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

[blossoming]

New thread here!

Have a great time pickled

carciofi I have liked every single one of your names so far And yes, my DS was 3 on Monday so very close in age to your DD.

SO many short breaks/holidays/trips happening on here at the moment. Exciting!

I did a massive Dorothy Perkins order and most of it was rubbish. But I kept some ankle length skinnies in mid blue that fit perfectly and are very low cut so sit below the bump. Have also kept this butterfly vest

Cold here too so haven't worn it yet!

Bloss - which colour kew scarf did you get?

Pickled have a great time!!!

It was pure chance dh's time fell when project was most intense. He booked it ages ago. Am itching to get back to other stuff and luxurious swanning around . I mean I get into the work and use all those lovely degrees etc, but like doing my own stuff too. (and am sure I can find something for you one day, I mean I never do it really as people want a ROI and I don't usually do deals but could make an exception!).

....and dh's idea of a great holiday is mooching at home with the children and doing his own work. Mine is something a bit more 5 starry .

Bloss have a great time, Fleecy that will look lovely on you, Nan welcome back.

Think my outnet order is on its way. Exciting

I have only just worked out who Rupert Campbell Black is! It's the linen mini stud scarf in dove mrscb. The studs reflect light back onto my face.

Glad you had a great time Nan!

Like that butterfly vest Fleecy.

Hope you have a great time Pickled.

Just finished tidying the house before some good friends and their kids come over for dinner, bed and breakfast! I sense some wine will be drunk.... Am wearing Gap coated skinnies, new Zara shoes and leopard print blouse.

Tomorrow we depart for a week, which will involve a family trip to Brighton and a couple of nights a deux in the New Forest. Can't wait!

Bloss and Nan, thank you both for the tips. We are staying in St David's. I used to know Cardiff well a few years back, had a boyfriend who lived there. Almost moved to be with him but found out at the last minute he was sleeping with a work colleague! Lucky escape.

MrsCB, glad to hear you are finally in the new place. Is the FC shirt a long sleeved White one? If so, I have the same for Houlihan wearing.

Carciofi, lovely gift from your Dad. I really love Clara and Anna is beautiful too. Reminds me of someone very special to me!

Hello to everyone else!

Thanks Bloss - am going to order!

Wideawake - I thought you had that shirt too - its lovely.

I am so sad - got eldest DS busily assembling clear plastic shoe boxes and have put all shoes in them - my wardrobe looks fab Also have new dressing table - just need a mirror now.

Carciofi - have ordered the boots in stone as hoping can wear with dresses.

And I am so loving the boden chambray mini dress - its just fab for this type of weather.

Right in-laws here, lamb cooking so better get on . . .

Wow mrsCB - sounds like you're already getting settled in very well. Got your priorities straight!

Fleecy - you'd have laughed on 'move day' as it was so sunny and I was wearing a dress I fake tanned my legs literally as the removal men turned up - priorities as you say

How many weeks are you now and do you know if its a boy or a girl?

wideawake - We stayed at St David's once and it was so lovely - If you have time to visit the spa, do. It's one of the best I've been to.

Went into Jack Wills the other day to get a gift for my niece and gor something for myself. the stripe version although am now musing the blue. Just a lovely, lightweight beach throw on.

happilyever - you have inspired me to do a WC order. I am also hourglass and have three of their winter dresses which I love. Don't know why I've never bought for summer.

That looks lovely petit. I was meaning to go into Jack Wills yesterday, but I was so rushed. It's so hard to do a good shop inbetween school runs when you live over an hour away from the shops, and you also have to do a wine run in sainsbury's on the way home!
I have never been in the Grosvenor. But I was in Russell & Bromley opposite once and there was great excitement as there were some royalty leaving the hotel for some wedding or other. I do love Chester. People make an effort there. More than anywhere else I know of.

I love it - never let a move get in the way of a good grooming routine. It is that time of year when a bit of colour becomes necessary if you want to be able to get your legs out along with the sunshine.

I'm 15wks so I don't know yet but don't mind. DH won't find out anyway so no point in worrying about it!

I have never been into Jack Wills. Assumed it was all got 17 year old girls with posh girl hair - am I missing out?

fleecy, I think you're probably right, but someone rated their bretons on another thread, and you know me and my bretons!

Great vest top Fleecy. I also like this one from JohnnieB here but fear the mix of frills and butterflies just makes it too young for me!

Bloss - If you ever have time to stop for lunch, go into the Grosvenor Brasserie for a Caesar salad - honestly, it's the best ever!! Once, when I worked there we had a wedding - the groom was in the Navy and the groomsmen (all in dress uniform) did a guard of honour on the steps, all of the traffic stopped and when the bride got out of the car, everyone cheered!! She must have felt so amazing!

petit I am really looking forward to it, and yes we plan a spa visit as soon as we get there!

MrsCB Love the sound of your shoe boxes, go on tell us...how many did you need?

We have a Jack Wills here too, it's very much stuffed with girls with Diana Vickers hair. However, I am interested in Aubin and Wills, which I heard is there 'older' store. Especially after seeing that jumper that Emo purchased. Bloss they have nice bretons too, here

I had a few hours by myself yesterday as DH at home. I have already spent the money from my J brands that are going back. Purchased this top as have seen on a few people in RL and looks good. Also managed to get some slouchy cropped jeans in Gap and a light weight jumper, in preparation for being in Edinburgh next week.

DH out this evening, so looking forward to a night of selfish TV viewing and my sort of food. (garlic and chilli prawn linguine - YUM!)

The Aubin and Wills breton I got is fab, it's wooly so I need to think what to wear underneath to, ahem, make sure I don't sweat too much...! The Milly dress didn't really suit me so has gone back with the tainted Mulberry bag. I have however ordered a navy mac and some white shorts from Banana Republic with the 20% off code today, the shopping mojo is alive!

More later but dinner ready after frozen pastry disaster..!

No outnet, probably Monday. Do they deliver on Saturdays??

Working now, everyone in bed. Was feeling frustrated earlier as had a lot to do but working with children around is impossible.

Feeling happier about it now.

Great top wideawake. Emo well done on keeping on shopping!

I'm a real inbetween size in WC stuff - is the maxi quite generous or tight under the arms? I have found that their clothes have got slightly bigger in the last couple of years.

morag I'd say that the maxi is quite generous. Go for the smaller size.

I would say true to size morag. I am 5"9/size 12/32F and the medium is snug/neat but not tight, the underarms on me just sit right. There is a lot of stretch in the fabric so if unsure I would size down.

Happilyeverafter, how are you getting on back at work?

OWW, we were practically neighbours, we lived at Cayenne Court. I am really keen now to move to the hustle and bustle again.

Wideawake, you always find lovely things in Whistles.

Fleecy, pretty top.

That WC maxi is lovely. I always wear short dresses but maybe should try a maxi.

Nan, glad you had a good time.

It is so hard to choose a name isn't it? DH likes Anna a lot. We have a middle name ... Mil's, as she is coming over after all to mind DD while I go to hospital. She came through for me in the end. :)

MrsCB, how is the Gracie fund going?

The linen pleat dress 10R arrived this morning (isn't Boden's express delivery amazing?) and could have been made for me. I love it. It is my perfect school run dress (if I lived somewhere hot of course!). There is a big difference in length between the L and the R, and if fits differently too. Worth ordering 3 to get the right one.
Also as I was hanging out my washing yesterday I noticed my silver boyfriend cardigan from last year had a massive hole in it so I ordered the chiffon trim cardigan and it is also lovely, and brings sense to my wardrobe.
What are the rules on church visiting in Italy? I may bring my lovely raspberry and silver animal print wrap dress from the Christening last year, as it covers elbows, knees and shows no cleavage.
Looks like it might be a sunny day. I am ironing at the moment (honestly, guv), and the others are shopping. Bliss.
Are you going to move before the baby comes carciofi?

Bloss glad the linen dress came alright in the end. Lovely cardigan too. My autumn/winter plan is to invest in good quality knitwear.
I remember needing to cover elbows and knees for the Vatican and also for the Sistine chapel, so worth packing that dress.

carciofi Glad to hear you MIL agreed to look after DD for you, one less thing to worry about. A good friend of mine, who is also a midwife, had an elective section yesterday. So far, feedback is that it was great and a million times better than an EMCS.

I am wearing Houlihans and French Connection shirt today with a nod to MrsCB and Natalie Massenet!

Haircut this lunchtime and highlights, can't wait as my roots look dreadful.

I am not a maxi wearer either, always thought that as my legs were one of my few better features, then I should always wear shorter dresses. May have to investigate that WC maxi later today though.

Have lovely Saturdays all!

Bloss - if dress covers shoulders and ideally upper arms then it sounds great. You can always use a scarf if not. Some churches quite relaxed, but I have seen tourists hustled out by outraged elderly Italian ladies before because of strappy tops. To be fair, there was a picture at the door showing what was considered unsuitable clothes, and they chose to ignore it - so probably deserved to be embarrassed!