We're Avid & Wise, We're discussing our Buys, we're not so keen on Flys, We prefer Peep-toe Sky-Highs!!

[LetThemEatCake]

sorry couldn't help myself

verity I did reading that because I do understand! I have in the past asked mum, MIL and sis to log on to their laptops so I can make a last minute bid on something while I'm round at their house. They know and indulge me (although I suspect they think it's a bit pathetic!) but I wouldn't dare ask anyone else!

Beautiful shoes - and so useful in that shade.

Thanks for the New Look discount reminder - my Jersey friend (lives in Jersey, not made from!) is over today and when I get back from circuit training this morning (eek!) we're off for lunch followed by shopping, followed by dinner out. Yay! Had forgotten the Grazia discounts for this week. I also have a 20% off code for New Look online this weekend somewhere - will dig it out and post later on.

Have a lovely day everyone

Well...have had a nice morning - quick shop then to park with kiddies and walk...in gorgeously welcome Spring sunshine!

Got the Brora brochure and some lovely things, as usual: liking the wedge espadrilles, and linen trousers....

Esher, wore new Kew mac with skinny jeans, ash vipers and skinny navy scarf and, et voila ! - decided that it is good! Its a good length and looked good too. Maybe the sun had something to do with all those feel good hormones but hey....!

Hi Verity- those shoes are v v v nice!!! I'd love to do something like that, but feel my DH would be like if I tottered downstairs to purchase something in the early hours!!! He just doesn't get it, bless him.... so haven't as yet!!! But you never know!

Fleecy, have a fab lunch and dinner!!!!

Hello!

Weather here is heaven, and Delie has just headed out with her babysitter - v excited to have a gorgeous afternoon to myself!

Verity - WELL DONE on the shoes! I don't think that's nuts at all (but perhaps I have been known to do the same...). Although I did hear that there are ebay auction services that lodge last minute bids for you automatically to try and ensure you win.

Right, off to do something nice for myself for the afternoon! Am thinking Anthropologie, Banana Republic and a bus ride in the sun w a book. While gobbling nibbling on chocolates. Just have to do one more load of washing first...

Bunjies - I was 40 last year (22 Aug)...had a bit of a moment in the run up to it...and was 36 weeks pg to boot! But, now I am, there's no difference really, except I am now a Mummy to 3 children, which is mostly fantastic...(trying sometimes, but isn't everything that's worthwhile- says she who called DH in tears about dd1 yday!!!!)...How old are yours, and how's life in France?

Plum - I love the bee - I'm very much hoping for the baby bee necklace for my birthday.

Bought shoes for ds's today which was very straight forward and then braved m&s food with the three dc's which was hard work. But lovely people in the queue entertained them whilst I packed and paid.

Come on Hells - where are you - I want to know how Selfridges went . . .

Plum - lovely present from DH. Lovely shoes too Verity - in fact I like the dress with them as well!

Quick W&A questions which I don't think has been covered yet. What do we think about flat cuffed sandals - think thats what they are called. The ones that have a cuff around the ankle - sort of like this. Are they flattering to wear and if so, what do you wear them with??? Seen some beige suede ones that looked nice hanging on the rail - didnt try on tho. Are they just a step too far towards the 'I look like a Roman soldier' look and we should stick with glads???? I'm curious!!

Verity, those shoes are beautiful.

eSnipe is good for automatic bids.

I met a friend today and she looked fab in Jimmy Choo flats and a Burberry trench, I was most envious!

Bunny, did you buy anything in Banana Republic? I need to take a visit there but it is too awkward to bring DD.

Hope everyone is well. Have not read any posts so hope it's all been good, wise, avid, happy news this week.

Just a quickie wondering whether anyone might be able to advise on where to look for skinny khaki/ cargo pants and Marant-fringey-rip off boots?

2 purchases of note this week, both from charity shop. Mac/ trench for £4.95, very Chung, perfect condition. Also a lovely Toast jacket with tags still on! Size 18 so will put on eBay but will be able to make a bit on it I imagine

again I hope all well and enjoying the sun, and any help with those 2 queries much appreciated

evening all, sorry I've been missing.

Cakey - are you back? Or just texting from holiday?

belated happy birthday plum!

Verity those shoes are absolutely beautiful. Well worth middle of teh night bidding.

Selfridges was BRILLIANT! I assumed it would be an hour - but it ended up taking nearly 3! DH was an absolute star and actually persuaded me to buy far more than I would have alone.

My booty was the Rick Owens blistered leather jacket (which is probably out of fashion now but I love it!), a Vionnet (SP?) dress and miu miu shoes for my mother's wedding (my purple dress has now become the most expensive going out dress ever. And I will have to wear it every time I go out for 10 years to make up for this). An alexander mcqueen dress (beatiful blue one with amazing images on it)! And some fab teeshirts from James Pearse, Helmut lang and others!

I tried out some other truly amazing Alexander McQueen dresses that I had to leave hanging on the rack. Partly because they were so expensive but mostly because they just belonged to someone elses life.

I have to admit I've never seen my body look so flattered as in a black zippered (quite heavy shouldered) AM dress with CL black heels. DH begged me to buy it!!! And I had to remind him that there isn't much call for 'power woman' round these parts! However if I was City girl I would have bought it in a trice and brokered many a deal

I also tried on a couple of other very fitted AM dresses that were so so beautiful but needed much more confidence than I currently have to carry them off. There is no way you could walk into a room wearing one of these without EVERYONE staring.

I shall endevour to find links and post them as soon as I can! Have to sign off for a bit but will catch up with you all later.

Hells - that sounds amazing.

I adore all the vionnet stuff on NAP so am sure you will look utterly stunning for your mother's wedding. That purple dress will get its money's worth I'm sure.

Your DH sounds fab too - can't see mine spending 3 hours shopping with me although I guess it helps if its in the personal shopping bit and they don't have to walk round.

Were the 'personal shoppers' nice?

LTEC - hello! Can't help with either of your requests but I want both those things too . . .

LTEC - I saw a really nice pair of skinny khakis in Comptoir des Cotonniers.

Hells, sounds like a very successful shopping trip!

Ooh, Hells - what a wonderful shopping trip, and think your DH is our W&A man of the month with that attitude!! Looking forward to seeing links.

Carciofi - I wasn't excited about anything I saw in Banana Republic today. Frankly thought it a bit nanna and that you could see many similar items in Cos, Esprit and Zara so now worth the schlep to Regent St. Ditto Anthropologie, which everyone seems to love - I wasn't loving any of it. Too arts and crafts looking for me.

AND I think I have decided against the TM Lewin red moc croc bag - not the right shade of red (not deep blood red enough).

Although tan bag I use every day has a dicky zip now so need a slouchy tan bag that doesn't cost more than £150 (Delie drags it around by the handles on the floor). Any suggestions?

Hi all, back from Paris. Had a great time and guess what? They're not that stylish..!
I didn't feel fat at all, just big. Once when I was a student in France a French boyfriend took me to Paris. I had to walk off the pavement! I was reminded of this in the metro when I seemed to be so much taller than everyone. And I'm only 5'7. I was really aware of my big hands!
I saw many women in cropped wide legs with tights and flat shoes. Awful.
I was also reminded of how good a sharp bootcut can look with a slim wedge or a stack heel.
If you're ever there and shopping in the bonmarche there's a very handy playground outside for dh's and dcs.
Mostly the chic women were in trenches, as was I. I decided against the duvet coat although it was minus one when we left Sunday morning. I took 3 scarves in different warmths inc the lily & lionel one and a brolly. It was fine although Disney was cold. Dc1 was amazing, we must have walked 5 miles a day.
I found the clothes shockingly expensive and the exchange rate terrible. I'm sure that brands charge more over there. We're really lucky to have such good choices for buying over here, from matalan to nap.
I bought a gorgeous Dior make up brush wallet in the airport, perfume, and two Chanel lipsticks. I went from Liverpool and yes, some were in tracksuits!
Remind me Verity, is your dh playing in the heineken cup?

Wow - Hells - you lucky thing and your DH does indeed sound fab!!! Can't imagine mine having the patience...or the sophistication to think AMcQ prices warranted.... . He would be persuading my ever so 'lavish' self to 'hold back'...even if he was feeling rather fruity over a 'racy little no' !!!!! , honestly!!! Poor me. Can't wait for the links...your purchases sound amazing!!!

Hardly thought you would be considered 'fat' Blossoming! Silly sausage... Glad you had a wonderful time in Gay Paree....

The French have been doing that 'Cropped wide leg look with tights and flats' for ages. What's wrong with 'em?

Cakey - Howdy doo....hope you are fine and dandy and having a jolly 'last night'.....

Only in his dreams Blossoming We are a Leinster family, he is at the quarter final as I write, I am checking score on bbc site and updating DSs, it's v close. I can't stand the game, but if you can't beat 'em, join 'em and all that

Helles you are sooo lucky, my dh wouldn't have lasted 5 minutes let alone 3 hours, your trip sounds so much fun, can't wait to see the links.

Had a bit of a spend in Jigsaw this evening. Got this trench and this top in blue. Also this shirt which looks better in rl.
LTEC I have seen skinny cargos but I can't remember where. Perhaps in red magazine?? Will have a think and report back.

Love that top choogirl. Is there a code for free P&P [cheapskate emoticon]

Hells- your DH sounds truly amazing. Is he in fact an A&W girl?! what a fab shopping trip!! Links pleease when you get the chance so I can drool away!

Belated happy birthday to Plum

Romanarama- funny about the CL shoes, I was thinking the same.. the red soles are a bit ubiquitous, and therefore (no offence to anyone who already has them) but to buy them now looks a bit like you are a slave to the fash mags and trying hard to look cool but actually not. I love the red soles and I love some of the styles but I just wish they weren't as well known now.

Blossoming glad you had a lovely time in Paris, but the exchange rate with the Euro is utterly shocking at the moment. That's why I walk past tourists all the time saying 'it's so cheap here' and I think whaaaaat??

Well I have been a bit naughty but not too unwise, I hope.. first ever outnet splurge on this blazer v polyester but I like the sleeves.. we shall see if I was too optimistic in sizing as does not look v big! oh and this boring black top and a cream-lemon sissi rossi bag which has sold out, no links, but looked summery.. maybe...

Have decided to not buy this trench because I am not sure about the crinkly effect and the metal on sleeves/belt.. and I don't think it's a classic.. I like it, I love that shade, but I stopped just as I was about to buy it and asked myself why I was buying it, and decided it might be because I had been conditioned to think a burberry trench was essential.. but really, I think I prefer either a classic version or a different type (I just need to find one that colour because I love it) how wise was that?

I am a bit tempted by these nude choos though, the LK bennett patent ones went back as they didn't fit.. wise? summery? multi-purpose? or a bit boring.. hmm

Choo - how funny - I've been looking at that mac and stripey top online and am going to check out in RL next week.

Vin - love the blazer and its only the lining thats polyester and most are I think. Also love the choos.

I blame the wags re CL shoes - once you've seen them all tottering round in them they just lose their allure a bit.

Choos seem a little more special.

Right - need to get dressed as off to new look with my grazia discount .

Choo lovely stripey top, I'm never sure how Jigsaw sizing runs, some things seem huge and others small (or is that me getting bigger? hmm probably!)

Not sure about the choos, want to appear chic and demure at a couple of summery things and would be good for work I think but apparently they are too 'old' for me according to DP (from whom I hid the price tag!) I really should stop asking his opinion...I think he is wrong!

LTEC the only slim chinos I have seen are the asos Gap ones, but I shall don my detective hat and have a look online. I am eschewing all real life shopping at the moment! Crowds, queues, with baby, travel, more crowds, angst, every time I go I spend money on stuff that is not carefully considered, whereas online I think I am more wise about it as I don't go out with the intention of getting one thing and come back with 20 tops/dresses that are never worn or some fantastical miracle cream that makes me look awful..

Love the stripey cowl neck Jigsaw top Choo!

Well, my 2 La Redoute stripey tops arrived at 8am(!) this morning and they are fab! One slinky oversized and slightly off the shoulder, and one neat, crisp and with a little line of angled buttons at the shoulders...

Off to my Mothers with the family this avo so am wearing with skinnies and ballet flats...DDs going suitably sunny and nautical too- as is DS (and DH if I can manage it!!!); we shall look very co-ordinated with our navy and red striped combos! Had to buy baby a sunhat to wear y-day. V cute - raspberry gingham with a pink/red flower - awww. Yes, I have a thing for gingham too!!!

Agree with debate on CLs...and WAGs have a lot to answer for!!! Would prefer Choos ....

Afternoon all. Have been awol for a few days. Busy busy with DH working away and it being school holidays. We've actually had a really lovely week, of course with tantrums and stressful moments interspersed throughout!!
Had a touch of food poisonong yesterday so after a miserable day was releived when DH came home late last night and he has taken the DCs out this morning to the beach so I have had the morning to rest and recover. Am now feeling much better and after blitzing the house am catching up on here!

Esher - I dipped my toe in the mint velvet pond recently. I bought this top
Its nice actually, fits well and goes great with skinnies.
I am v tempted by the stripe tee that you linked to and I am in love with the camisole!

Plum - happy birthday for a few days ago. Hope you had a lovely day!

Allbuggiedout - I have gone for black sandals this year. With metallic bits. I think they will look good with maxis/shorts
I went for these ones from topshop

Hells - your Selfridges trip sounds amazing, cant wait to see the links

Vin - love the blazer, hope the sizing comes up ok. How will you wear it?

LTEC - welcome back, hope you had a lovely time!