Karl, Marc and Oscar might be three WISE men, but if it's AVID women you're after, this is the place

[PlumSykes]

new thread

Bunny - totally agree with all the wise words on here. You should do what feels right for you and all your girls.

Apuski - he is so gorgeous and bright eyed!

Will catch up later. LTEC have fun.

apuski Your DSs are really cute!

cake Another great dress! Have fun at the wedding party!

bonsoir Spend the afternoon in our old bed with a hot water bottle clamped to my belly in order to get rid of period cramps . Your afternoon sounds lovely though! Have babysitter tomorrow so hope to have a nice evening out with DH.

Too exhausted to have plans for NYE. Will dress up anyway and sip champagne on sofa! Have placed another H&M order with lots of spring/summer basics for DD and butterfly dress for me . Also bought bargainous Nudie jeans from German sales website.

I don't usually post on this thread but having read Bunny's post just wanted to say that you must do what's right for you! I have breastfed twins exclusively - they're now 2.5 and still having a night-time breasfeed - and I have two boys who were 5 and 7 when DT's arrived. I found that I spent maybe the first 10-12 weeks feeling like I was permanently glued to the couch with a baby on each breast. Feeding on demand was impossible with two and with two older children - so when one wanted fed, both got fed, in tandem. It was the only way I could do it. It did get easier, they fed for less time and we became more mobile. There are breastfeeding police who will say that you must breastfeed for at least 6 months ... I don't agree. Do what you feel happiest with, if you're relaxed your whole family will be relaxed and I promise, your gorgeous daughters will thrive no matter if it's breast or formula . Enjoy those babies because they won't be babies for long!

bunny Sorry you have to worry about feeding issues. Can only repeat what others have said before: Do what is best for you and the babies! If you are looking for new dresses for DD1: I love gorgeous sale has started. Will have to sit on my hands or we won't be able to afford my new dream bed .

Thanks for the compliments re DSs!

I found the dress I bought from Whistles here, suits my shape and the right colours.

And I have ordered a few things from the Toast sale (I know, lots of it is shapeless, but I think I've found a few nice bits in some good colours for me), so will see what I think when they arrive.

We're off to a friend's house for NYE, hope the boys sleep OK so we can enjoy it! And the argument on who gets up with the DSs the next morning begins now... NY, your party menu sounds great.

Fritzi, sorry you've had a rotten afternoon, hope you have a lovely time out tomorrow.

LTEC, hope you have fun, great dress.

apuski Thanks I think I'm a bit better already. Problem is I have to work every day this week and feel just so exhausted all the time anyway. Love the Whistles dress. Will you get it in time for your NYE party?

(sneaks in having lurked for a while)

Just wanted to say thanks to you all for being an inspiration. Had lost my style mojo but with your 'style porn' plus affordable basics advice I feel I'm getting it back (slowly). You have all made me smile through the last few months especially last few weeks with poorly DS's (2y7m and 12m).

Have bought NL khaki chinos, stripey Janice and 'dukaned' (a bit but difficult as not a meat eater) and bought Shred (tried it once but life been too busy in Dec). (far too many brackets emotion).

Looking forward to SS11 with your stylish guidance and also looking forward to trying to get a social life as very jealous of some W&A ladies nights out.

Off to Manchester shopping tomorrow (with DH) so hopefully will be successful but more than likely come home with nothing

As you were...

Bargain jumper dress anyone?

Oh Fritzi it's not fair that you have to work this week, hope you get a proper break at NY, you deserve one.

Zembo delighted that you got away at last. V of yourself and Roma. Wonder how Marsha and Roary are getting on down under.

Bunny I can only echo what others have said, you are AMAZING to have fed bf for this long. It is the feeding and nurturing that matters not how you do it. FWIW, I bf dc1 for almost a year and dc3 for just 2 weeks. Dc1 has asthma and allergies, dc3 has only needed to go to the doctor twice in her 6 years, she is the healthiest child I have ever met.

Pickled, poor you, I feel your pain. I have awful ILs and it has taken me many years to learn how to deal with them. This christmas we spent 24hrs with them,, which was 23 and a half hrs too much for me! I always feel, as we drive away form MILs house that I need some kind of emotional detox to cleanse myself of them . If you ever want to offload about the situation, I'm here

Speaking of which, bloss 23 ILs at the one time, hats off to you

NY once again MrNY has come up with the goods . Maybe you could get him to write a manual on how to be the perfect husband and we could all share in his magic!

HF swoon at the Nureyev kiss on the cheek. I love ballet too, went to Swan Lake in Covent Garden for my birthday last year, it was stunning. I have seen SL performed by the Bolshoi, Kirow, Paris Garnier, and mics other productions, and while the Kirov is my all time fave, the Covent Garden production and costumes were really beautiful.

Vin I am worried about your computer, hate the thought of you losing your photos Fingers crossed someone will be able to save them for your. Well done on progress with P, keep on going

Hells love that Marant sweater, I am channeling my inner French rock-chick at the moment, lots of marant and Vanessa Bruno outfits happening here.

My best buys of the year have been all the heels I've acquired. After years in ballet flats and converse type shoes I have taken to heels with a vengence, I feel much more assertive when I wear them!

One of the best tips from this thread all year was Vins George Clooney one. My wardrobe is about half the size it was since I read that. It has also become my golden rule for sales shopping - would George like me in this? no, back on the rail!

Snow has finally melted here. There was pandemonium amongst the W&A of Dublin on the morning of the 26th. As we all struggled out of bed, bleary eyed but determined to shop the Brown Thomas sale (our Selfridges), it was announced on the 9am news that a burst pipe had flooded the store and the sale had to be postponed. Cue many sighs of relief as we all got back into bed again! Reminds me to say hi to Carciofi and Rufus

If 19th is def the date then I shall book a flight - can't wait

Nice dress Fritzi

Arewedancers I love to live vicariously through the social lives here too, LTEC is on a roll atm, and I love Bonsoirs little vignettes of Paris life. Hope you get something nice tomorrow

Btw petit you are gorgeous and a dead ringer for a great friend of mine, who really rocks the pencil skirt and fine knits combination, looks great on her. She has your colouring and looks lovely in mossy greens and heathery purples.

hi all,

I've been enjoying Christmas with my family (don't see my DC's or DH much due to working such long hours) so not been able to catch up fully on the thread.

I hope everyone had a wonderfully relaxing Christmas (sorry to those who had IL issues -I managed (goodness knows how) to keep calm amidst some really weird and inappropriate MIL comments. Ho hum.

W & A - I've been to the Sales with my Sister and bought mainly shoes, light jumper dresses and a few accessories. This thread has opened my eyes to accessorising - can't get it right but still trying!

bunnymother - echoing all comments re doing what you need to do to keep happy.

hells - the Yeti boots arrived and they fit perfectly. No snow left though but have worn and absolutely love them. Belstaffs - they are my dream Xmas purchase. They fit, they fit, they fit - am very pleased. My left foot must have shrunk a bit in the cold!

CHOO - I was in Selfridges tonight - a fleeting visit to exchange a pair of shoes to high heels and cake I think had linked to these. Not sure which ones to wear on NYE, depends on weather, venue and if we secure a babysitter to go out (doubt it.).

Some lovely links to Sales items. Loving the P&J dress and the Marant!

Not sure when I will be back on as spending New Year away and BB takes too long to post and link.

Wishing everyone a healthy and prosperous 2011 and really looking forward to more W&A and virtual friendship support .

Bunny I echo what the others have said re feeding. you have done REALLY well to have bf for as long as you have with twins. I was unable to bf dd1 due to medical reasons and I didn't bf dd2 at all either, basically because I didn't want to. Seriously, imo the feeding thing is just a rod with which to beat yourself, people (myself included) angst about it soo much and honestly, once your dc are past about 18 months old you never ever think of it again. If you want to stop, just stop and don't give it another thought.

oooooh Verity am glad you are here. You bought a Gerard Darel coat recently did you not? Can I ask re sizing? Lots of nice puffa coats in the sale but rather annoyingly no refunds on sale items so am dithering. I am a size 8 but quite often size up a little on a casual coat so that chunky jumpers can go under. I also LOATHE anything cut very tight under the arms, just cannot bear that restrictive feeling when you want to move your arms around. Ugh.

hello to petitdonkey and arewedancers

Rats lovers or those who fancy giving them a whirl but are put off by the ££££. Am loving these poor man's rats. Obviously modelled on the original but in some ways even better - less transparent and no shirring running up the sides of the legs. Buy them I tell you

Fritzi thanks for that dress link, pretty much what I was looking for

Apuski - I've got that Whistles dress and love it. I had it in the coral colour that they did September time and liked it so much I got the green which is much nicer.

Thanks so much for all the advice and compliments - I too will be following the George Clooney advice!!
Am putting on some more pictures of hair long and short - it's funny, looking through pictures that I like I realise that a) there are hardly any full length ones of me (for good reason) and b) I look best in bright blue! Does that make me autumn or winter?

I'm off to bed to dream about my shopping day tomorrow. I have painted my nails in honour of shoeboot pickup.
verity, you win most avid and wise in my book: the eBay lanvins, the recent boots. Wait for the sales, wait for it, then pounce! Brave and brilliant!

esher - quick note on Gerard Darel.

I bought the black Trench coat and had to size down to a 36. They are generous. I have my eye on the Shearling but it will not be reduced.

The puffas are lovely. Selfridges had quite a few and so did John Lewis and House of Fraser - all returnable and fully refundable. Gerard Darel is now at Bicester village too.

Thanks DT that is most helpful
I am considering

this

this

or this

Any comments/thoughts anyone?

Am just realising - was your recent lovely leopard dress GD? I didn't recognise the website when you linked and am now thinking it was?

They used to have a shop on St John's Wood High Street, anyone know if it is still there?

vinvino - I also meant to say that in addition to the jeans I have ordered this which I really do not need!

esher - I have seen all in rl. No. 2 fits lovely to the body and is quite shiney. I love it. 1 and 3 might be too big on you in my humble opinion.

DH bought me (dare I say it?) the rabbit fur scarf in blue for Xmas - sold out everywhere but there is one cream left in House of Fraser on Oxford Street if anyone is interested.

Yes, the leopard dress is GD - in the sale and really good purchase.

St John's Wood High street store is still there. Guildford is very helpful.

Did you make any W&A purchases from Reiss?

hark - hope you get better soon.

Did you wear your statement necklace from the W&A meet-up? I thought it was stunning on you.

hello too to petitdonkey and arewedancers - like the names .

hello Hark ignore your family, they are obviously clueless . Was your skirt the one you wear to the Selfro's meet-up because that was lovely and you looked very pretty in it.

Petit nice dress. I have not bought one but have been very impressed with the project D dresses. Sadly I don't have the social life to justify.....but if I did.....

DT mmmmmm rabbit fur sounds lovely
Is it very bad that I have been lusting over a full length mink coat on the GD site?

OOOh, am v pleased that you think number 2 is the best as that was my fave anyway. I was going to get the black rather than the brown though. Wdyt? Black or brown?

I did make some Reiss purchases - but all via ASOS as delivery/returns cheaper/easier.

these shorts which are nice but too big so have re-ordered a size smaller

this jumper which was great from the bottom third down but DH said made me look like an american quarterback (he is right)

these trousers which are too baggy at waist but I know will be too small in the leg if I size down.

Hi Esher, I'd agree with DT that the sizing is fairly generous, but the style of my coat is loose anyway. I would have got the 36 I think, but 38 was the smallest thay had. I have had my eye on those puffa coats, the quality is great, they are lightweight and feel lovely. Of the three, I think I like the last best, love a bit of fur, and it's detachable if you want a change.

Oh, bloss thanks, that's made my week I've said before I have NAP taste on a Zara budget, so when I get something I really want, I enjoy it all the more. I particulary love wearning my most extravagant purchases to the ILs, I can feel the disapproval radiating from them

Hark I love tulip skirts and statement necklaces, ignore your parents, esp your father. I caught the end of Strictly Ballroom earlier and it really made me smile.

I also blubbed at the end of Upstairs Downstairs last night, I thought Keely Hawes overacted slightly, but her wardrobe...swoon.

Dh is waiting with the next Mad Men. We are half way through the 2nd series, and while I love it in some ways (it looks fabulous), I just find it so depressing. At the end of every episode I'm thinking "Poor Betty" "Poor Don" "Poor Peggy", even last night "Poor Joan". I hope something nice happens tonight!