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.......

NotYummy you are a human dynamo

LTEC I menu plan too, it saves my sanity and also I find I spend much less money than shopping every few days. I do a big shop once a fortnight and always have chicken, fish amd minced lamb in the freezer, then I top it up with fresh food every 5 days or so. I have a big list on the inside of the cupboard door with dinners/lunches/packed lunches so if my mind goes blank I just look at it. I have a vast library of cookery books, but I find Donna Hay magazines are great for inspiration. I have a subscription which I feel is my last link to Oz! She also does an annual kids magazine with everyday meals, baking and party food. The dc love choosing something to make from it.

Libra It's Margo! You could also spell it Margeaux. My aunt is margaret and my mum always calls her Margot so it has family associations rather than The Good Life for me. I think it's a great name

Carciofi Sorry to hear about your Dad, things are pretty grim here, so many businesses having similar difficulties to your dad and the banks which we now own are doing nothing to help. We were in town today and everytime I go in I see more small, specialist shops have closed down, it's really depressing. On the other hand, go to Dundrum shopping centre and you think "Recession, what recession?" It's always mobbed

On a happier, and rather astonishing note, we had a sunny afternoon today Weather has been dismal since the school hols started, but not as wet as the last few years, more showers than downpours. Bring wellies and raincoats, but go easy on the summer dresses!

Tracey enjoy buying Beas first shoes, I love babies shoes, are you going to get start-rite mary janes? [adorable emoticon]Love the jacket

Zembo I am going to have to look up a Leamington recipe now

I had a shopping success, I hope. After trawling the internet and magazines for a version of <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=3.bp.blogspot.com/_9g1xXeNqBDQ/SNqe2MBmAPI/AAAAAAAAHCY/MkqMZIhjlWQ/s400/HERMES%2BCONSTANCE%2BIN%2BROUGE%2BH%2BM%2BCIRCLE%2BFOR%2B1983.JPG&imgrefurl=decadesinc.blogspot.com/2008/09/get-your-icon-on.html&usg=__OmkMsW9_Uj0VCN5oNEFvi5Kl4AA=&h=300&w=400&sz=19&hl=en&start=0&tbnid=mc2wTT9wj2SYlM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhermes%2Bconstance%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4DAIE_en-GBIE308IE310%26biw%3D1345%26bih%3D505%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C38&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=787&vpy=239&dur=6333&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=195&ty=153&ei=JiBfTJahKo-FOJXh3ZoP&oei=JiBfTJahKo-FOJXh3ZoP&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=27&ved=1t:429,r:23,s:0&biw=1345&bih=505" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this I found this which is not a bad compromise, hope it doesn't disappoint in the flesh.

Only other purchase has been a blast form the past - anyone remember bodies? I felt the need for one the other day when wearing navy skinnes (from Zara, like the RI khakis with distressed bits, got them in navy and khaki) which are pretty low rise. Bent down in the playground to pick up baby, I just KNEW my knickers were on view So got grey marl body in Topshop, and hope my modesty will be preserved now!

Bloss meant to say have a fab holiday, you deserve lots of sun

Boys doing rugby camp this week so got to get up early to make lunches, urgh, feels too much like the school routine. I also worry they'll be injured, rugby is such a brutal physical game. Dh is already picturing them in their Ireland jerseys, so I'm fighting a losing battle. Fingers crossed they come home intact!

Ooh verity I have a grey marl body (so to speak!). I bought it to layer as I thought it would keep my middle warm in winter and it does. Practical, see

Morning all.

Sun is shining here (I can see it out of the office window ) so I am wearing a dress very similar to this. Except in darker colours...with a black belt. So only a little similar really...! With black bf cardie and wedges.

Whilst looking for that link I found this sale link to Dotty Ps where there are LOADS of lovely dresses at rock bottom prices:

here

If it wasn't for the fact that I am awaiting delivery on 2 orders already, then I would be severely tempted.....

Hello ladies!

Lovely day here too!

Agree - looove the name Margot...! Another name I like is Romilly...

Had a busy day yeterday at 4th birthday party (yet another)...so no chance to catch up properly...but we had Chorizo and bean (chickpea, puy lentils, kidney bean)salad with rocket and spinach. Was delicious....although I have to say feeling rather bloated this am!!!

Have also decided to do more proper planning of meals, Cake....! You're not alone...and I think we have enough to think about . I do feel better though when I am being ultra-organised, but illness, tiredness etc inevitably turns everything upside down!

Oh well...off to do some shopping as I have found an M and S which isn't miles away...although did Waitrose shop on Sat and spent £200 for a weeks worth of shopping, so DH slightly ... he was with me, and embarrssingly was checking the bill at the checkout, saying things like...'do you really need this?'
!

Morning all! Just rushing in to find so many lovely recipes to add to my collection. I love the fact that on this thread everything can be discussed and it still belongs to style and beauty

tracey - Love the KM leather jacket. Would be too short for me but you are petite (hope I remembered that correctly), so it will be perfect. So sweet what your DS said! Have fun shoe shopping with DD.

blossoming - Enjoy watching your DS on his bike. I would be so proud! DD is still struggling as we didn't put any stabilizers on her bike because she had a likabike before and knows how to keep her balance. At the moment she is just adoring her bike which is pink and has pictures of fairies and flowers. Maybe that is distracting her from cycling? Have to add that DH bought the pink monstrosity it without consulting me first.

oww - You should write down what your DS said about his present so you all can remember later.

Hope your DSs will be ok verity. Have they done Rugby before? How old are they?

Before I forget: I am so that you can shop and order groceries online. We don't have that here. Is it available in the Netherlands OWW? But I also remember that I used Ocado many years ago when we lived in London and had really strange substitutes for a few things I had on my list. I'm sure that has improved by now.

Morning belle

Interesting weekend with pil. Went to a tiny shack on the beach on Friday where they serve seafood and nothing else. Was very tasty. Colchester Zoo Saturday. I am not a fan of zoos really but dd had fun. I enjoyed watching all the crimes again fashion. Gold chains, masses of tattoos, burberry shorts, accessorised with precariously perched Lambert & Butler and babes in arms with headbands. Lovely. I was pleased to look out of place.

Sent loads of things back on Thursday. Took delivery of some misguided make up purchases though. I ordered some Bare Minerals eye products for almost £50 and the quality is lovely but the colours are so not me. Not sure what I can do with it as they're opened now.

I have a body too - mine is cream lace to wear under some of my racer back nude tops. Makes me feel a bit girl from Fame but is useful.

I meal plan too. It sounds so organised but it usually involves scribbling on a piece of paper and then doing our Ocado order. I spend a lot on food though. I love cooking and tend to cook meals on a 2 weekly rotation unless there is something we really enjoy. We eat lots of salads, risottos, lentils, fish every night nearly and tend to only eat meat when we go out. Dd eats masses - she had porridge with a banana, a boiled egg and a yogurt just for breakfast today.

Did I say the Topshop Apples arrived? I like them and am going to keep them though I am a little unsure of how to wear them. I fear that length of boot cuts my legs off a bit.

Have a weekend of birthday celebrations this week/weekend and am hoping to feel/look good for each one. Might spend some time outfit planning while dd has her nap.

I now need some good jumpers (mainly roll necks) and long black boots for winter. I really like these Pan e Tulipani boots but don't have a spare £500 kicking about. These Lanvin ones are also lovely though I prefer a bit of a tougher boot for everyday.

I am thinking this Anglomania dress might be a good winter investment. I have also seen a few very pretty things I have no intention of purchasing but wanted to share. Isn't this beautiful? Ah, one for us Tracey Lanvin leopard print,Sportmax are having a bit of a moment for me, and oh to have somewhere to wear this - so chic

I sent my dad and sister on a wild goose chase looking for those Gap boots . Need to find something I want from dad for my birthday. Not expensive but beautiful.

Dd has been crying since she woke up. I am looking forward to a good day and should really just get on with it.

A dopo.

MM - I love Roksanda Illisic dresses. Not that I own one - can't quite stretch to those prices; however I think Whistles has her diffusion range....

I am loving the Mad Men influenced dresses that I have seen in the press - Prada etc seem to be doing a nice line in them. Really suits my build; however not sure where I would wear them, and the ones I have seen thus far are £££.

Would love to menu plan. I know it would save me time and money but I can't seem to do it properly. Monday is always bolonaise, Tuesday usually a casserole, Wednesday roast chicken, and then I run out of ideas. My lot are very fussy eaters which drives me mad. Don't understand it, as DH and I are not. They won't even eat "junk", which I've tried in desperation!
Anything remotely spicey is out of the question. All bland, bland bleurgh.
Read The Road, couldn't bear to watch the movie, although they didn't put in the infamous "baby" scene in it. Apparently they filmed it though. I tend to take characters in books very much to heart, and couldn't stop thinking that the mother just "failed" as she just gave up. Am being circumspect in case anyone wants to read it!
Loved first 2 series of Californication, and then found Hank a bit "tired". Felt like shaking him. "grow up"
I hope none of my boys take to rugby Verity, although there's no danger with DS1! He's too careful of himself! Planning on watching that documentary tonight on Stuart Mangan, which will further my resolve to keep them away from the sport.

I loved "The Road" (the book, didn't see movie) and as NotYummy suggested I thought the ending was clearly about love and it's redemptive power. But I am aware that I am a pretty dark person.

notyummy, romanarama, this tweed dress is a bit Carla Bruni non?

My ds will be starting rugby too in September. Tends to be the traditional welsh speakers who partake around here. All the horrible kids from school do football, so even though dh is mad on both sports I feel, because ds has no choice but to be with some of these kids until 16, I can at least have some choice of who he mixes with when it comes to after school.

Nice, Blossoming - although a little bit too similar to the Phase Eight dress that I bought after the recommend from this thread for me to justify the purchase! here

Was it you who linked to that originally? (Could have been fleecy or bunnymother - in which case, apologies!)

Ooh, DH just texted to say that he has fixed the espadrille wedges that feel apart yesterday (leaving me hoping across the car park towards cafe for lunch )

Good news!

Yes that was one of mine notyummy!
I'm not doing much packing...!

monkeysmama re: GAP suede wedges, I phoned GAP customer ordering and they are out in some shops but apparently they are also flying out of the shops. They are going to try and track down and send me a pair, the number if you want to try them is 0800 1111 427 (be sure to emphasise it's the GAP version and not the Pierre Hardy version you are looking for). They are suede and they are grey and apparently they are lovely!

LTEC Oh good grief don't feel like a crap mother! My confession is that DS watches AT LEAST 2 hours TV a day,, that is worse than not meal planning!

Loving all the links, but have no where to wear half of them, have to say I have upped my game re:dressing since coming back on this thread, loads of compliments from DH!

I have just read the synopsis on wikipedia about both book and film The Road and reckon both would leave me a sobbing mess with nightmares for weeks, so think might leave them for a while. I used to love post-apocalyptic novels, Children of the Dust was one of my favourite books as a child.

Thanks for all the new recipes they sound lush. I am too much of a control freak to use online shopping. These are my 2 easy fail safe recipes (good for guests as well)
Fantastically easy (and healthy no white sauce) fish pie
Cheap and quick prawn and tomato curry

oh and both DH and I want DS (or DD) to play rugby for England. Addicts here.

V quick post from phone in park. Have been Reading but DD had tough week - been sick so not sleeping much/properly. Not fun. Had 20 week scan - babies all good - v happy and relieved!

Meal planning - don't do. Just buy dry stores from Ocado & odd bits of meat. Rest from M&S. Only plan 2 days in advance and buy as I go. DH won't touch stews and likes good meat. You can imagine what we spend.

Tibi dress - bummer, it was gorgeous! Hopefully one will surface. Perhaps save eBay search and get alerts emailed w results.

Need opinion on White Company cream wool cardi / wrap so will link when at lap top. IPhone won't load apps.

Sure there was more to respond to!! Happy belated birthday to OWW (am sure it's you? You have little Df called P who is just over a year old - but maybe gy names mixed up?). Sorry, need DD to sleep so I cansleep!!

Brilliant Libra thank you! "Children of the Dust" made me smile. I often think of that book even now as an adult and my sisters always laugh when they see how many tins of food I have in the cupboard just in case it comes true.

I think I read that one too!

I still like a good post-apocolypse yarn now and then, but The Road was closer to the bone (in more ways then one...) than most.

Can I ask you all what you think of this White Company cream cardigan wrap? I am thinking yes (good for winter when pregnant and post baby? Then belted when regain normal shape?), but just not sure.

I'm not sure of your colouring bunny, but cream may be a little unwise with babies? Great news re scan, sorry you had a difficult week.

I'm sitting outside in the drizzle, baby monitor in pocket, in ds's 'bike driving school'. Bec dress arrived. Would that take overdressing a step too far?

Bunny I am not mad keen on cardigans for myself so not the best person to comment but I think it would suit you.

That made me smile Bloss.

Love your new blog Cakey.

I'm feeling as I've set a password on the laptop that I can't remember and so can't link it to the new printer.

LTEC - Where are you flying from?

Have you seen this?

We will be SCREWED as flying in/out of Stansted. Strikes will start as early as 19th, but more than one is planned, and the passenger backlog will be horrendous.

But apparently if it happens then knock-on effects will be beyond just BAA airports.

F**kers.

That's awful notyummy. We're flying back into Liverpool on the 30th.

Can't remember who was looking for a fake fur coat? There is a tan suede and faux fur coat in Sep. Red Magazine p.43. From M&S Limited Collection for £99. Can't find it on their website though...