Party frocks ahoy! Avidly and wisely dressing ourselves for the party season!

[blossoming]

Sorry to hear about your dd dolcee. Hope things improve soon.
Glad to hear your family were better behaved this time ollie.

I wonder what an avid and wise Christmas party would be like. Where would we have it? What would you wear? (Complete fantasy obviously!)

Afternoon.

MM - just read that thread and its so funny

Viewed 3 houses this pm - omg - they were beyond awful in fact quite hilariously so.

Went shopping this morning - Got the cotated skinnies in gap which are very nice indeed and a couple of the drape neck t-shirts which I really like and actually wash very well.

I tried on stripey janice but it didn't work on me - I think phase 8 designs for taller people so they're all just that bit too long on me.

Oh and for those with small DD's - H&M had some pretty hair and jewellery stuff. Pale pink pearly beads tied with ribbon for £1.99 - marni'esque and nice sort of grosgrain ribbon bow hair clips for £1.50 - good stocking fillers.

MM hope you feel better soon.

Tracey, those Gap coated trousers look great.

Cos has great clothes, shame you can't buy online.

MM, how are you? Alexander Wang will be on sale soon at the Outnet so maybe you will find that bag half price!

Liking this red bag and tempted to sell this one to start the fund but not sure how well it would sell.

Love that anya bag carciofi!

I've had a cold/virus relapse and spent this afternoon reading magazines on the bed feeling really rough. Feeling bit better now tho, DH has put a lovely Spanish Pork casserole in the oven which seems to have done the trick!

Esher - know you liked the LK Bennett tops linked too, but not sure if you had also seen this one in Gap?here

Gotta run - just had to make a sticker chart for DS2 in an attempt to get him to get dressed and undressed by himself. He is refusing to acknowledge that this is its purpose and only wants stickers for 'doing good dancing'......I ask you!

Great strap on that bag carciofi.
I'm going against the grain, and am wanting a grey coat, not red, but with red accessories. (want, not need).
Lots of poorly a&w'ers. Glad you're feeling better ollie.

Sob, I've taken against the dress I bought to go out tonight and now don't know what to wear, might have to be grey skinny jeans after all. Am generally nervous about the meetup anyway!

MM and OWW, sorry to hear you're ill, hope you are feeling better very quickly.

Re Burgh island, DH and I went for a weekend when I was 6 mnths pregnant with ds1 (last childfree holiday) and it was fab. All black tie for dinner and lovely cocktails (barman was concocting me lots of alcohol free ones). Would recommend.

Apuski, which dress were you going to wear?

Blossoming, it is mostly want and not need with me!

Ollie, glad you are feeling better. Your DS2 sounds like a character.

Carciofi, it's from esprit, can't link direct but it's the first one if you search for satin dress. I think it's just a bit too loose, so looks too much like a cover-up.

I'm sure there's no need to feel nervous apuski. are you sure you won't wear the dress?

Can you belt it?

apuski it doesn't look like a cover up on the model, and you said yours is a little closer fitting than in the picture. Have you tried it with tights and shoes?

lol at my confidence crisis! Tried with tights, boots and belted, looks a little better but DH just took a photo so I could be objective and it's a no. It's partly a 4 months postpartum thing, my body atm just doesn't look like mine so am supercritical. Am having a bath then going to decide what to wear.

Thanks!

Aww, sorry to hear the dress isn't working Apuski. But, you have got to feel 'right' - particularly if going to a meet-up where you don't know people.

Interesting to get feedback from someone who has been to the Burgh Island place Carciofi. I showed it to DH and we both agreed it looked great - he loves it when I dress up, so it would be a good excuse! May have to wait until next summer when dd turns 5 and we can go all together...or alternatively talk my mum and dad into having her!

Well, thanks to the joy of Tesco clubcard 'double your points' thingy, I have ordered this Ruby Rocks dress here for virtually nothing. I have some of their other stuff and always really liked it, so I am v pleased with the bargain. Also got our niece some clothes for Xmas (as requested by SIL) whilst I was at it.

Have been busy organising various social events today, so a lot of outfit planning stretches ahead! Have also been menu planning ridiculously in advance as well, as so much going on and I want to be able to do food orders. So far I am planning on doing:

4th Dec (Hosting some new German friends that DH has made on this course to stay.) - Chilli and Chorizo stew with cous cous and salad, followed by apple tart.

10th Dec - DBIL and new gf, plus 2 others: Coq au vin (how v 70s!) with baby potatoes and veg, followed by Choc and pear upside down cake.

11th Dec - Afternoon Xmas party for 10 adults and 7 kids:

3 bird roast
Pea and mint risotto
Baked salmon
Mixed veg

(Thankfully some of the others are bringing pudding!)

27th Dec - MIL and her DH plus 2 others:

Rosti with smoked trout
Baked salmon with salad and bread
Warm berry souffles

28th - same guests. Main meal out, but doing Xmas buffet of nice meats/fish/left overs and making pesto and tomato soup with a goats cheese crouton.

Also have 4 to 6 people coming to stay for NYE, but will think about that later....

Feel better (and more organised) for having written all of that down. Phew!

Lace for Cake

and more!

Apuski - I remember that 4 months post-baby feeling well and would go with the jeans and top and heels - something you feel relaxed and comfortable in. Have a great time and am sure you will look fab

NY - impressive forward planning

We went on holiday to Deveon a couple of years back and went to the beach where the guest for Burgh Island depart from - it looked lovely from a distance. NY - I'd definitely try and go minus dc as it doesn't strike as massively child-friendly but then your DD is probably a lot better behaved than my monkeys.

I've been rather tired and grumpy today - 2 nights out in the week is just too much for this aged person

Quiet day tomorrow of chores and cooking. DH off to Lucknam for a massage (present for his birthday ages ago) and I will try not to be too jealous

Wow notyummy. I am very impressed. I haven 't got much further than champagne and sausage rolls (home made, must be cold, allow me my guilty pleasure!) in industrial quantities yet!

Vino & EIE - don't really have words to help but I'm hoping you both get the resolutions you need sooner rather than later.

vino - do come if you can. I haven't met anyone yet so we can be meet-up virgins together.

Bloss & mrsjuan missed photos!

But ltec wow! You look divine. For headcount purposes I have the stripey janice.

Tracey I couldn't stop laughing after I clicked on your link. I had just tried it on a few moments before and loved it. Though sad to report I most certainly need spanx (or perhaps M&S shapewear) with it. My bottom is most unpleasant in it.

exhausted - lucky you - shopping without DC...have fun.

I went to Gap on Friday armed with my voucher and DD....alas DD decided shopping was NOT fun so had to do a very quick dash and got PJ's and a sloppy type cardigan.

RG - good to have you back and welcome to dora& Icam

plum - the sweater is gorgeous. Did you get the red necklace yet...do you agree it's a bit cheap looking for the price?

bloss - I must start shredding now - 'firmer and perkier' is most definitely required here.

Esher - fab update.

My evening was great fun but I suspect my outfit was possibly too understated as it didn't get a single compliment apart from dh! I'm nursing yet another hangover. I really need to get my drinking chops back. I'm such a lightweight.

I love this. Am drooling!

Just rushing in to say hi after lovely night at Ball....wore 'vintage' long black evening dress, boat neck and backless and dramatic swarowski crystal choker and felt tres trim and elegant...a few compliments to boot...dh was v taken with the ensemble, particularly as I had brought beautiful but fancy knickers, the line of which showed, not unflatteringly, though too obviously under dress, so had to do without!

I want those coated jeans too from Gap!.

Anyone else on iPhones. Are you still able to see nap links? I can't and am annoyed.

hells, every part of my body is hard and toned, no word of a lie. Apart from my belly. I'm sure I've got a six pack, but it's still very well hidden! Dh says I should compare myself to other mothers of 3. I don't though. I compare myself to bronzed 18 year olds on holiday even!

dolcee, you must have looked divine! But am a bit too!!

Bloss - do you not go commando under clingy dresses? Tis often easier than finding invisible knickers I find

Wow NY that is one hell of a catering schedule!

I DID make it out to the shops today . Went to H&M and bought the statement glittery bib necklace - Tracey did you get the black or cream ribbon version? They only had the cream left in the branch I was in today. I had thought that I wanted the black but on reflection cream may be better for wearing with stripy daywear a la WIT.

Out of big Asos delivery yesterday am thinking I may reorder these shorts direct from whistles which are now reduced (still full price on ASOS . Bought this camel cowl neck jumper today to wear with them.

Also bought this sweater dress which I think has a very Isabel Marant vibe to it. Tried on today with short black bikers and it looked good although will have to wear a vest under as top is a little low cut despite being an XS.

What else did I get? Bought some bits for the dd's from Zara - they have some very cute above the knee cord skirts in which don't look much on the hanger but are lovely on.

On my way through M&S I found myself accosted by the grey sequinned jumper the model is wearing. I bought an 8 but may need to size up for a slightly more slouchy look, not sure yet. Am thinking I will wear layered over a nude long sleeved tee with jeans for daywear and with a short flippy black skirt and opaques for smarter.

Thinks that's the lot for today's haul. (And before anyone lurking starts sucking their teeth/tutting - the main aim of today was to take back all of last week's Zara purchases (too synthetic), 90% of a big online M&S order, a pair of crap JL tights (that were £16 I belatedly discovered!) and some H&M tat. And as the Oasis dress was part funded by credit note am feeling very virtuous!

MM - went to uniqlo but was not taken with their down coats irl. Very thin. I like my puffas to be PUFFY!

OWW - thanks for the gap blouse link but I think I prefer the LKB one although I deliberately DIDN'T seek it out today as felt I had already spent too much money recently! Oh, and because my heart was a little torn as to whether I should get these shoeboots instead which are a bit like Cake and Choo's Edelmans which I missed out on by dithering and now sold out.

Cake - thanks for sizing tip re Zara leopard blouse - but I already ordered an S last night, together with some leopard wedges. Tried wedges on today instore and think they may be too small so looks like both items are a -heading straight back......I am truly the queen of returns!

Lastly, I could do with a little W&A advice on this snood. Lovely. I have in my possession in the charcoal grey (is that too boring?). Should I exchange for the blonde colour instead? WWYD?

bloss am exactly the same. Lean and toned arms and legs but can't shift slight soft tummy fat. It's not enough to really show under clothes but it does show in a bikini, especially when sitting down or leaning over. And yes, I also compare myself to those younger and/or without children and judge myself far too harshly. It's daft isn't it? You just have to keep telling yourself that you're in damn good shape and it could be much worse. We women are too hard on ourselves

ny lovely dress!

dolce your outfit last night sounds super glam.

apuski don't be too hard on yourself at 4mo! Hope you found something you feel fabulous in and have a top night, looking lovely.

Has anyone else seen Burgh Island on Poirot? It does look wonderful. Said to DH that it's a shame it's so far away from her as we couldn't just go for one night from here!