Avidly plotting to Wisely splurge. Come on the sales!

[blossoming]

Just bought the Me & Em maxi. Well I had a code..

Just squeezed in a round of Insanity as I suspect I'll be too knackered later. Have baked cake (carrot, as it's always a hit, rather than original plan of union flag cake), sausage rolls, about to make cucumber sandwiches and coronation chicken sandwiches. And DS has made rice crispie cakes with red white and blue sprinkles. And bowls if blueberries and strawberries for colour. Once again, we have horribly over catered. More leftovers for us!

Just looked it up. She's 64 Verity!!!
I kept waiting for the hula hoop to drop! Very disappointed.
My DS2(aged 4!) couldn't take his eyes of Kylie strutting her stuff. He extracted his thumb from his mouth to remark gravely "I think she's really good"!!!
Hope the pavlova turns out good Red. I have mixed success with mine, but have found a product called ?Two Chicks in supermarket which is basically a carton of egg white. Removes that whole anxiety of separating the eggs. I usually do a bread and butter pudding at the same time to use up the yolks.

Sounds divine Hopefully.

I think the benefits of a HoC colour/style day are quite impressive. First you get the confidence to know exactly what suits you, giving you the tools to always look your best (with the least effort and time) to avoid passing trends; the so-called 'must haves' that advertisers scream at us, and to understand and have more empathy/tolerance with people who don't share our personal style. Makes me a more understanding person. And richer, as I'm not frantically following fashion worrying I'm going to be left behind, or supporting 'cheap fashion' for my fix.
But then that's my personality, and I respect that I am older than many of you and know we have opposing characteristics.

Thats a great summary of the benefits of the HoC advice Bloss

I went out on a pre-sales reccy today - was alarmed to see a few autumn ranges creeping into a few shops! Got a bit overwhelmed trying to look for things that ticked all the HoC boxes but think thats just because Ive yet to absorb all the info properly. In need a crib sheet in my wallet! Saw a nice blue/cream round neck boucle jacket in Zara (not on website but like the pink one Verity and Fritzi own?) and a simple pale pink short sleeved blouse to wear with white skinnies - great tip thank you MrsCB about trying paler tops with them

Did buy these sandals for when the sun decides to shine again and I need a tiny bit of bling on my feet - had 30% offhere and was pondering a panama hat - saw several ladies wearing them round the pool on holiday some of which looked good. I had to resort to DHs baseball cap at times. Views on panamas (for beach/pool) anyone?

Nice sandals olly. I have problems dressing down and I suppose you'd have problems dressing up!
I like panamas I think. But they are often cream . I saw this fedora on another thread, don't know what the difference is, and liked it. I am yet to find a good summer hat, but am shopping on Thursday. Not sure where RI is, or if there is one, but Monsoon/Accessorize will have something too I'm sure, and M&S.
I am liking ants' decisiveness, and am about to order the heeled chelsea boots. I never order from the preview then regret it. I have not been very lucky with Boden shoes in the past though sadly.

AW feels quite apt atm. Hope it gets sunny again soon.

Sounds good Bloss. I like it when people have their own style. In rl and on here. Although I probably fall into winging it category.

The one I saw (in dept store) was more straw coloured - I like the cream ones but would wash me out I suspect.
Accessorize had one like the RI one you linked to Bloss The one i saw had a turned up brim at the back and a nice ribbon. A few cheapy buys to be found in H&M too here
Yes to me struggling re smart clothes - and coats. I had a lovely time googling Elle images last night. See what MrsCB means about dressing for the school run - blimey!

Marsha I sun has to shine for the waft. I was looking forward to wafting updates. Can people still waft if its chilly????

Ollie I know my iPhone icon keeps swapping from rain to lightening for Friday. Eek!

I'm in denial, we may need a Plan B!

I can really see you in Elle Mac stuff and Fritzi in Kristen Scott T. Good call by style person.

I study EA, but don't think she's dramatic classic either. Some of her clothing seems more Natural? Like the leopard print coat and lots of fringing, but then her DH works for Marant I think.
There is a great photo, will try and link later of one of her entourage in layers of charcoal and black, and a great blazer: my next big search!
Sorry to hear the forecast is bad for the waft marsha. Will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Hi all. So pleased to hear all the exciting details of the style weekend. Sounded fabulous! Fritzi- hope your daughter is feeling better. Also hope those hosting jubilee bashes had fun- yours sounded great Blue!

Now on train with DH and a Grazia after a fantastic 2 1/2 days in London. Ladies, I can definitely recommend this hotel. Not as central as some I have stayed in, but OMG the suites for families- and it is all suites. Two big room, a large bathroom with seperate shower and bath and two separate toliets (one for each bedroom), plus dressing area and lobby!! Lots of nice touches, including lovely espresso machine in the room with take away cups as well as espresso cups. And get this- a balcony overlooking Chelsea Harbour and the Thames, which meant that after we had seen the Queen and started to get cold, we retired to our room and watched the pageant with drinks on the balcony. Lovely pool, spa and gym too. Under £200 per night b and b for a suite.

Waved DD off at Paddington this morning as she went with MIL for 3 nights away in Ludlow with her cousins and the dh and I went to see Prometheus at the enormous IMAX. Amazing!! Out just in time to see the flypast. Fab time had by all. A bit knackered tbh, and have eaten loads, but visited gym twice, lots of walking and three trips to the pool with dd have hopefully helped.

Bit 'me, me, me'- will try and do better next time!

NY sounds like you had a fabulous trip!

marsha fingers crossed for the waft weather. I might make it, passing it off as a client lunch

this is the Jigsaw top I purchased in Brighton v pleased with it - the colour works, not too pastelly. Talking of which...pickles I had my colours done a few years ago and found it very helpful. Would like to do a style day soon. I think the money and time saving aspects of it would be very useful as well as hopefully gaining a stronger sense of what is "me".

Can you re-link emo?

this working? it's a modal cotton ruched top, i have the peachy shade.

oh stupid Jigsaw website link not working.

Evening All, glad to see that everyone had great Jubilee celebrations. I've got to hand it to you , the British really know how to do pageantry well! We were blown away on Sunday by the both the spectacle and atmosphere and had an amazing view at Oxo tower.

Ny that hotel looks fab, 'have book marked it for future reference!

Delighted to here that the stylistas had a good weekend.

Congrats Pickled on the new job.

Bloss I suspect EA of being a natural dramatic (I am a dramatic natural) as I literally don't think I've ever seen her in something I wouldn't wear, but she is much more leggy and more angular than is obvious for a natural.

Portia and NY, so glad you had a great time despite the weather .

Emo, that's a pretty Jigsaw top. I'm loving the stuff in Jigsaw atm, they have some lovely linen shorts which I shall buy when the weather improves.

Blue, loving your patriotic outfits!

Argh have got rotten coldy-flu thing, am shivering in bed. Can't even blame Her Maj as the nearest I got was reading about it in the Mail Online (while scouting for fat celebrities). Perhaps this is my punishment?

Amber hope you aren't feeling too rough today.

Portia and NY sounds like you had fabulous trips.

An constructing a late summer/early autumn wish list, it is long and growing

Ooh post it on here Hopefully!

Have realised I've actually got tonsillitis. Happy days.

Amber - I hope you are feeling better today.

Emo - I love your Jigsaw top.

Back at work today with a bit of 'post long weekend blues'....and wondering whether DD is enjoying herself at MILs and not feeling homesick. My head tells me she will be having a great time (in fact MIL phones last night at DDs bedtime so she could say good night to us and we literally got two words with her before she ran off to play with her cousins so I dont think she is missing us that much ) and tbh, I think it is much more us missing her!

Trying to be good this month clothes wise after a number of cash draining outings/items. Have a black tie outing this Saturday coming up, which I will definitely be shopping the wardrobe for (I have a quite a few ball suitable dresses tbh.) Summer ball as well the weekend after, and once again I will rummage through the back catalogue. I may have a trying on session tonight or tomorrow night whilst DD is away and I have the time.