Avidly surveying the sales... but already starting Wisely to wonder about A/W Wish Lists.

[blue2711]

New thread!

The fake tan is on (with requisite orange patches, naturally) and hair is done. I'm on countdown to Big Night Out, aware that will have to get ready whilst putting 2 DC to bed.

40bum lady is wearing my black suede Zara sandals today. I heartily recommend. She goes out a lot, doesn't she?! . I have a wardrobe full of going out clothes but not enough occasions to wear them all!

bloss is right: coats and warm jackets are the way forward. I am stupid; I have 20 odd blazers and lightweight jackets perfect for May to September but only 1 jacket and 2 coats I like for September to April. Must rectify.

You have a great wardrobe, Marsha.

Ollie, I forgot, I also ordered the navy lace top. From the page of the style section that escaped being ripped by DD2 this morning, I read that Boden are trying to funk it up.

Thanks Decam! Great way to share things. I was going to do an inspiration one too, but need to go to bed.

Red, Apuski SE lovely days, holidays, weddings. So tired>

Ooh, just seen this site on another thread and thought it might be of interest to hopefully - you can customise you own blazer.

Another gloomy day in Nottingham. Wearing grey troser suit from 2004 (eek!) with coral short sleeved top to brighten it up and grey leopard heels.
So glad you enjoyed your holiday Apuski - hope you thought it was beautiful!

SE - that does sounds like a lovely day. He will remember that for ages. Sometimes the enexpected ones are the best because you don't have the weight of promises/expectations to deliver.

Red - wedding sounds amazing. So lucky with the weather too, given how it has been of late.

Well done on Hopefully's DH for saving the day!

Zara order is on it's way, however suspect the bulk of it will arrive when I can't be there. Grr.

I think I'm finished with pinning what is in my wardrobe. I haven't added loads of stuff like a Halston dress, Chloe, Bruno suede ankle boots and more.

Perhaps it's a sign that I should be much more streamlined and get rid of some stuff.

(Think I've found you all, but not sure on a couple of rl names.)

Notyummy, wearing something from 2004 is great! It just says you've found your style and a quality item that you will love for a long time. I'm trying to buy much less and hold on to special pieces that carry special memories. Will be shopping from my wardrobe this month, combining old pieces with new, trying to think of new, non-boring ways to show them off.

The only things I really need are some new underwear (have started wearing strapless bras all the time) and perhaps some new nightwear. If you see stylish cami-shorts pyjama sets, please let me know!

Am I the last person on earth to read Ines de la Fressange's style book (a summary here)? Her emphasis is on classic, good quality items that you will wear for a lifetime. Updated with an occasional trendy accessory. Her style is more boyish/gamine than mine but really liked her approach and got some good ideas about basics. But I also think many of her looks wouldn't look good on me - I don't have her height, cheekbones or eyes. But anyway, recommended reading if you are trying to prune your wardrobe and to buy fewer (and better) things.

Loving Marsha's wardrobe BTW.

Italy is too hot right now. Spending most of the day indoors near the A/C - only after 9 pm the temperature outdoors is perfect. Can't wait to get back North...

Congratulations Looby, hope you are enjoying lots of newborn snuggles

Ollie glad the parents visit is going well

Reine it is such a challenge to fit everything i around the dc, you are doing a great job!

Bloss your ds is a sweetheart, good idea to wear it under a scarf!

I am so tempted to pin, dh sent me an invitation months ago, but I haven't clicked as I have definite obsessive/compulsive tendencies and fear I will be well and truly sucked in.

First day of the school hols here, and yes, it is raining. Will have 7 children in the house for the day, am looking for earplugs!

I have realised that I have a grey t shirt shaped hole in my wardrobe. Any recommendations? Think I may need two, one charcoal and one lighter. Crew neck best for me.

I managed to buy nothing in the Zara sale I also realised I have over-indulged in the boucle jackets, and have put a few on ebay. Will keep the navy and the raspberry/navy though, I love them.

I am moving on to A/W. I have plenty of summer clothes for the occasional sunny day we seem to have. We went out yesterday to somewhere I often visited during the summers of my childhood, which in my memory were always warm and sunny. I wonder whether I am delusional, or were the summers of the 70s and 80s as good as I think?

I love that book Dona I often have a flick through when I am pining for a trip to Paris. Love Ines, she looks fantastic for her age.

Thanks Dona! I totally agree. I still have my very first gasp-inducing buy from Boston in 1996. Very small and still completely fine as only worn a handful of times. A Nicole Miller raspberry boucle type material mini dress. I love having it still.

Verity pinterest is great . I love looking at what other people are interested in. Lovely home renovations, looks, all that sort of stuff.

Love your colours marsha

Lots of my stuff still in storage until new wardrobes finished, I am dying to have everything back, especially my coloured bags and shoes, everything I have with me seems so dull.

Better go and bake for the masses!

I think we only remember the sunny days, Verity! I have a grey Whistles t-shirt I like, the seam back one.

I haven't read that book, Dona, must get it.

I have a fair few things I wear from 2004, DKNY jackets and tops, mostly.

What a morning!

Decided to take DS to a music class today, as he is now home on a Monday. I planned to bus journey etc to get there, timed DD feeds etc. The bus was late, and then the driver told me I needed to fold up the Phil and Teds, even though there was no-one else on the bus. I told him I'll get off if a person with a wheelchair gets on, but he just said, "For insurance purposes, luv".

So, we got off, but you know that feeling when you are so angry/frustrated that you get tearful...? That was me. Anyhow, took a crying DS to Debenhams for beans on toast instead! The lesson learnt - I need to get a car. DH has been trying to convince me for a while, but this morning was the tipping point. I am very nervous, but suspect its one of those things I just need to get going on.

SE, sounds like an amazing day for you and DS, what lovely memories to store.

Verity the grey marl Whistles seamed back t-shirt is nice, lots of people here have one.

NY, wet here too. Set to be like this all week.

Marsha, off to have a look at your pins now.

Interestingly, I think that having a wish list on pinterest is making me more focused. I didn't bother browsing in the concessions in Debenhams today, as I have a firm idea of what I need in my wardrobe. Shame I just keep adding to the wish list though.

Dona, I got a flyer about the Hush sale, if you like their stuff. It starts at midnight tonight.

MiM, that was really mean of him, I have never been asked to do this. We need to get a car too, I keep putting it off as it is so busy around here.

Well, every summer from '76 until '81 there are lots of pictures of me sitting in a washing up bowl in the garden. (My mum's idea of a paddling pool. ) I am sure the weather was better then.

Dec I remember vividly a baking hot day when I got the train to Malahide with my aunt and cousins and walked to the beach at Portmarnock. It probably rained for the rest of that summer and I have just blocked that bit out!

Just having a quick scan of the Matches sale, Marsha I can see you in this jacket this, a beautiful blue dvf good for work Bloss?

I know Decam, I really don't want to do it, but things are so hard to access out of London on public transport. DS is also getting to the age where a stroll into town and a cafe just doesn't cut it entertainment wise.

Talking of pinning and house improvements, DH reminded me that the loft conversion starts this Thursday. He is still talking about 2mm copper piping, I am dreaming about F&B!

I drive an automatic and it is a breeze, even dh is a convert and would never go back to a manual.

Good luck with the lift MiM how long will it take?

I was a size 8 until I had my children. My bottom half just changed (the bones, not the padding ). Hence, my entire work wardrobe, all bottoms (skirts, trousers, jeans) from life pre-DC had to be cleared out.

Marsha and Decam, I just found a jacket from circa 1990 at my parents'. I could still wear that... It's a collarless boucle peplum jacket, ie, enjoying a comeback right now.

Verity, you should definitely join Pinterest . For me, pinning is much more meaningful than mindless FBing and mooching around forums. The deal for me is that by pinning, I try to cut down on new purchases and try to use and appreciate more all the lovely items that I already have - and if I make new purchases, trying to stick to things that update and complement old things.

That said, the Marant has just arrived. Tags still on as our only full-size mirror is in the children's room and it's naptime right now. But I tried it on and it might be a keeper. It's very slouchy and billowy and much less structured than what I normally buy. But very cleverly cut and I think just right for my frame. The colors are just right as well and it looks good with nude Castaners or old black Hasbeens but might also look good with my sky-blue MiH Viennas and the Mulberry Lily (thinking about cold weather up north). For anybody contemplating a purchase, the sizing is enormous (go a size down) and the material is slightly see-through, flimsier than in the picture. So have to think about it a bit. But because the shape is different, it would shake me out of a style rut a bit and perhaps also extend my comfort zone.

I am trying to convince DH to go for an automatic.

That blue DvF dress is beautiful.

Decam thanks, will check out.
Automatic is the way to go! Love it! DH is a complete convert too, and even my MIL .

Verity lovely, tempting Matches finds. I have a feeling there might be further reductions tomorrow or the day after, I thin their free shipping offer expires then, plus they have lots and lots left still.

Speaking of driving, I have my theory test tomorrow. If I pass, I'm making a beeline for the R&B sale!

Oh yes, have decided to go automatic too. Its the fastest way to get me driving - I find the whole clutch thing very stressful.

Verity it should be finished in 8 weeks. After that we need to decorate the new rooms, redecorate the new and existing landings and hallway, and then redecorate and move DS into our old bedroom. I am hoping to have this all done by Christmas.