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

[blossoming]

New thread here!

Will join portia in wearing maxi today. I have missed the sun so much!!! LTEC linked to a pair of lovely embellished sandals a while ago but I cannot remember the brand... Can anyone else?

DD is busy in the bathroom playing with her new playmobil swimming pool, DH napping and I will have another cup of tea. Perfect day so far! [busmile]

Hope everyone has happy Easter days. Safe journeys to everyone travelling!

portia try Kew. here www.kew-online.com/fcp/product/womens-clothing/footwear/Beaten-Stud-Sandal/99902706

If you look in the "coming soon" tab they have some lovely ones coming in soon - cannot link I am afraid.

Happy Easter to everyone! Am hosting an Easter egg hunt at mine this afternoon. Chocolate for the kids and bubbles for the grownups. X

Happy Easter everybody!

Gorgeous sunny day here in London, my summer wardrobe is still a muddle as we seem to have bypassed spring and gone straight in to "scorchio"! I think shorts today as have worn my JBrand majors three days in a row.

carciofi the garden furniture arrived yesterday and I am really pleased with it - great value and looks good. Also DH managed to assemble without losing temper - result!

vin how are you and how are you getting on with your big decision? hope all is well.

ants I like the sound of your egg hunt...!

Portia, these silver Ugg glads are reduced nice, not much adornment though.

portia Found them

Those are infinitly more elegant than the ones I linked to Fritzi .

Credit goes to LTEC though

Am loving the [busmile]
Having a good trip over here - took DSs to a country park yesterday for a long walk and picnic - so lovely that they are getting a taste of rural England (all hills are "mountains" to them!)
Ignoring the odd comment from DM tho about them not listening and being too busy! Just not v helpful to be told stuff like that is it?

Carciofi and Morag thank you so much for posting the WC codes - much appreciated and used! Tried this on during my 5 min (literally) shopping trip here - can wear as dress. Loved it on in the slate but now see they had it in glacier (pale grey) which is nicer but all sold out so got the slate. Good for school run etc.

Pickled - I loved Cambridge - am planning a trip over on my own later in the year so will def be up for a mini meet up. It was torture being close to all those nice shops and not being able to go in them (stopped for shoes for DSs, shirts for DH and ironingboard cover)! Silly that I have never thought to stop off there on way to parents before now!

On the subject of sandals - saw these in Next in blue, orange and yellow - thought they were a good buy, I refrained (DH was in tow and was giving me the 'get me out of here' face as I'd been faffing in childrenswear!) but may now order.
Portia - love the SE's that Fritzi/LTEC have found - but Next website has tons of embellished sandals on there too if you fance a browse?

Must go - boys are out with DH and DD at a canal museum and I've got to hide eggs in the garden before they get back but not too soon in case they melt!
Happy Easter everyone!

ollie We have the how-to-hide-eggs-before-they-melt-problem too . Don't let your Mum's comments get you down and be proud of your gorgeous boys!

Hi all! Amazing weeks holiday means I am completely behind- hope you are all enjoying Easter though and some purchasing has gone on. Nothing at all to report on the clothes front- no shopping apart from trying on the sparky WIT jumper in Jigsaw. I do have my personal shopper booking in just over a week though!

Can hugely recommend Hotel Terravina. Gorgeous food and wine, plus outdoor heated pool. We were there as a couple, but there were families there and they seemed v well catered for. There are a couple of rooms that would suitable for families.

Have eaten far too much, but also done lots of walking and running, plus pilates and BFBM, so it would appear I have only out a pound on- a minor miracle given the amount of food and wine I have consumed this week . it was fun though!

Loving the sound of the impromptu Irish meet-up .

Hello everyone, hurrah for the holiday notyummy- and the spontaneous meet-up! how funny!

Well, I'm sidling in for a confessional really. I am ASHAMED at how avid I have been and I know you won't judge me (well, you will a bit, but not as much as anyone else!!)

So.. ehem..

I was getting dressed on Friday and I thought 'oh woe is me, my lovely summer frocks are too big and I have nooothing to wear' (post BF chest means most clothes are too big on top at least) so since then, (yes, 2 days- ehem) I have managed to acquire: one HIDEOUS dress that I can't take back as no receipt but v expensive for a hideous mistake (floral)- £80..
followed by one gorgeous red maxi dress (too long on me, but lovely- cant link as website has 'security problems' aagh), one flowery sundress (too strappy and too short but am keeping it, makes me happy), one black dress for work with half the back missing (poss unprofessional) one black spotty dress for work, one Ghanaian cotton shift dress in ice blue and navy, one Ghanaian cotton shift dress in black/red/green (not sure about this one), 2 belts to go with various things, 2 blazers (navy and black) from local shop (fit is weird), AND --- I have totally abused the NAP free postage thing, (london premier is free too) and acquired VWA dress, an APC black dress, 2 D&G shirts (I don't need a D&G shirt, this is ridiculous), oh and a figleaves order of various tights.. and a scarf...

I would link, but I am scared of someone doing the maths..

This is all quite bad of me as I need to pay rent, nursery fees (having a childcare crisis of epic proportions as P is refusing from next week), and oh yeah, save funds for med school, oh and eat.. I am therefore a very bad vin this weekend!

On the plus side, it's lovely and sunny here and DS has been running around in the park with his new shoes on (converse slip on things with velcro, an emergency purchase as he threw off one of his overpriced clarks shoes and lost it)

AND have found a total BEC-alike: here

Not much news from me really, I am still totally undecided. I want to do medicine now but I'd rather defer in a way because I feel bad leaving my job so soon, but I think deferring will be very expensive in the long-run as I think there are higher fees. Working for an extra year would help in terms of income, but as you can see above ^ I would probably not save anything anyway [shakes head in despair at self]

P being a prat, I have had curly hair recently (suits me more than straight and I like it, especially when it's sunny) and he has hit the roof saying I'm having an affair (not) so I'm ''not allowed curly hair for work ever'' and ''not allowed perfume ever'' or ''nice clothes ever'' or ''high heeled shoes ever''

On the plus side, there are dresses....

Am currently seeking a tan coloured bag- I unbelievably gave mine to a friend last summer (why??) and now don't have one, and am missing it!

Hope everyone is well

I am also hankering after some red espadrilles. Am I mad?

I have a bit of an idea that might work, which is to defer a year, and carry on working that year (finishing up my masters) and then actually buying somewhere within that year before I start the course so I can be more secure with DS as I won't be able to buy anywhere as a student. Sorry am thinking aloud!

I am liking all the yellow sandals thanks to you lovely ladies have raised about £2000!!! thank you- and I didn't even run the london marathon!

Evening Ladies thanks for the links am busy perusing them now and should definitely get something nice [busmile]
Had a lovely day with DH and DDs and am watching the rather gruesome The girl who kicked the hornets nest, and stuffing myself with chocolate!

Hi ladies! Hope everyone is well. Have skimmed whilst unpacking and lamenting the state I left the house in.

Cape Town was lovely, have had such a relaxing time and adored seeing the DCs with all of their extended family. I hate leaving my Grandma as she always gets very sad about this being the last time we'll see her .

We had lots of meals out, including an amazing meal at a vineyard for DH's birthday. Also spent some time in Hermanus with just t e 4 of us. Had a beautiful walk on the beach at sunset as the moon rose - watching DS play in the sand with his little golden curls brout tears to my eyes. A real 'I'm so lucky to be alive' moment.

OWW my DM also has lots of terrifically helpful comments for me; does DS have anger issues (he's a perfectly amiable little boy who is also 2.5)? Am I overfeeding DD (v petite, but loves to eat) etc etc. I try to let it slide - i think she feels like she has to fit all of her grandmothering into the relatively short breaks that we see her for each year.

My packing was a complete disaster - no shorts (huge bloody oversight and no summer clothes there as they are heading into Autumn) rendered lots of stuff unwearable so ended up wearing the same few things, despite having loads with me. I'll get it right one day.

vin congrats on medical place, great news. I am in awe of your avidity btw.

Love the idea of a mini-meet over Hasbeens. Excellent.

NY glad you enjoyed your holiday - have gained 4lbs on mine so the alarm is already set for an early shred regimen.

Have a shopping list a mile long, shorts being a priority. Am also in the Market for some new jeans -mine are all knackered at the same time. Skinnies?

Hello all,
Sneaking in just before the thread finished to say hi and I hope you are all ok. Have had masses on in RL and afraid I haven't caught up at all.
No wisdom or avidity from my end but have been enjoying the sunshine and spending time with family.
Happy Easter, 'see' you soon! [busmile]

Wise words from Every. Vin- that was some spree!! It sounds like you have so much to think about at the moment. Please don't let your DP be the key factor in any of the choices you have.

NY, Red, OWW, Pickled, glad you had good breaks.

OWW, my dad always compares my niece and DD's eating habits (DD is a very picky eater and I have tried everything whereas my niece would eat lobster!) and it does my head in!

Hope you had a happy Easter.

OWW, nice dress. I am going to look in the White Co today. I'm thinking that navy maxi might be good for the last few weeks and cover my swollen ankles. I start off the day with a pair of finely turned ankles and then it goes downhill from there.

Fritzi/LTEC, great sandals.

Cannot wait to not be pregnant anymore, is that terrible?! DH told me to have a lie in but I was wide awake at 6am despite going to bed at 1am. I am going to browse the shops, admire Anya bags and drink coffee on the Kings Rd today.

Emo, glad the garden furniture was a succcess. Good weather for it!

Vin, you must have an amazing wardrobe! Maybe it is a bit dull but I have a Mulberry tan East West Bayswater that goes with everything. Your P's comments beggar belief! Good luck with your decision. That's fab that you raised so much money.

Morning. I love the overnight ferry - up and off and home by 8.30am!

RedLama - so pleased you had a such a good trip and sorry about your lack of shorts! Thats just the sort of thing that happens to me! Let us know if you find some good ones - I have always stayed away from short ones but tried some on last week and my legs are def better for shredding so want some too. Quite like these nutmeg ones from Kew here but really depends on length on RL.
Notyummy your trip sounded great too and you are v good at choosing good hotels. We saw there was a Hotel de Vin in Cambridge - have you ever stayed there?

MrsJuan hello. Glad you are ok and enjoying the sun.
Vin - wow! Thats some shopping haul - sure its all lovely and you will come to like it all in time (just put those guilty feelings aside and enjoy wearing it!) And as for P - (and forgive me if I am speaking out of turn) I think you need to sort your job/study situation out and that will give you the energy and stength to deal with him. If staying in your job for a year gives you more financial freedom for things like childcare (ie not having to rely on P), I think thats a big consideration for you.

Spending the day unpacking etc and tackling the garden. BTW the Boden slouchy bag in brown is a big hit and the boat neck jumper in taupe is also a keeper - looks good with white jeans (my wardrobe staple this summer!).

OWW found some lovely shorts in TK Maxx today which may not be helpful for you! Lightweight khaki with turn-ups and epaulette (but not as they're not on the shoulders) detail. Also saw some which are the short version of the cargos in New Look, but it appears I am a 9 in there, so no joy. Have just clicked your link - they're actually identical to those Kew ones . Gerard someone.

Carciofi, I know the exact feeling - heat and pregnancy don't combine well. If you're in the market for a maxi, do you fancy the one on my profile? It's from Seraphine and very wearable - a size 1, whatever that means.

Off for a picnic this afternoon with our NCT crew which should be lvely. Hope everyone is having a good day.

Hello all. First of all wow vin what a haul!!! I love it when I really get my shopping mojo!!!! I am sure guilt will soon pass and you will love everything.

carciofi hang on in there! I know it's no fun being pregnant in the heat. Just keep focused on the end game and your lovely baby. Yes maxis would be good for you right now. red you look amazing in yours!!!

Easter egg hunt yesterday was a triumph. Kids all played nicely together and the grownups had champagne. Lovely. Only downer was nail varnish spilt on the carpet in DDs bedroom. Many tears. I thought that they had all gone a bit quiet upstairs.....

Carciofi - I think the WC maxis are not due in till 03/05 online but there are plenty instore.
I have to wait for a S which is driving me mad as the weather may have turned by then.

Ladies, I hate to do this to you, but I thought only you could appreciate the horror of what I have just found.....

I ventured onto Very, where I have occasionally struck gold, to have a look for some flares.....and found these.

My eyes!!! Who in the name do they think they will suit? And who is responsible for styling them in that way. with dodgy heels...and slightly too short?!

haha NotYummy they are wide!