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 guys - didn't make dinner party as DD has ear infection and had to visit out of hours Doctor!!! So sitting here freshly showered and in my jimmies as DH reading paper! Wow, some Saturday night!!!
Fleecy thanks for info on l/s tees
LTEC I really like the orange top; I understand what you mean about Orla - she's a bit ubiquitous now, but its not an obvious print as far as I can see...and the colour suits you.Completely understand your enthusiasm to throw out and start anew! I am the same- quite ruthless sometimes...but I do occasionally live to regret it. You know, start hunting out that perfect denim skirt I once had only to realise I threw it out (yes, didn't even sell it!!!)

Georgina Hope you are having a lovely time !!!!!

Oh just remembered the first designer item I purchased was at 17 - a pair of Katharine Hamnett jeans. Then it was a Raymond Weil mans watch - very 80's!!!!
I was also very much into Ghost ...

HH sorry about your DD. If it's any consolation, I am also at home since all my socialising seems to take place in daylight hours these days .. which is fine for now, as I'm a wimp about the cold.

On the plus side, have sunday lunch with friends at the pub tomorrow and afternoon birthday drinks with another friend later on (will just take dc3 to that one, methinks, dh can take the other 2 home!)

thanks for feedback on the top, I do have fond memories of buying it (from Prey, tracey!) and will hang on to it for now. By the way - what comes up for you when you click on that link? I am useless with privacy and whatnot, is it just that photo or do you get access to my whole FB?

Gosh so many posts.
Been out at friends for lunch all day today with my 2 best friends and their families. Feeling a bit pishted as a result .

I don't think we are cliquey on this thread - it's just so fast moving it's hard to keep up.
I've been here from the start near enough and not all my Q's get answered so noone should take it personally

Who was it who said there were no mingers on this thread. I have purposely not posted a photo for a reason y'know

Am liking everyone's list for SS - will do mine when feeling a bit more clearheaded......too much wine at lunch to do it now.

Am LOVING fact that I have started a mini-rush on back rats when I myself haven't yet ordered . Am going to order tomorrow. I am banking on them being school run appropriate - don't go out enough to justify close to £100 on some late-night tights

LTEC - I like that Orla top. You have lovely shoulders

Thanks LTEC DD has quite bad infection and temp. 39.8 ! but real little trooper - was 'dancing' for the Doctor, who was excellent - very laid back but thorough, nothing too much; btw, just the photo comes up don't worry -
Thanks for the consolation; we ended up with crap fare for supper too, cos we were too knackered and hadn't planned to cook anything! Ho hum...

Esher glad you had a good day ...am popping off for nite as rather knackered and babies sleeping ...(so making the most!!!)

Wow you guys have been busy.

Wishing all the poorly lil ones get better soon. I understand the overworked hubbies syndrome.

I am having a regretful day today, walked by local boutique and saw gorgeous ankle boots £159 > £49..... and didn't try them on. I think I was scared that I might leave with more than just the boots...

Took on board the suggestion of a bright bag for my return to work and ordered a red Osprey £285 > £69 on TK Maxx site.

Being lured away from my quest to get a work wardrobe by all this talk of jeans, I'm 34' leg, US much better fit for me.

Henrietta, I still love Raymond Weil watches. Are you going to get Frye boots? I wear mine a lot and they are five years old. Shame you couldn't make the dinner party.

Simbob, I like the sound of your bag.

I also ordered Current Elliot jeans for £90.96, at least £80-90 cheaper than NAP, even with customs.

Esher, sounds like a fun day.

american retro at brand alley: here

thanks for the link HC - is brand alley good? I've heard of it but never tried it?

HH - poor DD (and poor you) - hope the antibiotics kicks in soon. I remember when DS had ear infections on a loop....horrible but once the meds started he was back to normal so quickly.

So it sounds like next time I get current elliot I need to get from overseas. I can't believe how much cheaper! Can you let us now how much the customs is when you get the bill?

How is dd this morning hh?

Morning hells. Can I pick your mind's eye!? Am wearing purple dress with brown rights and boots. Part of me thinks it looks good, a walking version of that harry Eastwood cake. The other part is a bit Can you visualize and tell me your thoughts pls!!

LTEC - DD is back to her cheeky self - which makes me fear travel sickness! We travel a lot so I guess I'll have to learn the ways of mopping up sick in a moving car

My mind's eye thinks that does sound rather lush...berries and chocolate look perfect together after all...

Tights, obv!

Purple and brown sounds great, you can carry it off with your colouring.

Ordered the me & em cardigan, thanks a mil for the code, 15% off 280 is a good saving.

Actually I just got that Harry Eastwood book yesterday and have stocked up on courgettes and butternut squash, wanted to make the aubergine choc one but shops sold out of aubergine. I think I'll have to make the first one when there are no dc around, they are so used to helping me with the mixing of butter and sugar, etc I'm not sure they'd eat the cupcakes if they knew they were full of courgette. Might make them as a 'surprise' for after school tomorrow.

Have you decided what to do with your bayswater, I'll make you an offer if you're going to sell it{smile]

Someone was looking for ebay tips? I have been ebaying for years, in fact most of my 'labels' have come form ebay

You need to be focused, there is so much rubbish on there, it's hard to find the good stuff. Think of your favourite shops/designers, do a search for them, you can narrow it down by size and item, eg dresses or trousers, then click on 'save this search' and you will get an email every day with newly listed items that fit your criteria.

The other thing I do is go shopping, try things on and then come home and check if they are on ebay. I very nearly bought an all saints dress for 220 before Christmas, but got it for 60 on ebay instead.

Final tip, look for french labels on ebay.fr, lots of Vanessa Bruno there, and US labels, particularly jeans on ebay.com.

I have had great luck there, no fakes and no lost parcels. Happy shopping

oh Verity - that's a good tip on Venessa Bruno - I never thought of looking on Ebay for her...thanks

I bought a fake pair of Paige jeans a few years ago and it put me off buying on eBay, though I am going to look for Vanessa Bruno now, thanks Verity for the tip.

Hana, I like the shape and colour of the bag but I prefer the Chloe one you linked to a while ago.

Hana - agree with Carciofi - gorgeous colour and shape but other was more of a classic.

Not sure about the quality of KM for some reason I've never got anything from there.

brand alley is good, i've had 2 brilliant part 2 dresses. have also returned quite a lot of stuff with no bother. good reductions. oh yes, & some to die for robert cleregie boots that were 100 quid instead of 400.

Can't be bothered to trail whole thread, but dying to know...what are back rats?

bob - behold the Black rats. Also available on my-wardrobe with the 10% MN discount.

I don't rate Karen Millen's quality, tbh. I too preferred the Chloe one Hana

Verity, am so pleased you used the discount Are you seriously interested in the Bayswater? Have not listed it yet but do want to sell, would rather bypass ebay if poss! Make me an offer. Contact me via your dh's FB if you prefer.