Avid and Wise, up to our eyes in new summer buys!

[blossoming]

Where is everybody???

WAN hope today gives you the opportunity to get some rest. Poor DS; I hate it when mine are teething as there really is little you can do to comfort them.

Bloss good luck for the big haircut; am sure it'll be fine as you are in a position where you know exactly what you want and can direct as appropriate. I always end up with unsuitable haircuts because I tell them to do what they want!

Fingers crossed for jobs, and jobs with the right hours, coming soon Apuski.

Every, very good way of sorting the wardrobe; I can't believe i've not thought of doing it like that; it makes everything so much easier!

NY I hope today goes really well - looking forward to the de-brief.

DH was out last night, so I tried on every item in my wardrobe and now have a huge pile of stuff for e-baying and 2 bin bags of stuff that is past it. Everything in there is stuff I love and that looks good; was very cathartic actually. Some of the stuff going I still like to look at as it is so pretty, but am having to remind myself that clothes are not for stroking (ie All Saints Russian Doll skirt, which i've had for 7 years and have worn 3 times, but it's so lovely!).

Profits from said e-baying are to go towards my post-Shred shopping extravaganza.

Morning.

Hope DH's procedure went ok yesterdayApuski.
NY yes, we want all the details of your personal shopping experience. Have fun.
Fritzi its Mothers Day here on Sunday - is it the same in Germany? Do you have plans if so?

House viewing went well yesterday but now puts us in a bit of a dilema - house was great size wise but had not been finished to a v good standard (eg big gaps in floorboards around radiators, rough patched up plasterwork, exposed pipes running down walls) and also lacked the character of our existing house. So do we sacrifice character/features for bigger rooms and garden? Would need a new bathroom and lots of painting, bits of plastering - all of which could be done before we move in but I didnt think wow, I love this house - unlike the v expensive one we viewed a while back. Not sure if thats me being overly crtical tho and liking everything just right to start with! Lots to think about.

Everyspring - I was just listening to the radio on the way to work and they were talking about an app for your iphone where you take a picture of every clothing item you own, and it splits it down into categories and suggests outfits, or just allows you to browse your wardrobe virtually so you dont 'forget' about items that dont jump out at you when you open the doors. Sounds like it would suit your filing system!

WAN - I am not sure which ones MrsCB got in the end so dont know if the TS Jessies are the same. Zembo has them though. They were featured in Grazia this week! The funny thing is though that TS are touting them like they are new, and the colour IS new (a kind of 70s wash that I really like) but they have had that cut in for YEARS listed as 'skinny flare'. I have exactly the same jeans in black that I bought about 4 years ago when I saw them raved about in some magazine article as the 'most flattering on the High St.' It wasn't until the Jessies arrived and I tried them on that I realised they were exactly the same jeans!

Helloooooo!

Haven't been here is so long, but have just made a batch of OWW's shortbread hearts for DD's birthday party, which make me think of you all.

Hope everyone's doing okay? I'm fine, busy and longing for DD to go back to school (which she does on Monday). Am loving my H&M Hasbeens, and looking forward to a trip to Florence next week to visit the outlets!

Morning! Hi Plum, good to hear from you! Baking sounds yummy.

NY / Everyspring, I have a 'closet app' and I never use it - the photos make the clothes look a bit rubbish so not an incentive to wear anything! Maybe my poor photography skills. I think identifying what things go together and designating them as 'outfits' is the way to go for me.

DH got the mole removed OK but we won't know the lab results for a few weeks - so worry not gone, just stuck on a back shelf for now.

OWW, character used to be really important to me for houses, but it's definitely fallen down the priority list below space and garden (and schools!). But a few houses utterly depress me in their blandness, and would be a step too far. .

I don't think I ever said 'yummy' before I had children....

Apuski

OWW We are in that dilemma at the moment too. Current house full of Victorian character and period features, small though and hard to maintain without spending £££ frequently. We are looking for our next home now, have pretty much decided to give up period features for space, garden and schools too. Doesn't stop me looking at Victorian Villas that are out of our price range very longingly.

Apuski glad to hear that DH's mole was removed. Fingers crossed that the results come back with good news. Horrible waiting though, I understand.

Eeek!

Have just found out that I am presenting to a BIG Business Breakfast event first thing on Monday morning. Lots of Chief Execs of FTSE 100s etc.

Obviously I am now frantically writing the presentation - but my first thought was 'what to wear?!' First impressions count and all that...

Think I am either going with a fitted skirt suit or a dress. Not anything new - something that I know I feel good and confident in.

Notyummy way to go! Something you feel comfortable in first, so no tight underarms (or is that just me? ).

The TBurch shoes endorsed by you lovely people have gone down a storm. Compliments each time I go out (well they are rather eye-catching). But best one was exquisite and 'love the shoes honey' hahahha.
So glad I checked here!

Drat! have just ordered something I don't want. Broke my number one rule, didn't check the fibre.

Damn!

I missed the link to those shoes marsha, but glad you had good advice!

notyummy, congratulations on your presentation. I think I would opt for a suit over a dress as it's a business thing.
Have a great time with your personal shopper!

redllama, that sounds like an evening I'd enjoy. Although my decluttering is done now and I have very few clothes, but something for every occasion I think!
In fact everyspring, I shall join your club and will add:

Theme park
Festival

to the mix. We have two large cultural festivals in Wales every year. They change location from North to South every year. You can meet people you haven't seen for years. For me it's important to look my very best there. Last year it was cold and wet on the day I went. I'd left my Autograph shiny navy parka behind in my friend's house and had to borrow her DH's Peter Storm caghoul instead. I was mortified. Saw an exB who is very well known in the media. Dreadful.

ollie, I wouldn't like to be in your shoes with that decision. I had a character property as my first. It was really hard to heat. Now I live in a new house with magnolia paint and it suits me well!

I agree with you wan about sizing up in indigo J Brands.

Hope you get good news soon apuski.

Hi plum, glad to hear from you. Please report back from Florence.

Morning - just waiting for Aga man to come and service it - so have had no cooker for 24 hours which has been a slight pain.

I do indeed have the jessies - bought them ages ago but have never worn them - have decided I just prefer skinnies on me so they'll probably end up on ebay.

Have ordered a floral quilted jacked from Jack Wills as jigsaw leather one wasn't right for me.

Loving all the lists - I love a good list although mine at the moment consists of re-wiring, new skirting boards etc.

OWW - our house is 1950's but does have spectacular views and I love the fact that I'll get it exactly how I want eventually. Architect coming out next week to start the ball rolling which is rather exciting.

Actually anyone got any recommendations for fabric websites as needto get blinds made for all the bedrooms?

link to jacket I've ordered

Hi mrscb. When I had my blinds done I went to a local 'drapers'. They had hundreds of samples. Well worth looking through yellow pages and a trip into town I'd say.
Shame about the Jigsaw jacket.

I am loving the Summer Beauty supplement that came with Elle magazine. This might be the year I exfoliate!!

Ooh mrscb am I right in thinking you have a pregnancy-friendly hayfever remedy? I am in desperate need!

I have some maternity skinny flares from TS and they're fab, same size as yours ny and the length is perfect.

Am wearing skinny khakis today with a bargain eBay floaty white shirt for 99p and strappy nude platforms. Am feeling rather good which almost guarantees I will fall over in my heels at some point...

Wow ny you'll knock 'em dead!

Am with you on the underarm thing marsha - a dead giveaway!

red that's super organised. Am impressed!

oww we had the choice of a smaller character house or larger 'box' and went for the larger box and I'm really happy here. It has no character whatsoever but it's big, low maintenance, cheap to run etc so it works for us. There's time for the beautiful period property when the kids are older! But if you want this to be 'the one' and you don't plan on moving again then that might not work for you.

Hasbeen alert! For those who don't own any yet - 30% off at ASOS today in the festival bit. I'm still waiting for my H&Ms!

Personal shopping report! Well, I was a bit 'meh' to begin with because the lady was very twin set and pearls and I was a little bit concerned with what she was going to suggest. I shouldn't have judged though because she brought me a really good mixture of stuff. After a long chat we decided to concentrate on trousers (not jeans), blazers and tops as these are items I do not have a lot of. She got stuff from all sorts of places that I have to admit I wouldn't have usually have looked, some of which I liked, some not. We were aiming for smart casual, including stuff I could wear to work unless it was a very formal meeting, or at the weekend with jeans. (I will admit the dress doesn't fit that description - but it is lovely on, much nicer than the pic!)

I tried on sooooooo much stuff, but in the end went for:

This dress (I know I said no dresses - but this one the only one I bought!!)

This stripey blouse.

This tee shirt.

This jacket.

This top -which I would NEVER have usually looked at and I loved on.

These trousers. Dont's throw me off the S and B boards fopr buying linen trousers please. They do look lovely on!!

And, most annoyingly, I can't link to a beautiful French Connection green top with a flower print that I also got. Doesn't seem to be online anywhere!

What a lovely lot of clothes (except maybe the blouse but then I am not a fan of blouses!). I never think of looking in Mango, but I especially love the jacket.

Hello all! Phew, my Mum's birthday is over, went for Breton with black Zara skirt, black fishnets and shoeboots in the end, no one else was remotely dressed up but so what...

DH managed to get today and tomorrow off work so we booked short stay at family spa near home with DD. Just arrived and it is great! ollie Mother's day here too on Sunday, so I have all I can wish for really.

Bought a couple of tops to wear with skinnies/Houlis but cannot do links because it takes forever on iphone. Oh, and I bought a fab Furla taupe summer bag at outlet place next to motorway en route home from my parent's place. Very convenient!

notyummy Great haul! I particularly like the blazer (is it navy?) and the Kookai sweater!

Hi plum, any chance for a new entry on your blog any time soon? Miss your writing!

everyspring Love your lists!!!

What a fantastic haul notyummy. I'm sure you look incredible in the dress in particular, and another thumbs up for the jacket. Wish there was a mango near me now!

fritzi, I hope you have a lovely time 'regrouping' with your DH this weekend.

Fritzi, I will blog. I will. Have a lovely weekend.

ny Saw that blouse on sales asst in Mango recently, looked amazing tucked into cropped navy chinos with tan heeled loafers and lots of gold.

Bloss, I know it's not local, but next time you make it to Cardiff, a Mango has opened up in the new centre. AND there's a Waitrose on Queen St!

DH has got the gruesome twosome in the bath, I've just been and voted, now need to make more goodies for DD's birthday party, so I'll have enough time for doing her cake in peace tomorrow pm. Luckily DH will be at a cricket match all evening, so won't be here needing feeding/conversation.

Wow plum, Cardiff is so good now!

Hello !

Yes, Plum, Cardiff has a lovely cosmpolitan feel now - and I do like the St Davids Hotel. V nice. Oh and I do love Waitrose...very civilsed. We do the Stroud and Cirencester ones.

Had busy week RL shopping and bought several pairs of new shoes , 2 pairs of Jigsaw wedges, and some from Timberland ankle strap leather shoes, which are lovely. Oh, and went slightly mad on Bobbi Brown tinted moisturiser which is fab, and Sisley face products. Oh and Acqua Di Parma Fico scent which is heavenly.....

Oh and bought a Panama style sun hat Fleecy - you inspired me. This one looks quite okay (most probably deluded)....quite jaunty....

Everyspring...a complete list maker too here. I keep mine in a Moleskin notebook. Drives dh mad.!!!

Some more sartorial events to add to the list:

Parents Sports Day (yeah, really)
Book Club
Casual trip to Pub
Special wedding anniversary meal to Michelin starred restaurant

Mrscb - am just starting the Cazalet Chronicles...and have just read a EJH novel (Love All), so looking forward to it. Nice jacket btw.

Dolcee - you weren't at cribbs this week were you? On Tuesday?? I was whizzing to JL to nappy change and saw someone who I thought could possibly be you on t'other side going into jigsaw . . .

If it was you - you had mulberry handbag and navy jacket [stalker] but thought in passing - oh she's stylish/god DD really needs a nappy change or otherwise would have followed you round jigsaw and made suitable a&w comments to see if you bit