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!!!)

Well Westonbirt was fun...if you like coachloads of people and standing in massive lines for the loo etc. DDs loved it anyway and had sweet potato and butternut squash for lunch and chunky bread. Plus cleaners been and our house feels lovely and orderly....

Glad you all liked the ring story! Funny in retrospect! Not funny at the time though...although I am a real blow hot, blow cold merchant and dh is smouldering. NY your story is hysterical too!!!

Tracey-sorry about B being a monkey. P had been screaming every night recently when I put her to bed and its exhausting and frustrating...Can you put her back into some large babygros...? So she can't get into them...have a look at the Grobag website...I know she doesn't use any more (has duvet?), but there may be something on there which prevents her from taking off nappy? Then, I think the only way to 'train' her back into it is to do a bit of controlled crying...I had to do it with DD recently because she was just being a monkey too and beaming every time I went back in.....but left her gradually for a bit more etc and it worked. Good luck...DH hates being woken (well don't we all),and is the same if it starts happening regularly...

Carciofi- sorry to hear you've been feeling sapped. I had very low blood pressure with each of my pregnancies and was prone to fainting...EIE is right, take things slowly and make sure you are eating sufficiently...check for anaemia too...

Oh and Tracey, you are gonna end up with this barn ... I just know it

codes from grazia (that can be used online) are:

(all 25%)

Coast - lovegrazia25
Donna Ida - chicweek
Wallis - GRAZIA 10
Warehouse - GRAZ10

Just tried on the Janice in our local Phase 8. It IS lovely but it is very sheer at the back - I was wearing white undies and bra and they were totally visible. ALso you could see my love handles which made me feel enormous. I suspect I would need SPanx to wear under it to feel comfortable and I've never had to do that with a dress before.

Obviously I am blaming the dress rather than my sugar cravings, which I only ever get while breastfeeding.

Have emailed you my address cake. Have fun at the park!

I'm also itching to get my sewing machine out! And go to IKEA and buy jars and little decorations.

Yangy - so sorry!

31st of March for us when the lights go out. 1500 jobs (that's just in this network.)

Interestingly for other civil servants on this thread, we were told that most (but not all) Depts would be planning restructures and we would be eligible to apply for Whitehall jobs in that process - which is chink of light for us, but probably not great news for those of you having to apply for your own jobs in the coming months....even more competition.

sorry about that yangy , the cuts are really extreme! 500,000 soon-to-be jobless
soontobeexP has been made redundant (private sector) so major cuts all round which is a horrible shock to the system when you're a respected professional and then suddenly-ouch
Relocation sounds fantastic! I'd love to move, and yes childcare SO much cheaper than London. I can't really afford or even find childcare here! monkeys hope you're okay, I often hanker for freedom too. I had a phone number of a great nanny here who did babysitting but I think she's gone to S.Africa very recently (nooo!) Often nannies have days off and will babysit on those days, which I feel a bit better about than a spotty 15yo

HOwever, being financially irresponsible, I had a fun time today REAL LIFE shopping
Got some lola cruz black shoe boots (so comfy) suede though, not leather
Aaaand.. (no links sorry!!) a charcoal jersey dress (amazingly flattering), a charcoal knitted dress, a grey cashmere jumper, some work-y trousers (too long but fit otherwise..), and some basic charcoal long sleeve tees, bit like IO ones. Resisted black boots (lovely), jacket and navy silk dress, so feel virtuous. It's like eating a chocolate cake and leaving one slice behind, it makes me feel better

Sorry to all who've received bad news today.

This gap dress not bad, I have the 'S' (am 10ish)

My favourite is the final fabric bloss (the zoo one?) I'm not into dogs either but it is cute with the guitarros and like the 3rd link (apples?) for girls

Ah Sorry to everyone who received bad news today .

guitarras

am really sorry to hear of the bad news today. Hope brighter times lie ahead.

sorry to return to frivolities momentarily but does anyone know what Gap sizing is like? would I be small or medium? I am 8 up top, 8-10 bottom. Tall.

Baby L has taken first steps

You'd be small LTEC

Hurraaaah for Baby L!!!! Like proper walking steps? Babyvin is walking around furniture and standing alone but hasn't taken steps yet.

Ltec, sizing for what? Generally size down. In skirts I can go ridiculously small.

Terrible news for many. Not sure yet how the higher ed cuts will play out.

Gap houli likeys came and are totally great. Dh says they are very sexy. Also only £35 and will be great with brogues.

Oh, I just found this lovely kids fabric store, and have ordered 10 swatches. There's even one with scotty dogs! And based in Wales, who knew?

yes, proper walking steps!!! Argh.

re gap sizing - for merino dress. just want a chuck on wool dress for being with the kids, ie not the red See one

will try small, I think

roary glad Houlis are good - and fab shopping vin (virtuous too)

fritzi got your email and will be there with my dc send the dress pronto.

agree, it is unforgiving from the back. Good undies needed.

aaaaaaarrgh!! but also- aaawwwwww
I have no idea how to deal with proper walking children! I am getting nervous as we have many stairs here..
small for gap merino dress should be right, it does vary quite a bit. I could fit into a medium normal gap merino dress when 9 months pregnant, but couldn't fit into a small jumper when a size 8/10 and not even bfing

Congrats to baby L ltec. Also message me so I can send you the Nars multiple.

are these in black or grey.. a bit wrong? am on belated avid hunt for ankle boots to wear mainly with jeans

ps bloss that website looks great! I can't even sew a button on I am hopeless

DD would be thrilled And so would I, of course!

contemplating red this dress (25%off!) for mummy days.. not sure if it'd be indecently short bending over in children's play area

this red

Fritzi,... eeerm.. where do you live