Would a camel cape be entirely wise? Or a pair of houlihans a bit too avid?? Who cares!

[notyummy]

Please join me ladies. Don't want to be too sad and lonely on a Friday night.......

LTEC big, roomy, leather, must go over shoulder. Oushka Phoenix would be perfect but they are not doing them at the moment, keeping an eye out on ebay for it. If I was being VERY picky I would prefer a bag in grey but that is very much a minor detail. this in aubergine is currently winning but it's not very exciting.

Libra, I didn't take it that way, don't worry. I can't wait to ditch it! Quite a few mothers around here have those pink lining changing bags, with a cupcake and Yummy Mummy emblazoned on them. No way dh would have taken dd out with that slung on the stroller!

Blossoming, great you got the dress.

LTEC, delighted you can go to Italia.

I would also like a pea coat, this is nice but would prefer it in navy. Also black trousers and J Brand skinny jeans.

Bunny, I like the black boots.

I really like that pea coat Carciofi. It's beautiful and so classic. I bought a grey one from Gap last winter. It's nice but not beautiful. I think that one would go with so much.

I need a big parka style coat for forest trips etc. I have a long black "puffa" (spg?) style but it isn't very nice and I need something warm and practical but nice.

I know the bags you mean. I am not a fan.

Yes I agree with you all biker boots should be slouchy and battered. Good one (adds to list).

I did't buy a changing bag, but have taken up the use of a cream canvas and green leather trim Paul Smith largish bag. Works quite well.

The dkny coat is lovely. Wonder what type of colouring would suit it best, hard to know.

Oops, not looking for boots - was hoping to throw more in the mix for others.

TKMaxx bags arrived - yuck. How can they say "genuine leather" when seem to be vinyl. They ate going back. Am not shocked - it was a gamble.

Pink lined nappy bags? No thanks. I just used the Boots Parenting Club bag for the Phil & Teds and a small North Face rucksack for the Maclarens. Not something I want to spend money on as see them as necessary to use but likely to get trashed. No tears from me when DH broke the Boots bag.

Re maternity leggings - I want some too, any recommendations? I have American Apparel ones that can just sit under my (now large - twins have truly popped out!!) bump but they dig in a bit. Shudder to think of the bulge lines from behind.

Hmm, I really want that red Wallis dress. But why if it doesn't fit post DCs? I dont have any Wallis clothes so can't feel sure that when I revert back to regular size it will be ok. Think better resist.

I have an (animal print ) OiOi change bag for dd but tend to use a big slouchy metallic gold one from Benetton in Italy instead. The bag is hyper organised with different coloured (but matching) star wash bags inside with food, nappies etc. I like to keep our things separate so that bag hangs from the pram while I carry something tasteful .

Feeling a bit . I have just realised the date. We are off to pil tomorrow for my birthday lunch, staying tomorrow then going to Colchester animal thing (zoo?) on Saturday and staying that night too. I've been thinking I had another week to prepare for it. Thinking of the positive though, I am a week nearer my birthday and the leather jacket!

What does one wear to the zoo? Is a maxi dress silly?

right, I have just taken good hard look at my diet and realised that I eat way too much fruit (this sounds vaguely ridiculous, even to me). So for the next few weeks I am going to do Cake-style version of Dukan, no attack phase but just veg & protein, with emph on veg as I don't eat meat or chicken.

Just ate half a cucumber and a tin of tuna for brekkie. . Ah well, it's only a few weeks.

MM am reluctant to say anything bc a) I know how annoying it is and b) I am hardly a shining beacon of dietary sense but one meal a day, esp an evening meal, seems a bit extreme to me. Maybe better to restrict carbs after 5 and just have a salad/ fish for dinner but at least get some energy into you earlier in the day? Sorry that you have to spend your day tomorrow like that. Not sure about maxi - it's cold atm!! I am in jeans 2nd say on the trot which I hate

going to Liberty tonight as friend wants to take an £800 coat back which she knew, even as she handed over the card, that she couldn't afford. I am going to hold off on Tibi dress and see if any RL things take my fancy.

also no booze. Except for at my friend's 40th next week.

Drink is my downfall . When I stopped smoking I tried to give up drink too but I started to feel like I was depriving myself of all life's pleasures.

Went swimming last night and really enjoyed it. I think I'll try to go a few times a week. Involves getting a taxi to the gym as it is on an A road. Must restart driving lessons soon.

The reason I've massively cut back for a few days is only to tame my apetite again. Having eaten 3 big meals a day for a few months plus crisps and ice cream nearly every day I feel hungry all the time. Tomorrow normal food consumption will resume. We always eat late but am encouraging dp to have big meal at lunch instead of pasta, meat etc at 9pm.

Make myself laugh a bit - I am usually so casual
about weight. I just have to shift these love handle things then I'll be happy.

I like these and think I might buy them unless one of you stops me

Lovely. Very you.

Notyummy - c'est moi on fb! Sorry, thought I'd sent a cryptic message!

I always hate photos of me...so really only very 'abstract' ones...and mostly of dcs...!

Hello ladies just popping in quickly to say hi. Am on iPhone sono chance of catching up. Hols good although was attacked by some sort of monster mozzie 2 nigts ago and now have 22 bites on one leg plus as am RIDICULOUSLY allergic to bites each is a blister the size of a 5p. Not nice. Currently in deepest darkest Spain (Castllle) so no shops for miles but am secretly rather enjoying the imposed non-spending.
MM chin up on the weiht front - I know I have put on tonnes since coming away and was already a bit heavier than usual so am dreading scales on return. September I will be dieting/exercising like a good 'un so we can do it together. Are you going to Porto Sani in the end?
I see Roma is back - waves

Esher hello! Glad you're having fun but not so good about bites. I react to them too - go to a farmacy if there is one near? I got miracle cream in Italy doing that. Tea tree oil can help too.

Yes going to Sani Beach Club mid September. Can't wait.

They are LOVELY LTEC!

Have just added my two pennies worth to the school run thread, having previously avoided.

Think I could do 9th or 16th October. Will have to be wise with the shopping ! DH may be a bit at me coming back laden with bags as the threat of redundancy hanges over me

Carciofi - That pea coat is beautiful. And actually, not as expensive as I thought a DKNY coat would be. I dont mind spending a bit on coats as realistically they should last for ages. I have 3 winter coats that I have had for a decade!

Had a good time last night - although ate and drink a bit much. New boots were great, although felt quite vertigious after a few glasses of wine!! Agree with booze as a diet nightmare - so many empty calories. Usually I probably only drink once or twice a month, but August/early september is a social whirl, so I think I will be joining the Dukan girls in Mid September.

Next week - MIL and her DH coming over.Plus DBIL. Have to accommodate and feed, plus all going for dinner. Then at the weekend, I am doing dinner for 6 friends. 3 days after that DH, DD and I are going for 2 nights on a canal boat somewhere near Bath. We will be home for 1 night and then Italy for a week. 4 days after Italy I head up to Scotland for the weekend with DD, which will include a BIG night out in Glasgow.

Ladies,I need to start some SERIOUS outfit planning! What does one wear on a canal boat anyway?!

Aha! Thanks Dolcee - mystery solved!

Okay, thanks all. Removed both Tibis from my basket (wise, as realised really too short) and bought the pink Tory flats (also wise, and avid to boot)

hi esher! glad you are having a good time

NY ooh yes, we will have fun planning for that one!!

That's a lovely peacoat carciofi. I've started thinking that peacoats would look great with my current favourite skinny bottoms. That brown colour though? I mean does it suit anyone??
Hola esher, glad you're having a great time.

Hello ESher - echo pharmacy advice! I also have reaction to midge bites and generally need antibiotic cream to stop them becoming the most disgusting ....things. I sympathise!

Hello Esher - I too am a mosquito magnet whilst everyone else is left untouched.

LTEC - love those flats.

Ordered these in my quest for 'going-out' jeans which aren't skinnies and they are really lovely. Really nice dark indigo and a very narrow bootcut so look great with heels - very leg-lengthening indeed. And they do them in a 34" leg for you lovely tall ladies.

NY - liked your post on the s-r thread. Did make me lol that I was a bit shallow/stupid and my dc's obviously went to a 'rough' school where I would never come into contact with women who worked

Right - off to sort out dc's old clothes ready to pass down to nephew.

Florence - meant to say you do not sound at all fat!

However I weighed myself this morning and have put on about 4lbs since my holiday and I want it gone. I always find it quite amazing how such a few pounds makes such a big difference to how I feel.

Whats the difference between a pea coat and a reefer jacket? Are pea coats always double breasted like reefers? Saw this on on La Redoute in navy Carciofi - like the pic with collar up. Think the rounded collar on the DKNY camel one nicer tho.
here

New mattress was delivered this morning - v bouncey!

LTEC - do you really need to do that? You looked super skinny in the birthday photos. Love the sandals

err - I realise the irony of my comment after your point a. But still felt the need to be annoying and say it anyway because it's true. Sorry.