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

hana - If I had found that bag for 20euros I would be chuffed to bits with it and showing off for England... taaar daaarrr!!!

.... but on your budget I am sure you can find something even more lovely and special feeling. IMHO - It is OK but doesn't have the wow factor of other bags I have seen.

I am also on the look out for a bag. Something big enough for work folders with different sections to put snacks, books and toys in for my lo too. I am thinking satchel style thing at the mo. Any ideas are welcome... Budget = as far under 100 euros as I can go without buying a bag that looks cheap and just breaks before I put something in it iyswim?

Bobbie... LTEC is sure to explain better than I what black rats are!!!

LTEC DD slightly better thanks....but we were not given antibiotics !!!! So will leave til 2morrow to see (typing this one-handed with DD3|)...

carciofi yes, Raymond Weil watches remind me of another time, and I do secretly still really like mine!!!|)

Hello there, I have been reading this thread from the start and am really appreciating your advice (although my bank balance is not )!

I had asked on another thread about jackets and I was kindly pointed in this direction . So,
oh wise ones, what jacket are you buying/have bought for Spring/Summer '10. I'm thinking of a short, fitted tweed jacket to see me to Spring but am drawing a blank for the Spring/Summer selection. Any ideas?

In the spirit of this thread, today I am wearing grey skinny jeans (Asos), white l/s top (Petit Bateau), grey cotton boyfriend cardi (Gap), black leather biker boots (TX Maxx bargain) and chunky grey & bronze necklace (Monsoon).

Oh, another thing, I may be visiting London (I live in Scotland)in May and am thinking of staying in the Hoxton Hotel. What shopping recommendations do you have for this area?

Many thanks!

I'm also thinking ahead for spring summer. High summer holiday is easy. Day to day Welsh weather not so. I fear my holy grail this year will be waterproof summer footwear since I have an allergy to flat shoes. Sandals are fine, as are the M&S ballet flats, but last year I remember having wet feet in these. Have been wearing my hunter wellies this weekend in the snow. I wonder how long I can keep wearing them into the season?

Just popping in, will be back in a bit.

Can anyone give me opinions on this, and if yes, what you would accessorize it with esp footwear.

Ta muchly

Not sure about that,tbhgeordieminx
I think it is the waist that puts me off,elasticated waists like that do me no favours
You may be different though!
I wonder how shiny it is?

Slim I am not... hopefully would be slim-ish by the time the dress would be required but alas will always be curvy. Bah

I think it could look good - but its one of those you need to try on.

If you've got good legs which I'm assuming you do - then I'd go for black shoe boots or very funky high high sandals.

I've had a productive day - braved ikea with the 3 dc's to get bed slats for ds2 who is now in a grown up bed! But felt wrong in horrid clothes.

Was wearing an ancient boden henley jumper from immediate post-partum days and next skinnies which are too big - yeay.

Do wonder when I will ever be happy with my weight - am pretty much at my goal but now want to be a couple of pounds lighter. Also just looked at boobs and well - lets just say 3 pregnancies and bf have done them no favours. Come the summer when I stop bf will be investing in some serious lingerie - la perla here I come .

I am obsessing about black rats but know realistically I just wouldn't wear them as am trying to not buy black for one thing. Money would be better spent on white slim leg jeans.

Regarding summer jackets - I saw a Juicy Couture band jacket in US vogue which looked lovely but can't find it online. I do fancy a khaki/neutral colour.

Hana - my sister works in retail and tells me she doesn't rate KM quality for the big bucks you have to pay.

Teafortwo - I have ordered a workbag from TK Maxx, recommend you try them for a bargain.

geordieminx - I like that dress although agree would need to try on to be sure. The gathered waistband might look good with a wide belt over it? Depending on exact shade of cream could look lovely with deep tan coloured belt and tan heeled glad sandals.
It might be quite short though in which case I'd add leggings too.

tracey - the juicy jacket sounds good. I heart juicy as their tops are made for small shouldered people (like me) with lots of details but all scaled down iykwim.

I did think I wanted a boyf jacket to wear between now and late spring/summer but am not sure now - think maybe I look better in something shorter and more cropped.
Bit cross actually as was dithering over a few things on asos and now they are out of stock in my size - do you think they'll get more stock or with asos is it once it's gone it's gone?

I did like this jacket

and I should have bought this shirt

Bought this bright pink jumper today as free p&P and was inspired by Hoxtongirl's pink Pauric to add a bit of colour. Am heartily sick of my charcoal grey and navy wardrobe

I think I will order the black rats - if I think I won't get enough wear I will send back but have girls night out in trendy Shoreditch coming up so think I will treat myself

Other things on my hitlist are a nude vest to wear under my bargain governess blouse (monsoon sale) and a nude/blush coloured cardy to layer over for day.
Anyone seen any good nude items?

evening ladies

are we all set to start a new thread tomorrow?

Will keep this brief as am in a bit of a mood - but geordie that dress gets a no from me as I think the viscose will affect that hang and cling, never good on us curvy types, esp when you factor in the colour and waistband. tracey am so with you on the weight thing, I know full well that I will never be skinny enough to be happy, I think 10 stone, I get there and I think 9 and half. Dangerous. Am sure you look amazing, and remember that a too-skinny body often means a haggard face so don't go too far!!!

esher - I should have a plethora of nudes for you in the next few days .. bear with me

Have thought about my SS10 wishlist and really truly all I need is a white tank top. (what I might want, when I see it, is another matter entirely) Not sleeved, but not spag strapped either - shoulders a couple of inches thick, if you get me. Had the perfect one from Sainsbury's, of all places, but trashed now. Let me know if you see one.

Had my eyebrows threaded this morning. Popped into TKMaxx and studiously avoided looking at anything except the thing I'd gone in there for (warm jacket for dc3) Was in a hurry though as had left all 3 dcs with dh (argh!! ) Definitely a good way to curb one's shopping tendencies is to leave a breastfed child with someone else ... the panic!! the speed!! the lack of enjoyment!!

Will post more tmrw but I buy a lot of Scandi brands and Vila can look cheap sometimes. I have a stunning black angora Vila dress but a jacket I paid £150 for I thought looked great but realised hem was half dropped & looked, well, cheap. Will post more domani.

esther - see obbie for nude clothes! The magazine had lovely stuff in today p44.

Is this unbelievably boring or actually subtle, serious and gently professional looking....?

www.cambridgesatchel.co.uk/15-vintage-brown-batchel-74-p.asp

Incase the website puts you off here is a sexier pic of the smaller version...

www.handbago.com/handbags/handbag/cambridge-satchel-company/cambridge-satchel-company-15-black-satch el

... I think I am falling for it.... what do you think?

What I need the bag for - taking Metro, dropping dd off at school, going to work (which can involve lots of walking from one place to another through the city), picking up dd from school, hanging out in park with other parents.

It needs to have at least 2 sections (to separate Mummy and work things), be very strong, have a good fastening (currently my folders get very wet when it rains grrr) and give me hand freedom to tackle citylife with a lively 3yr old...

So... what do you think?

Hey Tea did you come across CSC on your own or see my post on the good bag thread? I bought one for my beloved & often mentioned sister for finishing her PhD. She chose the largest size in purple & it's fantastic; stylish, chic, useful, spacious & sturdy. Can be worn cross body or not. I really like it. We trawled vintage markets across London & found a beautiful
one in the new/proper Spitalfields (ie not the crap converted bit) & saw one for more money with a broken strap nothing like as nice.

• it is more lovely everytime I look at it...

Tea - I think its a lovely bag. Very alexa chung.

morning all and welcome red - I suspect Hoxtonchick will be your wealth of information for shopping near your hotel (the clue is in the name )

LTEC - hope you are back to your sunny self today...not used to hearing you sound sad and I hope it's nothing too unfixable.

Geordie - I agree that the dress looks slightly dangerous with that elasticated waist!

TFT - I'm so unimaginative that when I saw that pic unstyled (so to speak) of the bag I thought it looked a bit boring. But hearing the ever stylish MM sing it's praises made me think again! So my first instinct was a no, but as MM as actually seen one in RL it sounds like it's a good find!

Tracey - I had a similar clothes day to you yesterday. I threw on really horrid unflattering clothes cause they were comfortable and we were away from home. As we sat in a restaurant by the sea looking scruffy and plain...the entire staff from DH's very cool clerkenwell hairdressing salon turned up - on a belated christmas do. They all looked amazing...and I looked like a sad, frumpy lump (and I'm sure they were thinking - why the hell is he married to that frump). Urghhhh. I feel silly because I do have some lovely stuff that is comfortable so I must cull out the things that don't suit me. No sense in clinging onto it. I'm sure it'll look nice on someone else.

So today I have on jbrand skinnies, white asos long sleeved white tee topped by a sale bargain Tara Jamon batwing navy top (very nice and linked to by someone on here...can't recall who but thanks! It's very very flattering). This is what I should have worn yesterday

Hey LTECakey hope you're feeling brighter today

Hi Redliquorice.

Love the bag Teafortwo - I like old school!

Geordie - I really like that dress.

Esher - am feeling your pain. I dithered over quite a few things, including the tam tam dress and a couple of toast bargains and no alas they've gone! Lesson learnt I think.

Really need new dresses. In the spirit of this tread I went through my wardrobe looking at old dresses and realised my body has changed since having DD. Am the same weight I was before I got preggers but my once washboard tummy now is a bit podgy!! Which reminds me, tried on two wrap dresses. AI'm a pear shape with a very narrow waist and top half and a rather pert bum. They used to look fine as I had no stomach but now I feel a bit like a pregnant duck (bit of a tummy and bum sticking out behind!) wearing them and feel I should find something which skims a bit......what do you think? I always think wrap dresses look great if you are really curvy or really slim wwith no bumps but think these dresses just highlight stuff I want to hide.

Wasn't sure whether to post here as looks like we may be starting a new thread.

hellsbelles I know w hat you mean re unflattering outfits.
I have resisted any purchases recently as I am looking for the perfect tea dress type thing,i checked my wardrobe thoroughly and have culled anything that I don't feel great in.No point having some lovely things if you overlook them in order to wear things you feel 'not quite right' in.

Hells - like you, I ducked out yesterday w DD and DH, and decided randomly to grab a bite to eat. 'Twas wearing "around the house" daggy clothes (unflattering jeans, old trainers and black thermal top - ouch!). Of course ran into v stylish friend . Although she is also v delightful . Still, I died. DH didn't understand.

Tracey? - I went and bought Marthas on Friday (thank you oh so stylish ladies, for the numerous recommendations). The size between colours varies greatly! Have to take the darker ones back as much smaller than the more classic indigo. Very confusing/annoying.

Have found a gorgeous top that I bought, ladies, if anyone looking for flattering, slightly dressy stripy top here. Little bit "hello, sailor", little bit "Bonjour!"...

Can I please have some feedback on whether I should or should not re this flapper dress? DH says no as I haven't tried it on, but I love it so!