Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

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

997 replies

LetThemEatCake · 01/02/2010 12:04

Ladies, welcome to Spring

OP posts:
OllieWollieWoo · 09/02/2010 22:07

Yes its hormonal LTEC - I was fine with DS2 til about 6 months and then I had a real dip. Always felt better after a good sob - and chocolate. You've had a tough week or so with the lurgy so don't be hard on yourself. Collective S&B hug from us all. Make sure you wear something that makes you happy tomorrow - always helps give me a lift (tho havent dared to put wedding dress on whilst cleaning or playing with kids! Saving that for a really bad day!)

GeorginaWorsley · 09/02/2010 22:08

I always cry at newborns,and I am a paediatric nurse and mother of 4
Could have hit Tracy's husband though.My god,if DH had behaved like that.....
Trouble is,I had a horrendous birth with DC4 4 yrs ago and still find all this really upsetting....
Would rather talk clothes!

OllieWollieWoo · 09/02/2010 22:15

Ooops - sorry LTEC - didnt realise you were watching the TV prog (we dont get Channel 4 here but saw the ad played on the MN home page!) Thought you were sobbing in front of laptop - or crying at my link to the Next dress!!! What a muppet - inserts blushing emotion!

KristinaM · 09/02/2010 22:15

ollie - i think it would be improved with a wide great leather belt to cover the elasticated waist

lovely colours

OllieWollieWoo · 09/02/2010 22:19

Still cringing!

Good idea KristinaM - will make sure I have a belt when trying it on.

LetThemEatCake · 09/02/2010 22:24

Don't be daft OWW - I am frequently in tears (usually when looking at size of arse) so you were in no way channelling your inner muppet!!

And I am going to run with the hormone argument ... but not going to go over to the dark side (chocolate)

Sorry you had a bad experience GW You and KM you both have four children, right?? what's that like?

Which one was Tracey? Blonde or not pushing?

OWW - agree with KM - it needs a belt

OP posts:
GeorginaWorsley · 09/02/2010 22:29

ltec I always wanted 4,but have very big gaps,16 yrs between DD1 and DD3 with 2 inbetween!
Have experienced fairly young motherhood,in between,and more 'mature' was 38 when had DD3.
Not sure I would have had 4 closer together,but if you are considering it, I say yes!
(GW fancies herself as matriarch ,sort of cross between Ma Walton and Queen Victoria)

SilverSixpence · 09/02/2010 22:36

lol I somehow end up doing massiv shopping trips but return half the stuff usually! This time will be keeping most of it I think. I think I'll have to avoid online shopping for the next month though to make up for it!

Ollie the dress is nice but I think you'd have to keep everything else simple for it to work and agree about the belt.

Not sure if I can keep up with this thread but will pop in now and again to see what everyone is buying!

OllieWollieWoo · 10/02/2010 08:40

Morning.
What do we think of the Sonia Rykiel collection for H&M? I quite like the pink jumper with rosette.
some of it here

monkeysmama · 10/02/2010 08:45

Good morning

I am a bit disappointed that I can't find my new grey leather jacket to link to. It's from comptoir des cotonniers but isn't on their website. Just what I wanted - soft leather, simple style and a quarter of the price of the Rick Owens one.

I also bought three dresses in comptoir des cotonniers - if you can be bothered, the black with navy neck detailing on the 2nd page of the fashion show pages (looks nicer in rl), this one and another floaty style one which is a light grey with tiny pink flowers and looks beautiful under grey jacket . Not sure what shoes though. I am thinking about some suede fringed grey sandals but not sure.

I let me heart rule my head in American Retro and bought this. I didn't realise until I just searched for it on line that asos had an outlet selling their stuff but hey ho. I'll remember trying it on in the freezing cold in Paris and will smile when I wear it. We are planning a big holiday in March/April and I have visions of me strutting my stuff in a luxury resort in it .

I bought some leather leggings and a second leather jacket in a shop called Paloma. The leggings are beautiful, very soft and flattering. I saw lots of women wearing them with wooly jumper dresses and they looked tres chic. I am not sure it is a look I will carry off that well here but I like things that feel a bit luxury and even if they aren't "fashionable" I'll wear them for years (this is what I told dp anyway). The leather jacket was reduced to ?90 from ?450 so it would have been rude not to buy it. It is navy, soft leather a bit like a tight bomber jacket . My sister loves it and I am thinking about giving it to her actually though when dd goes down for her nap I am planning to try on my new purchases with my existing wardrobe.

I loved being in the Antik Batik shop but didn't buy anything. Everything was so sparkly and sequinned . Dd kept pointing to things and shouting "si, si"! Her enabling skills are developing nicely .

Tbh everything was very, very expensive in Paris. Much dearer than here for comparable things. I also felt a bit that so many of the French brands are available here now and so shopping in Paris isn't the experience it once was iyswim.

Had a lovely time but I can see why peole say Paris with LOs is hard work. The Metro was a nightmare. Dd's pram wouldn't fit through the gates even so had to do the baby out of pram, pram down, passed over barrier, pram up, fight to get baby in, carry pram down stairs, up stairs etc ritual. Not very relaxing. Also a bit hard finding nice places to eat we could fit in with the pram. We managed but it was a bit stressy. All made up for by very happy times .

I am considering some new high street purchases. Did anyone see the denim biker style M&S jacket in Grazia?

Finally, I am going to the Chef's Table at Claridges on Friday with dp and some people he works with. What to wear?

Right, that is it from me. Hope you're all well. Will read back through what I've missed now. Sorry most of my random post has no links.

MM

hellsbelles · 10/02/2010 09:08

MM - it sounds so very chic that you do your shopping in Pris and the jacket sounds very very lovely. Can't check the links right now as I'm at work...but will do.

How exciting about the Chef's table....I suspect you'll have to wear stuff that can come off in layers as I believe it can get quite hot in there! Went to Petrus and after the meal got taken on a tour of the kitchen and saw lots of very drunk and red faced people at the chef's table. They'd obviously had a fab time and I was very but I made a mental note of the heat in case I was ever sitting there! Will have a think.

monkeysmama · 10/02/2010 09:39

Chic, moi? Ha ha.

Thanks Hells - I did wonder if it would be hot. I was thinking of wearing my new leather leggings and an angora dress but maybe not!

eshermummy · 10/02/2010 10:29

MM - DH was at chef's table at Claridges on Monday - said it was AMAZING but really really hot in there so don't wear angora dress!!!!

Will be back later to catch up properly - we have all been ill here but DD1 went back to school today although we all still have horrible hacking coughs.

I have got loads of catching up to do haven't I!!!

LetThemEatCake · 10/02/2010 10:48

I'm not keen on the Rykiel stuff OWW - it's a bit too "oooh, kooky!" for me I think

mm - am pleased you had a fab time and made what sounds and looks like some gorgeous purchases. Loving the leather leggings, the Gallic woman's rats, peut-etre? (insert correct accents) Gutted I didn't think to tell you to leave the buggy at home and travel with a lightweight McLaren .. when we went, we took that and a sling ... dd walked with ds in the pushchair; when she got tired he'd go in the sling and she'd take over the buggy.

I've never bought from CdC, is there one in London?

esher am glad you're back, I missed your late night company last night Sorry to hear you've all been poorly, hope all better soon.

I may have been a bit previous in selling off all my boots, am now finding that a pair of chunky black boots is needed for some of my clothes, given that bfing is still limiting my available clothing choices. What do we think of these as a cheap, get-me-through-to-the-end-of-season boot? I only fear that, being shortish, they might only look good with dresses/ skirts?

OP posts:
MarshaBrady · 10/02/2010 11:33

Just coming out of a bad mood to do with ds1 and finding the cleaner-cleaned house and dh's turn around re boots from Liberty slowly making me feel better. So going in tomorrow. I was going to get them anyway.

SR at H&M makes me a bit cross, I have perfectly nice SR stuff in my wardrobe and she should look after her brand more. But then I dislike these collaborations.

Ltec get the boots they are a good find, for mucking in the park etc

hellsbelles · 10/02/2010 11:40

LTEC - they do look good and a decent press!

traceybath · 10/02/2010 11:46

MM - sounds like you had a fab time and bought some gorgeous stuff. I love Comptoir - its my new fave shop and has fantastic sales.

LTEC - boots look good but may look cheap in RL.

Marsha - I agree with regards to collaborations - cheapens the brand.

Right - looked at jigsaw scarf in the flesh and the cotton is too thick so it looks vast and doesn't fold well. But they had got some nice stuff in there - well as much as I could tell as Bea started crying so made a swift exit.

J Brand 7/8's on their way but bit cross really as ordered on saturday and won't get them till tomorrow - bit slow for £10 delivery if you ask me.

Carciofi - just got my customs charge for the current elliotts.

Right - must do some housework - cleaners only came on monday and already looks a mess. If I were really rich I'd have cleaners everyday.

hellsbelles · 10/02/2010 11:59

err? price not press

Feelingoptimistic · 10/02/2010 12:27

LTEC - I love Comptoir and they are all over London now (that's the only downside - no longer as special...) There is a store in Marylebone High Street, two stores in the King's Road, the original one in South Molton Street, plus a few others around the place...

carciofi · 10/02/2010 12:31

LTEC, there is a CdC on the Kings rd and also in South Molton St

Tracey, I received my Current Elliotts this morning, wearing them now! It was worth the wait as it worked out a lot cheaper than buying them here. I think I will order some Splendid tops from Revolve now.

SiverSixpence, cool dress. You will have to throw a party or something so you can wear it.

Hana, nice bag.

I can't wait for Saturday, going to go shopping ON MY OWN!

carciofi · 10/02/2010 12:34

MM, glad you had a great time and Ollie, I like some of the Sonia Rykiel tops.

Fleecy · 10/02/2010 12:57

ltec not sure about the quality at Barratts - even though I'm a cheapskate myself! I went in yesterday to try these on but they weren't great. I know your boots are leather so might be better but you did ask!

Do J Brand fit the same as 7FAM, oh wise jeans lovers?

carciofi · 10/02/2010 12:59

I usually have to size down one with JBrand.

Fleecy · 10/02/2010 12:59

Also, I bought this on eBay (not in petite but that's all they have left on TS site) and it arrived today. It's very cute and will make me feel spring-like while still keeping me warm

Those breton dresses in Oasis - are they clingy around the middle? Would I have to break out the Spanx?

hanaflower · 10/02/2010 13:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.