love clothes as much as me!

So - am posting to ask for some help please. It is my lovely boyfriend's birthday on Friday and I am stressing about his present. I've chosen some lovely kiehls products, and a light from scp. But I wanted to get him a scarf too.

He likes bold colours (ideally, mustard or variations thereof) - but they can be dark (beige and brown are out). So - I spotted this but - it is very narrow, and curls around the edges, which ruins it. Have any of you spotted anything this year which you would recommend? I've tried liberty, albam, brora, urban outfitters et al. I'm not sure what the male equivalent of jigsaw/ whistles is. But I think that, or just a little boutique, is what I'm looking for.

Thank you...

LTEC- I'm pleased that you like the stripy Janice- I was sure someone would on the thread!
I would call up customer services and speak v nicely and request that they match the in store offer, that you are a regular customer, etc, etc- it could work. Otherwise, if you really want the jacket and dress and can afford it, I would just pay the extra £25 otherwise you might regret it later:)
I like your leather shorts too btw and you look so tall, slim and pretty on you profile that I think you could carry off anything!

Speaking of shorts,I bought some Winter tweed shorts from asos (Mango ones)- after much deliberation about looking like mutton dressed as lamb(apologies but cannot link on this computer). They are actually really nice and don't make my bottom look too mamoth!
Can anyone tell me what outerwear they wear with their shorts. I'm not sure I would wear a long coat as it would look like I had nothing underneath so maybe a shorter one or do you wear a long cardigan? Advice please :)

bunny- I'm really surprised if Livia is in the top 200- I think it was more like 4 or 500s in the 2008 stats and only about 40 or 50 children in total so definitely not popular! I adore the name Eleanor partly because it is beautiful and classic and partly because of the historical associations like yourself.
Anyway, good luck with the last few wks.

ABO- I absolutely love your burnt orange dress!

MM- I have tried on that stripy full circle dress too and thought it looked okay but you have made me wonder now- will try it again later!!

Tracey I knew you'd like the jumper. Yangy I got a 14 in it - I am a 12 but with a large chest and cannot get away with anything clingy on the belly! It's quite fitted. I really like it.

I need a luxe on a tight budget scarf to go with my leather jacket. I want one in an animal print preferably (greys I am thinking) and don't want to pay more than £50. Anyone seen anything?

I am also fed up of my search for some low heeled everyday boots. I want some grey boots I can wear with dresses and skinnies. I already have biker boots and think the Ash ones I love are too high.

Rainy and wet here too. Arts and craft afternoon I think.

Yangy - do you know a good tailor? I'd take your work stuff and get it all taken in to fit you.

Romana - glad you had a good halloween? Is the job situation any better?

Hi civil - do lily and lionel do men's scarves? Am sure they do . . .

Hi fawlty. I can't link right now, but flicking through the Crew catalogue (any excuse, the model is gorgeous) and I see a nice navy tartan mustard stripe scarf, lambswool, £40. crewclothing.co.uk.

Sorry Looby .

Yangy hope you got my sizing info in time (x posts)

Another question - I know it is a bit early but what will you all be wearing for the festive season? We've just decided to go away for NY with friends to a country mansion (which we have yet to find) so need to be warm, glam and feel lovely .

MM - not sure about festive clothes yet although could do with starting to think about it.

Did mammoth trying on session on friday night when everyone out at bonfire night and would like a nice day dress thats a bit glam but not ott.

Whats everyone wanting for christmas this year - I am at a loss for once.

civil, have you tried Reiss? They have a fair few scarves, I like this particularly.

John Lewis have a good selection too, this could be good it he likes brights.

this is nice, oh statment-necklace-lovers

Monkey, this scarf looks good, but did you want something more like a pashmina-weight?

While looking, have found this dress, which I like on the model, but am a little confused by. Am thinking with tights and brogues, but wondering if the skirty bit would just be really tatty looking.

Depends on how little you looking to spend MM! I have got 2 scarves from H & M that I am delighted with, and think they have got a great range in this year. They are fairly cheap and cheerful (around £10 I think) but a lovely range of prints.

LTEC, what did you decide to do? I love that sequin jacket.

Harrods was horribly busy so went to Harvey Nicks and admired this pink Alexa and this scarf but did not buy anything.

Civil, I think John Smedley do some nice scarves for me.

Tracey, enjoy the peace. Dh has promised me this bag for Christmas.

I bought a lovely pink DKNY wool dress in the summer so will wear that on Christmas day, hopefully it will still fit!

MM, H&M or Zara for scarves?

It is annoying when someone uses a name you like but what can you do.

Plum - love the Zara statement necklace!!

Carciofi - "It is annoying when someone uses a name you like but what can you do." You can kick them in the shins. Or give them a Chinese burn on the forearm. Worked in primary school...

Hello. Loads of posts.

So party on Sat night was good. Wore VW Anglomania dress (finally!, although now bit big), VB ankle boots, anthracite Wolfords, hair low side-ish ponytail and deep red soft lipstick. Was a good one, but the best bit was the children's excitement at fireworks!

Need an excellent party / cocktail dress too for early Dec. Have a large print Paul & Joe (coral and pinkish hues) one in the wardrobe worn a couple of times. But a new one is always feels nice, doesn't it?

Ummm cold weather, also found a size8 cream Vanessa Bruno coat from a few years ago so don't need to get a new one. But would love something warm and non-coatish for the short school run. Hate driving in wool coats.

Will read the rest now

Ok - Janice pics on profile for a while. I'm in 2 minds as I love the colour and the drapeyness but not sure if it's fitted enough at the waist and whether I'm tall enough. Maybe I should try it on with some heels. Honest opinions would be very gratefully received.

And please ignore the 'just about to go swimming' hair, lack of makeup and fingerprinty mirror - have just cleaned it after seeing the photos!

mm - I like your topshop buys - how are the biker jeans on the thighs?