Whoever said money can't buy happiness, simply didn't know where to go shopping - or the Wise & Avid lot!

[OllieWollieWoo]

Stamp on the new thread (quote from Bo Derek btw!!!)

Oh yes - agree with Roman and Fritzi re Ikea fabric. Its cheaper over here than in UK too. See here I live 8 mins drive from a huge Ikea - can easily pop in and buy a load for you if you make a list of what you like and send when I am back in the UK in 2 weeks? I like the idea of playing a fabric fairy instead of a fashion one!

That's very kind of you ollie. The problem is that a lot of prints are too big to put on an apron or bag. Samples arrived and the scotty dog one is divine and a perfect size print, but £10 a metre I might as well hand out fivers in the street!! I'll have to see.

Thanks for that hf. I feel a trip to Chester coming up!! I love a good browse in a bookshop!

ollie, I'll check out those fabrics when I'm on the computer, tomorrow probably, and let you know. Thanks!!

I've probably mentioned this before but I discovered mac eyeliner pencil in Blooz this year. A gorgeous inky blue. I'm at the bottom of my second pencil (since April!) Highly recommended fellow 'winters'!

ollie I love that kew cardi, so versatile and a great colour.

bloss I am always at the price of fabric. DD chose some LA fabrics for her wendy house curtains and one was £18/metre which was more than I'd imagined. Would recommend looking at curtains and duvet covers in wilkos etc with view to chopping them up. We got a great pair of gingham curtains 168cm x £140cm each for £9.99, 100% cotton which would be cheaper than buying fabric.

vino your description of you in flat brogues made me giggle!

DT your red dress sounds lovely, do you have a link?

Roma I am at your wardrobe finds, I found shower gel in my the other day and that was exciting as mine gets.

ABO think the Janice would be perfect for a function room party. Where we live nearly all parties are in function rooms or village halls, people still dress up as that is as glam as it gets.

DD party was great success, have put baking and cake photos on profile, so time consuming but she was very pleased with it all so worthwhile.

happilyeverafter

I am unable to link to the Anglomania dress via this BB. It is on the Selfridges website and I purchased in Red! The blurb says daywear but I could not wear it to work!

The dress will have a second outing this week, off to the Ickworth in Suffolk for half term. Leopard print shoes matched well and feet survived the night!

Janice is also coming away with me too. So excited to have a week off work with my DC's and DH.

Have a good week.

Wow happily I'm seriously impressed by your baking efforts! So glad the party was worth all the very hard work you put in.

Fritzi sweet of you to 'miss' me. I've been busy with real life and seems I've missed a lot, too much to catch up on.

I do remember a bit of discussion on makeup for Cakey - if you're not used to wearing it, subtle is probably the way to go and I'd highly recommend Lipstick Queen lip stain from Space NK, feels fab on, really moisturising and light. Someone linked to one of them already. I've also mananged to resist your Janice

So, my news ladies is that I'm pregnant! -only 4 weeks, but not far behind you Carciofi

Feels most odd to write it down as I haven't told anyone yet - not even DH!!!! I'm going to try and wait for the right moment - don't want him putting a downer on it, even though he agreed ttc, I know it's not what he really wants. I hope he doesn't read this thread . Anyway it's early days (esp for an old bird like me)- if all goes well due date will be around my 40th, so there goes my celebration trip to Paris . It hasn't sunk in yet, that I'll be a mummy to three (or possibly more!)

Wow, amazing news Zembo - am so happy for you as know you really wanted DC3! Sure DH will be thrilled too. Lovely that you shared with us all first - I feel quite honoured.

Just running out the door on the school run - will be back later.

Congratulations Zembo! I am delighted for you.

Zembo - yeay!!!! I was thinking about you his weekend and wondering where you were. I am so delighted for you

I tried the janice on in town but the sleeves/shoulders didn't do much for me. Wish they'd had it in a long sleeve version but suspect I was also a bit too short for it.

Fritzi and HF - that place looks lovely. We're considering Germany for our holiday next year and that place has gone on my list.

Its cold here today - day of laundry and chores - what fun

Hello...

Oh, that's wonderful news Zembo! Congratulations....

Dc3 was due a month after my 40th, so can sympathise on the possibility of having a more subdued celebration!

Day of chores here too....will take dcs out for walk later but we are enjoying a more leisurely start to the day as its half term.

Gosh it's getting quite christmassy isn't it? Shops decorated already!...went to Bath yesterday for kiddies clothes haul and felt a festive buzz in the air!

Zembo that's lovely news! Congratulations! I am
really pleased for you.

Fantastic news zembo! I hope everything goes well for you.
I wonder how libra is. Something tells me she was due (cs) today? I may be wrong though. If not, best wishes libra!!
Really cold here today. I'm not sure what we'll be doing yet. Dc1 is better and says he doesn't want to go to the party but he wants to go to the fair. I tell him he can't do that because it will be unkind to the party boy if he sees him in the fair. At the moment I'm not sure how we'll make it through this week.

Congratulations Zembo!

Fabulous news.
( Back to read through later)

Zembo - ooh I got tingles Reading your post - congratulations!!!

Bloss - good luck w fabric hunt. Have also heard v good things about buying fabric from eBay.

Happily - congrats on party success!! V v lucky DD.

Have a cold (thanks DD) so laying low. Ha ha - as low as I can! Will post again later.

What lovely news zembo

I'm still undecided about Janice . Like tracey's idea that they should have done a long-sleeved version! Those of you who do have it, what are you doing on your legs and feet? Am thinking it could work for my do this week with denim jacket and scarf of some description, but unsure what to put it with. I also wonder if it's duplicating the purple Anglomania a bit

Lovely day here, but have to take the boys shoe shopping. Also intending to seek out supplies for a bat halloween costume for DS1. bloss do you have a market nearby where you could look for fabric? Likely to be cheap there.

Happily your baking looks amazing. And what's Italian meringue butercream; sounds lovely!

Congratulations Zembo! Hope you're feeling OK.

Great cake Happily, though I confess to finding barbie cakes a bit spooky! I realise I'm not the target audience!

I think I've missed something. Who's Janice? Do I need her in my wardrobe?

Blossoming your post made me smile. Good luck! We went to the fair yesterday (or "school fete" as dd calls it alla Peppa Pig) It was freezing and waited until we were just in the fair to start hailing . It was lovely squeezing myself into wet tiny fairground rides with dd while being hit by small pieces of ice. The things we do for our children.

Am looking after my little sisters all half term so we are in for a busy one.

Big wave to Libra if she is lurking.

Happily glad the party went well.

Fritzi I have now been through the packages and most things are being returned. I am keeping yet more High Kai Nudies I wear jeans most days and the fact these are high waisted is keeps my big belly in control. I am still undecided on the furry gilets. It is now too cold not to wear a coat so I think I should send them back.

Tracey what coat did you end up getting? I am looking for a long padded coat which is warm, waterproof and stylish. I am keen on the Barbours but none of them are that long so I have been looking at this North Face Caroline but think the Artic Parka might be more sensible. I don't know - I don't like any of them that much. I really want this Barbour but I don't need another short coat and it is pretty similar to dp's new Belstaff. I was already a tad when we arrived at the forest the other day in our matching Hunters. On the subject of warm clothing - what do you wear on your head to keep you warm? I have some earmuffs and a grey wooly hat but I don't like either of them.

Roman - meet Janice

Roma meet Janice.

monkeysmama, I am a convert to hats after purchasing 100% cashmere light grey beret from Autograph. Surprisingly it keeps my hair looking good, keeps my blowdry in place. I'll try and link later but last time I tried I found cashmere berets but not the pale grey. Lots of good colours though if you have time to browse really slow m&s site!!

roman I completely agree with you about strapless dresses - I find them really flattering and wore strapless a lot in summer (inc the fab Arrogant Cat jumpsuit). Haven't yet found a way to do casual winter strapless though

Hi all!

Still at my Mum and dads with verrryyyy sllooowww internet access. Have only skim read the thread and do not have the capacity to take it all in!

However, I did gather that I need to say CONGRATS to Zembo!! Good luck to Libra - and good news (and good luck) to Bunny - who knows when things may happen....but at least you know your girls are all ok when things are ready!

Will post more later; am still in recovery after drinking quite a lot on Saturday night. These days it takes 2 days to get over..... Lovely weather though - cold but sunny.

Hopefully when I get home tomorrow the haeting and hot water will be operational - it's going to be bloody cold if they aren't!

Ooh, Janice is very cute. But she looks cold. I'm in the market for woolly dresses these days.

Roma, did you get the boden chunky dress?

MM - coat-wise I've got the minx barbour and my timberland down coat from last year.