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!!!)

bloss Like both apple fabrics and the last one too. Not keen on the dog/flower one (first link).

OMG carciofi! Are you sure you are ok? Could you get someone to watch DD for a bit this afternoon and have a lie-down?

That's good news apuski! So happy for you. Just ignore MIL and enjoy your time with baby-apuski.

Thanks everyone. But I loved the dog (wails)!

bloss Fabrics with Russian dolls (don't know English name) like these are very popular for all kinds of girls' stuff.

Second what everything said. If you like the fabric, go for it!

Bloss - I am a dog person but don't like the original dog one as it looks to American Arts & Crafts for me. The others are fab, and I would buy for DD, but not in clothing. So bag, apron, cushion etc would work for me. But think you know by now how super boring/conservative I am!

Which leads me to... anyone see The Outnet "She's A Lady" selection - swoon! Just my kind of thing...

Wedding rings - DH lost his last year (we knew it was too big, and in the cold it was falling off semi-regularly) - it fell off outside Paddington Station (no hope of finding it again). DH still sorry and misses it. And I now have this desire that he gets another one (which I didn't have before - preg hormones making me want to tag DH ).

Yangy - oh you poor love, you do sound a bit worn down. I know some lawyers, bankers who work in HK and Singapore. Apparently you work MUCH harder than here, but the tax rates are more favourable and domestic help is v affordable. Hope you feel better today.

Esher - another fussy eater here. Apparently Annabel Karmel recipe was vile, but carrot sticks w hummus were delicious . Have taken to buying DD ready made food from M&S ie quiche, spag bol, as that way I don't care when she refuses to touch it. But the waste does bother me...

Tracey - raising my mug of coffee to you! I agree w Everything - 6-12 months I found the hardest. Wondered if I was bonkers TTC when dealing with all the night shenanigans. Now I know I was bonkers .

Thanks for the inflatable bed recommendations!! V helpful.

apuski - terrific news on the weight gain! DISMISS any criticism - you have done wonderfully! And think you might have regretted moving to the bottle earlier than you did ie what if breast was best option here etc?

Carciofi - am really worried to read that!! Are you going to see your midwife? DO take it easy! Must have been a scare for you, too.

MM - think an afternoon a week of childcare is key to getting through and being happy, and especially if DP is so busy. I had that for a while and relished the freedom! Good for DD, too (happier mother and all that...)

NY - gosh, what a tough week! You do sound to be v resilient, I must say . Love the bouquet bashing story!

Loving all the Janice dresses - such a beautiful dress - enjoy!

Hurrah apuski

notyummy so sorry about the job stuff. But your DD sounds fab

Loving the ring stories too ladies, thanks for sharing!

everything the Gap dress is very like a Toast tunic dress zembo & I have (it's gone from the site so can't link). It's super comfy, and looks great with boots or shoe boots and a scarf or big necklace. Easy to throw on, but without looking too dressy for everyday.

I love the russian doll fabric fritzi; great idea bloss. And it's the kind of thing I'd buy for DS1 (age 7) if I could find the right pattern; maybe stripes, or camouflage print? He loves cooking and an apron would be a really cool gift, but the fabrics you linked to would be a bit young.

"Free" (well, cost of p&p only) American vintage top arrived from My-Wardrobe today. Thanks so much for tip-off carciofi! Wish I'd thought to register 2 e-mail addresses for the code as I want some navy Hunters and could have got them for a tenner! Oh well.

Great idea to do a stall Blossoming. I was amazed at how much stuff sold at last week sale. Sounds like you have some good ideas already.

Re produce: I did shortbread hearts and put them in these jars from Ikea:here - think they fitted 6 of my sized biscuits in them. Tied a red gingham ribbon round the top and fastened with a little red felt heart on a peg (which I've had for ages and never knew what to do with!). You may not want to shell out on new glass jars tho - I also packaged mine up in special food bags from Lakeland Plastic these and fastened with a ribbon. Cookies or fudge would work well like this too.

Someone else had made gingerbread men with smarties for the buttons and they flew off the table. Loaves of banana bread are easy to make ? I just wrapped mine with clingfilm, tied a ribbon around one end and hung a decoration a bit like one of these:here.

There was a lady there selling crafts ? I can?t find her website now but will go and find it and repost later. She used material like the stuff you linked too ? I LOVE the apples ? sure it would sell really well. Aprons are a fab idea. This lady had stuffed hearts - like this but bigger here or here made out of bits of Cath Kidson material ? some had a button sewn on ? v cute ? with a ribbon loop. They sold very well as did her hairclip holders ? really simple idea ? a felt flower with a long ribbon (quite thick) hanging down from it - bit like this (but hers were nicer!) here ? she had several pinned up on a fabric covered canvas to show what they were (ie with hairgrips clipped onto the ribbon) and she sold out ? think she charged 3 euros for them. You could also do this with a stuffed heart shape or star at the top????

She had also covered some small square canvases with material to sell as pictures - used apple like material and some with cars and dinosaurs on it. I've used this design which I picked up in John Lewis for DS1's room - just covered different sized canvases and used a staple gun to fix material. You could also stuff with wadding to make notice boards?

Not sure how much time you have before the market and how much you want to make?! Have a look at sites like Cox & Cox or Aspen & Brown for (posh!) ideas to rip off? Could also post on the craft thread for other ideas? Sorry if I have got a bit carried away with all the links - know you obviously want to keep your own costs down but I am amazed what people will pay for homemade stuff - esp near Christmas when they want presents! I'm not really a crafty type (unless when hiding new purchases from DH ha ha!) but just copy what I like! Hope all that has helped a little bit! Time for a cup of tea - I'm linked out!

Oops - forgot the dinosaur material link here

yangy- your life sounds v stressful atm and relocation could be a great new start for you. My DH is originally from the Far East and we may well end up over there in a few yrs. I must say it is v tempting and I now exactly what you are saying about quality of life, childcare costs, etc. I used to laugh and say it was dull and boring compared to the UK but now, with 3 DC, it seems v attractive! My DH also works v long hours (I'm only part time luckily) but you can end up fighting when you are both just exhausted and stressed.

NY- sorry to hear about your job issues :( I hope something comes up v soon.

I just bought these for DD1 for Xmas:
slipper boots

Was also tempted by this (much nicer in the flesh than in the picture):
cardi
and this could be v nice on someone trendy!
dress

Shoes also nice:
animal print shoes

sucker that i am - I have to have the Janice...so many accolades!

I'm so so sorry to hear that so many of you will be affected by cuts. DH and I are aware that as we run our own company that we will both suffer if things go awry - and it's awful to hear that some of you are going through it already.

Apuski - three cheers for baby A.

Behind on everything as I was working yesterday but Esher I feel your food pain. That happens in our house at least once a week and I still get upset (I wish I could be chilled about it and learn!).

Tracey - I'm not really a manicure person (it lasts all of a day on me usually) but I did have the shellac for my holiday and it was great...though I did find my nails got a little soft after it came off so I don't think I would keep having it (though the nail woman said it didn't effect the nails so maybe I'm just weird!)

Forgot to say thank you ollie for the Muji toys link- they look lovely and sorry to hear you are feeling wobbly carciofi.

Another thought - cute simple little bags for girls would sell well in that apple material - get Mummy Bloss and her sewing machine on the case!

Like this one: here and
here - these was made by the lady from the sale - but her Etsy site is now closed - she must have sold out of stock!!!

I'm going now - honest!

Wow - busy on here today!

Apuski - Great to hear from you, and with such good news!

Carciofi - sorry to hear about the fainting. I had low blood pressure, but never actually fainted, so can sympathise. Please take care.

Talking of pregnant ladies - wasn't Libra due any day now? I thought she had a CS booked towards the end of Oct.

A toning shoe - not show...that would be entirely different!

ollie, thank you so much for all your help. I shall peruse your links at leisure. I have 6 weeks to plan and DH said he would 'underwrite' me. I have no idea what he's on about sometimes. Probably why we get on so well!

Roma - 24% cut in Whitehall based Foreign Office staff. Thought this might be your area? Obviously I realise you may not wish to say on the thread.

Still awating our detailed news...

Sorry, abo, thanks for the hint re an older fabric. How wise you all are today.

yangy - or maybe they were mixing up partying w working - apparently it's a full on party scene for some! Clearly those days are behind me...

my pleasure fritzi I have emailed you re address.

NY I'm sorry to hear that. Must be stressful. Your calm approach to adverse situations always impresses me. Am sure it will all resolve itself for the best.

dolce glad the littl'uns are better

love the ring stories DH and I have been married a little under 6 years and he is on his third ring First, lost during a surf. I was furious, but like to think of it as offering to Poseidon, so that dh is always safe when out in the big stuff. Second, broken during lugging heavy equipment around. White gold!! how???!!! Third, a £10 number from a surf shop. He claims he likes it better than the 2 pervious exxy ones anyway

yangy hope you are okay

tracey oooh, tiring. Both on Bea front and on potential barn front!!

carciofi hope you are okay. Ginger biscuits by the bed to be eaten on waking.

roma my sister has a couple of pairs of Manolos. True to size, apparently.

bloss I like the zoo print.

great news on baby apuski!!

Make sure you report back on the faux fur, mm! sorry you are so tired. It is hard, being on your own with dc. Dh has not been around for a full weekend since mid-Sept. The next 3 weekends are out too. And yes, when he is around he is knackered. Makes it tough.

also looking forward to relocating. Think it will have big impact (positive) on our quality of life. Less money for a while, but so what.

well, was too sunny to take Baby L into Space NK today so we hung out at the park instead. So I am still facially challenged but hopily sightly rosy from sun and wind

Janice has been returned, waiting for the online one. Tried on the sequin jacket, was very nice over jeans actually so am definitely considering, think it would get trotted out year after year. tracey, go on get the janice. I checked out the snake necklace in RL, not as nice as online i think, looked quote cheap and gaudy.

Right, have got all 3 cupcakes for the rest of the day so off to make the most of this weather!! have fun everyone.