Here we are in our 505 and Hasbeens still waiting for spring, and still shopping wisely!

[VerityBrulee]

Following on from here

Surely the sun will be out by the end of this thread?

Gulp. Just spent, er, rather a lot, on this

In my defense, I also have my MIL coming today for THREE WHOLE DAYS, and need something to look forward too!

Bravo Plum!! Lovely!, Imagine how big the box will be when it turns up. Am excited for you.

OWW applauds PCPlum's taste and judgement. Great coat - and discount!

Have a lovely day Libra.

Hana - LTEC recommended I get a leather pencil skirt as I was dithering about tulip shapes. Thank you for the link (now how did I miss that - I'm on ebay every bloody day!!)

Hells - that is a gorgeous dress, so sorry your evening was cut short. I hope dd gets over it today. I know what you mean about having cuddles. My youngest dd only wants one when she's ill or scared. Whilst I try not to encourage either I do love it when she holds me so tight she's almost crawling inside my clothes!

Wow Plum it is a lot of money but it's gorgeous and you should get years of wear out of it. How exciting!

hells hope your DD is feeling better soon - but you still get cuddles!

Just got a call from mum to say that Dad's being discharged tomorrow. Which is brilliant because he was supposed to be in until Tuesday at the earliest but he's making excellent progress. She's not telling anyone though so they won't get visitors and he'll be able to rest up quietly. You lot don't count, in the nicest possible way

Am off out tonight with three men All very good old friends and we try to meet up for drinks every couple of months. I am going to drive as I'm a bit skint at the moment but am going to wear my rats with a knitted tunic and grey ankle boots.

Morning all - and morning to all the new ladies.

Hells - what a nightmare - could your mum not have cleaned your DD up? DS2 had a sickness thing a couple of weeks ago and it was all over his brand new bed linen.

LTEC - can't believe they stroke ds's head whilst your bf - I think I'd have just instinctively slapped their hand away .

Right - had to go into bristol this morning to return a top to zara and exchanged it for a very nice dress - cotton and sort of olivey green pattern.

DD screamed in zara and topshop but loved Harvey Nichols and laughed whilst I looked at shoes and make up - oh dear, she's going to have expensive tastes.

HFmany numbers - if I was to buy 5 things for spring it would include:

• white jeans (not everyones cup of tea)
• clogs/wooden heel sandals
• summer bag - a beigey/buttery leather ideally
• a dress
• a jacket - cropped blazery

But I'd also want some 7/8 indigo jeans, a summer weight scarf and an extra dress or three.

Hf my list is similar to TraceyB's.

• a pretty white/ cream dress
• yellow or bright colour patent ballerina flats
• jacket (casual), Alexander Wang would be swell
• buttery/slouchy light beige bag
• slouchy, but smart city shorts for me too slouch around in with hands in pockets and heeled ankle boots.

These would all be fabulous!

Testing, testing - are we back on?

Does anyone own and use a clutch style bag? Quite like the thought of getting one to help dress up skinny jeans & heels on a night out but not sure if I am the sort to put it down somewhere and not pick up at the end of the night! Thoughts and possible buys?

Love these

Marsha - I too would like some city shorts and a pretty white/cream dress - have you seen any on your travels?

Traceybath - was thinking about your quest for a white dress - Zara usually has a few to choose from - but maybe in a few weeks time - didnt see anything in there this week.
Or - come over to Holland - you literally trip over white/floaty/linen style clothes during the summer months - its all some shops sell!
I too am considering white jeans - seem to have worn my white linen trousers a lot over the past 3 years and now want a change - but still want to wear the nice tops I have that go with white bottoms. Brought a fab white cotton skirt from h&m last year on a whim - did a last minute dash the day before we went on holiday and grabbed it off the rail etc etc - but wore it loads with various vest/cami style tops. I'm waffling now - can you tell I'm waiting for DSs dinner to cook!

Ollie - I was in Zara today but think you're right - I need to wait a bit. My DS's are playing outside which I really should be supervising . . .

I love clutch bags and have a couple for going out - were you after any particular colour?

I love my white jeans - just think they're fab and also surprisingly flattering. I'm not a massive fan of white linen trousers - its just a bit too umm m&s/white stuff - a look I am trying to avoid

Dress for Italian wedding perhaps (v sorry - I loose track of who wants what!!!) here

Thanks for advice re key 5 items!

Tracey - what sort of white dress are you after? Apart from white

TraceyB I did see one unfortunately I couldn't get it at the time and it sold out very quickly. (Not sure if they restock.)

off-white dress

Am going to look for shorts.

Tracey, have you looked at this?

I quite fancy it in blue, but is sold out in my size. The cream would look fab with tan glads, gold bangles and a tan.

Ooh I love clutches too - have a zebra one which is rather fab, an oversized brown snakeskin one and a plain black, very classic one. I've never yet forgotten them but it can be a pain if you're dancing as you can't really tuck it in your arm but have to hold it - so if you have a drink as well, it's not the most elegant. Still, don't drink and dance is the message there I suppose!

Plum's is a bit easier on the wallet.

I liked the Athé one but not £285-like (well I did initially, very much, but then a week passed and I was quite glad I didn't spend quite so much).

Clutches are great.

I've got a YSL black velvet evening bag with a shoulder strap that I just tuck inside when I want to make it look like a clutch.

Like both those dresses.

I want something quite casual so I can wear it in the day.

However I need to start fake tanning as am deathly pale and need some st tropez to just make me look normal.

This is cute

or this

Have you treid La Redooute, Tracey? I'm always a bit dubious about ordering from them, but they do have some nice looking frocks.

This, for example

I do the same with my Chanel quilted number HF. Pull the strap through to turn it clutch-like. Lovely.

Isn't the scarf gorgeous Hells? We owe Carciofi big time for that link.

I don't know where to begin with all your tales of vomit and ILs. Double whammy for poor monkeysmama.
My two worst things ever!

Off t plan tactics for big day out tomorrow. Will be back later.

Ooh Plum you devil you! I wish I could see it better though - I think the settings on my laptop are too low to see dark things very well.

Going back to the cakes which one is the easiest and quickest to make?

Gah! MIL is bathing DD, so am sneaking on here in between furtive trips to the utility room to drink from a glass of wine. She's tee-total, and very disapproving. Half a glass, and she'd be branding me A Drinker.

She's here 'til Monday. Monday I tell ya!

Think I'd better move the laptop into the utility until she goes home.

Plum - my mil is a bit like that. Doesn't help that fil drinks quite a bit if we're around because he doesn't normally get the chance.

I remember my first christmas with in-laws - christmas lunch with tap water. I was on the phone to my family who were all very jolly on the champagne. We have never spent christmas day with in-laws since.

Gosh, I am being so fussy re. white dresses - I saw one that I liked its Alice by Temperley but not in the shops yet so may wait for that one.

Bunjies - both cake recipes are very easy - I'm going to make the vanilla/courgette cupcakes tomorrow - I can type the recipe up for you.

Blossoming - is it your London day tomorrow? What are you planning on purchasing? So exciting.