We are Avidly snapping up Primarni brogues, whilst Wisely swapping (for charidee!) our unwanted clothes...

[notyummy]

This way ladies....

AargHhh ABO..baby brain!..meant to say uniqlo...and sorry about the redundancy..hope it's paving the way to better things.

No worries, thanks! Sadly no cord skirts though. The search continues...

Sorry ABO..good luck on the search.

ltec..what about the zara coat on the W.I.T blog..colour would look divine on you..

Mega quick from phone but re cakes: Australian womens weekly cake books on amazon BUT two of the last ones I've made (dino and castle, pix on profile unless I've removed?) were from scary ladies online, link via my blog [email protected] you will need to find an august post about dd's birthday The Princess and slippers Hth

Back later

Lots of lovely links. I don't feel I can shop at the moment (except for the Clinique serum maybe!) so I shall have to live vicariously. I like the coat, Katy and that dress is gorgeous, LTEC.

We rented a lovely little house today, very happy as there is a great primary school nearby so we will save a fortune in fees (if she gets in, fingers crossed) and I was pleased to see lots of nice shops, including Question Air.

Thanks for checking my link fritzi- I will check out Zara on Friday- have a day off work so child free and can take my time!

notyummy- you sound v stylish today- I love the sound of your outfit. Sorry to hear re your job.

katy- I like your shorts a lot but I'm not sure if I would dare! Would get some very serious stares when doing the school run where I live if you rocked up in those :)

carciofi- that's good news about the house and school. Are you London based?

Looby, yes, from Dublin but in London now. How about you?

Good news carciofi

LTEC would 65% wool, 15% cashmere be any good?

I love ths shorts too katy. I was brave enough in summer to wear shorts for the school run, wonder if I would be now... Don't have any bikers but maybe with lace-up ankle boots?

Hello all, I am in my Max Mara black wool belted skirt, with matching length matching coat, black patterned wolfords, and dark red Tods heeled courts with tassles. It's freezing here, I've just turned on the central heating and cracked open a bottle of Tuscan red to go with my Italian outfit! Weird after a hot weekend like summer.

Boys were sooooo thrilled with the mini-boden haul that arrived this week. It's basically loads of trackpants (I know ) but they went crazy for them. I also got them these lined jeans which are both cozy and cute.

Work was so much better today, I ran a big meeting with about 20 people, and they really liked all my ideas. I enjoyed it a lot and found it very useful. So I've realised that I need to be in charge, then everything will be OK

Reallygrumpy, I don't use a book for cakes. What I do is to make a couple of batches of Nigella's choc brownies (they are very solid so good for construction) and build them in a shape, then cover with sugar paste icing, because it's smooth, so gives a professional finish. Roll it out, plonk on top, tuck the edges in, then decorate. If I need an animal or something then I make it from sugar paste or marzipan. Then I always use lots of sweeties somewhere in the design for them to pick off and scoff. That way you can just make anything the kids want (my most recent was the Star Wars Republic Attack Cruiser. DS2 wants a shark and octopus underwater: I'll do the brownies then sugar paste shark and octopus on top, and a coral reef of sweeties). If I've got some pics I'll put them on my profile.

Good news about the house Carciofi Hope the school works out too.

carciofi- Dublin is v beautiful! We are quite rural at the moment (S coast) but am starting to hanker after city life again! Have been v anti London since having the DC (partly because we could only afford a shoe box) but lots of other reasons too. However, am starting to feel that I am more of a city girl after all and all my sibs are there plus lots of friends whom I never see!

You ladies are doing a great job inspiring me to try some clothes I wouldn't usually- maybe I will try the shorts. My younger sister (29) was wearing them with tights the other day and she looked good.

Katy Glad you got somewhere booked!

Carciofi Good news

Roman Glad you feel happier. Outfit sounds nice too.

katy If you are feeling flush you could always book another break with a spa and go with a girlfriend.

As my dh pointed out that would make it 1/4 price not 1/2 price.

Roman I am liking the sound of that outfit. Am very impressed by your a la carte approach to cake making! I'll be there this week, following instructions very closely!
HF dithered, and the two London hotels are gone. (Boohoo.)
Carciofi when you are back in Howth/Sutton, those school fees will be but a distant memory!

Katie - hello! I like your links, esp. the coat. I haven't attempted shorts yet but they look like a good length.

Carcofi - that's great about the house & school - how long is it until DD goes?

Roma - glad work was better today - you obviously need to swap places with your boss

Who is looking for cord skirts? Dorothy Perkins and Monsoon usually have them - worth a try? I've got an ancient brown denim Falmers (remember them?) mini skirt which still makes an appearance sometimes!

Blossoming - orange cake sounds yummy - save your artistic talents until she can remember (this from someone who was in tears at midnight before DD's 1st birthday over the cake )

tk maxx CK dress is this one Slightly concerned that it is described as 'menswear' on that link. Am I missing something?

I ummed and ahhed for ages as to whether to get it as it seems to be smart work wear and I don't do smart work wear but have a couple of more formal work occasions coming up that could probably warrant it (unless anyone has other ideas?)

Coat says Tara Jarmon on label (never heard of) but can't find it to link. It's grey and a bit military - double breasted at the top and then a bit flarey at the bottom.

Seem to be slipping back into my grey ways - need to get some colours back into wardrobe!

Hello...

Cake, still trying to work out how you add an 'o' to your kiddies names...? Ok, L's name yeah...but...? Well done on your successful writing, you clever old thing you!

Have been to Bath today, trying on blardy biker boots everywhere and still none the wiser...to be honest, I don't actually want to spend lots on them, as I have every style of boot going and feel they are not going to live like, forever, in my wardrobe (not like my Hobbs boots, and Prada shoes sighhhhhhh)...what's a girl to do...? My calves and ankles are slim too, and most short boots look faintly ridiculous...anyway I did buy some super skinny charcoal cords in Maze - can't link sorry... oh and some slipper socks courtesy of M & S...plus some black suede shoe boots with stocky heels that were tres flattering! I love my LK Bennetts but they are a bit try hard for a trip to the pub, well in these here parts anyway....

Anyway, have also invested in some very hopeful 'rejuvenating' face cream from Roc - anyone read about it? ...contains Hydrolauric acid and retinox etc etc etc so better be good...having lost weight and been a sun worshipper in my latent yoof, oh and being mummy to 3 under 4 (I love saying that...), with the latest a mere 12 mths old, I am in dire need...anyway...will let you know how my skin grows goes....

Been on more house viewings Fleecy, none right so far...but I am on the Virgoan cusp, so a picky little thing! Basically I need house prices to slash by 30% and I'll be happy...

Marsha - knew you were Gwynnie-esque...! Beautiful and very graceful then .

hf - where did you book?

Katy - howdy...love the idea of shorts and tights on the school run...

mrsjuan that dress is gorgeous!

Congrats on house carciofi

I love the Zara shorts esp the length but they aren't available now.

Had manic day so off early to bed - night all!

Dolcee Lucknam Park booked!

Oh lovely hf! It's fabulous...

Brr, so cold!! Have debuted my zebra dress down the rugby club! Being so productive this morning I'd put normal outfits in the wash! Wore it with leggings, boots and short Hobbs puffer. Have had my uggs on since I came home 2 hrs ago, and my feet are still cold!

Great news about the house carciofi.

Congrats on your writing ltec.

Re dd's 1st birthday; it's just that I have birthday fatigue! I can see there'll be trouble ahead if I don't sort out that attitude!