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

Ooh, Esher I love those shorts, I've been looking for a pair to wear with my Farhi boots, I think I might snap those up

I love fur. I was wearing my granny's fur coat in the snow, but sadly it's so old it's starting to disintegrate. I know it's morally dubious, but it's so soft and there is nothing warmer.

Better go, dh getting impatient!

Perhaps I should not have mentioned the xmas purchase after reading the other thread. I am worrying now about what people will think.

esher - the GD m (ink) is divine. I tried that on too but nowhere to wear it. Your coat at the W&A was better! Love the shorts. I bought that jumper too but took it back as too baggy at the bottom (even with my J Lo hips). Trousers - no, get the smaller size. Aren't they meant to be really tight?

I bought the following in the Sale: Belucci jumper in black - lovely and fluffy. The Winnie top in Navy which I am taking back as it does not fit right. The garland shirt looks good with the GD leather skirt (exchanged for a long cashmere cardi).

hark - Christmas fatness???? I fail to see what you are referring to! You look lovely and DS is super cute! I love that statement necklace on you - love it!.

Library is the best option. If it is anything like my local library DS will have to be quiet so you can preserve your voice!

Better go now. Need some well earned rest.

Night all.

Hark can't see much of outfit tbh but the necklace looks fab
Hope you feel better soon and your voice returns.

Verity the sizing on the shorts is generous imo.

DT is it this one? Lovely but I would need an 8 and they are sold out.

OK, am off to bed. We are taking the dd's to Tate Modern tomorrow. Not a usual outing for us but part of my new resolution to do more interesting stuff en famille.

Night all.

Morning - up early for a change Do you know DD hasn't slept through in about 2 months - getting rather tired now.

Petit - you are really really pretty! And agree with you that bright blue looks gorgeous on you and I like your hair long or short she says helpfully That project d dress is really nice.

I do think daytime dressing is hard and like Bloss I tend to stick to stuff that works. So at the moment am wearing lots of knitted dresses or my black gap coated skinnies and goat cardi-coat which is very warm and flattering. Good job as feeling podge-tastic.

Also agree with Vin/Bloss/Ltec that good jeans are invaluable - like the ones you've ordered. And I wear lots of little tops with cashmere cardigans on top and a nice scarf - and brora sale starts soon.

Did you buy a mulberry handbag recently or have I got you confused with someone else? Oh and I have an anglomania dress in that pink colour and its a really good colour

DT - loving your shoes!

Esher - I like all those coats and most importantly they look warm. Have a lovely time at the tate - DS1 and are I off to see Gulliver's travels - not quite so culturally enriching and I'll have to avoid the maltesers

Hark - you do have to love parenting advice that involves smacking. I do think its so easy for men of a certain generation who possibly/probably spent very little time with their own children to forget what small children are like. But anyway - I think you looked fab Also hope you feel better soon.

VB - glad the snow has gone and you can get out! Did smile at your boots story - so the type of thing I'd do too.

Hello arewe

Oh and finally managed to spend my outnet credit. This arrived yesterday and is perfect.

However please do not let me buy any more going-out clothes as I really really don't need it. Practical day to day stuff is the order of the day. But now saving myself for brora sale oh and need some new underwear too.

PetitDonkey, I will pm you when I get her details. You are gorgeous!

Lovely dress, Tracey.

Verity, I heard BTs was closed, awful!

Bunny, echoing the others, do what works for you. I an impressed that you have bf twins this long. I only lasted two days with one.

I feel a little guilty as have spent quite a bit on maternity clothes (but still did not get very much) and we have a lot to buy for the new house, also DD's fees are due soon, so going to try to contain myself for a while. I have too many clothes that I don't wear so when I am in my tiny maternity wardrobe, I am going to be ruthless and go through them!

Have no new year resolutions as I can't drink anyway so feel very pure and healthy. Oh, I need to find a babysitter and get out more, does that count?!

Hark - I really, really like your necklace - where was it from? Ignore all comments I say, YOU know you look lovely and thats what counts.
Fritzi - hope you feel better today. Enjoyed looking at the H&M stuff (am longing for spring), and the butterfly dress has a big thumbs up from me. DH working everyday this week too including tomorrow. Both feel we've not had a proper break. Boys are hard work this week - partly my fault for not getting them out and about enough so off to the park later.

Bunny - do what feels right for you and please don't feel any pressure. My friend with twins bf for 6 weeks and then switched to formula as she felt bf was too restrictive for her. She said she could have beaten herself up about it but chose not too. Like LTEC says, never forget how brilliantly you are doing.
arewedancers - nice post.

Vin any progress with the pc - hope so?
petitdonkey - can only repeat what the others have said. Gorgeous pic - I have hair envy!
Apuski - really great re DS2 - he has such a cheeky smile!

We are having a joint NYE party with a few of the neighbours. All making different dishes (me - pavlova, cheesecake and apple crumble - special request from the Dutchies!). The Dutch go mad with fireworks at midnight onwards - usually last for a couple of hours (!) with all the neighbours setting them off in the street. Boys have always slept through them but goodness knows how! All these bottles of champagne just appear and are passed up and down the street - but one always seems to to get stuck in my vicinity! Was hoping to wear my Warehouse embellished cuff dress (wails) but now have no idea.

No purchases yesterday as limited shopping time after a lovely lunch out with DH and DS1. DH popped into town yesterday morning to look for shoes and suits. Rang me several times dithering over a v expensive suit and shoes - made me smile as it was like he wanted my permission to buy - which of course I gave (and stored said amount in my memory to be used as future leverage - thats sneaky isn't it?)

Morning all

In post office queue doing the endless post-Christmas returns. Was designated driver last night so up at 7 with L but have just left hungover dh doing breakfast

Lovely wedding celebration. Dress worked well I think, pic on fb if anyone cares! My sister and I went halves in it the other night as only 1 in our size, so it's going to Australia on sat and I'll get it back in summer. Must say having someone of similar size height looks, shape and taste around has been fun

hark sorry you are feeling poorly and that Christmas was trying
esher have fun with the fam today. I love those ratalikes but got new rats for Xmas so prob can't justify
dt I didn't link to the LK shoes but I love the snakeskins!!
verity well done on surviving your toxic in laws. I second the vote for you as wisest on thread... Patience, skill, style!
petit sounds like you are getting lots of good advice from these lovely ladies. I have no bust whatsoever so am pretty useless re advice but think you look fab in that pink anglomania!
hf how was the glitter fish dress??
Tracey I think I need some dyeing tips. Think I would get more wear from Ossis lace dress if underslip was not nude. You think I can dye the whole thing black?
ny glad you had a great Christmas and that mrny came up trumps on giftage!! Menu sounds fabuloso
carciofi how is the house? Hope the move went smoothly. You are very good with your ebaying so am sure clearout will prove fruitful!!
bunny hope you are feeling better today

Have exhausted my memory banks so apols to anyone I missed and hello newbies

Must say it is making me laugh seeing my 2 boys beat each other up. I am still in habit of saying 'careful of the baby!!!' .... and then I realise he is the ringleader

Going out for dinner with mum and sister tonight, think it's about time I trotted navy Janice out again. it's been a good few weeks ...

oww I like your style!! IOU on permission to buy... Nice

And pavlova and cheesecake, oh god stop. Two oft faves. Must say wedding table piled high with goodies last night made me quite miserable. I am so bloody fed up with dieting. Wish I could just be happily chubby

Of my faves

iPhone!!

Oooh, nice, Tracey! Wise, I call that.

ltec, nothing tastes that good!

tracey, I love love love that dress. Didn't know dvf was on outnet.

Bonsoir ? wow ? what an afternoon you had?so luxurious

Fritzi ? I will be joining you on the sofa for NYE! Possibly in a borrowed house out of London but nothing exciting.

Apuski ? toast is a funny place isn?t it? Loads of shapeless overpriced tosh and then a few hidden gems. Glad you found some good stuff.

Arewedancers ? what a lovely first post. I?m a Dukaner and also a carb addict . It is tricky to begin with but it works so well. LTEC is a non meat eater too and she?s found a way to make it work so I?m sure she?ll have advice on that.

Verity lovely to have you back ? how exciting that you are booking the flight ? I can?t wait for the 19th! I too love both Marant and Vanessa Bruno. I remember reading an article by VB saying she felt her designs suited blondes and Marant was for brunettes. But I choose to ignore that as I love her stuff.

LTEC ? where are you getting your energy? I have to say your dress looks 4.2 million times better on you than on the model. I wasn?t sure of it till I saw the FB pic. Beautiful.

DT ? divine shoes! I have a real problem about accessorizing and I think that is my weakest link but I too am learning. So glad the yeti boots are good. I have to admit to finding it hard to take them off ? so warm and they were a life saver in the ice and snow. Do you know St Johns wood? That?s where I grew up!!

Esher- what serendipity ? I am wearing my rats today. I have decided it?s high time as I think I am on the very cusp of the age it is acceptable to wear them! However they are almost hidden under a very long baggy sweater!

I agree that no 2 looks the most promising of the lovely coats.

Hark ? one of the W&A ladies told me that it is a GOOD thing when parents don?t like your outfit. And after years of wearing the sort of stuff that had them approving?I realize that W&A lady was quite right (they hate some of the stuff I wear since joining the thread )

Tracey ? great dress?perhaps we can both support each other on the no more going out clothes rule. I?m just as bad. I just can?t resist though. It?s rotten that you are stil not getting proper sleep.

OWW ? proposed festivities sounds such fun.

Actually - one last rule break - this sparkly top was shining so brightly at me from a shop window and was reduced to £95. And it was the last one and it was in my size! It?s so heavy, it?s like chainmail but oh how I sparkle in it . I am planning on wearing it very dressed down (if that?s possible!) with skinny grey jeans.

Thank you so much, Wise Ladies, for taking the time to post about my feeding dilemma - really touching that so many of you cared enough to write such thoughtful and personal messages. And thank you also to those of you who felt compelled to post as a one-off. Very heart warming. Do you know, I completely agree with your wise and sensible words re

• taking care around feeding and eating. Cakey - my mother is morbidly obese due to overeating (feel tense even writing about it) so am quite sensitive re force feeding / issues around food and happiness/comfort and plan to tread v v carefully w my girls. Already telling DD1 what a beautiful tummy she has and all praise for eating, no scolding for not etc, but no pressure to eat.

• importance of happiness and that nurturing goes beyond breast or formula, and that it is such a short time in their lives

BUT its so emotional for me that my sense has left me and am left feeling unsure and a little guilty, whereas if it was any of you posting what I posted I would (like to think that I would) have said what you said. So thank you all for helping me through this - I will continue to look back on your posts...

Right, better read back and actually think of someone other than myself!

Everything - hmm, has your FIL actually met a 2 year old who does what is asked? I have not. And remain to be convinced that smacking is the best way to discipline. My mum asked if we were going to smack Delie. Err, no. Although she does hit us... And I love your statement necklace in your photo, and your hair looks so glossy (can't see rest of you due to DS) - where did you get it from??

Tracey - love the DVF dress!

Cakey - seen the red P&J dress on you on FB, and called DH over to laptop, shouting "oh my God, look at one of the mums on my shopping thread - doesn't she look awesome?! I REALLY want that red dress". Tired DH "yes, alright" - yay!!! Although not v wise as am not normal size. Still, you look fantastic!

Ooops, babies crying, back soon

LTEC, glad you had a good time. Who was it who said nothing tastes as good as being thin?! Jackie O, maybe? The new little house is nice but will look better when we get rid of our drab old sofa and do it up a bit.

Tracey, hope you get a night's sleep. DD slept last night for the first time in 2 months (and she will be 3 in April). She was a great sleeper until recently so don't know what happened! I have just ordered her a nightlight so hope that helps.

Great top, Hells.

Although I just said I am not shopping, I do need to get a pair of shoes for my brother's wedding. I am wearing this in pink or maybe a black bandeau dress Bloss gave me. Would black peep toe shoes work? The wedding is in New Zealand so it will be summer. A nude colour might be better with the pink but I'd get more use out of black.

Hark, lovely photo.

Fleecy, good buy on the Mulberry bag, I do love Mulberry. :)

Bunny - I think you are very wise pointing out how you'd feel if it was one of us posting (and you advising). I often think we are kinder to others than we are to ourselves.

Carciofi - great dress.

Thanks, I am concerned it is a bit casual for a wedding but everyone will be looking at the beautiful bride anyway!

oh thanks hells Do you know, I hesitated to post that warehouse link bc the dress looks so rubbish, I thought you lot would all think I'd totally lost the plot. But I do like it on, slightly gladiatorial though it is. Only problem was getting my tassels caught in my tights in the loo!!

re having energy, I think I m just pushing through until my sister leaves on the weekend and then my mum a few weeks after that. I can feel illness gathering like storm clouds over my head. Hacking cough and achey all over. For various reasons, having my mother here for the last 6-7 month shave proved a double-edged sword and I have basically acquired a fourth child and occasional babysitter. I think what's making me feel reasonably vigorous atm is that I am usually toute seule with the 3 dc so having dh around a bit is like a flippin' holiday!! The joy of being able to shower with the door shut!!

arewedancers I am less a Dukaner than a freak of nature who is terrified of food in all forms Do you eat fish? I do, so that helped. I also concentrated on the non-fat dairy aspect of it a lot. Have recently reintroduced chicken and turkey for the sake of family life. I'm not sure whether Dukan says that tofu is okay but I decided it was and ate it.

Totally agree with nothing tastes as good as etc etc but I wish I could just be well-balanced enough, mentally, to know in my heart that once piece of cake/ cracker with cheese is not going to balloon me. It's the constant and self-imposed fear and deprivation that's getting to me. Hence my applause of bloss the other day. Sensible, level headed but getting results. I envy and respect that with all of my heart.

Great dress carci. Could you do a dull metallic heel? I do love a metallic shoe

Carciogi - yes to Cake's suggestion of dull metallic for either dress. Pewter? Nude also good w either dress.

Hells - LOVE the shiny top - divine!