We shop therefore we are.. Wise & Avid

[blossoming]

Thanks to ltec for the new title.

Marsha - not really. I never really did any actual modelling as I was too busy revising for my GCSEs, but I used the agency sign-up to get listed at nightclubs and hang out with popstars. It was an open door to free entries, VIP rooms etc - the kind of thing that was important to me at the time . Note to everyone - don't live in London with 15 yr-old daughters, they get up to all sorts of hideous things behind your back. The thing about modelling is that unless you're Kate Moss you spend 90% of the time running around to castings. It's not really compatible with doing anything else.

Where's the empty beach house? Sounds lovely.

Marsha my weight is far less impressive if you know that I'm only 5ft tall!

Roman does that lipgloss have any sparkly bits in it?

Notyummy sounds like our DDs are the same age (July birthday); mine will be starting reception in Sept too, feeling aprehensive about the whole thing and very conscious that our days together are numbered oh and great capsule wardrobe

OWW - Welcome back and hello to all the others! You have all been busy posting but it's a bank holiday in the UK, right? This Thursday we have a public holiday here, which DH apparently "forgot". He only told me yesterday that he will have to go away on a business trip that day. Will have a lovely day with just DD and as we had a babysitter booked, I will go on a "date" with one of my best friends (female). I just have to keep reminding me that it is him that loses out. Sorry, rant over. And breathe...

notyummy - I am impressed by your skincare regime. I love buying cosmetics but after a while I am just too lazy to use it. I bought this by Kiehl's, as a friend recommended it. I have to admit that the bottle is still sitting unopened in bathroom cabinet 7 months later . I love the maxis in your holiday wardrobe and keep my fingers crossed that it will be really warm and sunny.

The weather is miserable again and I have caught a cold. I feel so poorly today that I had to lie down after I picked up DD. She played happily for 1.5 hours just checking from time to time that I was tucked in properly.

Okay, I'm confused. It's been a 'phew, what a scorcher' here today and I was VERY overdressed!

We went to this massive Welsh youth cultural festival about two hours away. Everyone from all over Wales wafting in maxis, cropped trousers, flipflops, (women), shorts and t-shirts (men), and me in jbrands, fly boots etc etc. After we arrived dh said aren't you going to take your coat off, and your cardigan, and your scarf.. Too paranoid of belly to take off scarf though. What a wasted opportunity!
Dh wants feeding, back later!

It's not sparkly. I have a sparkly one and just went to see where from, but the label's rubbed off. I don't remember it being something special though - quite likely Maybelline or Max Factor or some other supermarket range. Sorry, that wasn't very helpful!

No wait, I can think of something useful about it. It's a sheer gold sparkly one, and if you feel like more colour you can put it on top of red lippy and it looks fab.

zembo - I use a Shiseido lipgloss which is lovely because it's not too sticky and doesn't have that fruity/bubbly smell like the Juicy tubes. Don't know if it's sparkly enough for you. here

NY your purple/mandala maxi is lovely, I'm sure you or someone else has linked to it before but would you remind me where it is from please?
Do you think it would suit a shortarse person like me? 5'3", I don't have massive norks but am a size 12?
V impressed by your capsule wardrobe, am taking notes!

Formerly, I am a strong believer in trusting one's instincts. Everytime something has gone badly wrong in my life I can honestly say my instincts told me so, I'm more likely to listen these days.

Right so that is the 3 things: Rufus' fall, Dolce's car accident and Formerly's close call. Except I am forgetting Verity's 2 A&E visits which totally blows my 'bad things happen in threes' theory out of the water. Stay safe!

My very lovely neighbour knocked on the door to find out if I was OK this afternoon, she had noticed that my garden was looking overgrown and untidy which she said was 'not like' me! I have been racing around like a headless chicken trying to keep so many plates spinning and the garden had just dropped off my radar. It actually made me burst into tears as I realised I'm not doing a very good job of being 'superwoman'. Everyone drops a plate occasionally though don't they?
Well, the garden is back in order now and I'm going to pour myself a g&t.

Wellhung - it is from Top Shop. here I would have thought you could carry it off! I am a 12, although tall - but it is not one of these stupidly lengthy maxis. I actually bought a small, because it fit the best. It is worth knowing that it is slightly sheer - best worn over a slip/swimming cossie to avoid a Pricess Di moment....

Poor you with your garden. You are single parent, no? I am not surprised occasionally that things slip off the end of the 'to do' list. DH is away a LOT, but when he is here, he does a lot of things around the house, so I would probably struggle without him. You have my admiration.

Fritz - hope you get better soon.

Oh, and I have added a pair of green shorts and a plain white tee, plus black bf cardigan that will hopefully go with anything if needed to capsule wardrobe...but haven't photographed. And, thanks to LTEC, I will be travelling in my UO combats!

Err, that would be Princess Di...

hi all
Sorry not been around much lately - real life intruded slightly last week and have been away for bank hol w/e sans enfants - fab time even though weather a bit rubbish in Brighton.

Am off to read thread properly and try and catch up with what's been occurring

I am a single parent, yes. I also pride myself on being very capable and sorted so something like that really upsets me. I certainly don't like to be seen not to be coping. Silly really, such high standards I only apply to myself!
I feel a Topshop trying-on session approaching...

Formerlyknownas Poor you, that sounds like a terrible experience. I'm so glad she is OK.

Dolce How are you doing now? It sounds horrible and I'm glad your dh is giving you some TLC now.

Evening all
Firstly I need to come clean - am a shameful lurker on this thread. It's my guilty pleasure when the kids are in bed! You ladies are so stylish, warm and witty and I have learnt so much from you... and spent rather a lot too .
Quick question for you all re glads. What do you all have? I'm after a 'classic' (is this possible?!) pair in either tan or metallic. Happy to spend reasonable £££ if they are good quality, or do you think we will all be wearing something else next summer?
As an idea of the kind of ones I like, I did try the Toast Alexas in gold here which were lovely. Leather incredibly soft but did almost feel too soft and thin, like they would break if I had to break into a run to catch up with DD. I do have a pair of tan studded ones from Primarni (think Plum may have the same pair) which are really good for £12, but after a plain leather pair I think. Anyone got/seen any lovely ones out there to recommend? Thanks all.

Evening all
Firstly I need to come clean - am a shameful lurker on this thread. It's my guilty pleasure when the kids are in bed! You ladies are so stylish, warm and witty and I have learnt so much from you... and spent rather a lot too .
Quick question for you all re glads. What do you all have? I'm after a 'classic' (is this possible?!) pair in either tan or metallic. Happy to spend reasonable £££ if they are good quality, or do you think we will all be wearing something else next summer?
As an idea of the kind of ones I like, I did try the Toast Alexas in gold here which were lovely. Leather incredibly soft but did almost feel too soft and thin, like they would break if I had to break into a run to catch up with DD. I do have a pair of tan studded ones from Primarni (think Plum may have the same pair) which are really good for £12, but after a plain leather pair I think. Anyone got/seen any lovely ones out there to recommend? Thanks all.

Sorry for double post. Must be nerves of finally posting after the months of lurking!

Welcome thirstymerc! I'm afraid I can't offeruch on the glads,but thought I would say hello.My summershoes tend to be of the 'cheap and cheerful' type recently because of the utter lack of sun to. justifymy spend. I would have thought that. NAP should have some gorgeous ones.

Hopefully some of my better shod friends will be along soon!

Hi thirsty! I like the R&B ones, but you can't get them online. scroll through the pics and you'll find them

Apologies for the random full stops.....

I think it's time to agree to stop worrying about grammar and spelling, no?

Hi, welcome thirstymerc. Have you tried Russell & Bromley? Is it esher that has them?

formerly, so sorry to hear about your dc. I knew someone had commented on oasis denim! I've gone off the idea again now!

oww, good to have you back. I have spanx full slip; half slip; cycling shorts and charnos? hourglass big pants. All absolutely essential imo! Love a smooth line!

My back is still bad so no DVDs. Will get back on the treadmill tomorrow, but no running. Am DYING to start the shred.

So I have a red nose, dh is completely sunburnt and the baby is red in the face too. How did that happen??

notyummy, lovely, lovely clothes.

Hi Thirstymerc! I also recommend Russell and Bromley.

Verity, oh no! I thought I would send DD to the local national school (in Sutton/Clontarf/Malahide) and it would be no problem. DH doesn't think that he will get a job there any time soon so registering her for schools here and also going to check out Esher next weekend (hello to Eshermummy )

AWellHungParliament, you are being too hard on yourself.

Fritzi, get well soon.

Formerly, glad your baby is ok, how scary.

P.S. Hells, I love the Philip Lim dress, and NY, great capsule wardrobe. Also, your DD is gorgeous.

Yes, btw wellhung, I think it's really fine to let things slide (a bit!) from time to time rather than keep yourself under too much pressure. There aren't enough prizes for all this superwoman business to be worth it!

I agree Roma- we have so many other things to worry about, punctuation on the Internet probably shouldn't be added to the list!

Hi All

Welcome thirstymerc I have the R&B glads in Pewter. Definitely recommend and only £89.

I went to Hornimans Museum today - was looking to see if I could spot Cake.

Marsha if you are around could you give me some Hermes advice? I was thinking of getting a Twilly as a present for my best friend. Is it OK to put them on non-Hermes bags? She is my best friend desperate for a bit of Hermes but I can't stretch to getting her the Kelly!