February's "shop more wisely {but no less avidly)" thread

[LetThemEatCake]

Ladies, welcome to Spring

good lord HH that is some list!!

will get to work on it forthwith!!

Choogirl Bunting I plan to keep 'nice' bags (I've got a few Mulberrys and an LV, so far...!), for my DD's...I always think like that...I think its quite nice.
and that is a gorgeous dress LTEC. Are they for the longer lady though? Bet the O Clark will be fab...

Oh yes - Happy Birthday GW

The list is so long cos I have spent 3 out of the last 4 summers like a gurt big whale!!! And I need to sass it all up...literally all of it. I have some nice linen trousers and that's about it !!!!!!Oh, I do have quite a few pairs of shoes!!

Might not buy anything and have a tummy tuck instead. That should lose that extra stone !

Mimi - it is nice on but not warm enough for me for today. Our flat is freezing though!

Bunting, I would keep the Chanel. I have just sold my LV (in excellent condition and with the receipt) and got less than I hoped for it. Though I may not have sold it because I haven't heard a peep. I always pay straight away. Grrr.

Henrietta, that is some list! I am still going to wear my Havaianas.

The Ossie looks rubbish. The cut-out is too plunging, not helped by my bfing boobs, granted, but they're not particularly spectacular yet even so, the top is

HH - I will deffo still be wearing Havaianas!

yes, but Fleecy - how tall are you? Size 8-10 is tiny!

Oh poo LTEC !!!
Did you try with the right undergarment/appropriate for this ?
Try it on again tomorrow.

Its a shame but never mind ! If all else fails think you can't suit everything...

back soon!

Sorry to hear the Ossie is no good. Boo hiss!

I'm 5'8" so on the tall side but nothing spectacular. I'm fairly certain I don't look like I weigh 11 stone but when I look in the mirror I just hear 11 stone, 11 stone, 11 stone! SIL is same height and size as me, also quite fit, but weighs a stone less

Do you think we shop compulsively to compensate for body issues?! Actually, let's not analyse too much!

Who was it who was watching a ridiculous amount of things on eBay? I am currently watching 69 items. Oops!

oh no LTEC - gutted. It looked so gorgeous in the pictures.

Choo- I have the Brora dress too and agree it needs help. I'm rubbish at that...anyone got any brainwaves on how to accessorise a knee length black cashmere dress? Please!

Found you all!

Just a fleeting visit, as I have been out since 9 this morning, consequently house looks like a bomb has gone off.

I have the first New Look dress than Bonsoir linked to - very versitile, works with black or brown which is good as I have weird obbsession a thing about colours.

Am booking holidays today for beginning of May which is nice, found a fabby hotel, plus have just about persuaded my parents the babysitters to come

hells a scarf is my answer to everything. A scarf, coloured tights and a nice bag to inject a bit of colour.

Failing that, is it the sort of dress that can be belted? I have a black dress that I wear with a tan belt, bangle, shiny brown boots and orange beads. Hmm, it doesn't sound good written down but it works very well!

What colour is your hair and are you dark or light-skinned?

Thanks Fleecy - I think a scarf is the right way to go. It could be belted also.

I'm dark haired, olive skinned and dark eyed.

Have you seen any lovely scarves about recently - my scarf collection is sadly lacking at the moment - DH has an obsession with Alexander McQueen skull scarves and I sometimes steal one of those - but can't if I'm going out with him as it's 'his look' !!!

Where do you find nice beads and stuff...I can never seem to track it down online.

Sorry - too many questions!

I actually find Evans good for bargain chunky jewellery I got some fab coloured beads there for about £6. If you're a Cocosa member, they've got some nice Philippe Audibert stuff on sale at the moment.

I haven't bought any scarves in ages so I'm not much help for that I'm afraid.

I'd imagine you'd look fab with wood bangles and a tan belt. I'm very pale but with yellow undertones (nice!) so I do have to be careful with black not to look jaundiced but not a problem for you!

Fleecy - I am the opposite - I look like I weigh more than I do. So, I ignore the scales and pay attention to the mirror and my clothes - they are what really count. Size 8 - 10 is very small, so you are no doubt in fab, sleek shape!

Re Havaianas, Hooray, I have about 8 pairs, and will most def be wearing them this spring/summer. Assuming we get warm weather...

Hey girls

I had another wardrobe clear out today while dd was asleep and two hours after I started had 3 bin bags full of clothes and shoes for the charity shop, 3 bags of shoes, belts and clothes to Ebay and a bag of spring clothes I'd allowed to stay in the wardrobe because we were planning a holiday somewhere warm at Christmas that we never got around to booking. I am very pleased with myself. When dp gets home I am going to start photographing the clothes and shoes and get myself set up on Ebay. Most of it is High St stuff but a few designer pieces and lots of leather . I need to sort all my work suits in the loft too one day but that still feels a bit too much for me even though I've not worked for 22 months and won't be going back to that kind of job ever! I loved wearing a suit everyday and spent a lot of time putting together outfits and styling my work self.

I've not even started my S/S list but probably need a fair bit as my shape has changed and my style has a bit too. I definitely need a jacket - am still looking for an affordable grey leather one or something good for spring & need a few maxi dresses. Will think what else.

Still have no idea what to take to Paris this weekend though I now have a lot less to chose from!

Today I am a slummy mummy wearing Nudie straight leg jeans, pewter Nike Airs, a black l/s tee with a Lyle & Scott jumper that was dp's but he shrunk. Topped it off with a black long puffa coat for a trip to the park. Unstylish but warm and good for rolling in the mud and having fun with dd.

LTEC thanks for starting new thread and glad you're feeling brighter today. I used to be very slim until I got pg with our first baby. After we lost her we started eating out every night and often at lunchtime too, drinking masses and generally doing anything to fill the void. I lost a lot of it before I had dd but though I fit most of my prepg clothes again I have a big mummy tummy which I don't like & makes clothes hang in a way I really dislike but I like my own cooking too much to diet. Ultimately you have to feel happy in your own skin. You look beautiful and slim to the rest of us .

Right, dd is on her 4th episode of Peppa so best be off.

MM

Hells I often wear red lipstick with my black wool shift. Brightens it up a bit.

MM when you're back, can you tell me about Nudie - are they any good. I've got my eye on these

Hells - did you buy the brora belt that they showed with the dress on the website?

Fleecy - 5ft8 and size 8-10 - are you Kate Moss?

LTEC - bummer about the Ossie but hey thats free money to spend on something else - or it is by my shopping logic.

Don't you find that once you've bf you just don't want to do plunging necklines anymore. In my 20's I was all for showing off my cleavage but so don't do that look now.

Nice lady from website I ordered boots from emailed to say they were out of stock but had the grace ones in my size. They should be more expensive but they're letting me have them for the same price - god i really hope they're nice and fit well when they arrive.

MM - so sorry to hear you lost a baby - that must have been utterly devastating.

Well done on wardrobe cull - have you figured out what you now need to buy? And are you excited about Paris?

mm so sorry for your loss.

Tracey - I did buy that belt - which is lovely...but I think it needs a little more. Fleecy & MM thanks for the tips. Will check out Evans and dig out the red lipstick

Oh MM - so so sorry.

Tracey I wish! I'm just a wee bit less successful than Kate Moss

I agree - send stuff back and you might as well spend the money again as it's already technically gone...

Paris sounds wonderful I have never been and would love to but DH doesn't want to as he went on a lads weekend so feels he's ticked that box

Many thanks to everyone for their best wishes today.
Have not done anything special, school run,pre school collect,housework,etc!
Did fit in some internet shopping though
Have sent for the Toulouse dress from monsoon to see if I like it in RL.
Thanks for the tea dress recommendation,LTEC.I like the little brands that are not on the general radar,ifyswim,especially for things like dresses/cardigans.
Am out to lunch tomorrow,plus have 2 nights out with friends this week,so will be extending celebrations somewhat!

Oh MM, so very sorry to hear you lost a baby. .