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

[blossoming]

New thread here!

NY, quelle horreur!

Red, thanks for the offer but I am a size 2/3 in Seraphine, even if I try to suck my tummy in.

Morag, I tried the nearest White Co shop and they were out of mediums. Weather is set to cool down so I will survive.

I saw nice shorts in Banana Republic (bermudas and roll ups).

Ollie, glad you like the bag. Are you still going for a Tillie?

Bought makeup, house and baby stuff and saw lots I'd like!

notyummy hey I have those.....not really! Hideous, hideous.

OWW glad your trip back to Blighty went well

Vin god, whatever you do DO NOT BUY A HOUSE just before you end up with no income - the stress of a mortgage hanging over your head would ne awful. If you've got the money for a deposit, why not use that for childcare for your medicine year and beyond oh, and buy your partner a one way ticket to his haunted house?! Wouldn't bother finishing your masters if I was you, it's hardly going to add to a medicine career is it if that is what you want to do.

Am I the only person who doesn't suit maxis? Actually I am not sure what I suit any more, my summer wardrobe is a shambles bar one pair of BR shorts, my JBrand Majors (a great buy!), some old jcrew tshirts and a couple of more formal dresses for weddings/parties. Not sure which pieces would be key adds for this year - would rather buy a couple of things rather than a huge haul. Some links would be super....!

Emo - do you do print at all? I have seen some quite nice stuff in either tropical or floral (better than it sounds - honest!) There is some stuff that it isn't maxi or midi....but not much!

This is the sort of thing I mean Emo - though fairly short.

or this.

Or this?

Unusual shirt - could work for work or with jeans?

Awww notyummy thank you for those ideas - I like that first Zara dress but not sure if the neckline would work for me - there's a Zara near my office so I might have a potter at lunchtime tomorrow. I think I need to try a load of things on and hope for the best!

Think I need to get at least one blouse/summery top which would be a bit smarter than my tshirts and one summery dress which I can dress up or down. And some decent summer shoes. Oh, and new feet in viewable condition.....!

Back from collecting takeout pizza and I was the only customer who was not in tracksuit bottoms, tsk!

After I had accidentally ordered something from a website in Israel and had to return it on top of paying taxes , I am trying to keep P&P for online shopping in check. So sorry for following link to German website:

I ordered this T-shirt in sage and it looks great with white jeans!

vin What a great shopping haul. Hope you make the most of it despite difficulties with P. Forgive me for being blunt but he seems very controlling and I cannot imagine how you can put up with it.

redllama Your holiday sounds great despite lack of shorts . Re jeans: I bought Goldsign straight/skinnies in indigo and they are soooo comfortable and flattering! Or if you want a pair of widelegs, -don't- click on notyummy's link

carciofi Your shopping trip on King's Rd sounds perfect!

ollie H&M might be worth a look for shorts? I bought two fab cotton pairs last year and they might do something similar this year.

emo I loved the stripey short sleeve cowl neck ollie linked to the other day (cannot find it, sorry). I'm not very good at combining skirts and tops but maybe you can find some casual summer dresses and some "nice tops" to wear with your JBrands and shorts? Or do you need summer clothes for work?

emo Simple navy jersey dress, could be worn with sandals/wedges/plimsolls.

Or charcoal cotton?

Could this be summer-Janice?

I love this but I'm not sure about the length.

MIL turned up unannounced for visit this afternoon - literally just as I had sat down in the garden for a little sun and a read after cleaning the balcony, trimming hedges etc etc! Kept annoyance in check (think she was a little jealous of the time the boys had with my parents over the WE) but asked her to come over and look after the boys for one afternoon next week so I can have a few hours to myself. Don't normally like to ask her but blurted it out whilst simmering with irritation!

Great you got some shorts Red and great minds etc about the style of the Kew shorts! Have also found these Dotty P ones here which I quite like. Good idea about a rummage in H&M too Fritzi.
Carciofi Saw the Tillie in JL - liked it a lot but not sure if its worth the pricetag (que collective gasp from Mulberry Fans [busmile]. It was next too the Fossil one I linked to a while back and there both seemed really similar! I'm loving the Boden one so will carry on saving and see how I feel just before my 40th!

Emo agree that a blouse and dress would be a good addition for your summer wardrobe. Have a look in Great Plains here - some nice dresses at the mo such as this one and this one
What sort of colours do you like best?

Watching a most bizzare episode of Greys Anatomy - they keep bursting into song like a musical. Really cringe-worthy!

Has anyone else heard of Pepperberry? Owned by Bravissimo - clothes designed with your boobs in mind apparently!
here

Hello all. Hope everyone had a good Easter weekend. Good thing is that we can do it all over again next week

The yellow dress from Urban Outfitters arrived and is going straight back. The neckline is very very low and I can't really wear a vest underneath due to its square neckline, and a cardigan makes it look very mumsy. Shame. Uniqlo skinny cargos are going back too as they just don't fit right. I'm going to order the Oasis ones...they were really flattering on me.

I went jeans shopping today and bought a Levi's CurveID black skinnies. Very nice fit, and doesn't gape anywhere. The next jeans purchase will definitely be a J Brand

OWW I've had a look at Pepperberry previously as I am blessed in the boob department. I had issues with the quality of Bravissimo clothes, but that was five years ago and I think I might give them another chance. I do like the look of a lot of their dresses

vin congratulations on the medicine offer! It really is an achievement. I can only speak for myself obviously, but I wouldn't defer. There are so many cuts coming for Universities and you never know where the Universities will start cutting corners. Obviously I don't know about medicine, but the architecture college in my city is cutting down on faculty which means that the remaining staff is stretched badly and therefore they simply can't give the students the attention they used to in the past.

Fritzi, I like all those dresses, especially the Weekend Maxmara ones.

OWW, the Tillie is v. expensive. But nice! I liked a navy bag in Cocinelle today and thinking about the Anya Maeve tote again. I got the Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser, I think you recommended it so thank you. Good work on getting the MIL to babysit!

Emo, I tried on this Whistles shirt, maybe not dressy enough?

Morning all - back at work and the 6am start for me However I am working from home tomorrow, so a slightly more civilised day all round! Nan - I have been eyeing up those curve id jeans as well! Suspect I am a 'bold curve' because of the waist/arse thing I have going on. That said, I am still on the look out for some (relatively subtle) flares, so may have to wait to get the curve ones.

Much gloomier today, but at least I don't have to sit in the office whilst the sun shines outside - and we have a fun bank holiday weekend planned with a party for dd on Saturday, a party for the DH and I to attend on the Saturday night, and then a family BBQ thing Sunday afternoon.

Fritzi - I love the colour of that last Maxmara dress you linked to, but agree the length could be tricky if you are under 5ft 6/7.

Have great days all!

Hello.

I have woken up in Edinburgh with alcohol poisoning. Went to a wine tasting last night and then ended up mixing drinks. Feeling dreadful.

I am supposed to be here though, I have not ended up in Edinburgh die to being drunk! DH and I are staying with some friends, they have a great flat in the centre of the city.

Hope everyone is well and happy!

Carcofi, tsk, tsk don't you remember that you totally dismissed the bright pinkness of it out of hand. Have you been inspired again by Marsha's neon pink fllats ? I can just picture you in Cocinelle on the Kings Rd, I love pottering around that area. Bright pink bag sounds much more exciting than a navy one. I am still loving my sunflower yellow BR one btw.

Emo, I remember finding it difficult to buy clothes in that post baby phase. My guess is that things have probably not settled down yet shape/weight wise and that is why you are a bit unsure about things. Some of Fritzi's links are lovely, especially the navy cotton one. Also, I think Vin's Monsoon bec-a-like would look great on you and as it is cotton it is very much a day dress.

NY, I love the look of that green Zara dress but agree that it would probably fit me be too short for Emo.

OWW, you make me laugh with the MIL references. I think you secretly have a soft spot for her.

DH is back at work today , it has been so lovely having him here for the last two weeks. My Gap order filled with holiday clothes should arrive today .

Have great days All

Am looking at flares from TS as that is where Zembo got the ones she looked so good in.

these

or

these.

Any thoughts?

Am laughing at WWN and her 'poisoning'. Hope it was worth it!

Ha Pickled!! Oh no I know people say ladies on here and I love you all. It wouldn't make me blerk

NY tough one, they are close. I think possibly the Jessie ones as they look more fitted at the top. A little bit, although maybe just the pic. I like both.

Very quick zip in to say thank you all for the lovely links and ideas - am at work today but will have a good hunt at lunchtime/at home later and report back!! THANK YOU !

Hello! Hope you all had a lovely Easter hols...back from our hols to France, and fab time had by all. Weather great so most days at beach. Bliss. Apart from DDs tendency to eat sand, shells, seaweed etc. Crocs came in very handy Carciofi....yes, I wouldn't wear either but little ones so cute in them.

Busy weekend too. Badminton, in fabulous sunshine, so all good.

Bloss - I have that scarf...lovely. Hope you are having a fab time in Italy.

Glad you are settling in well mrscb. Fake tanning on the morning of the house move is a fab start. At least you looked glam when you rocked up with the removal men. How was your weekend away?

Hi dolcee we have missed you! Your holiday sounds fantastic! I gave in and bought DD a pair of Crocs last year but she is only allowed them on our farm holiday, to the swimming pool, on the beach or in the garden > Any purchases while you were on holiday?

notyummy Flared jeans at H&M and Asos.

notyummy Ah, the TS flares are nicer. I like the first pair better.

Speedy recovery to wideawake1

ollie I think it is win-win for you and MIL . Any plans for your time off?

pickled Any keepers in your GAP order?

nan I thought the neckline of the yellow dress might be difficult. Don't worry we'll find you another, better dress!

I ordered some jewellery from Etsy and I'm still waiting for delivery. One of the items is a necklace for one of my friend's whose birthday was at the beginning of April

Thanks Fritzi...yes, see what you mean; incredibly, our DCs have about 4 pairs of shoes each now, for various activities. DH was a bit , remembering that he only ever had a pair of 'school' and one pair of 'non-school' shoes.
Holiday was made lovelier by very engaged Granny who dotes on DCs...no S and B but did buy some gorgeous french liquid soaps (lavender) which look as good as they smell, and some natural linen sheets (huge), which are old and very thick. Oh, and a lovely old basket. That's it.

Now want to get some more throw on dresses for the summer months and some new strappy flat sandals...

Just making Chicken Cacciatore for supper. MIL made it for DCs and was a real hit, so here's hoping......Have good evenings all. Am saving my wine allowance for Friday. So no wine for me alas, as the weather being so good makes me pine feel like a nice glass of chilled rose, or similar.

Had lovely day today. Had day off and no children. Enough said!!! Pottered round west field. Did not buy much as feeling a bit meh. Have eaten too much over the last couple of weeks. Silly me. Anyway does anyone remember the great blouson top I got from Warehouse a few months back? Well it's back in stock and they have it in new colours, grey and sort of pinky peach. Here. www.warehouse.co.uk/pleat-front-blouson-topwarehouse/fcp-product/305233. I got it in the grey. Tis lovely. There was some lovely stuff in cos and some lovely lovely things in Ted Baker. Also saw this in Jigsaw. www.jigsaw-online.com/fashion/1001254/J12883/womens/dresses/tribal-beading-lyocell-dress. It's lovely in RL.

Unfortunately they did not have my size in store so I left without it. But will buy on line.

Ok, I give up! Have been trying to think of a new thread title for 15 mins and come up with nothing! The best effort was something like - the sun is here and so are our H&M Hasbeens - shocking eh?! Please put me out of my misery and come up with one!
Ants - thats Warehouse top looks amazing in the grey. Well spotted.
Dolcee DH and I had exactly the same conversation about DSs shoes over the WE! He seems to think they could wear Geox shoes all summer - even on the beach
Pickled - yes MIL is mostly ok (apart from when naked in front of me - were you on here when THAT happened???!!!) She is just v different from me and thinks that DH can do no wrong which grates a little bit!
Emo did you pick anything up from the shops today? I was having a browse on ASOS for you today and ended up buying a dress - purely cos it was reduced! Will link if its a keeper as I'm not sure if its good or an impulse buy too far!
Fritzi no plans for my afternoon off but it will no doubt involve shops, tea and cake!