Avid and Wise, up to our eyes in new summer buys!

[blossoming]

Where is everybody???

Have been up for hours!! But have done the ironing so feeling very virtuous. Today is Fair Day. The twice yearly major social event in a child's calendar. £2.50 for 3 minute ride x 2 this year. And I can't opt out and just send DH as someone has to look after dd when they're on the bumping cars. And the weather?? Take one guess!
So not my ideal Saturday.
On the plus side I have lost weight this week: about 3lb. It doesn't count though as it's all Roman pizza weight! At least it's coming off. U have had a boost from my new books, and porridge is palatable with a pinch of added salt.

On iphone so can't look at links properly.

carciofi Offload all you want to here please!

Busy day today but still sunny, yay! We are invited to a wine-tasting party tonight. Think I will wear H&M black coated skinnies, and taupe platforms, not sure about top yet but have tried two options already. This afternoon is spring festival at DD's kindergarten: WC navy maxi and gladiator sandals as there will be lots if running around involved.

Have lovely Saturdays everyone!!!

Thanks for the website link carciofi. Looks great. Of course DH is being funny about the whole thing now. I really thought my days of going to social events (weddings, birthdays) alone were over after I got married. Now the logistics of it all and no kids rules mean I have to go by myself and that makes dh stress out. He forgets the amount of travelling I did alone before going out with him.

Morning! Sounds like a day of events everywhere - we're off to the town carnival today, meeting up with some friends. No plans on the outfit yet as the weather hasn't made its mind up here.

Ordered the yellow suede bag in the end, decided in can be a summer only-when-its-not-going-to-rain bag. If its lovely I might get the khaki one too .

blossoming there's a sephora at place stephanie which is just off avenue Louise which is mostly high-end designers. Perpendicular to Louise is avenue toison d'or which is good and the off of that chausee d'ixelles. All these streets a million times more interesting than the main shopping street which is just h&m crap. Inno is the dept store but fairly uninspiring. If you take your fashion seriously, antwerp's where its at - dries van noten etc. Only 30 mins on train.

Bloss, hope you can go. AlpinePony is making me want to go to Antwerp.

The Coccinelle bag I like is finally online. I'm looking for a navy bag. I like the AH navy satchel but if I am going to spend that much on a bag again, I'd prefer a Bayswater.

We are off to a third birthday party. Broderie anglaise dress for DD and fitflops and maternity jeans (at least they are Citizens!) for me.

Hope you all have a good weekend.

Bloss my only trip to Brussels was a day there aged 18 as part of my inter-rail trip around Europe (it rained, we ate in Mcdonalds!)! I know Antwerp quite well and like it - nice shops so guess Brussels must be similar? I have this guide book which is good but you probably want one for just Brussels? Let me know if you would like some company - its not that far from here - but you may well be looking forward to some precious alone time!!!

DH away sailing for the WE. I've already taken DSs to have their haircut and to the supermarket. DS1 has swimming lesson and then a party at a gym this afternoon - DS2 is most put out at not being invited so am taking him shopping for a 'vriendenboek' - a friendship type book which has questions on each page eg what do you want to be when you grow up and whats your favourite website? You hand the book round your friends and they answer the questions, stick a photo of themselves in it and draw a little picture. Dutch kids love them!

Thank you alpinepony, that is really very helpful.
ollie, that would be great! Might appease dh a little too. I'll have more details later.
The real thing is, the night away will cost me £300: flight and hotel. Then taxi to and from party, and train into Brussels. There will be no change from £500. My friend who's having the party was a very good friend of mine during our student days and is the only friend I keep in touch with from that time. However it was always me making the effort to go over there. She didn't make it to my wedding, for example. But if I don't go, I fear the link will be gone for good.

Sounds like a lovely weekend to be had Bloss; worth it if you genuinely want to go, maybe not so much if doing so out of a sense of duty.

Carciofi the Coccinelle bag is lovely. I own no remotely upmarket handbags (bar the Radley shocker from my lovely DH) as I never seem to be able to save up in order to get one. But that could be quite manageable. And it's so versatile.

Fritzi hope you enjoy your wine-tasting party tonight. I would be falling over at 9; have completely lost my ability to drink anything more than half a glass!

Am wearing my 'new' red jeans today with a Breton jumper and am very pleased with them. I also feel quite virtuous for having re-invigorated what I already owned.

Right, shall go and rescue DH from an extended bathing of the DCs. We have friends over for dinner and have spent this afternoon cooking up a Curry storm ( From the I Love Curry book that Bloss recommended - I too Love Curry now).

Oooh - I have the 'I Love Curry' book but am yet to make anything from it, must try harder....

Quick question, we are going to friends tonight for a takeaway and Beatles Rock Band on Singstar (I know, sounds hellish but they are a great bunch and this is the rematch from last time we got together and the Singstar came out!) - thing is, I want to get a bit dressed up so was thinking black jersey dress (not too fitted, ancient from M&S but I love it), heels and red lips a la Robert Palmer girls.... Too much?? Is black sheer hosiery taking things too far??!

Envious of all of you with plans. I came home frozen solid from the fair and nauseous from the smells and noise. I still can't feel my hands. Settling down to watch Munster v Ospreys.

Glad you like the curry book redllama. I use it regularly too.

Go for it petit! Am I the only one staying in?

red I had a sneaky nap when we came back from kindergarten party while MIL kept DD entertained. She made a two-train journey just to babysit tonight and I feel really lucky .

bloss I will could describe my outfit tonight as EA goes winetasting, maybe a bit too dressed up for sitting on sofa sipping wine but I feel good.

Need to remember to drink lots of water too or I'll regret it tomorrow. Made date, goat's cheese and serano starter to take with us.

Loving the sound of all the plans! I would second what Bloss said Petit. I have also been to the fair this afternoon - it was quite small though so we were only there an hour and it was sunny (although windy). Dd loved it and DH and I shared hot fresh doughnuts. OMG they were sooooo good! Wearing my new TS Jessies here (that DH thoughly approved of) with new Mango top here.

I am not going out either Bloss! In fact after a fairly frantic social life of late, May is shaping up to be the 'stay in and detox' month (No booze now for 2 weeks!) It will change in June though.... DH and I have an exciting night of 'So you think you can dance' followed by BGT and possibly some slightly more challenging stuff (The Shadow Line .)

Annoying DS has just managed to delete a long post where I'd said hi properly to everyone. Grrr. Suffice it to say that I hope you're all doing ok.

Carciofi when I went overdue I took a couple of trips to Westfield and I'm sure that all the walking helped DS to crack on. Fingers crossed it works its magic for you too.

These are my recent treats:

Anthro maxi dress - Red did you find yourself in Anthropologie when you hit King's Road? The boho in me is always drawn there. There are so many cute/quirky things but I have to stop myself getting too quirky/beaded/ruffly.

My second ever maxi dress a White Company favourite. Think it was recommended by someone on here? Thank you, whoever it was, it is gorgeous.

And these Carvela sandals.

Ooh - that Anthro maxi is absolutely stunning! I am off to put my bank cards in the freezer...

Is anyone else watching Eurovision with me????? (I know, I know but I think Graham Norton is very funny with all his bitchy witty quips!)

I think its safe to say Finland wont be hosting the event next year! (I'll shut up now I promise!)

Not that I want to tempt you or anything NY but it really is lovely. Wafty buy also lined. V nice indeed....

We're also watching Eurovision at my sisters - should be a fun evening, lots of Jedward fans here!

Ooooh Jedward on now!
Back later for an OWW review!

Well I quite liked 'em - they did their routine v well!
Graham N is on fire!
I really will shut up now!

Says the recently converted: I may have to get the White Co maxi, for everyday!!
notyummy, I told dh about the 2 week alcohol ban and he said the last time he went two weeks without was when he did his finals (it worked, he got a first!) I've always been a bit French in thinking there's nothing wrong with a daily glass (until I had kids and I reluctantly confined it to weekends to keep the weight down). But I once did a month when I went travelling in Scandinavia. It was very good for me. I felt focused and together when I came home, and I was seeing future dh within quite soon afterwards.
Tonight I am drinking Rioja Tempranillo. Very nice indeed!