A for Avid, B for buying, C for Chatting... W for Wise!

[OllieWollieWoo]

Credit to Everything for the lovely new title!

Time to post on the new thread, methinks!

Re magazines: I read Elle every month - it has a good mix of designer/highstreet imo. Vogue is too much out of my financial/social league. Glamour is ok for fashion but the articles and features are often patronising. I really like the Sunday Times Style mag, good wry humour too, and I read Grazia occasionally - sometimes it's great, dull at other times.

I actually got to have a short browse of the shops today without dcs but it was disappointing.

I wanted to try this www.warehouse.co.uk/nirvana-tiered-dress/Dresses/warehouse/fcp-product/300333 on in Warehouse but it was gone (they had it in shop during the week but dd was sleeping in her sling so couldn?t try it on). The model looks a bit ghoulish in the pic but anyways, I thought it might make a good breastfeeding-friendly summer dress, with a belt to cinch at the waist. Although I already have one floral dress and a few floral blouses ? perhaps better off not overdoing it. Have a strong urge to acquire more florals these days, for some unknown reason.

Oasis: this www.oasis-stores.com/Paisley-Print-Maxi-Dress/Maxi-Dress/oasis/fcp-product/4470062261 is really pretty but fits weird about the bust on me. This www.oasis-stores.com/Ditsy-Print-Bandeau-Maxi-Dress/Maxi-Dress/oasis/fcp-product/4470063200 is nicer in real life than it looks in the photo but today was foggy and rainy here so buying maxi-dress seemed ridiculous to me at the time.

Gap ? have a discount voucher for this atm but nothing of interest there today. Well, I might buy this tote www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=34749&vid=1&pid=750784&scid=750784032 ? I think it would look better with my biker jacket than one of my leather bags.

Also went to a small boutique selling Indian-style clothes ? think Toast but on the cheap ? but the clothes just didn?t have that lust factor. They had lovely silk tea dresses for €35 but all in s/m ? these were too small for me which is weird because I wear size 8/10. Bah.

Saw a nice cream and black colour-block button-up dress at another small boutique but didn?t have time to try it on (never enough time). Has a dropped waist that could work against me but want to go back and try it on next week.

Was feeling panicked during shopping trip due to lack of time so just as well I bought nothing because that?s dangerous territory for bad-soon-to-be-regretted buys, normally. Pat on the back for me, then!

Earlier in the day, I was at a food market and managed to pick up three costume jewellery brooches ? a gold and pearl coloured frog, a black and silver beetle and a pink insect. Cheapo but fun. I read recently that Grace Kelly?s children loved to play with their mother?s animal brooches ? will mine be the same, I wonder? DH thinks buying brooches is a sure sign of descent into middle-aged decrepitude (I turn 30 in May!) but imo they are ripe for a fashion moment.

God, I hope I don?t come across as an utter narcissist on here going on and on about my shopping escapades. Will do some commenting on other people?s links next time, I swear - I?m not in the mood right now after a marathon-sized session of settling kids to bed. On that note, good night

Oh, magazines, how I love them.

I subscribe to:

Vogue
Grazia
Olive
Living Etc
Easy Living
Red

Also often buy

Vanity Fair
Elle Deco
House and Garden
US Vogue
Martha Stewart Living
Junior

I also buy Sat Times, Sat Guardian, Sat Telegraph, Sun Times, Sun Telegraph every week _and then only read the magazines, and possibly the weekendy bits.

And then I wonder why I never have any money/never have any time/ have such a cluttered house/always have so much recycling.

Part of the prob is that when I worked 'in magazines', we had an account at the newsagent across the road, and also at Borders, so we could get as many as we wanted, for free. I don't seem to have quite registered that they are £4 a go now.

Oh I too love magazines.

Subscribe to UK Vogue, US Vogue and Harpers.

Also buy Grazia and sometimes Red or Instyle - depending largely on who is on the cover.

Grotty weather today so a day of chores methinks - my ironing basket is overflowing.

I love magazines too. I subscribe to Grazia but often buy others ad hoc too.
Theres a market stall in my town centre run by a guy that sells out of date/last months magazines. Not so great for really fashiony ones but I always stop there to get cbeebies mag for DS1 and its 3 for 2 pounds so very often find 2 more for me!!

Frances - I like the look of the maxi dresses you linked to.

Plum - do you have yesterdays telegraph magazine still??
I was reading it at the in laws yesterday and saw a fab swimsuit (one shouldered, spots and floral) from John Lewis. I've looked on their website but cant see it, so if you hvae a minute and dont mind, would you be able to look and tell me the brand please so I can locate it somewhere else? Thanks!

Fel1x, it is by Pistol Panties for John Lewis, but isn't available until 1st May, so you'll just have to be patient!

Fleecy, these days if I tan, I have a salon St Tropez, but I always used to use the Clarins self-tan milk/lotion -not the gel, too difficult to get it even before it's absorbed. It's a good, not too dark, golden colour, and I found it non-streaky.

Thank you Plum, you are a star!!

I am reading with interest to thefake tan responses - I need to get one and not sure what to go for, haventy had much luck in the past!

Hello. Back from my UK trip. Had a lovely, lovely, time ? but on the shopping front think I was a bit too wise and not enough avid and didn?t really have the big splurge I planned to have ? and it certainly wasn?t from lack of trying!!!! Did enjoy a good browse in Selfridges/Banana Republic/Anthropolgie/Jigsaw etc etc and seeing my old work colleagues so didn?t mind too much ? and neither did DH when I returned with a mostly empty suitcase!!! Ended up with the following haul: white jeans & a grey cotton tunic dress from M&S ? which was 15pounds in the sale and looks lovely on (no link tho), boyfriend fit jeans, cluster necklace/bracelet & a few bits for the boys from Next and 2 pairs of cute flipflops from Primark ? only popped into see what it looked it and it was a bunfight ? even at 10.15am! I grabbed the flipflops and fled!

Wish I had faked tanned before I went as I am soooo pale I think it affected how I saw myself back in the mirro iykwim! Had been looking for a dress for the October wedding and am def more suited to structured style dress. Liked this Ted Baker dress - (its ok to wear cream to a Dutch wedding and bride is wearing silver!) but the material was a bit thin so you could see the pockets through it ? and sister pointed out that KK had worn it the week before! Tried a few on in LK Bennett but the ones in my colours all looked a bit too worky and not enough weddingly!

M&S had a nice maxi dress - pale chambray blue, straight across neckline with thin straps - not on their webite and didnt do much for me but very nice!

Blossoming ? finally picked up the Laura Ashley Breton style dress/tunic and love it too. Very flattering and the neckline is lovely ? wore it with a chunky brown belt and navy leggings. Think I will get a lot of use out if it.

Also picked up the butterfly scarf from Bonaparte and I love it ? think its sold out on the English website tho so can't link. Oh yes, grabbed a pair of converse low tops in a coral/red colour - think its called geranium - at the airport yesterday - complete impulse but I like them!

Right ? lovely sunny day here so time to get out on our bikes! Taking DS1 to see a stage show of Pocohontus later ? 1.5hrs of Dutch theatre whilst the sun is shining outside ? hmmm! Will catch up on all the posts later - you have been busy!

Morning all - bunny that photo was hilarious but not the worst i've seen on ebay...

Hope you have a fab holiday MM i love Italy

I love magazines but i'm afraid OK! is my usual guilty pleasure I also get tatler/red/elle/harpers if i like the look of the cover. I am also keen on a sess with the Sunday supplements but it hardly ever happens.

I can't do fake tan - tried a few times and ended up streaky with orange palms i'm afraid i just let the sun get on me when i get a chance...i tan really quickly so am already a bit brown on arms/chest.

Fel1x I have started the annual search for a nice flattering bikini/tankini too. One of the worst things to shop for imo! Am going on hols in August with friends (villa with pool) and want to look decent...figleaves sent me a 20% off code this morning so i just spent time trawling through but nothing really grabbed me...

I really must go and do something useful - such alot to do today and so little motivation. Meh.

Frances - I really like that second Oasis maxi - the ditsy print one. V pretty.

MM, have a great time.

LTEC, hope you are ok.

Frances, I like the Gap bag. When I clicked the link, a message popped up to say they will soon be selling online in the EU.

Like the Boden dress too, Blossoming.

Looking forward to J Crew being available here, I bought a lot from there when we lived in the US.

I use Lancome tanner, the mousse one doesn't streak.

Red, what did you wear out in the end?

I buy a lot of magazines, too many: Vogue, Red, Marie Claire, In Style and Grazia, have just let my subscription to Harpers lapse, and buy the Times most days.

Trilogy and Donna Ida are good jeans stores, haven't been to Start.

I have been doing a good bit of shopping, I bought these grey skinny jeans with the Grazia discount at Donna Ida, these khaki J Brands were fab on but they didn't have my size so have got them sent to my db in the US, black wrap DVF dress and this cardigan to wear with black or dark denim.

Now looking for jersey dresses in the style of this Velvet dress but cheaper if anyone has seen similar?

DD has made me a cup of pretend tea so off to pretend to drink it while it is still hot!

I liked that one best too notyummy but i have a fear of bandeau maxi's as i know i will step on the hem going up stairs and end up flashing my norks to the world

Hi carciofi I wore tan knee boots instead - much more in my comfort zone. I am going to do a wardrobe cull later if i find time and charity bag all the things that i don't wear/don't suit me so i can see what I need to buy have

Tan boots sound nice Red, hope you had a good evening.

We went out for dinner and I had 3 glasses of wine but feel now like I had 3 bottles!

Ollie, glad you had a good time. The Ted Baker dress is lovely.

Does anyone have Madrid Birkenstocks? Thinking of getting them to wear with jeans but are they awful?

Carciofi - love the jeans!

I had some madrids when pregnant but hardly wore them - too flat for me.

But tk maxx normally have them in for about £20.

I wear my Madrids a lot.

Personally, I think they are only awful if the rest of you is of the Karrimor/NorthFace/fleece variety. Which is not the case with you, carciofi.

In fact, I recall Bonsoir Anna saying she wears a silver pair around Paris. So they must be the height of chic, non?

Welcome home ollie, glad you had a great time and great that you liked the dress.

Great shopping carciofi, did you see that I got those jbrands, and they are gorgeous!
I will link you this dress, then run away quickly! It's not much cheaper, but 15% off with LNCD plus free delivery/returns. LK Bennett have some too I think, but they've gone really expensive I think.

Back to magazines. I like Red, but there's not enough clothes in it for me. That's why I like Look, although it's a bit young.

Re fake tan. I'm pale and get on well with Johnsons holiday skin. However, last year I had some success with the Origins one. I love Origins, and use their moisturisers/eye cream. It's darker, and not so gradual, so more care is needed, but quite lovely. I'm using their daily face sunscreen at the moment too. Lovely smell.

Yesterday I did 3 things out of my comfort zone and felt great. First I wore that psychedelic dress with my jeggings. Second I played with dc1 in an indoor games/softplay area (sad but true, normally I sit with the pram), and third I went down a slide. Highly recommended!

I love those birkenstocks. I need a new pair, but figleaves don't have my size. I don't wear them with jeans, just with shorts and denim skirts, but mine are quite worn now. Patent sounds great!

Ollie - sounds like you had a good time and definitely some wise buys.

Blossoming - I love going down slides - just to see DS's faces as they look so shocked!

I think I will get the Madrids. If BonsoirAnna has them, they must be ok and I won't wear them with a fleece! I have memories of my brother's German exchange student wearing Birkenstocks with white socks so that put me off the brand for years.

Thanks Blossoming, looking for a more casual dress. Hopefully Matches will have a sale soon. I saw you got the JBrands, they are lovely.

here's another carciofi.

I'm skiving today. Dh has taken dc1 to Sunday school and I'm 'looking after lunch'. Baby is so tired after yesterday she's just playing quietly. She broke another tooth too - she has 4 now, at 6 months!
Basically conserving my energy for later with ILs.

this dress looks pretty, Carciofi

redshoes - your point about maxis and bandeau top is a good one! 2 years ago DH and I went out on a lovely summers evening and after a few drinks he stood on my dress whilst we were walking down the road. Cue a snapped strap and exposure of my (slightly grubby looking...) strapless bra.

The shame.

Luckily I was slightly sozzled amd there was no one there apart from DH I was ever going to see again..

I?ve never read Red (sorry) but might give it a go now as I?ve seen so many of you mention it. Does anyone think Marie Claire has really declined in quality? I remember a few years ago they were really getting into being eco-friendly and it was ok then but the last time I bought it a few months ago (to get the free tube of hand creme attached), I just found it really dull. I think they need an new ?angle?.

I like those JBrands, carciofi. I think they would be a very useful piece to have in one?s wardrobe. I need skinny jeans/jeggings in a colour other than blue but haven?t seen anything inspiring yet (cannot buy jeans online because too hard for me to get the size right). I toyed with the idea of coral jeans but I would probably be better off with something darker.

The Madrids are very chic imo, if as PlumSykes says, you wear stylish clothes with them.

redshoesnoknickers, that maxi has halter-type strings that should prevent any accidents! I?m holding off on buying any maxis for a while yet because until the days feel more summery, however.

Off to take dcs for a walk now and pick up Sunday Times Style Mag on the way. (Would happily leave the rest of the paper in the shop, to be honest).

I am being more wise than avid this weekend and have cleared out my entire wardrobe, so now have huge pile of things to ebay/charity shop. Have got a few lovely bits that will hopefully be worth selling, like J Brand jeans (too small ) and RL shoes. Then I can use the proceeds to be avid

Tracey Meant to reply to you yesterday and say that if you do get the option of a few sessions of speech therapy for your DS then I would jump at the chance. My DS has been doing his sessions for just over 6 months now and its AMAZING how far he has come on. He has gone from needing me to translate some things he said with pretty much every conversation he had with anyone to being almost completely able to make himself understood all the time now! Still a LOT of work to go, but we are very pleased with his progress.
I have tons of worksheets and helpful games etc that his speech therapist has passed on to me, so once you have the assessment and find out what sounds he is struggling with, let me know and I can scan in the relevant workbooks if you like

Its TIPPING it down with rain here, but we are off to the zoo now
We have a season pass so are going to just do the indoor bits plus play areas while its (hopefully) a bit quiet there.

have a lovely day girls