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Avidly assessing Autumn buys, whilst Wisely still wearing summer styles...

998 replies

notyummy · 09/08/2011 20:31

Evening all!

OP posts:
redllamayellowllama · 23/08/2011 00:04

Yes, MrsCB and Ollie. Yes indeed.

Such fantastic news Apuski - brilliant to have everything sorted and imagine a Nanny will be exactly what your DS's need for childcare. I am crap when it comes to workwear, having not had to think about it for some time, so will refrain from proffering my opinions.

Hope you're having a fab time NY.

Hope DD is sleeping ok *Bloss! Would so love to be in that kind of heat right now. I think I can count the number of times I've worn a summery dress this year on one hand. Enjoy.

Very excited for you about a trip to London Ollie. I think I'm going to enjoy London more now I'm at a distance and will only be going for exciting things, rather than dealing with excitement interspersed with public transport woes and a bit of rudeness (DISCLAIMER: I love London, it is my home town, I am trying to make myself feel better).

So glad you enjoyed the wedding Rufus - I love the nuances of families and the in-joking and all that malarkey. Sounds like it was a hoot.

Have been working furiously and am still really enjoying it. DH is struggling a little without an evening companion and has been moping around a bit. He'll have to get over it.

Christening was lovely yesterday; I went for a navy drapey dress and coral cardie and was fine. We went to our good friends for the afternoon into evening for a BBQ; put all the kids on one room to sleep (they did, it was a miracle) and sat round the fire, drinking. Was marvellous.

FritziGreenEyes · 23/08/2011 07:49

apuski Think you should treat yourself to some Brora cashmere here Smile

Navy straight cut trousers from Zara. They can be washed at 30degrees clevery!

And another pair here. Wool and dry-clean

For kitten heels, lots of choice at LKB

FritziGreenEyes · 23/08/2011 07:57

Don't know if this bag is big enough for A4 but Furla often has fab bags at great prices for leather I think.

FritziGreenEyes · 23/08/2011 08:25

Investment piece, apuski?

Brown MaxMara bag

blossoming · 23/08/2011 08:37

You're on form today fritzi!
The Boden polkadot shift could be good for you apuski, as you're taller than me. I would have taken it up a few inches. But be sure to get the 6.
I'm sure it will take a while for you both to settle redllama. when does your dh start work?

Bonsoir · 23/08/2011 09:13

Hello everyone Smile

Just got back yesterday from a week in the Ile de Ré. It was the third time we had been, to the same location (Ars-en-Ré) and it was even more fabulously fabulous than the previous times. The whole thing is a holiday lifestyle learning curve. Anyway, just thought I would recommend it as a destination to all you stylish ones. I now want my very own bicycle, to go with the cottage which I want to buy and renovate on the Ile de Ré (but which might not be immediately forthcoming...) which must, of course, be über stylish - anyone got any ideas?

FritziGreenEyes · 23/08/2011 09:30

bonsoir Welcome back! Your holiday sounds divine as does the holiday cottage plus matching bicycle. Smile

Bonsoir · 23/08/2011 09:45

I need a few bicycle and cottage fantasies to keep me going Sad. I felt very despondent getting back to the hustle and bustle of Paris last night - much more so than after our July holiday in Saint-Tropez, which was lovely, but not nearly as refreshing or inspiring as Ile de Ré. Oh to cycle once again through the vineyards at sunset with DP and DD, with the bell tower at Ars-en-Ré lit in the distance...

dolceebanana · 23/08/2011 09:46

Oh gosh Bonsoir, we are thinking of Ile de Re for next years hols...a friend has just been with her 3 DCs and highly recommended too. I really want a Pashley bicycle, Bonsoir....... Thanks for the recommendation!

I also have my eye on the Barbour parka carciofi and mrscb....hmmmmmm.....I love it! Perhaps we could try to bag a deal if we buy in bulk??? Grin

Twas my birthday yesterday...had mostly lovely time apart from DD deciding to spread poo around playroom, (oh yeah!). Thank heavens for loose covers, washable surfaces). Had to bleach, wash room to within an inch of it's life, and bath DD before supper. Then went out with DH and had mucho prosecco ! Grin

MarshaBrady · 23/08/2011 09:47

I agree your holidays sound so pretty and lovely Bonsoir.

I like the look of these Italian bicycles here. This classic style is nice.

FritziGreenEyes · 23/08/2011 09:49

dolcee I'm sure you'll remember that birthday forever! Glad to hear it all ended well and with much-deserved Prosecco.

bonsoir How long before your DD starts school again?

dolceebanana · 23/08/2011 09:50

some inspiration, Bonsoir

MarshaBrady · 23/08/2011 09:53

Happy birthday for yesterday Dolce.

Berlin Christmas booked! Looking forward to seeing the family.

Need to book more holidays next year, inspired by these lovely, pretty sunshine-y places. Perhaps our next afternoon tea could be in Ile de Ré. Floaty dresses and bicycles.

dolceebanana · 23/08/2011 09:54

beautiful bikes

FritziGreenEyes · 23/08/2011 09:56

Love those bikes, but I think you would really need a cottage to go with it Grin

Bonsoir · 23/08/2011 10:01

Ooh dolce I love both Judith Wilson (and I haven't got that book, though have several of her other books) and Pashley bikes. And Marsha I didn't know those Italian bicycles - very lovely. Fortunately DP is all up for bicycle purchases (though he does technical assessments whereas I only do aesthetic ones) so I must sit down one evening with him and take him through the online catalogues. DD also needs a new bicycle - she has more than mastered the bike she has, which she got, with stabilisers, for her third birthday, and I want to get her a nicer one for her seventh birthday in November.

Dolce - where did your friend go in Ile de Ré? The villages have very different characters. Absolutely lovely for going for long bike rides with DCs.

Bonsoir · 23/08/2011 10:02

Marsha - Berlin Christmas sounds wonderful. We are thinking of going to Vienna for Christmas - does anyone have any ideas for hotels?

Bonsoir · 23/08/2011 10:03

Fritzi - DD goes back on 5 September for a couple of hours (afternoon) and school proper starts on Tuesday 6, a fortnight today. It's gone so fast... How is your DD doing at school?

dolceebanana · 23/08/2011 10:10

I shall find out Bonsoir, and let you know! I can feel a plan coming together! As DH loves cycling I think he can be persuaded, and it was his idea of going to France next year! Deal done, I think.

Yes Fritzi, will remember that birthday!

Awww...DD (21 months) shouting 'so happy Mummy!'...Catch you later!!!
I wonder what she's up to at any minute! Shudder!

Bonsoir · 23/08/2011 10:13

Ile de Ré is quite man-friendly - lots of cycling and small boats and very few shops! Stunning food markets, which indicate just how rich people are, though any form of ostentation is interdit - not a recognisable designer item in sight.

Emo76 · 23/08/2011 10:16

London is grey, wet and pretty miserable today. Holidays seem very far away. Black BR trousers and Ants warehouse cream top today!

Can I pile on to the Judith Wilson bandwagon - I have a couple of her books, lovely, inspirational stuff.

Am about to go to a briefing on the UK bribery act, yes my life IS that exciting. Will use the session to fantisise about wonderful breaks to S France, bike rides and barbours mmmm!

MarshaBrady · 23/08/2011 10:21

Ooh Vienna sounds lovely too.

Yes those Italian cycles might be dinky! I just googled Monocle and bicycle as remembered seeing some nice looking ones. Dh is very keen on good quality bikes too, not sure what he would think of them or if anyone has heard of them.

Fritzi looks like we can float around the markets whilst wearing cashmere. Do you know a very swish lovely Berlin hotel? (the parents are saying they would like to stay 'at the best hotel in Berlin'. They refuse to travel in anything less than luxury these days!)

Bonsoir · 23/08/2011 10:22

Oh, another S&B alert - you must all buy this month's French Vogue which has an adorable Vogue Enfants supplement styled around Martine (the illustrated literary icon of French bourgeois girlhood, and DD's favourite books right now). I'm sure it's a response to the December 2010 Thylane Blondeau furore that let to Carine Roitfeld's departure, but it is no less lovely for all that!

carciofi · 23/08/2011 10:25

Dolcee, belated happy birthday (what a nice surprise from your DD!) and good idea about buying the Barbours in bulk for a discount!

I love Ile de Ré, we used to go there when we were kids.

Fritzi, I really like Furla too.

It is lashing here, summer is on the wane.

FritziGreenEyes · 23/08/2011 11:00

dolcee Ahh that is so sweet! Smile

bonsoir DD is doing fine but the long days at school are exhausting for her. AFter I have picked her up in the afternoons we don't do much except read stories, spend some time in the garden or cook dinner together.

marsha The "best" hotel in Berlin is apparently the Hotel du Rome. I have never been there but it is most definitely one of the most expensive. There are lots of lovely smaller boutique hotels though. Do you want to stay near where your brother lives?