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

oh NY!! your poor dd. Ouch. And poor you, so stressful when they hurt themselves.

Right, count me out of next meet up. Have just watched Catfish.

YOU ARE ALL NUTTERS!!!!!

G'night

Hellooooo!!!!

It's actually great to be back

Holiday was excellent. Really lovely. Great weather.

Minimal clothing spending in Aus as felt very expensive. A cashmere bright jumper for a whopping $555. I was gobsmacked! And didn't pay, was a present.

Family all good, and loved the new (or like the old) figure, so converted the sisters to the ways of the dukan!

Haven't read anything yet as am jetlagged but scanned quickly and have seen that NY is on the case with organising the do. Well done!

Landed at 5am this morning... So nice to be home

NY - ouch - poor DD - hope she's feeling better today.

MB - glad you had a lovely holiday.

Morning all!
Welcome back marsha.
I'm not here either, I'm planning this afternoon's lesson. But really pleased to be back to normal here with dh and ds out of the way!
On the subject of saving. I might just save up for this dvf dress. I really love her stuff, and always find something to covet! I'm hoping to go to Rome when the weather warms up and I'm imagining myself swanning around all glam!
Right, I really am off now. What to wear..?

Poor dd NY! Hope she's feeling better soon.

Glad you had a great holiday Marsha, hope you're not feeling too frozen adjusting to our temperatures - the worst part of warm winter holidays, I think!

Looby, I think you and I have similar style dilemmas, I have hardly any going out dresses (something to do with not going out much!), and need to fill the gap.

Actually I have a second interview on Friday for a job that if I get it will involve quite lot of evening events - so wish me luck for the perfect excuse for avid shopping!

Speaking of avidity, I may have gone a little overboard in the sales - am waiting for deliveries from Toast, NAP, asos, and Pure Collection, and have primed my basket ready for the Brora sale. I may post pics of purchases a la bloss to draw on the wisdom of the collective once things arrive!

Welcome back Marsha, glad you had a great time.

Bunny, we moved to SW13 so not far. I like it though not settled in yet as need lots of new furniture and we are currently on a mattress on the floor as our massive American bed would not fit up the narrow stairs! Great shops and also close to Richmond, which has lots of nice shops and not too far from Westfield. :) We moved here for the school but I think we will be happy here. We are still looking at houses in Dublin and DH is keen to buy there in the next year or two.

I probably won't make the night out as it is my dh's birthday and I am already abandoning him in Feb to go to NZ. Hope you all have a blast.

DDT, what bag are you after?

PickledSiblings, nice scarf.

PetitDonkey I like the blazer/jeans look a lot too.

Vino, cool jumpsuit. I can't see the dress.

Vin - the presents that DD1 got for her first birthday that were a hit were:
Fiesta Craft jungle animal building blocks - these were the favourites!

• John Lewis farmhouse and tractor - 2nd favourite!;
• jigsaw puzzle of animals;
• ELC stacking cups (such fun to knock over the tower Mummy built);
• ELC bucket and spade set for the sandpit - too pink for words, but it works and the sand pit at local playground is full of these - label yours to avoid fights w possessive possessed toddlers!;
• Dr Seuss shape flash cards like this but DD1 isn't interested what's on the cards yet;
• VTech laptop, can't find ours but perhaps something like this?;
• Fisher Price shape sorter

Marsha - welcome back! So glad you had such a wonderful holiday

Gorgeous dress, Bloss. DVF is my favourite designer.

Marsha Welcome back - glad you had a fab time!

Bloss Can't see the DVF dress.

NY Poor dd, hope she is on the mend soon.

Vin That jumpsuit is nice - it doesn't look like a jumpsuit IYSWIM!

Well I phoned my boss this AM and have taken today as an extra day's A/L. I am so lucky that he is lovely. DD at nursery and I am in that hell that is 'pine needles'! Tree in the garden but mess everywhere.

vin-I did try the dress on again and I think the size may be okay. I was shocked by the VPL when tried on in JL! :) Also, don't normally wear bodycon but this one is quite good because it squeezes you in rather than showing lumps and bumps!
The jumpsuit is actually quite pretty and doesn't really look like a jumpsuit!
For your DS, I second that farmyard tractor. We bought it for DD1 and all three have loved it!
Also, a rocking horse or a little car to ride about the house would be brilliant or building blocks one of those pull along animals.

apuski- I also can't really justify buying evening dresses because of total lack of events to wear them to! Haven't been able to go to last 2 or 3 weddings because of childcare, etc and GP gatherings don't require v smart dresses. Infact, at the Xmas one, someone else was wearing the navy Janice like me!
Your new job could give you the perfect excuse to indulge!

bunny- I am v impressed that you manage to write anything at all with twins!

Updated meet-up list:

Me
LTEC
Esher
Everything
Fritzi
Verity
Choo
Roma (?? Think it depended on family plans..)
Marsha
Blossoming
OWW
Bonsoir (??)
Tracey
Bunny
Hells
DT
HF
Fleecy

As before - I am only posting names I have definitely seen confirmation from, and I have been away and missed some of the thread. If you are not on it, please let me know - and accept my apologies!

Marsha - Welcome back. Glad you had a lovely time.

Bloss - Can't get that DVF link to work, but I love her stuff and was lusting after some of her dresses last week.

Vin - Like the jumpsuit.

DD much better today. Has managed a few wees whilst only 'doing my special breathing' - no tears (most disconcerting listening to your 4 year old 'blowing away the pain'!) DH had to return to work last night after 2 1/2 weeks living together - the longest in years. DD and I both a bit flat, although she is excited because we are meeting him here on Friday for the weekend - we booked it after getting a great discount via HF! I have a massage booked and can't wait. DD gone to kids Club happily today for a few hours to allow me to do a job application - I think she is looking forward to some younger company! We have another day together tomorrow when I have promised to get out all the craft sets she got for Christmas and we will be creative together.

AND - it is only bloody snowing here again. Couple of inches so far, although it is easing up. Had hoped to get out for a long run, but I guess it will be the crosstrainer instead.

Did my new Jillian DVD 'No more trouble Zones' yesterday. It is about 40 mins, so not very long. Less intense than the Shred (although you are only supposed to do 20 mins Shredding, so I guess that is why.) Some similar exercises to the Shred, but enough differences that it was boring. Would be a good alternative I think if someone is bored of Shredding.

Oooh, yes - good luck for the interview Apuski!

DH back at work today, but DD home until next Mon. I spent 2 hrs menu planning and then Tesco shopping for delivery this morning, but they have phoned to say they can't do it until tomorrow now. Am beyond irritated. Will have to go out to shops now, and have got friend arriving from London tonight, so lots of things to do to get ready for her arrival already. Grrr.

NY, so glad DD is feeling a bit better. Bless her! She could wee in a shallow bath if it's still very sore.

And, please add me to meet-up list.

Vin, I bought DS (20 months) one of these animal ride-on toys for Xmas. He adores it, and will hopefully last a few years.

Bunny, Nah, I never talk about it in RL, or online,in fact. Just get on with it, have good days and not so good.

LTEC, count me in for our birthday buy, whatever it may be. . Though, actually, I really must send some stuff back before ordering any more. The hall is getting cluttered, and DH is getting tutty.

notyummy Glad to hear that DD is already better, poor thing! Another cheer for MrYummy and teaching her special breathing

Oh, and thanks for organising meet-up. Can't wait to book my flight!!! Have we decided on venue/hotel yet?

It's called 'leron dress in simple stripe nude/navy'. Well it would have to have a stripe now wouldn't it? Strange how this always happens with my dvf links.

Good luck with interview apuski.

I need something else to wear for teaching. I tried on my 2 remaining black skirts yesterday and they are frump-de-frump. And I'm running out of jersey/knitted dresses. I hate wearing the same thing twice!
tracey you were so right on that 'classics's thread. You'd think that black skirts wouldn't date now wouldn't you? May have to do some browsing for 'mix and match separates'. Oh joy.

Vin - those wheelybugs Plum linked too are fab amd agree re JL farm - sort of thing DS1 (aged 5) would still play with albeit with playmobil and lego bits in it!! DS2 was very taken with the ELC Happyland fire engine and they also do a cute London bus:
here

Re hotel - had a quick look and think the Hoxton one doesnt have any doubles/twins left for that WE. Any other suggestions?

OOh yes - good luck Apuski!!

BTW who here is breastfeeding / will be breastfeeding soon?? I have also received an astonishing amount of clothing from the v generous Vin, which inc BF friendly tops. Which I haven't used, so who can I send them to??

Very wise advice on holding back with purchases for SS. I tend to buy summery stuff too early. Will join bonsoir, carciofi and hf in focussing on home improvement instead. Very difficult to make decisions as DH has rather strange tastes. Glad I could talk him out of bare concrete walls and exposed steel construction for our extension.

cake I'm also a sucker for compliments about my appearance/weight. Haven't changed since I was a teenager really.

traceybath Can't find the leopard scarf. Could you link please? The image of you colouring in your dresses really made me smile! Hope DS2 settles in at nursery quickly.

everything Just imagine the independence that comes with driving. I couldn't be without my car really! You don't even have to have a car of your own. Are there any car-share-programs around where you live?

blossoming Hooray for new laptop! Link to DVF-dress doesn't work but glamming up for Rome sounds perfect!

pickled Well done for acting as fashion fairy to your friend! Like your links, especially the cream yoke smock blouse. I'm a bit puzzled about the fabric: Can anyone explain what 100% composite means?

vin I hate velcro with a passion. DH ruined some of my tights last week by putting them into the washing machine with his velcro-tastic running jacket. Hope you get someone to retrieve your laptop data for a lower price. That price is outrageous!

looby I like both rings and earrings for your sister. Not keen on either of the dresses. Although I like kimono tops and dresses the model's cleavage looks a bit, err, odd I think.

ollie I love the star pashmina. Just what I would need right now to feel snug and warm! You are a summer too, so pale blue is perfect. I thought you linked to a backless dress for pickled and was wondering what "too chunky" meant in that context. For a shelf it makes sense of course .

petitdonkey Couldn't you just layer thin cashmere cardi + T-Shirt + thermal cami under your coat?

esher Great haul! I like your sister's red dress too. Prefer the black puffa. As long as they are belted they look ok I think.

notyummy Love the colour of the Whistles dress but not sure about draping.

hells I have never managed to make nice Brownies. Tried Nigella's recipe once but it was just chocolatey goo after baking.

bunny Glad I'm not the only one "mothering" DH in terms of buying clothes . Your
Wonder Nanny sounds like a real blessing!

marsha Welcome back!

apuski Good luck for the job interview!

blossoming Beautiful dress!

I noticed that too ollie. There is the Malmaison as esher pointe out, and I like the hilton green park which has doubles for £159.

Have just tried on the Nudie Jeans I ordered and they are all going back. Either the sizing is ridiculously small or I have put on more over Christmas than I think .