Should auld, WISE and AVID acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind, as long as they continue to shop, 2011 will be of the very best kind

[macmama]

New thread

Tracey - I would get the scarf too.

Cake - so glad that C's day went well

Hells - Happy Birthday ds!

oh...had rather sweet moment today when NBF - the lovely woman who would have been my near neighbour, had we been successful at the auction...said she was so sorry we wouldn't be neighbours...alas, no! Then talked about the new people buying the place, whom she'd just met, and I felt like crying! Silly.

Anyway....onwards and upwards...bought some new skinny jeans today...is it me or do they start to bag a bit...? Good old Gap ones...waist 26 ...but no idea what actual size they are...they always used to be a size? Also, bought a nice new fountain pen as my beloved, ancient pen has become very scratchy.... Oh, and bought a lovely navy leather handbag (Osprey)...I have brown and black but doesn't look right with navy based ensembles...oh God, I am becoming my Mother...no, no....

Right, now need to book hols...

Thanks Vin. this one looks particularly good given location, no??

carciofi- really sorry about your parcels- horrible for you :(
However, as others have said, if you have proof of purchase and used a returns label supplied by the company, I believe that you are safe and will be refunded.
If you just sent second class, less positive but I would definitely complain to the PO branch because 4 parcels going missing full of expensive clothes from the same branch is just too much of a coincidence!

vino- happy b/day to your DS!
I hope you hear from the London med school if that is your first choice. I'm intrigued to know where dragon lady is from!
Poor young bloke with such severe epilepsy :(

zembo- hope you had a lovely relaxing holiday and are feeling refreshed!

bloss- lovely dress!

Pleased all pre school sessions went so well!

Has anyone bought anything from the Toast sale? I tried a couple of dresses pre sale just to see but thought they were a bit tent like and overpriced so they were sent back.
However, I'm still undecided re a Winter coat and was looking at this and this in the cream or possibly the crabapple (although may be a bit orange for me).

The other contender was this but I know several of you thought it was a bit overdone!

Have any of you got the time/ patience to give any opinion? Would be much appreciated :)

Looby, I like the Toast Moleskin the most out of the 3; the Farhi doesn't quite know what it wants to be and not sure about the lack of buttons towards the bottom of the other Toast one.

Carciofi, I was reading something only this weekend about internet shopping being the 'safest' in that retailers are subject to different legislation. Will not attempt to explain as someone else is going to know exactly what I mean and be far more articulate about it. Very annoying as one feels so helpless when dealing with Royal Mail (bitter voice of experience). Fingers crossed it all gets resolved.

Just had quick scan through thread - so many posts in 24 hours! will check links later.

NY Have been to venue 1 and 2, both very cool, no. 2 possibley more sophisicated than no.1, not familar with the others

I have been here for a girls evening and both food and service was great, with really good owner/manager who was such a charmer!

Am also starting to feel like I am preparing for a wedding Haven't been to one for a while , so that's not necessarily a bad thing!

For mezze-ish food, http://www.levant.co.uk/ this might be good, although really like look of the one on Golden Sq too-the gin one.

Looby, I liek the crabapple, looks pinky-red rather than orange to me.

Just popping in quickly to say happy birthday to mini Vin and mini Hells

carciofi - that is so annoying about the parcels although you never know they may turn up.....do you not get any pay-out from Royal Mail even if it is only a fraction of the true value?

NY - IMO anywhere too far east is a no-go so not Hoxton or Shoreditch.
I like the last one you linked to too.
I would worry that drinks in the Knightsbridge/Kensington locations will be extotionate.

Had two parcels delivered today.

Dexter - I got my Mitford boots but I don't think I like them so being wise they will have to go back . I didn't realise that the zip was faux and I deliberately bought them a size bigger than normal so that I could put my sheepskin insoles in them . But the bloody insoles still don't fit in these either. Seriously I do not understand in what footwear you are supposed to insert these bloody things and still get your foot in afterwards!!

Also had a whistles delivery - a couple of things were quite good. Not sure I can link as think the things are no longer on the website. Am keeping a nice cashmere fitted sweater in a beige tweedy wool and a nude scoop neck tee. Definitely going back is a cowl neck chiffon top with little beads all over - not a good fit on me and shoulders = too puffy. Not sure about the knitted striped blazer - is a very slim cut at the arms so I couldn't get much underneath but it is a bargain and does look good. Will ponder.
Bloody annoying returns policy in the sales at whistles though which I knew they had instore but thought did not apply online but apparently does.
No refunds, only an exchange and iirc not even a credit note - must buy something there and then what a pita. I just know I won't see anything I like when I go in

Looby - I think the toast ones are too voluminous and am not sure on the farhi one.

Do you desperately need a new coat because if not I'd be tempted to wait till next AW.

Esher, are you sure? On the website, the returns policy is:

'You can at any time within 14 days of receiving goods from us, return any goods you are not completely happy with.
Once you decide to return items you must not use them and must take good care of them while they remain in your possession. The items must be returned to us intact and undamaged as soon as reasonably possible. We regret that for reasons of hygiene, we are unable to refund or exchange earrings. We will, on receipt of the returned items, refund to the payment card the price paid for the goods returned to us. The original delivery costs will not be refunded (exceptions apply). '

Nothing on there about sales being different. I'd be inclined to just take it to PO and send it back to them

Thx for the opinions.

tracey- I actually don't have a proper Winter coat (only a raincoat and a light Spring coat- not particularly warm) so I guess you could say I need one, although have managed in previous years! The weather seems to be colder this year so made me think I should have one.
I know what you are saying about waiting but am tempted by buying a good quality coat in the sales as full price prohibitive for me :)

Having said all that, the lovely, generous vin is sending me a Winter coat so I may not need one after all if it fits well!

Just posted and lost post -mums net keeps going offline on me

Plum - thanks I thought I had checked before ordering and I was right! Will read riot act if they try and refuse me a postal refund

Looby - not wild about those toast coats.
Have you had a look at the sale coats on my wardrobe. Not sure what size you are looking for but the Farhi weekend in Bruges coat is lovely. They also have a Paul & Joe tweed that is nice. The Farhi one you linked to is on my wardrobe too I think. It looks better on the model on the MW site than as a cut out on the Anna site. Is not my fave but I like it better than the toast ones.
HTH

oh that's great about the Vin coat Looby - I was going to ask your colouring as the colours on the toast coats could be a bit hit and miss for some.

trouser update:

these Joseph flares! good but very expensive so I'm undecided. Also when I tried them on with a white shirt and 'statement' necklace...they felt very age appropriate . Do you know what I mean? it's a sort of 'smart 40 year old' look.

m-missoni expensive again...but good. urghhhh. though it's such a weird length. I think you have to look very convinced you 'know what you are doing' to pull it off.

"best skinny trouser" - yeah right not on my fat bottom. I can't even get the zip up

another expensive pair but quite good. I have order the MIH ones to compare. Will report back.

I know this looks extremely avid but I will only keep one pair (or maybe none!)..I'm just trying to get out of my skinny jean rut!

Hells, Love the Missoni, really love the COH, partic styled their way, agree the Joseph very bland/safe/blah. Just not fabulous enough for a gal like you!

Night all.

Sorry, I can only do a quick post tonight so haven't properly caught up (though happy birthday to the dc's over the next few days). No call today with a job offer or otherwise, which I guess I'm not entirely surprised by, but it's still doing my head in.

I'll keep my fingers crossed Apuski.

Also - if any of you ladies are on Linked In, then feel free to find and add me - it makes us both look better at networking!! If you are on my fb then you will know my name, if not then PM me.

What about the Joseph ones with a skinny skinny jumper and heels for work?
I like the missoni ones a lot too.
Like the COH jeans too - I have a similar-ish pair of see by Chloe flared jeans and some wide leg Goldsigns which I will be getting out come spring
Only ones I don't like are the Acnes.

I actually really like wide leg trews whether or not they are in but does anyone else's DH hate them? Dh calls them my "clown trousers" but whenever I wear the Goldsigns people (other women) ooh and ash and ask me where they are from.

Thank you esher- that is v helpful.
The NF Bruges coat is v nice but I don't think it is me- too military, not soft enough.
I actually really like the way the other one (puff sleeved one) looks on the model. I wasn't entirely sure about the belt but it looks good belted but not buttoned.

I know what you are saying re Toast coats being voluminous and that was exactly my experience with the dress/ tunic I ordered. I find it really quite hard to judge things online- much easier in the shop. I am also a great one for going around feeling the fabrics!

plum- hope your DS is okay.

hells- I like the flared jeans a lot and the Joseph trousers too. The Missoni cropped ones are nice but they wouldn't work on me (too pear shaped).
I think the acmes would be v unflattering on most figures.

My colouring- darker than average but not quite olivey with dark hair and brown eyes. I was thinking of a grey coat ideally. Having seen the info' posted on here re colours, I am either a Summer or a Winter :)

Hells love Missonis very cutting edge! Joseph are possibley just a bit safe

Looby Toast coats very different in style and functionality to NF, not crazy about coats with a tie around the waist I think the Toast coats are nice but a lot more casual.

Am thinking of ordering this a la Shane Watson, yestedays Style supplement, what do you ladies think? there is so much on that website I need to return for further viewing!

Could any of you wise and avid ladies please tell me how to get onto the Brora website? I am tempted by talk of bargain cashmere