We are avidly wearing our spring/summer buys, whilst wisely wondering when autumn/winter will arrive....

[notyummy]

Use this thread instead! I mucked up the title of the other one

thanks Bloss

yes, great weightloss NY
Can I be a real diet bore please and ask for the exact breakdown of a day's eating on the Dukan pretty please? Am starting to panic that I will not be able to lose this weight and will carry on gaining......food ishoos moi?

ABO - am not wild about the M&S coat either tbh. Like Tracey I find M&S never delivers for me. I think Hobbs might have a few nice camel coats coming in soon.
I would love a camel coat but did a coat tally the other day and I already have at least 5 .

Bunny - that's great about your nanny starting end Sept.
Goodness me, a triple buggy doesn't really bear thinking about does it? I think your idea of a double and sling or double and a single is much better

Esher - I am probably not the best source (think that would be Hells.) Basically I only did the 'Attack' stage of the diet, which is the early, hard core stage - and as I lost all I wanted to lose in 3 1/2 days on that, then I haven't moved on to the next bit, which is where you have a bit more freedom and can do more receipes etc

I ate:

fat free fromage frais (some times with a little sweetner stirred in). You are supposed to have 1 1/2 tablespoons of oat bran a day and I ate it with fromage frais for breakfast.
One activia fat free yoghurt a day.
Prawns
Smoked salmon
Eggs - boiled and in an omelette with smoked salmon
Cooked chicken/beef/ham
Roll mop herring

With the exception of the activia yoghurt, which he advises one or at the most two a day, the rest of the food I was eating are available in unlimited quantities, so I was eating a fair amount of each.

Evening all,
Hi Esher and NY - your holidays sound like great fun.

ABO - how sad for your friend. You sound lik eyou are being a good friend to her though. I am always amazed at the reserves of strength that people manage to have in such awful circumstances

Am getting so excited about A/W buys - I love so much of the stuff around at the moment

Dukan shmuckan. I can't do it - it's far too restrictive. I didn't realise that so few vegetables were allowed even in the 2nd phase. I have decided to do a bit of a prolonged attack and hopefully get about 5-6 pounds off and then do no carbs after lunch time + sensible eating + exercise. WOuld love to be under 9 stone before the meet up (remind me not to sit next to Esher because we are the same height )

Thanks NY - I hadn't realised that the quantities of protein were unlimited on the attack phase.
I have been getting some diet ideas by lurking on the weightloss board and am thinking I am going to try a mix of approaches:

1. no biscuits, cakes, chocs whatsoever as I think this has been my main problem, snacking in the evening
2. no alcohol (don't really drink much anyway but have been having a cocktail a day plus 1 glass of wine on hols)
3. no eating any of dd's leftovers
4. gym at least 3 times a week
5. breakfast of porridge made from oats and skimmed milk sweetened with splenda stuff
6. lunch of protein (ham/tuna/eggs) with fruit afterwards
7. dinner - um, haven't decided yet but sort of just normal but healthy iykwim

Tracey - am v tempted by the special k diet - they used to suggest 2 bowls of spesh K for breakfast and lunch plus a healthy low cal dinner - is that what you do?

It is indeed Esher - its easy and works well for me.

I then tend to have fish and green veg for dinner and strawberries/raspberries for pudding.

Dull but easy.

Its the dc's leftovers that are my downfall.

So was Sani nice? Would you go again?

Tracey - I may join you on the spesh K too . Will have to weigh cereal first though as am sure that my idea of a bowl is more than theirs!

Right, going to shut up about diets now and just get on with it.

Sani was really nice. Yes, I think we would go back.
As I have said before, the food was really good, lots of lovely restaurants in the marina. We had a babysitter most nights but many restaurants totally child friendly.
We didn't use kids club but friends of ours we bumped into there were using and were v happy but must book in advance as was absolutely chocka apparently.
Weather was very hot though (and I like the sun but it was almost too much for me some days) but it was noticeably cooler the second half of 10 days.

Thanks for further comments re M&S coat. I haven't seen anything on Hobbs that fits the bill, but maybe more will come in soon. I was hoing that if the fit was good, since it's a good price I could splash out on some more ££ scarves to cheer it up... I had an M&S deep purple coat last year which was great, but a chunky weave. I fear a flat weave may look cheap. Anyway, will see when it comes in and meanwhile look on.

Thanks also for your kind words about my friend and her loss.

bunny if you and DH need to share the changing-bag aspect of a bag, how about getting a roomy wash-bag for the nappies, wipes etc and just transfer it into whatever bag either of you is using? I've had a simple zip-up cath kidston oilcloth one for years and it's perfect. Goes into whatever rucksack or day bag we're using, or even just under the pram.

tracey are you looking forward to a week without DH?! Mine doesn't go away, but I do relish the occasional evening alone that I get when he goes out

DS2 starts school tomorrow, so now I must go and fill his pe bag and label his book bag. Although he's 5 already so probably the oldest in his year, he still looks so tiny

Esher your diet plans sounds like the Dukan, and you don't realise it! I'm awaiting delivery of mine with bated breath after NY's success.

My Dsis had a triple buggy, as she had twins and a singleton. She used it very little and got rid of it quickly. It was way too awkard. She use double buggy and sling, and a buggy board.

Hmm. To restart pilates this week or not. (strokes chin thoughtfully) I just find it boring though.

I'd prefer to shred, and it's free! There decision made!

Esher am worried - how much cooler was it?! We fly out week today.

Morning ladies, just popping in to say hi. Been away to my mum's this weekend and no time to catch up just now.

Rufus I find pilates boring too, i much prefer cardiovascular exercise. Pilates is just too slow (or perhaps I'm just too impatient).

Hi ladies! Sorry, missed so many posts...we've had a week away at a friends pad in Cornwall. Lovely time. Lovely food (and wine!). Weather great, and so got to remember that it/was summer after all, although decidedly autumnal now!

Little boy starts school today - doing pms this week, so quick trying on sesh of uniform and oh, so cute! He's very matter-of-fact, so hopefully all goes well!

Going to order a few Boden basics today; sorry no time to link but cashmere cardi's and the Tea Dress in charcoal...plus white company bed socks for padding around house....

Off to view some houses hopefully this week and agents assure me that more people are going to be selling up in the small window of opportunity that is Sept/Oct before everyone hibernates for Xmas...fingers crossed...but am amazed at prices....one house has just reduced by 100k, so am hoping for a few of those to come on!!!!

Ooh meant to say wonderful about your ring Tracey! How lovely! Hope you have a good week without DH....

Was very pleased that hadn't put on a pound whilst away, despite drinking every day (something I don't normally do! honest!)...but was because I think, I'd done so much exercise each day...long hikes, swimming etc...so am looking forward to having just baby and me and going off on long walks when DS and DD at school and nursery...

I'd rather do cardio-vascular too Zembo...although the Bikram Yoga looks interesting...sort of high energy stuff but suppose only in London...

Right, have to sort out washing (bugbear of holidays!)....and do other dull chores before lunch then take DS off to school...Have a fun Monday everyone!

Welcome back dolcee, and good luck with first day and house viewings.

Very s&b, I just got chased by a herd of cows!! Well there was a wire fence and barbed wire between us but scarey all the same. May have been scared of the l&l zebra I wore to brighten up a dull Monday morning!

Its lovely that almost everyone is back.

Had a facial this am - not had a proper one for about 3 years! Beautician said there was lots of dead skin on my face and my skin needed re-hydrating asap! 1.5 hrs and lots of peels/lotions etc later and skin now glowing and feels v soft. She used Yonka products (all natural no synthetics) and has given me a big bag of samples so will see how I get on. Money well spent I think!

DS1 went off on a school trip today to a zoo. Looked so little climbing up the steps of the coach! Volunteer parents each have a group of 5 kids to look after - I don't envy them (wrote DS1's helper's number on a wristband as I'm worried about him wandering off!)

Blossoming - being chased by cows is the stuff of nightmares! Cup of tea and a sit down is in order I think!

Blossoming, how would they have reacted to the leopard print?!

OWW, Yonka really reminds me of my mother as she always used it and I was often in trouble for borrowing it. It is a lovely range.

Welcome back Esher and Dolcee.

Dolcee, hope the viewings go well. I am going to see a couple of apartments this afternoon but to rent.

I lost the run of myself this morning and ordered Houlihans but not keeping them unless they really are a good fit.

Oops, just ordered the Barbour Cameron in black.
It's the trauma. (May as well get the benefits of living in the country as well as the pitfalls)

Have spent the morning sorting out the playroom. Filling binbags with broken tat, mostly those horrible things on the front of magazines. Must get rid of the evidence before DC1, and DH - both hoarders, come home!

It is very nice, Blossoming. Let me know how it is as I am tempted.

Afternoon to all,
Just flicked through the new Kew catalogue and have earmarked quite a few things.
They sem better this year,imo.

EIE - OMG those triplet photos are terrifying!!

Welcome back all!

blossoming - I actually like the Barbour Cameron. The belt gives it shape so that should be good. Hope you like it. The cow chasing episode made me smile. I'm wearing leopard print scarf today but no cows here . Getting rid of the evidence after a clear out is crucial. Had DD in tears the other day as she discovered one of her pieces of art in the bin.

Facials are lovely ollie. Enjoy your glowing skin!

Hope you find someplace nice to live dolcee. How was your DS's first day at school?

Two black bin's full, the skip open and both bags already crushed!
Maybe the cows won't chase me in the barbour, they'll think I'm the farmer!

Bloss - I take it you haven't seen toy story 3?

Have cleared utility room, sorted out clothes, bought more uniform from grumpy lady in school shop and school shoes. Trainers ordered and rugby boots to follow.

Dolcee - hope first day went well

Am half contemplating doing dukan from tomorrow - could do an easy 4 days whilst DH away. May nip to m&s food and buy lots of meat/eggs/fish. Can you have any green stuff at all?

No green stuff AT ALL - which is the hardest thing frankly. Oat bran is good - does fill you up I think.

I did not feel great though, it had to be said...but not properly ill. Still managed to function.