AVID and WISE: This is the place where you can harp on about your new buys.

[FritziGreenEyes]

Sorry about thread title. Hope everyone is back from holidays soon and will find us here.

amber Which JBrands did you get?

bonsoir I tried on those two tops in Cos before Easter and was tempted too. Bought a simple navy dress in Cos and shoes, which are not on the website . Will return this top. Cos is great at the moment I think.

Saw stylish women in Paris carrying one of these canvas/sequin shoppers last week.

This is one of my favourite colourways; also available in taupe/neon pink.

Oh Fritzi, the Vanessa Bruno cabas is a Parisian cliché as in "When does your (pre)teen get her first Vanessa Bruno (bag)?". I've never had one and cannot stand the sight of them (while recognising that they are an inspiration and have made Vanessa Bruno a rich woman!). I was in Le Bon Marché today and wondering whether I should get DP's father to buy one for DD for her next birthday, given that (a) they are a Parisian girl's rite of passage and (b) I ensure that when DP's mother died that her Hermès Kelly bags were put in storage for DD so that she has that particular rite of passage (post VB cabas) already accounted for.

I sound really ridiculous, I know. But when the thing is waiting to be taken, why not go for it and get it out of the way?

bonsoir Ahh, thanks for the background info I was noticing that a lot of younger women were carrying them. It is strange but here in Germany it is a rite of passage for girls to get a small Longchamp Pliage and carry it with pride as a first "handbag". I like the Pliages for travel/carrying sports gear in but would never use as a handbag. DD has a pink Pliage for weekend trips and I hope she will skip the trend of wearing one as a handbag.

Fritzi - that's fascinating - I love those sorts of cultural trends that you never know about unless you live in a country and are über interested in S&B or else know other similar people who can tell you about them!

I have the Longchamp/Erès pliage bag from last summer in white. A lovely friend gave it to me for my birthday. TBH I don't love it that much (it isn't me) but my friend is from NY and her references are different!

bonsoir I find it fascinating too! When we lived in London, we came back for a weekend visit to Germany. I wore a backless top to a party that was only fastened with two tiny straps (anyone remember those?). Those tops were de rigeur and in all London shops at the time. One of my friends told me that there was a sharp intake of breath at the party when I took of my jacket
I meant to ask you if you know this website. Might be good if you want to sell on some high-end stuff and cannot be bothered with Ebay.

That's a very interesting website, Fritzi (though I do try to be disciplined and wear my high-end seasonal stuff to death!).

What you wear where and the impact it has (shocking or cliché or anything in between) is absolutely fascinating. I know I never look like a local anywhere anymore and my capacity to despise cliché, wherever it has come from, knows no limits! That's globalised snobbery for you...

Fritzi I hate moments like that - I am not one of those who can breeze confidently on with my fashion moment and would have had to spend most of the party with my back to the wall!

If anyone is looking for a nice chocolate bar (not terribly A&W, but nonetheless), DH bought me a bar of Divine ginger and orange dark chocolate, and it is literally one of the nicest bars of chocolate I have ever had in my life. Not terribly 'dark' tasting, but yummy crystallised ginger and orange flavour. They sell them in Sainsburys and I think Waitrose.

Am looking forward to my DP order arriving. As well as the linen biker in navy and champagne I have also ordered this blazer with the intention of covering the black trim with different coloured trim from my enormous stash. Maybe a coffee/caramel sort of colour, or maybe something bit more high contrast. I ordered this silhouette dress, but suspect that the waist chopping detail will not be good on me, and this dress despite being reasonably confident that the quality will be atrocious based on the picture. Ooh, and this navy dress, which might be a useful basic, although I may need to fiddle with the cap sleeves a bit to make them suit me (things that highlight my huge shoulders are not a good thing). Safe to say I am making good use of the accidental 44% discount and free delivery and returns! I also have a very full ASOS and M&S shopping basket (mostly with variations on the theme of nude heels and pencil skirts), which I'll be ordering later today, will link when I've done it.

Incidentally, the M&S dress I ordered a week or two ago is very nice, and I think I'll get lots of use from it. I ended up with a size 8 as the 10 was gapey everywhere. My weight hasn't changed more than half a pound in the last 6 weeks or so, but I think I must be a fair bit smaller. Am cursing myself for not taking measurements when I started exercising!

I appear to be on another spending spree. How did that happen, exactly?

Hi everyone!
It's been very quiet hasn't it?
Bonsoir I have this By Terry Sheer Expert make up It's reasonably priced (I think) and it's one of the best I've ever had. Had a more expensive By Terry one, but prefer this one, as it's very light.
Also if you want something as cheap as chips I really rate this Maybelline one Got it in my local pharmacy recently, when I was running out of the By Terry and couldn't get to Harvey Nicks. I usually don't do cheap foundation, as I think it's worth splashing out a bit more on, but it's now a firm favourite as well, and I use it as a back up for when I am running low on the By Terry.
Fritzi LOVE that website, and it might be a runner for me, for getting rid of some stuff. Much easier than ebay. Just have to take a few photos. (Surely I can manage that!) Was at your fashion moment at the party Fritzi. Have had many a moment like that, but always feel it's better than blending into the crowd. DH is great in moments like that, very enabling!
Glad you had a nice time away Bloss, roll on the next one.
Met the lovely Decam last week. She was rocking the Me and Em navy top! We had some (ahem, a lot of wine), but had very good fun!
Am trying to decide on paint colours, a subject that never fails to absorb me. Will be all stones/browns, although now I've written that down it looks very dull.

One more day of work to go!!!!! Am planning trip to Harvey Nics next week to get my posh bag!!!!

bloss. I love live love that toucan scarf. May well purchase!!!

fritzi great title. Hope your garden furniture has thawed out, poor thing.....

Have just seen a TV ad for H&M Conscious Collection. Some nice looking white dresses. Need to check out online.

ants Garden furniture has thawed and I'm awaiting delivery of a new table for the garden . Only one day of work to go until your free time extravaganza! Hope you have lots of treats lined up for the next three weeks .

Could see reine in this!

Im chuckling at Ants' ongoing concern for Fritzi's garden furniture.

Rufus how lovely that you and Decam got to meet and go out.

Bloss have got the Boden Must Have jumper in navy, the grey one has finally been dispatched yesterday after a long delay. I really like the jumper, nothing amazing style wise and a bit overpriced imo but its a good fit and length on me and looks nice with both my white and navy bretons, and with my white jeans.

Bonsoir Im another Laura Mercier fan though must confess to not wearing or knowing a lot about make up. When I was in London I was shown how to use this solid eye liner here - which I apply with a brush on my top lash line, amazing stuff. I am a convert to their illuminated tinted moisturiser too.

So jealous if your night out rufus! How is the new job?

ollie, I bought a navy cropped cardigan in the end. Do need one.

Get the scarf ants! Well done on all your hard work. Enjoy your time off!

Thanks fritzi for the website link. Have bookmarked.

Am wearing new 910s today and newsflash they are so great! I wasn't sure as I don't really do low rise if I can avoid it but they are so flattering, and for fifty quid! I do love an unexpected bargain! Will be debuting Maje leopard top tomorrow, which is more of an unexpected expense. £80 for a flipping T shirt?! Do love it so though.

bonsoir can I move in with you? All my favourites on that list! I thought I was doing well living a stones throw from Matches, MaxMara, DVF etc. We do have Kooples and CdeC though, so suppose I should be grateful! I'm spoilt really.

hopefully spree sounds like really good fun! Did you get the small in the me&em? Am thinking of ordering with mrsCB's discount and I think we are similar size (though obviously I am shorter )

ants which bag are you getting?

If anyone is interested, I am outstanding the following wish list items:

Jersey maxi skirt pref. Navy or grey
Black leather flat sandals
Slinky dress (hoping me&em will fill this void, otherwise it might be the Carven bandage dress)
the elusive white jeans

Watching Apprentice with prosecco. Almost makes up for the fact up for the fact I have been up since 4.20am

Love the DP jacket MrsCB.
The DP maxis arrived and are great

Love my 910s too amber, although I'm still not sure about ankle length on me. But they are excellent tucked into boots. Was in my beloved 912s today and the bunching at the bottom meant I couldn't do up my boots up! I bought a larger size as they didn't have my size in stock at the time, and I really regret it. Never mind, I'll just have to wear them to death and reorder!

Need to catch up. In final parts of work stuff.

Thanks for good running vibes. Still thinking of the day I finish and go for that first long run to celebrate!

Thanks for Sweaty Betty advice, totally forgot about that one.

Mine are a size up too bloss but actually because if the vintage wash I like them a little slouchy. Am huge fan of ankle length as it works well with my signature footwear of Superga trainers. Slightly worrying I am in style rut already...

Love the new thread title!

You are shopping up a storm hopefully.

Which mulberry bag is it mrscb? Link only takes me to homepage.

Enjoyed the bag talk bonsoir and fritzi. Teenage girls round here seem to like jack wills carrier bags or Paul's boutique stuff [unimpressed].

Irritated with DH this evening and keep replaying his annoying comments in my head! DD's first injections tomorrow and am nervous.

No style news to report really except am loving peppermint skinnies with cream silky top combination. And am coveting some floral skinnies but not sure I should fork out when wearing of them may be limited. The j brand and current Elliot ones are lovely though.

Hello to all!

Like the wish lists amber and mim. Sunglasses still on the top of mine but fear I will never find some for my pin head. Someone once mentioned ray bans do different sizes or may even try children's...

Hope your scar stops hurting soon mim; you have been very brave and uncomplaining. Hope icey is ok.

Hi Blue. I am up too, DD asleep on my chest at the moment, and I am MN'ing to try and stay awake.

DH snoring away blissfully beside me...

Teens round here seem to usually sport Cath Kidston bags , but on the whole are not too unstylish (rich area. We are the resident poor people).

Have ordered so much stuff in an effort to find something to wear for meeting next week. I can't believe I've been a SAHM/WAHM for so long that I literally cannot pull together one work outfit.

Hope those of you up at 1/2/3am got more sleep!