Halston and Hasbeens and Harems, oh my! Wise and avid gals this way, please!

[PlumSykes]

Wonder how quickly we'll fill this one?

OWW - I've noticed I always say Wow next to your name - sorry - shall try not to repeat myself again and again.

ugh - you have to be so quick with those cocosa sales - this maxi would have been great but of course all sold out in all but a Large

I quite like some of the Bill Blass bags actually ... but do not need a bag. I do not need a bag. I do not need a bag.

Happy Saturday folks - hope you all have lovely days

Morning all!

LTEC- I can't see that as not a member
Who's it by?

I think I love these

Used to buy Pura Lopez for work back in the day, but could not be bothered with changing them for the drive...leather heels wrecked within days.

it's by Single ... LA Luxe at its best!!!
become a member - it's free!! If it's one of those ones that you need to be 'invited' to join, send me a PM and I'll invite you.

I quite like those shoes but they just seem a touch too 'heavy' iykwim?

I am so muttonous today - leggings, denim mini, ash hi-tops and Blondie tee shirt. Sod it. I was young once, I can pretend to be so again

Was it the lulu or this one ?

Love those colours.

By contrast, my clothes are a little meh this morning: hi-tops, leggings, CK grey and orange double layer t shirt, beige (yes, beige) zara boyfriend cardi and this which is lifting it a little, but not enough!

Morning all...you're so on the ball fleecy...i have indeed had my dc2..another beautiful girl so even more pathetic excuses to stock up on 'statement pieces' to hand on.by the way,hope you have a lovely day with your lovely family.

We lack 'girls' in general in this family as both grannys passed away and uncles only, not aunts,so cheering to redress the balance a little with a 2nd DD though do have brill bils who have already posted dvds to breastfeed to(real housewives series)

You ladies have posted like the clappers whilst i've been away so i'm sure there is loads of stuff i have enjoyed the links to/news that i'll forget to comment on.

I couldnt work out who was giving you a hard time ltec but on the initial 'trying not to spend anything' felt quite protective of you at times as definitely felt some folks getting personal about things..'spend and let spend' is what it should all be about.also defo do the rats for parents evening..i did skull t shirt and leather leggings for mine and no one batted an eye(and i was 9 months pregnant)though maybe they just expect that from me!

hells have you kept the ysl..i hope so..i think it's 'the one'..would gold go with your colouring as think looks fab with purple..i'm imagining an envelope clutch and sandals but you need a cleverer mind than mine to find the perfect ones..or maybe gold too bling for your tastes..

OWW..your cake was so amazing so i've already ordered a couple of the AWW books in the hope i can pull my finger out a bit next year.

So much for my new bf/post preg wardrobe today..v embarrassingly forgot midwife just turns up day after discharged and hadn't had a shower or even used dry shampoo or changed out of giant ancient sainsbury's robe,toys everywhere and the rest..must try harder!please don't kick me off the thread

By the way,sounds like some lovely delurkers 'coming out'

moneyspider both those dresses are stunning..i love,love,love the colours.

sorry for a novel of a post..good to be home and back on s and b!

at muttonous. I don't think you will ever be muttonous LTEC! I shockingly am yet to even get dressed (feel immensely hungover but do not recall having anything alcoholic, I had a baby play date yesterday pm)

Anyway, I joined cocosa a while ago and I always always miss the good stuff! If you are more organised than I am and remember to log in at 12 it's a great site

So, I think I am a reformed character- I bought this dress which I linked to before but they didn't send it because it had iron marks on it, apparently, so I sized down and it was very small and I sent it back I used to be one of those people who would deliberately buy small clothes as an incentive to not eat cookies but, yes, I am now wise and sensible and even if I had shed half my body weight I don't think it would fit. Bit of a shame, it was lovely (for work).. sigh... may have to get those louboutins instead

Fab blazer LTEC, and those pura lopez shoes are lovely moneyspider, look very comfortable yet elegant (tk maxx online??!!)

Congratulations bodsmum. Fantastic news. (I'm also a real housewives fan, can't beat those Atlanta girls!)

Not on the same scale, but also, fantastic news re jeggings: fab-u-lous!

I've lost more baby weight since London, and so they don't dig into my post HN lunch belly now!

Also, the Laura Ashley dress in the 14 arrived, and let me tell you, there's no clinging there either.
It's gorgeous, the perfect tunic dress for the jeggings, and for a lunch date with an old friend next week. Also for Paris.
And also for a wine tasting and tapas night I'm going to tonight with my dh.
What a bargain dress cost per wear!

Remember ltec's quest for the summer canvas bag? Well bear with me, but what do you think of these?.
I mean, you can always snip the label off.
I quite like them.

I'm taking dc1 to the pictures this afternoon for the first time. We have a small cinema in town, which takes a while to get the films, but they come eventually. We're going to see princess and the frog? Good preparation for Disney in 9 days time.

It's a good job we're walking to my evening do (mile and a half each way) as I'm bound to have a few naughty mini eggs...

So, I'm having a great day. Wait for it - MIL invades tomorrow!!

bodsmum- many congratulations on your baby girl!!

I have just caught up (2 days away or so and so much shopping, well done girls!) and I am sooooo excited to hear SELFRIDGES IS NOW ONLINE

oh my

I am now off to, er, try not to buy anything at all (try). Have lovely weekends- it's warm and sunny here

and re the lurking, I don't think anyone would lurk unless they were equally avid shoppers. I lurked for ages (though couldn't keep up!) and I was a bit scared to post in case I was told I had no taste whatsoever, but nobody will lurk without being very like-minded

blossoming, bargainous bags! I too have a quest for the perfect summer canvas bag... they are really rather nice!

Many congrats Bodsmum! Ironing marks VAC? Lucky escape as must be one someone's sent back...manufacturers/retailers would only steam creases out methinks.

I've just been on Mango online (first time) and Actually Quite Like some of the stuff (sorry, pieces)...
this

this (I know, step away from the florals spider)

love this, would it were navy and silk

silk maxi in my colours hurrah

now where have I seen this before?

Loads more too and that's just the dresses. There's a navy blazer for 50-odd quid which looks good. Seems very cheap though...wonder what the quality is like. Think the only time I have been to Mango was when DH and I went to Puerto Banus as students and couldn't afford to eat, much less shop. Came back half a stone lighter.

Out for lunch with lots of old friends and various kids next week. Need an outfit that says "I am finished with this breeding lark and have ebayed all maternity clothing and spent the proceeds on looking fab". Not getting legs out as they undermine the whole looking fab idea.

Congratulations Bodsmum - hope you had a lovely birth.

Hi all.

Congrats Bodsmum & great cake OWW .

Now back in the bosom of my family. Was very restrained in the end and didn't go back to Anthropologie. New skinnies were the £12 ones from the M&S online sale. I thought they were going to be proper straight leg jeans but they were much skinnier and, surprisingly, very flattering. The silver ballet pumps were a bargainous £5 from Sainsburys TU. I'd only gone in there to get Easter treats to bring back for me the kids and came out with the pumps and another pair of jeans (proper straight legs this time) for £10 . Also braved Primark on Oxford Street and found a gorgeous sand/stone coloured slubby waterfall cardigan for £8. So all in all very pleased with purchases, especially Anthropologie bag mentioned earlier. I wish I could link to it as it's so beautiful. Gorgeous soft tan leather with turquoise floral lining. So pleased with it

The same can't be said for the nearly £200 spent on hair. Despite not having hair professionally coloured before I didn't think they had done a very good job. The highlights are bit too blocky for my liking, I was expecting them to be more subtle and the cut is blander than I wanted. I wanted a layered bob but it's more 'bobby' than I thought it should be, ie more one length than layered. Very disappointed as I wanted it to be a real change and feel a bit cheated now .

I have sent you fb request Cake - I hope that's ok?

Good to have you back bunjies. So sorry you're disappointed with your hair. Will look out for the silver pumps when I'm next in sainsbury's.
Right, loved the princess and frog. Off to tart myself up.

Hi all

Went to the shops today in search of inspiration and colour, and came back with an everyday skirt from Desigual which is far nicer than the gloomy photo makes it look, and going to order this Fat Face beach dress for summer holidays.

Hey girls

Feeling a bit like I need to be treated rather gently but I am back!

I think grief has had an odd effect on me. I have made purchases in Next and River Island this week. Is that forgivable?

I bought a denim jacket in River Island and a lovely pale grey scarf with a pale pink leopard print. It was less than a tenner and is a good winter-spring thing that looks lovely with the denim jacket. I can't link as the RI website is all flashy. I also bought a nude breton long sleeve tee with a navy stripe. It is so flattering and has a kind of double hem which means it sits perfectly and hides my muffin top.

From Next I purchased these which are really nice in rl and cheap as chips. I think they will be my way of rocking the double denim look.

I also bought this . I saw it in a shop and there is something about it I quite like. I may take it back. I can't decide in my current state of mind so will let it hang in wardrobe for a week with tags on and take it back if I don't wear it.

I am going to have a read back through the thread.

Big, happy congratulations to Bodsmum. Babies are great (especially girls ).

Cakey most of my best mates are from abroad and I often feel sorry for them not having close female relatives around though often our friendships take on a family role too iyswim. I am blessed to have my mum and sisters & my dd is a very lucky girl.

Right, off out to wander down to the local Turkish for an early dinner.

Hope everyone is ok. Will catch up properly over next few days.

MM

Many congratulations Bodsmum - hope everything went well - before, during and after!!! Time for a few W&A treats me-thinks!

Fab news about the dress blossoming - can't wait to get mine now - will have to wait til my M&D visit next month! Had a look at the Indigo white jeans and think you are right - the shape does look different - less fitted. Boo! The hunt continues!

Bunjies - glad you had a nice shopping time but sorry about your hair - I've had the blocking experience too - now I have to remember to ask for lots of v fine highlights. Have just arranged a day in London in April - the first time I have been back since leaving there 4 years ago! 10 blissful hours by myself devoted to shopping!

Gotta go - DH back with chinese (slummy Sat night in front of tv - Midsummer Murders is the best thing on tho - but always had a soft spot for John Nettles !!)

Congrats bodsmum! No time to catch up at the mo - so much going on. Hope to be back next week.

Hello. I hopeyou don't mind a lurker unlurking to ask Blossoming a question about this parka which you have linked to. I really like it but am concerned about the fabric. Is it like a cagoule (shiny and waterproof looking)?

I am keen to avoid that look as I wear a proper cagoule for work for much of the day and am keen to look different from that, and hopefully more stylish in my own time.

Also blossoming I love your fringe!

Nice skirt all buggied out

ohhhhh bodsmum huge congratulations, how exciting!! hope all went really well for you and continues to do so.

spider no neither of those dresses were the one in the sale but oddly enough I bought the Lulu one about 18 mths ago - gorgeous colours but strangely nightie-like when on. Also a bit short on me, I like my maxis to the max Am sitting on wallet with the news that Mango are online, since when has this been the case?? Saw about 60 things on and around your links that could quite happily find a home in my wardrobe.

vin what a bummer about the dress but deffo think some CLs are in order

blossoming uuuughgggh what is she doing back so soon??? Glad you are having a gorgeous saturday and that all of your purchases are working beautifully. Well done on the weight loss too!

bunjies welcome home!! (real home and W&A home ) Great news about your fab buys but bummer about your hair Got your FB request - of course it's okay, delighted to see the gang off MN!!!

MM glad to see you back . Your purchases from RI sound great. I, too, am unsure about that jacket but it could look great and fresh with denim .... I saw your horse dress in Zara today, love it!!

Right so - have decided against the navy blazer - indeed, any navy blazer - as my ever-increasing sense of claustrophobia is spreading its wrinkly fingers into clothes. Oh ladies, I tried on some navy blazers today and wanted to scream with the sense of restriction and confinement they gave me. You know how some people feel like clawing at their neck when they wear a scarf or tie? Like that. So clearly not something that warrants an investment of £200+

On the upside, I had some quality retail time with only dc3 in tow and took back the kaftan that dh bought me for mother's day (2 buttons have fallen off and I haven't even worn it yet - for £50 I expect better than that, high street chain or no hight street chain) All of the others in the shop had the same problem so I exchanged for some other stuff and spent a bit more on top:

a pair of shorts in a kind of washed-out stone
a raw, lineny-finish, dip-hem tee in dirty brown
as above in bright coral
black & grey stripe dress with a kind of knot detail at the neckline
a kaftan in pinks & blues
a pair of flat glads in a kind of an irridescent, pearly, metallicy finish

all very nice and am very happy with it all. However, my legs are not quite shorts-worthy yet. What's a good moisturising + slow-colour product?? is it that holiday skin stuff??

Sorry for the essay of a post!!

On the plus side

Whelk, I've noticed a Waxed Red Trench at wrap - don't know how important the hood is but I think it could look rather stylish (as one who generally eschews hoods).

AllBuggiedOut, I spotted that dress in Fatface the other day, it's a perfect colour and shape for me but didn't have time to try it on, then forgot all about it (that's not avid, is it? Part timer, me).
Might nip into town for a try-on tomorrow - thanks for reminding me.

Oops.

Evening Ladies -

Bodsmum Congratulations on your new baby girl.

LTEC Thanks for the tip on the Vera Moda - it is perfect with my Rats.

Should really be doing my accounts as the end of the tax year looms - but am getting the urge to spend...Do you think Christian Louboutin counts as a 'wholly necessary business expense?'

Glad to be of assistance, OLOPS. Have you got the Fat Face 20% off voucher? SU10FF online (but have to pay P&P) or there's a printable version I'll happily forward to you. Expires end of tomorrow. The dress hung beautifully. I wish it was a fraction shorter (although I am a bit of a midget) but it felt great on and will be lovely in the heat.

mm nice to see you back. Hope you're doing okay.

bodsmum big congratulations - girls are gorgeous!

ltec I find Holiday Skin goes blotchy. I like the Dove equivalent though (can't remember what it's called right this minute but there can't be multiple ones, surely?)

choo I get irrationally annoyed that I can't claim clothing as a tax deductible expense. I hardly ever travel to clients (apart from ad agencies and it's casual there anyway) so resent shelling out for decent work stuff I rarely get to wear. The cheek of it