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

[notyummy]

Evening all!

Oh, yes I like those Clevery. I might just have to head down to Cribbs on Tuesday and hope ds2 will tolerate the pushchair so that I can try some stuff on. And I have just found LK Bennett's [[http://www.lkbennett.com/clothing/dresses/DRRHIAN615WOOL Rhian dress] - might be worth cashing in my credit note for!

Oh, I meant to say Ollie / Marsha, I'm not sure yet if I can stay on for the evening of the meet-up, so if it's OK can I confirm nearer the time?

Sorry Rhian dress

Trips to Cribbs Apuski? Does this mean you're in already? The balloons were flying incredibly low over our house during the festival; DS now obsessed with them. I think we're going ot invest in annual membership for @ Bristol and possibly the zoo. There are so many lovely spots for walks that we're discovering too, DH thinks we should get a dog. The Rhian is very nice.

Thanks for your sympathies; I'm beginning to feel a bit ground down by it all, but think I'll be fine once things actually get going - it seems so vast atm. If I find one more bit of tile/old plaster/carpet grip in DD's mouth, I may scream.

Plum I think you've got it spot on wrt holidaying. I may just go ahead and book a crossing tomorrow afterspeaking to the friend we'll be staying with.

Bloss he's enjoying it, thank you for asking. Sounds like he's got his work cut out for him though. Hope your first lesson/s go well tomorrow and that DD has a lovely day with the new CM.

Lovely jumper Amber. We're going to brave Thomas Land soon, I think it'll rock DS' little world.

Hi Sandstone.

Apuski, glad you DS likes the scarf and thanks for the eBay feedback! I like the dress. Don't forget to buy your Oct copy of Red to get the LK Bennett discount voucher.

Bloss, they seem to get on well (so far), the baby smiles at DD1 a lot. She is very good with the baby, likes on the playmat with her, sings and tickles her to make her laugh, it is cute.

Wan, glad things are better with your DH and good luck with the house sale. Thanks for the feedback on the jeans. I must try to find them to try on. I also like these MIH www.mih-jeans.com/the-vienna-4671.html jeans, I want skinny skinny to replace my favourite Paige and Current/Elliots that are falling apart now from so much wear. I sold the J Brand skinny jeans I bought when I was pregnant as they are now too big (phew).

Cleverything/Apuski, nice shoes!

Amber, like the belt and sweater. I also like the Davina but can't buy it (unless I arrange the baby's christening, then I'll need a new dress :)). I like the Wildeve dress too but thinking of getting this top instead as at least will get more wear out of that!

Red, definitely go away if you can. We are getting the house painted in October and I am going to take the DDs to Ireland, can't face being here even for a week of it (lame, I know!).

Went through the credit card last night (yikes) and it is scary how all the little purchases I make at White Co/Boden for the DDs adds up, I really am going to be more careful as want to buy more things for the house and also we are giving up on moving back to Ireland for the moment :( and will look to buy here next year.

Forgot to say that MIH have 25% off with the code REDEXCLUSIVECLUB25.

Bloss, hope today goes well for you and the presentation works a treat .

Red and Rufus, I loved One Day. Jim Sturgess was just so beautiful to look at the whole way through and AH was great. The chemistry between them was amazing. Agree with you Red that Ian was also fab. Hope you get to see it Carciofi but if not I'm sure it'll be on Film 4 soon enough.

Apuski, that Rhian dress is so you, colour and style.

Off to a governor/staff inset, have good days.

Morning! Red, no not in yet (next weekend is d-day) but Cribbs is still my nearest John Lewis.

Carciofi, thanks for that code, I'm contemplating some MiH Bostons now that my stop-gap Gap straight leg jeans are too big.

I like those too, I wonder if they are skinny enough to tuck into boots.

I'm not sure they will be, I would be buying to wear with shoes or ankle boots. For calf or knee boots I think the super skinnies are probably the best option.

Had a row with DH this morning about my spending. At first I was a bit until he started ranting about me spending hundreds on a scarf and a jumper. Turns out he thought I had bought the Marant and YSL scarf. Poor love is blind in one eye, but you'd think the lack of Matches carrier bags might have given it away. I have been a victim of my own success clearly.

Carciofi I have this top which I get a lot of wear out of. Love the wildeve dress in that purple colour way, though was slightly put off when I saw someone wearing the pink version on Corrie! yy to arranging the Christening for the fashion opportunities - if I wasn't a committed atheist I would seriously consider it myself!

red Thomasland is on our list of things to do when DH has a couple of weeks off in Oct - the makers of the beloved singalong DVD have cannily snuck an advert in so DS is very excited at the prospect (mummy less so!)

Lovely dress apuski was just saying to my mum the other day that I could cheerfully buy out the whole of LKB at the moment!

Happy Monday all, hope it goes well for you!

Hi all,
Sorry - can't really keep up as feel like I'm drowning in a sea of packing for moving and trying to get ready for work tomorrow together with trying to keep DD entertained and the house running reasonably smoothly.

Needless to say I'm not succeeding and will be returning to work tomorrow without trousers that fit and lesson plans finished at the last minute tonight. I need to work on my Bloss like organisation and poise.

Also having a few wobbles about moving. I think we're doing the right thing by moving to a better area - schools etc. but have got so used to the upstairs space here that I'm not really looking forward to being able to choose my clothes from my wardrobe from sitting on the bed (I'm being stubborn and not getting rid of the superking bed or the big wardrobe in case we have an extension in the future!)

Lots of decorating too to get it how we want it - half of me excited about that, toher half dreading the prospect.

Also want to try and knock through from the kitchen into the dining room to make a big kitchen diner by Christmas - (no idea if that's being too hopeful) so not looking forward to mess etc. Aghhhhhhhh. Can you tell I'm panicking?!

Sorry you're having house woes too Red - sounds like it will be fab when finished though. Holiday seems a good plan.

WAN Hope all went well at the scan

at cleverything and apuski's shared shoe post.

Hope you're enjoying your home alone treats Ollie. Too hot - pah. he's on a boat isn't he? Tell him to go for a swim.

< waves to everyone else before running off to try and multi task even more >

hello everyone..have been packing,unpacking,laundering repeat for the last 2 weeks with making a wedding cake thrown in..2 weddings and then a funeral..it's been an emotional rollercoaster so apologies for not checking in earlier especially Ollie and marsha with regards to meetup..I have been all over the place but would still very much like to meet up with you in the evening.

carciofi I am very impressed with your ebaying..once DD1 is in school I will be looking for tips.your DDs sound lovely together.

ants hope you and the family are recovering from all the stress of DSs illness and things are back on an even keel.

apuski another great dress!and Bristol life sounds good.

amber unfortunately I think I am the complete opposite of you..I can make something very expensive look cheap!

pickled I almost wrote a post about your garden when you did the agnes decision shots..it just looks gorgeous and how idyllic to camp out.

back later(hopefully)swimming has started again..yikes!

big waves to everyone else

My day 3 treat was going with a couple of Mums from school to a jewellery party at someones house - treated myself to a lovely chunky silver bracelet with taupe & cream beads (will tell DH its his holiday pressie to me!).

DSs have their annual school trip today - to a huge outdoor park/playground. Weather has been a real mix of sunshine and v heavy showers - poor little mites! Will bundle them into the bath as soon as they get home - they will be soaked!

Reine sorry to hear about you having to attend a funeral esp at the same time as celebrating 2 weddings. Great that we will get to see you on the 8th.
Apuski no worries about the evening but - will be nice to see you for however long you can stay for!
Pickled really looking forward to seeing One Day now! MIL is quite unique really but know in some ways I'm quite lucky in that she never criticises or sticks her nose in etc.

Plum Canaries is a good suggestion thank you. Went there once in a January on a University field trip and it was warm and sunny - totally forgotten that!
IceCream totally understand your nerves. Focus on the finished house and how lovely it will be. (btw I told DH to go for more than a swim when he mentioned the heat for the umpteenth time!)
Ambernj1 will post shortbread recipe on here in a mo for you.
Bloss hope today's presentation went well.

Shortbread

125g of margarine or butter (I use butter)
175g of plain flour, sieved
50g of castor sugar

Heat oven to 150c

Rub margarine/butter into flour and sugar until it resembles breadcrumbs. Knead/squeeze together until mix forms a smooth dough, leaving bowl clean.

Turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead again until dough becomes smooth and silky.

Roll out using rolling pin and use a cookie cutter to cut shapes. I usually make mine quite thick and use a heart or star shaped cookie cutter.

Prick with a fork

Place onto baking tray/baking paper

Bake in pre heated oven for 30 to 45 mins. It should still be quite pale in colour (I prefer mine a bit underdone).

Sprinkle with castor sugar then cool on wire tray.

Happy baking!

Hello All,

icecream I understand what you mean about having wobbles about moving. There are some things about this house I love, and leaving them will be a wretch.

Ollie Good for you on the treat. What a lovely gift from your DH

Reine sounds like life has been busy, and draining for you. Here's hoping for some calmer times coming your way.

Scan went well, although I ended up going alone. DS developed a fever over night, and so DH stayed at home with him today - so it was just me. Still, all seems fine and I have my due date for the 16/3..by Dad's birthday.

The Hush catalogue arrived today - some very nice winter things in there.

wan, that is the only catalogue I have kept! Funny how the mind veers towards cosy clothing at this time of year!

Well I had a great day, and even came home for lunch! Lovely and quiet, on my own. I haven't been in this house on my own for over 2 years.
Powerpoint presentation went well. I now see how well it can work.

One kid in year 9 tried to be clever. Obviously it turned out he was one of the ones related to DH! I think things are going to be okay!

Glad the day went well Bloss, including lunchtime.

I love the Henley dress in Hush - next winter I will have one.

WAN, hope DS is OK. Glad the scan went well.

Bloss, did you come home at lunch time to admire yourself in your full length mirror . What did you wear today? It must be so nice to stroll home for a quiet lunch - perfect!

Reine, you have been busy. You made me laugh with your 'I make expensive things look cheap' comment. I could just see you saying that. Looking forward to meeting you again soon .

Icey, I think I might owe you some money. Can you PM me your details please. It is really tough moving from somewhere you've settled even if it is an 'upwards' move. Best of luck with it all.

Short bread just out of the oven Ollie! Thanks from DD and DS!

reine Sounds like you have a lot going on. Please take care of yourself.

bloss Glad first day went well. The tweed Davina is really made for you .

Have a bit lost track who is moving/renovating etc at the moment but I am sending calming vibes in all directions. I'm aware that this is an awkward sentence but too tired to re-phrase. Night all!

pickled, ha to strolling home. It was pouring with rain and blowing a gale. I went in the car! I wore my Limited Collection dress again, to which my dear sis said, 'Is it just the 2 dresses you have?'. I don't know how to take her I really don't.
Thanks for that comment fritzi. I am really looking forward to wearing it on Wednesday.
When I went to pick up the dcs from the CM, neither of them looked up. I know it is my job to make them independent, but really.

As with fritzi, positive vibes to all of you who need them, and keep posting!
When is notyummy home?

Hello everyone. Have not even begun to catch up but just wanted to say hello to everyone.

Very much looking forward to meet on the 8th. ollie do I owe you money yet??! Have NO idea what I will be wearing! Will try and sneak a trip to west field on the weekend.

Xx