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

[PlumSykes]

Wonder how quickly we'll fill this one?

Fel1x - that necklace is so cute! Of the coats, my fav is the cerise raincoat because I like the colour.

Thanks for the nice messages when I was ill yesterday, I'm feeling much better but didn't make it to work today so my inbox will be hideous tomorrow! DD and I had a lovely afternoon finger painting and reading books which was fun.

I was so sorry to read about those of you who've lost little ones, it must be so painful. Vin my heart goes out to you over the loss of your dd.

I'm envious of those of you who have 3dcs, I'd love to have 3 but at the moment am struggling to get pregnant with a second dc. I've given up caffeine, alcohol, wheat and sugar and started running again and have lost a few pounds but life without red wine and biscuits is dull, hopefully it'll all be worth it!

Oh, and I had to go to the shops this am and bought these white jeans which I'm v pleased with. River Island also has some nice super skinny white jeans but they were a bit too tight for my fat thighs.

That's better, have thrown dh off the laptop so can see the links better.

As you know Fel1x, I have the first, and of the rest I like the raincoat in cerise best. Great shopping though!

Very quiet here today. I think it's only this county where the children are still in school. I live in a tourist area, and the season has well and truly started. Feel so sorry for people though as the weather is atrocious.

Made easter chocolate cupcakes this morning for dc1 and his cousin for tea. Diet shot, I licked the bowl, and ate one later with two mini eggs on top!
To compensate, I walked down to fetch them in the rain, my nephew wasn't coming, so double misery for dc1 as I didn't have the car either. When I told him there was cake for tea, he screamed: I've had cake for lunch. Then stood completely still for ages in the downpour. I'm not sure why I bother.

So I checked with the Paris ladies, and yes it's cold and wet there too. So my idea of waltzing chic-ly round Paris next week is fading fast.

On the plus side, am meeting a friend for lunch tomorrow in Chester so can report back from some RL shops. I think Russell & Bromley are still closed for refurbishment though, so it'll be easier on the pocket. Just had my cc statement, so just as well.

Just watching Eastenders and I think Roxy Mitchell is wearing your rats leggings!

I dont watch enders but I'm betting shes wearing fakes rather than rats!!

I'm sitting here trying to package up all the things I've sold on ebay last week (which has paid for my shopping sprees this week!) and not getting very far.
DS's are thumpig about and giggling with the odd 'nee nor' noise coming from their bedroom when they are supposed to be sleeping!!

Hello all, was lurking a bit earlier and has been very quiet on here today??

Felix - that birdcage necklace is very cute

Finally got that Outnet code to work - thanks Blossoming - I have ordered these two handbags

understated metallic
glitzy bling metallic

I couldn't decide so am going to check both out irl and then send one back. What do you all think? With an extra 20% off they really are a steal and if I can't get any wear out of any summer gear at least I'll have a summer handbag to tote around even if it is paired with wellies! It has not stopped raining here all day and forecast says more rain for the forseaable.........

I like white jeans on other people but not sure if I can do them myself...I have a pair of creamy off-white coloured Marc by MJ bootlegs but they make me feel really chunky of thigh self conscious so I only wear very occasionally. I liked the pale grey mint velvet jeans linked to earlier and I also really want to order this but am trying to sit on my hands at mo as

1. I won't be able to wear it for months (see weather above)
2. What with the bag purchase today, the R&B sandals yesterday and last month's cc bill (still not paid) am feeling a bit out of control on the spending front

Blossoming - DD1 still at school till tomorrow too. I think I will be doing a lot of home baking too over next few weeks as is the only thing to keep DD's occupied when it is raining so much but it does mean I end up eating FAR too much cakemix - yum!

Cake and other maxi-hunters - I saw that Wallis are doing the exact same maxi that I bought last year - here - I promise you it is really really nice and v flattering as it drapes beautifully. I had to have it shortened slightly as am a shortarse.

I also thought this one could be a possible for the taller amongst you, I need a smaller scale print.

But this is gorgeous if you can go bra-less

I like this one too

Lastly, I saw this one on the Oasis site but need to get it instore as have credit notes to use up.

Oooh Blossoming - I luv uncooked cake mix - I have been known to make cupcakes purely cos I was in the mood for a a few finger scrapes and (at the risk of sounding a bit sad!) I love the bit in To Kill A Mockingbird when the maid deliberately leaves extra cake mix in the bowl for Scout after Jem is hurt (always used to think that I would do something like that when I had kids!!!)

We have another 4 weeks to wait until the kids have their 2 week holiday (they have Easter WE off tho).

Nice jeans reallygrumpy

Hello ladies!

I have been away for some time at disneyland paris and then catching up on work. The weather at disney was fab and I was able to work the oversized sunglasses a lot!

Just been catching up on the thread - so sad to hear about your babies ladies. Gives me a lump in my throat just thinking about it. I have a close friend who had 3 late miscarriages follwed by a healthy baby girl who subsequently died of a virus at 2 weeks old. I was in awe of her strength, and she now has 2 beautiful healthy boys - but I know how much she thinks about her dd.

Roma - well done on the interview.

On the shopping front - thanks to ltec I have these bargain trousers:

flattering

Just need the weather to wear them now!

Have also just ordered:

graphic maxi

animal maxi

....and another maxi

Just dropping in really quickly to say hi, I haven't been on MN for almost a week what with being unwell and then away with work. Lots to catch up on, will return soon!

Fel1x after much dithering I ordered the school run coat in red. Wasn't convinced that the brown was the rich chocolate brown that I prefer in the end. The petite xs size is 97cm so fingers crossed should be ok!

Esher I prefer the first bag, and like the maxis you linked too, particularly the first one you already have.

Cakey - where are you? Come and tell us how the rats went down last night

Evening ladies, after much dithering I've ordered the school run coat in the red. Wasn't sure that the brown was deep chocolate brown (preferred option) or manky brown in the end. Ordered a petite size xs. Had to ring them due to paranoia re: everything being too long for me. They were really helpful and said the length of the xs is about 97cm, so fingers crossed should be ok.

Fel1x well done on your large order, I like the raincoat in cerise too - almost ordered it but decided the regular size is too long. Also I hate paying for returns so decided to limit myself to one item.

Esher I prefer the understated metallic bag and like the maxis you linked to, particular

dropping in quickly. Very busy but love all the links. I have comments on each but have now had too much wine to remember what belongs to whom Needless to say all fab (very jealous in particular of understated metallic bag!)

I had an MRI for my dodgy back today which was an interesting experience...and chose to recover by going on a skincare splurge in John Lewis (but only 15 mins so I had to rush!)

Where's LTEC?

Have any of our rats wearing ladies seen
these??

sorry for multiple posts - had a few issues!

hello ladies! so many gorgeous links, so much gorgeous food on telly (delicious miss dahl) - LTEC is having to exercise every form of self-control

have had a rather fabulous day where I feel like wonderful mother ... playgroup in the morning, jigsaws, dinosaurs, stories, cooking, trampolining, made easter bunnies out of toilet rolls and cotton wool Last night was great - first time I have been out on my own since dc3 born last Sept. Only really chatted to the 'cool' mums and managed to avoid the overly-earnest lentil weavers. But chickened out of wearing the rats - had a crisis of confidence, felt fat, felt stupid. So wore grey & black stripe t-shirt dress from Zara with knot detail at neck (kind of like that Toast top that we all liked a while back) with black opaques and black patent heeled ankle boots. Was rather satisfyingly told that I looked 'tiny'.

Went into Primark today to check out maxi action and they had none ... but still managed to stock up on plenty of other bits (LTEC imagines Marsha's hand flying to her throat in horror)

a pair of skinny jeans for hols next week - old ones too big and wanted cheapies so I can trash them in the mud
a navy & white skimmy nautical dress with quite a cool sleeve detail - £9!!!!
a navy circular straw handbag on a long shoulder strap - £2.50!!!
a large tan suedey studded hobo on a long strap for cross-body wearing
a pair of studded tan glads - £4!!!
a raffia-ish, textured bangle
a straw trilby

I mean, it's throwaway stuff but dare I say, it all looks fanbloodytastic on and works really well with other stuff that I already have.

So still on the hunt for a maxi but think that esher, not for the first time, has proved to be my guardian angel ...

Fel1x- love that necklace and the earrings! Never seen that website before- lovely!

Esher- Think I may give the t shirt maxi you linked to a go.

Have had to send full circle maxi back, which is sad. It clings to my c-section overhang, the neckline is too high and the shoulders too broad. Oddly, it is very nearly exactly what I want. I think that t-shirt style is the best for us shorties!

Have made up for disappointment by ordering:
natty blazer which looks versatile

And two supermarket steals:
navy jacket

cobalt silk tunic

All in all, a good day's work!

Fel1x, I first ordered the Stadium Squall in brown and when it came it was a very different brown from the photo. In the photo it seems quite a greyish brown - which I would have liked - but it turned out to be a much yellower brown.

I sent it back and ordered a black, which has done me very well (I got it in autumn) although I'm kind of wishing I'd gone for green...

(actually no, a green coat would have sent me batshit crazy by the end of winter, wouldn't it. It's a nice colour, but not for a big old nylon coat).

oh spider can you report back on the silk tunic? have been pondering that one

Yes, will do. I doubt it's lined

Hi Ladies

DHL have been, but really tired so not sure I will open tonight.
Have ordered Hasbeens in olive.
Mcqueen for work.
Used 20% off to finally get Marc Jacobs in my size.
Love love loving the Wallis Maxi Esher I haven't been in that shop for years. There is one opposite my building so may venture in.
Respect to LTEC for braving Primarni. I've only been in there a couple of times and come straight out again - the people and the mess!!
Not booked hols yet.. Actually that isn't strictly true. Have booked my Grand Prix trip with best friend. Yet to book family hol. May brave Disney and leave luxury till later in the year.

Right - shall I top up my Isa or do a big shop at NAP?

hi Cake- glad you had a good night out last night - is lovely to have a night out on your own isn't it? Makes me feel human and more alive somehow when I get to let my hair down a bit sans enfants.

I love the sound of your primarni haul - spesh the straw trilby - would like a cheap as chips straw hat to wear when I dare (can imagine the type expressions at the school gates for that one already!) I wore a big 70's style floppy brimmed straw hat on hols (Accessorise) but would maybe feel a bit of a tit on the school run in it

What happened with the red wedge/espadrilles saga - found you these - I have a 20% off code for Hobbs if you are interested?

Moneyspider - shame about the full circle maxi, great cobalt silk tunic though

Hells - hope the MRI wasn't too stressful (have not had one myself but DH has and said it was v claustrophobic which makes me feel anxious just thinking about it)

Re the school run coats - the Lands End ones aren't doing it for me I'm afraid but.....it was absolutely tipping it here for pick up again today so I do need to get something to keep myself dry. Am back to perusing the Barbour waxed coats selection.....

Esher - I love the metallic bags - especially the muted one.

LTEC - glad you had a good day - sounds like you looked fab last night.

This weather is just yuck - when will spring be here . . .

esher I accidentally bought 2 hats - do you want one of them? really can't be a*sed to go back for the sake of £2.50, would much rather send it to you?

Thanks so much for the wedges, but I've got the Hasbeens and am going to leave it there for day heels. I also have leopard ballerinas, 4 pairs of metallic/ embellished flat sandals and now tan glads. Plus 3 pairs of Havaianas. I think I'm good for summer footwear now

Choo, am so glad you've finally got that fabulous MJ dress - am planning on wearing mine to a 40th next week - at last!!!

tracey thanks so much for the legs stuff, am going to give it a go.

Hope all is well Apuski, hurry back!

Fel1x gorgeous necklace, I really want this "free as a bird" one and also love the owls one especially this kooky looking one

hells you poor love, hope dh is taking good care of you

MM are you okay? VB? Hana? Georgina? Lots of AWOL A&W'ers......

Cake - are you sure? That would be grand - I can paypal you to cover the cost of the hat and postage - can I email you? Or can we seal the deal at the meet-up? Can't imagine I will need a straw hat anytime soon - whappened with the plans for the meet? My own view is that it should be pref sans enfants and lubricated by alcoholic beverages somewhere suitably grown up and stylish....

Arf at your list of summer footwear - I have a steadily growing pile of shoeboxes containing as yet unworn summer footwear myself.

So which of the maxi's that I linked to do you fancy?

Are you in the understated metallic bag camp too? Had a feeling you would all prefer the Donna Karan to the Pauric. The Pauric is definitely appealing to my inner wag barmaid more extrovert tendencies.