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

[blossoming]

Where is everybody???

To the returning regulars... hello!! I'm new here, but I have lurked for a while, and I remember your posts. Glad to see you back and hope to get to know you all better

roary I love pencil skirts, but it's a hard shape to get used to. Your designer was absolutely right that we don't know our natural waist any more. I was measured for a Levi's CurveID recently and when the shopgirl measured my natural waist, I was really shocked by how high it is. Very close to my bust line actually. Though, I am a munchkin with a very short torso, so there is very little place for my waistline to go (except outwards )

rufus I love the maxi dress! And the H+M dress! I have a similar style from People Tree. Can I justify another one

ungratefulchild I like the dress but it wouldn't work on my big norks. What is your body shape? Like other posters have said, Spanx (or similar) is essential with VW dresses in general, especially if you have even a hint of an arse

Every if you size up on that H/M dress it will fit fine. I am perplexed re FB, am scrolling through and can't find your initials. Will you send me a message?! Didn't realize I was friends with anyone on FB from here. How exciting. Re colouring my hair is darker than Eva's in RL and skin lighter. Red is also a good colour, well some reds, don't ask me which, I have to try them, and then know immediately if they suit. I have an orangey red top at the moment which everyone admires when I put it on, but if I do the colours questions it's not supposed to suit me.

Think I have nailed it finally. I am a clear Winter, ala Courtney Cox, Liv Tyler, and Megan Fox. Will have fun experimenting with Icy blue and pink. Would never have considered them previously.

Hi everyone, have been away and need to catch up properly with this thread!

I got these in France at the weekend - great colour IMO, that's my spring/summer trousers done now!

My H&M red hasbeens are due any day now - excitement building....

Rufus lovely to see you back on here.

Thats funny you should mention jumpsuits Fritzi - I said last year there was no way I would wear one but have seen lots being worn recently and most of them did look v nice (worn like Everyspring said with a cropped jacket and embellished sandals). May try one one if I see one. Your inflatable orange crown story made me smile - saw lots of those on Saturday!
Everspring I have that jumper in navy and wear it a lot. Like the fine knit for the summer.

For those of you looking for a sun/vest top, I have this one from H&M in navy and its very nice - good colour and length (ie can be tucked in or out)

Morning all! Back at work...boo. At least the sun was shining at 6am, which made it a bit better!

UC - There are a lot of VWA lovers on this thread, however their are a few of us for which they don't tend to work. I think they are generally ladies who are slightly more pear shaped with good waist and small busts - the dress seems to work less well for that body shape. Probably worth ordering and trying - you can always send it back (like I did!)

Rufus - I have a black satin pencil skirt that I bought about 4 years ago and I love. They can be really flattering on the waist - and DH certainly like it . In fact, I seem to get quite a of male attention when I wear it (must dig out of wardrobe soon )

Sorry to hear about your J Brands WAN. I had a similar worry with the VWA dress I mentioned above. Posted back to Harvey Nicks and it disappeared into a big black hole for 3 weeks....however eventually I got an email and all was fine. Fingers crossed the same will happen with you.

Oooh lovely - Met Ball frocks.
here

Oooh - thanks for that link. Fashion heaven! I loved Salma, Diane Kruger, SJP, Jessica Alba...and, actually, Madonna!! Not keen on that Marchesa stuff at all.

Hope you all enjoyed the bank holidays.

Everyspring, you were a beautiful bride.

My dad had a go at me yesterday because he wants me to take DD and the baby, who will only be a few weeks old, back to Ireland for the month of July or August and I want to go for a few days in Sept instead (see you then, Rufus). Like he is going to help!

Emo, great jeans.

Wideawake, the J Brands may be stuck in customs in the US. Don't worry yet!

UC, I like the dress but don't have any VWA. Spanx are a great invention.

Bloss, your outfit for the christening sounds very cool.

Roary, yes to pencil skirts, I have a lovely Theory one (unworn since I left work but will be back in an office one day!).

Rufus, I like the J Crew trousers. You can always return them. I like the DKNY blazer they show with it. I tried it on recently and it is on my post baby shopping list along with MIH chinos and cropped jeans. I have saved a fortune by cancelling the doula and getting my friend's nanny to babysit one afternoon a week. I am now allocating the saved money for wardrobe updates but DH may have other ideas for it. :) I have not been doing any shopping but given up sugar in preparation for after!

I'm only getting the DKNY blazer if it goes on sale ... does anyone know when the NAP summer sale starts?

I'm only buying stuff less than full price too Carciofi. Outnet or NaP sale.

Not sure when it starts.

Ah Roary thank you. San Francisco.
(dh has been contacted by an agent in NY, someone who loves his work!... but very much doubt we will, we love London. But am curious about lifestyle.)

ollie Do you know this Dutch website. Good basics and great dresses I think!

Hi all, lovely sunny day here. Morning spent at the playgroup that I foolishly took on in a moment of misguided do-gooding and am now struggling to offload onto someone before we head off to Bristol.

Emo, love the jeans, you reminded me to link to the dress I have been coveting here. I'm adding it to the list of things to buy once I complete my 30 days of shredding.

Hope the Jbrands appear WAN - v frustrating

Hi everyone!
Wow marsha, that does sound exciting though. I haven't heard of the MN spring meet up.
carciofi, good to have you back too. It's getting really close now isn't it? I'm really excited for you. My brother and his partner are due next week I think. I can imagine that blazer would really suit you. Remember the mass hysteria over the Nap sale last year?

Will browse the met ball dresses later. I have my last but one class today. I am going to miss my salary, albeit small. Well until September anyway.
Jimmy Choo sent a catalogue this morning. I'm trying to throw it out without looking at it! It's their bags I've taken a fancy too, although a few years ago I saw someone in my hairdressers with a Miu Miu bag and I've coveted them ever since. Start saving!
I was very pleased to be on the school run this morning. It took me an hour and a half after talking to so many people. That's what I miss during the holidays. Although I was a bit peeved to be trumped in the style stakes by a (lovely) local lady who must be about 50 but is so so stylish. She had skinny jeans and fabulous wedges today - not pushing a buggy obviously. I came home and thought, must try harder!
Well my Boden espadrille ankle tie wedges are on the way, so that will be a start!

marsha San Fran beautiful but Bay Area real estate is preposterously expensive, that would be the first thing I'd check out. My brother was offered a job there and couldn't take it (despite the v good salary) because he did not want to live waaaayyyyy out in a not very nice suburb and drive 45 minutes plus to get everywhere, and that would have been all they could afford....it has come down a bit in price but still worth checking.

Postie came bearing gifts today. The Shred DVD and tickets to the Take That concert next month Book club tonight, not sure what I'll wear yet. The author is going to come for a Q&A session as well, so that'll be interesting. It's this book. I liked the book because of its background in Stalinist Russia, but I generally hate the thriller genre...too brutal and misogynist for my taste.

redllama what a good idea to give yourself a post-shred reward. Think I may copy

Thinking of staying in the Pan Pacific in Singapore for a stopover on The Big Holiday. Any of you well travelled ladies been there? Reviews on Tripadvisor v good.

Hi All ,Sorry! have been reading posts but just haven't had time to post myself
Friday was wonderful in London, we all met up at the airport, looking very glam in our wedding outfits and chapeaux! We caught the 6.25 flight to London and headed straight to Oxo Tower for a fabulous wedding themed breakfeast whilst watching all the action on some big screens! Lunch followed which in true Oxo Tower style was fab with lots of goodies and surprises, We had lots of photos taken by a photographer supplied by the venue and were given souvenir shots framed with a mock up front cover of OK magazine, featuring us! After drinking copious amounts of champagne, we got great goody bags with wedding cake and momento mugs! and headed back to the airport.
The day really was a lot of fun and we were all glad that we made the effort.

Portia - your trip sounded wonderful - how lovely that the restaurant went to so much effort. (I celebrated my 30th bday there - love it)
Nan - book club with the author sounds good - maybe I should try it with our book club - would stop us wandering off topic so much!
Fritzi - not heard of that Dutch website but have bookmarked it to browse later - dank u wel!

Is it wrong that I am counting down the hours til MIL arrives tomorrow to have the boys for a few hours. I love the holidays with them but they are both so loud and busy - I feel my nerves are a bit frazzled - nothing a potter round the shops won't cure tho!
DH and I are also going to look at another house tomorrow afternoon - lovely open plan kitching/dining area and nice garden. (DH dragging me to see a doer upper next week - I know in my heart of hearts that I don't have the energy/inclination to take one on but promised I would look at it anyway!)

OWW, not wrong at all, you need some time to yourself! Well, I do. :) DD finally goes back to nursery on Friday, after almost a month off. She only goes two mornings a week as it is.

Portia, sounds like a great day.

Nan, I've just ordered that book, thanks.

Bloss, looking forward to the espadrilles review. I have 5 weeks left from Friday. Dh is scared. :o

I have just checked for that blazer on US websites and it is on sale there but sold out in my size. I'm slipping up! I don't get invited to the NAP sale preview so it will probably sell out there before I get my hot little hands on it!

MrsJuan, forgot to say, glad it worked out with your DH's job.

Portia - Wow!! What a fabulous day - it sounds really wonderful, love the Oxo tower!! Our flat in London (now rented out) overlooks it and it takes about ten minute to walk there but bizzarely, DH has never been. Must add it to the 'to do' list.

Thanks for the Met Ball link Ollie - Eva Mendes was my winner I think. Lots of lovely ladies in blush/nude but I'm getting a bit bored of it and love all the jewel tones.

Nan - are you me??? I also received those two items in the post last week but it has taken me until tonight to try Shred. Am now very upset that today's Grazia didn't arrive in the post as I was looking forward to a cup of tea in bed with the Royal Wedding photos!

Redllama - how far into shred are you now? Which level are you on, are you seeing results yet and has it stopped hurting??? I took my waist, hip and bust measurements before I started so, hopefully, I will see a change.

Which J Brand jeans do you all rate by the way? There are so many. A friend has recommended that I go to Donna Ida - anyone been?

WIT's having a bloody long holiday isn't she?? How very dare she

Hello all!

Portia, your London trip sounds fab, lots of fun!

I have fallen off the wagon with Shred, having been away for 4 days. But we had a lovely weekend near Bournemouth, took the kids to Peppa Pig world, and ds1 had a great time! It was manic though.

And my H&M swedish hasbeens finally arrived and I love them, very comfortable. DH isn't completely keen, but I think that's probably a typical H reaction! I had been contemplating some Episode wedge espadrilles here but don't think I need them now. But the weather needs to be warmer before I bare my toes! And nail polish, arrghh, I haven't even begun to think about that! Any suggestions?

donkey, I rate the 'pencil leg', 91210. I just adore mine. I am particularly in love with the black ones right now, 'shadow' they call it.

portia, what can I say?! What a day! So glad you had a good time.

apuski, how are things looking on the job front? Have you spent any eBay profits yet?