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.

Yes Emo, it's a great bag for you. [Iirc, you were pondering this time last year about your glorious AH.]

Fritzi, I love getting a little insight into your work. With my interactive teaching hat on I would say: In small groups, take turns reading aloud the same passage and recording each other. Listen to the recordings and try to identify ways to improve each others performance...etc etc . Would love to chat work with you some time.

MiM, you are a great inspiration on the thread .

Ollie, you sound positively chilled (are your DPs still there ?). V. romantic, you and GC kissing in the thunderstorm...

Bloss, your week off timetable seems to have been a great success - well done!

Blue, looking forward to hearing what you decide to pair with the lace shorts.

Hi Kaloo!
Amber, the cabas is lovely! I'm bored too... I'm not addicted to shopping but must admit I've succumbed to pressing the buy button a bit too often now that I'm 1) working from home (=less social life), 2) often staying at home at night when the DC sleep (=less nights out), 3) almost alcohol-free (to boost weight loss), 4) watching what I eat (ie, no drowning sorrows in cheesecake) and 5) exercising almost every night. Have been reading this book to strengthen my resolve and find it very enlightening and compassionate and also psychologically sound.

Want to share one bit from the book which I find extremely useful for anyone who has a tendency to overdo it at times. Every time you are about to purchase something (and am not speaking about chicken drumsticks and boxes of cereal now ), ask yourself the 6 following questions:
*1. Why am I here (shopping)?
*2. How do I feel?
*3. Do I need this?
*4. What if I wait?
*5. How will I pay for it?
*6. Where will I put it?
(for me the last one is the toughie )

I'm trying to keep July interesting by digging deeper into my wardrobe. The challenge is to incorporate one forgotten/overlooked item to my outfit every day. Today it's the rococo skirt and I cannot understand why I haven't worn it recently. Mmm, actually I love this!

pickled Thanks that's good. Have copied and pasted for further use. The thingy I'm doing at the moment is a self-study book so group work is out.

Forgot to say welcome to de-lurkers!

Oh, and a quick final poll. When it's summer-but-not-really-summer and raining, what footwear do you choose when you go out?
(Need to pack next week.)

I am a Superga girl and find them great with shorts or jeans on a miserable day like this.

Hi Manga and Kaloo

So lovely to read your post MiM. I had so many bursts of happiness with DD last week. This is the first time she has visibly enjoyed going on holiday and it was just beautiful to watch. Can't wait to go away with her and DP now.

We came home last night because my mum didn't want to drive in the rain and now I have that post overindulgence feeling. I had so much beige food last week, have just been to the greengrocer and stocked up. Am going to go on a big old health kick and try and force myself to shred after the revelation that I now weigh more than my mother. She is 5 inches shorter than me so it's no biggy but I am feeling strangely competetive .

NY I need to join you on the husband birthday present hunt. DP will be 31 next weekend and I have no idea what to get him. He has also been eyeing up Audi estates, but as I do not have a job or a driving license he will have to buy that one for himself. I think I'd like to buy him some new clothes, what do the A&W men wear? Budget circa £200

We are off to Silverstone on Sunday. Has anyone been to an F1/have any pointers about what to wear? We have seats under cover so shouldn't be too wet (clutches at straws).

Fingers crossed the house hunt hots up now Hopefully

alwaysrunninginheels I'm in York too and avoiding town today due to the rain!

Hi again everyone, thanks for the warm welcome and to some of you for remembering me.

Blossoming funny re the cardigan after you searched so hard for a replacement! I have a wardrobe full of cardies and am not wearing them much since self-diagnosing myself as a natural/dramatic or is it dramatic/natural? like Hopefully. They make me feel frumpy for some reason. Had my colours done last year but am yet to do the style day.

Dona I'm wearing my Ash high tops almost constantly at the moment. They don't feel as wintery as boots but offer more protection from the rain than ballet flats. I am almost always in skinnies though, maybe not so good with skirts/dresses.

Looby congratulations on your new addition, and wow to the 26 jeans after a week! Would love to know your DS' name [nosey] as I have a DS with an unusual name which it sounds as though your choice is?

Amber I am also on a spending ban for July and August after buying a lot in the sales recently. Off to Palma for a few days sans DC on Monday and have some Euros stashed that DH has forgotten about..that doesn't count right?

Suburban - how about a Mr Porter gift card? That is what I am eyeing up at the moment. I have a couple of other things in mind as well.

MIM - Loved your post. Hope you have lots more happy moments!

aghh burned rhubarb compote due to avid pinning of wardrobe! Love it - thanks to Dona for the invite..

Off to a friends with DS to watch the Andy Murray in the tennis...

Blonde I'm a dramatic natural (although vaguely wondering if I fall more on the natural dramatic end of the spectrum - i.e. more dramatic than natural), and have more or less entirely ditched cardigans. Slim fit boyfriend and draped/waterfall cardigans are ok, but classic shapes are a big no.

Lol Breton

Suburban I go to a lot of F1, but refused to go to Silverstone as the weather is so rubbish Depends whether you are in Grandstand or Paddock Club. If you are in PC then dress to impress if Grandstand then anything goes really. Only warning is NOT to wear red. This race is sponsored by Santander and you may get mistaken for one of the promotions people! Enjoy.

Breton sorry about the rhubarb... Who are you on Pin? Don't pin and drive!
Blonde now I finally understand why everyone loves Ash shoes... And thanks for joining the spending ban, very morale-boosting!
Hopefully tell me more about dramatic - I might be one too...
Marsha do you ever mix patterns?

Thinking about whether I could update some hopelessly dated/ overconservative clothes (such as mumsy gransy twinsets) by pairing them with something edgy (a leather pleated skirt for example, or the right accessories). Any ideas?

Hi kaloo, well done on the weight loss! Could you start a Pinterest board for a working wardrobe? I'm a teacher too but on the smarter side of the spectrum. Someone yesterday had a baggy Breton, elastcated waist flowery gathered skirt and leggings. Looked like a bag lady.
breton, I'm looking forward to seeing your pins. Can you start following me so I can follow you back? What jacket do you wear with Davina?
Some lovely posts here today mim. I've come home to chaos. Mil was in charge as teacher training here. Atrocious weather etc, fighting over the remote..
Will catch up.

Good call NY I think he would like that.

Thanks CHOOGirl good advice I was planning on a Red jacket so will go Barbour instead. Yes Silverstone wouldn't be my choice for the weather either. Sadly DP has never recovered from going to the Perth GP with a hangover. Irish men don't cope well in the heat so no Monaco for me just yet.

Breton I am feeling v addicted to Pinterest at the moment too. Love MiM's cookery book board.

Breton follow me and I'll return

Dona I don't think I do. A stylist friend's thing is prints and she looks amazing wearing more than one. I don't think I'm neat enough or something with the messy-ish blonde hair and need some straight colour.

Do you have a pic of your stuff you'd like to upgrade?

Hi Kaloo!

Hi Marsha, will snap some pictures over the weekend. Promise not to laugh! I will start a board called the "Museum of fashion mistakes". Sorry, won't have any truly inspiring early 90s stone washed denim or mohair batwings there , just really tragic and boring stuff. Mindlessly bought, mostly for work, in search of a new life...

I found Bretonbee on Pin and repinned her clutch - other pinners might find her that way ;)

Just remembered that I have a pair of Bekket lookalikes. Bought in Italy. In navy suede, so a bit impractical for rain... Wore them a lot here in Rome in March/April when it was still spring. Then completely forgot I have them

Major F1 envy Choo and Suburban.

Jesus, mim you have 90 cook books?

Amber.

I have one. A French one, which is really nice actually but I hardly ever use and have memorised one or two recipes. Oh ok two, a Thai one, a present.

MiM it's impressive. Which is your favourite?

Dona I won't laugh! Not sure I'll be much use. SE and Hopefully could be good. I look back at what I wore to work late twenties and it was a dull and uninspiring fashion period.

Breton found you through Dona thanks Dona.

And through someone else that followed me I just noticed someone has 1195980 followers. The pressure!

I had to go and count my cookbooks following that revelation! I have 20, and a folder with recipes I collect with about 50 receipes in.

The sun has finally come out, just in time for my girls night out. Not sure what to wear, but not hugely dressy so will wear jeans of some sort. Am thinking possibly grey coated skinnies with grey leopard heels and new Zara red dress over top. Haven't tried it all on yet, so will see. Been busy cleaning and tidying as two of the friends that are coming over for the night out are staying at the NY B and B. I really detest changing duvet covers.....

Er, thats a small selection I have Amber

at pressurised pintresting Marsha.

Big wave to the delurkers.

Dona you can add Dramatic to most of the other clothing personalities (Bloss is a dramatic classic, I am a dramatic natural). I believe it is not possible to be a dramatic ingenue(?), but dramatic gamine and dramatic romantic also possible. Dramatics are often all about the angles, straight lines, asymmetry, large scale prints, bags etc. Nothing floaty about it. small scale florals, lace, peter pan collars, mini skirts, all of these are off the agenda. I'm not clear on all the subtleties, as I was never going to come out as anything other than a dramatic natural or a natural dramatic - I literally have no other elements to my style - but I think with people who are less 'clear' there are many little telltales that consultants pick up.