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

[OllieWollieWoo]

Credit to Everything for the lovely new title!

Plum - DH has been muttering about spending too so I did a big asda shop last week - it is very good for nappies and basics but I can only face it first thing when its quiet.

LTEC - hope you found something to wear. I'm not leaving the house today so in ancient yoga trousers and old boden cardigan and whistles bobbled t-shirt - oh yes, tres chic

Have decided I've been a little too avid lately and need to get a bit wiser - Marsha - you're going to become my inspiration as I suspect you have a wardrobe of beautiful clothes that you wear all the time.

To that end - am going to do a list of what I actually need/really want and try to stick to it. Within reason of course

Tracey - looking forward to that list! you will be proud of me - I forgot to mention I have some white jeans - they are in tribute to you (jbrands of course). I will need your guidance on how to style them though

Everything - I've now put that book in my amazon cart...is it really that good? Desperate for some decent reading.

we are off for a very late lunch later so I'm busy packing a bag of every known distraction for DD who is just at that stage where she doesn't want to sit still for a minute!.

...will this rain ever ever stop

Just back from a rainy day trip to the mueseum (new racing car/speed exhibition so DS1 and DH in their element - I carried the coats etc etc!) and a lovely lunch. In laws are due in an hour - have made scones - mostly to help me get thro their visit!!!! I will try and give up sugar tomorrow - honest!

Helles - do you mean child raising reading or anything? I have just finished Salmon Fishing in the Yemen for our Book Club and loved it - v funny. Also liked The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, One Day and am about to start The Outcast and The American Wife. Also love anything by Alexander McCall Smith esp the 44 Scotland Street series. Have also got the How to Listen etc book and agreed with the others that its v useful! Toddler Taming by Christopher Green also has some useful bits.

Gotta go - DH needs laptop and reading over shoulder which I hate!

Like the carvela wooden heel sandals on page 27 of style.
plum I'm coming to Cardiff for the day on Tuesday. What's Zara like?
Who stocks Carvela? Does House of Fraser still?

OWW- wow - thanks for that! I did mean novels as I've got woefully out of the habit of reading a book every couple of days . I will add some of those to my cart!

I have the childcare ones you mentioned....love the How to Talk one too.

Blossoming here

MM - good to see you back. I did think of you when I posted last night as I suspected you might be my only supporter! Zebra does sound rather fabulous. But I think I might feel silly going out and about in traveller trousers here in suburban Norwich! Like Zembo, DH thought they were a bit pyjama-like and I suspect that would be the majority opinion here.

Romana - I got a lovely trench on eBay. Also worth a look I think.

Am very of those of you with white jeans. I am so clumsy that I would mess them up before the children had a chance to!

everything - for you. How very rude!

hot rod - hope you found something to wear.

Ooh yes blossoming I spotted those shoes as well. V. nice!

Thanks hells for the link. Yes will look at carvela on Tuesday, although not sure how wise that would be.

Anyone seen gunmetal patents to go with my raspberry and silver wrap dress for the christening June 6th?
Also a knee length grey/silver coat to go over?

I've got an exciting week with Cardiff Tuesday, London Saturday.

I'm looking for a black blazer and was recommended by traceyb to try Zara.

I'm also looking ahead to high summer. carciofi, did you get the Madrid birkies? I fancy the white ones.
Also some beach shorts and denim skirt, channelling tracey again. Anyone seen anything? Can't believe I'm going yo real shops with no kids!

Fleecy I wore my white Baxters today as decided they were the answer to the summer but freezing equation. They are filthy now of course, but I do so much washing it doesn't make much difference.

Hells read "A spot of bother" by Dave Maddon. It makes me shriek with laughter - dh thinks I'm mad

I'm starting "Heavenly Creatures" by Tracey Chevalier after that, and I picked up a couple of Nick Hornbys and an Alice Sebold novel for 2 euro each yesterday at the market so have them all ready in a pile.

What do you all wear around the house? I don't want to slob in a tracksuit, so have kept jeans on and put on cashmere jumper as it's cold. Jeans aren't v.comfy though - what's elegant and actually comfy? The kind of thing that would be appropriate for lazing and also for opening the door to my lovely but v.beautiful and S&B next-door neighbour.

Btw welcome back MM - quite of Italy sun.

Hot rod that dress looks horrible in the pic but I can imagine it being nice in rl.

dare you all to get your dh to try out this look

me likey

A metallic handbag is on my list and I rather like the one above.

What do you think?

I can't wait to wear my white jeans but it is grim weather here. Have lit a fire again as sooo cold and just eaten rice pudding.

Forgot to tell you of a funny Primark related story my friend told me! She was watching her local TV news and really liked the blouse the presenter had on (small hearts on it) so emailed the TV channel and then got an email back from the actual presenter saying the blouse was a recent buy from Primark! Thought it was v nice of her to reply!

Just read your blog LTEC - great story of you picked up both items - some things are just meant to be. Especially love the trench. I would love one but have real difficulty buying coats/jackets that suit me - no idea re why but lots just swamp me or just make me look frumpy!
Blossoming - have been trying on maxi dresses for the past 2 years and have yet to buy one - just don't like what I look like in them - YET! Enjoy your 2 days out. I have some Madrids which I used to wear a lot but last summer spent more time in ballerina style pumps.

Really cold and rainy here today - have 2 weeks school holidays stretching ahead of me as well!

Gorgeous bag tracey.

What about this jacket. Seems great price for an expensive jacket. I suppose what I'm asking is, how much am I going to pay for a black jacket over how much wear I'm going to get out of it over will they just be over very soon. How much would I pay in Zara?

ollie, I find my slabs of feet, um, 'perspire' in ballet flats after a few hours in summer.

romanarama, that's what my prof of a dh should wear to work!
At home I wear jeggings with tunics; skinnies with long sleeve t's and boyfriend cardis. With ballet flats.
Much smarter than my former uniform of sweaty betty widelegs and fluffy slippers.

Talking of sweaty betty, there is 20% off and free delivery/returns at the moment.

at thought of DH in that!

Roman - more books! Thank you - I shall be spoilt for choice.

Today I'm wearing the tam tam (sorry for mentioning LTEC)...it's just really easy for being relaxed in at home but fine for if someone pops round. When it's hotter I've been wearing my khaki jbrands a lot with teeshirts.

Tracey - I haven't seen that site before...looks good. Have you ordered from them ?

OWW - I really need to get myself to primark!

I wear the same thing at home as out and about - whatever suits and weather and makes me feel good. But I think it's partly because I work from home so I miss the chance to dress up!

Sometimes go for heels, dresses, jewellery, other times jeans and tees.

I like the bag tracey and the jacket blossoming I think you'd pay a little less in Zara but maybe lower quality.

Blossoming, I got the black patent Madrids and would like them in red now.

Nice jacket. I think they are a classic so worth spending a bit on. I have a great Theory one (from eBay ).

Nice bag, Tracey.

Glad you had a good time, MM

I am supposed to be cleaning the place while DH and DD are out and before our friends arrive so better get a move on.

OK - just a quicky...

I also LOVE The Dark is Rising - as does DH - we both read as children and were transfixed!

Today I am wearing Top Shop Skinny flares, bf cardie, shoe boots and this top which is flattering on.
Managed a fairly long run this morning which is good.

mm - jealous of the Italian break - that will be me in just over a month though.

Ladies - take the plunge and go for a mxi. I think they suit all sorts of shapes and sizes, it's just about finding the right cut.

Am currently reading 'The Running Mate' by Joe Klein (who wrote Primary Colours - a great film if you haven't seen it!)

Love the bag tracey Blossoming - depends if you have a similar jacket really. I think a black jacket is a great staple and worth spending a bit more on if you think you will keep and wear it often.

Hi everyone...i'm still here,enjoying all your posts,clothes and otherwise..boy,you ladies type fast!

I've done a teeny bit of shopping..nothing major..a couple of cute little bits..a silk scarf with peacock feather design from primark(2 pounds!),a bunch of vests for bf modesty from h and m and zara and a cheapie summer stetson type 'straw hat' with charms around it from Peacocks..

my major style news is that..tada..i had a fringe cut(over bfing babe in arms) and dh has raved about it so much that i am a bit worried that i must have looked dreadful before!..i did it to hide furrowed brow that comes with 5wk baby plus attention needing dd1 and everyone seems to approve heartily..even my gruff bro gave me mucho compliments.

fleecey..i always love your outfits and think you would be my style role model if i was ten a couple of years younger..i think those hammer trousers would definitely shake up things in your local supermarket.

roman..how are you such a slinky slip of thing after 3 babies,woman..i bet you looked amazing at your dinners.

i really love that bag tracey. bunny..i am all about those westfield baby feeding rooms..i just love them!

MM.. sorry the trip wasnt quite what you wanted but good that dd got some special one to one with grandad.

ltec..i am imagining you at lunch today with your 'ott is good' fashion friend in a halston jumpsuit and those vertigous choo heels..hope you found something to wear that made you feel fab as i know you've been having a horrid time of it and hope you enjoy having dh back again.

my thoughts are a bit jumbled from sleep dep. at the moment so wont ramble on any more just now but did want to say this thread is just lovely..

Can we do a head count of who has a fringe?!

Bodsmum - fringe sounds good!

Think I may order the bag sometime this week - saw the company profiled in Bath Life.

Another fringe! I really think I have to do it. I too have a furrowed brow - I think from having to leave the house at 6 15am on 4 mornings a week for the commute and then squinting as I drive.

Maybe a long sweepy one is the way to go as a method of dipping my toe in??

I haven't had one since I was 14...(which is a LONNNGGG time ago) so am a bit scared.

Roman I don't have a DH but a man certainly wouldn't impress me if he turned up for a date in that. Its like the lycra running tights my brother wears. Not a pretty sight.

I'm planning a trip to primark tomorrow, there are so many favourable comments on this thread.
I really need to pick up some suits for work, fairly strict dress code and I have only 2 suitable so my look is getting monotonous after just one week! (btw thank you to everyone for the congrats, I'm not sure I have thanked everyone but I think it is really kind of you)
Has anyone seen any nice navy or grey (and cheap) ones? Skirt or Trouser I don't mind.

I don't have a fringe, is jaw length and worn side parted so probably doesn't qualify as a fringe.

denim shorts wtf

£725!!! for a pair of Daisy Dukes...