Karl, Marc and Oscar might be three WISE men, but if it's AVID women you're after, this is the place

[PlumSykes]

new thread

ollie I like the top, especially the slate blue colour. Don't know how wearable it would be as the model looks a bit swamped and not very flattering from behind.

Yes Fritzi - I did think it was a poor picture of the model wearing it - you'd probably need to make sure you got the sizing spot on ie go down?

Bloss, I saw some gorgeous striped jersey fabric in JL this week. Might be time to dust off the sewing machine again! (I remember your summer dress very well)

Found it - but think I may have over hyped it a bit - sorry! Stripes are a lot wider than I remembered and not sure if style is too baggy for wearing under blazer! Nice with jeans tho!
inwear top

Maybe that would be the way to go plum. Tops elude me! Cowl neck is easy too I think. Anyway, I have ordered the janice bow top in the meantime.
Thanks for the link ollie. I must say I was in Jigsaw on Thursday and I was very underwhelmed. Who are they aiming at these days? Is it the larger lady? (Lots of draping and loose fit). All will be forgiven if they bring out another breton top though.
A friend of mine just called unexpectedly as she was here for a few days visiting her father. Her birthday is on the same day as the birthday invite we received yesterday. So it looks like I'll have to choose one to go to (and I think dh's friend/colleague will win as that invite came first), which means I only get to dress up once.

I bought a navy Janice in the sales.

Now - how to wear it?

Re: Janice-esque tops - how about Anglomania? Sadly more expensive than Phase Eight but nice and drapey! Or M&S Autograph sometimes have nice draped tops.

Ooh, ollie, that In Wear top is perfect. Do they sell in the UK I wonder?

Happy New Year everyone! All been hectic here. House looks like a laundry/restaurant but slowly getting back to normal - thank heavens. Back to work on Tuesday for a rest methinks!

Jigsaw The founder is a 'larger' lady I think.

Last link I promise - I picked up this top from Zara the other week in the navy and white stripe - to add to my collection of navy and white stripes .

here

Bloss - I can easily get that top for you and post it. There is an InWear store in The Hague and a concession in Delft or I could get one online? Just say the word - or Ja as we say in Dutch!

Apart from it being cream and navy. Thanks anyway ollie.

everything- sorry that you and your DH couldn't work things out. I hope that 2011 is a much happier year for you and that lots of fantastic things await you :)

tracey- you always sound so efficient! Where do you get your energy from?
I have also being starting a toy/ clothes tidy up but haven't achieved anywhere near as much as you!

bloss I like the Janice top you linked too but I think I would need an 8 and they have sold out.

Still haven't managed to get to the sales yet.

Has anyone seen a smart wool coat, preferable single breasted, perhaps in grey?
I think bloss' one has sold out now and have looked at several other sites but either sold out in my size or not too impressed.

I think my monthly budget for clothes/ shoes/ make up will be £100ish. I really need a decent handbag atm (current one is falling apart) and would like a good quality leather one so that might be my first buy of the NY (although may persuade DH to buy it as my errr late Xmas present)!

Happy new year hf!
ollie, they had a British website too. I had a bit of a browse but was a bit surprised at their other stuff!

As a regular lurker/occasional poster I just wanted to pop in to wish you all a Happy New Year.

I'm channeling your wise vibes at the moment as I'm building my work wardrobe from scratch at the moment after maternity leave and trying to buy items that I can mix and match rather than my usual haphazard style.

This thread is fab but I'm not on MN/avid enough to keep up (plus I fear this thread would cost me £££!!)

Anyway, hope 2011 brings you all more wisdom and avidity (is that a word?)

p.s. I got my lovely (well I think so) grey single breasted coat in Benetton this year but can't link as I can't find a decent web site.

Oops extra "at the moment" - that'll teach me not to preview!

Evening avid ladies,have just returned from ski hols and had quick read of thread, gosh you all put me to shame with your new year resolutions, mine are superfical by comparision ,I'm having a good think about them again though which is positive.
Got lots of wear from Houlihans with suede shoe boots and various tops in the evenings while on hols, also brought 'sevens'skinnies which I wore with black Rutzou shoe boots and fur gillets etc.
Bonsoir : totally agree with your advice regarding diet ,I also do the same and have managed to maintain same weight since I got married 20 odd years ago and 3 dcs later!
Plum I adore your Topshop gillet - unfortunately they're all sold out!
Best wishes to all for the new year.

Vin thanks for that! and here,here to buying less but better! I shall make it my mantra for the new year!

Thanks belligerent, and rip for your lovely comments to the thread.

Oh no have just finished the Jane Digby book - was so fabulous but am now book-less.

Any recommndations - am in a historical mood at the moment.

Like tracey, my sorting out day completely took over - it started very badly with DP responding to my very polite suggestion that we seize the day to swap the wardrobes that he wanted some of our clothes and linens cupboard space for his personal filing. Grrrrrrrr.

Anyway, after a slight hiccup, a bath and the remains of last night's bottle of prosecco we did actually achieve what we set out to do, and tonight all my clothes are in my dressing room and all DP's clothes are in the two built-in wardrobes just outside our bedroom . The downside, however, is that there are now lots of homeless sheets, towels, spare bedding, toolboxes and miscellany DD's artwork camping in the boys' room and in the corridor that need to be rehoused before Tuesday night when the boys return. So I think I will need to go both to Ikea and BHV to look for storage solutions (boxes and bags) between now and then.

I got rid of quite a lot of old clothes as did DP - very satisfying . Out with the old, in with the new for SS11!

vin - keep me posted on the Paris trip!

looby, maybe House of Fraser or John Lewis would have an 8?