Wise ladies....step this way and Avidly share your most fabulous fashion finds .....

[notyummy]

Hello all!

Cake - come back we neeeeeed you to tell us about your holiday....

Sorry not posted much on here - up to my ears in receipts as I prepare my books ready for inspection by the accountant. Not fun with the mega hangover I started the day with.

Been more wise than avid lately - returned the CL boots and Bec dress. Both lovely, especially the dress but couldn't justify atm.Especially as I have just got myself a shiney new ipad.

I have promised myself that once the books are done will start on AW wardrobe.

Will try and catch up on links soon. xx

Forgot to mention went to Selfridges the other night to visit the new Shoe Dept. It was amazing - except they didn't have any of the shoes I liked in my size

Also saw a demo of the foot skin eating fish - looked a bit weird, but the people I saw seemed to be having a good time.

Absolutely amazing lightning here tonight - like nothing I have seen in the UK before! Let DD stay up late and we stood at the front door and watched it. Both gobsmacked - me more than her, I think....I asked her as we were going upstairs 'What did you think of that then?' 'Hmm, pretty impressive Mummy I suppose.' Ahh, the unimpressable 4 year old. Think I will have to find an ENORMOUS conker on my run tomorrow. When I did that last week I got a much more awe struck reaction!

Fe1ix - Sorry to hear about the lack of sensitivity. You would think that if a child had diagnosed special needs then there should be some protocol for sharing that with ALL staff who are likely to come into contact with them, along with a couple of pointers about what kind of behaviour to expect.

Zembo - Since you asked...here is another v easy healthy one!

Pesto and Prawn Pasta - Believe or not this one is a ww receipe and is also low GI:

For 2:

90g wholemeal pasta
150/200g cooked king prawns
table spoon of pesto
sprinkle of toasted pine nuts
1/2 tablespoons of no fat greek yoghurt
some broccilli florets

Cook the pasta until 2/3 mins to go. Put broc in with it. When cooked, stir everything else in over a low heat and finish with toasted pine nuts. Yum!

And only slightly higher calories...and GORGEOUS:

Mushroom Stoganoff:

tsp smoked paprika
250g shitake mushrooms
3 large flat musgrooms
150g chestnut musghrooms
150g roasted red peppers
250g low fat creme fraiche
1 red onion
some garlic
little bit of white wine (not essential for those who avoid alcohol)

Spray oil into large pan and fry onion, add garlic and paprika and cook for 5 mins. Then add all the chopped mushrooms and cook for another 5 mins. Add wine and allow to bubble for 2 mins. Stir in peppers and creme fraiche and season. Can be served with rice, bread, non-wheat alternative (!) and salad. Sounds deceptively easy but has never had anything other than rave reviews. (Unless guests just kind...or drunk )

LTEC - Have signed up to that website. TY!

Have signed up to that site too Cake thanks.
NY Love the sound of those recipes.
I baked this last night and had 2 ginormous slices tonight. Managed 2 and 1/2 days of Dukan! I sinned yesterday and had some rolos and fruit pastilles, and a gin and slimline tonic. (Bold rufus) Don't know if I lost anything, as don't weigh myself.
Recipe for Halloween Barm Brack (Don't know if you have this in UK)
350ml cold water
550g raisins/sultana (mixed fruit)
225g sugar
225g butter
Melt in saucepan, boil for 5 mins and allow to cool.
Sieve 400g self raising flour and 1 tsp mixed spice.
Add cooled mixture.
Beat 3-4 eggs, and add to above and beat well.
Can add glace cherries/nuts etc

Line 22.5cm square tin.
Bake 180 for 30 min and at 160 for 1 hour.

You can wrap little trinkets such as a ring or a coin etc in baking parchment and add to mixture (warn people eating it!)

Ooohh thanks NY will def give the recipes a go.

Rufus haven't come across Barm Brack before so will try that sometime too thanks. Sounds a bit like Bara Birth but richer.

Cake the brownies were lovely thanks . My friend also made some butternut squash muffins with a lemon topping, yummy!I've pretty restrained when it comes to eating goodies and I give most of my baking away. Looking forward to seeing photos of your latest birthday creation on FB

Waiting for my Toast order to arrive today.

Yangymac fab weight loss! There's no way I could do the Dukan. I'm rubbish at cutting out whole food groups. Food and enjoyment of life are too inextricably linked for me. I'm lucky that I'm not generally greedy so can manage to indulge without overindulging

Have a good Friday everyone.

Morning all! Preparing myself for marathon party planning.
Hope you have a better day today felix.

Felix, sorry about the phone call and that it upset you. At least the teacher sounds kind.

Blossoming, I think I need Loopy Lous in my life! I am going to a friend's 40th in Dublin tomorrow. Off to visit a friend this morning who conveniently lives between two Russell & Bromleys. :) I had a little trying on session last night and I am going to wear another brighter DVF wrap dress, I think. Hope your DS has a very happy birthday. Yours is on 6th Oct, yes?

Rufus, thanks for the recipe. DH will be thrilled if I make barm brack.

Dolcee, I do know how you feel. DH is fairly generous and gives me an allowance (for clothes, creche in the gym and entertainment), it is not loads but I don't hang around in cafes or go out for lunch as much as I did when DD was little so I usually put half towards my shopping fund. He pays for my gym membership and hair appts so I can't complain but it is not the same as a salary! We also have a separate kitty for food and DD. He buys me the odd extra if I want it but we have to discuss it first. Fair enough really. He gives me a bonus when he gets his bonus at work so I usually have a bit away for things that I don't want to discuss!

CK leather pencil skirt and Halston leather mini onthe Outnet today! sorry can't do links from iphone.

Hey LTEC!! My feet are still as big as ever but I do believe vanity sizing may be creeping into shoes as I have found recently that I have been buying 7's more than 8's.

Phew. I've made 30 rice krispie cakes, leek and mushroom quiche (for non cake eaters), big slab of chocolate fudge cake for party bags tomorrow. It says cut into 12, but at 600 cals I think I can cut it into 24 which is how many are coming and orange sponge fingers. But I haven't washed up!!
I am such a morning person.
Dc1 loved his gifts: new helmet for his bike, an inflateable globe and the first Nanny McPhee DVD.

So now bracing myself for mil weekend. She's staying over tomorrow when we go to Chester.

Have fun in Dublin carciofi!

Wow - thats a lot of cooking Blossoming - well done!

Have cleaned bathrooms, done a load of washing and tidied. About to tidy some draws and then do a double shred. If I'm not back later it may be because I am unable to get back off the floor

Hello you lovely girls....I'm such a moaning old carp!!! Sorry....!

Just a bit fluey, hormonal and frustrated (!) I think! Actually had a chat with dh last night and bless him, he asked me to work out what I needed, so he'd increase the amount into my bank account! I just so hate justifying things for me....I just stew and feel martyrish! Any ideas where to start....? I am hopeless at evaluating and don't want to sell myself short, but equally don't want him to feel I am being over zealous...There we are! Ideas on what you good ladies think would be useful....

Bloss and notyummy - you domestic goddesses!I wish I was as organised as you ny, and bloss - you are a star!!!

Actually have little friends of ds coming today after school (finishes lunchtime today, then full time next week! Yee-ha!)...have made lunch for them...DS enjoying school and has made a few friends already! Bless, bless, bless....

Cake - have a fab coffee morning, and thanks for your kind words...mwah,mwah...

Pssst...am now just under 8 stone...I think it's the bloody school run of a morning! I do literally run there, yes like Jemima Puddleduck (where's our matey, then...Traceybath....)I think I am going to have to stop just here though as face def looking a bit drawn....and was a bit worried that my thyroid might have kicked off, as weight dropping...oh, god always worrying! Feel fine generally I think.....

Ooh, Cake hope L has a fabulous first birthday! Such a cutie! Have you made cake?

It's P's first birthday week Saturday (2nd)so really excited about that! Bloss, hope DS has wonderful party! Sounds like the food will be yummy!

dolcee, want some of my lbs?! 8st indeed!
Glad you're feeling better. Oh and if you come up with a good strategy to ad. A Nap account to your allowance, let me know!

notyummy, I am envious of your double shred. Will have to wait till much later to do my just one.

Bloss...you are also a slim jim, but fit with it! I need to get fitter... A NAP account would be nice...but not entirely justifiable?...

Must get on, have loads mor to do before troops arrive!!

Just invested in some Clinique Laser Repairwear, that I have heard v good things about.

Also, Neals Yard have a code: MOC2010 that gets you a free shower gel worth £13 plus free delivery if you spend £40. They have some lovely stuff - particularly the gift sets this year. Handy for Christmas.

Ooh, I have one: 20% off at White Company when you go to: thewhitecompany.com/styl2.

L.K Bennett currently offering 15% OFF their current collection when you enter ?Launch? at checkout from 23/09 ? 26/09 (offer not valid on any items from the Signature Collection).

wheat free coconut cake was a big hit (from the harry eastwood book)

my recipe contribution, since we're at it: goats' cheese and lentil salad with roasted beetroot (can use vacuum packed stuff for quickness but nicer if fresh.

roast beetroot in a drizzle of oil, salt & pepper, covered with foil. takes 40ish mins or until tender when pierced. Set aside to cool.

Bring Puy lentils to the boil then simmer until done.

place warm lentils, chopped red onion, chopped tomato, a few slugs of extra v olive oil, a slug of balsamic, salt & pepper in a bowl, stir to combine. Then stir chopped fresh mint and parsley through

Peel beetroot by rubbing gently until skin comes away. Cut into slices about 1/2 inch thick,

place slices of goats cheese on top of the lentils, then top with slices of beetroot, and roasted asparagus plus a few sprigs of mint.

ROMA if you decide to go for the IO stuff then SL15 will get you 10% off order over £85

That sounds heavenly Cake.
it's Dublin culture night tonight. All the galleries
etc stat open free till 9pm. Am bringing my lot to a Viking exhibition! Haven't told them yet! There will be huge excitement.
Bloss you are a domestic goddess. And thanks for the. WC discount tip. Have my eye on a dress.
NY. you are a goddess!(going by your pics of you in the blue dress, and all that shredding) Dont know how you do it. Let me know if that clinique is good.
Carciofi have a great time tomorrow night!
Zembo Bara Birth sound good. Post a recipe? ( cheeky? Me? No!) I love that type of cake, but could do with something less rich.

Oh woooooooooooooow! Just running in to say thank you so much Fritzi for the boots which have just arrived - beautiful & they fit perfectly thank you. Will do donation right away.

LTEC - is it Baby L's birthday today? You do always make me feel terribly lazy when I read your domestic cake baking adventures.

Felix - I felt very cross on your behalf when I read your post. What meddlesome know it alls. It sounds like your chat with the teacher (and who cares about a few tears...it's fine to show how bothered you were)...has it sorted.

Roma - hope DS is feeling better...it does sound like it's dr visit worthy!

Verity was it you that linked to the gorgeous KG boots? I ordered them but unfortunatly I cannot get them on. Very weird - there is no zip so you have to stress and strain to pull them on - and I gave up. I need to be able to do it in a trice as I'm always in and out of the house with DD.

So funny reading you broody lot. I'm definately done as I couldn't face the bedrest again (which I would almost certainly have to do)....but DD is so delicious at the moment I'm not too bothered.

We are tentatively house hunting - but oh my goodness things are so expensive and mortgages are so restrictive (massive deposits needed). One we are viewing t/m actually has a dressing room. A truly massive one (think Roma style!)...I can't wait!

I had lovely evening out last night with a group of friends and got lots of comments on my weight loss (hurrah) though ate enough to put it all back on again.

hola helles

no, Baby L is 1 on Sunday. We have a dreaded day with the in-laws tomorrow and then a little party with friends on Monday, hence the two themed cakes. Plus it was that Macmillan fundraiser this morning so made a cake for that. Trust me, am no domestic goddess and don't often bake, only when called for.

Wore my new £3 caramel colour leather jacket today, very nice indeed!! (with Fritzi's 7s, Carnavale Blochs and red ruffly flamingo top as seen on Pui on Show me show me this morning .. was good actually, pondering what to wear when the cry of "mummy!! Pui's wearing your top! floated up the stairs. 'Ah ha,' thought I, 'decision made.')

happy birthday to everyone Chez bloss!!

well done on your weight loss hells, was just thinking this morning that this time last year I weighed 3 stone more than this!!!! (mostly due to, ahem, baby of course )