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

Thank you! Links added to favourites, newly added folder titled 'Shopping'

I shan't go away however, I may just lurk until I have something to contribute or question, if thats ok.

I put a thread in S&B recently about getting style and got lots of useful info. My style for the last ten years-ish has involved work pants/jeans and black knitwear but the responses to my thread has given me lots of ideas. I'm window shopping just now but will be shopping properly in the not too distant I hope.

allbuggiedout have you looked at boden? They have a practically identical inverted pleat skirt.

I must remember to rave about my new Chanel lipsticks. They're in the rouge coco range and the 'ballet russe' is perfect for my colouring. Really happy.

On a more emotional note, we spent time yesterday moving furniture around so that when the baby moves to her own room later this week, which was dc2's room, it won't look the same. Have sorted lots of dc2's stuff out but there was still some to do.

Have decided that dc1 needs sandals and shorts so will need to go to Chester again this week. Russell & Bromley should have reopened, so great. I have no summer shoes yet. The m&s ballet flats that I raved about in Feb are just too wide this year. I saw gorgeous tod's shoes in Paris but (luckily) they didn't have my size.
All the cool kids were wearing converse high tops in Paris. I quite like the white and silver low tops in the me & em catalogue .

Thanks blossoming, I had seen that one but dismissed it because it's too long.

Golly LTEC - you do stay up late! Watched 2 episodes of 24 last night - its getting very exciting isn't it?

Blossoming - that must have been really difficult for you - is baby still in your room? And how old is she - I think a little older than bea whose 8.5 months.

Quiet day at home today.

DH came home sunburnt yesterday after doing his 75km bike race - mad boy.

blossoming - i read about that lipstick and have been tempted to try that too.

LTEC - do you think the plaster was the finishing touch . Double take is very good.

I too have an April DH. He is muttering about an electric guitar (he swears it's not a mid life crisis thing). He has one but wants to 'upgrade'.

House wise I would love to stay in the same area but it's muchous ££££'s for anything decent so will have to be very very wise and very very hardworking.

Tracey - three cheers for Bea crawling - has she taken the bottle yet? I know you were planning to get DH to give it to her.

Outnet - I suggest we all have a look round now and put anything that we would like into a shopping basket. Then on the very tiny chance it goes into the £1 sale we can just click 'buy'!

Yesterday I wore my new Rick Owens black leather jacket. I can't get my link to work but I think most of you know the one from NAP. It was cheaper in Selfridges . I loved it and DH did too (and I even got a few appreciative looks). I do worry it's nearly past it's sell by date (and as usual I'm late to it). But I shall cast that thought aside and just enjoy it.

Cain welcome - I have learnt a huge amount from the lovely ladies on this thread. They are very generous with their knowledge.

So I have a bit of a day ahead - inlaws (who I like) but a poorly DD. So see you all later.

Hells - I bet you looked fab in your jacket and there's something about how an utterly indulgent item just makes you feel very special

Love that your DH wants an electric guitar

Bea won't take a bottle but will use a cup so am persevering with that - she'll only take about an oz of formula though. She is such a monkey and of course the boys just laught at everything she does.

blossoming that must have been so difficult. It's quite bittersweet, watching LOs grow up, I think, perhaps more so after a loss.

Does anyone want a meandem disc code?

yes, I watched 24 last night too .... thank goodness Dana is finally a bit more interesting although I am heartily sick of her trademark skulking.

hells my dh has severaL guitars too ... fortunately no mention of adding to collection atm

found these skinny cargoes - could buy with the 25% off from Grazia - what do you reckon?

hells - do you still get b'day pressies after last week's haul??

hope dd better soon. My 3 all coughing and full of snot. Lovely!!

LTEC - I think those pockets are wrong - too high perhaps on the mango ones.

The J Brand houlihans are perfect - they're out of stock on revolve but due back in soon and just over $200 so a bit cheaper.

Yes, we too are the house of colds - delightful.

hmmm yes I see what you mean

I looked at River Island on esher's suggestion and the skinny seamed bikers are perfect - no pockets at all (I do not need added bulk, that's for sure) but only in a 16.

Is RI sizing generous or not? Maybe I would be a 16?

Oh I saw those seamed bikers - they are lovely.

And I suspect you're more of an 8 nowadays

Could be worth phoning up you local store and seeing if they've got any in stock.

Hi - this may be teaching my grandmother to suck eggs, but sometimes if you call the contact number on the website a helpful person will check the stock in all the stores for you, and arrange for them to send it.

I did this when I was determined to get some flys late winter, and a lovely guy from Treds sourced some for me in their Canterbury store (I now regret the whole episode as I feel like a gallumphing idiot in them, but that's another story).

Or, if you can be arsed, phone the store and get them to order in from wherever for you to try.

Never give up!

Tracey! So Bea probably hears her DB's laughing and thinks it's a game!

Sorry there are other illing Dc's - surely now it's spring they are all supposed to be a little less germy (why don't they know these things )

Blossoming - so sorry, missed that bit in your post - just skim read - that must have been very hard.

LTEC - no presents for me I'm sure (and not expected) but I do need to get DH something.

24 - we are just about to start on series 5 now. And are obsessed. Is it a good one? At the end of series 4 Jack put on his top gun sunglasses and skipped off into the sunset (in the rather camp bomber jacket outfit he loves so much). I fear the peace will not last long.

We did spend an large amount of time during this series laughing at Tony's expanding gut. And the tricks the camera men used to hide it (he was always holding a folder or standing behind a computer screen - in the manner of an actress hiding a pregnant belly )...but were very confused by the final episdoe where he was stripped off and appeared to be relatively buff! DH's theory was they shot that scene first and once that was out of the way he pigged out on cakes.

No no no. You will look like you are dressing up in your dad's clothes

hells - I'm so glad you got that jacket - I bet it looks amazing.
I'm hoping there will be less germs about now it's getting warmer. DD seems to have had a constant runny nose since about november but thankfully we've only had 2 really bad spells. I'm sure I read that they get something like 10 colds in their first year and I don't think she's had quite that many with only a month to go (how did that happen?!) until she's one.

Blossoming - that must have been really hard for you

at cake being a 16 - you could probably fit both legs into one leghole!

I am wearing size 8 jeans today . They are Next though so I don't think that counts. I haven't worn them since my 'thin summer' 2 years ago though so I'm quite pleased.

traceybath, the baby is going to be six months on Wednesday. It's quite amazing watching her develop. Dc2 only got to the smiling stage, not reaching for toys, putting things in her mouth, holding her head even.
Dc1 didn't play very well, justrolled over to his chosen destination - downstairs loo to play with the toilet brush once!

Ha ha ltec river island and size 16!!!

helles, I think you said you're a winter. The no. 29, ballet russe is great for day, and the no. 36 lune rousse for evening.

Right, off to shops and have said dc1 can go on his scooter. I may regret this..

Morning!

Hana - thanks for the suggestion of the Kew bag, but its not quite right for me (saw it in RL and I could already see scratches on the shop display bag - would be trashed with 1 week of life w Delie).

Can I ask for opinions on this Ted baker bag? And I quite like this Anne Klein bag but want tan, not brown. What do we think of this larger Ted Baker bag? It is HARD to find a tan hand bag that you love. Poor me, I just work too hard, don't I?!

Will post properly later - ie less me, me, and a little more about me...

Blossoming - not sure what to say about your baby moving into DC2's room, but Cakey's comment about bitter sweet seems apt. Good luck w the scooter - the boys just fly around on them, don't they. Imagine you will get some good cardio today...

MrsJuan - we must celebrate all our skinny jean moments, regardless of any qualifications we feel are required. Its still a win! Am sitting here in Uniqlo 26" skinnies and am delighted (despite not actually having a 26" waist and being aware their sizing is absurd...)

Hello girls

Dd hasn't been well so been busy for a few days and out enjoying the sun before that so been too busy to read. She's had a horrible ulcer in her mouth and has been crying loads which is v unusual for her. Seems a bit better today. There is always so much to catch up on!

I clicked on some of the links and may have to have a Matalan browse. Booked a few holidays now.

My best mate finally had her dd last night after a 36hr labour so we'll be off to Italy in the next week or two for a quick visit. She is named after me . Am already looking at my wardrobe with despair at finding a smart casual spring in Italy capsule wardrobe and things I'll be happy to be seen in in twenty years in photos

I've been having footwear dilemmas in the sun. I wore the M&S pumps a few times with an insole in though as they're pretty floppy and baggy but I couldn't find anything else that suited my outfits and weather. These have been comfy and are an easy way to rock the double denim look. Has anyone worn open sandals yet?

I went to Wembley for the Spurs match yesterday but was in the posh seats so couldn't wear my football shirt (yes, I occasionally commit fashion crimes in the name of team loyalty) and opted for the Next jacket which matches my team colours. I wore it with dark skinnies & a navy tee but not sure the colour of the teeshirt suited it.

I have bought another Next jacket too here. I tried it on 4 times and kept thinking "if only I had that grey jacket' so bought it. It's lighter than my grey leather jacket and now I've unpicked the sleeves and patchwork on the front it looks better. Bit of a Next-fest at the moment for someone who usually hates it with a passion.

I've been wearing hareems (spg?) every day and bought two new pairs from H&M - one which look really expensive like silk and drape beautifully, and another plain quite tailored pair both in black. What tops do other hareem wearers style theirs with? I have some higher waisted ones and am not sure whether to tuck things in or not?

Tracey I have decided to bite the white jeans bullet and am waiting to take delivery of some btnw white baxters I got on Ebay.

My other purchase this weekend was a scooter for dd. Too embarrassed to tell anyone in rl so will share it with you ladies. I looked on MN and saw the Mini Micro scooters recommended, the same ones all her friends have. Went to local toyshop and they didn't have them. Dd was not feeling well and was sad her promised gift wasn't forthcoming. We looked at all the ones they had and thought they all looked at same so bought one and duly took her to the park to ride it. She kept falling off and after half hour of tears, mild astonishment from us (every kid we know has one and can ride it well) and "of course you can ride it, get back on" we saw a kid with a proper Mini Micro and realised it has a lot more wheels. A trip back to the car to look at the box and we'd bought dd a 7-12 year old scooter . Mini Micro now on order.

Sorry my post is all about me. Will go back and catch up now.

Hello all and welcome home Cakey!

Well, I am tres pleased with my Matalan purchases I have to say! And the tops from la Redoute - who'd have thought it! My DH said had I only just worked out that I didn't 'always need to spend £100s'... 'cheeky beggar!

I am also trying to get him a bit more ship shape (I mean, I like a laid back, doesn't try too hard look, but he also trashes his clothes!) but he's having none of it....Anyway he gets his annual bonus next month , and I am taking him shopping (probably Cardiff actually)....

I have 'the wedding' in August so ned to start looking in earnest!!!

Cakey, have you tried La Redoute for slim cargos? They have similar...

Ooh, have decided 505 looks best on toes !

Hi all - am back from 4 nights away with DH and have just skimmed the thread and can't look at everyone of the links because it would just take me sooo long! ltec hope you had a lovely holiday! hells - very jealous of your haul.

Well, I have to say our break was AMAZING. Gorgeous weather. Two fab hotels - suite in HduV here and Cotswolds Country House hotel with atunning views here Lots of eating, drinking and relaxing in the sunshine. DD was v good for her grandparents, and LOVED spending time with her cousin who is 3 years older. They went to a safari park; an easter egg hunt; a playbarn; swimming; treasure hunt in a forest; put on a 'show'.....so she was in heaven!

On the shopping front - I bought these which are actually very flattering and can be rolled up to give you a fitted denim short that is just above the knee, which I had been hankering after. When I arrived home a few deliveries had arrived. Attempting to be wise after an expensive few days, I have sent most of it back. I am keeping this maxi which was the subject of some debate earlier in the thread. I think it is really flattering on me, but can see that it probably would not be for the slightly shorter - also not for the large of nork. Also, the much praised by current owners evelyn dress This I do like, but face the perennial problem of the pear shaped. The 12 fits well on the hips, but is loose on the waist. Our mothers help also runs a dress making business, so I think I will consult her about how much it may cost just to nip it in at the waist - for the real Joan from Mad Men look

Sorry this all been about me - will try to catch up with what has been going on and have at look at what you are buying!

Oh meant to say earlier I got some of that butter yummy mummy nail varnish and it looks lovely on hands - lighter than 505 but a nice beigey/natural colour.

MM - thats funny about your scooter adventure At least she'll have the 3 wheeled one soon. DS2 just takes his for walks rather than riding it - think he thinks its a pet.

Bunny - I'm not totally convinced by any of those bags but its difficult to tell what the leather looks like online.

MM - hope you like your white jeans when they arrive!

Blossoming - I'm very much looking forward to the new Tom Ford lipsticks that come out soon.

phew - DD in bed and DH has taken inlaws out for lunch so he can chat and I can have DS to myself so I must limit my MNing!

Who got that leg make up? Is it any good. I need serious help as the dress for the wedding is slightly about the knee and I bruise like a peach (the only thing peach like about me!)

Bunny - not sure about those bags. They look very 'rigid' in some way.

But very impressed with your 26in! And Mrsjuans size 8!!

Blossoming - I am indeed a winter - what a wonderful memory you have. Thank you for the tip offs on the colours. I'm going to cheat and see if I can get them online as I doubt I can justify a shopping trip for some time!

MM - listen to you customising! How clever!

NY - for some reason your links aren't working for me (facebook not allowing me access) but so glad you had a lovely time.