We shop therefore we are.. Wise & Avid

[blossoming]

Thanks to ltec for the new title.

Carciofi I think your bag is half price! Maybe do another check by phone 020 7734 1234 before going to the store (or ask if you can buy online even).

You do need a Liberty card but my email does say it is possible to join for the sale. Give them a call!

Hello, it's been ages since I posted on here mainly because I've been too tired to keep up or too sick feeling to look at clothes but am feeling much better and have sworn to myself when you lot start a new thread I am going to keep up (you have only another 200 posts to go so shouldn't be too long!). In the mean time I saw this and fell in love, totally impractical for me as it doesn't go over my shoulder but I know this is the place to share things that you love but aren't necessarily going to buy.

Hope you are all well.

Hi libra, we've missed you. Sorry to hear you've not been feeling well. How many weeks are you now? Love the bag, but wouldn't buy it either!!

About beauty. Isn't everyone's perception of beauty different anyway? For example I really don't get Agyness Dean at all and she's a highly paid model. I admit she looks good in a wig, designer clothes and loads of make up on the catwalk, but the photos of her in Heat/More (can't remember which, they were in a double pack), she looks like a teenage boy, with bad skin.

Talking of which, when I was 16 I was very publicly mistaken for a boy. No boobs, no waist, and short hair. Since then I make such an effort to create a waist with dvf wrap dresses and trench coats. Also skirts that sit on the waist and tight fitting tops. I wanted to look sexy, none of this fashionable androgynous thing. Coming from a country town, all the males go for the boobs and the curves, really womanly look.
The only good thing, jeans have always looked great! And remember, wonderbra didn't exist until the early 90s!

Hi everyone, have just caught up! I am amazed, not too avid this month yet and it's already the 2nd!!! Usually my entire salary would have been Nap-ed away by now! My only purchases have been some JL bits , some dune shoes which have been promptly returned because my feet have shrunk and they were too big and some medela breastmilk containers! Party on!

Libras I like that bag for summer, I would probably look very mad though as I love texured things and would stroke it all day long

MM sorry about the sick incidents but what a funny brill character your DD is!! Excellent and somewhat comedic use of Jesus Christ!

I'm also loving LTEC's poetry!

No idea yet what is happening with my return to work, I put off going back a couple months ago due to lack of childcare and last minute mummy guilt and now I would like to go back but need to give them 2 months notice minimum, also I don't think they'll have me back before Oct/Nov. That's fine I guess, and then I'm kind of wondering if I should bother going back as my training place has now been given to someone else so I would have to work for years to get anywhere at all career-wise there, or if I should focus on something more productive in terms of my own business. DP has definitely lost his job but will remain employed for a few months. Has now applied for a job in Australia which would be fun but as he's quite old he doesn't think he'll be interviewed. All a bit of a strange time in land of vin

Had a babysitter offering to have DS this week-- nearly booked to have my teeth whitened (vain?) but then I have read all the stories about the extreme pain afterwards and I'm not sure it's worth it, they're quite white anyway just not TV white so have decided against it!

As for who I'd like to look like- I'm not too fussed really as long as it's not me!! I think Aishwarya Rai is stunning, also Adriana Lima I really love the combo of dark hair and bright blue/green eyes, eg Courtney Cox.

And formerly I am so sorry to hear about the awful experience you've just been through with your DD. I really hope she's fine now and remember that she's only fine because she has such an on the ball mum who trusted her instincts. What a horrible time for you, sending you lots of strength, it's the kind of thing that never happens to you and then suddenly it is you. Nightmare, but so pleased she's OK

Hi bloss you're right about beauty- Kate Moss, for instance- I really don't get it. Agyness Deyn too.. and Kelly Brook seems, well, average, yet she is lauded as a goddess. Don't get me wrong they're all kind of pretty but try too hard and are nothing that makes me think wow. Maybe I'm severely uncool In an ideal world I would be a Bralizian 5'10 size 8 with forever perky breasts a nice dainty nose and tumbling curly hair. And I'd be a paediatric intensive care doc. And I's speak 10 languages fluently. And just happen to have many homes all around the world. And endless tanned legs. Alas, I don't match any of those....

Ooh meeting a friend this weekend in C London- do I go a bit early and sneak into Banana Republic? Anything worth lusting over there? I used to shop there in the US but have never been to the stores here.

Bralizian?? I mean Brazilian the former sounds like a type of lizard. My inner pedant is horrified by my typographical errors.

Hi Rufus, I'd be happy to send DD to any of those schools but particularly Sutton Park as I loved it. Thanks, I didn't realise that I couldn't apply for her for a while.

Thanks Marsha for checking for me. I signed up online and got a temporary Liberty card but then checked and the bag is still the same price. Did you get an email with a link to the sale?

Libra, glad you are feeling better and nice bag.

Vin, shame about your DP's job, hope he finds something else soon. And you too, of course.

I don't get Agyness Deyn either.

Evening!

Just sold the car! Thanks, hf for the autotrader advice link - I hadn't seen it, so it was useful. I'm so rubbish at haggling - but we got £700 more than we were offered part exchange, so it was worthwhile. I now have to wait a week and a half before picking up our new (to us) car, can't wait!

Libra, glad to see you around, but sorry you've been suffering, you have my sympathies! Are you in maternity wear yet, and if so, how are you finding it?

Libra I feel your pain - I was sick til 25 weeks this prg and 20 weeks in the last one. Saw a friend today with 8 week old ds and 2 yr old dd in tow and she said that I must be exhausted - actually it's MUCH easier looking after DD with a newborn than it was when I was pregnant!

Libra's post has also prompted me to ask whether or not any of the pregnant ladies, lurking or otherwise, might like to buy my Isabella Oliver maternity gear? I have a purple wrap top and the ruched black top and ruched black camisole. The rest are very much winter so I will hold off (I am going to ebay all of it but will wait on the winter stuff and thought I'd check here first).

I am waiting for this White Company maxi here, does anyone have it? Was inspired by LTEC's bf in bandeau tales. And the 7/8 trousers that were no good for Bloss, so I'm not holding my breath about them.

I just realized I have a great excuse to buy a new semi-formal dress, I have two weddings and a work function to go to. Will be bfing at the first 2 and will probably have to leave early from the work one to feed DS. So I will need something BF friendly.

What do you thnk of these numbers from Coast:

this one but might be too formal or Vegas

might be too clavicle exposing

Bloss you are dead right - adding to our ongoing thread chat about body issues, when I was in my 20s I had to have surgery that meant I lost quite a lot of weight. I am 5'9 and weighed 120 pounds afterwards. I was doing my masters at the time and all the guys I lived with in college were horrified and kept telling me how my nice bum was gone etc - and yet I was officially 'model' proportions....and seriously, I had male friends feeding me ice cream to get me back to normal!

Roary, I prefer the second Coast dress. I don't have the White Co dress but admired it in the store recently.

Thanks LTEC and notyummy - It really helps to know someone can relate. I thought as long as I pretend to be ok about going on holiday with DD on my own, I am ok, but if I am honest, I am not. I don't want to nag and make it difficult for him or DD but I am just so disappointed and sad that I couldn't sleep last night. What annoys me most is that DH had to cancel his holiday at such short notice (again). I am determined to have fun with DD on that farm though. The weather forecast doesn't look too bad and I am going to vow the cows with my wellies great outfits .

Libra - Hope you can take it easy until you feel better. Like the bag and think it might fit over shoulder unless you wear a coat.

Apuski - Well done! Getting a new car is always exciting. Especially the first time you go for a drive.

Vin - Sorry to hear about your DH's job. Hope everything will be ok for you. Most glamorous thing I bought today: ant traps. They have invaded our kitchen. Lovely!

roary - I have also ordered the WC dress but haven't got it yet. Like both Coast dresses but prefer the red one. If you suit the colour (I don't...).

Sorry, I just saw that the first Coast dress is pink not red and on closer inspection I am not too keen on the bow at the back. But if I should ever have to writhe on a grand piano I would definitely go for it!

Fritzi, I meant to say, really sorry about your holiday. I have to ask - is your DH complicit in the need to work, or is it the company he works for putting on the pressure, or pressure of a client? I think how I felt about it might depend on which scenario it was... Sorry for being nosy, but I do some work with our senior managers who are struggling with stress and work-life balance, and see a lot of complicity going on..

Fritzi, could your DH even join you for part of the time? That must be very disappointing for you.

MM, welcome back and very funny about your DD shouting JC!

I got a free bag with Elle magazine today, a nice Reiss leopard print one.

I also got these J Brand jeans and intended to return them but they are too good on so I have to keep them. Plus I got them at a discount so wise.

Formerly thanks for the lipgloss recs, will check them out when I get a chance. And, yes as a result of my childhood experiences I do everything I can to make sure my Dd positively glows when I give her praise . Wasn't all bad, my parents did give the impression they thought I was bright

Vin agree, I find the dark hair + blue/green eye combo mesmerizing.

Apuski well done on car sale, I find such things v stressful.

just running in quickly...to say a huge thank you to cake. I got 3 compliments today for my dress (blue one). A couple of people even said 'wow - you look great in blue' or words to the effect.

Interesting that some many of us covert the green/blue eyes-dark hair combo...I always have.My dd has the most beautiful green eyes (from her daddy)...and as we are both dark haired I'm hoping she ends up with very dark hair (at the moment she's light brown). Lucky little lady.

Apuski - I am actually glad you are asking, so I don't feel I am boring everyone. I think it is a bit of both. DH has one meeting he has to attend as his clients expect it. The subsequent work could be done by someone else but he still has to be available for questions and conference calls (and his colleagues don't care that we are on holiday) at really inconvenient times. Needless to mention that he is a slave to his Blackberry. I understand that he loves his job but could never be as dedicated to work myself.

carciofi - DH is going to take us there and stays one night and might pick us up at the end of the week. In the past we have tried to reschedule our activities on holiday around his work but it never ends. Maybe it will be better for us all if he stays behind this time so he doesn't have to worry that things go wrong in the office while pretending to enjoy our holiday. DD notices more and more how pre-occupied he often is and that is just frustrating for all of us. How or when he is ever going to relax, I don't know...
Your J Brands seem to be a really good basic so definitely wise!

Fritzi I always have this problem. One of my friends here told me she always books for herself and the kids, and her dh gets a more expensive flexible ticket. She goes anyway whether he ends up there or not. Obviously a compromise, but she finds it better than nagging or hoping and being disappointed. As often as not he is actually there, but at least they don't end up not having a holiday at all because of his chopping and changing. Not great, but could be worse I suppose.

(PS, have just been out to posh Italian national day prosecco party in Marc Jacobs [grin)

Thanks for the advice, Carciofi and Fritzi.

I think it's interesting that a large proportion of the A&W crowd seem to have hard working/high achieving/workaholic DHs! I wonder why...Fritzi, I sympathize, my DH nearly had to pull out of our holiday last year and I would have gone without him. This year I am taking kids to Canada on my own because i know he'll end up fiendishly busy. He will also complain like crazy in advance and miss us, but them's the breaks.

Now, I just saw the R&B glads as am on lappy instead of iphone and am in love. They are beautiful - do they run narrow?? Or are they adjustable? I have freakishly narrow feet (some may recall my links to alarming specialty shooz). Could I swing it?

Roary, I think Russell and Bromley shoes are are quite narrow so you should be fine.

My DH often works late or while we are on holidays, so you have my sympathies, Fritzi. He is never home before DD goes to bed and she has started asking where he is so we ring him to say goodnight every night.

Romanarama, sounds like a nice day.

I've got the next 5!! days off work so have just been catching up on this thread. MM I loved the story about your DD, it made me laugh out loud. My DD is a little bit older than yours I think (she's 2 and a half). Last week she wouldn't go to bed and was jumping around shouting and I said 'you're so noisy' to which she replied 'no Mummy, I'm perfect'! So I don't think I have to worry about her having low self esteem at the moment

roary can you report back on the WC dress, I'm serioulsy tempted. Oh, and were you looking for a demin skirt recently? I saw this in M&S recently. It's nicer than it looks in the pic and is a good mid thigh length

So what did everyone wear in the sunshine today? I had to go to work and wore a white shirt, a funny texture (the label says 2% metal!?!?) long light brown skirt and metallic glads. Sorry, I'm tired (DD was awake from 2.30 to 4.30 last night and then I worked a 9 hour day so my grammar has gone to pot...

Roma and roary - I has taken me a couple of years to understand that this is a better compromise for all of us. It's just the first time that I am going on my own, so I am bit nervous I think. I'm sure we'll be fine.

Roma, prosecco party sounds great. I think I might just pour myself a glass (my outfit is not exactly Marc Jacobs so will spare you the details).

Roary, I also love the R&B glads. Will have to search for something similar as we don't have them over here.

Same bedtime routine here, carciofi