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

[notyummy]

Evening all!

WAN you have so much going on, that even as individual things would be too much for some to cope with. I was at home with DS full time whilst pregnant and that was a struggle, let alone with working factored in. Hope that the second trimester brings lots of restorative energy to you. Has DH got stuff going on at work too? Can you sit down and be really frank with him about how you are feeling?

Hope you get to the cinema Carciofi - I'm seeing it on Friday and very much looking forward to it.

Lovely sounding outfit Emo and so glad DS was happy about his first day Rufus.

First day solo going well here - I always forget over a long holiday that days are actually a bit easier when it's only me around. Have taken a trip to our local library for a Rhyme Time session and we're making a cake for DH this afternoon as a well done on your first day gesture.

Thank you all for your kind words. DH is the type to not talk about things really, which doesn't help.

Ultimately, I think most of my unhappiness stems from work. I have been unhappy for a few years now, and would have moved on if I had not had DS and then needed part time work. I think I need to use this next mat leave to really think about what I want to do and how I am going to make that happen. I just feel like I am selling out though, but I honestly feel that I have very little to give anymore. That makes me tearful just typing that!

Hope you do get to the cinema too carciofi, you deserve a treat.

Lovely to hear that DS had a good day rufus, bet he is tired now though!

Your first day solo sounds lovely red, what sort of cake are you making?

Emo your outfit sounds very chic by the way!

Right, we are off to a friends house for the afternoon. I have taken some chicken out of the freezer to cook DH a vietnamese curry tonight in an attempt to re kindle honeymoon feelings.

By the way ollie I can't wait for the 8th!

I'm not sure if I can face a return to teaching, for a multitude of reasons, but also feel like it would be selling out WAN - a waste of my training and fundamentally a 'good' job. But, if work is affecting other parts of your life so profoundly, you have to re-assess I think.

We're making a v boring chocolate Victoria Sponge, with jam and cream in the middle and chocolate and fresh raspberries on top. DH's fave.

Oh I see cleverything- < dons eBay dunce's hat >. Thay makes sense!

Poor you WAN- you certainly have a lot on your plate at the moment. I won't add to the excellent advice you've had from the others. Glad you're looking forward to the meet up- is it your first one?

That's great that your ds had a good first day rufus.

Hope you get some answers from the doctor fritzi. That can't have been a nice thing to be told.

Hope you're feeling better today apuski- I saw your post on fb and your other one on here- sounds like you got some reassurance? Hope the house goes well today.

Our house is an absolute tip. Dh has an enthusiastic but very disorganised approach to clearing /packing so every room is in disarray- aghhh. And dd obviously wants to play with everything I decide to get rid of or put in a box so isn't the best helper!

Sunny here for once and my favourite flowers have come out in the garden- (they remind me of a lovely holiday in Devon) so all good.

Hope you've had a great day bloss.

Hi everyone!
Sorry you're feeling down wan. The worst thing for me was lack of alcohol. It is a great diffuser in our house!
You poor thing fritzi. Hope they're mistaken!

Well I carried the 'never knowingly underdressed' banner to the extreme today. So much I lied to my sister and told her I had a meeting with my other job this afternoon! I felt great though. Short black sleeveless shift dress with knot detail at neck and visible zip in the back with opaques and pewter quilted flats. Everyone else in flip flops as there were no kids!
But I have inherited the 'crap teacher' room. Graffiti on desks and chairs, years of neglect and disrespect. He had left everything as it was. The desk still had all work and papers piled up high. Overflowing intray.. So I have spent the day mostly, cleaning!! Tomorrow I'm going to wear dvf (because I really do have another meeting) accessorized with marigolds and my lovely new apron that has the chateauneuf du pape logo on it! Anyone know how to get rid of tippex? Luckily I have the caretaker on side as my ds is friends with his dcs, and he helped me loads and said he'd see what he could do. Headmaster also supportive of my attempts at a fresh start. I know that some kids can start associating particular rooms with bad behaviour so I could have an uphill struggle. Will be swotting my behaviour management books this weekend for sure.
Yes pickled, my sister is now a colleague! Although on opposite sides if campus. May see more of her than I've done for years!
Sorry, epic post!

Evening all! Back from South of France, had wonderful time, really didn't want to come home. No purchases to report, aside from these sandals, which I just had to have. Had a look in Galeries Lafayettes, lots of gorgeous things, but with 2 children in tow I saw def. only browsing.

Have not read thread back yet (DH out tonight, so will catch up later), but wanted to check in, and also mention that I have been blogging again.

Ignoring the fact they are not leather, these M&S biker boots look good in brown - and have a fleecy inside for cold feet! here

Like this colourblock dress too

Glad you had a good day Bloss - bet you will have the classroom ship shape in no-time. Hooray for nice Caretakers!
Plum welcome back and v pleased to see you are blogging again!

Welcome back, Plum. I just subscribed to your blog.

Wan, could you take a couple of days off work?

Bloss, I think you are going to have to scrape the Tippex off but you will look very glam while doing it!

Red during the week, the girls are usually in bed by 7.30 at the latest and the house is tidy but when DH is around they are up later and it is a complete mess!

I didn't have enough time to see One Day but have booked the babysitter for Sat week. Not sure DH will be keen to see it on the first night out we have had in ages! I bought some make-up, admired the red LK Bennett Anna bag once more and got a few things for DD1 (including red skinny cords, she will have her finger on the fashion pulse this autumn!).

I like those boots ollie but why don't they do them in leather? < whines> I would happily pay more.

Nice dress too.

Welcome back plum. Glad you had a good time.

I have a great mental image of you in your Dvf plus marigolds! Bet you'll get it so sorted it will be unrecognisable. You'll be great with the students- don't worry.

Shame you didn't get to the cinema carciofi. Hope you get to see it soon.

Red skinny cords sound fab. Where were they from? I got dd some cute smock tops from H&M the other day but the only bottoms that went with them were cheap looking jodhpur things which i didn't like the look of.

Icey, from Next. They have some cute little girls clothes. Also got her a denim mini and skinny jeans from Gap. DH calls her mini me when I dress her in skinny jeans though.

Evening All! Just dashed in to say Hello! 'Have just finished a really busy month at work and am exhausted, WAN you have my full sympathy.
Best of luck Bloss with the new job, you'll have them all talking about your wardrobe and paying no attention to what's going on in class!
Bonsoir & Carciofi & Bloss your DCS wardrobes sound as divine as their mom's!
DD2 off to school in France for the year tomorrow, we have an early flight to catch and I have nothing done, so off to put a capsule wardrobe together for me, and a terms worth of clothes for her to do until her first visit home - no uniform - help!

Ooh brilliant- I have a voucher for Next! I have shunned it so much for myself recently that I forgot they do nice things for girls.

I love dd in skinny jeans too. I have to stick to elasticated waists for her at the moment though as anything else takes too long in a toilet emergency!

Thanks everyone!
Dd has a gorgeous little indigo denim skirt from Next that was a gift last Christmas. Hit and miss though. In Chester anyway. And all the local girls of a certain demographic wear Next. Off to Chester Saturday to stock up on make up and opaques. Will pass by Jigsaw, White Co and LKB to admire the little quartz annina and drool over ollie's delicious looking boots. Anything else I need to look at that I missed when I was away?

Love your writing plum. Get some anthisan for next time to put in your bites.

How is the toilet training going icecream? dd can now differentiate between 'poos' and now says 'wee' and 'poo poo potato'!

It's going well I think bloss. We're down to one or two accidents a week and they're usually my fault for not listening.

at pop poo potato- clever gir! I think I have overemphasised the fact that dd needs to stay sitting for a little while when she's finished a wee as she now does a little sitting dance and sings 'shake off all the drips' in a wierd accent. Charming.

coming to wave hello and to say thanks to Notyummy and bloss for holiday wardrobe advice, as usual you were spot on. Also to Ollie whose stripey cowl neck top of COURSE made an appearance and was as always a winner.

Quite a few recent purchases, plus ca change, but here are 2 of my faves to share:

these smoking slippers, or so I shall resolutely call them

and these very useful and surprisingly rather nice boots

Bloss I know you are all sorted, but have you see the thread about what to wear when teaching - very interesting (know Im not a teacher but I get sucked into threads like that!)
Someone linked to this bargain of an Austin Read dress which may be good for those of you needing an A/W work dress? here I love the sleeve length. Am even tempted for any future interview i may have or am I getting swayed by the price?

WAN I was thinking of you last night - hope the curry brought you and DH together for a nice evening?

LTEC love those Clarks boots esp the look of the leather (called snuffed apparently!). Glad you had a good time on hols.

Am paying deposit for the meet up venue today - have PM those of you yet to confirm. Its all very flexible tho so we can add numbers at a later date. Happy Fridays all.

Hi ollie, no I haven't seen that thread. Will have to investigate.
I think you are partial to a shawl collar aren't you? Everything fades in comparison to the davina in tweed for me though! LKB smoking at the moment!
Hi to ltec, glad the holiday went well. Had to open your last link on the computer as my iphone refused to register ltec and clarks!!

I like these jumpers, they look very cosy.

Red, have been chuckling to self this morning about you dressed in MIL's latest fashions. (Am grateful for the light relief, as DS has been crying non-stop since 5am). In my case, I would struggle to get into MILs clothes, as she's a skinny old thing, and would then stuggle quickly to get out of them, as the combination of fleece, cropped linens and Croc flip-flops would be too much for my heart to take.

plum I am happy to see you are blogging again .

ltec Those Sam Edelman loafers are really smoking hot

portia How exciting for your DD! Have a safe journey to France.

bloss Think you need these marigolds to go with your fabulous outfits. How can your colleagues wear flipflops??? Totally unprofessional, non?

Had our first parents' meeting at DD's school yesterday and I got talked into being class rep for this year. Oh dear..... At least I made sure that there is no class-headlice-check-duty involved.

WAN, DH and I go thru phases like that, where I feel he doesn't even like me very much. Not helped by him refusing to talk about things, denying anything is the matter (while staring sulkily at laptop screen). The thing with him is that he IS very stressed by work, but I find it hard to deal with that when he comes home, as I've been home with the children all day, and want company/conversation, or even a smile. Hope today is a brighter one for you.

Fritzi, I am class rep this yr too. Why did I say yes? Why?! Am already dreading it, and term doesn't even start until Tues.