We're AVIDly buying Agnes, Anya & Ash (all very WISE buys!)

[OllieinOrange]

Time for a new thread.....

What an emotionally draining afternoon Bloss, hope you get some time in the coming weeks to return and reflect without feeling time-constrained. Well done to you and DS for your stellar performances.

I know nothing about Frenchay Apuski, although lots of people recommended it as an area to live. Fingers crossed for quick and easy sale.

Fritzi you definitely need to size down (now on two pairs of in-soles for mine). ASH online your best bet, I reckon. If this helps, the stone colour really works with the navy Vince .

Nice name icecream, sorry to hear about your feelings towards work. Am sure the passion/enthusiasm would return in the right environment.

NY, hope you enjoy today.

Annie another excellent-sounding outfit. Your work wardrobe does sound very lovely indeed.

Madly tidying the house whilst getting packed to go and dealing with bizarre requests from cousins, chain-smoking from Mum's DH (I can't believe the smoking ban was only 3 years ago - smoking has become so anti-social in that time span and I'm an ex-smoker) and random phone-calls from my sister worrying about the weather and the need for wellies. Woke the entire house up this morning in a mad hunt for DS' shoes as he left for nursery as he has taken to hiding them in bizarre places (in a shoebox in a large pan in the kitchen cupboard).

Hope you all have lovely weekends. I'm not going to eat until Saturday afternoon now as guests here has meant no shredding which has resulted in a figure that shouldn't really be in a clingy jersey dress. Spanx, spanx, spanx.

Pickled this is the first time I have ever had someone decorate and the thing I have learned is get a recommendation from a friend. Not online, not on a website with suggested traders.

Ask friends if they know someone good and reliable. The guy we are using is here today, and finally just doing the job as I said I wouldn't be able to recommend him. Think that did it.

I still prefer using him than doing it ourselves. no way we could do it.

Red I meant to say it would be really lovely if we do meet up and you could join us, same for everyone of course.

red Just ordered the Jalouses in 38 from Ash website. Thanks! Wearing Vince jumper today with grey Houlis .

Oh, and I also got my Wrap order yesterday and the Bloss' shorts are great! I am sending the tops back though. "White" turned out to be cream

fritzi, that happened to me with their 'white' top too! Feel I should be on the Ash train too, but have left it too late!

marsha, I had a recommended from Dulux painter when I was in Cardiff. Nasty, bigoted, racist man. I hated having him in my house.

Should be outside really. No sign of the cleaner. Yet again.

Hello All.

bloss your post yesterday brought a tear to my eye. You are utterly an inspiration in your strength and resolve. I am glad for you that DD's headstone is fitting for her and yourselves.

Marsha painter sounds stressful, agree that recommendation is the way forward and usually the cheapest quote spells trouble too!

Carciofi I know you have sent me a PM, as I have an email but can't access it at the moment. I am not ignoring you!

ice-cream totally understand the feelings towards to work that you have.

Sorry, I feel so rude ignoring others, but this App is tricky when posting messages and doesn't let you scroll back. Many apologies to those that I have missed.

I went to Dermalogica last night, had the skin mapping and bought a few products. Hopefully they will ease my skin a bit.

I am tempted to get my colours done during my leave. But I am just worried that all my purchases in the last year will be wrong! Those who have, did you all worry about this?

Gah, estate agent and family arrived half an hour early for their viewing, and she phoned to ask me if it was ok if they came early whilst standing outside my house! DS2 asleep, last few bits and pieces still to be tidied. So my plans of being out of their way fell by the wayside and I had to drag the children into the garden instead.

Still, apparently it's their favourite of the houses they have seen so far, so fingers crossed. I seem to remember from last time I did this that it was the viewings that didn't go to plan that seemed to lead to the most interest!

Exciting times for you apuski. I used to have an 'unusual' house when I lived on my own, and every Thursday I would have loads of viewings after the property paper came out. I used to make such an effort to have it looking good. It finally sold after I had moved out and it had been empty for a few months, looking awful!
When we sold our first home together, we had a cash buyer walk through the door, who just really wanted our house, in that street, with that walled garden (he had a dog). You can't predict it!

wan, I think you would love having your colours done. And I'm sure you haven't made any mistakes. It is a handy guide to have though when sale shopping, or shopping in a hurry to have the knowledge of what is best on you. Especially if you already know what shapes to wear. You will save money in the long run apparently.

WAN, I found that once I had my colours done, there were a few clothes that I had that weren't right for me - but these were the ones that had been languishing at the back of my wardrobe largely unworn. So I finally understood why I wasn't drawn to them and then felt able to ebay them or give them away knowing that I wasn't likely to suddenly like them again.

Knowing how you lot like to look at photos, I've put some of the estate agent ones on my profile (mumsnet mates only, shout if you're not 'on the list' and fancy a nose) - any feedback very welcome!

That sounds promising Apuski. Have you had many viewings? We were supposed to have our first one last week and went to a lot of effort to get the house looking perfect and they didn't show up. The estate agent was fuming (as were we) We have another one on Saturday so should be sorting the garden rather than on here!

Marsha / pickled etc. A minefield choosing decorators. The last one we used was a friend of a friend and he didn't do a great job tbh but it's awkward when you know them isn't it?

My new name - I had a few wittier ones lined up but they all seemed a bit 'try hard' so just went with this as I had been singing the song to DD last night. Not a massive Joni fan but my mum is and used to sing both sides now to get my sister and I to sleep so it always makes me feel warm and fuzzy! (that and Carole King's Tapestry!)

Gosh Annie - fair play to you for carrying on despite a sickness bug. I go to pieces if I'm sick. Sounds like you could do with a break - when is your DH next home?

Red How did the dinner go? Will you be able to flake out after the wedding? I think you have done your sisterly duties admirably. Certainly above and beyond!

Hi Icecream, we've been on the market two weeks tomorrow and this is our fourth viewing. One booked a second viewing straight away but then his buyer pulled out, one isn't interested because they don't want a period house (and viewed it because??), one is a cash buyer and liked it a lot but no second viewing as yet, and then the ones today. No more booked. How long have you been on the market?

A few weeks now. Sounds like you're doing well - I'm not getting my hopes up at all. Will your estate agent chase the cash buyer? Would love to see your photos but don't think the profiles are working at the moment.

Ha, thanks for letting me know that the profiles aren't working - I might have started to get paranoid if it seemed like everyone was studiously avoiding making a comment!

I'm the same about not getting hopes up - if it doesn't sell in this initial spell, we could be in for a long haul, and may have to decide to move before selling it, which I'd rather avoid if possible! I am assuming the EA will chase, but probably need to just check that is the case!

I've just been looking through the my-wardrobe sale again to see if an extra 20% off today tempts me on anything, but no, not really.

Profiles are still down apuski. I'm dying for a nose too!

Yes, can't wait to have a look at the pictures too Apuski.

We are hoping to be on the Market by the end of the month. Two houses on our street recently sold within a few weeks of being on the Market, but both sales have fallen through.

Profiles are back again I think.

Wan, you forgot to tell me your surname! Bought the mailing envelopes today and will post off the clothes to you and Icecream tomorrow while DD1 is at nursery.

Apuski, I love your house.

Fritzi, my dad and brother are coming over soon so I might wear the shoes when I go out to dinner. I want to wear them with my MIH black jeans. I haven't worn my Ash Jalouse yet, they are true to size for me but maybe my feet haven't recovered from swelling during pregnancy!

Pickled, we will go to Dublin for a long weekend in September but don't really want to go anywhere until the baby sleeps better. We might go abroad in October. I love Tuscany.

Got to run as DD2 is crying, back later.

Your house looks great apuski. The decor inside is beautiful. Should appeal to everyone. I'd buy it!

Oh Apuski your house is beautiful, the room sizes look amazing.

Meant to say to Annie hope you are feeling better.

Thank you carciofi - no rush though if you'd prefer to have a restful day - hopefully I shouldn't grow too much for a good few weeks yet

Your house is beautiful Apuski - lovely windows and fireplaces and kitchen appliances! Ours is a boring new build. I love period houses but have also loved not having to do any maintenance for the last 5 years!

Lottas have arrived - too narrow for my clod hoppers which is a real shame as I think they would be very comfy otherwise. Anyone know if Hasbeens come up any wider?

Apuski you have a beautiful home, best of luck with your sale.
NYHope that today went well.
Hoping to getaway on hols next week, so back to work in anticipation!

Wise Ladies, we are going to a 50th birthday party tomorrow of a friend of Dh, he's a keen sailor and a bit of a snob, does anyone have any gift ideas?

Thanks for all the nice comments, it's funny, I see all the bad bits when I look at those photos like our scuffed dining room floor and the mdf board I forgot to put away that blocks the ds's from playing with the wires under the desk! Hopefully someone will like it enough to buy it and pay a decent price as well. Soon! Icecream it feels like we've done all of the last 5 years of maintenance in the last month!

NY, hope you and your DH are having a great day.

And Red, in case we don't 'see' you again before the weekend, hope you have a great time, and can breathe a sigh of relief when there's nothing left for you to organise!

Portia, sounds a tough one! Will have a think. Do you have a budget in mind?

red good luck for this weekend. Hope all goes well and DS and Her intended say I do at all the right times!

Annie hope you are recovered. Lovely sounding outfit yet again!!

WAN I am thinking of having my colours done too. Are you in London?

bloss a big kiss to you and yours. Sounds like you have a lovely place to go to remember your DD.

Apuski love your house. It's huge!! I have a period house too. Love them.

carciofi am in awe that you are thinking of nights out and sexy heals!!

ice-cream great name.

So I have been a little bit naughty. But it was fate I tell you. Sort of popped into Reiss on way home. They had one Minna left in khaki in my size in the sale. Took it as a sign....

Big kiss to everyone I have left off

Am off to scavenge some food from the fridge and settle down to watch torchwood.