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

no it would not be awful mrsjuan

Thanks for the welcome. Great links Kristina, I would normally walk pass a bag like that on a shopping trip.

MM - I am an "officebod" but I am not required to wear a suit, will be sticking to black/grey basics with some colourful tops/accessories to brighten up.

Can I just say M+S not my fav shop , but I have found great for budget basics on my return to work. Can't wait for my cashflow to improve and have shopping money!!

I am looking for cashmere cardigans to work with smart bottoms, any recommendations?

Like HH I am also after the perfect l/s tee, esp with long sleeves

hi simbob! cashmere cardigans abound on this thread Try Pure (still a few days of sale left) Brora and Fig.

mrsjuan - not awful at all. I think I have mentioned before that I spent my Health in Pregnancy Grant on half a pair of Jimmy Choos My v.glamorous sister was in Melbourne last weekend so I'll ask her for a shopping update.

am coming over all funny when I think about the purchase of my new Ossie Clark (a label which, admittedly stupidly, I've hankered to have in my wardrobe forever) How will I wear it? I'm thinking jeans and ballet pumps and layered over a nearly-nude singlet/ cami top by day or with leather pencil skirt and high patent ankle boots by night - thoughts?

another good thing about this thread is that it's keeping me on the straight and narrow in my quest to shift the lard that my 4mo left behind. All this talk about clothes makes me hanker for skinniness more than ever. Went for a run tonight and really ran as if the style police were after me!!!

Will put the pink bag on the maybe list.

I have a little Gymboree fan here too. She sings the Gymbo the clown song several times a day.

Mrs Juan, jeans are all cheaper in the US, as are all the American labels, Ralph Lauren, DKNY, Gap, Banana Republic and so on. I would ask for nice tshirts from Velvet or Michael Stars, Sevens or Citizens or whatever your favourite denim brand is. I liked Coach and Cole Haan for bags and shoes and Botkier is my favourite brand for bags there. Bloomingdales (the store downtown is quieter) or Saks Fifth Ave are good one stop shops. Macy's is huge. I think you can order online in Bloomingdales and and ask your DH to pick up your purchases in store. J Crew is good for basics. Scoop is another nice store with branches in various locations in NYC but their website is down atm. I am sure I will think of more for you.

I used to live in NY, it is shopping heaven.

Carciofi - we had a bloody nightmare. DD insisted on holding onto the giant gymbo for much of the class....and when I managed to prise it out of her little hands she screamed so loudly everyone turned round in horror (thinking spoilt little madam probably)

LTEC - both variations sound utterly gorgeous and I'm very

teafortwo - hooray for your new boots!! I like slouchy. I have slouchy grey suede ones. And ta for the wedding comment - coming up to 5 years in March!! LOL about smokers at school - I know exactly what you mean!

MrsJ well done on the outfit (and the invitation ) today!!

carciofi have only just recovered my composure after seeing that heavenly VB bag. Oh. My. God. Divine!!

ourlady - which two bags? I have the plum Phoenix and the grey Oakley.

LTEC, I thought you might like the colour.

Both outfits sound fab.

Hellsbelles, there are regularly brawls at our class over the giant gymbo and my pfb is often right there in the middle of it.

Well I'll close off now - nobody ever bloody answers my questions anyway, you cliquey lot!

HH you come back here!!

what question? the dress? the cleaner? or the white tee?

my cleaner comes twice a week Tues & Fri. Once so the house recovers from the mess of the weekend and once to get it visitor-worthy again after the mayhem of the week.

And I don't mind admit that my children only get rice for dinner if it's a night before she comes.

Am still eyes out for knitted dress for you.

L/s white tee - have heard many MNers rate the M&S "perfect' tee highly but I don't have one, personally.

Bloody hell! Um....all three....!!!

see above!!

now here's a good trans-seasonal dress - wear it now over l/s tee, leggings and boots, and then a few months on its own ..

LTEC awwwww...thanks mate - lucky bitch for two days cleaning pw! I've only just got mine and rather guiltily so...but everyone has them (mostly those with 3 babies I think-around here anyway).

See, I have got various L/S white tees, and now considering White Company?? Any ideas thoughts...?

Btw, how old are your dcs?

Thanks! You figured I liked the colour purple then ... yes its good, thanks. But I am embarrassed to say I do not own a pair of leggings...having been well into them in the late 80's

I guess with slouchy boots - but which ones?

Sorry ...

same as yours I think?

dd - 3 and a half
ds1 - 2 and 2 months
ds2 - 4 months

I struggled with the cleaner thing for a long time but have now embraced it. she comes for 2 hours each time. Just to scrub the bathroom and kitchen really. I do all the other stuff. Sort of.

HH - wasn't ignoring you - just didn't have any proper answers for you

Carciofi - thank goodness it's not just DD (it certainly is just her in our very well behaved little group)

Catching up, seeing ltec say that about Ossie Clark I have the same reaction about Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga and especially had it the other day about Herve Leger (add accents for me mentally please am on iPod).

The thought of doing something inane like the school run or shopping in supermarket in Herve Leger does something to very spectacular to my mood and brain. High-inducing stuff.

I first felt it when I was 22 in Boston and bought pair of Miu Miu suede boots, then spending 1k on bag and shoes in Italy on same trip-the rush!

Do people remember their first extravagent purchase?

carciofi That's great about buying online and collecting at Bloomingdales! Think I'm going to have a fun week

I'm not going to be able to get to any form of civilisation to try any decent jeans on though so I'm going to need some help.

The Martha's from Topshop fit quite well in a size 10 (Could possibly do with a size 9 if that existed). I don't like jeans that sit too low on the waist but equally don't want to look like my mum circa. 1985.

Any suggestions of jeans that would fit well? I've had a quick search of the Bloomingdales website and although I like the look of the 7s they all seem very low and I am lmao at the fact that their 'petite' leg length is 31".

I quite like the look of:
these

and

these

but they only seem to come in normal long leg lengths.

what about these?

Marsha - one day I will own a Bottega Veneta handbag. I lust after them.

White Company tees lovely Hoorayhenrietta.
I like their knitwear,but their dresses too long on me.

Me too Hells, or Hermes (accent). Should have said extravagant before...

mrsjuan - jeans are so tricky but 7 for all mankind are great and I like jbrands too and at the moment current/elliott are my absolute favourite (the jeggings!) Having said that I do like jeans that sit a bit lower so you should probably ignore everything I've said

I'd recommend the basic long sleeved scoop neck top from topshop - only £10 and a very nice cut. Would link but my computer is being temperamental.

LTEC - ossie jumper looked gorgeous.

Am very envious of cleaner twice a week - mine only come once a fortnight which is not enough really.