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

Hi again ... thanks traceybath. Like the list too - you always seem so organised. I am going to do this for SS so I don't make silly mistakes....DD seems better, but looks rather exhausted (as do we!)...DH and I are supposed to be going out to a dinner party tonight- haven't cancelled bsitter yet or dinner as hopeful ! Its only around the corner and the bsitter is a Nanny from Nursery and we always come home by 11 pm for DD2's feed so should be okay.....
btw, traceybath we are only up t'road from you in northerly direction c.18 miles !Know and love Bath well as lived v close about 2 years ago!Best of both worlds having Bath on your doorstep isn't it?
hellsbelles poor you! DD2 used to suffer awfully with t sickness...its not pleasant when they are sick, and worrying when they have a dastardly bug...hope she's ok still...

HH - fingers crossed you get to go to your dinner.. What are you going to wear

And I know this isn't fashion talk (!) but did you find any magic cures for DD2's travel sickness? When did hers start? DD now seems fine so I am thinking that may be what it was...she's 12 months now and never had even the smallest sign of it before

Thanks hellsbelles I am thinking plum jersey wrap dress I bought ages ago in Topshop (very flattering)...and black velvet opaques and black Hobbs boots...the classic style they always have...plus a beautiful swarovski crystal wide cuff to add some pizazz!How does this sound ...Oh and I found a very old black Mulberry handbag with silver metal stirrup handles which I forgot about and do love. Its small and perfect for evening so shall have that too...
DD started getting car sick at about 18 months...we used travel bands- for age three and they were okay - she's a tall (despite my restriction on height!)but not a big child. Plus we banned her from reading or even holding anything as focussing on something made it worse, and played Spot CDs endlessly which seemed to take her mind off it completely! She now thinks she is Spot though and calls me Sally (Spots mother!!!) so maybe not a good thing! She is much better now, although at the worst she threw up in a car we were test driving en famille. What are you up to this pm then?

I should be doing something else but desperate to know (inspired by bright sunshine outside) which sunglasses you have designated as your summer choice? I always end up buying a couple for different looks but in the spirit of this thread think one expensive pair is more appropriate

sounds lovely HH. Plum is such a beautiful colour.

Umm it does sound like DD is a bit young for travel sickness - another friend said it was 18 months for her DD too! We're borrowing a friends house in East Sussex for some seaside air which is bliss (when you don't have a sickly child!)

I'm keen to see the other suggestions for sunglasses too. I always look like an extra from The Fly when I wear them The only pair I had that were passable on me were some Tom Ford ones...but I think I sat on them last year so will need another pair.

I've had the Tom Ford Jennifers for the last couple of years but fancy some bigger ones this summer.

Will go and try lots on in Harvey Nicks next month I think.

Hells - did you see way up the thread that NAP are doing a waiting list for the white HH dress - I think you were interested in it.

Sunglasses - I have always been an Oakleys girl for everyday but I normally buy a cheapy fashionable pair from Topshop or similar most summers.

Man, I've had a shit 24 hours so far! DD was awake from 1am until 4am and then up every hour until 7. I think she is coming down with a cold .

Then I nipped into town to change my Topshop jeans for a different colour only to find that either my pair or the entire batch in the shop must have been labelled wrong and I am in fact not a 10, maybe a 9 but a 12, maybe (on a good day) an 11. I am devastated

Husband rang to ask me to pick up some toilet rolls (glamourous life I lead) and a bottle of wine for dinner so I had to go into the Tesco's in town where I promptly got asked for ID. I am 28 years old. I didn't have any on me so couldn't get the wine. FFS how many 17 year olds buy toilet rolls and one bottle of wine? How bloody embarrassing.

Got back to find that husband hadn't been able to get DD to sleep and she was in the process of working herself into a frenzy.

Not happy.

MrsJ - you must be looking young and pretty to get asked for ID .

TopShop size small so you'd still be a 10 in other shops.

Mimi - I think the roxannes are same size wise as topshop - does that help? So not vanity sizing.

I'm having a very dull day. Does anyone else have a DH who works so hard during the week that he's too exhausted to do anything at weekends. Means we all just get cross and grumpy.

Morning all. I went out last night and DH let me lie in this morning - can't believe how many new posts there are!

Who was it who wanted l/s tees? I got a black one and a white one 2 for £9 in Dorothy Perkins and they're a nice length and have so far washed well and not gone baggy. Bit of a bargain there!

Also, someone wanted a slouchy tan bag. I have a Somerset tote in Oak and it slouches beautifully but is still classic so should last for aaaaages. Only thing is if you need one that closes at the top it won't work for you as it's just a popper close.

I have done my S/S '10 list:
Indigo skinny jeans
Mid blue 7/8 jeans
Carrot jeans to turn up
Cropped white jeans
New breton top
Smart ruffly blouse, prob in cream
Flat sandals

I have everything else I need - and all these lovely nude colours don't suit me so that's one trend I won't be following!

Hmm- not sure how pretty I looked on 3 hours sleep If I'd had the ID with me I wouldn't have minded - does anyone over the age of 21 actually carry ID? Driving license I suppose but I like to keep that safe at home.

My husband is exactly the same Tracey - he leaps out of bed at 6.30am during the week but then likes to lie in until at least 10am at the weekend. I know he works hard during the week but it would be so nice if he could get up so that we could get on with something or go out. By the time I've sorted out myself, DD and him we don't have time to do anything.

Fleecy, I like the sound of your Mulberry bag. I have 71 watchers on my bag on eBay now so if it sells, I'll be making a trip to Mulberry.

I love my Chanel sunglasses and have managed to keep them away from DD so they are in good nick.

My DH also had a lie in today (until 12!). I took DD out to Gymboree so he had peace and quiet. He does work very hard during the week but it means that we don't do much either at the weekends.

Good list Tracey.

I need want:
Navy cardigan
Couple of day dresses
Cropped white jeans
Bag
Tan sandals

Hope you get out to your dinner party, Henrietta!

Carciofi - I must put some old bags on ebay - have got a LV and Anya Hindmarch one I want to get rid of. How much p&p do you ask for?

Oooh and have you got your current elliott skinnies yet? Mine have been despatched from revolve so am waiting to see how much customs I have to pay.

mrsjuan - sorry you've had such a horrid time - but surely being asked for ID over the age 25 is a massive massive compliment!

It's a very long time for me!

Tracey, no, I haven't received them yet, hope they arrive soon. I think customs will be £25-35 but still worth it.

I have set p&p for £10 within the UK and £22 for EU/US/Canada. Probably too expensive for EU but I will refund the difference.

ooh yes, sorry mrsjuan - you post a tale of woe and I pop up with my night out and lie in

Hope your day has improved now!

Those of you who have bought from the US, how does it work? At what stage do you pay VAT and customs duty? I've never done it but was sorely tempted by the jeans prices. Does the 'tulip' code still work at Revolve?

I would like
Couple of day dresses
White slim fit jeans
Couple of vests/tees
Metallic wedge sandals
Navy linen trousers
Another waterfall cardigan.Also going out tonight hoorayhenrietta,not sure what to wear maybe
Black velvet trousers
Black Phase eight sequin camisole
silver Phase Eight beaded shrug
Silver chunky necklace
Or,a dress????
Decisions!

hello all - very sorry to hear tales of poorly toddlers, sleepy husbands and loo roll purchases . Hope everyone is having a good weekend otherwise.

Falke tights arrived - lovely lovely, thanks for the recommendation.

Had a friend over for coffee this morning (a wonderful tale - a friend I did yoga with when pg with dc1, we lost touch and, unbeknown to either of us, became friends againm under our pseudonyms, on MN - she bought a bag on my rec, I read a book on her rec etc etc - and then one day she clicked on my profile and got the shock of her life - as did I when she told me who she was - very happy to be back in contact ) Later on, met other friends in the park.

Back home and feeling very oppressed by the amount of stuff we have and have had a massive cull of books and stuff ... even (sob) the newborn clothes since another baby is unlikely. I am desperate to clear out my wardrobe but conscious that when I get in these moods, I am likely to throw out/ ebay something that I'll regret. On which note, should I get rid of this Orla Kiely top? (Please do excuse the embarrassing Christmas day photo) I love that it's orange, love the neckline, hate that it's Orla Kiely. What are your opinions please?

Fleecy, last time I bought jeans from the US, I paid £31.99 in duty. The bill came separately a few weeks later. I think it works out almost the same in the end what with postage and the duty. But I love my paige jeans, and the stock is limited in the UK. Often HN and Selfridges only stock the high fashion ones - not appropriate to my age and position . Have placed an order last week for some skinnies and biting my nails in anticipation. I have returned jeans once. That's when you lose money.
LTEC - liked that uniqlo dress you linked to, but hate the website and live too far away to visit shop any time soon. Are you wearing that top at Christmas?

LTEC, I like the top on you, I think you should keep it.

Fleecy, DHL or Royal Mail will send you a charge (customs and also a clearance charge) which you pay before they deliver. Not sure if the code still works but jessicastyle always works for 10% off.

LTEC - I think the orange top looks good.

It's difficult to see what it's like LTEC, other than the colour and neckline which I agree are lovely - so if you like it then keep it (I'm sure it doesn't take up that much space!) and I don't think (from the photo anyway) it's distinctively Orla Kiely.

Lovely story about the MN version of friends reunited. Is it someone on this thread?

no hells she's not on this thread - but she does have the Tam Tam in purple!!

Top stays then, thanks for the feedback. I just get antsy sometimes and feel the need to get rid of everything and start from scratch, anyone else ever have this?

Thanks for the tips in importing - and wise words about the returns.

I live in Norfolk so not much denim choice, just high street and whatever local House of Fraser or TK Maxx stocks (i.e. patchy).

So I should probably wait until I can get down to London and try stuff on in case I get the sizing wrong and have to send them back!

Enjoy your nights out, those of you who are out this evening. I am developing a sore throat and will be spending this evening watching crap TV and feeling sorry for myself

hope you were matching today

LTEC - I think the top looks nice - I'd keep it and review at end of this summer to see if you've worn it.

When are you moving back to Australia?

Fleecy - I've ordered the current elliott ones from revolve and think I paid £111 so even if I pay £35 customs thats still a bit cheaper than netaporter where they're over £200 plus p&p.

I am also very tired - need to shove some fake tan on before I go to bed though as am looking the colour of skimmed milk.