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

[LetThemEatCake]

Ladies, welcome to Spring

pesky work getting in the way of my MN'ing!

Thanks for the link LTEC - you've reignited my desire for the perfect red dress....though I'm not a maxi type and can't wear strapless so a lot of those aren't right for me!

The only one possible is the Paul Smith but I think it's possibly unflattering as even the model looks a bit puckered! Has anyone come across any other red dresses that are scrumptious? Other than the anglomania - I had the long sleeved version and although lovely it was a bit formal for me.

nude shoe?

Have been awol these past few days, have caught up on this thread, but not read last pages of previous one.

So, so sad to hear of so many losses.

I look all wrong today. Navy leggings, flippy-floppy white shirt/smock and knitted waistcoat, plus Frye boots when I went out. Was aiming for carefree and French, but look just one shot of Pernod short of mad Impressionist artist.

Lucily it was only DD's teachers who had to see me today, although they were no doubt wondering where I'd hidden the Gaulois

Must do better tomorrow

dd and ds1 often watch a music video or two during dinner ... tonight's request was for "that Heathcliff lady" which basically is a lesson in how to rock a red dress

Oooooh, LTEC, I saw those travel wraps when you were rhapsodizing about them earlier - they are very tempting but am I right in thinking I have just missed a sale? (curses)

Hooraryhenrietta, good point about the brogues. Indeed, they may ONLY fit because my feet have gotten bigger, I'd forgotten about that.

I have to say I am so jealous of people getting to buy glamorous red dresses though! Soon enough for me, I suppose....

Ladies - does my LV leopard print scarf have to go? I know it was everywhere and on every wag and I only wore it to feel like a glamour puss while on bedrest! I used to lie there in my PJ's but swathed in leopard print! A dear friend found the only 2 left in London...and got me one to cheer me up.

I haven't worn it for ages now. I want to but I don't want everyone to laugh and think I'm a chav! Votes please

Roary - as I tend to take LTEC's advice A LOT! I have the travel wrap...and it's gorgeous and makes me feel terribly posh when I wear it

Tracey - glad the boots are lovely. I"ve got to go try on those black rats again...but I really do think they will be going back

hells - I am thinking this to make my Rats work a) by day and b) in London - what do you think? By the way, your dh sounds v.cool!

roary yes, you have just missed a sale but if you register on this site you'll get 10% off orders over £200, so throw in a pair of cashmere bedsocks and you're there .(I was straight into my cashmere bedsocks after having dc3 and a shower...) ... plus the site gives you access to loads of lovely links, goodies and discounts ...

PCPlum I like those shoes! how is your new hair going? and how was your meeting the other day - more work? Hope your orange N&M notebook was suitably impressive and ideas-stuffed!

Hooray - I am sooo NOT yummy......but hoping to rectify asap as have hairdressers booked for this Fri (colour only though as still trying to grow out choppy layers which is driving me to distraction). Then next week have booked lady who comes to house to do all waxing/eyebrows/lash tint etc. I am not really very high maintenance on the beauty front and actually could do with a bit more grooming....

Roary - I can second the ASH trainers recommendation - I find them more comfy than converse. The Kurt Geiger hi-tops are good too. LTEC - I love my ASH trainers but my feet get so cold in them. I also have a school run from hell from a S&B perspective - have to walk along unmade road which has been churned into a mud bath in recent times by 4x4's so whatever footwear I wear is caked in mud twice a day.

Tracey - is it really so wrong to go a bit Hurley? Funnily enough I did a double take this week at Claudia Winkleman on cover of Easy Living magazine who I mistook for Liz.

Hells- wear the scarf. I have an £18 leopard print scarf from accessorise that I love and don't think twice about wearing. If you like it, wear it.

LTEC - thanks for thinking of me with that day birger nude top - am not sure about the drawstring waist though.

I love that travelwrap - doesn't it get covered in posset though LTEC. Very expensive but that's defo an investment piece!

Hells - Don't ditch the scarf!

Just bought this in the sale Tried it on full price and it was a bit big but put on a about 8lbs since then so hoping it fits. Plus only size 10s left so feel like it's fate! Thought it would look good with leggings or tights. What do you all think?

LTEC - that top is the sort of thing that I was thinking of to make my rats work in daytime......but I think that one is a bit sacklike (although you are a lot taller than me so it may well hang a lot better on you ) and a bit overpriced.

Whistles and Reiss quite good for long tops of that ilk. Will go and see if I can find some.

I also saw this the other day which I thought could work with this and the rats as part of my nude theme. Whaddya reckon?

I also think some of the All Saints pieces could work very well with black rats - my military fetish again

LTEC - Love Kate Bush! You've got me watching music on youtube now. Rediscovering my love for Mama Kin, you might know? Aussie?

Hana - lash tint now a necessity as an contact lens wearer who has now developed intolerance to almost all mascaras but I always leave far too long between appointments to be a properly polished person.

That's what I thought was so strange actually - that Claudia was at great pains to distance herself from Liz and yet I actually thought the cover shot was of Liz. Maybe it was just me - was reading it v late in bed last night, is possible I just confused myself

hana - did you see the ones I linked to last night - they're from Next and they're leather and £30. Here in case you missed them. You won't offend me if you don't like them!

Oh and hells (I always type heels - what does that say about me ) keep the scarf. I have a knock-off and I love it. You say you wear a lot of dark colours so I'd imagine it lifts outfits and gives them a lovely finishing touch?

esher I'm not mad keen on the first asos one but I love knitwear with the black rats so I'd say yes to that one.

The All Saints link just goes to the homepage so can't comment there!

Fair enough. I shall let you know if I spot any more...

can you see the all saints one now?

That's better! I love it from the front and side - it's unusual but not frighteningly so! But I'm not sure about the back. Not that you'd see that!

hana - what kind of bangles are you after? i'm not great with accessories but I did get some lovely bangles at Oliver Bonas last year.

esher do you use Return to Glory for your at-home appointments? I do, they're fabulous!

Mimi that dress is fabulous!

Agree about the Malene Birger top being overpriced for what it is (viscose to boot) but if anyone sees anything similar, would you let me know? I might snaffle that first ASOS one esher ... not keen on the waterfall though (see: my ongoing battle with DKNY cosy) and NO NO NO to All Saints, I just can't do their stuff, way too weird for me

Glad to see we have lots of Kate Bush fans here? How about Blondie?

And have you seen the shoes I linked to on another thread??

So many gorgeous recommendations!!! Loving the grey leather jacket from NAP or MW.

Though I love my ash trainers, I also agree too cold to wear now. Plus I think I would trash them in this weather. Great to get away from Converse, mummy brigade uniform around here.

I have ordered as my new workbag I don't want to stink it out with my packed lunch concoctions, can anyone recommend a nice shopper to compliment?

Thank you kindly in advance.

LTEC- those shoes are soooooooo gorgeous!! They are what I call "limo shoes" , but totally to die for. >

at all you lot with your black rats! Agree that the slouchy tops will look great with them for the day time.

Well, I went to see the colour me beautiful lady and apparently I need soft colours. Nothing too cool, pale or bright (thank goodness ). Navy, purple, most blues and sage green all worked well and she said I was 'allowed' charcoal grey and can wear black as long as it's not close to my face. Advised not to go head to toe in nudes or light colours (which I wouldn't anyway) and go for contrasts rather than tone on tone.

So I now want:
some good quality casual day tops
A useful casual dress
Footwear to go with casual dress
and
An amazing going out outfit for a couple of hen nights.