As we AVIDly await the joys of spring and the new fashion finds that it will bring, we WISEly contemplate our winter buys and return all goods that are unkind to the eyes

[macmama]

Couldn't resist!

Happy birthday reine.
Glad you're feeling better hells.
Shame the coat isn't perfect ollie.
vin, what's your gut feeling?
marsha, maybe give it a miss?
I need a new Breton top. Mine are a bit used now. Anyone tried the DB&M one from NAP? Or the Boden one? I've decided against the Jigsaw one as the shape is funny on me.

at 'on the whole'.

You are making me feel better about getting excited about going on holiday to a country currently in a state of emergency.

I thought I should slink away at one point for being so vague re current affairs (and being tempted by private pool, beach and staff )

So thank you

I've been up since 7 working on a project to design an Art Deco bedroom, will send it too you Vin Hope the apartment works out for you, I really think the indoor space is what matters.

I've just realised I never told you about one of my best purchases of the winter, Eshers post about the faux fur reminded me. So, you know navy is really my colour, and I was bored one day and searched US ebay for 'navy fur' and this fabulous looking coat came up, double breasted, gold buttons, really plush looking fur. Even better I got it for $19.99, although it cost $50 to ship it, but WOW, was it worth it, it is fabulous and looks like it cost 10 times what I paid for it, or maybe 20! Anyway if anyone fancies one here is the same coat. Hope someone buys it

Went to see The Kings Speech last night, loved it of course. I spent age trying to work out who Lionels wife was, then I thought "could it be? No, she couldn't have aged so much, could she?" God, I hope it was really good make up, because I remember her as <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=www.channel4.com/assets/programmes/images/the-camomile-lawn/the-camomile-lawn_625x352.jpg&imgrefurl=www.channel4.com/programmes/the-camomile-lawn&usg=__LdJh0VYFHAvUI_erdtfNV3EH2DE=&h=352&w=625&sz=35&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=YJ2QdePtyKjarM:&tbnh=100&tbnw=177&ei=82JFTa7FMIqIhQf2kZntAQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcalypso%2Bchamomile%2Blawn%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1T4DAIE_en-GBIE308IE310%26biw%3D1345%26bih%3D573%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=156&oei=3WJFTbGuDcKxhQeCz7mzAQ&esq=4&page=1&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0&tx=123&ty=88" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Calypso, anyone else remember the Chamomile Lawn? Actually you were all probably toddlers when it was on The film also reminded me of 'Edward and Mrs Simpson'. Now I was a child when that was on, but must see if it's on dvd, I imagine the clothes and houses would be gorgeous.

Anyway, about to change into skinnies, ankle boots and navy fur to go somewhere suitably glamorous Tesco. That has to beat JL for dullsville.

Marsha I would be tempted by private pool, beach and staff no mattter where it was.

Bloss mine was on a sale rail in Topshop, and the jersey's really good, better than much more expensive ones I have. Armor Lux are the bee knees and I think I saw in an email that they are on ASOS now.

Bloss - my best Breton to date here.

X-post Verity!

Glad you enjoyed the King's Speech - it seems to be one of those films that everyone likes, so rare to have a film that 'works' in that way.

Marsha, I'd check that you can get insurance before booking. Some very close friends went to Sri Lanka on honeymoon recently and didn't encounter any problems.

Vn' apartment sounds ideal.

DS much better today - turning him almost upside down while squirting in the drugs seems to have helped! Seriously, we give him everything possible via suppository. Poor boy will know doubt grow up with some kind of terrible complex.

verity love your links. Also I spent ages puzzling over Jennifer Ehle in the movie too, although I think she was made up to look tired and faded.

Marsha in my quasi-professional opinion SL is fine - certain areas have always been fine, and since the Tamil Tigers ceasefire things are stable. These things are always a bit unpredictable, cf all those currently on holiday in Egypt!

The FCO advice is actually pretty good and quite positive - you know when road accidents and credit card fraud make the list really scary things are less of a problem - here

Can you link to the place again? We are looking for a holiday

Thanks really helpful.

Roary will pm you later with website. (Ds is not that well and watching Snoopy on main comp). I will go if you will!

Insurance is good idea for getting info, if they won't insure then..

marsha I can see why you're tempted!

cake come and tell us why you needed to be so ultra fabulous and how it went (I'm guessing it worked!)

Right, I have tried my asos stuff on and I'm keeping these and this, both of which are very nice.

Sadly these made my hips look enormous (something I try to disguise, not highlight ) and these were okay but a bit odd being tight on the calf then the flare bit sticking out.

bloss not strictly bretton but I have just got this from Kew. Really good shape and has a bit of elasticine in it so keeps shape.....

www.kew-online.com/fcp/product/womens-clothing/new-for-spring/Stripe-Scoop-Top/99902791

I know I was scathing about Jigsaw the othe day but I just wanted to tip you all off on this, especially those who are pregnant or breastfeeding..

www.jigsaw-online.com/fashion/1001257/J12406/womens/knitwear/cardigans/viscose-wool-long-drape-rib-cardigan

I bought it last year just after I had DS and it is one of my best buys. Was great for quietly breastfeeding as I could drape it over me. Just thought I'd share.

Does anyone like this Monsoon Breton?

vin- Can you see yourself living in the deco flat? Do you think you would feel happier there or in the other one? Does one have better transport links to work/ to see friends? What about the local shops?
I would agree that the internal space is more important than the external.
Is P coming with you? :)

marsha dengue fever is a huge prob in Sri Lanka at the moment. A friend of mine has been living there for a while and says many people don't let their children play outside because the risk is so high, it's often fatal, and it compromises your ability to travel to tropical places for the rest of your life. She and her family have been fine but several of their colleagues and friends have succumbed. Bit unlikely in a fortnight holiday of course.

vin isn't this a golden opportunity to move without p? I wouldn't worry about stairs with ds, but a bit of space to play is lovely, and if you're not buying I wouldn't worry about the outside architecture too much.

Ds3 fell hard on his head this morning - not from a height, it was a flash mob dance injury, but made a terrifying 'crack' noise when he hit the kitchen floor.. He has a really huge lump on his forehead, but no other head injury symptoms (well his nose did bleed a bit, but I'm sure that was because he bashed the end of it as it's slightly red and swollen). Should I have been seeking medical attention? I'm always paranoid about head things but he does seem OK: has been bowling, had lunch, played normally, perfectly coordinated, no dozing off or vomiting. What do you think?

Freezing here: snowed this morning.

Roma oh no that does not sound good at all. Thanks for info re fever. Sounds bad.

Your poor ds. The doctors at a&e always seem to stress it's better to be safe (once I thought ds could have meningitis), so I try and remember that and go rather than not. Is it difficult to see someone?

Fleecy love your new top and cropped trousers.

Vin great dress, esp like length.

Roma - I've always been under the impression that its best to hit the front of your head and its a good sign when the bump 'comes out'. But if worried take him to get checked out - sunday pm should be fairly quiet at a&e.

I'm slightly worried that they will decide to X-ray his head just 'to be on the safe side' or something.

(the oh no sounds bad was for the fever btw, not your ds. Don't wish to make you worry more!)

roma- Poor DS3! From what you have written and if it were me (admittedly probably not a fair comparison) I would watch and wait. If he starts to vomit/ complains of a continuous headache or displays any other signs that concern you, I would definitely get him seen.
PS giving advice in a friendly rather than professional capacity, you understand :)

I've taken DS1 before when he had a nasty bump and the Dr just looked at his eyes and said to keep an eye on him.

And if worried to wake him up in the night to make sure he's ok.

Roma can't you call a doctor on Belgian NHS direct equivalent? In my long-ago camp counsellor days we wouldn't have worried if the child was totally chipper and normal, hadn't lost consciousness, and was not complaining of any symptoms. But then, Natasha Richardson....