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

[OllieinOrange]

Time for a new thread.....

Ants it was my silly way of saying I'm really happy about the possible night time meet up (I have a thing about nice lighting ).

Ah. Soft lighting I can sign up to!! Also would love to be included in September meet up.

Night night

Pickled - thats funny about your DH's dislike of peter pan collars - my DH says the same - says they are too little girl like! (Still gonna order the Wrap blouse tho!) Noticed lots of PP collars in Next etc. The 20% Boden code was from the preview ages ago - forgotten what I had ordered. I think the garage in France had done a v good repair job so wasn't too stressful driving home thank goodness - plus roads were empty. Had a heart attack when the warning light binged on tho - but it was just the windscreen wash being low. Helps that DH is very calm about such things!
Ants that LKB dress is great.
Icecream thats good news about your house. Fingers crossed everything works out for you.

Bloss I know you didnt keep the Great Plains bird dress but I was wondering about getting one but having a usual OiO faff. I think the brown would probably suit my colouring better but think I prefer the black. Was the bird print v overpowering in terms of colour if that makes sense?

The grey Bloss scarf from Kew which I also have and love is reduced to 19 pounds in John Lewis if anyone is interested (also the navy one).

More heavy rain here and DH has gone off to work with all of our musuem passes in his wallet so no trip to the dinosaur musuem today then.

Hi all! Hope you enjoyed the brief summertime on sunday...

Camping was a big success. Not a drop of rain. Little bit chilly in the evenings, but fine once sat beside a big roaring fire/tucked up in duvet on airbed. DD LOVED every moment and went completely freerange in the woods. We took walkie talkies and let her and the two little boys go to the little play area (about 350m away!) by themselves which they loved. Kept getting updates over the radio 'Mummy I am now on the slide... 'It's not a fast one so I think I will try the swings...' They also took the radios into the woods (which were fenced in) and built a den whilst we all sat round and drank wine/read the papers/put the world to rights. I may have even sported denim shorts and a crop top at one stage. All that suffering over my core has to be worth it on at least a few days a year!!

Not feling very healthy though as a LOT of food and wine was consumed. Did a double shred last night on our return in penance.

Work now completely manic as covering for my Boss. Think it is going to be a looonnngg week.

ollie, I'd ordered the scallop trimmed blouse from summer Boden, but got a letter saying they'd been let down by their suppliers, and a £5 voucher. It had a round collar and I really wanted it. Anyway. Back to Chester today to pick up my lap top. I might look into some shops, depending on how the dcs are behaving. Also will pick up my 2 dvfs on the way.

Woke up to rain this morning, but now it's back sunny and warm again. Incredible.

Glad your camping trip was a success notyummy. Walkie talkies great idea!

I am going to be blunt and say I really don't like WIT's shoes.

Sounds like great fun, NY.

Lovely dress, Ants.

I don't like WIT's CL shoes but I love her YSL bag. I like this top WIT is wearing, wonder if Zara still sell it.

My red J brands arrived, they are great. Also got my Boden order, the skinny cords are awful on me, the Barcelona jacket is nice but not worth £70 or whatever it cost. I have spent to much recently so need to return a few things. Keeping the autumn breton tops and cardigans for the DD1.

I have dropped massive hints to my friend so hoping she will have DD1 over to play this morning!

I like that blouse, Ollie.

Red, hope the packing is going well. I am still searching for a babysitter, may have found someone temporarily.

I am procrastinating no more (well am here, so maybe a little). We are packing with fervour; DD has largely been in a box surrounded by toys, DS is at London Zoo with my Mum and we have no excuses left.

Pickled that was my plan, but would need to take on the franchise and am not ready for that. Yet. As ever, your words are lovely and reassuring. Thank you.

Hope your friend comes up trumps this arvo Carciofi. Am v of red Jbrands.

So glad camping was a success NY - sounds perfect.

Excellent news on the house front IceCream - there might be a bidding war and everything.

Can I propose the 1st October for a meet-up - technically not September, I know, but we're up for another event so would work nicely.

Back to the brown boxes.

I bought this black dress today for work. Maybe a little short when I sit down..
I bought this grey animal print top in desperation to have another option to wear with black trousers. But in fact both items look very good indeed with the old faithful Zara blazer from last year. I do feel ready for teaching now!

Forgot to say, I bought a pencil case! And a pencil, biros, pencil sharpener... In Paperchase (did I have a good day or what!)
And I am in love with my fuchsia espadrilles which just arrived and the silver havaianas. Is it boiling where everyone else is too?

Positive packing vibes to you red. Would love a late summer meet up too.

Lovely on both counts Bloss. And a little squeal for your pencil case purchases; I used to love getting ready for a new term (in fact, am sure it was one of the reasons I put forward when deciding whether to do my PGCE).

Ollie I love the wrap blouse - am toying with the purple shade.

Your weekend sounds lovely Petit, hooray for your parents.

Ant the dress is lovely. Am a big fan.

We have gone great guns with the packing and are heading out tonight with a lovely couple to the fab Turkish place. Am feeling v pleased as have managed to palm off a load of baby stuff (bouncer, bumbo, slings galore) as they're expecting their first. DH pointed out that we'll need to ask for them back for number 3 . Am going to wear new striped Whistles dress with red belt.

And also, just realised I did that very London-centric thing of assuming a meet-up would occur there. Hell, why not Bristol ?

Love your purchases bloss, esp the pencil case

Well done with your packing red- glad that you seem so positive about the move. I think you'll love it in Bristol.

We are v close to accepting an offer on ours as the cheeky starting offer we made on the house we want is apparently being seriously considered- all moving very fast ( too fast) at the moment.

We're off to cornwall tomorrow. Hope the weather stays nice but have packed for all eventualities.

Hoping my earharts will return by the time we leave- I stupidly ignored advice to downsize enough and both were too big (and I am certainly not at my thinnest!) why don't they just size things properly??

Have put the 1st October in my diary. So excited about seeing people again. I loved the moment at the last meet up when we were all in the lift and everyone was talking excitedly- it was as if the thread had come to life. ( god I'm sad- I really need to get out more!)

Right, I sense I am rambling and will now shut up. Night all

That is very exciting about your house icecream. Have a great holiday.

ollie, the main problem with the bird print dress was the colour and size of the birds. Very autumnal.
this spotty top was the only one that took my fancy in the new Wrap catalogue. Did you see these ridiculous leggings?. Dh was speechless!
I am liking my new laptop very much indeed. I haven't even read Heat yet .

Red carry on packing as they say!
Icecream have a great time in Cornwall, make sure you get your quota of scones and clotted cream (is that 'allowed' when pregnant I wonder???)
Bloss lap top sounds good. Have you named it yet?! Think I will order the brown GP dress and see. Love the shape and detail on the M&S dress and like Red adore any excuse to visit Paperchase! In Holland, pupils have to provide everything themselves in terms of exercise books/pens/files/ so shops go mad with the back to school stuff - stationary heaven!

Am really torn about the Oct meet up - its DH's 40th bday WE (bday on the Monday) and whilst we have not made plans (apart from joint party later in November) I would feel bad going away. Will have a think tho....would hate to miss out on seeing you again. Maybe DH can come along , Fritzi would like that .

(Am joking btw, can you imagine a man in our midst - unless he was Gok!)

Those crazy leggings share a name with my DD!

I will also have to miss the meet-up as it's 2 days before my c-section date so I won't be straying far from home

All this moving is very exciting icc and red - I love moving despite the stress.

Thanks for the tweed blazer link pickled - it is a nice one but I think a tweed blazer might be the sort of thing I could get from a charity shop super cheap and just have it dry cleaned. Am tight!

Running late but wanted to ask a Book Club related question. Its my turn to choose the next book an despite taking 7 books on holiday, am struggling to find one!

I was wondering about How To Be A Woman by Caitlan Moran - looks a good read and very different from anything we've read for a long time. Has anyone read it yet? The other one was The Tigers Wife but the reviews on Amazon seem pretty bad.
I know the part of the point of Book Clubs is to read a book you may not otherwise choose but some of our Club fail to finish a book if they don't like it (don't ask!) so would rather pick a book that generates a good discussion. Any suggestions for me? Ta

I think your Caitlin MOran idea is a good one - supposed to be v funny. I understand the Tiget Wife can be a bit slow going, although haven't read it myslef.

Am at Ollies query about whether icecream and clotted cream were allowed in pregnancy! I thought they were prescribed . Have a great holiday icecream.

I think I should be able to make the 1st Oct.

Caitlin Moran book is fab in my opinion and I'd imagine would provoke quite a lot of discussion. It is quite ahem graphic in parts so as long as no-one is easily shocked.

Looks like a sunny day here today so off to park with a picnic.

Quiet on the S&B front here - waiting for A&W stuff to hit the shops really.

Am after a slim fitting navy smart coat for winter as well as a new duvet coat for practicality.

Oh was DD's 2nd birthday at the weekend and one of her presents was silver hunters - oh does she love them! I think it was Bonsoir who first alerted me to them so thank you.

Quick one. Icecream have a marvellous holiday.

I can make 1st Oct.

Ollie yes what a good idea bring your dh. Feel free to include some of his good looking Dutch friends.

Fleecy we will be thinking of you so close to due date. We shall have to do it again.

(oh crap sorry I mean we might choose another date so all can make it, Ollie, Fleecy or stick to 1st.... not sure! What do people think?).

I seem to be wearing the new Sandro stuff every day, heaven knows what I was wearing before. Am not getting anything else until a good amount of AW stuff is here.

I can't make 1st as it will be DD's birthday party the next day but by no means cancel because of me (I probably won't work up the guts to come anyway!!)

Bloss - Love the paper chase visit! DS has to bring his own pencil case but does't get very excited by the prospect, can't wait for DDs turn. Those leggings immediately reminded me of DD who is currently wearing knickers but won't poo in the potty so we get 'the bulge' once a day....

Ollie - got all in a fluster at the prospect of your DH on a meet up WE only started a book club recently but so far have read 'My last Duchess' and 'The Help' - the former was at a perfect time as we had just had the Royal wedding and lots of the themes were pertinent, the latter was brilliant but you've probably done it. Just finished Before I go to Sleep' which I thoroughly enjoyed, can't go to this month but would love to talk about it.

Red - hope the packing continues to go well - don't do what I did and take all the crap thinking 'I'll sort it all out when I unpack...'!!

MrsCB - DD got those Hunters for her last birthday and they are just gorgeous!

Ice-cream - happy holidays!!

Hello all! I can make the 1st Oct, but if it gets moved, i can't do the weekend before - unless the solution to what to do for my 40th birthday is to come on a A&W meet-up (think DH might have something to say about that!).

Ice-cream, I am about your house offer, fingers crossed that your offer is accepted and it all goes ahead. No bites here, people seem to like the house, talk about second viewings and then disappear. Ho hum. Have a great holiday and forget all about it if you can!

Red, hope the packing is continuing at a pace, I can't believe you've got to moving day already, seems like two minutes ago we were discussing areas.

I started the Caitlin Moran book, but seem to have lost my kindle, so that has come to an abrupt halt, the little bit a read was great though!

S&B wise - I have a success - I have bought these as my version of Houli/Agnes, as they're full length on me so can get more wear out of them when it gets colder. Am very pleased.

Icecream, fantastic news on the house front. Have a lovely relaxing holiday as it will probably be all go when you get back.

Loving the sound of silver Hunters for DDs.

Marsha, I love all your new clothes; glad you are enjoying wearing them . Are you meeting Bloss et al tomorrow?

Bloss, did you see the orange bird print pencil case in Paperchase? I love it! Love you new black mini . Perhaps best worn on video days. How does that work then Bloss, is it a live video link of you in a classroom with a group of real students or are they all virtual?

Fleecy, I so wish I had an eye for a good charity shop find. LTEC was good at that too, wasn't she.

MrsCB, have you settled in well to your new abode or are you are still in a decorating frenzy?

I have been painting furniture: 2 x chest of baskets have gone from grotty to gorgeous; cream to F&B french grey, v. nice.