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

[OllieWollieWoo]

Credit to Everything for the lovely new title!

omg! £725 for some cut offs.

Bodsmum sorry you are sleep deprived but glad to hear you are rocking a fringe with pride!

Yes, they're not in my basket!

Cavalli is all over-priced rubbish in my humble opinion - VB at the height of her wag-dom.

Quick post, then will read again and post properly. DH doesn't even check our bank balance. Although, if he suggested we spend less on groceries (we pretty much shop just at Waitrose and M&S) I would go to ASDA and buy some cheap steak and serve it up to him. Am sure we would be right back to M&S the next day. He does notice the quality of our food and really enjoys it. LUCKILY! I would dread any budget-related conversations.

Which reminds me of an episode of Will & Grace where Karen's husband puts her on a budget so she goes to an outlet mall and tells him that she is buying a velour leisure suit for a weekend with his business associates. He sends the helicopter to pick her up asap and announces that budget is scrapped.

I remember that episode Bunny

I do asda for nappies etc but do like waitrose too - the staff in our local one know me and dc by name And I have my favourite cashier who I always go to.

Fleecy - I don't like the print trousers, sorry! I saw a pair in Gracia and thought "no, no". Although you are certainly able to pull it off if anyone can!

Tracey - I hear you on needing to be more wise. I have many clothes and actually can't think of any more that I need. Am still thinking about white skinnies, but I get so filthy in the playground that I don't think it would be a good idea. What a fab handbag you linked to!!

Roma - glad your white Baxters are working out. Perhaps I should get a pair when DD is a little older and am not in the playground/ sandpit every day? My DH is a traditional Australian man, so is all about the jeans, T-shirts and sneakers/Havaianas. There will be no leggings!

Bods - ah, a fellow Westfield lover! We spent some of this afternoon at Harrods, and I recommend as a place to entertain the little ones. Many, MANY toys to try!

Cakey - love the trench and bag, v that you found them!!

MM - sounds like you had a fab time in Italy and also of time in the sun!

Blossoming - think that black blazer is a great purchase. Its wool, for starters. My sister bought a beautiful cream tux style blazer at Zara yesterday, but it was £70 and acrylic, if that helps. I have a sweeping fringe - had it for years and can't see me going without - so flattering!

Have to run for groceries - glamorous life!!

Hells Mark Haddon, not Dave Maddon

hmm, ebay search for trench not going brilliantly

I love that bag Tracey

I use Tescos, tried Asda as it is a lot cheaper for nappies etc but their delivery service is terrible.
Love Ocado but I do end up spending a LOT more when I use them

omg at those cut offs blossoming

I went to M&S today. Tried on the sandals I liked and they didnt look that great on me.
Found these in metallic colour and they look lovely on. Turns out they are v popular though and store sold out of my size, none available to order through the store AND the website is out of stock in all but 2 sizes!! Will have to keep looking...
Didnt buy anything for me at all. Bought a few bits for DS1 though, some lovely bright stripe tees and a sweat top.

Where do you all shop for your Dcs??
DS2 still being little wears mostly bright coloured little boy tops and jeans (never tracksuit bottoms, I am a snob ) and DS1 is tall and quite skinny and looks fab in skinny jeans with cool tees and hoodies.
They have both got long shorts for the nicer weather and some preppy checked stuff too.
I am just as fussy about what they wear as I am my own clothes and enjoy shopping for them as much as buying stuff for me too!

Well i'm back from an impromptu night away in London, unfortunately we had the kids with us but still fun - dinner at planet hollywood yesterday, room service breakfast and Science Museum today. Lots of drooling at the lovely shops out of the car window but no chance for actual shopping sadly...am def in need of a day in London alone...just me and my cc... gets a faraway misty look in eyes emoticon also tried to style spot on the streets but it seems London was sartorially challenged by the rain (as was I in stripey maxi and flat NL sandals!)

Got In Style Mag and am exceedingly smug to be wearing something featured in it - not sure I have ever been "in style" before I got the free Nails Inc polish in "beach" so will be having an evening of pedi-egg mani and pedi I think....

I love that NAP look you linked to tracey and there is lots of that rolled up trouser/chino thing in the mag but i just know it won't suit me at all - not flattering on a big bum girl like me!

Prada wedges arrived - are lovely (obv) they are like these but with a raffia wedge instead of the patchwork thing so much nicer

Agree Cavalli is largely chav-dom but some of their dresses are still very sexy on the right person.

I had a blunt fringe winter 2009 but is now grown out into a side fringe which is more versatile for me.

Love the gold bag tracey

OWW i've read most of the fiction you posted - am supposed to be reading THe Time Traveller's Wife atm but can't commit I don't read anything re: parenting...I just muddle along - don't need my failings pointed out!!

On that note must go and read some bedtime stories

Regarding books - I have the following waiting to be read - most recommendations from mn:

One Day - David Nicholls
The Finest Type of English Womanhood - Rachel Heath
The 19th Wife - David Ebershoff
The Help
Brooklyn
The Outlander

Did a big amazon shop so well stocked at the moment.

tracey - I loved the 19th Wife! Found Brroklyn slightly harder work. I have also had The Help recommended to me, so must try and get hold of it. Just finished the 1st of the 'Dragon Tattoo' trilogy and enjoyed it.

Also - anyone who liked The Wire, the books written by the shows writers 'Homicide - A Year on the Killing Streets' and 'The Corner' are v good - if disturbing.

Roma - that trench is vile.

Tracey - also agree that Cavalli is over-priced and while some of it is uber-glamorous, some of it is also really tacky (ie those cut-offs blossoming linked to).

everything - hope your lunch w your in-laws was OK in the end. I am quite understanding re people being late, but to a point and not all the time! And esp not from someone who I think is taking the piss in general.

I have lots of books waiting to be read! Think I better spend less time on MN and more time reading (did I really type that??). I started House of Mirth after seeing the movie (superb, much like Age of Innocence).

Re shopping for DD, she wears Zara, H&M (good only for basic tops IMO) and Gap, mainly, w the odd thing from Next or M&S. I buy her clothes a year in advance, so quite often buy on ebay as well as in the sales.

Oh God, Asda!

Probably will go again, for nappies, wipes etc, but the food! I am no food snob but my children haven't eaten neon bright yoghurts/drinks/cheese yet, and are not about to start now. I did spend a lot less though-I like a mooch and a browse, even in Tesco, but in Asda I was just desperate to leave. I did get some great bright floral party plates etc for DDs birthday on Friday.

Blossoming, Howells sell Carvela, but so does John Lewis, and also the Kurt Geiger shop (which is in a great row with Reiss, All Saints, Links of London, LK Bennett and the Jamie O restaurant) opposite Spiller's record shop.

The Zara here is great, and never very busy. Is on Queen St, just near HMV, and the Topshop flagship is either next door, or next but one to it. That does get busy, and is best avoided at lunchtime, when all the office girls head there!

Will have a think if I have any more great Taffy shopping tips to impart.

Have a fab time-will keep and eye out for you and your fringe on Tues.

bunnymother, thanks. That 'acrylic, £70', was just what I needed to hear.
Will look for the blazer in RL on Tuesday.

My dh is a jeans and t shirt man too. Back in the late 80's it was my battered levis that attracted him, then my 7's when we got reacquainted!
Let's say he gets rather excited by the new skinnies, and loves the jeggings almost as much as I do!

Its funny, I havent read hardly any of the books mentioned here! I have read the Time travellers wife though and I absolutely loved it.
Am just starting the girl with the dragon tattoo (has been lent to me) and also have lined up 'House Rules' to read. Its the newest Jodi Picoult one. I think she's a love her/hate her author. I love her, but I probably have dodgy taste in books considering you are all reading completely different books to me!!

LTEC - what did you wear to your lunch with friends in the end?
I meant to say to you that I love your trench and bag charity shop bargains. I have a very similar bag that was a present from a friend who has fab taste a couple of years ago. Love it

Redshoes - glad you had a good day in London. Sounds great fun. I have the next half term booked to spend in London with a friend and all the DCs. Should be fun - mayhem, but fun

Bodsmum - lovely to see you. Fringe sounds really nice. I cant do fringes as have really curly hair!

Fleecy - I think you could get away with travellers trousers you know. Perhaps we can hunt down a less pricey pair for you and then it wouldnt matter so much if you didnt wear them a great deal?
I didnt realise you were in Norwich - we are not too far away from each other, i am in ipswich! I come shopping in Norwich when I can escape without the DCs!

Everything - how was your day with your sister today? Hope it went well

Have any of you seen any nice metallic glads anywhere? seeing as it looks like i wont be getting the ones I like in M&S, I am trying to find replacements!

Watch out Cardiff!
I know the row of which you speak plum. I think there's also a Crew clothing there which has short denim skirts on their website. Is there a stand alone White Stuff there too, for denim skirts? Fat face (which has cheaper daisy dukes!) is still in the Capitol isn't it?

Hi all
Thanks for all your tips on shoes....in the end I wore the gold ones but with a completely different outfit!
When I tried on the red dress it just seemed too short with bare legs (am not fond of my legs esp knees and above ). When I wore it before it was in winter and I had black opaques and black ankle boots and it was fine but I just looked mutton with bare legs . So I did a very quick change into slim leg black satin trousers (whistles) and the H&M nude cowl necked silk blouse that I think you have too Tracey and that I hadn't yet worn. Chucked new Outnet E&J ruched sleeve black blazer over the top and a touch of leopard with a scarf
As ever, got to friend's house and was totally overdressed as per blardy usual. What is wrong with people that they do not want to dress up? One was in leggings, flats and a cotton tunic, another in a denim button through shirtdress - both nice outfits but for picking the kids up from school in in my book, not going out to dinner.

There were loads of you around last night weren't there? Am sorry I missed all the banter.

Noone has actually said we are cliquey have they?

Tracey - I love that rolled up chinos thing now btw, am def going to try and get some
I like the metallic handbag you linked to - have been using mine for past week and I love it. am quite taken with the one you linked to but in the orange but it wouldn't be particularly wise of me to buy another handbag right now.

I think I am def going to take back the GAP white skinnies. I bookmarked these a while ago and I think Sarah Vine namechecked them yesterday in her piece on white jeans in the ST mag. Did I miss the Donna Ida promotion that was on?

Fleecy - I actually really rather like those whistles trews and from what I know of your style you could really carry it off. I really like the look you describe - high waisted trews with a tucked in tank and high sandals/peep-toe boots. However, having said all that I would probably see if I could find a £30 pair of ASOS ones that I liked rather than spend that much on the whistles ones as like you say you can't really ring the changes with them and they are very memorable/distinctive.

Oh and you are all now making me want a fringe too......

Had hangover from hell this morning after last night and still feeling a bit delicate. Currently eating my way through it.....

MM - welcome back and Carciofi who I hadn't seen for a while

Apologies to everyone else who I've forgotten, will try and recap again and see what I missed that I wanted to comment on.

Oh yes, DH moans a bit about size of bills etc but not really - I mean we always shop at Waitrose/Ocado and tbh I think he would be horrified it that changed!

Another one here who has def been more avid than wise of late - but DH has said he will pay off this month's cc bill too so that I am not stressing about it which is sweet of him.

My new cc arrived yesterday so I am good to go again

Bloody freezing here today (although the hangover didn't help). DH has just lit stove (we already have the central heating on!)

Oooh - you mentioning WS reminds me Blossoming - my lovely sister has brought me this top from White Stuff here. I'm not sure - purely based on pics as not seen her to get it in rl. Got it last year with a green print which I loved but just not sure about the pink! Wear with bf jeans/converse or flipflops. Views please?

Fel1x - Primark had a big selection of glads when I was in London last week???

Re books - have also read Brooklyn which I liked but just didnt like the main character that much which always colours my view of he book! Time Travellers Wife is one of my all time favourites - stick with it! Also try The Memory Keepers Daughter - I didnt want it to end and almost read it in one sitting! Redshoes - I don't normally like parenting books for the same reason but several friends recommended the How to talk one so gave in and got it and glad I did!!!

evening all

esher was in your neck of the woods today, saw an interesting-looking shop on the High St called Bernard - good or no?

Loved A Spot of Bother, genius book,

Currently reading The Room of Lost Things, The Slap and Ghostwritten. Tempted to read Dark is Rising again ... six signs the circle and the grail gone before ...

lunch today lovely, ended up quite low-key in rolled up skinnies, sand linen tee from Zara (it has a very flattering hem, dips down at front and back, higher at sides, good for pears I think) NL suede lace-up heeled boots, navy star print scarf (still bfing!!!) and trench. Glam friend was so peed off with the weather that she totally opted out and did black jeans and baggy black tee. Lovely to have dh back; we met him there, kids were beside themselves. He was giving me odd looks. when questioned he said that he is always vaguely taken aback by how pretty I am when he hasn't seen me for a few days. Not sure what pressies he's bought yet but not too bothered after that comment!

lovely to see MM and bodsmum back.

going to snuggle on the sofa with red wine and 24, will catch up on links tomorrow. Have lovely evenings all, fingers x'd for good weather in the morning

Esher - your DH sounds very lovely.

LTEC - thats very sweet of your DH too and you sound very glam.

OWW - I think that top could look pretty but am not a massive fan of white stuff generally. I'd wear with skinnies though rather than boyfriends.

MM - hello! How are the driving lessons going?

There's another shop that I think you will like, Blossoming. Called Rouge, it's in the Morgan Arcade, next to the 2nd hand and antique bookshop and opp. Neal's Yard remedies. Lovely things, lovely staff.

Fat Face has moved, it's in The Row too. In between Kurt Geiger and Crew, according to the map here!