Toasties can we go on chatting forever? Looks like it!

[Countmeout]

New thread. Woke (blooming cat) to find it’s nearly full.

I love the look of those clogs @ScottishMouse but I think I need to prioritise a pair of lug boots for the incoming cold. I sized down in the lug boots, but my toes were touching the front so I’ll need to try my usual size. My feet have also changed a lot in the past few years.

@faustina I’ve always found Birkenstocks really uncomfortable when walking longer distances. I’ve also tried their Boston clogs but just couldn’t get the sizing right. Have also felt very encouraged by the posts earlier in the week and have purchased some full priced trousers that have been on my wish list for ages. Would have been very sad if they sold out.

So nice that KC have the decorations out again @IlovePond - called them this morning in the hope of purchasing a garland and star topper for this year’s tree.

@FitzLea about the lug boots. If they don't work in the size up, you could try looking on the Blundstone website where they should stock them in the wide version. I did that once with a different model and it made them perfect for me. Just look for the half sizes which mean wide in Australian sizing

I think with Birkenstocks it's the very rigid sole of the original versions. I had some soft sole sandals once and they were fine for all day walking

Thanks @faustina, but I'm not sure the extra width would help me. The UK4 were perfect width-wise but too short in length. I suspect I’d need a UK5 (usual Blundstone size) length-wise, but that they’re going to be too spacious around my foot and flop around 😂I’m not sure if my understanding of their half sizes are correct, but will explore all options as they are lovely and felt really comfortable on.

It's a very weird sizing system - hope you find some which fit!

I feel your pain. I had plantar fasciitis and as long as I am careful I can avoid it flaring up again.

But I realise there are only a few types of shoes I can wear. At least it makes shoe shopping simple because having tried so many different shoes in the past, I know there is no point in bothering with others.

I pretty much live in Hoka trail running shoes.

But if I don't want to wear trainers, I have various styles of Finn Comfort shoes and boots, which, really, are the only other type of shoes I can walk any distance in.

And I have a pair each of very posh (for me) Arche shoes and ankle boots for the rare occasions I might want to dress up.

Plus some Fitflop boots and Wolky sandals for wearing in the house, since bare feet at home causes a flare up too, especially as we now have wood floors (after getting rid of the wool carpets following the moths). Life is complicated!

@FitzLea - were the staff at KC receptive to your query? They might have been busy today with the last bit of the sample sale, but should be able to post things to you this week.

@Netcam - I got terrible PF after being laid up with COVID for 3 weeks - apparently lying in bed and only moving to crawl to the loo caused my plantar muscle in my right foot to seize up. Two plus years on, and it’s - finally - retreated to vaguely lurking, but like you I live in Hokas, with a special insert, (very glam). I also have a pair of Hoka slides that I use round the house. I was ecstatic recently when I was able to return to my UGG slippers, but don’t know how long that will last as my foot is beginning to complain a bit.

I had a look at the Toast shoes when I was at KC, but just knew I wouldn’t be able to wear them. I’ve had ‘good’ feet all my life, so I am really peeved that I now have cupboards full of shoes and boots I can’t wear 😿

The staff were really helpful @IlovePond - I called this morning and was sent an email with some images late this afternoon. I was impressed, as I knew it would be busy there this weekend. Edited to say there weren’t too many decorations left from what I can see.

That’s great @FitzLea - they are very helpful and friendly there. I hope you get some lovely things.

@IlovePond Oh, snap! I'm currently having a scrutinise-and-cull based on my body (and mind) malfunctioning in all sorts of unexpected ways these past few years. Recovery is excruciatingly slow, and not guaranteed. It's slowly dawning on me that I should wear/use anything I love, while I can, and sell everything else, because it only gets more uncertain from here.

That said, I just drafted a sale listing for a Toast silk blouse from the early days, then put it back in the wardrobe instead! I may not be wearing it, but it's just so pretty, full of delicate wee details that we don't really see anymore.

So, a shift of perspective is underway, but the next waypoint not yet in view.

It sucks doesn’t it @Stravaig? I agree that we should wear and use what we love and try to live in the now, but it’s so hard.

Re: Your lovely blouse - I think some things are too lovely to part with so if looking at it brings you joy, you should keep it. (I knew someone once who put a beloved shirt in a frame on the wall!)

Sending us both, and anyone else who needs it a virtual 🤗

A photo of my Friday purchases and it's a sea of blue! This is the first proper shop for a couple of years, I usually buy on vinted, but needed a new wool coat/jacket rather than a technical one, and couldn't resist the tops, plus the little navy jacket. I just found it's marked a 10, but it fits as a neat size 14 😂

@PrincessofWells - lovely clothes - I saw that duffel type jacket but didn’t try it on.

@IlovePond, how frustrating, especially when you need a whole new shoe wardrobe! I eventually got rid of my shoes and gradually built up a replacement collection.

Interesting that you got PF from being in bed. But I can understand that, mine was always worse in the morning. And while I was trying to cure myself I wore a foot splint in bed to keep it stretched at night.

When I had Covid and was in bed for 3 weeks I put on half a stone. Partly being so inactive and partly because I was eating loads of ice cream as it was the only thing that helped my throat feel better. Eventually I lost the weight I'd put on, plus some more with it.

The only thing I could eat was McDonald’s milkshake of all things @Netcam! Yes, getting PF in one foot from non-movement was really bizarre, apparently it was because I had been curling my feet up.

Congratulations on losing the weight - I have had a series of problems recently that have somewhat affected my mobility and I really need to basically stop eating🙀 as it’s difficult to exercise. Sadly, however, I have the same amount of willpower re: dieting as I have for resisting Toast baubles…

Speaking of food. I might have a go at making a veg version of turmeric curry that was featured in the Toast email the other day but it wouldn’t do much for my diet!

Thinking of Toast, I know the orange/black coat is almost sold out, but if it appears in the sale, I might crack. (Apparently I just missed getting one in the sample sale 😿)

@IlovePond Framing clothing seems perfectly reasonably to me, textile art!

Love and hugs all around 🤗

Hi, thought you might like to see some pictures of what’s at KC in case anyone feels like doing some over the phone purchasing.

Here’s some more.

And more.

And finally.

I sent an Instagram message to KC this morning asking if a dress I had put back in the sample sale was still there. It was the cosmic dot print dress that is in season now but sleeveless. It was lovely and £40 but I already had 4 things and put it back after trying it on twice! They replied saying it had been sold.

Ooh, that’s annoying @mizu

@IlovePond , you could always make a veg and turmeric curry and just eat that with no rice/bread. I often make veg curry with light coconut milk, spices and fresh turmeric and ginger root, both of which I keep in the freezer. DH and DS have it with rice/naan bread and I just have a big bowl of the curry.

Sorry you are finding it hard to exercise. I managed to lose weight by just cutting out the unhealthy stuff, I still love food and eat well, but have just tailored it a bit. I didn't actually go on a diet but managed to get from 9 1/2 stone (had been 9 stone until my 3 weeks of no activity when I had Covid) to 7 stone 9. It took me a year. I'm 5'3 by the way, never been this slim in my adult life.

@mizu I've heard of people who shop the outlet stores and sample sales to resell on eBay (possibly Vinted now), so might be worth keeping an eye out on there?

I might give that a go @Netcam .