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!!!)

ABO - I tried it on with opaque tights and shoe boots to sort of winter it up a bit and also make it less dressy - and it looked good that way (surprisingly)

oh zembo - a tip for a 7 year old boy's present! Perfect. That is going on the shopping list.

Thanks hells - what colour tights and boots?

Thanks for all the nice messages. I didn't want to make everyone sad.

Roma your post made smile. Last night we had a small outburst because one of the Barcelona chairs was askew and not against the wall (WTF?!). Apparently I always leave them sticking out. Well, you can bet I will now. Anyway, it's more the lack of any affection driving me mad. I've given up expecting romance and being whisked off my feet but the occasional compliment would be nice. I'm not ready to content myself with a nice house, lovely kid, decent wardrobe and the occasional grope when the lights are off.

Right ? bit of a link fest coming up! These are NOT jaw droppingly amazing finds ? but just some ideas that are easy to get hold of and not very expensive. Biased towards boys (aged 3 to 6) tho - sorry - but may just help with your xmas shopping! (Sorry if you were expecting more - I use Amazon as much as possible due to lack of choice & time to shop and high prices of Dutch shops!)

These printing sets are great: heart stamps and dino stamps

My nephew is going through an armywear/camouflage phase so have got him one of these watches as a stocking filler watch

Then saw these cute watches for girls/boys ? ignore the bad review ? I?ve seem them in a shop over here and they look fine! example from the range

For Lego mad kids so this is a good watch lego watch and also this cutlery (also sold in John Lewis) here.

Have got 2 of these happyland bus for boys about to turn 1 just before xmas ? we have the wooden version from habitat which is still played with a lot here

For my friend?s twin daughters (aged 3) who have just moved and now have a huge garden I?ve brought something a bit like this (mine were wooden tho) bird houses to paint

Book suggestions: 365 penguins is a lovely book ? v funny story here
as is Elliot Jones Midnight SuperHero here

Am hoping the BBC Deadly 60 book here is back in stock before Xmas for DS1 but have ordered this Ladybird one in case its not here

I'm sure there are other things on my various wish lists/hidden around the house but now feel linked out!

ABO - that puzzle things is brilliant - on my Wish Now for when DS1 is a bit older!

MM - "a nice house, lovely kid, decent wardrobe and the occasional grope when the lights are off" - definitely not enough. I think you should be getting compliments and much affection. My DH isn't romantic in the traditional sense (eg 1 bunch of flowers in the last 3 years, when I had DD) and is dreadful domestically (never cooks, makes a big mess) BUT he is endlessly engaged, supportive and complimentary and that means everything to me. We all have our weighted list of requirements, don't we?

Roma - I hear you. My life is domestic details. I used to have a career!

A fool and her his money are soon parted? Just got accosted by door-to-door salesman as returning home cold and wet, and spent £5 on 2 of those crap dusting cloths (I don't even dust! Seems cleaner doesn't either...). Ridiculous. But the poor guy was in the rain and what an awful way to spend an afternoon.

I on the other hand went to Gap and bought a grey wool open cardi (am cold and nothing fits!!) and flat ankle boots. Neither are on the website.

Bunny I spent 20 euros on a crate of apples last week because I felt sorry for farmers in general. Probably gets massive subsidies though. They're quite nice, but I didn't particularly want 10kg of apples that cost more than the supermarket.

From a door to door apple farmer btw - just realised my post makes no sense at all.

OK, so am not alone in buying things I don't need for more than they should cost. Oh how Wise I am not.

I laughed out loud at the image of Roma travelling round buying fruit to support farmers. I have a draw full of those crap dusters Bunny though I paid £7 for two packets.

You are right about relationships. It makes me a bit sad but since dd's arrival dp seems to have run out of love and affection for anyone else. I've talked to him about it a lot of times but he sees it as nagging and says I've gone soft. We have a very happy time us three but when it is just us 2 it's "nice", "normal" probably but not enough for me.

Take a trip to Agent Provocateur MM, and sort things out

Where's Cake?

at Roman's tips! LOVE that place

I'm sorry you're feeling underloved MM I think you should talk to your P and tell him? Am I naive? Maybe. Or inject some pizzazz somehow, shake things up by being less available for him? I don't know what I am talking about though.. in the 5 years I've been with P he hasn't given me one present! No affection either unless he feels guilty (hindsight telling me this) I'm literally at the stage now where I just cannot bear talking to him or even being in the same room as him! I really don't know how I've stayed sane! Sounds pretty terminal, right?

Bloss I don't have family around, no. I do have a very unhelpful mother who lives a good few hndred miles away and generally says 'I wish I'd never had you' whenever I see her! Charming bunch

On a positive note I am so glad to see there are others (bunny, Roman, monkeys, I'm looking at you) who are guilted into unwise purchases.

Just today I was guilted into a pair of penguin shoes. Yes shoes with penguins on - I say guilt, it's just the lady was talking at me for ages while I tried to escape and telling me sob stories and I felt bad for leaving without buying something!!

Second day of new job and I'm already shattered. Hope things get a bit easier when I get the hang of things. Quite hectic two days and I forgot completely to drink any water. Had only two cups of tea and a coffee yesterday and no water so far today so have put big bottle of Evian in front of me and need to drink!!!

Can't believe that Coast has sent me a request to review my recent purchase. Well, I would love to but I haven't received the dress yet .

I'm a bit stressed because we have the big party coming up on Saturday and I feel bloated and fluey. And I don't know what to wear. Plus my mother made a rather hurtful remark about me delegating all the food/drink stuff to a caterer. Also the friend who planned on bringing her DS who is 4 to the party actually forced me to say "I don't want any kids at the party!". I feel like a total selfish cow and what is worse she still hasn't given up and has asked if we would mind if they stayed the night in the guest room. Err, yes I do in fact. I'm going to drive 2 b%&$§y hours on Friday to take DD to my parents and plan to have some undisturbed time with DH over the weekend. Sorry about rant. Will read thread now and check out the links of our Christmas fairy ollie.

20 % off Figleaves if anyone looking for new Spanx/hosiery for Xmas party season...

GIFT20 until 21 Nov

Where will you go vino? Please tell me you have somewhere?

fritzi, stick to your guns! What a rude friend.
How did I miss you were starting a new job? I hope it goes well, and, indeed, keep drinking!!
Lol at ollie, the Christmas fairy!

fritzi sounds like you're doing well! I forget to drink water sometimes and then wonder why I feel really weird at the end of the day

vino and MM- so sorry to hear about your dreadful losses and the tough times you are having at the moment. Sending you lots of virtual strength and best wishes :)

Just found this page whilst looking for a recipe - cookie heaven! Scroll down and try not to drool! here

Zembo just popping in to say a BIG CONGRATULATIONS! How did you do that? (IYKWIM!) Fast work indeed.
Very saddened by your stories Vin and MM.
Fritzi hope the party goes well. Ignore the begrudgers.
Will be lurking rather than posting. Have to knuckle down for a while work wise. But I'll be back!

MM, sorry you are having a sad time at the moment. Your dp shouldn't make you feel that way. You need a good talk.

Vin, sounds like you cannot rely on your XP to mind your DS.

Fritzi, enjoy the party and ignore the jibes about delegating!

What a dull day. I am living in my skinny Current Elliot jeans at the moment (while I still can!).

Hi all.

Back at home now, with proper broadband and everything!

Fritzi - Starting a new job always feels exhaustinbg - its all that having to take in new info. Hopeefully you will feel better soon. Can't believe the nerve of your 'friend' btw!

OWW - What great pressie ideas! The one about the Deadly 60 made me - I have a friend who has 3 boys and one of them is obsessesed with the Deadly 60. They have a male nanny, and the kids were involved in interviewing candidates....one of the interview quaetions was to name some of the Deadly 60!

Blossoming - Am in awe of your creativity. So far have using work/commute as an excuse not to even try, however if that excuse is removed via redundancy, then I may need to have a go at some more creative things - and get a bit more involved in the school/PTA.

Well, was away this weekend for Dads 70th birthday. That was nice, and we had a pleasant weekend at the hotel. Food was good, DD loved the swimming pool and came on leaps and bounds with the swimming - she did a full length with no flotation support! I wore this out to dinner.

Unfortunately we had a number of things go wrong over the past few days, the first of which was to discover that some b***d has driven into the side of my car. It had to have happened on Friday afternoon when I nipped to the shops, and we think it was a possibly a trailer because the scrap is low down. It has also left a dent all along the side of the car. It is driveable, but will cost a LOT to fix, so we are planning to claim from insurance. With that good news I set off down to Mum and Dads - a Friday at the beginning of half term meant that a 4 hr journey turned into a 6 1/2, with poor old DD throwing up everywhere just before we reached my mums.... Lovely.

Yesterday on the return home I put on the heating and hot water which had been off all weekend. I had left the plumber finishing work on Friday. Within a hour yesterday the hot water had boiled over the top of the hot water tank and gone through the ceiling into the lounge. I turned it off again. Plumber is coming out this motrning, I have had to take another day off work...and I am entering my third week with no heating and hot water. Now, the good news is that DD is staying at mum and dads so at least I don't need to keep her warm/clean....but my mum phoned last night to say that they had just got back from the docs after DD suddenly got v poorly and her temperature soared. Doc has said a double ear infection and put her antibiotics. Poor old dd. I feel guilty not being there - although my mum is/was a nurse and I know will be giving her the best possible care.

A pretty rubbish series of events tbh. Am going to go and try and count my blessings, but am currently in a thoroughly bad mood.

Morning everyone!
Great to have you back notyummy, but really sorry to hear your tale of woes. I'm sure things can only get better. Lucky your dd seems in capable hands. And you get lots of time for long runs and shredding.

I'm struggling with this half term. Seems long, weather's awful. Was stuck indoors all day yesterday waiting for an electrician and an old schoolfriend to call. However they're doing Halloween crafts locally this week so I'm hoping dc1 will go this afternoon. He's a bit suspicious of such activities though!
Also I noticed this morning I'm running out of half my beauty products at the same time.
That would be:
lancome bi facil make up remover
origins gingzing eye cream
laura mercier primer
kerastase volume spray
mac blooz eyeliner.
Cue very expensive trip to Chester hopefully tomorrow. Why am I such a brand addict??

Hey Yummy I am in a bad mood too. I don't like the grey weather.

We took a massive delivery of Hobbycraft stuff yesterday to make all our Christmas cards and wrapping things. They have some great robin and reindeer shaped cards for LOs to stick eyes and other bits of tat on. We went to Heals at the weekend and they have some lovely Christmas bits in.

I am waiting for an asos delivery today. This maxi dress which I thought I'd try but expect will go back. I've ordered these in grey and am really not sure what they will be like. I saw them in a magazine a few months ago and think they look like the comfiest wedge I've seen. Ordered these Full Circle harems too. I am still waiting for the IO pegs and hope these will be like the bargaintastic Uniqlo ones I got for £15 that I am in love with. Sadly they've now sold out in the navy which I bought and sent back twice.

I am on the look out for a cheap faux fur coat if anyone sees one. Also looking for a new bag - started a thread but no one has replied.

I am going out with dd, all my sisters and our dad later so might dress up a bit. I am going to wear a black round neck long sleeve mini shift dress from Autograph years ago with opaques, Belstaffs and my camel Uniqlo cardigan belted alla Choo and Happily. I am having a night out with my adult sisters next week that I am really looking forward to. Apart from the wedding we went to at start of September it will be months and months since I've been out sans dd. I am going to wear something splendid.

Roma your Agent P suggestion made me smile (you keep making me smile!) Years ago I had a marvellously embarrassing experience involving sexy underwear that makes it very hard for me feel comfortable wearing it.

Good to hear fro you Everything.

Have a good time at the party Fritzi.

Wave to Rufus.

Cakey has been blogging including a lovely photo of her dd's first shoes which made me go all gooey.

Right, off to hang out some washing and sort out my weekly "present to myself" delivery of flowers which has just arrived.