Early to bed and early to rise makes us shredded, AVID and WISE

[ApuskiDusky]

New thread!

Not that I've been on the old one much )

bonsoir Our new bed is a 200x200 box-spring, similar to this. Skirting is off-white linen/cotton. We use two single duvets (140x200) as we go to bed/get up at such different times. At present there is no decorative scheme in our bedroom (sad but true ) but I would love some colour/some pattern and a mixture of textures. Think retro/classic is what I am looking for but find hard to achieve. We have oak wood flooring and white walls. Blank canvas really but I'm not very good at making decisions.

Thanks bonsoir! I'll have another cup of tea and watch now.

Caravane
Bellora
Orizzonti

Morning all!

Enjoy the shopping Emo and report back o trousers - I think I am equally in a trouser rut. I have lost a bit of weight and am now a large 10 on the bottom and could probably get away with different shaped but they sacre me!!Would be interesting to know what you think.

Marsha - Good luck with planning your future! I also know what Roary means. Whilst DH and I are supportive of each others careers, since I have DD I sometimes feel a competitive 'itch' because it has been harder for me to push ahead with my work whilst he is in the military and we have to accept he is away a lot - and are more 'tied' to certain locations. I used to earn more then him, however a combination of 'only' working 4 days a week, and choosing a more family friendly working environment have meant I have accepted a slightly different salary field. (Albeit not exactly 'badly' paid!)

Sun is shining here - hooray

bonsoir From a quick browse I like Caravane best! I would love our house to look like their catalogue .

Our bed is dressed in Caravane, as is DD's! Why don't you come to Paris for a day and visit their shop, Caravane 19?

notyummy With your shredded physique you can probably wear any type of trouser you want and look fantastic! How is your DD today?

I think even DD is getting a bit sick with her winter wardrobe. She insists on getting dressed by herself in the mornings now and chose a cream/blue floral summer dress this morning, she even layered it with long-sleeve T. I let her wear it but know that people at kindergarten will be like that .

My DD too, Fritzi - she has been wearing her new Bonpoint floral summer dress with coordinating pink jeans jacket, and would wear her new white Gap cut off shorts if I let her!

bonsoir That is sooooooo tempting!

Go on - book a train . We can have a nice lunch together if you'd like!

Carciofi can you advise further re Boden glads? I know you said they were quite narrow but a few of the reviews say that they are goo dfor wide feet. Are your feet wide or narrow? Before I ordered I thought I'd check....

I am thinking about ordering DD a doll similar to this. How beautiful. I showed DD the picture and you should have seen her face :)

Marsha and Notyummy I think you can't turn off competitive instincts if you've got them, and often to have been successful at work you have to have them. So it's inevitable they come out with DHs, especially if you have to make compromises for family reasons (eg, move to Australia :) )

Oh that doll is really lovely.

Roary, my heart goes out to you. It is a dream job and yet... I don't want to presume anything. And won't say what I might do (as not relevant obvs!) but if you want to chat more... mull it over on here please do, or pm.

I'm not sure I would ever get where dh has in our shared industry, (I was just strategy stuff he is creative, talented etc). That's fine I have developed another career in that time. And have had fun times, hotels, flights across world, symposiums, and have been fetted and looked after, which he hasn't so I don't feel too bad . But I need to crack on really.... Ds is very active now and I can only realistically do good work on the weekend. That is slow!

What I need is a lovely family member, say my mother in a big house in London, close by for adhoc babysitting in the day. Yes that would be good .

In absence of that if I can find someone nice to wave a toy around for a few hours in the home.

Good morning ladies.

I'm smiling at miniFritzi and miniBonsoir in their Summer frocks.

Lovely rag doll Roary, are you sure that it's for dd ?

Marsha, I feel for you and your career dilemma. You are right to listen to your instincts. It sounds like you are ready to commit more of your time to developing your passion. I'm sure you'll make it work .

Marsha - I think you must be quite talented and well-regarded if you are still able to pull in freelance work after a five year break! So kudos to you.

I went back to work part-time after six months for both babies - in part because I felt a longer break was not helpful for my career (not that working part-time was either) and also because, well, I'd be a bit lost without work. However it was not until I went to four days a week that I was promoted - which I did when DD went to school. There is also a marked difference in the links you can form at the school gate - at four days my link with the school is pretty minimal, but I have some good friends from those heady days of working only three days a week. Some times I fantasise about life as a SAHM (knitting! baking!) but to be honest work is probably good for my mental health - I still rely on it to affirm my self worth (is that bad? probably)

Lily and lionel scarf arrived, and is lovely if rather delicate - more so than my Brora stripey chartouche which has suffered a bit so I will need to be very careful!

Fritzi - you SO should go to Paris to meet Bonsoir and shop!
No thoughts on your bedroom apart from I love the sound of it! I love my one wall of wallpaper if thats any help! Was in a shop last week that had white bedding which was accented with a dark grey pinstripe eg throw, cushions, shaggy rug in a paler grey. Look v nice and DH would not be able to complain of it looking girley!. Will see if I can find a link

Just seen this Donna Karan dress on another thread - here - not for me and my lifestyle but is v nice!

hello ladies...

amazing few days with chic friend at her Oxford pad. Really into orange in a BIG way. Must be a summer then Bloss, as suits me. I dunno. Bizarre ...all thanks to Tory Burch I think. Now back to catch up...

Fritzi - Bedlinen...Bit of a crisp white linen girl here: I like Descamps for bed linen...or there's always Frette...absolutely gorgeous...worth spending a fair bit on as does last forever...

Leopard wedges (plus belt) safely esconced at home .
Thanks for the offers of help to Plum and Fritzi and also tracey for starting me off on this mental crusade!

Fritzi - I like Heals and Habitat, Sheridan and Dorma(occasionally) & Christy. I'm not fluffy and like modern, unfussy styles although this year they're quite uninspiring.
Wallace Sacks is good for basics and Nimbus is quite nice but maybe not this particular panther throw

Is this taking the animal print too far?

Roary, I have narrow feet with high arches and they fit me fine. Have also ordered in the blue as I like them so much.

Don't suppose anyone has a Cocoa Cashmere discount code?

ollie Dress is great but I would be forever pulling the one sleeve to make it the same length as the other

bonsoir One day I will!

morag As much as I love my L&L leopard print scarf, I think animal print for the bedroom would be a bit too much .

marsha I hope that you will find a solution and can pursue your career so it will make you happy!

roary Cute doll!

Winter is truly over at casa Fritzi: DD has a friend over and they have both stripped down to their underwear. They are pretending to be at the beach!

dolcee Speaking of summer. Iirc orange is not a summer colour but autumn/spring but I'm not 100% sure. We need our colour guru, bloss!

Notyummy - I keep meaning to ask you - how is your friend that is pregnant? Is she now getting used to the idea?

Oww - She got back to me ref my initial contact and was very positive - although it has now gone silent. I think she may have got back with her P (who cut all contact/deleted her from his life at the 4 month pregnant stage after being initially delighted.) I am not sure if him being back is a good thing or not

Fritzi - DD much better. Parents went home at lunchtime today and mothers help stepped in this afternoon to allow me to do a full day at work. Outpatient appt at hospital tomorrow, and then she is going back to school. She can't wait, and has been asking to go for the last 2 days!

Just had a quick check of the BRITs outfits. Eliza Doolittle at the top there working the hooker chic ....but what a body!! And as for that leather monstrosity Caprice is sporting lower down the page - words fail me! (and I have just bought something from her dress range ) Also on the jumpsuits. I know some people look fab in them - I'm just not sure the ones here fall into that range....

We have just come back from the hairdressers and opticians - DD has a new hairstyle (curls! won't last) and we picked up her new glasses black/light blue with flowers on the arms) and she can't stop looking at herself in the mirror!

I must lie down though - I wasn't well yesterday and still feel a bit weak today. Grrrr.

Back from Chester. Dd looks such a poppet with her pudding bowl hair. And so grown up. My mum came with us, and bought a Breton top. I am so over it.
Took clothes back to the value of the Joseph white shirt dolcee. Should I...??
fritzi's right re orange. That would be autumn or spring.
Glad things are better notyummy.
Dh away till tomorrow so I can indulge my ol passion tonight! Expect links!!