Wise and Avid Gals this way please. Just don't call us WAGS.

[PlumSykes]

new thread

gorgeous bloss!!

Lovely pics bloss

Can I ask how you found your self-build? It's something DH and I have always fancied but never done. My mum's family are property developers so I grew up with 'projects' and DH's closest friend runs a building company so we're not in a bad position. I love the idea but not sure if I'd dare take the plunge and live with the reality!

Also, did you recently have your fringe added or am I confusing you with someone else? It's just that I'd like a fringe but not a full-on heavy one as my hair is fine so it takes too much hair away. Can you trim it yourself?

ltec sounds complicated. Difficult for everyone it seems. How horrid!

Gorgeous pics Blossoming - isn't DD a cutie? Toy Story CD would be great for (ssshhh xmas) pressie for DSs - which one does your DS have?

yangymac - cute pics too - I think you rock that hat and sunglasses look!

Random DM link but I like the outfit of the golf WAG - stripey woolly dress and brown boots. If I wore that I would look like a mishapen bollard! here

fleecy, it took 4 years. I wanted to be back home by the time dc1 was born but in the end he was 3 and a half. I suppose when we had all our troubles with dc2 we took a step back. The actual build took just over a year, the rest was planning, building regs, building regs.. We're on a steep slope. Absolutely worth it though.
Re my fringe. I got it cut in March and I trim it every 8 weeks. It grows out but I'm not going to spoil an expensive cut by hacking at it myself, or get one of the local hairdressers to do it. That's me though. If I lived anywhere else I would pop in to a salon to keep it looking good.

I like the golf wag outfit OWW

I can't get over the transformation in KK here she is looking the best I've ever seen her

ollie, I got the cd from m&s!! And yes, it was the soundtrack to my summer hols and I know all the words! Pig rap anyone!!

Thanks for positive comments re photos.

I've been watching a pair of used Nudies on ebay with the view to lopping them off to make shorts. I've lost so many inches all of my old jeans are baggy/unsuitable.

They were starting at £10, I missed the auction and it ended with no bids. Contacted the seller but she now says she wants £25. Ebay people make me sometimes. Still a decent price but I'm not paying that to cut them up!

Plum the only child friendly place I know is Moonfleet Manor, it's very shabby chic which some don't like but the food was amazing. They have a spa but no golf.

roman hope your convo with the ap went ok.

notyummy/rufus I am not sure about edgy but saw some Ecco boots at the weekend that looked lovely and would be comfortable (not stuffish or old however)

ABO love the necklace, I have never had the confidence to wear jewellery on top of clothes!

bloss I like IO even tho I have found the pregnancy stuff to be slightly better quality than the non-mat stuff but the ruching is just so flattering (not that you need that I am sure!). The stuff is long however (fab for me at 5'10). I am slightly confused you use free time to iron... Hope your DS is better soon.

LTEC Happy belated b'day to your little one, hope he is all better now.

employment like the gilet fur side out.

tracey bugger was going to tape that and then forgot, will have to look for repeat.

roary what a bummer of a dilemma. Hope it works out for both of you.
happily I love the shorts and tights look in winter.

ollie a yy to the nude fishnets but I actually like black fishnets as well as long as the diamond isn't too big and the skirt is a fairly demure length.

hf our sofas are from Sofa Workshop and material as I don't particularly like the smell of leather! They have lasted 2 years quite well so far and all the covers are removable and washable which is key with young children I think (even tho I tend to worry more about the adults spilling red wine)

Colours was good fun, apparently I am a dark blue autumn which is quite rare. It appears to mean that colours such as rich chocolate brown and royal purple really suit me, of course black and white are no-nos, my words are rich, warm and earthy! I totally agreed with her on the brown but think the others might take a little taking used to, luckily I also suit a wide range of greens which is my fave colour anyway.

I have been trying to track down the KG biker boots with sheepskin lining but can't find them anywhere IRL.

Today was my last day at work and my birthday (35), DH took me out for lovely lunch as DS was at nursery and he is doing late shift. I have been VERY spoilt, Jo Malone Candle and perfume from DH (also going halvsies with me on netbook, he did offer to pay for all but I thought I had been spoilt enough!) and bracelet from Links of London from DS.

I am not uploading any photos of me until I have dropped my pregnancy weight! So sometime around 2012 then.

Sorry for long post!

Thanks guys, I have to think it over - quickly. History is there was another leopard print bag I missed out on seasons ago, and have kicked myself ever since for not buying. This is the only one since that has met the mark. It's on hold, but not forever!

Hi all. Am rivited by your family drama Cake, I don't know whether to pity your SIL or tell her to "cop on" as we say here.
Roman let us know what happened with the ap.
Bunny have been through the gumtree experience recently. I had that amount of replies too, and by God, it was a chore, sifting through them all. I replied to all looking for a CV, that automatically sorted out the serious ones, and then phoned each one, and phoned their referees before I met any of them. I actually interviewed about 10 people. Couldn't believe some of them! Unemployed for about a year, and what they were expecting as a salary. Sound very right wing here, but the social welfare system here in Ireland is very generous. (Is worth a 25000 euro per year salary) So why would you work? And pay tax? Okay rant over.
Libra thanks will see if I can see those Ecco boots somewhere. A dark blue autumn, now that is interesting. And happy birthday, sounds like you had a lovely day.
Bloss, holiday photos look great. You look like you are having a great time.
I totally get the Fly thing, so we have very similar tastes I think! And I agree on the "beloved", I just need other opinions in case I'm having a stylectomy. Last year I am so sorry I didn't get the Bowery Better Fiorentini and Baker boots. I have been mourning their loss ever since. The only reason I didn't get them, was my sister and BF, thought they were too clumpy. But I actually like clumpy! Will have another go at posting the "beloved" Fryes! Think adobe flash or something is required though. beloved Frye boots

Also my DD also is rocking the short, tights/leggings with (fake) Uggs! Not me though!

Phew, been busy on here today!

LTEC - Sorry to hear about the sad and difficult family history. DHs family have a different, but equally traumatic past, but mostly I get on well with them, and overall they get on better now then they have for years. They just have to tread carefully around certain issues. Must be very wearing for you at times.

Lovely photos all - if you haven't added me thus far - please do so I can be nosey.!

Roary - what a dilemma - sounds like a couple of moments DH and I have had. He was offered a job out in Las Vegas for a couple of years when my consultancy career was just taking off. He didn't take it in the end because it wasn't as great as it appeared - in fact he then tried to get one in Washington DC at the same time, but was pipped at the post by someone else - I backed that one though as I reckoned my CV better fitted me to find work in Washington rather than Las Vegas!!

There are some nice dress/tunics/tops (decide for yourself depending on age and how good pins are!) at Warehouse - here - although is this smarter than you want? And here from Zara.

Libra - will have a look at Ecco boots thanks. The ones I ordered are due to arrive tomorrow so will see how they look.

Happy birthday Libra, glad to hear you've been suitably spoilt. I love birthdays esp the type you've just had

Marsha and Yangy please can I see your pics too? I'll upload some onto this mumsnet mates thing when I get a chance. Busy with work at the mo so can't stop just now.

Will do NY.

Ltec no problemo. It is terribly sad and tragic and I really feel for everyone affected. It happened with my friend's friend and even though I hadn't met the person it was sad and had her lean heavily on me afterwards. Reverberations are huge.

And because I feel a bit bad about potentially bringing the mood down, aren't these nice.

Now there was mention I think from ltec and tracey about bottles being taken some time back. Your sleep advice was excellent. What are you putting in the bottles?

Rufus-was Reading articles yesterday in the Observer about how Ireland was 'on the brink if economic abyss'. Surely the welfare package will have to change?

Very sad - my friend's Mum passed away this afternoon 2 days after going into a hospice. It was all very sudden - became ill overnight with pneumonia. Friend is just about ok - think its just a lot to take in esp as she was only diagnosed just 3 weeks ago and only displayed symptons for 2 weeks prior to that. Feel a bit helpless but spoke to her last night and again this morning which I think helped her process what was going on. Her husband is staying here for now with the children as not sure how they will react but hope he can be with her in a few days time to help with everything.

Sorry for the sad post. Any advice re how I can help her would be appreciated tho. There is a book on grieving (the 5 stages one by Elizabeth Kubler Ross) that I have read about. My friend is the sort that likes to equip herself with information so wondering if I should get her it - or is that too morbid for want of a better word? Not really been in this situation before and just want to do the right thing by her.

a very happy birthday libra - glad you enjoyed the colours experience.

am almost reluctant to go further with previous conversation bc, MN being what it is, it's beyond doubt that readers will form/ will have already formed their own opinions regardless of how I try to explain or describe the situation. But just for the record, I don't think there is any jealousy there as such, just a bit of bitterness about how different life might have been. Plus a loss of 'specialness' I guess, bc the things that she was praised for are no longer unique to her. Should have prob mentioned that he other sister is unable to have children, so SiL's early motherhood etc was held in an especially golden light. And now her kids are grown up and troublesome (just in the way young adults are) and mine are young and cute and fussed over.

I'm sure there are some who might think that I am being that woman in Grazia "she hates me cos she is sooo jealous of me" but that's actually not where I am coming from.
Anyway, whatever. I adore my dh and wouldn't make his family life any more difficult than it already is for the world, so smile, be civil and let that be an end to it.

OWW I was very excited to hear about your makeup purchases!! how have you gone with the recreation of your 'look'?

Marsha Baby L has a bottle of Infasoy formula at bedtime, will start weaning him off formula now that he is one, however

oh no x-post. I'm so sorry OWW

LTEC - re make up - lets just say I had trouble removing what the sales assistant put on! I looked like a goth on the school run this morning! The eye pencil she used just wont budge! She used it on my upper lids &in between lashes - she made it look so easy that i got sucked into buying the pencil! Liked the way the effect opened my eyes (have quite small eyes and pale lashes) but can still see the pencil even now despite several attempts to remove it! Am not very confident with make up so will force myself to re-create it again tomorrow (after school run!!!!) Love the Mac lipgloss and eyeshadow I got tho - just a bit scared of the pencil! (Wonder if I can run back to the counter on the morning of the wedding and get her to do it again? It obvously has staying power!)

NY you'd think, wouldn't you? (Shiver) Dreading the next budget. Vicious paycuts for public service people in last budget, and although there's an "agreement" that there will be no more paycuts, I'm sure that in the face of the abyss we face, tax hikes and further pension levies are in the offing.
My sister has just looked at the boots and thinks the Frye ones are nicest. Does anyone know anything about american sizing? According to the chart I should be an American 7 (Eur 37) , but have a vague idea that I'm an American 6.
OWW thought the make up sounded great, and not too complicated. Get a good eye make up remover. The Simple range is good, or if you are feeling flush Bobbi Brown eye make up remover is the business.

Meant to add OWW that sorry to hear about your friend's mum, that was a very quick illness. I think the book is a good idea, but maybe hold off giving it for a few weeks. I always think people need to find their own way in the initial weeks, and guage how they are feeling and managing.

Happy birthday libra! Glad you had a good colours session.

ollie, it is terribly sad. I would imagine your friend would be in shock. Just take your lead from her. She won't be different just because this has happened. If she is normally private she will still be private, if she normally likes to be fussed over she will still like that.
Maybe leave it a few weeks before mentioning that book.
Personally I love a good self help book. Some don't.

Oh OWW that's awful. Your poor friend I'm a research and lists person and I think that would be a lovely gesture.

LTEC SIL and I get on fine on the whole but there has been tension in the past (only very occasionally now). I once took advantage of her drunken state to raise the subject and it turned out she also felt usurped, although for different reasons. It hadn't occured to me before but made sense once she said. So although I don't know all the ins and outs, I can see how that would apply here from what you've said of the background.

My asos order arrived today and this is a winner. Snuggly, warm and looks fab with sludgy brown shorts, grey wool tights and lace up taupe chunky ankle boots. And a top under, obviously. Not so good without! Also keeping the hat much to DH's disgust. He says he never sees people in hats. I argued that someone must be wearing them as it's out of stock

Obviously not everyone agrees about the book! I would say I have been lucky enough not to experience the death of anyone close to me so I couldn't honestly put myself in her shoes. Having said that, everyone is different and you know her best.