Whatever you want, whatever you like, be WISE and AVID, so do your sums, and get it right....!

[DolceeBanana]

New thread...sorry bit lame compared to normal, but thought I'd bite the bullet (as it were)....

bet it Chesneys Tracey

Bloss....wowee! Gorgeous photo and love jacket!

Loobylu- can I be added too purleese? Thanks

Good morning ladies.

The Westfield get together sounded lovely. Much as I love newborns I am always nervous of holding them, they are so tiny and fragile. I recognise that serene look that Miranda Kerr has in her eye, I loved bfing .

Cake, I live in Suffolk so come into London Liverpool St. when I infrequently come to London.

Tracey, sorry you are feeling so rotten. Every now and again my sinuses get 'blocked' and it is sooo painful. There are pressure points on either side of your nose and underneath your eyebrows that you can press on and off for a few seconds at a time to relieve the pain momentarily.

I am about to do some 'brain-picking', it would be great to hear your thoughts: Those of you who have DHs that are away overnight for work on a fairly regular basis, how is it? If you had the chance for him to work 9-5 would you take it?

DH has done his stint of travelling in his current job (I think it all past me by as I was in a post -pregnancy haze) and for the last few years has worked regular hours - home most evenings by 6.00pm. He has just been offered a new job which, you guessed it, will involve a degree of travelling (Europe and USA). It is a great opportunity for him but we are also fairly content with the way things are at present. WWYD?

Some additional facts: DCs ages are 9,7 and 4 (almost) so no babies to snuggle up with in bed a la LTEC .

Another haggard face here, with fine lines and wrinkles being particularly noticable in photos!

Bunny Both boots quite alike, depending on often you think you will wear them (cost per wear etc) I think I would opt for the first pair.

NY Hope that you're feeling somewhat better today.

VB Love that top, but would you spend a lot of time fixing it to sit the way you want it, rather than being able to wear it and enjoy it?

Verity, that sounds awful for your Aunt. Well done you for doing your research, you'll be able to prepare the rest of your family and hopefully it won't be as bad as you are imagining. Still very traumatic for you all though.

pickled, that's a difficult one. Does he want to do it? If he doesn't go for it he may end up resentful in the future. I know for my part DH has had his fill of travelling, and he's doing his best to get rid of stuff like that. He wants to be home spending time with me and the kids.

Just quickly as am with the boys pickled but for dh and I, working 9-5 would not work or suit us.it can be hard when he's away but we do kind if thrive on it. I need my space!!

He is umming and aahing about a 2 week job in the Yukon right after we move. I'm like, go!!!

pickled siblings, DH and I have had a similar conversation. Currently DH works as consultant, gets home by about 7:30 most nights, is flexible enough to come home early when I am working late. But he could do more international work. Initially I was really hostile as it would just make my life so much harder - no flexibility at all really and doing the school run on my own hard work (DD and DS at different schools). But on reflection, in this climate work is work, and opportunities scarce - we will make it work if it happens.

SIL in NZ - stay at home mum, her DH works 7:30 to 5:30pm, with minimal commuting so he is home for tea every night. It sounds bliss to me.

Having had a brief fallow period have splashed out and bought Gerard Darel skirt in JL sale (black, swingy, midcalf in black here); stripey breton tops from Boden; and pair of black cigarette pants in Toast sale here. Mostly for work so a bit boring - I need some more exciting clothes! The skirt is actually really well made and I found myself doing a search on Gerard Darel - liking this: blouse, this coat and dress

And a moan - having landed myself with organising a parent's night out, nominated (back in december) next Wednesday. this is a class of 13 - about four parents have now told me this week they are not coming and only one person can come. So I may be drinking by myself....

Pickled I can't remember what you're doing, but if you're working esp ft then it's obviously inconvenient not to have back up and you need some v.reliable childcare arrangements. I have to travel occasionally and need dh to be in the same city as the boys then so that he can be on hand for an emergency. My informal rule is that one of us should be less than an hour away from school.

Apart from that I don't mind dh travelling, I quite like having time to myself sometimes, and he's not there for the boys in the evenings anyway. His current working arrangements are wearing for me as they mean we eat supper at 9.45pm, and he often comes in tired and snarling about some work mishap which doesn't really improve my evening . He finds travelling tiring though, and misses the kids. I think he'd prefer not to do it, and maybe he'd be less tired and things would be better.

I'd say that if it's a good professional opportunity then he shouldn't pass it up. He can always change it after a while, and he's bound to have a lot of fun and interesting experiences in the meantime.

Oh Bloss...not like any celeb I can think of. Colouring maybe of Julia Carling or someone like that...you know ex wife of Will.

Am wearing skinny navy scoop neck top layered over slim breton, over indigo gap skinnies and dark brown Hobbs boots. Silver pendant and the ensemble does seem to suit...so does that give you a clue?

Anyway, talking of haggard, feeling tres haggard at the moment. Just booked a miracle facial . Must go back to my Sisley stuff, incredibly £££ but so worth it!

Actually probably just need to up the water intake and Omega 3....usually does the trick. We are on a veg fest here too. Dh most impressed with his meat and sixteen veg for supper . Much better than that 'student food' he thinks (cous cous, chilli, shephards pie)...oh, okay

No houses to report. Blurgggggggghhhhhh....

Am itching to get some spring clothes...and wore sunnies for first time this year yesterday! Yay!!!!!

Oh I love my space too. Dh away a fair bit with work, and home 7 ish most evenings, (leaves for work in mornings at 7.45 am). I really don't mind...and am impatient until he leaves in the morning as he seems to whip up the Dcs, thewn leave when they are at fever pitch!...what a miserable old baggage I am!

Dolcee - I weakened and got the sale Wang you linked to and it's lovely...thank you!

Does anyone know where to get smart clothes (online) for DS? He's 8 but very tall and his default clothes are sloppy, baggy but very cool! I need to get him something smart in time for the funeral.

Hells if it's just for one occasion I'd look at M&S school uniform or something.

Didn't mean you were moaning cake - just that you've been busy & seemingly pulled in many directions - from bunny's description you sound like you are as superwoman like as usual though. I am also v jealous of twin cuddles!

DH leaves house at 7am and usually gets back in time to do DD's story and bed which is fab and I really miss it when he is later. If he is away for more than a few days I tend to have a friend to stay or visit my parents for a bit - makes me sound a bit pathetic doesn't it?!

Yay for sunnies Dolcee! And for veg. My DH would much prefer the 'student' food

Am so glad you are a bit brighter Hells...your DDs birthday is just what you need to concentrate on.

And so pleased you got the dress! A fab timeless dress methinks...

I'd browse JL and buy smart crew neck sweater and shirt with smart straight cords or something.If you get navy then its discreet but very wearable, and age appropriate (as VB would say).

Actually doesn't VB look fab on this months Vogue?

Dh doesn't finish at 5 (does that exist!) but doesn't need to travel. He is handily around for the children for stuff I need to do.
Lots of my friends do and dhs do. Some do find it hard. Especially if for long periods.

Pickled do they say how much travelling? New opportunities can be good, and good for the future, so could be worth exploring...

Hells nice to see you again, lovely. I shop from Little Fashion Gallery in the sales. But probably too expensive.

John Lewis hells? m&s Autograph kids?

Just seen some Belstaff biker bootsa that would be perfect...but too late really for this season...

pickledsiblings - I am very rare among my mother contemporaries (ie mothers at school) in having a DP who only occasionally has to travel for work overnight. My DP hates being away from home overnight and a job that required very significant overnight travel would tax him severely.

I don't mind when he is away, though I doubt I would like weeks at a time. My sister certainly found that it placed irreversible strain on her marriage having a DH who travelled constantly.

Hells - M&S have their boys linen suits in already. Stone and navy colourways usually.

pickled my DH has never worked 9-5 not sure it would suit us TBH. Its not really that hard when he is away other than the missing him part of it but that?s more because this is a long stretch ? I have both the DDs in my bed for the duration of his absence which is nice (but, TBH, they tend to come in when DH is around too!!). Difference for me is that I work FT but I have quite a lot of flexibility in terms of being able to work from home some days, get in late, leave early (eg, today I will be taking girls to DD1?s swimming) etc.

Bloss I have shorts very similar to those in khaki soft cotton which I bought from Topshop last year ? I lived in them!

I do think Anna is right tho that its harder on the person who has to go away.

Personally I would HATE to have to go away often for work it will kill me and I would end up looking for a new job. Most I have ever had to go away was for 2 nights once, every other time (which wasn?t often) it was 1 night. I have never spent night away from DD2 and am not looking forward to the first time (she let me kiss her about 500 times on waking this morning in the dark while she was still all sleepy/awake? so cute!!!)

?Pickled I can't remember what you're doing, but if you're working esp ft then it's obviously inconvenient not to have back up and you need some v.reliable childcare arrangements. I have to travel occasionally and need dh to be in the same city as the boys then so that he can be on hand for an emergency?

Agree with what Roman says above. Worse bit for me about having DH away (other than missing him and kids missing him) is not having any back-up for work emergency or those days when I am needed early/late eg if I have to get on a train at 6am ? these days are not normal but can be common if I am very busy on a project with meetings held out of London.

It is the reason I avoid international work as far as I can ? my aversion to work related travel!

Good morning stylish ladies!
You are all so prolific it is hard for a newbie to keep up!

Bunny - I prefer the first boots, the brown ones, I think they look nicer and more expensive than the ones with the zips.

Verity, I like that top, but like kildare also wonder if you would spend a lot of time 'fixing' the belt etc, but it IS very stylish.

Blossoming - it is so cold today that I can't even imagine shorts etc..brrrrr....but sometimes it is a nice lift to just browse the summer stuff in the hopes of bettr weather ahead. Was the Breton dress on the jigsaw site? Must take a look at that.

Traceybath, I too suffer dreadfully with sinus problems. Do you use a saline wash? I am using one religiously every morning and evening since before christmas and i think it is making a difference. But you have my sympathy as there is nothing more frustrating and sore than sinus pain. Not nice.

hells, so sorry about your grandmother, hope you are doing ok?

I am a sahm and we are really, really lucky that dh is self employed and works from home a lot and is very flexible hours wise. But he will soon have to start to travel a bit for projects, I don't like being here without him. I guess I am just used to him being here a lot really.

Hi to everyone else I forgot to mention - my brain can only retain so much information at a time

Hells - glad you are coping ok. This time before the funeral is always such a weird one imo. Re cakes - think I've linked to this cake a couple of times on here (sorry) but I love the Very Hungry Caterpiller cupcake cake here and you can get MVHC paper plates and cups etc online too.
Also a few ideas on here and way too many ideas on here!

Pickled DH leaves for work at 6.30am and tries to be home for bedtime at least twice a week. Before June he worked more locally so could help with the school run so even tho I moaned when I had to start doing it solo, I soon got used to it. Doesnt have much travel with this job but when he did, it was manageable tho tiring for him. Agree with comments re it being nice to have some time alone in charge of TV remote control.

Glee update - I blubbed like a baby at last nights episode (when they were at Regional finals)!

Pickled- DH away a lot. You do get used to it, and yes there are elements (like full control of the remote!) that can actually be positive. From the beginning of our relationship we had to spend long periods apart (both in the military) at the time, so we are used to it. Obviously, having Dcs changes everything though! I think it depends what you do (sorry- cannot match LTECs awesome memory so can't quite remember whether you are working outside the home it not at the moment and if so, then whether it is flexible.) Trying to work 4/5 days a week in a job that requires a lot if you whilst not having a partner around us a challenge, there is no doubt about it. There are definitely times where I feel it impacts slightly on the things I would like to do with DD, as there us just not enough time to fit it all in. That said, I don't think staying at home would suit me either, and I would probably be grumpy for different reasons! I think what makes it just about workable for us is that when DH is home (2 weekends this month) then he is HOME IFYSWIM. He switches off, spends loads of time with dd and does a lot of housework!!

tracey Hope you'll find something to relief sinus problems. My Mum has it too and had operation many years ago and it didn't really help.

hells Hope you get a lot of support from RL friends and family. I love this cake tin for your aspiring W&A birthday girl . Plum's link really made me smile. I'm so much better at creative things like cake decorating after a glass of champagne.

Thanks for news of mini meet-up at Westfield. Sounds like you had a great time. Lucky cake to cuddle a bunny-twin!

verity Sending you strength for today!

Got 7FAM skinnies delivered yesterday and will have a little trying on session before picking up DD.

Back from Dr's and will be using saline thingy/spray/anti-histamines - he also recommended I give up dairy but not sure about that one!

VB - hope your aunt recovers from that bug quickly - it sounds awful.

Pickled - DH not away much but does work v long hours - never really sees the dcs in the week and it works ok for us but then I don't work so pick up all the slack.

Hells - gap ok for some smarter stuff - chino'y type trousers a shirt and jumper would be perfectly suitable in my opinion.