Should auld, WISE and AVID acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind, as long as they continue to shop, 2011 will be of the very best kind

[macmama]

New thread

bunny meant to say - well done on getting through nanny's absence. Dealing with 3 kids under age of 2 is stuff of miracles.

When I found out that I was accidentally pregnant with dc3, I posted on here asking for advice from women with 3 under 3. The one response that really stuck with me was that each day I had to set myself the goal of simply getting us all to the end of the day safe, fed, clean and loved. As you know, I like to pack a lot into a day with my dc so that seemed like a very low bar to set and I was slightly horrified at thought that my life was to be so circumscribed. But you know what? most days I achieved far more than that goal - but having it in my head as a minimum meant that I never felt like a failure

You're doing amazingly

last one sorry

hells can't believe you haven't been to Leon yet, you must go - delish and guilt free (errs on side of carby however)

you sound very gorgeous today, putting me to shame (jeans, H&M, Primark flanny, leather Uggs!!). I promise I will get changed and lift my game if I go out.

Also very cross with you about ordering all of those trousers - you know why.

Also - what size Goldsigns did you get?? am amazed they didn't magic you - they were the really stretchy bouncy ones right??

dinner out for a friend's b'day tomorrow night (Monday!! why??) and am tempted to drastically overdress (tapas) as fear rest of year in new home will be very dressed-down ... look at for me at the meet up, I will be the one wearing all of my dresses at once!!

Tues would be great, I am looking forward to meeting you, LTEC and Bunny. Enjoy tomorrow night, LTEC.

Just got a photo of DD wearing my red boots! She loves shoes.

I am still in my pajamas, browsing furniture sites.

Photo of DD in my boots on profile!

Hells, which trousers did you buy?

she's adorable carcofi! great boots too

so shall we say 11am on Jan 18th?? we can PM re exact location

bunny good with you?

Thanks! That time is good for me.

Has anyone heard from Monkeysmama or is she away? I hope she is ok.

LTEC I hope I haven't managed to give offense in my first couple of posts! Very sorry if so . Can I still join?

One of the lovely things about being away from work on maternity leave was de-institutionalising myself and realising how many other interesting and enviable life choices/career paths there were. Once you are on the legal conveyer belt you become blinkered very swiftly to the other options and I think people can miss out on something wonderful because they are so obsessed with the greasy pole. Maternity leave has been a real eye opener for me, in the nicest possible way.

Gorgeous carciofi

monkeysmama is around, but haven't seen here on here for a while.

This Boden knit arrived yesterday and is a keeper - I'm sure somebody else on here has it but can't remember who, sorry!

apuski what's the fit like on the strpied Toast top you linked to? The colours look very grey on my screen but since you say they are good autumn ones I may give it a go!

It's interesting to read what you all have to say about working/staying at home.
I don't work, and find it very hard to balance keeping us clean, safe and fed with keeping the children stimulated and all of us sociable. But really think I ought to be able to do it! When I work out how, I will share...

carcofi, great boots and gorgeous DD rocking the pink and red

I may post a photo of our apple crate shelves later if anyone is interested (in a tentatively dipping my toe in the water kind of way. Maybe one day I will post an outfit and ask for advice.

Any hints on how to upoad photos or is it straight forward enough.

Bunny, you are doing so without the nanny. Fingers crossed that she'll be back soon.

What a good idea for you ladies to meet up at Westfield. I noticed it on my way in on the train the other day and thought of you LTEC.

She is so adorable carciofi! Working those denims just like her mum!

My taste buds are shot. I just made the most tasteless Sunday lunch known to man! I've had to remove myself physically from the kitchen before I finish all the Christmas chocolate/fudge whatever. I am having a serious wobble.

Hi - back from our night away without DC. Wonderful concert (venue similar to Royal Albert Hall, amazing soloist for violin concerto - jaw dropping stuff and I'm not that much of a culture vulture!). About 1000 people there - lots of lovely outfits (some nice LBDs, a fab grey & silver sequin number) and met some of DH's new colleagues and partners - all seemed very nice. Shame the time away was so short (had to be back home for lunchtime as MIL wanted to get back to FIL). Oh yes, had one of those lovely hotel buffet breakfasts - such a treat!

DH ommitted to tell me our hotel was 2 mins from the Amsterdam equivalent of Bond Street with a bit of Kings Road thrown in (Cartier, Tiffanys, Prada etc). Was a bit miffed as could have gone earlier for a proper browse. Decided to spend less time getting ready and spent 30 mins dashing around. Tried on this navy coat in Karen Millen here - lovely cut and fit - looked good open too and I like funnel necks on me. Just not sure about the moleskin - should I look for wool? Advice please. Navy def a much better colour on me than black which I currently have. DH liked the bag in the pics too and wanted to buy it. I declined as a lot cheaper in UK and not sure how practical it is (strap and matallic clip to open) - wise or should I have just said yes?!

Enough of my waffle!
Esher - sorry to read with horror re DD's bump - I feel partly responsible! DS2 still throwing himself around too - they never learn!
Hells - lovely story re DD. Interested to hear outcome of your trouser buying - need some smart black ones for going out - quite fancy peg leg but never seem to find ones that suit given prominent nature of hips and bum!

Verity - isnt the HH dress you linked to stunning? Also liked the second FC dress Looby.
Bonsoir - I make it over to the UK about 3/4 times a year - have 1 or 2 trips over for weekends without kids which are lovely. When I bring the kids its all just a bit manic trying to visit family and friends etc.
Carciofi I was wondering about MM too.

LTEC exciting news re moving.
Everything - fingers crossed re the house - looked great for moving into straight away and making your own iykwim. Great garden for playing in too.

Right - time to do some more de-cluttering before DH gets back from the park with DC! Ekk - I can hear them and have done nothing!

ABO - I love that. I think Roma might have it (or was thinking of it).

LTEC - - I am a fool. A forgetful fool. Forgive me (and thank you)! Jeans I ordered were the ones you linked from question air. Because of my big bottom I am usually a size 27 but they seemed big or somehow not corset like enough!!

I did LOL a second ago as I thought you said you were sporting a 'primark fanny' - I felt that was a step too far in self-depreciation

Carciofi - gorgeous photo! And I'll link to trousers once I have them (so I can combine with description

Thanks!

What is a Primark flanny anyway? If LTEC has one should I be getting one too? Tis normally how I choose things.

abo, I sent mine back. I've been struggling with shapes since I lost weight and I've been taking photos of myself in outfits before deciding to keep or not. I found it unflattering and hid my shape. I've decided I'm a Trinny & Susannah 'column': shoulders and hips equal, small boobs and slight waist. Not that tall, 5'7, so maybe a pillar! My Pure polo necks which come to mid hip length and are not so bulky suit me much better. In fact tunic length is wrong on me, I'm better with above knee dresses instead.

Nice coat ollie! And bag too!

I really like the bag Ollie. And looks perfect with the coat - picks up the detail on the belt.

Hello blossoming. Can I give credit to you and Roman for getting me to shred this morning. Don't think it would have happened without your encouragement. Upped it to Level 2 thinking that you ladies wouldn't mess around with Level 1!

Oh goodness, we seem to have started a debate, esher! I had no idea there were so many lawyers and ex lawyers here!

mac- I think what you are doing is admirable and that you will be an excellent role model for your DDs. I also totally agree that there should be more flexibility in the workplace for women who wish to combine high powered, demanding jobs with raising a family. In my own profession (Medicine), there is flexibility within certain specialties (GP being one). However, some other hospital specialties are much slower. A friend of a friend (with 2 small children) was failed at her annual assessment and had to quit the specialty she was in because she was not prepared to come in and work extra (unpaid) hours which is what is expected of trainees. It's really hard because in certain specialties (especially surgical ones/ those with procedures), you need to put in lots of hours to become experienced enough....
PS I also felt really stressed at the end of last year but feel more positive and less stressed since the NY!

bunny- I can see what you mean about pay per hour being not as great as it sounds but it still is a good rate (compared to most and thinking of lurkers)!
I guess it varies a lot for lawyers and depends upon the firm/ specialty, etc
My DH is currently v poorly paid per hour of work- it works out a little more than a cleaner take home! Although, if he takes on private work once he is a Consultant, it will obviously be much higher! Then I can start to develop my NAP habit fully

This post has been sitting here for several hours but wasn't able to complete it. I always seem to take 2 hrs to finish a post- is it just me?

Have just ordered something so un-me am rather looking forward to seeing what they are like .

Made dh dance across the room singing Billy Jean.

Good Afternoon - wow this is moving fast!

LTEC - I adore those studded boots but I do love a bit of bling. And how exciting about moving - please pm me and let me know how close you'll be [very excited]

Everything - really hope your voice gets better soon. Have finished my anti-b's and no improvement so back to dr's this week.

House moving along - mortgage agreed and valuation being instructed on monday and then we'll get a full survey done. The upside of a slow property market for us is that no-one is very busy so all moving along speedily. Still worried vendor may decide she's selling too cheap though - well what will be will be.

goodness no Oooh. A Primark flanny is simply a checked flannelette shirt from - you guessed it - Primark . Not something to be emulated!!

and no you haven't caused any offence. I just think (deep breath) that this thread started as a 'safe' place for people to come and celebrate their love of clothes without judgement (what!! £20 on a bag!! how very dare you!) It has of course evolved - beautifully - into much deeper and truer ground and some real friendships have, I think, been forged. But of late there's been a vague undercurrent of assumption about how SAHMs spend their time (and money). There are many women, all very creative and beautiful and clever on this thread and some work full time, others part time, others slog their guts out to create a lovely home for their children and partners, others (like Plum and I) stay at home with our children but work around naps and nursery and late into the night. It's not easy, and I'm certainly not saying it's any harder than being a city mum, or whatever but it's a choice. And I would no more say that someone was wrong to put their child in the hands of a nanny, au pair or relative (which for me were on my "will not do at any price" list of motherhood musts) than I would expect someone to say that I had simply not tried hard enough to balance a city career with motherhood.

Yes, obviously it can be done. And obviously for some people there is no other option. Perhaps it can even be done with minimal loss of happiness and minimal increase in stress levels. But was not for me and nor, I imagine, was it for esher (whose general wit and happy go luckiness shines like a warm and wonderful light in this thread, IMO)

I was determined to make a freelance career for myself so thay I could be with my children , so for 2 years I travelled 4 hours a day for salaried work and then wrote at night, until I had a stable client base. Then I gave up my day job, got married and started a family. It was quite tough. But I am very glad that I made it work.

So that's my rant over.

hells mine are a 27 and they hold me right in. I am starting Pure Protein again tomorrow!!

OWW glad you had a lovely time. NAughty Dh not telling you about hotel location, and after you enabled his purchase the other week too!! Coat is lovely. Only thing is - do you mind limiting yourself re scarf wearing?

I don't make any judgement about the work people do on here. Everyone sounds talented. I like that it is wohm/sahm free.

I like that we all love clothes and nice links.

good enough for me.

on which note MB - link to your out of character purchase please!!

Ok you will all laugh I think.

Hang on...

I am laughing as I link these Edelmans.

Billy Jean wot's my number!

They could be good, or..... not

(but really you are all very inspiring)

oh they're cute. But I thought (am prob wrong) that you only liked heels? Is that you?