Avid and wise trying autumn/winter for size..

[blossoming]

Hi everyone. Come and join in with your lovely links to autumn/winter clothes!

[wideawakenurse]

Sounds a bit hairy Bloss. How is the weather now? Bertie have some good pull on boots this season by the way.

[OllieinOrange]

Running to say look at alex from the one show's peter pan blouse! On bbc one now.

[OllieinOrange]

Oops meant to say i really like it!

[blossoming]

Oh, well done apuski! Excellent news indeed. Looking forward to seeing you again on the 8th. Panicking slightly that a few of you know what you're wearing though. Can I wear jeans and a t-shirt?

YY to video footage of red. Sounds like a hoot! Lovely for you and your dh, although was he still TUI today (teaching under the influence)?

Best of luck to you pickled. I think there are positive vibes about for a&w posters this week!

Glad you had a good night out wan. Makes such a difference. I had a go at DH this morning and asked him 'what are you, 8?' I have also threatened him with the grumpy step. Honestly, pretending that nothing happened this morning, and we're all supposed to forget about it. He does get grumpy though. Maybe I should try it now and again!
Weather is still rough. 80mph winds this morning apparently.

Missed Alex Jones' blouse ollie. Did you see her on Strictly? I don't think she's going to do very well, and I really hated her up-do. That Flavia though, I really love her hair.
Who do you and your dh rate notyummy?

[Fleecy]

Hello everyone - how have you all been?

I finished work last week and have been pretty manic decorating, doing jobs that never get done etc. DD started school today and DS is now back at playschool in the mornings so I'm hoping for a couple of quiet weeks. My c-section is three weeks today so that's the most I'll get!

ollie a blog you say? Sign me up!

bloss is the job going well in general (weather aside)

apuski good work selling your house

deepleaf and portia have fun on your trips

icc I like the Office ones best

Now off out to playschool meeting (gah!) but it will be my last one this term as I am bowing out until the next year (yay!). The rest of the committee are really nice but I just want to be at home!

Not much S&B news here either as not much point in buying stuff at the moment. Have managed to get some taupe Ash Jalouse on ebay and my Zac Posen yellow snakeskin bag arrived and is lovely and bright - will be good with all the berry and cream colours this winter and good for summertime too.

[redllamayellowllama]

Ooh Bloss - glad you made it in one piece! DH was not DUI as he didn't drink past 8 o'clock to be sure he could give the babysitter a lift home (wedding was on the farm in deepest rural Shropshire). Bless him. He was a star actually; had both kids on a table for dinner (admittedly with some of our closest friends) whilst I sat on the top table (woo-hoo) and generally kept them entertained all day. DS made it down the aisle as a page boy, so had much adoration lavished upon him by all.

I did one particularly impressive move where I high-kicked, forgetting I was restrained by my full-length BM dress and fell spectacularly on my arse. I nearly wet myself laughing, but my back is killing me today .

So glad you managed an evening out WAN. I just made the Lamb and Leek hotpot thing which is on here (although it has dairy in) which I enjoyed hugely last year - it's a real good one to add to the meal planning repertoire.

What a day for you Apuski. Fantastic news on all fronts.

So pleased DD had a good day Carciofi; DS has his first settling-in at Nursery tomorrow, fingers crossed it goes as well.

I have bought this dress, which I intend to wear to the meet-up; it is very flattering, although perhaps a little short.

I am so excited about Strictly; have fingers crossed for tickets to one of the shows. Gosh, I love it.

[OllieinOrange]

There are some nice belstaffs on ebay at the mo for those of you a size 5here

[rufus101]

Love that dress Red, really lovely. I shall be hot footing it into FC toutsuite!
WAN these black Ash wedges arrived for me on Friday. Wore them yesterday to much admiration from friends, and can attest to them being very comfortable. Got them to wear with black skinnies, but think they look very nice with dark indigo j brands.

Ollie think the blog is a great idea, and would love to read it.
Am laughing at you reminding your DD Portia of the actual reason for her being there in the first place!

Thank God DH isn't enormously into rugby. He goes to all the big matches, but if the world cup was on morning noon and night here, I'd go mad. Quite mad. I cannot stand it.
Fleecy that is the quickest pregnancy ever. How did you do it?! Clever girl!

Have just got most of my wardrobe back from dry cleaners. There was a deal in a place near work for Fiver Friday! Every item for 5 euro. I was dry cleaning stuff, I'd nearly rather to throw out rather than go to the trouble of dry cleaning!

[OllieinOrange]

Thanks for all the blog encouragement - will keep you all posted but will probably start on 1st January 2012.

Carciofi thats wonderful news about the 8th - am so pleased. Hurrah for Mr C! Thanks for the Westfield tips - also saw they have the Gourmet Burger Company - nothing like that over here so that would be a real treat too - along with Jamies/Roast/Starbucks etc etc!
Apuski what a great start to your new life out West and love it that you also found a perfect dress too!
Red wedding sounds a good one. Can you re-create the high kick at the MU please?
WAN Its funny but Im not really a crafty person in RL - I just had to source various ones when I was helping with the expat Mums group. I think I am good at finding other people's stuff online rather than coming up with orginal stuff and doing it! DSs couldn't care less about making stuff either - sob! After the references to Barcelona, I made Spanish Fish Stew for dinner - have posted it on here before but will do again if you are interested - v easy and uses all store cupboard ingredients?
KG has some black wedges but are Mary Jane in style so not sure if thats what you want? here

Question - if I get DH some Mulberry cufflinks for his 40th, do you think he would get me a Mulberry bag in return for my 40th ?

[IceCreamCastles]

Hi Fleecy - you sound well prepared. Enjoy your rest while you can . I'm so excited for you!

WAN - I had a slight strop in Topshop the other week as they didn't have any maternity baxters in a 10 that I could try . Something else to add to the online ordering list! I'm still just about in my normal jeans (not my tightest ones) but I don't think I'll last long.

I find meal planning great. Not particularly ambitious most of the time but it really does help to cut the food bills. We are pretty good at getting a few meals out of a roast as well so that works well.

Lovely dress red. I have a FC possibility for the meet up but am undecided as ever. Last time Pickled had to choose for me on the day!

That's good for dry cleaning Rufus. I nearly cry after every visit. It's so expensive.

Great work Apuski - it's all coming together now.

Bloss I like those Boden ones but 7 weeks is a long time to wait. Pretty windy here too. Still not windy enough to blow our neighbour's bloody wind chimes away. I won't miss them when we move!

Am down to deciding between the office and the kew boots I think - they are quite different so need to think carefully. Some nice ones in Pied a Terre too.

I love strictly too (we applied for tickets red but haven't heard anything - does that mean we haven't got any?) and have to admit to watching X factor as well . I know it's crap but I can't help it. Always watch it on demand though to cut out the millions of adverts.

[redllamayellowllama]

Ollie, highly unlikely . Please do re-post recipe, sounds yum. As for the Mulberry, worth a shot, hey? Perhaps enclose a brochure with the gift?!

Icey - no, no, we're still in with a shot; they let you know two weeks before the show you have got tickets for if you have been successful. I have everything crossed.

Fleecy you sound mega-prepared! Hope you're feeling well for the last stretch.

[Emo76]

greetings... have been somewhat amiss at posting of late but have managed to read almost all of what I have "missed" - GOOD LUCK pickles for tomorrow and apuski that's fab news re house sale. portia you SO deserve a break, I would imagine in your line of business you have been super busy of late.

Wore my black comptoir boots to work today, they are a bit casual but i didn't have any meetings so I thought, why not? and now, I see the power of wedges...super comfy!

the "not buying black" has resulted in some very "wise" behaviour however I have my eye on some Pure collection bits and pieces - could a cashmere camel coloured dress work with brown hair and eyes...?!

[IceCreamCastles]

Ollie - I love red's idea of enclosing the brochure with his present! Yes please to recipe. Looking forward to your blog. Are you going to Westfield the day before meet up?

Oh good red - that's not much notice though is it?!

Good luck tomorrow pickled

[ApuskiDusky]

Yay I put in for Strictly tickets too, forgot all about it! I haven't seen Saturday's show yet as we were busy, and now have no tv or Internet to watch on iplayer.

I will keep an eye out on FB red for any embarrassing tagged photos!

Fleecy, I can't believe it's so close now. Hope the last few weeks are relatively comfortable.

[blossoming]

Hi fleecy, that does seem to have gone fast, although it seems a long time since the last meet up and you were pregnant then! Have a lovely few weeks of rest now, with your feet up preferably!
I am really loving it. Although there is this one year 7 class...!

red, we're not far from deepest Shropshire here. It's gorgeous isn't it? Well done to your dh!

Worth a try emo and ollie!

I shall now be told off by dh for fighting him for the broadband. Time to shred I think!

[notyummy]

Hi all. Glad you got home safe Bloss and boo to the rugby related sulking. DH is notoriously 'tense' during England matches and admits that he doesnt actually enjoy watching the games .

Good luck for tomorrow Pickled!

Great to hear from you Fleecy- and well done for being so prepared.

Love the look of that dress Red. I don't know what I am wearing yet either Bloss.

Hi Emo.

Wore my new silk Inwear skirt today with plain White tee, Zara wooden heels and Manho blazer.

I am looking for plain black plimsolly style shoes. Canvas, perhaps converse style. Any thoughts?

[OllieinOrange]

Spanish Fish Stew
here

I throw in some prawns at the end if I have some. If Im in a hurry, I dont bother waiting for the stock to simmer for 20 mins, I just throw the fish in after a few mins. Im not keen on chilli so tend to leave out the chilli flakes and I've also made it with a veggie stock cube and that was fine too!

Icey got a trip to Westfield this WE as having a trip over with a friend. Can't wait.

[Fleecy]

Ooh emo camel cashmere sounds gorgeous. Definitely worth a try.

Icey I got some asos jeans and have got on very well with them, cheaper than the baxters too. Also there is a seller on eBay who sells seconds and has a lot of asos maternity stuff so that's worth a look too. Silly things like buttons missing or tags cut out but no visible faults.

I am also going to look out for pics of you on FB red - love a good knees up (can't believe I used that phrase - sound like my mother!)

[blossoming]

Thanks deepleaf. I need a headcount of who's wearing a dress for tea I think! Usual dilemma of leaving home early, and having lots to do before meet up.
Not feeling too great after my 2hr video stint. You know tv adds 10lbs!!

[notyummy]

Oooh- those Ethletic shoes look like just the ticket Deepleaf- many thanks!