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.

Oof, survived the morning! Goodness DS is a challenge atm and the normally angelic DD has been fractious too. Both sleeping now thankfully. I am eating homemade jam tarts and cream. The outfit has helped though. I'm really enjoying forging a new clothing / shopping philosophy which involves: foraging in wardrobe and finding new things (a la the lovely dona); wearing things I love not saving stuff for 'best' (a la 40bum lady); and buying less, buying better (a la marsha, hopefully and all of us really!).

Peppermint skinnies definitely feel like the most sophisticated of the coloured skinnies. I like red too but pretty ubiquitous round here now. I always wish I'd got some cobalt blue but never found the right pair. Anyway, I'm all about the leather leggings now... The hunt has begun!

Poor you hopefully, sounds sore. Come on McQueen!
red I always wore similar to bloss on INSET or own clothes' days: smart skinnies, some kind of smart patterned t shirt, one of my many blazers and low heeled ankle boots or sandals. Many many 3/4 length loose linen drawstring trousers to be seen in my experience... You'll look great and will love it, start of a new term is always so exciting!

paddington they're nice enough boots but I'd find the pattern a bit much I think. Have you looked at Ash or ASOS Aggies?

Off to pin now!

dona have you got a link to your navy pea coat please? I'm thinking that might be what I need to solve my winter coat crisis. I've always found it ridiculously easy to find jackets in S/S (hence have more than I can possibly wear) but have next to no coats or jackets that I like for A/W ( a number of failures though: camel single breasted that drains me and is too long; bright red wool with no collar so the neckline doesn't suit me, black leather jacket from Ted Baker with too-long sleeves.... Need to find a good home for them all and stop kidding myself that I'm ever going to wear them!)

Suburban I only have the regular French women book - didn't really change what we ate, only how we ate. I lost the 7 lbs without banning anything except alcohol - three full meals every day (none of them diet food - we eat a lot of pasta and risotto), no gym, 3-5 km jogging about 5 nights per week. No leek soup, and had ice cream quite frequently, and also some desserts. What worked for me: simply cutting out mindless eating.
*started mornings with oatmeal porridge (I actually like it)
*not eating anything in front of the telly, or only fruit and veg
*drinking lots of water, also in the morning and bf meals, replacing table wine with mineral water (but I continued to cook with wine and marsala) - a Sodastream is brilliant
*cutting out the nibbling on bread and olive oil habit
*at meals, filling half of my plate with fruit & veg, then filling the rest with food - was allowed to have seconds or thirds if still hungry
*increasing veg in the foods I cook, making an effort to prepare a salad or a veg side dish for every lunch
*snacking on plain yogurt (with honey and dried mulberries) or fruit and berries
*cooking more soups: more volume (=more satiety), less energy density, Japanese udon noodle soup with spring onions and champignons was my favorite supper, a huge bowlful almost too big for me to eat is about 200 kcal
*late evening snacks: only fruit & veg

Tempted to cook chicken in champagne tomorrow. Do not consider this a diet, just normal living, only slightly more mindfully. DH has slimmed down too, probably twice as much as I have (he is much bigger too), substitute gym or swimming 3-4 times a week for jogging. Should we write a diet book? ;)

Have just changed name on pinterest to something more anonymous and closer to this name btw. DH didn't like the idea of my real name being on there!

Thanks Dona I have used the French women book on and off for ages, used it to loose the baby weight.
So funny to read your list, because I already do most of the stuff on it. Make lots of soups, eat lots of yoghurt etc.No soda stream, but buy gallons of cheap supermarket carbonated water. I am the same not a diet, just more mindful. I wish wish I could run at the moment, but DP is away a lot, so have to stay in every evening. Will be able to resume when he is back in the office after the olympics and DD starts pre school in September.

Champagne chicken sounds delicious I have never got around to making it. Have also got really into kitchen gardening so have bought the French women seasonal book too. I have the whole collection now.

Reine I laughed at your wax story. I do my own and caught DD giving herself an upperlip wax with her stickers the other day .

NAP update.

The JCrew dress is a lovely style but the orange skirt is more fluro orange, more akin to a binman's vest rather than coral. Just too, too bright for me. Shame.
A Wang dress is lovely and soft to wear - but ridicously clingy on the bum, needs Spanx! Good length and style on me, quite formal tho. Will see what DH things but thinking of keeping.

Blue H&M did a v nice navy peacoat last winter as did Benetton. Love this one but not the price. Ive got a navy one which needs replacing - got a lot of wear over the last two years.

Bloss you had a great holiday wardrobe this year and sure the same applies this year. Know what you mean about it being nicer to have a couple of new things. I am planning on wearing the WC smokey blue dress for when we go to towns/cities. Rest of them time will be in white bottoms (skirt/shorts/jeans) and grey, nude/peach or coral tops. Or jeans and a grump if weather in foul.

Blue sorry left my navy pea coat up North on my last trip there in May (when it was still needed, brrr) - will go there on Sat, but bought the coat from a local dept store closeout sale for about GBP 100 so you would not find the same exact one online. Looked a lot like this. Perfect for mild Italian winters and Scandinavian fall and spring, but needed a down jacket when it got down to -18C in Jan there . Recommend it, very versatile. I also have a full length princess cut black wool coat from 20 yrs ago - makes me look like an extra from Dr Zhivago but DH loves it and it's good for staying warm while wearing dresses.

Camel drains me too, plus the classic pale trench color. Navy and green do not. Red is ok too but not the easiest color to combine.

I have the French women book and the one for all seasons. Find the principles in them totally sound, and one of the things that really stuck is how each mouthful of a meal or treat or whatever is less satisfying and enjoyable than the one before - I always try to stop as soon as I realise I am not really loving and appreciating every single mouthful. This isn't enough by itself (I still enjoy it a long way after I should stop!), but it prevents me mindlessly stuffing in ice cream because I'm already halfway through a big bowlful.

Suppose McQueen will not be putting in an appearance today. Sigh. Delivery only guaranteed within 5 working days or something, and it has only been two I suppose. [sulky]

Cross post.

Ollie I can so see you in the Wang, so good for a formal dinner dress than honours the Natural . Shame about the crew dress, it's pretty.

I must get a decent winter coat this year. Limped through last year with a maternity one which was fine as DS2 lived in the sling, but I am not doing that again, and my last wool winter coat got tossed after being properly worn out (like, with bare patches).

Suburban I lost the baby weight by pushing the pram every morning for about an hour in the Brazilian heat - the weight just melted off. The weight crept back last year when I stopped the stroller walks and overindulged in Italian food and wine.

Recommend the Brian Wansink book, helps with motivation and red flags some things I tend to do mindlessly (for example, have started buying everything in much smaller packages). Let me know if you find some yummy FW recipes, Marsha has inspired me to crack open my Julia Child (will make a Franco Italian mashup, steak au poivre with orecchiette and cimette di rapa one of these nights)!

With DH, it's an exchange: he babysits so that I can run, and I babysit weekend mornings so that he gets his gym and swim. Balance of terror... He can't say no. Hope your DH is less busy soon - going out for a run often gives me an excuse to escape the mayhem of putting DC to bed - what keeps me addicted is that I get s quiet moment for myself every night if I just put the trainers on.

Ollie both dresses are absolutely stunning. I'd love the fluoro neon one...

Like the grey dress Ollie. Spanx half slip would be just the ticket [bottom hatred emoticon]. (Not yours - mine )

notsogrumpy fantastic!!!! Have ordered and am delighted. Thank you!!!!

Blue I am also on the hunt for leather leggings so please let me know if you find any good ones. Well when I say leather I really mean faux leather - want to wear with lose knits in the winter but am unsure as to what do do on the feet - guess will have to try and see. I suspect I need some black suede ankle or shoe boots.

I love the idea of peacoats but find they always stop at the widest part of me which is just not flattering.

School holidays here - we have spent the morning decluttering their bedrooms. Went to see Ice Age 4 yesterday which was very good indeed

Ollie - just ordered that NOTHS print for DH to celebrate him doing his ride on Saturday.

I'm still low-carbing and want to lose a few more lbs by my birthday.

MrsCB and Blue I am also planning leather leggings/skinnies this year. Although I have decided I would quite like to invest in proper leather, as I think I'll get a hell of a lot of use from them - perfect fit for my style. Can't decide between boring sensible brown and red/dark green type colours.

I have been trying to find a cheaper alternative to this drapey cardigan, but it is literally impossible to get cheaper things in natural fibres now. Found a decent shape one in (whisper it) M&S, but was 60% acrylic.

In other news, I made this cake to cheer me up today, but just with strawberries instead of glaze. It is seriously yummy, glad my sister is coming down today to help polish it off!

On the school holiday note, I liked some of the ideas in here. Not rocket science, but a couple of handy hints.

funny Hopefully am in the middle of writing a blog post about natural fibres on the high street...

Not sure if it suits your colours/style, but this FC one is 100% linen.

I like the idea of leather leggings too. I really need to buy a good coat this year.

Hopefully I'd save up and buy the MK cardi. It's very simple, chic and streamlined, a classic imo. I like Michael Kors and Calvin Klein as wardrobe building blocks - they do timeless classics that are easy and practical

Have been thinking, and my problems are that I can't remember what it's like to be hot, and it is difficult for a clothing personality like mine to dress down for a beach!
Swimming next. Will this never-ending term ever end?

I have a good coat. But would really like one a bit shorter than the Stella green. Luckily ds is at a new school so can recycle for another season as if anew!

Hopefully have emailed the blog owner, might get an answer. Does anyone recognise who this is by? yellow trim clutch. For Hopefully and actually for me too! Yummy cake btw and nice MK.

Ollie love the dresses.

NY will check out your link later on. Looks good.

Dona you are reverse inspiring me to do the same . Actually using a recipe rather than go with the flow for a change. I really must learn some new recipes so they are as comfortable as the ones I know.

Agree about ingredients.

Bloss I know, it's hard to picture it sometimes. I always find that with Aus.

Bloss and Marsha I know. I should pack soon but it's impossible for me to imagine what 10-20C cold and wet weather really means. I think it means ugly shoes, socks and tights, jeans, cashmere, trench coats, windbreakers and Goretex, oh yes and my ultimate summer outfit, the Icelandic wool zipper cardigan ;)

But Bloss really it has been bare legs no cardi weather in S Europe since May - so the less you pack, the better. A couple of T shirts, shorts, skirt, a dress - done! You can always try your luck at Monoprix... (I remember buying espadrilles in a grocery shop in Provence and loving them.) Shirt dresses are also structured but effortless and easy.

Thanks Marsha, that's really kind of you.

Dona I would invest in the MK but I suspect that it's actually a pinkish beige, more suited to a Summer than an Autumn. I'm hoping something similar in a better colour appears as more shops get their a/w stuff in. Think it would look good on me styled almost exactly on the model, maybe racer back vest instead of shirt, and ponte leggings for more relaxed look than leather. Cashmere version would be nice, maybe someone will do one...

Now espadrilles I have dona! In bright fuchsia too!
I'm going to have a trying on session later, and see what works from last year, and see where the gaps are.

Love that board of yours marsha. Haven't seen that bag anywhere sorry.
Oh incidentally the farmer's wives had heard on the radio (must be true) that there is SNOW in the forecast for later in the week.
Just thought I'd let you know!

Gorgeous new pins dona!
Thanks for coat link ollie - if only..! Lovely A Wang dress. A great clingy dress is on my mental AW wish list but it must be no longer than knee length.
Hmm not sure if I'll go faux or real leather mrscb or hopefully. Probably faux but as high end as I can afford. The TS ones I've seen are rather plasticky!

Need to vent re mywardrobe. Am seriously annoyed about their treatment of me over the Bloch ballerina issue. (Quick recap: bought pair in January and after 5 months' moderate wear, mostly indoors, the elastic has come away from the leather at the back of one of them). They initially replied quickly saying send photos, I did, they replied and said it's just wear and tear and they would do nothing. I have since sent two further emails saying I am unhappy and wish to discuss further: no reply. I rang them, explained my grievance again, was told I'd be called back: NOTHING. That's really poor CS in my book and I feel really disgruntled. Matches and NAP all the way for me now and no more Blochs either I fear even though I loved them.

Rant over!

Blue that's such a pain. Can you be bothered with quoting trading standards 'reasonable use' etc at them? Photos of the soles would show they hadn't been worn through and therefore the shoes has not had hard use.

So, the McQueen arrived. And you know what? Not a Roxy Moment. Have me curves in the wrong places. gorgeous neckline - will be adopting the racer-back-vest-under-slash-neck in future. So, do I Me&Em it for dinner on Sat night? Was hoping for something a bit edgier, will have to potter on NAP etc tonight.

However, have finally manage to get my paws on a well fitting cream bra. Chantelle, not one of my go-to brands, but nice fit and multi-way straps so can go under racer back vests, which will be nice.

Gave me curves. I'm not actually a Somerset farmer