Anyone interested in forming a "shop more wisely and less compulsively", "no more expensive mistakes" and "make the most of what you already own" thread?

[LetThemEatCake]

There seems to have been a digression from the original intention of Penth's very worthy thread so, rather than cause anyone any offence or detract from what Penth and others were setting out to achieve, would anyone like to do a thread in a similar vein? Discussing potential purchases (advising each other for/ against in sensible fashion!!) and talking about how we're wearing existing pieces etc

Am off to Sunday lunch with friends but will check back in later.

Wearing purple Tam Tam dress, grey opaques, grey slouch suede boots, charcoal travelwrap for discreet bfing. Pretty exited about the sunshine so nearly cracked out the new OP sunnies but am saving for summer proper

have a good day all

becstarlitsea, Haven't used Mac but Bobbi Brown make-up is great. I had a counter makeover a while ago and use everything I bought.

Monkeysmama, I am wearing an Isabella Oliver maternity vest, not pregnant either!

I am in skinny jeans, navy M&S cashmere sweater and brown uggs. Lashing here too so we are not venturing out again.

Eshermummy, I love Botkier. I don't see them much in London.

My DH has set a clothing budget for DD to keep me in line. I have already gone through the Boden catalogue and picked out her summer wardrobe. Vertbaudet have really cute clothes too.

LTEC, your outfit sounds nice. Hope your DH is home to help soon.

Are these a bit dull or would they look good with jeans? I have them in black and really like them.

Have a good weekend, all!

Okay - I've been lurking too. If I say I'm not buying anything I'll just fall at the first hurdle but this is a great idea.
I adore clothes and am a SAHM. I got so huge during my pregnancy and took a good 9 months to shift the weight (DD 16 months) I've since gone a bit mad buying things so need to calm down now and make more choice purchases. Things could go either way though as going to start TTC this month and for each month we aren't successful I'm allowing myself a treat!

Hello everyone!

sounds like a lot of us have been leafing through mini boden. I've only just worked out that I have to order now to make sure I actually get stuff that I want! It's a bit of a treat this time round as before I was only ordering for DS. I shouldn't really say this (feels very disloyal to DS!) but they do make much nicer clothes for girls! There are only so many wears to get excited about jeans and teeshirts for boys aren't there?!

Hi Mimi.

The Boden girls clothes are gorgeous.

becstarlitsea - I love bobbi brown make up, and have recently started a fresh with almost all bb. Particulary love face base shea butter, skin foundation, and the gel eye liner.

I've been putting together a Boden order for dd too. We're planning a holiday somewhere very warm in March so need them soon anyway. We had lunch in M&S the other day and saw a few things that were very similar to Boden so might pick up a few cheaper bits there too.

Geordie, do you use the Face Base instead of moisturiser?

The White Company is also very good for little and baby girls and there's bound to be a 20% off code soon.

carciofi - I like those ASH trainers and at that price am tempted. I already have 2 pairs of ASh trainers and they are my spring "uniform".
Love the tan coloured ones......was thinking about the boden satin ones - have you seen those? but these are leather so would wear much better.
Oooooooooh I am soooooo tempted
I am having to sit on my hands......

I have been following MM"s thread about ballet flats with interest.
MM - I can't wear ballet flats either
What i don't quite get is that ballet flats only really look good imo with barefeet......but it is far too cold to go w/o socks so do you all wear pop-socks??
By the time it's warm enough to wear ballet flats w/o socks I'm in my glads!
I also have a really heavy tread (or something) so I trash shoes at an astonishing rate (forever having them re-heeled and soled) so I don't buy either thin and flimsy or too expensive.

Eshermummy, thanks, I feel enabled now, going to buy! I like the Boden ones and Ash are also doing pink satin trainers but I would wreck them in no time.

carciofi - use it as a moisturiser and underneath foundation (which is amazing btw)

MM - we are also planning a hot hol in Feb/Mar.(Haven't booked yet though, need to get onto it )
I was going to get my dd's white skinnies from Next as are about 1/3 price of boden.
I was also planning a few swimwear purchases of my own.....

Where are you going?

carciofi -

I am playing my if- they- are- still- there- in- my- size- tonight- then-it-was-obviously-meant-to-be-and- I'll- order- them game.

Is this nice? or am I just clutching at straws. I really rather like it I think.

Re ballet flats. I went to order a pewter pair from Pump & Circumstance (that LTEC linked to) but they've all sold out. I quite like these and would usually have just bought them but am not convinced so am going to go and try some on when I get a chance. The P&C suggests they have a shop on South Molton St.

I like the Ash trainers but not the Boden satin ones. What other flat spring shoes are there?

carciofi those Ash trainers are slightly cheaper on Asos - £52

Hi all

Thanks for all the views on the harem pants -still liking them but will have to try some on and see if my arse looks huge!

MM - loving that jacket you posted - more than the zippy ones - grey leather is v on trend for this season apparently.

Been out for lunch with friends so today, mostly wearing black skinnies (Zara), black/grey long tee and black tux (Kaliko)with silver accessories and black knee length boots.Felt I was channelling my inner rock chick - quite a feat when you live in the middle of a field! After lunch still wearing the same but with addition of milky pebble dashing courtesy of DS 1. Very textural feel to the whole outfit now.

Just off to collect DS1 and 2 cousins from school so preparing for a fun packed afternoon...

Thanks Fleecy, unfortunately they are out of stock in my size.

Eshermummy, fashion roulette?!

Tracey, 29MXA works for 20% off at The White Company.

Thanks Geordie, will check it out next time I can offload DD and make it to a Bobbi Brown counter.

MM, I like the jacket.

Carciofi I'd go with Bobbi Brown too. Mac are a bit too bright for me and BB feels a lot more luxurious.

I'm now wearing grey skinnies with a baggy grey Max Mara weekend polo neck jumper dress. Will pop on black Uggs for the trip to my mum's for a sleepover.

Happy weekend everyone.

you are within very easy striking distance of upper st then hells .

oh, ash trainers are great. i have an embarrassingly large number of different pairs (6 i think ) but all bought at sample sales/tk maxx.

aha (knew the pub landmarks would work!) - yes I am - it's about 5 mins walk.

MM - grey skinnies sound good - where can you get nice ones?

dangerous!

very!

ROFL at the takes on 'hoppy' earrings!!

mm that jacket is absolutely gorgeous, I don't usually rate Owens but oooh la la ... time to start ebaying all of those unwanted shoes and boots to raise the funds, I think!! by the way - you have a dressing room???!!!! That redoute jacket is okay but a bit messy even when done up iykwim

hana I know what you mean about the jewellery/ children thing. dc3 has got a tiny scratch on his face which I am sure is from the wing of my dragonfly ... btw the sushi was goooood!!!

feeling thank you for mention the VB tshirts again .. think I may have ordered one last night (as well as a K by Karl L tank and some over-knee socks) while drunk tired

bunny that maxi dress is divine.

esher thanks for the tip on the M&S top, it does contain wool!! glad you got out last night, and your outfit sounds tres fab .. I think I have that Gap shirtdress too but am too broad in the beam to wear it well.

BTW I love how we are all overdressed for our various outings and child-related activities!! My friend practically laughed me out of the sandpit when I was there last summer in oversized Dior sunnies, AV charcoal maxi and gold flat sandals, all tastefully accessorised by burgeoning bump. On the subject of meet ups, we should arrange an S&B summer party - it would at least give us all a chance to get those outfits off the hangers!!

carciofi - I love ash trainers - have 2 pairs of high tops, black and silver - would love those in brown but fortunately not avail in my size!

hi Mimi1977!!!

can I be contentious and say that I don't like mini Boden??

esher - am only currently wearing ballet flats with dresses and opaques. Not pop socks!! 6 or so degrees today though so am just about ready to wear with bare feet and jeans.

just home from being out with the dcs and put pedal to the metal when I turned into my street and saw a courier parked outside my house.... is it bad to say that I felt actual, physical, rib-crushing jealousy when he took a mahoosive ASOS box out of his van and carried it up to the neighbour's front door....???

Good end to the week...i've gone from the enabled to the enabler(though did of course purchase VB shirt for myself as well as mentioning )

speaking of 'enabled'..both dresses have arrived and love!love!luuurve the crumpet cashmere.the bf one is perfect and already thinking of lots of ways to ring the changes.

FO think you'd probably look cute in jumpsuit(as someone who still misses the pink flying suit I had at 11)..but they can be difficult at 'bathroom time' if you have a dc who likes to cling to you constantly..therefore i hardly utilize my 2 daytime ones but really enjoy the dressier 'studio 54' evoking ones for child free nights out(picked up an amazing and completely bargainous grey jersy malene and birger on annual nyc shopping extravaganza)

am wondering if will have to take a break from thread temporaily...not unhappy with 'carefully selected' purchases..and can enjoy most of the delicious links without succumbing,especially when we start getting into the rick owens spending bracket,but don't think i can handle all the talk of yummy sushi and boozing while waiting for baby to arrive!