"Oooh" the Wise & Avid sing, "could we want another thing? Joseph shearlings, Maxmaras, handbags covered all in stars..."

[LetThemEatCake]

following on from bunny's festive lead ....

Well I know you've all offered me your snow but I'm still feeling cheated by the lack of snow in London. It was just slush near the office.

However, it was worth going into work just to see the outfit one of my colleagues had put together, now close you eyes and picture this: man in late 50s / early 60s in grey suit, navy wool coat, shirt, tie (all fairly standard) but then he'd added a pair of pale brown ugg boots (with his suit trousers tucked in), and a bright, multi-coloured knitted hat with a large bobble, ear flaps and dangly tassle bits. My colleague and I saw him and then had to hide in the kitchen where we laughed till we cried. Brightened my day up enormously

carciofi - how was your scan?

everything the wit louboutins did not do it for me although the colour block ones I would wear. I do think she is pretty and like her style 90% of time (notable exceptions are the silver dress shown in a changing room, huge comedy mittens, topshop floral midi dress). I think my favourite look was the caramel hues one which looked great with her colouring,

bloss well done!!!

choo I tried that dress and liked it but my waist was lost in it. It is nicer on than off but more suited to a straight figure.

Great dress mumsnut

libra no from me re: faux shearling. I think the main benefit of shearling is luxe/warmth combo so fake wouldn't appeal.

tracey hope you had a good evening, am at your dh going out on bike in this weather, I can't walk without skidding or snow up to knee so idea of cycling seems mental.

Have finally been reunited with dd. Dh took me in end, we got stuck at end of mil road and took hour of shoving to get moving again (ended up reversing back half a mile and abandoning van) but was worth it to rescue dd. She was very underwhelmed at me leaping at her and seemed blasé to our longest ever separation. I asked for a kiss, she refused and asked for a donkey ride.

Goodness it's late, night all

Morning - Sinterklaas arrives at school today - boys already exhausted from sheer excitement! I have to help out with DS1's class party and am having to take DS2 along as MIL said she'd rather not come over and she has had a busy week....

For the past 2 nights have woken up around 3am and not gone back to sleep til 5.30am - look and feel pretty rubbish. Have DH's family over tomorrow for a party celebration - mad SIL's contribution is 2 litres of pea soup - which I've tasted before and its vile so will make a couple fo batches of my own.

Glad you had a successful evening Bloss and hope the head is ok today!

Back later with tales of classroom mayhem!

bloss looking forward to the details. I quite like those boots cake - good emergency buy> I'm totally confused over what celebrations my boys are having at school. Because they get the bus I never go there, and I'm not particularly friendly with many school mums either, so . I'm worried I'm going to forget to turn up to some song performance or something.

I'm v. disappointed as great friends from London were supposed to be coming over this evening for 3 days, but their Eurostar is cancelled . Here there is lots of snow - enough for snowmen, sledging, snowball fights etc. But the school bus is arriving on time, and the supermarket was full of food yesterday. Our road is white, but the cars seem to grip OK with their winter tyres on. I've put the chains in the boots for emergencies too. The only problem is it's absolutely freezing: -5oC on a good day. Really cold outside and in the house too. I'm swathed in blankets.

Who's going on holiday for Christmas this year?

Just very quickly, had an email apparently 25% of Banana Republic online just today code UKGIFT.
Anyone got anything from BR they would recommend?

OFF, not of.

Morning everyone!
I am so very very tired.

Thanks for all your support over the past month. I sold out of raspberry cordial and took advanced orders on my mincemeat.

I also sold out of pink champagne soap.
People were very complimentary and it was good that people came as it was -7C. I wore my sequin dress.

I had really busy periods, and sold aprons and washbags, also some towels and flannels. Between last night and you kindly lot I have broken even, maybe even gone into profit, so I am very pleased. I hope you get your parcel soon fritzi and ltec.

It's just the usual gripe that I'm on my own when it comes to 'nice things' round here. It was less craft fair, more raffle toting local charities and the most truly atrocious cards that I have ever had the misfortune to come accross (of course ds had to buy some). Tombolas with gifts sourced from jumble sales, home knits in baby pinks, for adults, crocheted cushions also in baby pinks. Really bad stuff. My mum doesn't go to these things as she knows she's going to be accosted by the charity people. Dh said, well you wouldn't want to live in London would you? Sometimes I'm not so sure!

There's another craft fair in 2 weeks time. I may go there depending on how much a stall costs (someone said £30 and they didn't sell anything last year!). I have my email on all my products though, and a local journalist wrote a piece on me and took a photo, so I'll see how I feel.

Now then, tomorrow I have a hair appointment in London, and a lunch with carciofi all being well. I shall be annoyed if I make it down from North Wales to find my hairdresser hasn't made it down from North London. Any thoughts?

Oh, how could I forget, my biscuits! I sold them from a large Ikea glass jar for 40p each. Well ds was in charge of lifting them out with tongs and putting them on a napkin. Fair to say a good few fell on the floor! I sold a jar and a half.
The secondary school cake stall next to me was selling fairy cakes for 20p!
The best thing was the young male voice choir that came in to entertain us, I just love them. And my BIL who is a professional gypsy violinist (think Harry & Toto music). He did a duet with my nephew on a trumpet at the end. Really sweet. My sister didn't turn up though. Her dc3 was poorly.

Right, school run, or should I say, slide.

Well done Bloss really impressive. I want to order some stuff from you too (if you've got anything letf), will PM you later on today.

Cakey hope you're feeling better. You're v generous with your gift of cake when you've got enough on anyway. Looking forward to seeing the pics.

DD's school shut today mainly because teachers can't get in I think. We haven't got enough snow for a snowman yet . I know things are a lot worse in Lincoln NY a couple of my DH's patients came over the night before out-patient appts and stayed in hotels!

ABO I've got navy hunters (being the chav that I am )

Off to the build a bear factory place with my DC this am - there goes my Maxmara coat fund!

Gosh this thread has moved fast while I was busy dealing with sea urchins, champagne, silver etc

Am slightly the worse for wear - as I anticipated, friends all showed very late, ate little and drank a lot - quite the opposite of DP's friends who arrive on the dot, drink nothing and devour every last morsel. Guess why my friends are slimmer and more stylish more fun?!

Roma - thanks for alerting me about Brussels weather/trains, I must check the Thalys as DD and I are supposed to be getting the train to Brussels at lunch time - DP and the DSSs are leaving at the crack of dawn by car so that they can go to the Synagogue in the morning.

Am now going to look at my bag of Lancôme freebies . Then hairdresser, then lunch at the newly revamped Royal Monceau, siesta and pick up DD from school. It's all go here!

Well done Blossoming - that sounds really positive. I know what you mean about the rest of the stuff on sale - we have the same sort of thing round here! V jealous of your London plans - and lunch with another W and A lady - I haven't met Carciofi yet .

Zembo - I can't believe you haven't enough for a snowman! It's that sort of difference that makes me a bit worried that people in Nottingham will think I am fibbing when I say I can't get in - but hopefully the local press have shown enough of the carnage in Lincs to overset that!

No christmas holiday for us Roma. We do the full family thing at my mum and dads. I have missed it a couple of times over the years for work purposes, but couldn't miss it with otherwise - I moved out of home at 16, but Christmas was always a big deal, and I am an 'only' so they would be by themselves otherwise. We are going to Geneva the week before though.

Yay for you bloss I know what you mean about the tat so bet you really stood out as being sooo much better.

Thanks for your kind words cake

happily I did smile at your DD's reaction but glad you have her back safely.

Safe travelling bonsoir

I'm off out this evening and was planning to glam up but we've had lots more snow overnight and it's supposed to be -6 tonight so I have scaled back my plans somewhat. Am either going to wear fabulous red lantern skirt or brown check shorts but with tights and flats.

We're off on 'Santa's magical journey' tomorrow with ILs followed by lunch at a highly-rated pub. I'm rather looking forward to it despite the fact that I'll have had about three hours sleep

roma we're at home for Christmas with DH's family over for breakfast and my parents, grandmother and uncle over for lunch. Boxing Day we'll be holing up by ourselves.

Hi ladies, sorry, have only read back a page or two. Everything looks fine and I am 13 weeks so a couple of days ahead of what I thought. DH worked from home yesterday so I wouldn't have to bring DD to the hospital, which was great except he hogged the laptop. Didn't have to wait and the sonographer was very nice and complimented me on my J Brands! They did the triple blood test as I am 38 so won't get the results for a few weeks but I'm not worried either way.

I went to Timberland on the way home to try and buy the Romanarama boots but all sold out. The sales assistant gave me a free delivery code so I can order online, which I will post later if anyone wants it.

Vino, I would love the Isabella Oliver black ruched long sleeve and jersey knee length skirt, the M&S 3/4 tees (in the 12) and the michael stars black dress but only if you will let me pay you. :) Thanks so much. I will pm you.

Qs for childminder ... what routine, what will she do to entertain him, does she have first aid, past experience, references?

Well done Bloss and looking forward to meeting you tomorrow!

Have to go out now to DD's art class so back later.

I am laughing at carciofi managing to secure yet another code!
Great news re scan though.

Also, Ltec, loved those cosy boots you bought yesterday.

zembo, I can make anything you'd like, so not to worry.

notyummy, you really have had it bad haven't you? We all believe you though!

I'm with esher about WIT. She definitely 'looks' childless and most of her outfits are quite well conceived. I do thing she is naturally pretty and she rarely looks like she has 'tried' IYKWIM. The oven mitts def. look better with the camel coat than the leopard.

Well done on your stall bloss. You obviously brought some class to the event. Lots of the private schools around here have Christmas Fairs and the standard of fayre is usually good. You could search out something similar where you are.

I wonder how Tracey got on last night. Bonsoir, I laughed at your precise of your friends vs DP's friends and their dinner party etiquette.

Stay overnight, Bloss, and sell your stuff at Esher's school fair tomorrow ....

Finally wore my Leopard 'vintage' coat oday with black skinnies,black long sleeved tee plus thermal underneath,Phase Eight grey tiered cardigan and black boots.
Got loads of compliments!

BLOSS know what you mean re 'craft' fairs.Well done though.
A friend here had psyched herself up for radical hair makeover only to hav eit cancelled due to frozen pipes!

ltec - I haven't had a pm about meet up.

sorry not caught up yet (moany poorly DH, me - slight hangover, DD - much energy!) will do later!

Mumsnut - I meant to say I prefer the last MV dress you linked to than the one before (with jersey back). Print much nicer.

Carciofi - glad everything is ok

LTEC - I quite like those snow boots you have bought. Saw fashion crush mum (my crush, her fashion iyswim) this morning who was wearing knee high shearling lined leather boots (not UGGs, more like classic riding boots, not the KG bikers) where could they be from?

I am a bit gutted as the sheepskin insoles I bought don't work in any of my boots . I think you need boots at least a half to whole size bigger than usual to fit both insole and your foot in and of course, all my boots are my usual size for normal wearing.
Should I get these with the £50 My W code?

Zembo have you got your snowboots yet

Fleecy - red lantern skirt sounds lovely.

Bloss could you not sell via Etsy?

Bonsoir do you ever do anything crappy All your days sound so luxurious

DD1 at school today, no nursery for dd2 though although she has a little playmate coming over later with his mum so taht should cheer her up a bit. Ocado delivered this morning so am off to cook a chicken curry and make the filling for a chicken, courgette and mint tart for tomorrow.

Read back a bit more.

Waves back to NY!

Sorry about your job, Geordie. I am glad you liked Dublin. It is my home town. I love Brown Thomas too!

Nice Deanne coat.

I like quite a lot of what WIT's outfits but I wear a lot of black and denim. Not too keen on her shoe haul though.

DT, lovely Deanne coat.

Georgina, like the sound of your outfit.

LTEC, great boots.

Tracey, how was your night out, or is it tonight?

My Anya Hindmarch bag and wallet arrived, really pleased with both except the security tag is still on the bag. I have to go on Monday morning to the store so they can remove the tag, armed with the invoice so they know I didn't steal it!

My lovely friend has called in with croissants and coffee and has now taken DD home with her for a few hours so I can do some packing.

Also meant to say Tracey hope you enjoyed your night out. What did you wear in the end?

God help me. I feel so utterly crap :-(

Am on iPhone outside supermarket where I was planning to buy last bits for ds1's b'day party but ds2 asleep and I just can't face waking him up to trawl around for apple juice and pita bread, poor lamb.

Party bag tat has been purchased though. A gripe: why is there so much gender specific stuff? I am not making sep bags for the girls!!! Sheesh.

Auction cake delivered this morning and the 9 year old on question squealed with delight on seeing, rather more piercingly than my delicate 8.45am ears could bear.

Carciofi, so glad all good at scan. Hells, will pm you. Bloss, glad last night success. Everyone else, will catch up later.

Roma bloss and esher, thanks for vote of boot confidence. Must say I am warm and crucially, feel safe.

Lastly: dh taking me out for b'day dinner but wants restaurant shortlist from which to surprise me. Any ideas? My criteria: must be fab frock worthy, don't care about food tho will need to eat to keep him happy so fish, veggie, non carb options essential. His criteria, must have amazing food

Carciofi good news re: scan, hope you're feeling okay generally and enjoying your pregnancy. You said you haven't put on any weight - that sounds about right to me (although perhaps not the norm) - I didn't announce my first pregnancy until 20weeks as wasn't showing, no weight gain etc..

Cakey you need some rest! Bet the cake was fab - I've got all that happening next weekend. I don't do the party bag tat stuff, really can't cope with it. For Ds's party they'll be getting a bear related book each (bought a 10 for £10 from the book people) a piece of cake and their picinc basket to take home. Our guests will only be 2yrs old though !

Esher no boots yet, why does the UK deal with snow so badly?

NY don't worry we in N'ham are fully informed re: snow situation in Lincs

Off to a coffee afternoon at one of the school mum's houses this pm. She's selling cards - will be going empty handed which is unheard of for me, must get better organised

happily so glad you got your dd back, how annoying! Lots of cuddles I am sure.

Bloss cracking job.

Bonsoir glad the night was a huge success. Sounds divine. I love having drinks and laughs with friends, plan to do so tonight and tomorrow!

Esher / pickled yes to what you said re WIT.

Fleecy you know I think you are gorgeous, first thread right at beginning..... (long memory?)

carciofi well done on good scan and compliment!

By hook or by crook ds DID go to school. Had to abandon car as no grit near school. Road totally ice. But do prefer walking to being stuck inside with bouncy children.

Ds2 asleep now. All is quiet. BLISS.

Oh yes Roma we are going to Australia for a few weeks, beach house (as Bunny says dime a dozen over there, but still lovely) and driving to see friends. Will be nice, but not much inspiration for your holiday I'm sure!

Bunny hope all is well with feeding and beautiful babies.

Hells and Ltec hope you feel better soon.