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

[blossoming]

Where is everybody???

Carciofi - which bags??????

Bloss - I have had the odd twinge from it too!! And poor DH (who has a degenerative back condition) rally suffered after it. He has gone back to L1, which is most unlike him. I think because of all the twisting etc in it, you really have to focus on tensing and working your core when you do the twisting exercises, as these will protect the lower back. Also, the exercises that involve you squatting or lunging and then twisting/bending, really make sure you pushing up through your legs and using them to take the lifting strain (a bit like the Health and Safety 'good lifting' advice .)

Dolcee, shame about the house. Don't lose hope, something better will come along I'm sure. I have never done a sealed bid before, I quess you just have to be realistic about how much you are willing to pay for something you really love.

Fritzi, I can totally sympathise about a non guest ready house. There are always piles of laundry that need to be put away in our house. The wash/dry/put away cycle bores me soooo much that I rarely complete it . I was just thinking yesterday how much I love my utility room as it keeps most of the 'mess' out of sight.

Carciofi, so glad that you have your childcare sorted for when the baby is due. Have you got the nursery ready/tiny clothes in drawers etc?

Bloss, cropped blazer and skinnies is a great look for you. You don't want too much inch loss though or your lovely recent purchases will start to fall off you.

wan, I think you do amazingly well with your DS and his allergies and working and being fashionable and keeping up with friends and having a good time with your DH. Don't let your silly mum make you feel bad about how great you are doing.

Marsha, is it the work/mum balance that is hard? Hope you are OK.

Have fun shopping bloss

Sorry you're feeling blue everyspring - feel free to rant or mope here if it makes you feel better to unload virtually

I am shocked at your Mum's comment wan - I know there are a few of us here with mothers who can be less than tactful but that's really very blunt and hurtful.

I packed all my winter clothes away some time ago and the weather is now rather chilly - am rebelling by wearing cheery bright colours and refusing to give in. Like red I am loving my colourful jeans and wearing them lots already although today it's a patterned maxi skirt and orange vest with stacked bangles. Might have to pop a cardi on later though...

nan here's hoping for a better night. It's so tough when you're not getting enough sleep

Cross posted there as Sainsbury's shop arrived in the middle of typing my post.

Yes, sorry about the house dolce and hope you have a bit more luck this time. How frustrating!

I hate washing too. Can just about deal with the washing and hanging out then shove it in the airing cupboard and force myself to empty that once a week. hate it but 30 mins whipping round each week is better than a few minutes here and there!

Oooh yes carciofi loving the thought of those tiny little outfits you no doubt have ready by now. Aww

Bloss, that is awful that he is still waiting for an appt. Glad he is in good form though and happy shopping.

A utility room, dream deam!

Marsha, how are you today?

Pickled, yes, have everything for 0-3 months and my friend dropped in six Catimini dresses (I love that label but would not spend the money!) so she will be all dressed up when her relatives come to see her. Though not sure dresses are that comfortable for tiny girls. Pretty much ready now and can't wait to see what the baby is like!

I feel ok thanks Dolcee, apart from the fat feet! Not sleeping that well but it is good preparation. Good luck with the house purchase.

Bags: I like the AH Maeve tote, the red LK Bennett Anna bag, the navy Coccinnelle tote and the Mulberry brown Bayswater. Will get one, not all four. :) DH said he will buy me the Bayswater but on the other hand it might be nice to get new clothes and save this as my 40th present!

Fleecy, colourful jeans sound fab.

Nan Queens visit going really well, she is causing traffic chaos but nobody minds too much. She is at the War Memorial Garden now, we were invited to the dedication of the Garden in 2006 because of family connections and I had a sneaky hope that we would be invited today. I had my outfit picked out just in case! I would have ended up in a winter coat anyway, it's so cold today.

Every hope you have a better day today, you have a lot on your plate and have achieved so much recently. Be kind to yourself.

WAN ignore your mother, she obviously hasn't a clue.

Bloss have fun in Chester

Dolcee comiserations about the house, hope the next one work out better.

Fritzi I hate tidying, it is the most thankless job. I set the kitchen timer for 20 mins, do as much as possible in that time, then MN for a while as a reward, and repeat as necessary.

Carciofi I'm getting excited for you now

I spent ages searching online and in RL for that red FC dress There's a lovely white River Island one a couple of pages later, can't find that either. Why do magazines do that, it drives me crazy!

I've decided it's too cold for a breton dress, I'd have to wear it with opaques and that's just not right in May!

WAN think we have said before how similar our Mums are so I understand completely how you feel. I feel so tense before my Mum visits and then am on the defnesive the whole time she is here. If we lived closer, it would not be so bad but we see them for 3 or 4 days at a time and its too much. She bangs on to about how DSs should have their main meal at lunchtime as that would solve their fussy eating habits - apparently! Just try and ignore the comments -the problem lies with her not you.
Carciofi & Verity just let me know if you would like me to track down the FC dress over here? Its no trouble.
Dolcee - you probably already have it but the 20% code for Crew is SR03. Lovely jacket

Just brought DS1 his first hockey stick - so small and cute!
Got some special plasters for DS2 yesterday and some homeopathic gel (Dutch laws prevent chemists from selling anything remotely useful like cortisone cream - or Calpol - you have to go the Drs!) which seems to be calming the skin down.

Thanks for more tips on tidying. I think my main problem is that I don't have a "system" like many of you seem to. But after an exhausting and absolutely fruitless talk with my boss about my working hours, I am almost looking forward to cleaning the house. I will give it another month at work and if things don't improve, I'll have to resign.

Just seen the lkb anna in red. Divine.

dolcee Yay for ordering blazer!

marsha/everyspring Hope you both feel more positive today. If not un-MN-appropriate hugs and tins of salmon.

bloss Happy shopping! Tell us what you bought, please.

wan I can so relate to your being stressed out by impending parent visit. I spoke to my Mum on the phone yesterday and felt like I needed a glass of something strong afterwards. Her comments make me sometimes so and and .

fleecy Think I need more colour in my wardrobe.

nan Hope sleeping will improve soon.

ollie Hope the homeopathic gel helps to relieve DS's skin asap.

carciofi You are really the queen of bags . Outfits for DD2 sound really cute. DD1 must be so excited!

Back from yoga, it was good - though I'm not sure it'll work when A starts crawling! Just nice to be doing proper stretching again.

I promise to revert back to talking about clothes, but just wanted to reply to NY's question about Myers Briggs and the military (can't resist a professional question!). Just skip this bit if you're not into this stuff!

I reckon there are a few reasons why so many officers are ESTJ - yes that that type is more attracted to the way of working in the military; also that the culture itself probably distorts the way people think about themselves when doing the questionnaire - MBTI theory says that 'true' type doesn't change, but because people think about their actual behaviour when completing the MBTI, how they report their type can change depending on context. Sometimes you can pick up on someone adapting their type in a work situation by exploring outside of work, but maybe the line between in and out of work is more blurred in the military. It would be interesting to follow up people after leaving the military to see if some have reverted back to a 'true' type. MBTI theory says that being pushed into acting out of type causes heightened stress, so this kind of adaptation isn't necessarily good for people.

Also, although there are 16 types, the population is not evenly distributed across all of them, and ESTJ is the most common type - something like 15% of the population, so maybe not so suprising that there are just more around. INFP I think is the least common, maybe around 1.5% of the population.

I'm an ENTP!

NY, you might interested in this, a study that looked at MBTI types of those attending Ashridge programmes. 21% ESTJ!

If I get a slip that is silk, will that mean it won't stick to the dress?

Fritzi, WAN I empathise entirely. Gritted teeth and grins at the ready in preparation for the impending visits I'm sure. It's such a complex relationship with so many facets and I'm so sorry they make you feel the way they do.

Also, hope you're making headway on the de-cluttering Fritzi and sorry about the banging head against a wall conversation with your boss. Maybe something went in and things will improve a bit.

Glad you enjoyed baby yoga Apuski, N is doing weird caterpillar/commando-style crawling, so may have missed the window. I went once with DS when he was tiny and the class were most amused by my milk-covered top after doing a pose involving pressure on the chest area. I was a touch sensitive after his birth so never returned..!

Glad you too are enjoying the coloured jeans Fleecy - opens up so much of the wardrobe I think.

Bloss hope you're having fun in Chester - how goes project Sam Cam?

Dolcee hope the blazer is gorgeous and everything crossed for the next place.

Everyspring sorry you were feeling low, hope things look a bit more positive in the light of day.

Pickled we can commiserate about our little legs together (although I claim mine are worse as they are both short and squat).

Have just taken delivery of some really good basic tees from New Look of all places - I borrowed one from my friend after a bad lunchtime feeding experience and they are fab. Very good quality and the right form-fitting but not clingy look. Nice colours too, here they are.

Wore red jeans with navy top and leopard pumps. A nice look, but the Carvela's would have been better .

Also, can anyone help me on the quest for a waterproof? The one I have seen on others looks quite indie, normally comes in bright colours (I'm after green) with some white detailing and is hooded. Quite a boyish fit. Any idea what I'm talking about?

I am depressed. I am the epitomy of mumsy in my hooded coat. I hate this weather.

I would love to know how K Mid is coping in this sodden windy land.

Back from hockey - DS1's new hockey stick broke in two haflway through the lesson - he was distraught!

Will have something to say when I go back to the sports shop tomorrow! Wonder what's Dutch for 'not impressed' and 'emotional distress'?!

Hockey Mums clique were all wearing leather jackets of various shades of grey, scarfs, jeans with grey ankle boots. Nice but they all looked the same! Like to think I was suitably dressed in my white with navy breton, navy cotton jacket, grey converse and bf jeans!

The only nice thing I saw in Chester today was a polka dot bustier cotton dress in navy and white in.. Monsoon. I told you I was depressed. It isn't on their website.
I needed a new foundation and spent time and money in Bobby Brown. Very pleased, haven't been there before. Also bought concealer and blush.
No rain hats anywhere despite it bucketing it down. When I got home I went and tried on my dad's flat cap, think it suited me, and will be ordering this one I am tired of drizzle hair.

How unfortunate about the hockey stick ollie. A good chance to practise your Dutch though!

Thanks for the info re backache and level 2 notyummy. I really think it worth perservering though as it is an ideal workout for me and my tum.

Sorry to hear about your mum's comments wan, and everyone else who has troubles with their mums. Mine has her moments, but we seem fine at the moment.

I think the lkb anna will have to be my new work bag come September. Roomy enough for my books, notes and lunch. I especially like the long handle, so it comfortably sits on the shoulder, and the red colour was gorge. brighter red in RL. The shop assisant told me that the newer versions have zip closure, so might be worth waiting for.

Ohh Bloss Love the Anna - have seen it in store but not in red, it's a really great bag. Am I being delusional in thinking that when I lived in Chester it never rained??? I only remember blue skies.... Maybe I really was drunk throughout my degree years???

Wan at your mother. Isn't it funny how they can really get at you? My Mum is actually great but she says things without thinking - I gave her a bag of old clothes the other day and she 'couldn't believe that some of them were a size 12 - were they very old?'!!! This is from the woman that loves reminding me that when she was 30 she weighed 6st3!

Carciofi - Wow!! you must be getting so excited, newborn white vests hanging on the line..... one of the loveliest things ever.

So, recent purchase may have been a moment of madness - this for my birthday party paired with a wide black belt and these - am I going nuts???

Anyone want anything from Jaegar? 30% off full price items tonight only, finishes at 9.30pm. Code is BLK3EVNT.

Had forgotten all about these shoes that I had been lusting after. Are they £130 nicer than the LK ones???

hello my lovely lovely people. So nice to think of me! I am feeling a bit fed up with working when dh gets home and on the weekend. But after Friday's presentation. No more!!!

well for a while, they may ask me to do more (one brief became a few) but I'm not sure what I want to do yet..... It kind of puts me 'on call' for work so can't completely forget it all. But will see how I feel.

I am really looking forward to coming on here and mooching around and ordering something frivolous . Can't wait. have missed the lightheartedness of this thread.

petit Your birthday outfit is fabulous! Love the LKB shoes. You have inspired me to dress up in MOAMU dress on Saturday again! We are invited to a birthday party where the women will be dressed in tunic tops or bootcut jeans with a blazer and maybe a scarf . No heels in sight. But I will sparkle, oh yes I will!

The last thing I say about cleaning/tidying on this thread is that I have almost finished all the rooms downstairs. And may I add a strategy that hasn't mentioned before: I had a glass of wine while decluttering our dresser in the hallway where all the mail and other junk gets dropped. It was a doddle . Should get something to eat now or I'll pass out in a minute...

marsha I am very conflicted about work at the moment too. I have started to resent spending all those hours and using most of my energy there. I would love to have more energy doing more fun stuff with DD and DH.

bloss Anna is beautiful! Go and get her .

ollie Have you prepared your phrases for your complaint about poor quality hockey stick?