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

Georgina and Hells - those unflattering jeans I wore yesterday are going in the bin pronto, as if they aren't there, then I can't wear them and, consequently, be caught out looking oh so muffinous...

LTEC, hope you're having a better day, I have fb'd you, you have such lovely dc

It's back to freezing, icey weather here, I have so many layers on it's hard to feel glamorous. At least we have all survived January with our fashion credentials intact and it's now officially Spring. I have a fab wardrobe of summer clothes, some are years old and barely worn, but there will be a heatwave this year

Right - I have been coveting these forever - what do you all think? Does anyone have them and are they a nice slim calf fitting?

Have found them for £300 on another website and am sure I would wear them to death.

Am chucking yesterdays vile jeans in the bin too.

LTEC - hope you feel cheerier today.

Georgina,

Check out this www.monsoon.co.uk/invt/65203303&bklist=icat,5,shop,women,dresses,smartdresses

This, www.monsoon.co.uk/invt/65206676&bklist=icat,5,shop,women,dresses,smartdresses

and this www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=19551&s toreId=12556&categoryId=162921&parentcategoryrn=42344&productId=1539028&langId=-1

I'm after the same!

Following my post about dresses and wrap dresses making me look rubbish,

What do you think about those I posted for Georgina and also www.monsoon.co.uk/invt/63203518

Ooh, I like that toulouse one from monsoon. Not sure about the last one though. On another note my paige skinnies arrived and I am now the owner of the best pair of skinnies in Wales . $179 bargain, even with p&p and taxes because dh was also most impressed. Makes me feel virtuous about the £19.50 m&s ones that are definitely good enough for every day. Ladies who had bad style days yesterday, I feel your pain. Reminds me of the time I was in New York in a day long downpour with no adequate clothes and ended up buying a caghoul and trainers [shudders]. The shame . Anyone else had bad style experiences?

OOh mimi thanks!
Have added the second one to my basket,it has the best neckline for me,and I wanted a blue/red/yellow type theme!
Also seen a couple of Lipsy dresses,but neer had any before so not sure how they are size wise??
miss Selfridge have a couple too.
Saw a lovely Whistles one in Grazia last week,a bit more expensive but not yet on their website,(which is crap,incidentally).
Also saw a Nicole Farhi one recently,but haven' found it on line yet.

bunny - thank goodness you had the same experience with the Marthas. I was beginning to think I had gone mad (or put on a stone in a week!) I think the variation must be between the batches because the size 10 ones that fit were from a different branch.

Tracey - those boots are very classy and would probably last you years and years. I love them from the front and side but personally not sure about the zip at the back.

Got to go. DD is trying to eat the laptop lead. Why oh why did I want her to start crawling?!

Tracey, those boots are fab. Where did you find them for £300? I have the ankle boot version.

It is freezing here too so I am wearing a fleece.

Bunny, that dress is beautiful.

Hana, I like that second bag but I'd make an offer to the seller.

Mimi, my cardiwrap just arrived, has yours?

I sold my bag on eBay but it only went for the reserve price so am a bit disappointed. The buyer hasn't paid or contacted me so kind of hoping she won't pay and I can relist. DH said he would make up the difference for a new bag (within reason, of course!)

Love those boots Tracey, you would keep them for years.

Also like the topshop dress Mimi, might have a peek at that, I want more colour in my wardrobe

I like the toulouse one too - what would you wear with it for this time of year? Leggings and ballet flats/black boots? Boyfriend cardi? Just trying to make it work in my head.

Love the boots Tracey.

Oops, sorry MrsJuan for mistaking you for Tracey. I don't understand, either, esp as I tried on the dark blue in 28 (fitted fine, was jubilant as prev I was too muffinous), it was missing a button, so grabbed another pair and went to check out. Try them on at home, and am too muffinous again - what trickery is this?!?! Will go to another TopShop to get to the bottom of this...

Re the dresses, I like the first TopShop one - might be a goodie for me, as I love day dresses.

Tracey - those Balstaff boots look great!

Now, can someone please tell me aye or nay on this gorgeous flapper dress? Taps hot pink havaianas impatiently...

clicking on this thread for the first time... am i right in thinking that it's become a shopping thread?

Glad to help Georgina!

Carciofi - how exciting (about cardiwrap, not bag - sorry about that, lets hope she doesn't pay) What's it like? Mine was sent on Friday so I'm expecting it today but I'm not at home so may have to wait till tomorrow till I can pick it up. Can't wait - especially as this weather has taken a turn for the worst. What colour did you get?

Thanks Carciofi! Sorry to hear about your bag - hope it works out well for you!

Mimi - I would wear w ballet flats and tights...

BTW am sitting here w DD who is being so deliciously snuggly and happy, baby babbling to herself. Helps balance the rubbish SAHM moments where you wonder what the hell you are doing w your life!

hi everyone!! thank you all so much for your kind thoughts, sorry to have been on a downer - am so stupid, was basically looking at that Xmas day/ Orla Kiely picture, in which I weighed 10st, for inspiration to ditch these last few kgs, and all of a sudden realised "WTF?? You're not skinny there!! you don't lok awesome! you're going to need to get thinner than that missy!!" And thus began an evening of self-flagellation..

anyway, went for a 5k run this morning and feel loads better, not to mention being immensely cheered by you lovely lot. New week, new month, new season and... new thread!! which I will go and start in a mo. First, though...

welcome red tea - great satchel, partic like the sound of it in purple! fabbo!
hells - don't you hate that, being caught in frump mode by the stylish set .. you sound ever so lovely today though.
mimi - lots of people rave about wrap dresses for pears but they do nowt for me. Also, they make me feel frumpy, dunno why! I find tea dresses much better. I like the 3 that you posted to GW, not sure about the grey fixed wrap, a bit dull, maybe?
bunny you can't go wrong with a bit of Alannah, I say go for it, it's tres chic. Love the stripes, too.
tracey - well done on the binning and oh my word those boots are to die for.
GW - Lipsy not great quality ime, beware!!

and over to the new thread i go ....

Mimi, I got a blue-grey colour. Think I will wear it instead of my fleece!

Bunny, she sounds so sweet. My DD has a new game today - taking the light bulbs out of the table lamps.

LTEC, you have a fab figure. Glad you are cheerier today.

LTEC - sad that you who are so tall, elegant and slim were feeling down because you thought you were not slim enough. Its all relative, isn't it? I looked at that photo and felt very that my arms have never looked that good, even before DD. I hate that I felt that way, so silly in the grand scheme of things, yet I really did. I loathe my body at the moment, which is really self-hate, although the cross trainer does make me feel more positive about it. I want to make sure DD doesn't inherit any of these hang ups from me.

BTW Aitch - it isn't a shopping thread for me, but is really helpful in learning about new brands, creating funky looks etc.

Tracey - I have some Belstaffs like that and I think they are fine for a slim calf (it's the only part of my body that is slim!). I haven't worn mine for a while and I must!

Bunny - how clingy is that top? I'm desperate for a breton style and if it's not too clingy maybe that's the one! Also is it full on gold? I wear silver/platinum jewellery so may clash?

Also dress looks great - but are you able to go braless? It looks like that is a pre-requisite with that dress (if you are able to I'm very )

aye, right bunnymother...

Aitch - me thinks you may be speaking the truth here... Took vows of shopping abstinence but have broken them.

Hells - I got the top in M/L and its not clingy at all. It skims, but only just. Shoulder pads also make it more flattering. I am currently size 10/12. No gold on it at all - the bling is silver/clear beads, sequins and fine chain.

Ha ha, no way could I go bra less!! But think you can get those front cup things. Assuming my norks get the hint and start disappearing back to the C cup they should be!

Right, join you ladies on the new thread!

thanks bunny! Now where is that new thread?