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

Hi all,

Not yet caught up but will do in a sec. Was very wise out shopping yesterday - we nattered so long over lunch that we didn't start until 3! I bought a red on white Breton top for £10 in Zara, this which is a nice shape for tucking in, plus this which isn't really cropped on me but is nice a loose for fat days!

Also got these as they are very comfy and super cheap and these that go with rolled up boyfriend jeans, skinnies, bare legs, leggings, pretty much anything and were a bargain to boot (excuse the pun). My friend wore them out last night with skinnies, a white tank, a grey sleeveless waterfall cardi (my bargain tesco buy!) and a chunky silver necklace. Looked fab so I'm going to wear the same outfit for DS's 2nd birthday party tomorrow!

The Primark trilby was too small for my big old head so I'm on the lookout for a cheap mans trilby.

DH is thrilled that he is being praised by the A&W ladies! It's rather good as I think this 'positive' feedback may help if we ever do another trip (after all he'll want to live up to his reputation won't he?).

Having said that another trip is not due or expected till 2019 (if ever) - this was a one off treat and while it was fun and amazing...I wouldn't say it was wise! I now have a lot of work to do to justify & pay for it!

Vinu - fingers crossed that the outnet haul is good. I have to admit to getting an E&J blazer from my-wardrobe and having to send it back due to polyester overload (and potential sweaty armpits problem!) The black top looks great!

blossoming - it sounds like you outstyled the french! well done for representing the A&W ladies so well!

Choo - great finds in jigsaw.

Right - the sun is shining. DS is at his grandmothers and DD is asleep. So I'm going to laze in the garden with a book. What a perfect half hour.

Did you look in the mens section of Primark? I was in there yest and they had straw trilbys in the mens bit too...

Right - well I did very well in new look with my 25% discount. Got a few vest tops and these trousers which look cool rolled up.

Then went to warehouse and purchased the following:

For over bikini on holiday

Looks much better on me to be honest

Also got a navy stripey long vest style dress and a navy pretty dress in the sale - neither on their website though.

So - I really need very little for holiday now.

Hells - we need links so we can admire your purchases you know

Warehouse dress looks much better here.

Tracey - I do love all those. You are certainly sorted for holiday.

I'm terrible when I go away. I pack lots of stuff and end up wearing the same few things day in day out!

VerityBrulee - avid lurker here who has fallen in love with your Lanvin shoes. Sooooo beautiful. Well done you!

I don't suppose you have come across any similar alternatives on your travels?

Hells - I'm the same - although actually when we went to Italy 2 years ago I packed hardly anything for me.

Stepford - hello!

I do agree Verity's shoes look fab.

Tracey lovely items, good day's work! I particularly love that dress, that will look stunning in the sunshine, tis lovely..

LTEC are these any good? also stumbled across these although not strictly what you asked for. Have not spied any marantesque boots..

SO I have been unable to do much online splurging today (DP home and most disapproving!!) But I did buy the magical leg stuff that was linked to- the prtty peaushun- and shall report back. I feel my legs need some serious assistance if they are to go bare at all!

OH agreed Verity those lanvin shoes are totally fab!

Hello Stepford!

Vin - ooooh which colour did you order? I'm going to order some soon but will now wait for your verdict.

Hi everyone - hope you've all enjoyed the sun. We had a week away in the new bog forest which was a nice break but not really much of a holiday as we went with good friends who, lovely as they are, didn't quite understand what life is like with a 10 month old! We did lots of walking with me lugging DD round in her carrier (good exercise) which she tolerated quite well considering she is of a rather active disposition but that was about it.

It dawned on me as I was putting DD to bed tonight that I am going back to work in a little over a week and have nothing to wear. I'm not quite sure how but I've managed to completely blank the idea of going back out of my mind - aghhhh.

I think shoes are a priority - can anyone suggest any that are practical but fairly smart? No open toes and not too much, if any heel.

Any other inspiration for work wear would be gratefully received

Hi MrsJ!

Back to work in a week - how exciting. What type of thing do you wear to work - suits or jeans or something in between?

In between usually. I'm hoping to get away with black marthas and a few tops and and maybe some cropped trousers later in the summer. Don't really do skirts for work as I only like short ones!

Suppose I might branch out into dresses though after all this wise and avid inspiration

I'm only back 2 days a week so I'm quite looking forward to it.

Glad everyone likes the shoes I have a theory that if you are patient, sooner or later everything comes up on ebay. Can't wait to get them now.

Hi Stepford! I have been looking for something similar for ages with no luck, but I did see something recently, not nude, but a similar style. Can't think where, but it will come back to me, I'll let you know!

I'm really trying to avoid shops at the moment, redecorating and trying to save for hols, but somehow found myself in Zara today, as you do . Saw a lovely draped neck silky navy striped top. I love stripes but didn't succumb....yet. Also quite taken with the garden collection floral dresses in H&M, I'm not usually keen on prints, but there is a maxi, frills at the neck that is lovely, great colours. I am really not an impluse buyer, tend to look at thing a few times before I take the plunge, but at H&M prices it's worth taking a risk!

Tracey I must find a New Look! There isn't one anywhere near, but it looks worth a trip just to satisfy my curiosity.

Hi everyone! Not entirely sure that I have taken everything in but so many lovely things!! Stand out moments include Verity's gorgeous shoes and hells' fabulous Selfridges jaunt... Gosh, even if it is was a one-off, how incredible!! My dh most put out by my praise of yours .

About to get dressed to go to 40th bash, going to wear MJ atomic tulip dress with biker jacket, opaques and my fave £6 Primark ankle boots, it's not going to be a chi chi enough do for the CLs or Choos. Managed a night out with the girls while on hols so am feeling positively sociable. MrCake's b'day this month so busily planning his party too.

Love all the macs but must say am feeling slightly pleased at having scored one for under a fiver. Love tracey's holiday haul and Choo at Jigsaw, also well done SkinnyBunny!!

I know there's loads more to catch up on, vin thank you for the chinos, I'll check them both out when on my laptop although I do have a feeling that zara or mango might come up trumps. Basically after a cheaper version of the JBrand ones or the ones at Balmain, quite an army green?

Must run, isn't the sunshine welcome? Missed you all hope all having lovely weekends x

Hi Cakey Glad you had a good break. Sunshine is transformative, isn't it, the world is a different place when it's sunny

Have a great night out, LOVE your outfit!

LTEC you are a social whirlwind and that outfit sounds great - have a good time.

I've just skimmed back to read about hell's selfridges trip that everyone's talking about and - wow! Sounds amazing - you are a lucky lady to have such a good shopping husband.

Verity, great result on the rugby, your dh must not have fingernails left. Same score but the wrong way for ospreys today.
So embarrassing, went for lunch with dh's colleague and family wearing jeggings, laura Ashley stripey dress, red scarf etc, and the wife was wearing exactly the same only in navy and red! Was worried she was a secret lurker!
Right, must scroll back to see these eBay shoes!
Good to be back and have Ltec back.
Some shopping spree Hells. Remember: because you're worth it!!

Hello LTEC! Sounds like you had a good holiday and have fun tonight - you decided the MJ dress is ok after all then?

Have just had a trying on session of new purchases for ds1 - he is hilarious - getting me differnt bangles etc to wear with different stuff. And oh my god - the hasbeens just go with everything.

LTEC - those new look khakis may work for you - they're slim fitting but look fab rolled up with heels. Sizing is generous so size down.

tracey love the Warehouse buys.I am a fan of Warehouse dresses,they are the perfect length on us shorties,aren't they!
fleecy Am considering the New Look patent wedges,perhapsin navy,with the discount this weekend.Are they really comfy enough for everyday wear?
Bought two Phase Eight jersey open long cardigans,one navy one grey.Am delighted with them.

www.phase-eight.co.uk/fcp/product/fashion/Jerseywear/Alana-Cardi/300659019?colour=multi

They're nice Georgi!

Yeap - warehouse definitely caters for the more vertically challenged .

Was funny - because it was in a big shop called 'outfit' which also contains miss selfridge, evans, dorothy perkins and wallis. And my god - there is a lot of crap out there.

I actually wanted to go up to a few people and tell them to put stuff back.

Tracey -we've just got an 'outfit' built on the nearby retail park - it wasn't very inspiring last time I went but I might take my short self back and have a look at the warehouse dresses.

Hello all

Sorry have not been around much as have been in a bit of a grump . Reasons as follows (in no particular order):

1. My shopping trip out with my sister and no kids didn't materialise this week as she had to work after all.
2. There is still another week of easter hols to get through and my PIL are coming on Monday and require feeding/entertaining etc .
3. I had to ask DH to move some more money into my personal account as have overspent horribly over the last few months
4. Have put on weight.
5. Rather annoyingly have run up huge iphone bill whilst in Eygpt . Even though I purposely did NOT use internet on it or check emails etc, apparently it was still retrieving email (or whatever it is that it does automatically) while it was switched on so I have still managed to rack up huge charges despite not using the bloody thing.

Cheerful little sausage aren't I ? Bet you are all glad I popped by

Vin - I have got that E&J blazer in my basket - in a 4 and a 6 as was a bit unsure on sizing. Hells - I remembered you sent your E&J blazer back hence my hesitation. However with the additional 20% off (instyleextra20 is still working I think?) it really is quite cheap.......

I was also thinking of ordering this topshop blazer in both the beige and the black in order to compare - anyone tried/seen irl?

LTEC - hope you had a lovely week away and a fab night out tonight.

Verity - I have seen the H&M garden dresses on hoardings I think and thought they were v pretty but have not seen irl

Tracey - I did think, when I saw your purchases, how well those bits would all go with hasbeens

In desperation today, I begged DH to allow me 5 minutes in a branch of DP's as it was the only rl retail opportunity on the horizon for the next 10 days and in true desperate style and out of a need to buy something, anything, I managed to buy this dress. Not only is it not really me, the 8 I grabbed without trying was too bloody small

Hells - your Selfro's jaunt sounds so wow Can you link to what you bought please, it sounds gorge.