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

Evening! I've had a lovely day out with DH and the boys, trying to keep up with ds1 on his bike. I really need a stylish warm hat to keep the wind out of my ears, they get really painful in the cold.

ABO, the toast top I'd say is neither fitted nor loose (sorry, vague!); I'm an 8 on top and a 10 below, I bought an 8 and it is snug over hips and looser above; the sleeves are quite loose. But it works on a slightly pear shape. Colour is dark dark chocolate and kind of mushroom shade.

I have just bought Leon 1 and 2 - as ds2 approaches weaning, it's prompted me to think about what we eat again, and some new meal ideas are needed.

NY, I am still unsure on meet-up, but if I come I will need to stay over - I will PM you and try to resolve my attendance one way or another asap.

I have seen that one everything - very feel good, no?

HF - Yes, would recommend. A few minor niggles (lots of new staff who were very pleasant....but a bit ineffective!!) However amazing food, spa is good (although not huge - but its not claiming to be Grayshott) and dd LOVED the Kids Club that was well run - and one of the lovely ladies recognised her from when we visited before nearly a year ago. I wouldn't pay the rack rate, but it is worth a visit if you get a deal. Witley Court and West Mids Safari park within a 10 minute drive and well worth a visit.

Yes, LTEC, we are almost neighbours! I live down the road from said QA. I am also in there pretty regularly - trying things on, stroking Rupert Sanderson heels, and then dithering. Normally I come away empty handed. Nice ladies in there though.

People must think I'm on commission from Quidco! It is free money. Once you have registered, if you go through the Quidco website to a participating online retailer, that retailer then sends a commission to Quidco which they pass on to you after a couple of months. They take £5 a year from it. I use it for... my-wardrobe (variable rate, was 15% just after Christmas), Question Air (10% I think), Brora, Boden, White Company, Heals, Kurt Geiger, House of Fraser, Selfridges, Phase Eight, Graham and Greene, Gap. I've totted up cashback of £370 since August - says a lot about my online shopping habits!

Hells lol at name-checking the style journos

Plummy we are still doing mince any which way here too. I was so pleased on Friday as served baked salmon fillets for both and dd2 ate and enjoyed - granted she did say "I really like this chicken mummy, I'm going to eat all the chicken bits" and left the veggies I served with it - only to be gutted when dd1 announced that she did not like it and my normally great plate-clearer, left all her supper. AAgh am I destined NEVER to find a meal they will BOTH eat? DD2's other sure-fire winner is lasagne - dd1's most hated meal. It's enough to drive you round the bend isn't it? I like the idea of the chopsticks but we had lunch in Wagamamas last week and dd2 was very suspicious of the noodles......

Hf yes, I saw that a new Bo Concept had opened in Gford - we may go there actually as the staff in the Kingston store were a bit rubbish. Friendly but rubbish at actually doing the measuring/pricing bit - we want a modular sofa and there are about a 1000 permutations. Can you believe that at the end of our 2 hour session they eventually gave us a computer generated aerial line drawing of the sofa but with no overall dimensions printed on it. I mean, what use is that? Plus the pricing structure is seemingly shrouded in secrecy - noone seems to want/be able to tell you how much each module costs in each option so it takes ages for them to work out it out each time. You can tell I had a great time with them can't you

Everything nice house - looks like a nice neutral blank canvas - and it has a lovely big garden. Fingers crossed it works out.

I am confused now, which dress was in Style?? Gemma?? can you tell me please??

ooh I live up on the hill behind a well-known museum - great for kids .. ... ring any bells?

'same' not 'shame!'

LTEC - there was a red silky dress by HH that was extremely similar (though no details on where to buy so I can't link). But looking at the neckline it's not as good as yours...my mistake!

Dying to post but feeding babies!

Wow this is going fast. Can't catch up - why were you having a row about law? I wouldn't employ me tbh, spend too much of the working day mulling child-related things. Have no idea why this isn't as much of a prob for men though. Or maybe they do too, but don't tell anyone? I'll keep going until I get busted

So where are you moving to cake? Hope it's near Richmond so we can meet up v easily when I'm in town in school hols

hi all,

hells - thank you for the compliments on the red Joseph dress. Yes, it was in the sale at HOF and agreed the clothes are £££ but such lovely quality and fit. The dress comes in black as well, [//www.my-wardrobe.com/joseph/pearly-belted-dress-516945 finally found a link) but I have enough black dresses that I do not wear! I am still dreaming about the shearling coat I tried on in December. I will save up for this year! I like the coming soon Edelmans too but am awaiting the LTEC studded Dune boots and esher's Carvela's.

Where is MrsJuan? I quickly tried on the M&S boots today as I was able to make a quick diversion before taking my DS2 to a party. They are lovely but too gapey on me.

esher I have spotted a lovely blouse which is very similar to the [[//www.maboutique.co.uk/products/1924-9281/blush-blouse-with-black-stripes.php GD]. It is Whistles (page 41 of February's Marie Claire). Thoughts anyone please?

Know exactly where you mean, LTEC - great location for kids! Have frequented its fishtanks and the interactive music room but DS1 was probably a bit young for it and last time I went it was a manic half term so I came out a bit boggle eyed.

[[www.maboutique.co.uk/products/1924-9281/blush- blouse-with-black-stripes.php GD]

516945 finally found a link

better links this time - hopefully!

am failing at links tonight

[[www.maboutique.co.uk/products/1924-9281/blush-blouse-with-black-stripes.php GD]

DT have you been drinking! do you mean this dress but in red which i love.

I think you are just doing one [ which is why the links aren't working...you need to do two

This one DTI10? Beautiful, slightly oriental I think. I couldn't take the colour though unfortunately.

Ladies - all of you who have either definitely or possibly indicated you may wish accommodation should have received a PM letting you know how the vote went and which hotel was chosen!

Let me know if you haven't got one!

oh hells you are so funny, am really laughing out loudly. I was panicking that I would be told off for miserable link attempt. I have overdosed on DS2's party sweets.

THAT is the dress. I need a glass of wine now.

hi Ooooh. Yes that is the shirt. It goes very well with the GD leather skirt (purchased in the sale). I am hoping LTEC's bling boots fit me this week as I can then attempt to achieve the look.

DT - I love, love, love that dress. Reluctant to buy black given its draining effects on me tho. I wish I knew of a clever seamstress who could just run up a copy in dark blue for me!
Oh - thanks for soup suggestion - was looking at the Covent Garden soup book and they had a similar one which said kids would like cos of sweetness. Will make and report back!

DT I can't get your links to work ...but I think I know which Joseph dress you mean Bet the red looks fab on you - much better than black.

LTEC/ OOOhWIIH, my dad grew up in Brockley and when my parents were first married they lived in Forest Hill. He knows all that part of SE London really well and when we were little he used to take me and my little sis to your museum all the time. I really really want to take my two there as I have such fond memories of the place. Do they still have the mummies ?

Sorry, can't remember who it was who said they have made £370 on quidco - that's very impressive. I joined a while back (at Choo's suggestion actually) but never remember to click through to sites through it. I could've made myself a fortune by now
New Year's resolution = to click thru quidco. Simples.

do you really think a glass of wine is a good idea

oops - that was for DT by the way - not just a random comment!

ollie I really like the Kew dress. I think slate would suit you best.

abo Sorry, think that JB dress swamps you. Finer knit like Kew dress would be better.

Had a lovely night of wine and pizza at our friends' house last night with both their DD and ours playing until 11:00. DH let me have a lie in today and I slept until lunchtime . Had weird dreams though...

I'm already hooked on Downton Abbey! Hope I'm not unconsciously picking up vocab and using it at meet-up.

notyummy Great idea about name list!

OWW - Joseph do the dress in a navy polka dot too. I think WIT wore it at some stage. Here.

I was tempted but didn't think it would do any favours for the well endowed - nor does it work for WIT's upper half I think. But then she gets her boobs wrong quite a bit.

Fritzi - I've just ordered the boxed set - I can't wait to catch up on it too.

Ooooh - completely agree about WIT's boob issues (!)...I think she looks bulkier than she really is sometimes as she doesn't know how to deal with her chest!