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

[OllieinOrange]

Time for a new thread.....

Fritzi, thanks! Starting school in Germany sounds like great fun.

Bloss, aw, pity about your cardigan (and the row with DH. We are having a lot of those at the moment as we are both tired and DH is stressed at work). If BlindAssassin's doesn't fit, maybe contact Boden and they might be able to track one down for you. I think they have great CS. I like the dress you ordered and the Wrap blouse. What are you going to wear the blouse with?

Portia, sorry you had to work while on holiday.

Ollie, thanks, my grandmother is getting old and frail, but sharp as a tack still. Visitors and fish go off after three days.

The new babysitter has taken DD1 out to the playground and DD2 is kicking on her mat. Babysitter is fab, shame I have been warned not to poach her!

That's good you've had a break carciofi. I want the Wrap top to wear under my Zara blazer and with my ankle length straight leg Zara trousers for work. But also for lunch out with black skinnies and heels with my trench. Dry cleaners got the gold paint out -miracle!

petit, I made WW coq au vin for lunch today. Delish.

bloss I have that cardigan too and have worn it so often with Houlis/Agnes already. Fingers crossed blindassassin's will be right for you. Is there maybe anything in the new JB A/W collection you could replace it with?

carciofi New babysitter sounds great. Couldn't you "share" her?

Hope all troubles with DHs will be resolved by bedtime!

Am doing work and keep sneaking looks at 5* luxury holidays.... Which won't be happening unless I do the work. Some are so lovely but only one child allowed. Or none.

Bloss hope you get a replacement, horrible to lose something.

Bloss, I know how you feel about the cardi. I 'lost' my fav oatmeal with black edging cardi and spent ages looking for a replacement. It turned up weeks later in the basket of my bicycle. Could yours be anywhere stupid like that? In the meantime I bought a lovely grey cropped cashmere one . There is a chiffon trimmed one in the new season Boden.

Carciofi, lovely of you to take the baby to see your grandmother. Hope you had a good read this afternoon.

Fritzi, I would be stressed if I had that many folk to cater for. You'll be a fab hostess I'm sure, Ollie can give you some tips. Must be a weird sort of anticlimax when they all leave and normality resumes. Is DD excited about the prospect of school?

NY, glad you are making the most of your DD-free week, hope she's OK. Sounds like she's having lots of fun, must be lovely for your parents.

Marsha, I only booked our trip to Italy a few weeks ago and we're off next week. Heard on the news that prices are going up as lots of people who have been let down by tour operator going bust will be rebooking. Why don't you do a house swap with some friends instead?

Annie, how's the washing machine? We bought an Indeset with the last of our pennies when we bought our first house. That was 12 years ago - bleedin' thing is still going strong .

Bought this TS breton in navy/grey, v. nice, quite thin.

How lovely, Italy sounds divine. I am checking that site that does last minute deals, its says 50% off so hopefully not a ruse! Friend house swap, hmm I know a lot of friends houses that are empty in London.

How funny we all bought washing machines last and the things keep on going. The first thing we bought was an expensive towel ladder thing from e15. This one which was obviously vital .

Thank you to everyone, blindassassin in particular. Boden CS have found one left. It will cost me £18.00!!!! I have credit.. But I'm still waiting for a confirmation email so not cracking open the champagne yet.

Hurrah for Boden, washing machines and lovely babysitters!

Browsing M&S and spotted this top which I thought was a steal esp for those of you that like the whole bow thing and those of you that need tops for work - great colour range too here

Sunny day here but we are off to the dentist/supermarket this morning but plan to crash in the garden this afternoon.

Fingers crossed for the cardie Bloss!

Heat has broken here with much rain. Bit of a relief to be honest. Ran 6 miles on Tuesday at about 5 30 in the afternoon and it was still so hot that I felt like I had done double that. I usually do my shreds etc in our big conservatory but it heats up to a million degrees in the sun so that is no good! We were at my mum and dads for the weekend and DH and I did Burn Fat Boost Metabolism in their back garden (not overlooked!!) in the sunshine at 9am. It was actually nearly enjoyable in those circumstances.

Carciofi - your girls look gorgeous on fb!!

DD much better and eating like a horse apparently. Mum and dad have been spoiling her rotten and they bought 2 'super squirters', and she spent all afternoon in the paddling pool and running round the garden squirting my dad.

Sorry to hear that the starting school excitement is slightly marred by your parents feelings Fritzi - I hope they manage to be pleasant on the day.

Wearing Zara top to toe today! Leopard print maxi skirt, black tee and wooden heeled sandals (plus M and S black linen fitted jacket.)

It is 2 weeks and 2 days until we go on holiday and yes, I AM counting the days! I think the journey out may be a bit stressful (we are already wondering how we fit everything in the car as we need to take the tent and sleeping bags for 2 nights camping....)

Hope you all have a good day.

Oh no can't leave them either. No one to leave them with, and I know they would love it too much! Bit wet here. Day of trying to work and children.

Still no email..

That does sound idyllic notyummy. I shredded last night for the first time in a week. Holidays play havoc with my carefully planned regime. At least my weight gain seems to have halted, somehow. I really miss my twice daily school run walk.
We're off a week tomorrow! It is pouring down here today, so I may start on the packing. I have one case just for 'kitchen' and 'health' stuff, which I have sometimes packed a month in advance. I could probably pack the beach umbrella (special suitcase sized one) and swimming stuff today too. Might put me more in the mood.

Sorry your family are stressing you out fritzi. You know we're all behind you here.

Great blouses ollie. Hope you have a relaxing day following your house invasion!

Must pop over to fb to check out carciofi's photos. DH was working here all day yesterday, so no internet possibilities.

Hope you all have a good day.

Gorgeous, gorgeous photos, carciofi, fritzi and ollie!

Am sure they are lovely!

Quick one. Has anyone travelled to a Greek island in October. What was the weather like? Still warm enough to swim etc, too much rain?

Thanks Anniemac you are a star! I have ahem booked it!!

We found a place in Morocco but this Crete one is 5* (haven't done that before, hopefully good!) and a more luxurious. Plus 70% discount. So cost was big factor. I hope we are lucky with weather. In any case ds1 and 2 get grumpy when too hot.

Finally a family holiday somewhere really nice

Thanks Anniemac!

Carciofi and anyone else, in case you hadn't seen it, Goat are doing a Cocosa sale tomorrow, there are a few of their cotton big button cardigans there, though wrong colours for me.

Still no confirmation email. I'm getting worried..

On S&B related news, the Wrap spot top is delightful! Really lovely. I sized down so it's not too baggy when I lean over, and luckily it's not to tight on my belly. Highly recommended for emo, ants etc!
So now I have 3 tops to go with black or grey trousers (spot top, bloss top, animal print charcoal), and 2 dark navy tops to go with grey trousers. 2 dvfs, one black sleeveless shift, and a spotty dress on the way.
Is that enough do we think??

I may not be buying the lkb Anna either carciofi. I have realised that the reason I like it is that it's very similar to my Il tutto changing bag. There is definitely a gap in the market for stylish laptop bags. I have ordered this one as it has a nice lining, and I like an over the shoulder bag. But honestly, the dullness of my search!

too tight. Sorry.

Annie, that's lovely your parents are here.

Bloss, so you have 9 outifts? That sounds good. Lovely blouse. I also like this one. It is also the colour of the Anna that draws me rather than the actual bag. I think it is a conker Mulberry for me. Trying to be a bit more careful about spending for now though because DH has me worried as the markets are bad.

Apuski, thanks, I'll have a look.

Marsha, the holiday sounds great.

Thanks for the nice comments about the little Carciofis. Your kids are all dotey too.

I'm also relieved it has cooled down as DD2 sleeps much better when it is cooler.

Fritzi, unfortunately the sitter is in high demand! She may have a morning free come September.