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

vino, that lipstick would be divine on you. Rouge coco, Rivoli.

Had lovely day with the family. Now I have a pounding headache and pmt. Typical timing.

Hi to everyone, and delurkers. Envious of Kildare's skiing plans.

Actually, I don't care whether she is really, really clever or not - I just want her to find her thing and pursue it. My family was far too focused on Latin school stuff and totally ignored my non-linguistic interests. My linguistic interests were, and are, considerable, but they aren't the total sum of me.

I'm sure she will grow up exceptionally well rounded and talented and happy! It's so important to find what drives you and crucially what you're good at as otherwise you are never happy.. my family for example believed languages were not a real subject despite the fact I can speak a few fluently, which I had to learn. I love linguistics I also love sciences and I was steered away from that. Well, not steered. I moved out when I was still in primary school but they didn't approve of 'my' subjects. Hmmph [vin blames mother for everything] I have an interview for medicine coming up, but my family are telling me not to go because it's irresponsible with the baby blablabla. Eugh.
Sorry-ranting!
bloss thanks for that

Gosh that was a rant! Anyway, in short, you have a great attitude re your DD so she will go far whatever she chooses

Hello everyone, sorry I haven't been around, RL has well and truly been getting in the way. We are off to MIL's for Christmas tomorrow so won't be online, so wanted to pop in and wish you all a very merry Christmas! (and some quiet days to recuperate for Zembo!)

I'll be back to talk sales, especially as I've just had my colours done (am 'vibrant autumn') - bloss I fear I may need advice on how to inject the colourful elements!

pickled how organised are we??

Still wrapping,DH now playing football then off for 'festive' drink.
Bad luck re Waitrose,Tracey.
Although I 've moaned about staying in all day cleaning etc,am glad I braved Marks,Tesco etc yesterday!

Bloss lipstick sounds great. I think I've found 'my red' - Mac red to be precise, lovely bluey red, but have made a mental note to try 'yours' when I get the chance. I think you should take some paracetamol

Vin will PM you with address etc... are you sure it doesn't fit you though? You sound very bright to me too. You're young (don't know how old, but I know it's young!) so a change in career is easily possible, go for it if you think you'll be able to manage finacially etc. Time passes so quickly, the degree would be over in no time - you'd be qualified by your early 30's. My DH (who's a surgeon)interviews prospective med students and says he'd be happy to have a chat with you if you want. I regret not studying medicine.

Bonsoir your Christmas sounds soooo perfect and gorgeous.

Phew all wrapping done - all the dc's presents a bit rumpled I used to take ages wrapping presents but tend to get bored as I near the end of the pile.

Also how comes it feels like you've bought loads and then once everything is out of boxes the dc's piles look rather small. I mean absolutely adequate and probably spoilt by other people's standards but still less than I thought I'd bought.

And I've also done all of Arthur's as poor boy's birthday is on boxing day.

So tomorrow now have to go to waitrose, drop DH at work so he can go to the pub afterwards, do quick clean of house, cook ham, ice cake, make lemon polenta cake etc etc etc. However spare room looks lovely and inviting for parents which is good

DH keeps telling me how happy I'm going to be with my presents - lets hope he's right

Bonsoir - am impressed you'll do pasta for supper on christmas day - here it'll just be cheese and biscuits, christmas cake etc.

Esher - hope drinks party went well last night.

Vin - I hope you have a good christmas and that the New Year brings you lots of wonderful and exciting changes to your life. And I agree you are young and can easily swap careers.

just popping in quickly to say hello
feeling a bit frazzled as have not wrapped a single thing yet and must do it all tonight as can't do it with the dd's around tomorrow and tomorrow night am hosting another drinks thing for family incl sis's new man
All family members now present and correct .

Last night's drinks party went really well, thanks for asking Tracey. I wore the new blue velvet Temperley and had lots of lovely compliments.

Been out all day at one set of PIL. Wearing crap outfit - was aiming for an english eccentric look but ended up like a rubbishy Helena Bonham Carter. Not good.

Have not caught up on last thread yet.

DT , LTEC passed on your message. Sorry I hadn't checked my FB messages for a few days. Thanks for your sweet offer - have not had a chance to get out to any rl shops as yet and not really fussed, too much on so don't worry

Sorry, haven't had time to read up on what's going on, am off to wrap pressies and hopefully be back later with my W&A head on.

esher, I like Helena Bonham Carter's outfits good luck for the wrapping-fest. I haven't started mine yet
I've left it so late for some things I'm not going to bother sending them til afer xmas now..there's no way I can get a parcel to minnesota in one day!

tracey and zembo thank you- am not bright any more, I think 40% of my brain has been depleted by pregnancy and my short-mid term memory has been rubbish ever since I was in a coma for a month (long story) so I started to really doubt myslf after that. Anyway I'd finish the degree at 29 or 30 or 31 depending on which course and then I'd have years of training of course. However, I think I will be 30 or 35 anyway whether I'm doing the degree or still in my current career and I'll always wonder what if if I don't give it a shot..

Hello...am totally frazzled as have done HUGE amount of jobs in one day...including washing, ironing, cleaning, changing bedlinen, wrapping presents, making mince pies, making soup, making a sword sheath (don't ask). Tomorrow more of the same...cooking the Ham, sausage rolls, making bread sauce and stuffings.... Rather like you all actually.

Tracey - ummm...love the Archers (so not cool-what are you trying to say ?). Haven't listened to it for ages though sadly......

Cake...glad you had a good time. Weird about the Hookerish gals...do you think they were?

Vin know what you mean about brain shrinkage, all the sharpness (in my case) has gone , but I think it's perfectly possible to do a medical degree with a depleted brain (speaking with authority here having had to hold my sister's hand for the full duration of her med degree!!)

Tracey you're a proper domestic goddess

Esher I can imagine you looked sensational in the velvet dress

I'm lying on the sofa, looking at my bookshelf and saw a book I forgot to mention the other week: Como Agua para Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. Love it.

I feel terrible. Must get to bed.

zmebo that's reassuring very depleted here!

bloss I love that book with the recetas and the general weird relationship with her mother! I haven't read it for years

[cringes] I can't even spell z-e-m-b-o

bloss hope you feel better in the morning

Hope you will feel better after a good night's sleep. Our sitting room is all twinkly lights and lots of golden butterflies and sparkly birds on our tree. DD was so excited because it was the first time she was allowed to help decorate it. As Christmas Eve is our main celebration all is quiet now.

DH was home tonight and I could sneak out for some last minute shopping. Bought a pale pink feather hairband for DD in H&M for 2 Euros. I also got a berry coloured cashmere cardi for my Mum. She doesn't want me to get her anything but as she hardly ever buys nice things for herself I want to spoil her a bit. Hope she likes it.

For food shopping I copied bunny's strategy and bought some lovely pre-prepared food. I'm impressed by all the cooking that some of you are doing.

ollie Enjoy your evening!

apuski Have a great Christmas!

esher Your party outfit sounds so glamorous. I always wrap presents in front of the TV with some champagne.

notyummy Have prepared our car for the journey to my parents and ILs by packing emergency food and blankets in the boot. DH was a bit but also impressed at my army style preparation .

CT Fingers crossed that your boots will arrive tomorrow.

vino So excited for you and your career change plans! But at the mention of a coma. You have already been through so much at such a young age...

I filled a shopping an Outnet basket with Odabash swimwear this afternoon . Didn't press buy button as I don't really need anything. Or do I? I think I would love to go to Sani Resort in Greece next year but I'm confused about the different hotel options. Who went last year: esher and monkeysmama? Would you recommend hotel, beach club or village?

Stamp!

Evening all.

and welcomes another autumn into the fold!

LOL at esher and the english eccentric look. I'm sure you looked fab!

We've packed up and de-camped to my parents for the duration of christmas. Wrapping all done, crackers made and filled, boys (and me ) ridiculously excited! And also rather pleased at having dug out J Crew strapless chocolate brown dress to wear with fab necklace on christmas day. I'd forgotten all about it!

The journey here should only be 45 minutes so I stupidly hadn't packed snacks or drinks

Morning All. DH let me sleep in til gone 9am this morning which was lovely (now I know there is nothing under the tree for me!) but now I'm looking at my to do list and feeling rising panic! Plus I over did the prosecco last night (drinking alone is not good) and have a bit of a woolly head!

Fritzi - have a lovely Christmas Eve. Your last min presents sound lovely - esp the hairband for DD - so cute!
Tracey - hope you picked up the rest of your delivery. Annoying tho.
Vin - I think you come across as the sort of person that could do anything they put their mind to. You should seriously consider medicine ? I like the sound of Dr Vin!
ABO - your outfit for Christmas Day sounds gorgeous.
Roman - enjoy your long holiday! I loved your comment re DSs being nice travel companions now? there is hope for mine then!

Popped to a few shops yesterday and picked up a very nice over-sized short sleeved cardi in a petrol blue/grey. Saw a woman step out of the changing room wearing it and loved it at first sight! And, even better, it was 50% off when I got to the till! It?s a silk/wool mix so will keep for Spring (wise).

Boys want to go out and about this morning delivering their own Christmas cards and then this evening we have a lantern festival ? lovely old shopping street close by is lit by lanterns and there are choirs, stalls selling hot chocolate, gluwein etc. Should be really beautiful in the snow this year.

Because of FIL?s broken wrist keeping him and MIL house bound, we have offered to pop and see them on Boxing Day afternoon. (DH?s family don?t celebrate Christmas in any way so we usually spend the 26th with friends). MIL irritated me somewhat by asking that I bring along snacks and juice for the boys as she doesn?t eat biscuits etc and they would just go to waste. Why she couldn?t just buy a packet and give them for me to take away I do not know. Tight I tell you, tight!

Back to my to do list - have a good day lovely ladies!

stunning Roland Mouret dress on Outnet, with extra 40% off, for you size 8s out there.

Merry Christmas to you all!

ollie Compared to your MIL even I'm a fab hostess! How could you ask your guests to bring their own snacks? Speaking of MIL I'm a bit annoyed with mine as we just found out (from someone else) that my nephew has scarlet fever. We called her, she confirmed and said it will be no problem when we see them tomorrow. Maybe that should be our decision or as DD pointed out, my SIL should stay at home with her sick child. Sorry, Christmas rant over. We might not be able to go anyway as the weather forecast predicts more snow for tomorrow.

abo You will look gorgeous in that dress. It's a bit sad that we don't really dress up for Christmas here. I'm going to wear a silver grey silk dress (knee-length) with Sportmax coat and snow boots to church this afternoon. DD her tulle skirt, zebra cardi and feathered hairband. Thanks again for the inspiration bonsoir. I'm sure that people will stare and whisper but I don't care .

Fritzi - thats really bad of your MIL! Scarlet fever is not to be taken lightly. DD's outfit sounds beautiful - sure people will only stare and think how lovely. Maybe you will inspire a few Mums to do the same next year?

To Do List Update - shortbread stars made, now onto the brownies (boys request for their Christmas Day pudding - to be served with raspberries, posh vanilla ice cream and a little star sparkler!)

Boys screwed their noses up at the thought of having turkey so DH and I are calling it a Christmas chicken - seems to be working!

Fritzi ? sorry you?ve had such a horrid time with the D&V bug.

Bonsoir ? busy lady! I hate hate hate polishing the silver. That was one of my chores as a child ? I have a complete aversion to it now (lucky then that I have no silver now )

Tracey ? shocking of Waitrose?I assume it wasn?t ocado?the watirose own delivery service seems much worse.

I felt exactly the same as you about the presents. Especially DD?s. I felt sure that as she is so little she wouldn?t be that bothered and I?m trying to avoid spoiling her?but her pile looks very mean

DT ? gutted the boots haven?t arrived. I hope it wasn?t a dodgy site. I just did a google search. I am so sorry. Did you call them?

Bloss ? I too like the sound of your lipstick?!

Esher ? I bet you did wow with your wonderful dress.

Zembo ? here?s hoping you get to some sunshine soon.

We debuted the Christmas eve book treasure hunt. OWW was that your idea? DC?s LOVED it!

I have Christmas t/m with my side of the family which is always a treat?DM is a wonderful cook. We are all looking forward to the lovely Christmas eve church service which is held in the church we married in?so lots of nostalgia!

Hope to pop on here later but if I don?t ? a big happy Christmas to you lovely ladies. You have been true friends over the year and I have so enjoyed this thread. And you got me my style mojo! Quite a feat.

Hey lovelies

Just about to have a nap but wanted to day hi. Just watched "Happy Feet" with dd and unwrapped our Fortnum & Mason hamper. I'd planned a big indulgent Christmas before thinking about ttc and we ordered a luxury case of wine which just arrived too. I feel very at dp getting to enjoy it on his own now.

We are all organised! Presents wrapped, food ready for tonight (traditional salt cod here!), only got to go and see my flower man later. We celebrate tonight and tomorrow. Had Christmas #1 with my mum before she went away two days ago, have Italian friends over tonight then ils coming here tomorrow in afternoon after a morning at dad's with all my sisters! I'm making gammon and beef as we don't eat turkey. Pil are stopping at sil's on way tmrw and she asked dp if it's rude to send her parents over with some turkey & English food for them to eat here. Dp doesn't understand why I find it offensive. I wish they'd all spend Christmas eating their bland fare together & complaining about everything a million miles from me.

Had meal out with dad last night and squeezed into topshop faux leathers & lovely new Reiss black square fine knit jumper with claret suede shoeboots.

Right, I've filled my post with moans so must need a nap to stop me feeling grumpy!

Will be back later with sone Christmas joy.

The lovely Warehouse swallow print blouse as owned by the equally lovely LTEC is now 27 pounds on ASOS - a little Christmas pressie for someone perhaps? here

Oh no, I have already eaten 5 sausage rolls. I'm in feathers dress. Guests are here!