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.......

Bloss - happy holidays!

Bunny - I too adored her style - that very under-stated luxe look with just a slash or red lipstick.

Agree Libra. The weights in the shred are being used at a fairly high pace/high rep format to get some cardio benefit as well i.e pendulum lunges with bicep curl/squat with shoulder press. I think that is why some people keep the weights down - if they are not used to the cardio aspect then they quickly get so exhausted they can't continue!

Personally I think unless you push yourself with the weights you wont improve at the resistance aspect of the training (mostly push ups) that people find so hard.

bunny I think for me it's not the cream colour but the fact it's cashmere which would make we wary post-baby! Somebody posted a gorgeous cashmere site here about 6 months ago which did a gorgeous cream cashmere (but thick) wrap around cardigan. Will try and remember the name but does that ring a bell for anyone else? Arggh is on the tip of my tongue.

bunny ME&EM is the place!! Just checked and not what you are looking for atm but if you wait for their winter stock they will probably have a cream cardigan.

notyummy / bloss sorry if preaching to the converted it just makes me so when I hear woman whinge (and it is usual that winging tone) that using heavy weights will make them bulk up.

Thanks Libra!! Will have a looksy.

Tracey - oh, her look was dreamy. A modern Grace Kelly (sigh - another style icon for me)

So which weights should I buy next for my return to the shred? Where do you go realistically after 2.5kgs? Bearing in mind that I am only just managing the jumping jacks with weights as it is. (And I haven't returned to the level 2 squats with V raises since I started level 3!!)

Oh, yes, have a fab hol Bloss! You sound v fit and toned...and must look fab!

I too loved Carolyn B Kennedy's style and grace too... beautiful, haughty and understated luxury...a modern Grace Kelly...

Right...am looking for a 'classic girl's bike' (pref not pink, not balance bike, because DS does not have and want them to be equal ifyswim)....any ideas?

Yes, think you are right about house prices T...hopefully may spur some people to get on to market in the event of further decreases down the line? Was the house you viewed today any good?

I am getting a bit desperado about finding something...we keep seeing nice houses but there's always something we won't compromise on....gah, it's soooo annoying!

Bloss - I find if you lay the weights out right to next to you, then there is time to change. Hence I can manage 3kg for most - but only 1.5kg on that killer v raise! Perhaps if you tried that you could challenge yourself on some things without get disheartened when you couldn't use that weight for everything?

I am busy unpacking a clothes delivery. V pleased on thw whole - will link later!

Dolce, Puky bikes are classic and nice, German brand.

Love cream and blonde (especially ££ cream / camel etc)

Bunny congrats on scan, fabulous news.

What is a V raise is it the same as a lateral raise?

Weights??

not me. Too busy admiring my perfectly polished nails.

Isla Bikes are good Dolcee - thats what DS1 has now.

House this morning was nice but possibly too small although could be extended I think.

Am waiting for inspection - house looks lovely but landlords a bit mad so who knows.

Libra - no. Hold weights at waist height with palms facing forawrd (i.e behind the weight.) Then squat and at the same time raise the weights in front of you and bring together at eye level. basically making an upside down V. Works inner arms and is HARD!

See 43 secs in on this selection of clips - also gives you a good idea of the Shred!

selection of clips!!

Libra it is the Boden leather jacket, here

Tracey have you worn the WC popcorn poncho yet? What with?

bloss good hols!

notyummy if your DH is clever, which it sounds like he is, the course will be no problem. Did he go to uni? I taught on the course for a year before moving to a different job, and it is good. Those with degrees tend to find it a bit easier, they are more used to managing reading etc. I went to Washington DC with them all, which was hilarious...

Roary-Yes. Got a double first. Quelle surprise! That was before I met him, but he has done an MSc since and got a distinction. The git.

Wow mryummy, is there no ends to his talents? Lucky you notyummy.

Thanks Marsha and Tracey - will have a proper look at bikes later...

Slightly distracted by my DS and DD who are playing with their 'imaginary' friend...Julian!!! So funny!

Aw Dolcee - thats funny! DD has an imaginary friend called Mela who has been around for 18 months. Lots of things used to be blamed on her, but that has subsided now.

Ok, clothes delivery today. On the whole I am pleased. Just a couple of tops going back:

This black maxi skirt. Hooray - finally I find a plain jersey maxi that suits me! All the dresses I have tried on just accentuated my pear shape, but this skirt drapes and is lovely and long on me. Also, it is plain and not a crinkly/fringed kind of maxi skirt like the ones I wore at Uni TWENTY YEARS AGO. OMG...may need to lie down after contemplating that!

I also got this top in both the stripe and grey. V nice - partic the stripe and the maxi together.

I also got this skirt which is very good quality. Really heavy though - def an autumn/winter one with opaques. Also ordered the shirt shown with it there, but that will be going back.

This trench in black. Very nice. Shoulders balance everything out and give an hourglass shape.

Lastly, these Houli-likes. Particularly happy with these. Very flattering on, although the buttons/zips etc a bit shiny. may have to burnish them with a brillo pad

Overall, most things look great. So chuffed with the maxi and houli-bargains. Spent ages poncing about in the bedroom looking at myself thinking how cool I looked....and realised if I was spending so long imagining I was cool, then I had kind of missed the point and wasn't cool at all!!

Oh, and dd just told me at bedtime that she 'loved me to the shooting stars and back.' How sweet...

Good haul notyummy. I like the cut (and price) of the Houli-likes. I am a pear (although far less toned than you sound) so maybe they might be flattering on me.
What a gorgeous comment from your dd.

Well done on the tonedness Blossoming. you will look great on holiday. Respect for such a minimal holiday wardrobe! I always take way too much.

Ha ha Dolcee on the thinness! I do look thin but really terrible ashen, sunken cheeks, bony chest thin. Not perky derriere thin!

Have just ordered this winter basic as an everyday top which can be spruced up with a good scarf but fear its a bit dull.

Just checking in quickly as I am totally knackered. Working silly hours at the mo on the build up to hols.

LTEC The TB's are going back. I already have pink tods which I've barely worn. The patent on the TBs looks cheap and on my feet I don't love them

In awe of you meal planners - I keep meaning to do this and start with good intentions but working the hours I do I tend to default to wine + something inappropriate (tonight it is crisps).

Cake Do you think the powers that be have heard about your return to Oz? Zara are due to open there in early 2011.

Well done on your little spree NY really like the houli-likes.

Whelk aren't you lucky with a fabby DH too!

Cake I have issues with patent leather too, don't own any cos it always seems to look cheap on me. I know you can make cheap stuff look luxe but I'm afraid the reverse seems to be the case for me (sometimes)

Dolcee my DD has an Isla bike too - really good quality.

I've decided I need to put on a couple of pounds as face looking too skinny - at this stage of life carrying ones weight on ones face (like my children) would be a great asset

Just remembered Rufus you have my sympathies re: kids with pathetic intakes - mine don't like junk food either. Their absolute favourite things are cucumbers and egg WHITES!!! and they tend to favour anything of negligible calories

woo hoo, number 1000.

Marsha thanks for the Issa link, lovely but fear that the waistband would not do me any favours. As for the NaP one, well, gorgeous of course. I don't think I'm quite the Issa lady though. One to admire on other people, I think.

Ordered those 2 dresses from Wallis, as well as stripey bikini bottoms and top and a basic white shirt (one wardrobe 'essential' that I've simply never owned)

can't stop thinking about the Antik Batik dress that bunjies linked to and am in desperate want.

Am also over the whole camel coat/ cape thing already and have decided that I am going jewel-bright coat for winter. That's the prob with all this months-too-early editorial, you're bored with the season before it even starts.

Have just finished tidying up after having friends and their dc over for an early dinner, lots of raucous fun and 3 whacked-out dc fast asleep upstairs. Now must go and do some grooming before meeting tomorrow. Well, legs at least.

Choo am glad we are as one on the shoes.

Zembo I recommend the lamington diet.

whelk very sorry to hear you;ve been poorly, hope you;re fighting fit asap.

phew. Looked at back view of Antik Batik dress. I might want the dress but my bum does not need it. Desire extinguished, problem solved.