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

Ooh just had an email to say my shoes (all 3 pairs ) have been despatched! Very excited. carcofi I looked at those boots too but decided against them - think you would do best to save for the belstaffs.

Have ordered HH in a 10 and am crossing my fingers.

Fleecy - those boots

esher glad your DD's appointment went well

Love that dress code roma, especially the part about the perfume - my french is rusty to say the least but managed to work out enough to make me smile.

p.s - what size are you Esher? I've ordered the boots in a 5 but I can sometimes be a 5.5 so I could pass them on if they don't fit if that would be any use.

ntyummy, I think you would love Six pack. It's really quite difficult and very fast. I am becoming quietly addicted! Really pleased Banish fat found a good home!
Cleaner arrived and woke dd. Still no listings!

Meant to say, I started reading the UBS dresscode, then when DH came up for lunch I mentioned it to him, and he said he already knew about it. He never passes any interesting information on to me!!
I need to scroll back and see fleecy's boots I think, and carciofi, I think general consensus is Belstaff! I'll have a look now.

I like the look of those KGs carciofi. Who on earth has bought those Rick Owens? Which belstaffs were you after?

ABO - it's so tricky to tell on the colour combo...my instinct would be it's too much metallic/sequin in one go! I would par down with a non shiney thing on other items I wear with sequins/metallic. Another thing is the cardigan looks bronze/gold and the skirt a different tone so I wonder if that too could be an issue.

Not very helpful...sorry!

I'm with hells abo. It could be too much when put together.

Oh...how long 'til summer?...am also doing costings for hols...which for the first time will have to be in the school hols...aagghh. DD also starts school in September...aww..and yikes, where did the time go?

Anyway, have just been browsing and spent some loads on spring/summer clothes (virtually)...have filled a basket at Boden, and Jigsaw...but the weather outside is mocking me. Still, can dream about navy striped bikini's, stripy tops and linen skirts...

Roma - am somewhat flabbergasted by that UBS dress code document. I think it expresses the thoughts of many a senior manager or HR director, and much of what it says is eminently sensible if you are trying to achieve a perfectly presented customer facing workforce, but even I (hardly know for withholding my opinions on matters sartorial) find it über-condescending. Shall nevertheless forward it to DP in case his HR Director or Sales Director can find some inspiration in there for their never-ending battle to smarten up the appearance of their sales people.

Thanks for the info on the curriculum. Do they use English text books at all? Do they teach them phonics in English, or just use their knowledge of reading in French to transfer to English?

Work dress codes - wihtout reading French, what a joke they are generally! I think my firm has a 4-5 page policy somewhere, waste of paper IMO. People are either going to dress properly or not!

I think officially I am not allowed to wear sleeveless, bare legs or any sort of peep toe even in the summer.

I actually do wear a closed toe shoe to work but as for not wearing sleeveless - no way!

Notyummy I am continually in awe at your commitment to exercise. Your body must be a-maz-ing!!

Bloss, I like these Belstaffs.

ANybody with DDs - do you know about the stardolls website? DD1 (5.5, almost 6) has developed an interest through her older cousin and I am not sure whether to let her spend time on it or not. Generally I don't let her on the computer except for VERY occasional cbeebies.

Have had some sad news - an ex got in touch to let me know his father passed away a couple of days ago. I was with ex for four years in my late teens so his (rather wonderful) family were a big part of my life growing up and I'm feeling very for them.

On a happier note, the lovely and eagle-eyed choo found me the camel leopard Bayswater pouch and has purchased it on my behalf. It arrived today and it's beautiful. So that's me done for January (apart from some new wristwarmers when the Brora sale starts...)

macmama - I'm with you all the way on sleeveless. I used to work somewhere where the (male) bosses thought women shouldn't wear sandals in the summer or boots in the winter, or bodies/tight t-shirts under suit jackets. These were all educated, highly-groomed French women being targeted (no wobbly flesh or unepilated armpit or bralessness or anything unpleasant) and we were all quite sure that it was really about ensuring the partners didn't get completely distracted by all the nubile bodies wandering round the office!

Helllooooo
I am really truly back now. Jetlag was absolutely horrendous. Not mine - beating jetlag is one of my superpowers - but both DCs. (Why is it night, mummy?)

Marsha how did you get on? Our flights were absolutely fine, but jetlag is a killer. Also it will be our last flight to Australia for DS (8 months) without buying him his own seat. He can escape from the bassinet and is far too wriggly to hold on the lap for 21+ hours.

How are you all, anyway? Carciofi, just how many cardigans have you bought to quell stylish urges while pregnant??

I purchased ABSOLUTELY NOTHING on holiday. In Sydney DH was at a conference the whole time leaving me in a serviced apartment with the jetlagged and sick DCs, so not much time to escape anywhere, and in Perth we were on Rottnest Island the whole time. Actually, I lie, I bought a hat on Rottnest, home of the worst accommodation you could imagine but the most beautiful beaches.

I am eyeing up this blazer as wanted the one from Isabella Oliver now sold out but can't decide if the colour is funny.

Can I just say how happy I am to 'see' you all again? It's been great fun just dipping in to the posts although I have a ton to catch up on.

That is sad, Fleecy. I'm glad you got the bag.

Roary, welcome back. I am not taking DD to NZ now, I can't handle us both being jet-lagged. Cardigans, hmm, I've lost track! I've returned a few though. Try Gant for a jersey blazer, I got a nice navy one there last year.

Fritzi - I think the 2nd warehouse dress I linked to would be too much for work (at least for me ? too casual) but I do like the collar very sixties. Have to be small of bosom tho.

Hmm Kurt Geiger sale... excuse the sheer number of links to follow:

I like [http://www.kurtgeiger.com/online-shop/171411-kg-ivy these glam day chunky sandals]] for summer

these for work

Are these too much for work?

These are a bit clompy for me but I think they are nice

Lots of lovely cork platforms for the summer

Think these nude summer platforms would be mega flattering on

A closed toe cork wedge I don?t I love them but could be good for work.

This has to be the most wearable summer wedge sandal not in my size unfortunately

These might be the ones a simple black platform court...

Sorry first link again for glam sandals

Thanks hells and bloss. Just what I needed. Have cancelled order.

Welcome back proper roary. Sorry your trip was plagued by illness though. I've only been to Australia once, when I was pregnant with DS1, but started in Perth and visited Rottnest, then on to Sydney. So you have brought back some happy memories for me

I was just on the radio btw! I listed to a talk station which has phone-ins, and this morning they wanted women who cry easily/at anything to call, so I did! Is anybody else here a crier? I well up at the slightest thing and really hate it.

Welcome back Roary!

Just a quicky as finishng off packing before decanting to hotel after picked up dd from school - sorry no time at the moment to click on all those lovely links mac!

Sorry to hear your bad news FLeecy.

Oh, and thank you for the compliment Mac. I wouldn't say my body is amazing, but it doesn't wobble much, and I am probably in at least as good a shape as I have been previously(at nearly 40!) I do not have the perfect bikini body - my bottom slightly ruins that (!)- however I eat pretty much what I like within reason and burn it off. Not a huge amount of willpower around food - although I did mange a whole 4 days on the Dukan

Fleecy - great you got the Bayswater and especially nice it was via Choo! (warm and fuzzy W&A feeling!)
Roary hello!

Bloss - good for you re coat. What size did you order if you dont mind me asking? I was thinking of a 12 but not sure after reading reviews and no 14s in the navy. I have such trouble finding coats to suit me but think/hope this one would fill the gap in my wardrobe between puffa coat and cotton biker style jacket.

Insert weary sigh - have found an intensive Dutch course which I think I will have to do. This one starts mid May (once DS2 starts school) and is for 3 mornings a week plus 4 HOURS (!) lesson prep for EVERY class! Cost is nearly 800e but its something I need to do. Bit gutted re timing - works out that I only have 3 weeks of no kids time from when DS2 starts school full time to the start of the summer hols - so so much for me wafting around the house doing nothing for a few months! Ah well (hope it doesnt impact on my W&A time!)

No sign of Warehouse dress - was dispatched on Tues. I have til 3pm tomorrow to get it else I'll have to wear a nice but plain navy woollen shift dress from Great Plains to the concert/drinks. Order from Chemist Direct made it here v quickly tho (typical) - just as well as I ordered this supposedly miracle arnica cream and then trod on DS2s little toe this afternoon which now has a nasty bruise on it! Timing!

Have a long list of Playmobil sale items for the official sale which starts on Mon if anyone is interested? I can easily PM it.

OK, trolling through the messages - can someone fill me on the meetup plan? It sounds exciting (hotels!)

Huffing in, mental day

Took delivery of the OWW Breton inwear top today. Lovely, thanks loads OWW!! Who was asking about sizing?mrsj? I got the s and would say slightly too big in body but I like slouchy and need the length in the arms (which are very fitted)

Also mac wanted to say lovely text from your dh and thanks so much for red dress compliment. You are very kind to say thank you

Must run will catch up later

ollie, I got the 12. I have the merino polo necks in a 12 and they are a good fit with jeans, I'd probably get a 10 to wear with skirts. I'm sure a 12 would be fine on you.
By the way, I phoned Selfridges and the last appointments with MAC at the weekend are at 12 noon. I still intend to go ahead with it. Let me know anyone else and I'll book us all in!
Ouch at your poor ds's toe!