Lovely photos and chat hushies!
ella - I agree that the emmanuelle looks brilliant on you, and the pink skirt. I have the same trouble with navy - black tights/ shoes sometimes work, but sometimes just look as if I can't be bothered 'cos black "goes with everything". Grey/ slate, or finer black (only semi-opaque) may work. Or yes, navy tights with burgundy as never suggested.
soover - ah good, was going to recommend the red. I got a similar jumper last year and was swithering between something neutral and red and ended up with the red and it is great! Love it, and it goes with more than you think it should! Also, love your photos way back with the jersey shirt and white stuff stuff. You look so good!
gin - agree with the others on the coated skinnies and velvet tux definitely being the stand out things from your haul. Shame about the boden jumper, but, yes, I'm sure your DH would rather you had something you love. Hope your crackly skirt has calmed itself down enough for you to try on and photograph... hate it when floaty stuff gets so static it starts crawling around you. Gah.
soups - sorry to hear the cinema trip wasn't good. Can't believe the folks in your seat didn't swap with you when they saw DD on crutches... such a small thing to do. CFs. Like the sound of your basket. The cream jumper (and the navy version) look lovely - and the pine one too (I have a bit of a thing over knitwear...turns out that there is always something else that i want..even though I have eleventy million jumpers). Also would love to see that gorgeous (non brora) embroidered jacket.
talisin - that maroon next blazer looks beautiful. Such a gorgeous rich colour. Hope it works for you. Though I agree, there are a lot of very thin velvety things that are a bit of a disappointment. The velvet skirt does look so good, but I think for the price I would want it to be lovely and heavy and swooshy. Though the colour and cut are so perfect. Grrrrrrr.
len - ooooh, you speak of paint and fabric as if you're decorating? What are your plans? Love your style and your eye for interior design! (We're painting our guest bedroom having got rid of some nasty '80s wallpaper that has been there since we moved in - but I just can't get further than "some kind of beige". I'm hopeless...)
I've not been that buy-y recently (still recovering from my toast splurge) though I did get that M&S slip skirt in the sale in store that had been further reduced to £2.87.... go me! And a bra for 89p. Couldn't really refuse that. Though I have ordered a couple of things from the hush sale - the same boat neck top soy ordered (i was considering it when it first came out, but thought it was rather expensive) and the star printed leggings, as I wear last year's leopard ones all the time for pilates. And also thought I'd try the Martina skirt "just to see".. I think the print is very pretty, and love it styled on the model - though I think it may look rather frumpy on me. We'll see... It's allegedly like the Marina, but with a full length lining, which may work, or may make the whole thing a bit too full. I have a chunky navy jumper that could work with it, or that pinky summer weight cashmere from last year....