Wisely and avidly planning our Christmas lists..

[blossoming]

Come join me!
Not so inspired but I do so hate being threadless.

Bloss Outfit sounds fab!

Marsha well done for talking things through with your DH. I will endeavour to do the same next time DH is less than perfect .

OWW your evening of coiffing and scoffing sounds like my idea of heaven.

As 2hrs of rugby practice for DS1 looms, what are the fashionable mummies wearing on the touch line? I normally work on a Sunday morning so I haven't taken him before. Wellies (v. nice Noa Noa ones) vs mud encrusted Zamberlans? No padded Puffas here as I would look too much like a Mini Mich but I imagine that something of that 'calibre' is called for. Short shearling type jacket vs Mac with many layers under???

Ds playing his first game today too pickled. Will probably wear yesterday's outfit, of new coat, beret, scarf, skinnies and ankle boots, with gloves and thin layers under coat. Will report back re warmth factor!

Ah thanks folks. Dh has been rather helpful this morning and done everything so I could sleep. And taken children out now to get Sunday Times

Bunny I loved the vision of you listening to classical music the other day. Am so pleased the nanny is working so well. Will be so good to have her.

pickled it looks cold, go for shearling.

bloss great outfit. Ollie fab night.

eie hugs you sound at the emotionally drained you poor thing. Do feel like a break, stay with a friend or something for the night?

pickledsiblings - i have a dd who is rugby mad. She is training at the moment. When I do go and watch I wear boots (waterproof and warm), hat, glove, scarf, heattech top, thermal socks and a parka. Nobody wears anything remotely fashionable as it is too cold!

bunny I'm so excited for you and have to stop myself from telling other people that my imaginary friend bunny is having twin girls soon .

marsha Glad you could resolve your conflict with DH. I miss the Sunday papers.

ollie Your night out sounds fab! Hope DSs let you sleep in a bit this morning. What did you wear?

bloss When I first skimmed your posts I thought you were planning to wear your gorgeous stripey Janice-platform shoe-combo to football practice . Where is your new coat from?

pickled Would definitely go for shearling and warm boots. It's sooo cold! I only have one old MaxMara coat from six years ago and a Blauer puffa jacket. Decided to have my camel hair coat altered as the fabric is so lovely and soft. Tried to order the shearling but the website won't allow me to complete my order . Maybe I should take that as a sign that it's not meant to be.

everything I just can repeat what others' have said before. Please look after yourself and take time to think things through. You deserve someone who truly appreciates how wonderful you are and doesn't just stick around for DS's sake. Easier said than done, I know .

roma and everything Those birthday cakes look fantastic. Bet your DSs had a great day to remember.

zembo Hope you can get some more rest today.

bonsoir Hope you had a great party yesterday? What did you decide to wear?

Can anyone help me find a Christmas present for my nephew? He's 3.5 and has an older brother. Lego/Playmobil is not an option as they have a whole room full of the stuff already.

Morning all,

zembo good to hear your DH is looking after you, must be horrible for you both. Hope you can get some more rest today.

everything fantastic cake - what a pants thing for your DH to say - have you had any time apart to reflect and get your head straight?

bloss love our janice and coat outfit. Hope you and pickled have a good time at rugby and manage to pull off the tricky balancing act between warmth and stylishness!

OWW sounds like a good night - getting to taste everything is my idea of heaven!

We made tapas for a dinner party last night which was great fun although not exactly in keeping with the season. Think I have woken up a dress size larger so going to take the dog for a good run in a bit to try to compensate slightly.

Fritzi - how about a little tool set for your nephew? Well, that's what your imaginary rabbit friend suggests (anyone ever seen that old movie w James Stewart, "Harvey"?). That's me - I am Harvey, the pooka, the imaginary rabbit friend . Although Harvey is v tall and goes to the pub every day. Sadly I am not tall and can't go to the pub

Marsha - glad you having a lovely morning, courtesy of your DH. Enjoy the Sunday papers!!

Bloss - your outfit last night sounds terrific!! Feels good to look good, no?

It seems there were quite a few parties yesterday! Mine went just fine - food was definitely totally under control, right quantities and menu choices and I managed to cook for 18 and get the timing right on everything while not spending my whole time in the kitchen myself. And everyone seemed to have a good time, except perhaps for POLs (but they have good reason to be miserable, so are excused). Dining room was fine for 18 in terms of sitting and serving space, but I think we need more sofas for the sitting room if we are going to have dinner parties that size regularly (are we?). We have a new coffee table arriving next week, so I will start rearranging furniture when it arrives and see what seating we need/can fit.

I now have lots of serving dishes and silver to put away... and they don't really have a satisfactory (ie all in one place) home. Grrrr. Yet another bit of domestic organisation that isn't under control!

Okay, I've skived rugby, to bring you this M&S grey double breasted 'city' coat. Looks crapola on the model. I can assure you it looks better than that in RL.
Off to tend to the roast, will catch up later!

Gosh - 18 guests Bonsoir. That's impressive. We only had 6 which was nicely manageable. We used to have 18 people for Christmas dinner every year when I was younger - my poor mum!

Fritzi - the imaginary rabbit speaks sense about the tool kit idea - this is cute

bunny- Would definitely be v interested in going to the ROH next year if you are not to busy with the DTs. Might have to opt for standing tickets though :)
All the best with the CS- is it this Wednesday? Lots of lying on the sofa listening to operatic arias in the meanlwhile- goos for you and the babies!

bloss- I really like you new coat and the v reasonable price tag. The red is nice too. I seem to be drawn to red all the time at the moment!

I think the weather is much milder down here than where you all are. I haven't needed gloves/ hats/ warm scarves yet.

mrsjuan - I will have 10 for Christmas dinner, but tbh it will be much more hassle than yesterday was. There are so many bits at Christmas, plus all the presents and wrapping paper and excitement!

mrsjuan/bunny Thanks for advice re present ideas but they have two sets of toy tools already. Decided to get him these Zoobs someone else linked to the other idea. It says suitable from 4 years so should be ok. Phew, another tick on my list.

Oh, one more question for our regular shredders: What kind of weights do you need for level 1? Can I use soup cans or would proper weights be better?

I used 1kg weights fritzi and then moved up to 1.5kg then 2.5kg. They're a set from York on Amazon. I should move up again I suppose, but I find them heavy for some of the exercises still.

Thanks bloss. Will add weights to my huge Amazon basket .

Nice coat bloss. Did you see the red one in RL? Was it a good red or nasty red. I am hankering after a red coat but am picky about the shade.

I like the coat bloss and a really good price too. Looks weird on the model but I'm sure you look fab. Hope you enjoyed your Sunday roast.

Glad you are getting to relax, Bunny. Is Mr Kumar your consultant?

EIE, sorry to hear you are down, you deserve so much more.

Blossoming, nice coat. I also like the red colour.

Zembo, hope you are doing ok.

I have been browsing the new NAP clothes. I need to stop buying tops and build up a fund for a new wardrobe in the summer.

Bonsoir, what did you cook? Sounds like it went very well.

I zapped the starter and just had copious small eats - lots of Parmesan star-shaped biscuits (I made), tiny quiches (bought at fab local pâtisserie), mini boudins blancs and tiny goats cheeses - with our champagne. Then roast veal (sans cèpes - season is over ) and gratin dauphinois. Then carrot/almond birthday cake with vanilla ice-cream (the birthday boys are allergic to chocolate) and then those German star biscuits and a tin of chocolate oursons with our coffee!

Bonsoir you are reminding me why I love Paris so much. Sounds lovely.

(would be funny if you knew my family. In the 7th, probably bit old for your social scene, daughters in their 30s. Unlikely but strange coincidences do happen!)