Avid & Wise, Eyes on the Prize, Our Gorgeous Spring Summer Buys!

[blossoming]

New thread here!

Bloss there is a good iphone app for packing - packing pro - my friend swears by it. Suggests lists depending on the nature of your trip I think.
Notyummy glad you had such a nice time away.

Back from potter round the shops - sadly nothing to report. Even detoured via Primark (picked up some chambray cotton PJ bottoms - think it was one of those 'I'm not going home empy handed' buys). Tried a few tops on in Zara but all these bright colours do not do a lot for me. This jumper was a possible tho blue one but need to try on with white jeans.

ollie I'm also back and didn't buy anything inspiring: Nespresso coffee capsules, 8 blue glasses and a giant Easter bunny to sit at our front door . It was great to be out and about for a change though!

Went to Fossil to check out the bags but they stocked only orange and red. I find bags really hard to buy as I hardly ever see something I love instantly. Will continue the hunt for summer bag.

There are no red, pale pink or other brightly coloured jeans in the shops (except for Zara). I think German women are considered to be too sensible and drab to wear them .

I tried on this this ruched stripey dress in H&M (page 11, 3rd from right). It was nice but felt too short on me.

bloss Hope DS will get better soon. Here is WIT's capsule wardrobe from last year. Probably too summery but I like the way you can mix and match so many things.

notyummy Sounds like a great weekend! You are such a good friend for encouraging your friend to go online shopping and acting as personal trainer, too. Have you worn all your shoes? Did your DH notice?

Mid-season sale at Isabella Oliver until Thursday. Code MIDSEASON33

Hi All .

Fritzi, I love the look of that H&M dress, it might even fit me! I would love WIT's capsule wardrobe (and her figure to go with it). Can you post a pic of the giant Easter bunny on the love seat ?

NY so glad you had a fab time.

OWW, I have ordered some linen ts from Zara in that blue colour. It would definitely work on you but I'm not sure if the colour is right for me. Intend to wear with white on the bottom too.

Hello poly, I'll be bookmarking your Rome guide for the next time we go.

Bloss, your long line vest tunic is the M&S breton link. LOL at the thought of hemming a tunic.

Fritzi I love the WIT link! I have gone off her a bit recently with all the Wedding Wednesdays dross but that is very inspiring. I've never laid out all of my holiday clothes like that before but how lovely would it be if they came out like that!

Emo76 the Majors sound very interesting indeed. Where did you find yours?

Have just been down to the local Phase 8 to give the whole maxi thing ago. I haven't done it since my 1994 black grunge maxi skirt, and generally give longer lengths a wide berth given that I am 5ft 1.

But this dress would have been very lovely had the jersey not been quite so unforgiving - every leetle and not so little lump and bump on display. I'm kinda thinking that Spanx would undermine the whole floaty maxidress ethic, no?

They have this one online (which I didn't see in store). On the one hand it is a more generous cut, and so might look better - on the other, does it look a bit older/wider on the hip?

Oooh - there ain't nothing wrong with some spanx at anytime .

In all seriousness, that is exactly what they are made for! The only time I might draw the line would be if you wanted to wear the dress in the middle of the day in 35 degree heat on holiday - an extra layer of sweaty fabric might not be so good then.

Oooh, this Warehouse silk maxi is very flattering on and would look great on you with a tan leather belt like the one Roary ordered from JL a while ago.

Pickled I think I really like that!! I work near Oxford St so will try to get there at lunchtime some time this week.

NY you are absolutely right. Must dig mine out - I tend to reserve them for weddings but I have a 'slip' which would be perfect. I really do need to do something about the muffin as well; I am reminded of the Samantha scene in SATC where the bulge has snuck up on her.

Any good salad recipe books you ladies can recommend?

PS LTEC I meant to say that I really like the Topshop sandals, they would be perfect with your colouring. I like these too although they are a leetle bit higher...

oohh I have this navy jersey maxi from the WC. I think it is really flattering and the fabric nice and heavy.

notyummy The thought of Spanx in real summer heat makes me break out in a sweat!

oooh I got them in Trilogy (the Chelsea one) - I am not sure if they had many in stock, they were slightly limited in what they had in my size and I think they found them in the back of a cupboard!!!!!!

maxis and me - I just don't know. My legs are good (compared with the rest of me!) so I am not sure they will help the overall look.

lovely sunny day, I can see the deckchairs in Green Park from my office! Any takers for a lunchtime meet up next week?!

Here's the link again pickled long line vest tunic.

Thanks for the info on Rome poly, I only just saw it as the page must have changed on my iPhone. I really appreciate it.

Hello all. Just sneaking in very quickly on the hotel computer. We've had the most gorgeous time in Valencia the last few days. The weather is HOT and we've been on the beach most of the time, with half-a-day at the aquarium.

One thing that I've noticed though is just how thin Spanish women are. Seriously, they are thin thin thin! Size 8 seems to be the average here. I feel positively squat and dumpy . I spotted a few British women strolling around, and they'd have been on the slim side back home, but here they look big! I dread to think how big I look

Ive only skimmed through the links but fritzl I have that WC maxi-dress...in fact I wore it yesterday

I have the day tomorrow child-free to shop in La Cortes Ingles. Will report back.

I know it well nanastley! Never got lucky there though. Very jealous indeed.

Hello All.

LTEC those sandals are lovely. If you are looking for a heal too, these are lovely in RL.

NY Your break sounds lovely, can't imagine putting a bikini on at the moment!

Bloss hope the weather forecast gets better for you in Rome. I love Rome so much, what an amazing time you'll have. Where are you staying? Like the look of that tunic by the way.

My J brands arrived from Revolve today. They are the same style (910) as my black ones that fit perfectly. I ordered them in ink, and they come up much smaller. Does anyone have any idea if blue J brands stretch/give much? I think I have got away with customs charges as well.

notyummy WIT is wearing this Jigsaw sparkly sweater in the lighter colour today. Thought I'd just let you know in case you haven't spend your vouchers yet .

spent

Bloss, that tunic looks great. I love the slate blue colour.

Fritzi, nice navy maxi, really comfy I'm sure.

Have fun shopping Nan. Good to hear you had a lovely break. We are off to Turkey on Friday, hopefully Zara order will be here before we go.

New book group book is Freedom by Johnathan Franzen - anyone read it?

Spent the last few hours making black bottom cupcakes (Hummingbird Bakery) and am now eating my second one while I type.

Wideawake, you'll have to slim into them and then when you put on a few pounds you can wear the black ones .

Anyone else watching the BBC2 programme on Liberty's? On now. Tis v good!

There's a scarf room at Liberty's? Why did I not know that?

Whistles lucky horses top arrived today. Tis lovely. Very pleased.

What do you think of this kimono jacket from Zara?

www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-S2011/61136/323538/PRINTED%2BKIMONO

Wooh! Thanks so much Fritzi - that looks lovely! Will take vouchers to Brighton, where I will be in a few days, and have a look there.

OWW Its near the front door, just behind the beauty room.

ants Sorry but I don't like it, can't even say why. Maybe it's the styling... Have you tried it on?

Just finished reading WIT's capsule wardrobe advice fritzi. Brilliant, thanks!

My shopping day is cancelled as DS is poorly. Fingers crossed for Thursday.