Toasties - still loving the knitwear and the chat!

[IlovePond]

I have set up a new Toastie thread, guys.

Thank you @ScottishMouse that does help.

I knew they are only half quilts length wise but was concerned about the overhang at the sides.

I think I will wait to see if any other colours become available which might suit my second bedroom which is a King rather than a Superking.

Just noticed there are some interesting new things in Homewares too!

Not my colours, but some lovely designs nonetheless.

I especially like the new contrast reverse duvet cover, subtle design on one side, fine stripe on the other. Except, although allegedly inspired by and named for Rowan Berries, it is only offered in soft blue on ecru. Wtff?!

That sort of crossing of messages makes my brain short-circuit (see also leaf-prints in blues). Now if it were a deep saturated red on ecru it would go straight on my Wishlist (so it's probably just as well :)

@AmIPatience There's a quilt in a Soft Ginger colourway listed under the new things, if you haven't already seen it?

@Stravaig - I need more bedlinen like I need a hole in the head, but that is very pretty! Off to have a look!

My parcels/arrived and success!

The Onyx dress in XS fits beautifully, fitted over the bust and a gently draped skirt but not huge and flapping.
I think @Stravaig mentioned this type of skimming and I think it's a fine line between this and looking in full sail 😂
I had to go down to XS to make it work as a size 12.

I have a beautiful oatmeal cashmere cardigan from JL, unworn as yet and similar to the one shown on the website to wear with it.

The wool/ cashmere Striped 3/4 sleeve sweater -divine
I went for a M as a 12 and it's true to size, again skims but fits in all the right places

A very fine knit , will be perfect for nice lunches out or the odd work event , presenting etc
I have some Boden heavy jersey smart trousers to go with this or Annie's if out for lunch.

The Graphic Yoke Sweater in Navy again absolutely lovely.
Knitted in Donegal which I much prefer to the Alpaca mixes they have used in the past.tension too loose
Really nice sharp stitch definition and the green contrast is lovely.
I dithered but went for a M.
Reviews said in came up large but I would say its spot on

Had hoped this would be in the sale but pretty much sold out so went for it when it came into stock.
That's my Christmas money spent but I had a PayPal credit so ordered the zigzag mittens
I like mittens over thin wool gloves and my current pair are looking a bit tired.

Hope everyone is staying warm !

Just dropped my returns into store and tried on the new navy pleated cotton skirt, and I would like to recommend it. Didn’t purchase, but it is on my wish list for sure. It looks like it might make one look huge with the elasticated waistband and the pleats, but it is cleverly cut so that the pleats start at hip level and so it is neater at the waist and hips and then the shape is interesting from there down. I tried the navy, and I had on an old navy rollneck sweater and that looked fab, but I think it would go with so much and work in most UK seasons. I also saw the green and would say it is deeper than the colour online, much nicer than it looks online imo.

That skirt does look nice @ScottishMouse. I've been wearing the Pin-tuck textured cotton skirt from 3 or 4 years ago this week with leggings underneath, it is lovely but because the pleats start from the waist it always makes me think it makes my hips look massive.

@ScottishMouse do you use the outlet? I've had some great stuff from there and some bargains.

I really like the look of that skirt @ScottishMouse but thought it looks quite voluminous on the model.
Is it that shape?
I'm a fast long striding walker and I've had skirts are too pouffy for want of a better word and they sort of strangle my legs and trip me up.
Not sure I've explained that well 😅

The onyx linen dress arrived this morning in xs and s. I didn’t think there was a huge difference between the sizes and if I’d just had the xs I’m sure I would have been happy, but I thought perhaps the s fell a bit better, although having read @Poplinskirt’s description of ‘full-sail’ above, I’m wondering if that was my son’s impression of me when I met him for lunch in it today! ‘Full-sail’ does make me laugh- I’m sure a large nun on a bicycle was described as such in the Barbara Pym novel I just read.

I remember that skirt @Theteapotsbrokenspout and it didn’t work for me for that reason. I think this one is better - neater at the waist and hips.

I think I know what you mean @Poplinskirt. It does look quite like on the model, but didn’t feel all that pouffy on.

@PrincessofWells i lice very very far from the outlets. I have bought all my bedding in sales though, the quilts are beautiful but way too much full price.

@OrangeyLemon i a size 12 and fit the onyx dress in M, the S felt a little tight on the bust. I think the length adds to the full sail effect, I am planning to take mine up a little, but I think it drapes well.

It is long isn’t it @ScottishMouse but being quite tall (although I’m beginning to wonder if I’m old enough to be shrinking!) I’m going to stick with the length. I never noticed this dress when scrolling online, it was only when I saw it on someone on the York instagram account that I thought ‘which dress is that? It’s lovely!’ and I looked it up. I’m very pleased with it and think it’s definitely a four season dress.

@Poplinskirt @OrangeyLemon @ScottishMouse You're all making me nostalgic for a dress I had decades ago, black linen with a fitted halter bodice which flowed out into a very full skirt, but cut in an angular way, no gathers anywhere. It was heavyweight linen, and when I got caught in the rain, 'like wearing a full sail in a storm' is exactly how we described it!

I loved that dress, wore it even with multiple (floral) patches on the bum. 😍🌺

That does sound like a lovely dress @Stravaig

Ah, well I am only 5’2” @OrangeyLemon

My eBay item is apparently on its way back to me!

After an initial flurry of messages, the buyer went completely silent. They said they wanted the item, but didn't close the return request, and came up with new reasons my description was All Wrong. I refuted again, with receipts and archive listing, asked what they'd like to do now, more than once, and no reply. So I accepted the return before eBay's deadline. More silence.

Today I got a postage invoice and tracking info from eBay. We'll see what turns up!

It's very odd behaviour. No apology for misreading the listing, or for accusing me of fraud; nor thanks for reassuring them it's genuine, or even for accepting the return.

I wonder if their angle was to keep the item and get a refund too? Hoping people either panic at the initial 'Not As Described' accusation and refund without return; or get embroiled in a fight until eBay auto-refunds at 3 days with no obligation to return?

That last is probably it @Stravaig - hoping to get it for free! I hope it arrives back in one piece 🤞

@OrangeyLemon Mid 90's Jigsaw! I kept the remnants of it for years, intending to get a copy made, but lost track of it somewhere along the way.

I’m sorry @Stravaig, it’s all so stressful!

@IlovePond Me too! Will report when it's all done and dusted.

Was mid-90s a golden period for Jigsaw? have a linen skirt from over 20 years ago (French Connection or Great Plains) that I can’t part with, although it’s almost transparent and fraying at the zip. I thought I might get one made but although I must admit to myself that that is not happening, I still can’t get rid of it!

Ebay auto refunds after 3 days!?
Crikey what the heck! @Stravaig

I find ebay terribly clunky and not keen on the use of stock photos anyway but that's dreadful.
Will stick to Vinted
I take photos from every angle and have only ever had a couple of issues

Skirt went missing-both of us refunded
Someone didn't post -refunded

Thanks @ScottishMouse might try that skirt on.
@OftenOrange I'm quite slim up top and it was that photo on the York Toast Instagram that made me try a smaller size as it just looks lovely.
Just wish I'd ordered the trousers in the same fabric

I think it's more that I've always had relatively few clothes, and quite specific tastes, so I tend to get very attached to the garments I love :)

Also: better quality fabrics in ye olden days.

You must hold on to the skirt, just for possibilities sake!

I had a few items in my 'special raggedy things to be recreated' pile, and I still hope I stumble across the right bag/box one day.

What a stress @Stravaig. Hope it arrives back as you sent it. I really don’t understand the behaviour of people sometimes.

@Poplinskirt I think that's what it said. I don't really know, because I don't accept returns as a policy, but apparently they can be forced on you if a buyer claims your items is Not As Described.

Used to be, eBay would have mediated this. They would have compared the buyer's complaints to my listing, laughed at the buyer, told them to read the item description more carefully, and pointed them to a helpful tutorial on how to sell on the purchases you don't want. That's how they converted buyers into sellers!