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.......

libra I really like those names. Have you played with Nameberry? I can waste hours looking at it.

cake the US outnet site has a Tibi dress in the same print but on pink ground and it is not a maxi (so the same -- only totally different) here. UK NAP used to ship to US but I don't know if they still do or if it works in the opposite direction. Or email the manufacturer? I tracked down a pair of shoes a couple of months ago by doing so.

fritz strongly second blossoming's recommendation of the j.brand mid-rise skinnies.

tracey brilliant find on the jacket!

Hope you have a better day today cake! Can you have the Lanvin dress altered?

Bought this yesterday. Sorry couldn't find link for international website. Plan to wear it with opaques, boots and chunky knit cardigan in A/W.

Eliza and Anoushka are lovely girls' names too. I also love Ella. Grace is beautiful too but I agree with notyummy that name has to fit the person although that's sometimes difficult to tell when they are little. My DD is Maya.

Just checked DD's name on Nameberry and got the information that the name is "a bourgeois-bohemian favorite...". DH would be horrified .

Morning.

Loving nameberry

DH off doing a race and then he's in charge this pm whilst I slope off to Bristol for eyebrow threading and lots of trying on of clothes. No purchasing though - well unless I see something amazing.

Poor Bea (which means bringer of happiness I just found out) has a nasty cold and is very grisly so DH is going to have fun this pm.

everything I was possibly going to be a xanthe until my dps thought about my likely colouring and realised its meaning rendered it a bit daft. I know one baby xanthe, sister of isla strangely enough!

boots thanks a million, I saw that one but iffy about the in-between length. Am now considering the mega short one again, plus 5xShred per day

tracey that aviator jacket is fabulous, I want!! Have fun this arvo

did you have a good night marsha?

Scrappy morning - dh had to go to Argos to pick up new trampoline surround as cleaner's son broke ours yest (I've said she can bring him during school hols but it's proving tricky... Big 8yo, threw an apple off our tree hard into dd's back yesterday!!). Then he had to drop van off for service. Then dd and I took my car in as back indicators not working- have been getting beeped a lot!!. Was going to take her for mummy time but dh calked to say van ready so to hurry home on bus. As we walked up hill I was greeted to sight of him frantically pushing the boys in the phil and ted with one hand and bike with other. Downhill, looked very awkward anyway at least we won't be sans car this weekend

Just dashed into the city to get a new kettle and took a detour via Zara! Lots of nice new stuff in there - lots camel/olive green. Saw a lovely navy patent bag with brown leather straps, some gorgeous grey suede shoe boots but far too high (I often find that with Zara shoes) & various chiffon type blouses which they teamed with chinos and looked v nice. Can't wait for Zara to be online!

OWW oh a DH that cooks, you lucky thing. Hope you had a nice evening.

tracey unsure about the aviator jacket, I know this is a stupid thing to say about what is a winter jacket but the collar makes it look very heavy, as if it would drown most people.

fritzi can't help on skinnies, I was only converted last winter (I have rugby player thighs and took a lot of convincing) and my fave pair were from Dotty P!

notyummy totally understand about the Grace thing, I like that name too until DH pointed out with 2 rugby players as parents any child of ours was unlikely to be graceful.

reallygrumpy sympathise about the tantrums mid-shop, I find that saying "oh we are having a tantrum are we, can I join in" and making lots of noise and pulling horrible faces works quite well but probably a tactic more suited to a park than a shop.

LTEC bad luck with the lavin dress, as someone else has said if you really love it is it worth getting it altered to fit you? Your cleaners son sounds a handful, I'm sorry but by 8 surely you know that throwing things is bad behaviour (unless SN of course).

Walkingboots arrghh another way to waste away the minutes but I will have a lot of fun!

Thank you for all the nice comments on the names, I have another 3 months so sure the list will change many times! I have one backup boys name which is Atticus but DH hates that, quite like Samuel and Sam. DS was a surprise but we had decided on Alexander from very early on whilst we were still arguing discussing girls names during labour. Am now adding Eliza to my list (like Ellie as nn but not so keen on Liz). I love Florence but not so keen on Flo.

You all much nicer to your husbands re:going away then I am! DH can go for a weeks ski-ing if he wants but only on the condition he takes a week off during June to look after DC whilst I go away with friends!

Not clothing but does anyone know anywhere that does nice funkyish silver frames?

Hope everyone having nice weekends.

Oh yes - jacket not for me - too short for it but remembered LTEC had been looking at them.

Florence is a lovely name and the one I know is always Florence and never Flo.

I love xanthe too and know a couple.

Ltec go for the short one. I have resigned to sometimes forgoing the delivery cost just to try stuff on. It is annoying but then you will know, for £10. And actually it most likely be fabulous.

Last night, low-key thing with a few friends. Was ok, wore acne grey skinny jeans, top with fine white and black stripes from Hoxton Boutique, Theory cardigan and white Bloch pumps. Took ds2 with me so I could r..e...l..a..x rather than feel On Call for the bf'ding text. Makes me so tense and I end up compensating with wine. Not good! So very low key, but it still took an age to write that short post at midnight

Hells, I think Wang gets the green colour spot on so I can understand that the black and white doesn't feel the same. Bummer, will keep a look out for you.

Libra Florence is so lovely (and agree Flo is whole different ball game, eek).

Have started doing the big clean for any crawling that may occur soon. And with a million pieces of the tiniest lego everywhere it is like a sorting station! Am going back in...

oh and short may feel a bit odd in umm the supermarket but really so wonderful in Italia.

Hello, hope you are all having a lovely weekend so far.

I am not so much. Raging headache...no patience with DS's who are being their usual 'lively' selves DH off on jollies this weekend (a friends 40th birthday celebration)

I did cheer myself up briefly this morning with a 15 min mad Primark trolley dash while DH sat in cafe with boys before he left. I got jeans (skinny flares, thought they might suit my shape), a navy peacoat style coat (I have been wanting one and for £17 thought this one worth a try on at home!!), spotty cardigan and some big wooden bead jewellery. Am pleased with my haul.

notyummy I love the skirt and blouse you linked to. If I worked in an office (or anywhere ) then I would def buy too!

Libra love your girl names. Really pretty.
If either DS had been a girl they would have been Isobel Florence

I must go take some headache pills and then take boys out as they are desperate to go scootering!

On a last note though, had Cath Kidston brochure in post and really like a couple of bits. Have never had any of her clothing before - are they hideously twee??

tank

and

skirt

and

blouse

what do you think??

Really sorry but I don't like any of them a little too girly crossed with MIL for me.

Hello everyone, have been out/working all the time but have been lurking to keep up-to-date.

Had fab time on the hen night last weekend, lots of fun but they are all big drinkers so a bit more heavy than i'm used to! Last night rather more civilised - but although I dressed down I got lots of nice looks and lovely comments so feeling good And we went dancing - yay!

Fel1x I'm not keen on the tank and skirt but I think the blouse would work well with skinnies and lace-up boots/flat pumps or with your new skinny flares with some chunky wedges.

cake love the short bright Tibi. I have an orangy red short dress and find it works in winter with wooly tights and a cardi belted over the top. Do you think you could do that?Can't quite remember and can't find it scrolling back!

libra Atticus is a bit of a favourite of mine and on my fantasy wish-list but DH vetoed when we had DS!

hells have you found a faux fur coat yet? I'm still looking for one but hoping to have a bit of time free this week so planning a charity shop trawl to see if I can find one there... Am also going to pick up cheap paperbacks for hols.

OWW I agree about Zara, some gorgeous things there at the moment, but shoes staggeringly high!

Libra how about Florrie as a nn for Florence. I am always thinking of names for possible future dds, love Margot at the moment

Must catch up now....

Fleecy sounds like a great night, what did you wear?

Just a grey/black stripe tube mini with a black tank tucked in and black suede flats. Pleasant enough but I didn't think it was that head-turning! Happy to be proved wrong though

Weather rubbish here When will we get to wear our lovely summer things again?

Can I ask what you lovely ladies think of these

They're out of stock online but still in some of the stores and I'm quite tempted. Have a similar pair in grey with a closed toe but think these would go with all the colours that are in this winter.

Fleecy speaking as a boot aficionada I like those boots and think they hit just the right note of being Chloe-inspired but not Chloe knockoffs.

marsha and hells I am still wishing for that Wang skirt in the green / black as well but don't think it's going to happen. Small confession -- I bought one of his long sleeve T shirts a few months back in the cream / black stripe and I feel very guilty as I still haven't worn it and it was expensive for a T shirt. It is slightly a-line and I put it on, find the volume at the hem overwhelming, and take it off again. So don't really "deserve" the skirt.

verity -- Margot is wonderful.

fel1x I am strangely drawn to the waistcoat . . . but find certain catalogues / fashion lines create their own reality distortion fields wherein I suddenly begin imagining myself as a Land Girl or Nicole Richie . . . was having Betty Draper fantasies over this skirt until I realized DH would be simply overflowing with witty comments involving the words "sock hop."

Evening - Fleecy - I was wondering where you'd got to

Went shopping this pm in Bristol as needed to get eyebrows done - £17 Zembo

But what a load of rubbish in the shops. Went into Zara and all looked lovely from a distance but the quality was shocking.

Topshop - well - I just think I am most definitely not their target market.

Warehouse - well tried on that mongolian gilet - yes I looked like a womble. Not helped by a mum from school who I recognised was in there trying it on as well - she's about 6ft size 6 and stunning - she did not look like a womble.

But in the white company there was a lovely dress - jersey and slate grey (Bloss alert) - very DVF in style but not on website as yet. However didn't have my size and also found I just wasn't really in the mood for shopping.

Oh and in TopShop they wouldn't let me try on a belt in the fitting room - had to be done in front of them . And in House of Fraser I wanted to try on a Karen Millen leather jacket but again they wouldn't let me take it to the fitting room - what is going on?

MM - did go into AllSaints but it scared me. Was so dark and didn't seem to be any leather jackets that I could see in the gloom.

Did a bit of Choo-homage and tried on some lovely Choos and Louboutins though - just for fun

But came to conclusion that I really need new underwear - once upon a time my underwear always matched and I am determined it will do so again.

Sounds like you had a 'useful' day there traceybath. thanks for thinking of me. Do you think my love of slate grey comes from my surroundings? Seems so wrong to wear bright colour right now.
Started packing today. Really hard to envisage hot weather with my feet in my sheepskin slippers.
I think I'm the best I can be for my age and after 3 kids, the third 10 months old. Thanks to Dr Marber and the Shred. I don't think we're ever really satisfied are we?
I'm taking 2 pairs of beach shorts, various tops inc 2 long sleeves in case; the fuchsia dress I made and the splendid dress. 3 bikini tops, 5 bottoms and 2 swimsuits. Jbrands for travel. 2 strapless bras. Have I left something out?

Hellooo..well I have a Florence Emilia Libra and Carciofi !

Love that dress in w co Tracey...I want it too!

Blossoming, when are you off? Have a great time. I am going to Nice in Sept so looking forward to your recs.

Like the sound of the dress, Tracey.

Dolcee, what a lovely name your DD has! :)

Fleecy, great shoes.

I never have much luck in Zara.

Verity, Margot is very pretty. What is the weather like in Dublin? I can't wait to get back and see my dad. He is quite down, many of his clients can't pay him and he has been forced to put staff on a four day week.

Anyway, hope you are all having a good weekend.

That sounds terrible about your dad carciofi. I'm sure it'll cheer him up no end to have you and your dd home.
We're off Tuesday evening for a night at the airport. Our flight leaves really early on Wednesday and we live an hour and a half from the airport. It's been a long time coming. Last year we went end of June because of the pregnancy.
Did you find your cards?

Blossoming - didnt realise you were going to Nice? I love it - have you been before? The train that goes along the coast is great - your DS would love it. Maybe you could take it to Monaco for the day - great for window shopping and people watching - esp for those ladies who have had too much work done iykwim! Sounds like you have the holiday wardrobe packing spot on. Hope you have got a good book or two too!

notyummy thanks for the Gap suede wedges tip, bought Marie Claire and they do look quite nice (not sure if they are grey or olive green however!) think will pop into Gap on Monday and take a look (unfort mags rarely say when things will be out)

marsha you realise that 30 minutes after you have finished the lego will have miraclously re-appeared everywhere. I am tempted to buy a dustbuster just for lego and use that.

felix hope you are feeling better

verity sorry being very dense here, do you pronounce the T on the end of Margot?

Fleecy I don't like those boots, BUT that is because they have a peep hole and I just don't understand peep toes on boots, my brain can't cope. Like the colour.

tracey sorry to hear shopping was a disaster, I have to admit it's years since i stepped into a topshop (unless it was for the pick'n'mix on oxford st) as I don't think I am their target age or shape. I think you have to be either young or very slim - and I am neither (but still gorgeous of course). REcommend Rigby and Pellar for underwear, just make sure you have a credit card and don't look at the final figure.

carciofi sorry to hear your Dads business is suffering at the moment, hope it picks up soon.

blossoming have a fantastic holiday. Are you an overpacker or capsule just right packer?

I saw a pair of plain grey beat up boots in Farnborough yesterday (oh the glamour) in a local shop for £32.99, obv not leather but I was tempted by that price, a brand called cink me (or that's what it said on the boots). Had DS in full on WHIRLWIND mode so couldn't try on.
Had lovely evening with DH last night, sit down at table 3 course meal with nice wine and lots of chatting, we do spend most evenings in the same house but last night it was nice to spend the time together, must do it more often as we quite like each other really. It just seems so much faff at the end of a long day for both to then summon up the energy for "us" which is wrong and we need to change.