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

[OllieinOrange]

Time for a new thread.....

Dear me, thanks to hf and ny I'm tempted to move to Glasgow myself!

Have a lovely time in Italy emo.
abo, how really annoying for you. Cancel, and treat ds to a party/outing with a few close friends instead. There is a Welsh quotation which translates as 'who'd raise kids..?' It is so heartbreaking sometimes.

apuski what a beautiful calm house you have.

Thanks for advice re party; I won't cancel this time but will listen to advice and instinct next year! His few closest friends can make it, and DS1 is having some friends along too since it's his birthday the week before so the hall shouldn't be empty... I just hate the politics of it all. So, to positive things, what do you wear to your own kids' birthday parties?

Hello guys. Haven't managed to catch up properly, and am in midst of start of the annual birthday preparations (5 b'days in 2 months, in our house), but meaning to pop in for ages and say hi.

Hi to all, and nice to see you Zembo!

Apuski - house looks lovely...sure you will have no trouble selling.

Exciting update: have found The One; house that is! Offer accepted and we are sourcing Architects, as, of course, massive reno job. In heart of Cotswolds, tiny hamlet, views etc...just what we were looking for all these years ! Fingers crossed, and hoping to complete August. Va voom.

Aww...and DS has had v good first school report, so very pleased.

DS has his birthday party tomorrow. Have been busy planning games to keep 16 5/6 year olds busy! Phew....

In S & B news bought some good things in a sale in local boutique...St Tropez range but can't find link. Lovely sea green tee and navy cropped canvas trousers (have loads of pairs already but can't resist), and white gorgeous kaftan (for beach)...Lord let the sun shine in Cornwall in 2 weeks time.

Fritzi - have just finished book 2 of Cazalet Chronicles which I enjoyed more than book 1...how are you finding it? And, started Nancy Mitford's 'Don't tell Albert'...which is amusing. I do love a bit of Nancy

How are you Carciofi, and those gorgeous girls?

Sorry if I've missed anything...will read properly now...

Thanks pickled, ABO and especially house-connoisseur dolcee - really glad you've found somewhere you love dolcee, after all this time looking! Fingers crossed all goes smoothly from here (at least the purchasing part!).

ABO, that sounds fine, as long as his main friends are there and the hall doesn't feel too empty, he'll have a great time! Actually, even if it is a bit empty, that's more space for mad running about, which seems to be the most likely party activity if my ds is anything to go by!

Finally emerging from 2 weeks of whole family succuming to various horrid bugs so sorry if I post and overlook anyone's big news.

lovely news for WAN and icecream (what a lovely name by the way)

exciting times zembo ..a gorgeous new bag And a new start as a SAHM And a Big Move..my DH lived in Glasgow and loved it.We did even consider it as a new location for ourselves after visits to friends there but it was just a bit of a hike from my family(London based)

marsha have your shoes arrived yet?have you somewhere fun to wear them?

Apuski I loved your Maxmara number..I think their designs are 'very you'

have enjoyed all the musings on the career versus stay at home(much less aggressive than AIBU!)..I have to admit I have loved being at home for the early years but look forward to a time when I can create a career again.complicated!

red look forward to hearing all your wedding news..and am sure you will look truly fabulous.

petit are you done with teaching because of the workload...my sis-in-law to-be is thinking about primary teaching as they are thinking about children..I'm not sure it will all slot together as easily as she hopes.

bloss who would have children indeed..it can be agony can't it..you feel their every hurt. Apuski's DS's experience made me feel very sad

hope your DS has a fun do regardless ABO

will return sooner than last time hopefully!

Just got home from the last school run of term as the heavens opened. Good start to the long summer hols! And dd fell twice in the park on her already scabbed knees, so blood pouring everywhere.. My mum and my bil at school gates making fun of me for fussing over her. Honestly she never cries but is way too adventurous. So I'm annoyed with them!
Also annoyed at the rainforest amount of paper ds bought home with him. I feel I am slowly being buried alive by all the paper he generates round the house as it is.

I am so excited for you and your new house dolcee. Good things come to those who wait! Hope it all goes well for you. There's quite a a&w style posse down the south west now!

How lovely to see Zembo, hf and Dolce Hello!

Another party today, had to go back in time in wardrobe and wore a printed maxi dress with white piping trim plus wide chartreuse belt (of course Kors ). Fab time and going out tonight so will keep it on.

Reine I have the places, but not the shoes! I sent them back. I'm not really a 39.5 unfortunately but a 40 or 40.5 so too tight.

Crazy painter guy has finally finished. We have our home back. Thank.god. was hell having him here (not as bad as yours Bloss in temperament but hellish in other ways).

Shame about the shoes marsha but yay! for 2 parties in one day..outfit sounds divine.

bloss Nooo! to heavens opening.hope DD ok.we have similar 'drowning in paper' situation here too.need to tackle!

Great news about the house Dolcee!

Good to see you Reine.

Sorry about the weather and injury Bloss- sounds a bit stressful.

Weather is gorgeous here but forecast is terrible for tomorrow. Dds birthday party so v pleased we have hired sports hall so not reliant on good weather. Think I will wear skinnies and a nice top because I think I will be dragging children off the bouncy castle and ferrying presents and cake from the car in torrential rain. Maxi dress probably not practical....

Long run in the heat today. Not a good idea... Felt quite rubbish by the end. 12.5 miles in 24 degrees was a real stubble. Have not done much else today!

Thanks...

You are a very wise mummy, notyummy! We have party at home...soooo wish we'd hired the local hall. Yes, skinnies and Reiss top here too. I am doing the party games, so needs must!

Night out tomorrow...with dh and gang.

Bloss - our DD's sound so similar. DD2 knows no bounds either! Hope her little knees are okay...awwww....bless.

Have missed 'chatting' to you guys!

Happy birthday to mini a&w'ers for tomorrow. I really must add 'get a reiss top' to my collection of things to do.
How is the cake this year notyummy. Is DH satisfied by now? Please post photo!
Tomorrow I am going to a 'sausage and chips rugby presentation lunch' with DS. He has asked for a Leinster shirt for his birthday in September, and a Scarlets shirt for Christmas. Cheap round this year!

a struggle - not a stubble!!

NY I thought it was some sort of Glaswegian thing .

Let's not talk about Glaswegian stubble. It's a whooooole different thread!

Dolcee, great news about the house! The girls are great, DD1 seems to have taken to the baby in a big way but addresses her as Little Sister, not by name. :) I am looking forward to sleeping more than 3 hours at a time, soon I hope!
Bloss, hope your DD is ok now. Great that your DS is still a Leinster fan!
Saw Agnes for £73 on Donna Ida so thought I'd give them a lash!
Got to go feed the baby. Hope you all have good weekends.

Oh, and can I just tell you all the compliment I got yesterday at DHs do?

DH said he was waiting for me outside the toliets when a guy he knew started chatting him and he explained he was waiting for me? Apparently the guy said 'oh is she the one in the slinky dress? My wife reckons her arms are great.' Makes all the hard work worthwhile

Hi Dolcee, Reine & hf - good to see so many old faces popping in.

So exciting about your house Dolcee. It sounds gorgeous - how long will the renovations take do you think?

Happy birthday for tomorrow to mini NY & mini dolcee. Hope you enjoy the parties.

ABO - what a shame about your DS's party - I'm sure he will love having his good friends there. Dreading all this politics when DD gets a bit older.

Ahh bloss poor DD! She sounds very brave. My DD got a small graze on her knee the other week and is still showing it (although it's completely gone now) to all and sundry.

Ordered this on a whim last night. More to satisfy my VWA curiosity than anything else.

Red - excited for you for tomorrow! Please let us see some photos.

That's fab and well deserved NY

Lovely dress, Icecream.
Have a fantastic holiday, Emo.
NY, great compliment.

I love the fact that this thread has now a distinct real estate vibe .

apuski Love your house. Thanks for sharing your pictures.

dolcee Yay, I knew you would find THE ONE!!! Location sounds fantastic. Hope renovations will go smoothly. I really enjoyed part 2 of the Cazalet's too. Cannot wait to order part 3 but have so many other things to read before. Currently reading Joanne Harris' "blueeyedboy" but I am not sure if I will continue.

zembo What can I say? So excited for you and your family about your DH's new job, your being happily with your kids and move to Glasgow. Have never been there but it sounds like a great place to live.

abo Sorry to hear about your DH's party.

cariofi Thanks for the lovely card. Your DD2 is so adorable.

icecreamcastles Like your new name. Very summery .

petit A red skirt could be a great hangover cure.

red Enjoy the wedding tomorrow! After all the preparation and putting up family, I hope you won't fall asleep after your first glass of champagne. Your family is really lucky to have you!

Got an email from Ash to say that Jalouse boots are out of stock although I had ordered and paid for them already. Won't be re-stocked, ho hum...

Just read about that compliment notyummy and I am going to shred NOW!

Dolcee thrilled that you've found your perfect house! Hope parties are fun NY and Dolcee. I need to crack on and sort DDs out too.

Also NY you're arms are indeed amazing!

So it seems that Glasgow rocks! Thanks for all the info ladies. It's pretty much what I'd concluded from speaking to people and reading stuff, but good to hear it from people that really know the place. It's cold(er) though isn't it? although someone I spoke to was trying to convince me otherwise, telling me about warm weather fronts . Bloss the job is a locum for the first 3 months but will be made permanent after that. We've got two properties to sell down here, both need to be tarted up first, so it'll all take a while.

Morning all,

Had a chilled day yesterday and an evening on the sofa so hangover wasn't too bad!! Off to see Harry Potter tonight after Pizza Express, can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to the evening [saddo] - was invited to go to an outdoor classical concert with some lovely friends, but, looking at the weather, I'm glad we turned down the offer!!

Reine - in many ways teaching looks like the ideal job for a parent but you must bear in mind that, unless you teach in the school that your children attend (which has it's own issues) you will find it hard to be there for 1st day at school/nativity play/sports day etc. The children will need a childminder or wraparound care at school as, on average, I worked an 8-6.30 day. Granted, I did this to minimise work taken home but you won't find many schools which are happy to see you leave at 3.30! Having said all that, there are many rewards and we all know that the perfect job to fit around having children is the Holy Grail!

Apuski - your house is just lovely, I'd buy it!! I'm particularly taken with the painting propped on the mantelpiece in your DS's room!!

Fritzi - I like your thinking but I think I know in my heart that it wouldn't suit me so, like NY have decided to avoid being pissed off that it looks terrible!! (NOt that I thinking it would look terrible on NY you understand??!)

Dolcee - how exciting for you!! I felt like that when we found our house and, after a lot of building work, it really is my dream home. When we were playing 'fantasy won Euro Millions' DH and I both agreed that we would never leave this house.

ABO - parties are a minefield aren't they? It will be brilliant to have a big hall and not too many children though - they can go nuts!! My top tip is to take 100 balloons (I transport them in a single duvet cover) and release them into the room about half an hour before the end - a bit of music on and they are in heaven!!

Icecream - great purchase and I love your name!

Bloss - I hear your pain with the paper!! DD does so many drawings each day and I feel really awful just binning them!

NY - what a great compliment!!!

Carciofi thats a fantastic price! I wish that I had sized down as I fear that mine are a bit baggy.

On that note, I've regained most of the pounds that I lost prior to my birthday and feel really slobby - I need the motivation to Shred again and I think that I will join Weightwatcher (online only, I'll never get to meetings).

OMG, mammoth post, sorry if I've missed anyone. I was away for most of the week so read but didn't post (iphone) but missed you ladies!!

Pictures of The Cake after DH finished his labours are on profile.

Weather here is HORRIBLE!!

Red - I forgot to mention The Wedding!! Hope it all goes beautifully

NY - fantastic cake!! Weather is rubbish here too.

Also forgot to say that DH picked up my AH Bespoke clutch yesterday - it really is beautiful but never in a million years would I have spent so much on it had I not been pissed had a couple of drinks!!