AVIDly hitting the sales. Let our buys be WISE!

[blossoming]

New thread here!

Did you all see? WIT got married.

Oh, just read back, I see you did! Was so excited to see her pics, I posted before reading!

Ooh - well done to Rufus. A new job AND a great compliment. You are on fire!

Good to see you Plum.

I had a rummage around in my wardrobe (one of those 'I REALLY must wear more of this stuff' moments...) and so am sporting my new Mango navy blazer Grr! It's reduced already... with a pale blue Jigsaw linen tulip skirt (that I have owned for over 2 years and worn once and a grey DP top. Plus grey leopard print heels.

Hello everyone. Sorry to be away so long, but had an odd week. Couple of fights with dh, and a night out on Saturday that went awry - I passed out on the table in the middle of a sentence and my friends had to call dh to come and get me...he had to bundle two sleeping children in the car and drive across town and then I threw up in the car on the way back Very embarrassing . DH was (is) not best pleased because this all happened in front of dd1 and really doesn't set a good example. I agree really, but I was feeling shit all week and I let myself go too much when I got the chance. Lesson learnt

Carciofi congratulations! I think second time round everything is easier and quicker, plus your body knows what it's doing. Anyway, glad you had an easy time and hope you're having lots of newborn cuddles. And toddler cuddles too, of course

Off to have a peek at the links but I'm trying not to give in to temptation and buy things I don't need. I'm hoping to get a J Brand bargain though if possible. On that note, red well done on your J Brand order!

Fritzl likewise, what a lovely NAP haul.

rufus congratulations on the new job! Nothing beats a new handbag or lovely high-heeled shoes as a pick-me-up

Plum welcome back

Morning all! Shall I bore you with my day in London???

Went up with my friend, we shared our birthday party this year and both asked our DHs for a day out shopping as pressie (ie: 'gimme cash please'). We went to Donna Ida first where I got some Houlihans and Agnes - my first JBrands!! They were both reduced by 50% so it was essentially BOGOF! I resisted a beautiful Lily and Lionel scarf and now wish I hadn't as it is out of stock online.... Guess I could call the shop.... Also, we both tried and loved the Earharts but I was wise and said that I will order them from Shopbop on Red's recommendation.

We then went to Harvey Nics and started with a cheeky champagne. Went down to AH concession and no Gracie but sent to New Bond Street (Didn't go to Pont Street but managed a cheeky cocktail at the Mandarin Oriental). Went to Jo Malone first and got some goodies, then went to AH and they had Gracie but...... she didn't make my heart race . I really liked the bag but the stone was more stoney than I had thought and I realised that I had wanted a warm cream. I liked the black but, again, maybe not enough? It didn't help that I was carrying my 2.55 and realised that I would like one of those in cream or black (dream on!!). I did, however, see my Coburn that I had ordered and loved it so I am excited about that arriving.

We then tried Belstaff but they didn't have any boots that I liked in my sixe. By this point it was 5pm (and we weren't really doing very well!!) so we went to Momo for a couple of Mojitios (maybe should have had some food by now), found out Selfridges was open until 10pm so hoofed it in the rain. Bloody sales, that's where NAP comes into it's own as we just couldn't be bothered by all the rails in S.

Decided to call it a day and nearly made it out but stopped at Anya Hindmarch Bespoke where I (slightly drunkenly) purchased a black patent pleated leather clutch which they are going to engrave with my name and DH's name on the inside.... Ooops!! It was hideously expensive for a clutch but I'm blaming my friend who kept telling me that it is an 'heirloom piece' and my daughters will use it in years to come

Wow! That was very self-indulgent - hope no-one has dozed off!!

Rushing in to ask petit how much are the 2.55?

Hi petit that sounds like a lovely day! It's great that you're pleased with your Coburn now you've seen it and Graciein the flesh. The sales this year seem to be great for bags. I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of my Anya bag, I had a delivery yesterday but it was only a boring raincoat not my lovely bag.

MrsJ fingers crossed you get your MJ bag.

I made the mistake of weighing myself this morning, how depressing, I've put on just over 2 stone and still have another 4ish weeks to go. At least I'll get my CS date soon.

RG - that sounds like a perfectly healthy gain to me. I think I put on something similar (around 2 stone that is.)

Nan - Almost all of us have been there at some point. It does sound grim, but I can quite understand the impulses that led to it happening!! Hope you feel a bit less stressed.

Petit - Wow!! That sounds like such a fabulous day. I am very jealous.....

Poor thing Nan. Dont be too hard on yourself.
What an amazing day Petit. And it will be an heirloom piece! I would love a pair of the Agnes j brands. All sold out in my size. And i spent a.good hour trawling the web site yesterday.
NY that outfit sounds very well put together. Love shopping in my own wardrobe. You will be plesed to know I got DH to do the Shred last night. Level 3. He was wiped after it, but says he is up for it again tonight! (The Shred that is. Not a euphemism)
oh when I said about the mulberry being obvious, I meant the actual label on the bag. You know the way its very gold and glitzy? I prefer the more discrete mulberry label of the alex or bays water. IYKWIM

Ok, I'm caving. Donna Ida has sharkskin Agnes or Olympia (dark blue) houlihans in my size on website. Can only get one pair. Which?
Have tried Houlihans on but not Agnes. Am size 12 with hips and a bum. Fit wise are they more or less the same?
If you could only have one pair, which would it be - A or H's?

ollie, I vote Agnes (quelle surprise!)
rufus, shame you missed out. Honestly there's nothing clever about throwing 5 things into the kitchen aid and pressing 'on'!
On that note I find spelt delicious and filling. I realise I have no issues with wholegrain wheat. Only the white stuff.
rufus, congrats on the job. I am getting the lkb anna as a new work bag, unless I seriously screw up tomorrow.
On that note pickled, yr 8 set 2 French. I'm hoping for some inspiration as they're expecting greatness. No pressure then. When is your meeting?
What a great day petit.
Hope you feel better soon nan.
rg, only 4 weeks! How exciting!!

Bloss - I think that they start around £1500. DH got mine about six years ago and I think it was £1200 but they have risen quite dramatically since then. I am hoping that the exchange rate will be goo when we go to the US but they seem to match their prices worldwide so no real bargains to be had.

Ollie - I bought both but felt that the houlihans were slightly more flattering for my fat arse curves. I'm sure your hips and bum are nowhere near as wide as mine though!! I know the houlis are supposed to be cropped too but on my 5"4 frame, they are not.

Delurking for Ollie's benefit!

Love this thread ladies but I just don't get time to post regularly. I have 3 pairs of Houlihans and 1 pair of sharkskin Agnes (all purchased with hefty discounts I hasten to add!). I love them all...however, I did also order and send back the Olympia houlis a while ago as I found the material to be softer and more stretchy - on me they were baggier, not as 'hold everything in' flattering and felt as though they would wear at the knees more quickly.

So if it was a choice between the 2 I'd go for Agnes sharkskin. Fit is pretty similar, if anything the Agnes are a little bit more generous than the Houlis but maybe this is just different fabric . Anyway, hope you haven't fallen asleep with that J Brand sermon and that it helps a bit

Hello there,,quick post pre nursery dash,been a busy weekend though not so much as rufus ..sounds fun!well done on job and compliment too.

blindassasin do stay..jb sermons very welcome on here.

sorry you are having a bad time nan hope things get nicer very soon.

baby up..must dash..back later to see your sale goodie links!

petit that sounds like a great day! Will use "heirloom piece" as reason for any future buys I need to justify . I actually have a friend who uses one of her grandma's old clutches and it is beautiful!

rufus Congratulations!!! When are you starting your new job? MrRufus is shredding too? Will tell DH because he thinks "it's just for girls", pah!

katy ASOS sale??? I will have just a little look...

reallygrumpy Wow only a few weeks? Time has flown by! 2 stone is not that bad and most of it will disappear after the birth.

Oh nan, hope you get back on track with DH soon. Do you think it would help to spend some time with him without the DDs to talk things through?

ollie I would go for sharksin Agnes. The Olympia material is very soft and stretchy and I had to sew on the flaps of the pockets because they were sticking out and it looked odd.

Hello blindassassin and fellow JBrand afficionado, please stay!

What a fab day petit! My JBrand words of wisdom would be to order down in the Earharts - mine are a little baggier on my arse than I'd like them to be and think 1 size down would have been perfect, but I'll get over it.

Sorry to hear about Saturday Nan, sounds very drama-laden. Don't be too hard on yourself - your reaction proves it's not a regular thing. Hope you and DH get some time to talk this week.

Pain about the Jalouses WAN, I managed to get a size 6 for £100 and desperately want them to not be too big!

Goe for it Ollie after all the Agnes loving I would be inclined to go that way. For long-term wear, I think Houlihans have a shorter shelf-life. Sorry for the heresy ladies! Tempted myself, but have a pair of Nudie High Kais on their way that were a really good price and couldn't resist.

RG 2 stone is absolutely nothing when you consider that about a stone to a stone and a half is baby, placenta, fluid, water retention etc etc. 4 weeks to go hey, how exciting!

You sound to be mega-prepared Bloss. Have I missed the outfit post?

Have just confirmed moving date for a time much earlier than expected. Aaargh.

Ooh no Fritzi - DH is military man through and through, but does both Shred and 6 Week 6 Pack. In fact Bloss - DH did both L 1 and L 2 of 6W6P togther last week. His official assessment was 'it nearly killed me.'

I am watching Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber on You Tube (so I can be 'down with the kids' tomorrow!) Knowing my luck I shall have a class full of farmers!
Really missing excersizing this week, but I really have to nail this. I am teaching a lesson tomorrow, then the official interview with a new head and governors is on Thursday evening.
For teaching red, I am wearing the Zara (portia) capris, R&B quilted ballet flats in pewter and black patent, and probably the white co cross stitch top, with a silver cardigan, or the black and white scarf, depending on humidity. It's quite warm this week despite the rain. For the interview, I may wear charcoal grey gap modern boot cuts, heels, and either the bloss top (black) with LKB black cardigan, like I wore to my last interview or Banana Republic navy shirt. First will go better with my trench coat.

Must get back to it

Before I go, thanks for that info petit, and stop lurking blindassassin! No one loves a good j brand chat more than me!

Great outfit choices Bloss and good luck tomorrow!
Thanks for that info on the bag price Petit was dying to ask. Swoon. What a price, could I justify it? Oh yes I am sure I could come up with something!

Oh I really (still) want the 2.55 bag ! I might just get the classic ballet flats to satiate my fix for now though....hmmmmm.....Petit - your day sounds fab.

I am also in need of a jacket just like this....in charcoal or silvery grey absolute classic. Check out the clutch in that photo too.

Bloss - DD2 loves Lady G. I have to loudly sing alternative words so she doesn't pick up on the 'real' lyrics... Good luck with the interview.

WIT does indeed look lovely....beautiful dress.

Am having a zen like week after much too much partying at the weekend. I mean, much too much...urghhhhh. Pilates tonight. Self imposed ban on drinking. Well apart from Camomile tea and decaf, that is.

I also want the LV scarf a la Christine Bleakley after your link Bloss. Nice! Is it me or did CB look a little weightier than usual??? And was wearing smockish top????

dolcee, the photos of her in Las Vegas, she had the most amazing figure ever! Not a hint of needing smockish tops!
I know what you mean about her scarf though, and the bag, and the white t and the skinny jeans.... .
Did I mention someone asked me if I was pregnant last week? Blardy White Co tunic.

Actually Bloss I think its was her in the white long T and skinny jeans where she looked bigger than normal.

You see that's why I do not do tunics...People just assume.....

Hmmm. Is this odd?

Jalouse reduced to £73 in ash store. They are in stock online again, but full price. Spoke with customer services who say they have no intention of matching the store price.

The more elusive they are, the more I am drawn to them.