The only thing more incredible than the choices here is the kindness and generosity of you girls, taking the time to explain all this to me! I'd be completely at sea without this guidance... Best. Forum. Ever!

Inga: what do you mean you're bad at describing things in English? Your descriptions were fantastic! You and Kristen should open a business explaining things to the blind. :)Thanks to this I should be able to select a couple of the tops (amloving the sound of the sweet pea, the Michael Kors and at least one other one). Of the pants you described, which ones do you think would be more slimming? Or should I hold out for a pair of microchecks?

Angie: you're killing me with this moto jacket, I might have to cave! So you think I should get the brown over the black? What shade of brown is it?
What's your take on the jeans question, jags or David Kahns?
Oh god, that trench! I'm pining for it, and the price is pretty good (observation of the day, plus sizes pay more, but seem to get steeper discounts too. See trench for example, very interesting0).
Which cardy are you referring to, the one you picked or one of Ingas?

I'll probably be making final selections soon! Oh, and btw, I'd absolutely love to fly to Seattle and partake of your services some day...and I'm totally serious.

I agree. Inge's English is mind blowing and the descriptions going down on this forum are stellar. Thanks for helping out, ladies.

(Michelle, the lasses on this forum rock because YOU rock. Love and kindness is like a boomerang - what you dish out, you get right back).

The brown of the moto jacket is a perfect warm brown. Not too light and not too dark – but more dark than light. It’s richer and softer than the black. Less flat imo. Will look heavenly on you, I think. Go for the brown and not the black. That way it will also look fab with black and burgundy.

The purple trench coat is impeccable quality at a brilliant price. It’s also weatherproof I might add. I very good buy.

Hmmm. DK’s are excellent jeans, but the Jags are on sale. Go for the Jags. If they don’t work, you can return them.

I’m referring to the NAS cardis that I picked out for you.

My suggestion is to go for a few GREAT statement pieces at the NAS. If you come home with on or two treasures, you’ve done well. No need to purchase it all. Inge has made brilliant suggestions for less expensive items. Hope this info helps.

Ok, here's what I'm starting to think:
I'm probably going to have to get that leather moto jacket, in brown as Angie suggested.
I'm also slowly pining for that blackberry trench, but I want to verify something before I commit. How versatile is it colour-wise? I mean, are there any colours it would clash dreadfully with in tterms of my outfits? What's the styling of the coat? Does it reveal a lot of your shirt? I just want to know so I never wear it with a top or pants of the wrong colour. I'm also wondering how poorly it would go with burgundy if I get these boots I want. Not too fussed if it doesn't work, as the burgundy boots are more for winter, but wanted to check.
I may pass on jeans altogether, as returning things from Canada is expensive and a hassle. I may as well focus on finding something here, or shop Jags/DK's when I'm in New Jersey for guide dog training in September. As we all know, jean fitting is rarely accomplished overnight.
Cardigan: Thinking about the purple one that Angie posted, still deciding
Tops: The sweet pea pink multi is a go, and I'm thinking about the faux-wrap one that Inga posted too. Also eyeing the Michael Kors. If I had to get just one, which would you pick?
Scarf: There's a consensus developing that I should get the plaid one. It's a winter fabric... Would it look good with the grey coat O foresee myself getting, and if so which colour should I get (store colour names like "almond butter" are less than helpful).
In the interest of my budget, I'll probably shop consignment for handbags here in Toronto. May have to do the same for pants (I want something like microchecks and none of these seem *exactly* like what I'm after).

psst. Michelle, may we start a new thread on your final selections?