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

Liverpool fans in our house - things should get interesting as the season progresses

forgot to say - sorry to hear about the mice

we had this went I went to get my hospital bag from bottom of wardrobe in baby's room......to find mice had shredded bag contents. and pooed on the remainder [yuck]

we now have rentokil

This thread is my saviour!
I love hearing what others are wearing,no matter what the cost.
Great inspiration,and everyone mostly so supportive and friendly.
Today am wearing
Dark indigo straight leg jeans
Black and grey Clarks patent Mary Jane's
Boden slate grey and cream top
White Stuff slate grey open cardigan,lovely and soft,I love it.
Long necklace
Cream bangle.

burning...now I'm thinking that I should try the black rats again! What are yours like? Are they the shiney black gathered ones?

Still loaded with cold here, so not such a good day - took ds to the science centre as it was an easier alternative than trying to entertain him all day.

Black leggings, black AA tshirt, and light grey waterfall cardigan, and black biker boots. Was comfy and toasty which was all that mattered today

Can someone link to black rats please? I think I might need them. I tried googling, but well... you know what came up

They had a lovely pink hat on the tedshed website that you linked to mrsjuan - I dont look good in hats though, with having short hair . Speaking of which hair is driving me nuts just now, its at that really rubbish inbetween stage, I'm desperate to try and grow it, but its so tempting to go and get it fixed.

LTEC - Have you got the cozy in pink?

Tracey - Thanks for the jeans heads up - I think I might buy a pair of the next jeggings to wear for the time being, I bought a pair from Tesco before we went to NYC in Oct, but they were shocking, ending up hoicking them up constantly.

Must pop into French Connection this weekend as well as LKBennett... think I am owed a little toddler-free shopping time.

Yay, will enjoy my shopping even more. Have purchased lovely Boden knitted dress in sale for friend's christening today - using excuse of being godmother to get a pretty dress .

Feel I must continue quest to get breton top now. Monkeymama, looked at the dotty p one and it looks very clingy - not sure my post baby tummy can quite take it yet - does it cling?

Can someone confirm for me what kind of build you need for jeggings - are they for the stick thin only or can gentle curves wear them too? Am classic apple with all my flab around tummy...

MM, I just bought "these jeans" which are straight leg and 34" leg. I love citizens and this price was too good to miss!

Just bought these too after seeing the link on this forum about cutting sale prices more:

"Cardigan 1"

"cardigan 2"

They don't look much with pjs admittedly but tthink will go well with my skinny and straight leg jeans. Like I need more cardigans!

Thanks for letting me know about that toast top LTEC. Was in two minds so was waiting for your report. Will give it a miss.

Today I wore
Black leggings
LS Autograph top
Black and White stripe Betty Barclay Tunic
Wide Jigsaw black belt
Black Fly Boots

Feel so dull in winter. Note to self for next winter.....more colour!

oh Mimi - they look scrumptious.

Hatty - I don't think you need to be super slim for jeggings (I have some current elliot ones). Obviously as I have a huge large bottom I wear them with stuff that covers that...but I think they are quite flattering.

Geordie - urghh for some reason it's not letting me cut and paste...but go to my-wardrobe.com and type black rats in the search bit.

here you go Geordie - the black rats

no, I don't have the cozy in pink - just in black. Was too lazy to search for another picture.

Kristina no, not at all - I think we should all be happy with our purchases no matter what their price or provenance, but I'd just noticed that that thing with the bag had come up a few times and didn't want there to be any sniping on a thread that I am enjoying so much.

monkeysmama - yes, have got the asos mag and saw the piece, do you like the look of any of it? Glad your scarf/ colour injection is working for you! hatty there are a couple of breton tops on asos, have you seen?

that's awful about the mice tracey

Everyone sounds gorgeous as ever today. I was in black leggings, black knee boots, black & white stripey tee under a short sleeve black jumper dress and aforementioned pink hat and gloves. Sounds like a licorice allsort now that I type it, but think it passed muster for a day of nursery run, coffee, post office, swings, dinosaurs and endless fairytale roleplay

Hello all,

I think everyone should be proud of bargain and judicious purchases. It's just that we all have different budgets. Mine is at the lower end but I'm picking up tips as to what's worth the extra money and where to get it cheaper!

I like the black rats but I'd have thought it's a bit late in the season to buy them if you're not sure.

Lots of breton tops on eBay at the moment - some very cute.

I am searching for some boyfriend/carrot jeans but bunny has pointed me towards some Fat Face ones on another thread so I may make this year's first purchase tomorrow, all ready to roll up to the ankle and wear with heels for spring. Perfect trans-seasonal wear!

What's Fat Face stuff like?

I like fat Face jeans,Fleecy.

evening everyone!

how strange, WE have had mice too. I actually saw one run past the fireplace a few weeks ago! How icky is that! We had just had new fireplace (and lovely woodburning stove mmmmmm) fitted and had a big hole in skirting so think they came in through there when it was so cold outside. I put down some rat poison and it seems to have done the trick. Cue the dd's: "mummy, mousy doesn't seem to be eating anymore food does he?" and me: "oh I expect he's just not hungry darlings "

Toast archive sale goodies arrived today. Haven't tried on properly yet but t-shirts this in yellow and another plain ivory longsleeve look good and will keep. Necklace ok, a bit plackier than expected but ok.
Jacket is this shape - not good, too big and shapeless and too brown
Oxford bags - need to try properly - v nice material, but poss a bit boring and not sure how I would wear yet. Also a bit long although apparently a 31" leg. I may be too short to carry these off

MM - interested to see your brogues - would love to see them on you as am having trouble envisaging. I keep thinking that's what I need to go with the toast oxford bags but I can't quite make the leap of imagination that is required. I think it's because brogues have not been sighted in these parts as yet

Georgina- I love the sound of your outfit. You have made me remember that grey and cream looks lovely and is much softer than my usual grey/black/navy combo which makes me look like death.

Traceybath - Popped into Monsoon today and ended up buying a cream silk chiffon blouse with tiny gold buttons down the back and a vertically pleated front. £15 from £50. Totally based on all the turn of the screw threads! It came with a seperate camisole which i am going to ditch and replace with a skintight nude or cream vest, maybe add a nude/blush pink cardi and skinnies. They still had a few left although I had to get a 10 as no 8's but still looks ok (and I am norkless).

Black Rats - this is they, now I have to get to the bottom of this
Hells, you say yours are shiny? They are not the pvc rats are they? did you order from my wardrobe or NAP?
Burning - same Q's, it is imperative that I ascertain shinyness qotient before I buy

Quick update on cashmere and babies - she loved cuddling up to it and the sick has mainly wiped off...

I too am at the very lower end of spending, but am so enjoying this thread, making more of what I've got and not buying things (from ebay or charity shops) that I don't need/love or were low quality to start with, so more bargains less crap. Have had more inspiration here than any magazine.

Thanks Esher
The White Stuff cardigan is lovely.Really soft fine Merino wool in charcoal grey,open front.Has not pilled or anything.
Think it was called 'Earl Grey cardigan',but not online now don't think.
Must admit I like the first Hush cardigan mimi

thanks for the tip re the Falke tights - have purchased a pair in mocha, plus some Thomas socks for ds to qualify for free delivery.

Any thoughts on where I should look for a reasonably priced long black cardi? The Cozy didn't work out for me, hence the sale, and Crumpet is too flippin' exxy. It's just for kicking about in.

When I say long, I mean past the bum. Oh, and any other thoughts on that star cardi?

The thing I didnt like about the cozy was it wasnt long enough at the back to cover my considerable arse..

LTEC I've got the gap long black cardigan - bought a while ago, so may not be in stock but good length and washes well. Wouldn't buy anything in gao that wasn't in sale or with one of the 30% off vouchers thought as is always galling when you see things weeks after you got them for half the price...

esher - mine were the normal ones - not the PVC...but they are still quite shiny - I took them into work ready to send back and have left them there....so gutted as I can't try them on again...and now wondering if I could make them work.

you can hells, you can

am now itching to give mine another airing.

stop it you temptress! you have 10 mile long legs don't you - so you can ...I don't - so probably can't.

Oh blast - I don't go back into the office till Tuesday....so won't get to see them till then. By then I will have imagined them in 20 different outfits and will keep them!

I just don't like to think that our wardrobes aren't as matching as they can possibly be

I think threads close down at 1000 messages anyway don't they? shall we limp through until Feb and then kick the month off on a new thread by totting up our Jan purchases, returns and revivals?