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

[notyummy]

This way ladies....

oh bloss! They must have been bonkers surely?

Ny - sorry - I didn't know you'd linked to that...perhaps WIT women is a fan of the avid thread

Yangy - that is lovely. It's very 'rick owen' which is ludicrously expensive.

Gawd...sorry Carciofi. I am sure you will be absolutely fine. Should avoid the topic really as you don't come on this thread for birth nightmares do you?? I was fine 2/3 weeks afterwards - back at the gym and no longterm problems - honest!

Fritzi I like the black dress too - was it the last link?

Carciofi no traumatic birth stories here - I LOVED it both times - yes I'm one of those total freaks who actually enjoyed it in a peverse way - I remember thinking this has got to be what they mean by 'girl power' and truly the mount everest of all emotions. It was obviously painful, but still tolerable. Not surprisingly also like post birth pics and was euphoric for about 6 months after the birth of DD

Will be interested to hear about your coat LTEC -I'm not sure about it actually and I tend to love everything you link to.

Like the boots Tracey , what did you decide about the Belstaffs you linked to earlier?

Glad you like them carciofi!

I'm sure they'll allow a cs without the need to beg?

Yangy just checked out your pics - lovely, thanks for sharing. You look fab - and how thick and gorgeous does your hair look

I'm considering this to replace the GAP merino sweater dress I just shrank to 6yo size in the wash . Whaddya think?

I like it Roma.

Just wrote a really long post and the laptop crashed before I posted it. Grrr. Not had time to catch up with posts yet. The +J range from Uniqlo which went on sale today looks nice - lot sold out online already tho!

I had a Book Club meeting last night - we had read The Long Song by Andrea Levy - I really enjoyed it tho a bit harrowing at times. Divided the rest of the group - some liked others didnt get into it.

One of the Mums from school has a clothes party this evening - a Dutch brand which judging by the website looks mostly like muted grey/blue/white jersey tops and dresses & jeans - v Dutch and v pricey too. Doubt I will get anything - but will pop along for a nose!

Not sure if I every explained why I couldn't make the meet up:- also needed to meet up with sisters and of course they only date they were both free was the first WE in Nov. So, am coming over then, without DC and have a day planned with my Mum (lunch out, potter round posh market town near to where they live etc), then travelling to London with my twin sister the next day, have the morning free to shop to my hearts content and then meeting up with older sister for afternoon tea somewhere. Really looking forward to it - am bringing the car over and hope to fill it! Will need to plan my London shopping carefully tho - last time I tried to cram in too much and ended up with severe migraine on the train home!

Fritzi - will post my scones and shortbread recipes for you - both very easy to make with good results.

Scones

Scones
225g of self raising flour
very small pinch of salt
55g of butter
55g of sugar
150 ml of milk

Mix the flour, sugar and salt together. Rub in the butter into the mix with fingertips until it looks like breadcrumbs.
Mix in the milk to form a soft dough.
Knead lightly on a floured surface and pat or roll into a shape around 2cm think.
Cut into rounds (I use a round or heart shaped cutter)
Put into a greased baking tray and brush the tops with milk.
Bake for 10 minutes at 220c or Gas 7.

You can also add 55 g of dried fruit but reduce the sugar amount of 25g if you do this.

Shortbread

Shortbread

125g of margarine or butter (I use butter - gives shortbread a more crumbly texture))
175g of plain flour, sieved
50g of castor sugar

Rub margarine/butter into flour and sugar until it resembles breadcrumbs. Knead/squeeze together until mix forms a smooth dough, leaving bowl clean.

Turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead again until dough becomes smooth and silky!

Either press into a round tin - or roll out using rolling pin and use a cookie cutter to cut shapes. I usually make mine quite thick.

Prick all over with a fork

Place onto baking Tracy/baking paper

Bake in pre heated oven for 40 to 60 mins - depending on shapes used! It should still be quite pale in colour. I like mine a bit underdone - makes them nice and crumbly!

Sprinkle with castor sugar. Leave on baking sheet for 10 mins and then cool on wire tray.

Eat!

HI all
Still have more catching up to do but must post now or will miss out completely for days!

Vin the paige jeggings are here - just managed to get them from work - they are gorgeous, thatnk yoU!! I will make a donation to the john radcliffe special care baby unit :)

I just ordered the Gap Houlilikes, here which look fab. Will report.

Brogue wearers and brogue wonderers: I am loving mine (as those who remember the stroking may know). Especially with skirts. Yes, they are a masculine shoe but that makes them have the toughening effect of biker boots. I am having some more difficulties with trousers as they do look best with crops. Have rolled my Roxanne 7 skinnies and worn them, they looked good. Fritzi have only done this with nude kneehighs. Not sure how socks would go, but I think Plum has done that look so perhaps she could advise?

Best purchases of A/W 10 so far for everyone?

Mine have been White Company popcorn poncho, this White Company dress (mentioned before, superflattering and lovely; Anthropologie skinny cords, the brogues, and....

Boden leopard belt has got to be the winner!! Gorgeous quality and has really given a lift to my wardrobe. I also have two of these cardigans (silver and blue) which are simple and lovely and very good quality cashmere.

What have your winners been?

Am going to go after that epic post but not before I wave to Reine - I am currently doing baby led weaning with a ratbaggy baby who has decided he likes to party at 3am.

will be back with a query about great coats.

Like that Zara top yangy and great price for silk too!

Thanks for the recipes! Have copied into my recipe folder and added "by OllieWollieWoo"

Just running in to say there is a L&L zebra print scarf on ebay, BIN for 50 pounds

Will catch up later when I've finished my homework!

just read back the thread and realised it's Bloss's scarf!

NY and Yangy, I was only joking about hiding the thread! Talk about whatever you want, it is not your problem I am such a wimp!

How funny verity!!
I sold the boden boots already. Great result.

hells, it was true. I had short hair, a benetton navy crew neck cotton jumper with red accent on the collar. (Can you tell I remember it like yesterday only it was 25 years ago?) Oh how I cried! Well I don't shop in benetton any more.

Thanks for the recipes ollie. I usually give home made mincemeat as gifts, but I might give the shortbread a whirl this year, and maybe gingerbread tree decorations.

Sorry about the typos - I meant baking tray and not baking Tracy - where did that come from????? I swear there is some autospell thingy on my computer that changes what I type!
Bossoming - don't mean to blow my own trumpet but the shortbread hearts I made and put in little kilner jars (from Ikea) with red/white gingham ribbon and a small red felt heart clipped on did look very nice! Would make nice teacher presents etc. I made these with the boys last year too which were a big hit: reindeer cupcakes (See how I am sneaking in Christmas references here and there!)

Love the Zara links Yangy - esp like the silk cowl neck one and the navy blouse. Weird styling with the skirt pulled up high tho!

PS Don't you just love it when DH gets home in time to help with DSs bedtime and then just hands you a glass of chilled cava as you collapse in a heap on the sofa and then says "let me cook dinner"! (My cynical side is thinking that he has been thinking about booking another sailing holiday..... )

Oh I wish ollie. I'm in denial surrounded by the carnage that is a child's birthday. My neat freak side just can't cope with it.

Dh will be home 8.30. Maybe I'll greet him with a glass of wine. Right, off to read bedtime stories.

These look very cosy