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.

Just a quick one from me as the sun is actually shining and we should be at the park!

Bloss and Ollie

Ollie you are such a lovely mum, I would have put my foot down over the cake pops, I made them once and never again!

Fritzi get the Marant, it's been on my favourites for months now, it is so pretty. I LOVE the blouse you got, she has done beautiful prints this season. I hope your dh doesn't need to make the trip to SK.

Dec hope you had a nice anniversary, and dh got home a bit earlier than usual! Glad you like the shoes, after wearing them for a few days I have to say they are the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned!

Rufus enjoy your hols. Sympathies to all with bolters. When mine were toddlers we used to meet up with friends at the park a couple of times a week. Whenever we sat for a picnic or rest we'd always have to pick a spot that was the greatest distance from the gates so that when he made a run for it we'd have a chance to catch him. His poor mum could never relax.

Amber the first thought that popped into my mind when I read your post was "Davina"! Now's your chance, you'll have to try her.

Glad you like your Gracie Blue, the postman delivered a cobalt blue leather hide this morning so I am going to have a go at making a Gracie/Celine hybrid! What will I call her??

Not sure about the back of this dress or I would be pinning on my yet to be started workwear board.
My cold is better thank you all lovely ladies, and is settling into a nice catarrh. Great.
Glad you got the leggings decam. I followed mim's advice to size down on the black jeans, how are they after a few hours wear? Such a great bargain though. I wore mine to work today with a long line black tank disappeared from Jigsaw site, and a blazer. Love that outfit!
Thinking ahead after amber's post re workwear. Have been happy with what I wore this year, but a lot of M&S panic buy stuff, still unworn.

Meant to say hope you're feeling better Bloss. Glad it's improving.

Am in the park and wish I had not missed a skirt/ short wearing opportunity. So lovely and warm.

Back from set up day. Exhausting, amazing day. So inspired to get going with it all.

Thanks a lot for the for the non-dairy advice ladies. Pretty obvious really, but I am clueless about anything other than veggie...or non-veggie. Bit rubbish, really .

So glad you had a great day Hopefully.

Amber - meant to say, depending on what you are looking to spend (notice that you mentioned not wanting people to gossip about you spending too much) then you may want to consider Jigsaw for suits etc. Not cutting edge but well cut, good quality workwear that certainly wouldn't count as cheap, but not quite as eye watering as some of the stuff on Matches etc. Particularly if you have nothing and will need a fair few bits and pieces.

In fact, I have a big meeting with a Minister tomorrow and will be wearing a Jigsaw navy suit that has a very flattering pencil skirt, with new stripey cotton organic top to make it less severe (and obligatory nude fish nets...)

Ahh, that feeling when the DC's are in bed - and all is quite again. You can't beat it.

Bloss I am now hankering for the leggings too, given you are getting so much wear out of them. I usually buy a cheap pair each winter that always bag and sag - so I am going to save for the J Brands. Wish I'd sized down in the black cherrys - they have a lot of give in them. Makes them a wear once and wash jean.

Dona my DS is a fussy eater, which alongside his allergies, is a nightmare to manage. I do make a big pot of this which is a great way of getting veg into them. I omit the stock for allergy purposes, and just add a little water - still seems to come out fine. I freeze little batches and then add to pasta, jacket pots etc.

Looking forward to hearing about it all SE and Hopefully.

Comfort food here tonight, lamb and mint burgers with potato wedges. Carbtastic!

Carbs - what are these carbs of which you speak? MIM bought that whistles top today - very nice.

Was rushing round buying eldest's teacher a present - she has been so utterly wonderful I wanted to get her something nice so got her a diptyque candle.

DH off to do his tdf stage tomorrow so a few days without him - am rather looking forward to the peace and quiet.

Right - khardashians calling . . .

Blue - I do a double loop of the gracie strap - will show on blog how I do it as know other people finding it too long. Will eventually go to cobbler though like Dona.

amber it's fairly formal where I work. Favourites are...

DVF wrap dresses- still some bargains to have in matches sale
Pencil skirts. Have just picked up a great one in Hobbs sale. Ted Baker also good
Ciggarate pants- mine are from Reiss
Reiss generally!
Whsitles for lovely tops with a bit of an edge
Massimo Dutti for tops
Zara for tops
LK Bennett- I have picked up some great wrap dresses over the years
Jigsaw generally
Pure for cashmere cardigans. I often wear belted with pencil skirt
I always wear heals as I think they give a bit of authority.
I also wear lots of costume jewellery. Stella and Dot, Lola Rose etc. I am big fan of cocktail rings
Kurt Geiger have some great cuffs. Also Monica Vinader

Seventh - there's a pretty good dressmakers in Bath - friend had lovely silk coat made for Jubilee service at St Pauls - will find out the name for you.

I'm the mysterious AT. I put a clue in the blurb!!

I've been an avid lurker for years and will join in properly at some point in the future. Keep up the good work!

If anyone is a wee bit freaked by a lurker following them on pintrest please let me know and I'll push off :)

Stay! Love that green coat outfit.

SE and Hopefully sounds fab.

Gosh I have been inspired by that last post and need to confess to being a lurker. Quite new to MN and have mainly been on my local board and the S&B threads. Am most definitely an avid and hopefully a wise shopper so hope that it is ok for me to delurk :-)

TBH I'm not even that wise and they haven't kicked me off yet.

red thanks for heads up re. Whistles maxi - will be ordering in the morning. Would be doing it now if I could be arsed to get out of bed for ny debit card.

Have started reading 50 shades...

Morning!

Am rushing around in a 'last week of term' , get the M.O.T sorted and prepare for 4th of July 'picnic' at the weekend (will be at ours but having pulled pork sandwiches to try to recreate bbq feeling!Also going to try red velvet brownie recipe found on pinterest)

mim please can you link to your blog.your supper last night sounded yum!think amber's group blogging idea might work well for a S and B food blog too?

pickled I bought some cheap tops from primark..I bought another one of my oft complimented dalmation print ones for 3 pounds in the sale!Also found some floral trousers,not the coh-a-likeys,looser ones with tropical print.

dec my wedding anniversary is the day before your's..one of Dh's friend's was staying so no romantic dinner a deux for us!

love the marant print dress but I would look like I was trying to hide pregnancy no.3!

looby if you are following the thread, big hi to you and the family.
Please can someone PM name,thank you.

ants glad you got the scarf..I have loved mine (almost) to death..it needs a bit of a debobble!

red's dd and poorly S and Bers and their offspring,hope you all recover quickly.

ollie you are soo good.. I have a friend who makes cakes professionally and they are all people want now!

love the working wardrobe chat even though I know nothing.feels reassuring to know what I would need to wear if Barclays give me the call ;)

Great days all.

Enjoy the picnic Reine and belated happy 4th. We had a takeaway pizza! I am not the romantic type luckily but I do want to go out. I sent a pathetic text to all three babysitters I know to ask when is the next Sat night someone is available! I don't want to sign up to Sitters again.

MrsCB, which Whistles top? I missed that.

All the parents at DD1's nursery are contributing so we can get the teachers Westfield vouchers, we did this at Christmas too. DD1 loves them both and got quite upset when I told her she would be moving up to reception and would have new teachers. :(

Bloss, they didn't stretch out so that's good. They are not skintight so I can wear them like jeans. Lovely dress, maybe for going out if not for work?

Hi MangawhaiHeads and ItsNotUnusualToBe, I was wondering who you were. Also like the green coat.

Oh and well done, Everything and Hopefully, and best of luck.

Congratulations on your promotion, Amber.

Just back from delivering the *%&$# cake pops to school for DS1s class. Came downstairs this morning to find a lot of them had fallen off their sodding sticks - just too warm (scorching hot day here yesterday know a read that a lot of you dont wish to hear that!). Same happened in the car.
NEVER AGAIN.

Hosting a brunch for a group of Mum friends from school - appear to have got a bit carried away at the thought of a girly gathering (rather than boys with their pirate or car themes).

Ladies - I have bunting in the garden
(and matching floral plates, table runner, cake toppers and napkins

Had a meal out last night with my Book Club - much merriment discussing 50 Shades of Grey in public! Wore my new cream Zara blazer with cream sleeveless Maison Scotch blouse, rolled up bf jeans and blingy Accessorize sandals, finished off with tan Cos bag (I still adore it) and nude/grey oversized cotton scarf. I don't usually say this but felt really good.

No time to catch up - must bake scones for the brunch but glad you had a wonderful HoC day Hopefully and Everything and welcome delurkers.

Welcome Manga and Itsnitunusual!

Ollie - am so impressed at your hostessing/baking skills. Sounds like a wonderful event.

No idea what to buy for DDs teacher. Did chocolates (personalised, no less) at Christmas. Will probably be either champagne or flowers I suspect. Not exactly innovative, but hopefully well received. Also have DHs birthday coming up next month and have the annual trauma of what to get a man who has most things he could possibly want under £500. What he REALLY wants is a new Audi. I suspect he will buy himself one of those next year as a 40th present to himslef.....

Oh ollie laughing at the cake pops tale.
Your lunch sounds lovely! Hope you have a fab time. 50 shades is everywhere isn't it?
Am looking at weather- rain rain rain- trying to work out what to wear for light water valley- kids v excited.....adults rather not so! DD has put on v v fancy party dress and will not take it off....claiming daddy is in charge "as he earns more money"???????? Pardon????? Daddy of course will not see the issue with DD ruining expensive monsoon(sale) dress at amusement park!
Am praying for the rain to pass!

Welcome to Manga too. More links or indeed on pinterest always good. It's nice on there loads of lovely wardrobes and style ideas.

! always. Have a fun day.

Good luck baking Ollie

Ny not sure how one can better an Audi um

Favourite day of the week .

MrsCB, I posted a pic of my tweaked Mini Gracie.

Re: carbs - I could not live without them. Nora Ephron coined my sentiments exactly: "This is the thing that I'm obsessed with, carbohydrates. I feel that I'm now living in an age where there's the best bread we have ever had in the history of the world. There has never been more bread that is good out there. So it seems to me a shame not to eat some of it, even if - and this is one of the terrible dilemmas of old age. You know, do you save all your money as if you're going to live till you're 90, or do you spend it all because you might die tomorrow? Do you diet like a fanatic in the hopes that it's going to buy you a couple of extra years, or is it going to have nothing to do - are you going to be hit by a bus, and your last thought will be: I should have had that donut?"

Have started buying lovely portions of fresh berries, sliced pineapple etc. When I come back from my evening jog I'm allowed to munch on them ad libitum - yum, better than candy! My waistline looks much better now, a four-pack is emerging? During the day, I eat just as before, just with more veg (coming up today: vitello tonnato, a winey carbfest of a risotto, plus heaps of string beans).

MiM thanks for the pasta sauce idea! My picky DD is deeply suspicious of anything red, orange or yellow. In my desperation last year I bought Jessica Seinfeld's book Deceptively delicious. Haven't tried any of her recipes but might soon get desperate enough to make a batch of spinach-studded brownies ;) Quite often bake muffins bursting with fruit purees or corn kernels. DD has no problems with them...

Welcome delurkers! Feel free to connect with me on Pinterest - I love everyone's pinboards, such great ideas. Still shopping strictly from my wardrobe, but seeing what others have gives me fresh ideas how to combine what I already have in new ways.

hello all

dona gracie looks GREAT! Tempted to follow suit.

welcome delurkers - do stick around

am a bit overloaded at work etc so can't quite keep up with whole thread - am feeling pretty uninspired by the sales now - doesnt seem like there is much use for summer clothes and shoes this year - but thinking the 50.50s could be a key buy next season!