Party frocks ahoy! Avidly and wisely dressing ourselves for the party season!

[blossoming]

Sorry to hear about your dd dolcee. Hope things improve soon.
Glad to hear your family were better behaved this time ollie.

I wonder what an avid and wise Christmas party would be like. Where would we have it? What would you wear? (Complete fantasy obviously!)

Lordy no commando action here.

tracey you're not alone

esher wow, what a post! And good haul. I prefer the charcoal personally and think it would go with more.

Apuski - hope you are out having a lovely time, wearing something you feel fab in
I quite often have wardrobe/confidence crisis just as I am about to go out. I think it's because I no longer have the time/energy/inclination for mammoth try on/try out sessions just for the sake of it, so I plan outfits/new clothing combos in my head - then when I put them on I quite often sometimes find they don't work together/look crap and I have a mad panic to find something that does and end up in a boring old faithful......

Evening all, coming from you from the darkened room yet again. Dd has been with inlaws all day and came home as high as a kite so is taking a which to settle. That's the price I pay though for having a lovely day shopping with my friend.

Returned blue Janice (sniff) and tried on stripey janice but think i agree with tracey that they are just not made for shorties.

Coated skinnies nice but not fir me. Sizing is less generous than straight legs so apologies if I've misinformed you Tracey. Gap was heaving so got a bit fed uo and came away without using my voucher which was a shame but may pop to ago outlet nearby tomorrow to see if they've got anything worth having.

Lots of lovely things in urban outfitters. Got this skirt which is nicer than it looks there, and some lovely tights and earrings.

Nothing else noteworthy really but had fun lusting over the bags in selfridges and had lovely lunch in harvey nics.

Can i ask for opinions on the links of London cHarm bracelets please? Are they over now? Dh asked if i'd like one for Christmas and i do like the look of them but wondered if there might be a less ubiquitous alternative.

Tracey and loopy ( was it you loopy?) yes please, I will take you up on belt offer as the alternatives just don't cut it. What is the sizing like? I am usually a largish 10. On bottom. Will a small fit, or loopy do you have a medium? Will obviously reimburse + postage - just need to have one!

Right, all is quiet, time for x factor. Sorry for any typos. Am not good on iPad.

Oh yes, meant to say had a fab night last night. Many compliments on dress and general appearance which is always nice. Up/downside of belted dress was that i could only fit in half of my dinner!

Me me me - will catch up with everyone else later when i can do the 2 tabs thing.
Enjoy your evenings everyone x

I am rather shamefacedly de-lurking as the regularity with which I am now doing so is making me seem a bit odd.

I posted way back when on the first thread in the early stages of pregnancy and, one baby later, am ready to get involved with gusto, if you'll have me?

Some of the recent links are gorgeous. Stripy Janice is just lovely, but as I'm breastfeeding for the foreseeable future, I'm wondering if it's a truly wise investment. I doubt it. Any opinions on whether it is drapy enough to feed in?

DH came home with the animal jacquard dress as a well done for getting through the first two months present (he's an excellent enabler), which I'd heartily recommend. It's a jumper dress but nicely structured so has quite a Joan Holloway feel to it.

Ooh I 'm glad you said that esher. I don't do commando either. I have charnos hourglass pants, they come up to my bra strap and cup my bum cheeks. Invisible, but a secret weapon.

fleecy, glad I'm not alone but find it difficult to believe of you though.

MrsJ - I've got the small and think that would be absolutely fine - pm me your details and i'll send it on to you Have to do a mammoth post office trip on monday so can send it then.

Hello Red! Not sure it would be that easy to feed in janice - I'd have struggled I think.

Esher - loving your purchases - and I like the charcoal snood but then I generally love charcoal.

MrsJ - I found the coated skinnies were pretty true to size and there wasn't actually much difference between the 6 and the 8 but I sized down as know of old that gap jeans stretch a lot!

I think I would have loved the GAP coated skinnies but deliberately didn't go in there today as our printer has been unplugged (house renovations) so didn't have a 30% voucher.

I may stick with the charcoal snood as the blonde now has a 9wk wait

re commando-ing - I bought some half price spanx tights the other day - haven't worn them yet but am assuming (as they have weirdy gusset openings yeuch!) that you are not supposed to wear knickers with them

MRSJ - no Janice here either. Have not tried as had to send back the Phase8 Bertha dress for being just too long for me.

Sorry, also meant to say hello to Redllama

Thank you for the welcome ladies. Thanks also for the advice on the Janice tracey - it seems a little silly to get something which I probably won't end up wearing till next year.

I seem to remember seeing earlier in this/a thread (reveals extent of lurking) that you were looking at the Kate Moss final collection. I had my eye on one of the tea dresses - did you end up getting one? I can't work out whether it's really lovely and I need it or if I'm getting caught up in the moment and pursuing it unnecessarily (would mean an e-bay purchase). Whilst we're talking celebrity collaborations, I think I love this. Do I, or am I getting caught up in the moment once more? It's actually available in my size.

esher I have some of the spanx with holes - I never like to pee through them as I worry some might actually go on them which is most icky. Prefer to spend half an hour in the loo peeling them off and wriggling back into them.

Someone pointed out to me that it could be used as a willy hole, not a wee hole - surely much more fun that way and no Bridget Jones style nasty undies moment either

Forgot about Janice headcount - I have navy.

Oh and bloss I was always super skinny before having the DC so I sometimes get a bit wistful about it but unfortunately I got loads of stretchmarks on my tum both times and now have wrinkly skin with soft fatty bit. How lovely!

red like the dress and think it would be flattering on post-baby tum but not sure about the quality? Like yangy I have had fab shoes from there but some of the clothes look cheap IRL. Have you seen it in the shop or just online? Worth a punt I suppose with free delivery!

am about to catch up, dcs asleep, dh out, am going to pour a wine and enjoy the day's chat!

This is the thing fleecy, the cut is lovely, but I could end up resembling a pair of net curtains if the quality is not up to scratch. Haven't seen it in rl and not sure I can face my local Peacocks.

I also used to peel down my funny crotch spanx - how you would negotiate the crotch and remain splash-free is unbeknownst to me. I far prefer the alternative use suggestion.

Having a bit of a crisis of confidence re: blue janice here on reading that fellow petites are finding it too long! Maybe I'm deluded in thinking it looks ok, but I actually wouldn't want it any shorter - when I sit down it rides halfway up my legs.

Tracey what size did you go for in the gap jeans - I've ordered the 00 and 0 thinking its better to size down for gap.

Carciofi LOVE the AH bag.

Esher I'd def go for the charcoal in the snood -very nice.

MM OWW hope you're feeling better, you're both lucky with DP/DH taking over on the home front so you can rest all I can say is it's a good job I'm NEVER ill!

Fleecy Bloss I compare myself to my much younger skinny self at all times too. Actually I'm physically not that different just less toned due to lack of exercise. I used to be a complete gym bunny (upto 10 x per week ) and a perfect size 6.

Hi Red

Zembo - I got the US2 as that was the smallest they had and don't think I could have squeezed into any smaller without muffin top issues - but think I'm bigger than you and am apple shaped

How are you feeling? And is your DH coming to terms with the news? We just laughed hysterically for about a month when I found out I was pregnant with DD.

Hey Red. That dress is the one I linked to in the 'lace for cake' link further down! It's getting a lot of love in the press and I like the overall look of it. Haven't seen in person so I can't swear to the quality though!

I went through my wedding box today trying to find my ring size so dh can buy me a ring for my right hand for Christmas. I saw some forgotten photos. It makes me quite angry. Why did none of my highly paid hairdressers ever say, get a fringe love!!

Red I think it is a dress for now and very pretty - know what you mean about the quality, but would you be wearing it next year, or just a one season thing in which case doesn't matter as much I guess.

Tracey I'm wondering if I'll get the jeans past my thighs actually (being of slight pear dimensions) - waist might be ok, but need to be able to hoist them up to that level . I'm feeling fine thank you and DH is being a real sweetie (for him) as in not negative about it. I haven't actually told my family yet - my mum's abroad and will be seeing her in a few weeks so will tell her then.. think it's prob best to wait.

Carciofi I'm sure everything will be fine - I wouldn't bother with a private scan as not long to wait anyway.

Tracey I actually keep (completely) forgetting I'm pregnant, esp when it comes to buying clothes - what am I doing ordering size 00 jeans???!!!! or actually ordering anything at all..

Bunny hope you're feeling ok (overall)

ooooh,that's better . Nice to see you all.

MrsJ glad you had a great evening and looked lovely - also that you managed to get some child-free RL shopping today.

Apuski 4 months is nothing. Don't be hard on yourself (although I well remember what I was like at 4 months ... ) Hope you are having a lovely evening and meeting lots of nice MNers who all tell you how great you look!

tracey shame about the houses. Your time will come. Glad you got some jeans though!

Dolce don't you sound the goddess!! beautiful. Glad you had a wonderful night.

No commando action here btw.

esher what a great haul. I tried on a fab sweater in Reiss the other night, silver lurex, slouchy and rather fabulous, quite fancied the idea of it with leather leggings .. can't find it on the website for the life of me but it was too exxy anyway, that M&S one looks a good alternative!!

Lots of delurking going on, good to see, hello all

Bloss I have a colours qu for you. Obv our colouring is v different but is it poss that I am a winter too? I would say that I suit greys and jewels (although I believe I also suit brown.... _ - wdyt??

wow, all the lace dresses!! Fabulous. I actually had some shopping success today (despite not actually going shopping ) .. afew weeks ago I bought this lace dress which was half as ££ as the next nicest I've seen (Plum's M&S one) .. but I've been vexed by the nude slip since it made it not work with black tights and shoes ... anyway, today I purchased, I kid you not, a jolly good copy of these CAn you guess where from?? SAINSBO's!! Can you guess how much?? £10!!!!!

Ladies I have tried them on with the dress and nude tights and I hope I will not sound full of myself when I say it looks great.

also on the lace subject - red I saw that dress the other day in RL, quality seemed okay but having tried on this in navy the other night I've come to the conclusion that lace + that shape is too girly girly for me.

who was asking about bfing Janice?? I'd say not, too.

Can I just say how horrifying it is that Spanx have wee holes??? I have never bought them and that's just put me right off.

bloss there are many internet ways to measure your finger, like here in case you can't find it.

I am having a not liking my body moment too, just feelng very very unfit indeed and finding it difficult to get much exercise. And supposed to be going to Australia wearing bathing suits so need to step up the exercise and stop buying cookies.

I just got two jumpers to try on and possibly send back, this one Bloss I can hear you saying that that's NOT an autumn colour but it's actually purple and bears no resemblance to the online picture.

and this one in chocolate because I really wasn't sure about the blue. I have to say that despite my resisting brown as dull for years it really truly is one of my wow colours. Apparently my boobs look nice in it as DH is a big fan. NOt sure about the other one...

Thanks for the advice Zembo (and the lovely welcome). I did similar things when pregnant when it came to ordering loads of clothes 'for later' which I'm really hoping are going to be fine come the Summer!

The Peacocks number is a dress for now style-wise, but a look I've always been drawn to. Did anyone else read today's Caitlin Moran opener in the Saturday Times magazine? I could relate.

On your mention of media hype notyummy, I googled the dress and have been further sucked in. I'm an ad-man's dream, I really am.

LTEC I will leave this to Bloss (who has actually met you) but it's really hard to say. Our lady said the big test was if you can wear orange, which apparently does not suit winters at all.