As we AVIDly await the joys of spring and the new fashion finds that it will bring, we WISEly contemplate our winter buys and return all goods that are unkind to the eyes

[macmama]

Couldn't resist!

Have never been to Traid in Brixton before; visiting a friend and her newborn and think I may even pass it on way from tube to hers...

I decided to go for the red dress and went back to buy, but it is completely out of stock. How is this possible?!

Going to my sister's tonight for dinner before she heads off to Vietnam for 3 weeks. Jealous? Me?

Evening all. Feeling a bit boring today in 'Mum' uniform of breton, skinnies, Ash high tops, Asos Barbour-a-like coat. Wore P&J dress to work yesterday - hugely overdressed and rather short but it felt very glam and cheery

Our bin is a £1.50 plastic box! When we had our kitchen done they tried to sell us those pull out bins in a drawer. So I got them to put the drawer in but saved £100 (I think) by missing out the bins and bought two large plastic boxes to go inside. Voila! One bin, one recycling box. £3 in total.

I would so love a KA - they look so pretty! And my processor/blender is on the way out. But I mainly use it as a processor so probably not the best choice.

I'm going to a local meet-up next week. What to wear? Don't want to let the W&A side down!

I remember buying new underwear when we got back from our honeymoon I figured it would be nice to have some new things to feel beautiful in.

Off to check out my-wardrobe... It's nearly Feb right?

Hello ladies, I haven't posted in a while but wondered if anyone had linked to these Uniqlo trousers. I have ordered the chinos and the skinny cargos after a friend introduced me to their magical weightloss skinny fit tapered. They are fab and £30!!! Also got this as recommended on WIT.

Can everyone tell me what you are wearing with your Janice dress? I have the striped and the navy (as recommended on Wise & Avid) but haven't worn them yet as no idea what to put with them. Dress up or down? Leggings or tights? Top underneath or cardie on top?

oooh my next bin will be a simple human one

We've been really happy with our Brintons carpet tracey. It's withstanding three small boys and 2 cats extremely well!

I've worn navy Janice with a milk chocolate brown jersey cardie over- but like you petit would welcome more ideas.

Any opinions on this please?

hi petit

I have navy and stripe Janice. Tend to do navy for eve, stripe for day, mainly bc the navy fabric is a bit silky for my liking for daytime. But I think that in summer I would probably wear it for day lunches or whatever with bare legs and leopard or metallic flats (have tried this on and think it looked good but would need to try again when a bit browner!)

I have layered them both but haven't liked doing so as I feel with the draping and the cowl and the layers. So tend to just get warmth from a hidden thermal vest and then chuck a thin black cardi over the top, plus a coat, and then shuck both top layers off as soon as I am inside.

on legs, opaques and shoeboots although did wear the navy once with bare legs and sky-high louboutins. Would also wear with bare legs and these metallic heels Re stripe, have worn so far with opaques and buckled knee-high Belstaffs and also with opaques and suede shoeboots. In summer I will wear with black Blochs and bare legs.

TMI I'm sure but the Janice is a subject that I hold dear!!!

I wear stripey with slouchy black v neck silk mix jumper. And opaques.
If I had the grey, I would wear it with a cardigan over it I think. I'm not cool enough to wear a long sleeve top underneath it.
Sorry abo, don't like it. Silk, £££ and combat pockets. Not for me.

I have the navy janice and have worn in the eve with no layers,just opaques and heelS.
Have worn on another occasion with black fine tee underneath,and would layer a cardi over but not sure what colour???
Am considering stripey Janice as we speak

H'mmm. Brora wristwarmers now £19. Will they go any lower do we think? I seem to remember £11 from last year but maybe that is wishful thinking ...

cake - not tmi at all - just a thorough and considered answer as I would expect

Girls lunch tommorrow so might try it with opaques and Edelmans (another W&A recommendation!!)

Now, tell me why Blochs over any other flat?? Just preference or are they especially comfy etc. I have horribly wide feet and after a few wears, most ballet flats look fugly

No need to apologise bloss! I think it looks middle aged, and you're right it's £££. But am prepared to be educated if I am missing something!

Think the consensus is that Janice is best alone - think she will be most versatile when the weather is a bit warmer. Oh, did do skinny armed denim jacket in the autumn with her which was OK.

I have the navy janice and wear it for evenings with nude heels but have also worn it in the day with black opaques, patent courts and skinny black belt. Have also worn with fine grey l/s tee under, grey wool tights and grey ankle boots.

Have hit a new low - watching Tool Academy while working. Not sure I'll make it through a whole hour...

petit I have big, wide feet and find Blochs very comfy. I am also quite hard on my shoes and they wear/ last well.

My leopard flats are by Pump & Circumstance and I have to say that they are very comfy and hard-wearing also.

Taste London, now renamed, with sparkling originality "felafel"

Yes - amazing.

Angels & Gypsies has finally opened too and is great.

Don't knock Camberwell. I bloody love it. Colourful and real. The Greek Cypriot shops, the Hermits Cave regulars - fantastic. We had a great life there.

Right, might have to try Blochs. Got very excited about Pump and Circumstance as I am looking for a good pair of leopard flats but can't see any on their website...

Have given up on Tool Academy - awful, and not the fun kind of awful either! Have moved on to last night's gypsy weddings...

I am having no encouragement re job application from anyone apart from you lovely people and DH.
My sister went so far as to say, 'I hope you don't get it. And don't mention me' (as if I would, she got her first job there, but 16 years ago, wtf?) 'They're all very bitchy and cliquey. And it's so far away.' (She doesn't drive).
I luckily found the application I made for threshold (to get to the next pay scale), and have copied chunks of it for my application letter. DH was astounded! See that's what you get when a SAHM, you lose your identity. People forget you used to have a job and were good at it, and led departments.
I am ranting.
I have a bad back and have missed 2 days of Jillian.
Normal behaviour will resume shortly.

oh bloss you sooo deserve that job. Boo hiss for your sister, bet she's jealous!

Stuff the lot of 'em bloss and focus on the reason you're doing it - for you and your family!

ah, bloss there's always someone who can't wait to rain on your parade and then jump in the puddles they create to splash water up your lovely, long, shredded and shoe- booted legs

Unfortunately they're often your nearest and dearest!

Hang in there! we're all behind you - with salmon, style and whatever else you need

Hi

Just off to catch up on day but quickly cake are you watching the diet programme on C4?

No choo working. Just finished. Why?

exhausted- sorry that you were struggling with PND and agree this is a great thread for encouraging mothers to look after themselves. Even a few changes can certainly boost your self confidence if not your bank balance!
I can't say that I feel very groomed yet bonsoir but have made a start!

plum/ apuski- I love that yellow Warehouse dress too. I am inspired by vin's yellow links!

everything- I am totally with you over WIT's special box for married lady underwear comment

ABO- I'm afraid I don't like the dress either- it's the pockets and the belt- looks a bit frumpy.

red- what a shame about the red dress- I love it and like the other one you linked to yesterday too. Sadly, I haven't got the bust to pull off those sort of lovely 1950s dresses. You see- we always see the flaws in our own figures/ looks!

petit- I wear the stripy Janice with black rollneck/ long sleeved black top underneath plus black cashmere cardigan (long one). I have only worn the navy one once- agree with cake that it is more formal and wore with black opaques and shoeboots but maybe I should start to wear it to work..

bloss- how mean of your sister :( I really hope you do get the job- you sound v excited and motivated!

vin- sorry to hear about your bitchy colleague. I thought most people grew out of that sort of childish behaviour in the school playground!

Hope your back is recovering roma, although often these things tend to be more painful the next day...

Bonsoir*- I expect the students at Camberwell had a v individual sense of style which you perhaps don't appreciate . I do think (huge generalisation) that British women don't dress well compared to a lot of other countries.