Avidae et prudentes, because the classics never go out of style

[AmberNectarine]

Here we go..

Mid season sale at MW!

Yes, my consultant showed me that website thanks njc. Can you honestly see me in a big belt though?
My consultant wears, palazzo pants, long jersey cardigan, jersey top, scarf and big belt. She wore the same thing the both times. Head to toe Kettlewell. I think she has a thing for belts. She is a natural something. Quite different from me anyway. She wanted me to try on one of the KW tunics. Firstly, the one she had was the wrong colour for me, and omg did it look hideous. I did try and warn her. But the look on her face!
Re cycling, took ds's bike to a local bike shop today to look at the brakes, and he only hires out mountain bikes for £8 a day! I paid £35 last week. So guess where I'm going again next weekend!

Hmm, have always wondering if cycling increased the girth in the bum area NJC
I.So.Don't.Need that.
How did your day go with the House of C? I have been reading via the phone the last few days, and I seem to have missed it.

Ants, that is a very nice scarf indeed. I hope someone will be along to link to it. I really like that Zara leather jacker you linked to.

Carciofi hope you got your shopping afternoon in, and you will link to lots of goodies! Glad you like the bag anyway. The coat ebaying must have been wearing! (Still haven't got my act together re ebaying) Meant to ask you before if you had checked out the shop on the hill when you were home, which caters in second hand "designer/high end high street" clothes when you were home. I think they sell the stuff too high. Why would I buy something 2nd hand for half price, when I could go online and buy it for new in a sale.

Now Bloss I need your opinion. All your talk of an oversized watch has set off my hankering for one again. Have long wanted one. I am a bit of a watch fiend, and have 4 very good ones already. I tried on a Michael Kors one like this but in rose gold a few months ago, but it is just too much, and too over sized. (I have very, very small wrists)Today, I was passing a jeweller's and they had Briel watches, so in I trooped. I tried something like this, but it had a red patent strap. I really liked it, but wondered if it was too "out there", but thought it might add that edge that I like. They had it in plain black, but think the black was very stark, but probably the wisest colour choice. I tried this in white, so I know it's a nice fit etc but they didn't have it in the shop in red. (I just spotted in on that web site, which is way cheaper than the RL shop)
So, what do you think? (Or indeed does anyone else have an opinion? You linked to your gorgeous watch recently Fritzi)
The first one but in a red colour, the second one in red, a plain black or none? (Am I making any sense at all, and I haven't even been at the yet?!) Eagerly awaiing children's bedtime and steak, baked potatoes, and salad! Predictable, boring, but yummy!

They're very different rufus! My consultant would love the first one for me because of the bold design. I think you sound very similar. You've made me want to trawl watch websites now. What I should do though is have a watch fund and save for a few decades for a patek phillipe!

Fireworks thingo tonight.

I have always loved the Michael Kors watch since I saw a colleague wearing one. Young, and with good style. It looked great.

Belts. I returned the calf hair leopard one in the end. Dh said not keen. I thought about it, and had to agree it wasn't me.

Remember Bloss, you never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation. We are taking the DC to see Santa at Harrods on 3rd Dec or I would have loved to have met you. Take a look at the belts in Harvey Nicks or Fenwicks, they have great belts and good sales.

Rufus, I had a look in there once and thought it was overpriced. Might be less hassle for you than eBay if you have a couple of things to sell though. I vote for the red patent strap. I have a pink and silver Breil watch, sounds awful but nice.

I didn't go shopping but I went and had two inches lopped off my hair and more layers put in. The stylist was great and really explained what to do. I have been using the wrong products which made it so limp. She is also ordering me a Parlux hairdryer. She said never use GHDs again!

DD1 slept really badly, I think the fireworks scared her. We are both tired now. Think DH will have to take them out again so I can lie on the sofa and read!

MrsCB, what did you think of the Boden leather skirt? It is not a mini, it's knee length on me. I liked it but not enough to keep it.

NJC, I'm sure the seller has to give you a refund.

Hello from hockey practice. Having a lovely hot chocolate whilst watching ds1, left dh at home assesmbling new chest for the hallway (white metal one from ikea to hide our assorted shoes). DS2 was last seen waving a screwdriver, v cute.

Loved watching Dowton Abbey last night which has started again here, am seriously considering arriving late to my party next week so i dont miss episode 2! Am sticking with zara sequin jacket as couldnt find anything else yesterday. DH really liked it. Brought some black coated skinnies so all set.

Any luck on the Ants and NJC coat hunt? Hope so.

Party outfit sounds really brilliant Ollie.

We went to Hyde Park today for lunch so I hopped across to Massimo Dutti. Sadly none of the stuff suited me very much. I suppose it's good I tested it, to save the hassle of delivery and returns.

Spent the whole weekend working in the garden so no chance of hunting in Zara for NJC and ants.

Took delivery of these beauties. On sale at Asos!

Oooh! Fritzi we are style twins! They are the ones I have. I love mine, have barely taken them off since I got them, and even wore them to work one day with a dress, when the weather was bad. They are so comfortable. I got 30% off them as well (so I felt justified!). Would recommend, as the studded pattern is more subdued than it appears. I thought it would be very bling bling, but its not.
Weirdly I was thinking of getting that IKEA storage as well Ollie. Let me know how it turns out.

Lovely weekend here, bonfire party on Saturday night followed by a trip to the seaside today with a fish and chip lunch. Wore my Aigle both days, so warm and cosy.

Great boots fritzi.

I think the sequin jacket sounds great Ollie, especially with coated skinnies. Very EA!

Back to work tomorrow, with a new mind set...counting down the weeks and not going to let the place stress me out!

Oh carciofi that is a shame. Still, I'm sure you'll have a great time.

When is your big party fritzi? And what are you wearing for it?

Hope the next few weeks go well for you wan. Love the Aigle too.

John Lewis website not working for me right now rufus, but in mum's Christmas catalogue, I quite fancied this bold purple watch!

Had a busy day. Felt wintery enough today to wear my dark grey wool coat from last year to chapel with my cashmere beret, scarf and the 910s tucked into nice black boots. Felt very stylish. Something that passed me by yesterday. Then had lunch next door, then ILs came to visit

Now sitting here wondering if I'll ever stop feeling full. Not a nice feeling.
Looks like I'll have to get up early to scrape the windscreen though!

That is a fun watch Bloss, like it in the grape also.
All quite here. All in bed. A miracle.
Hope you got some rest Carciofi.
I'm off to a conference Thursday and Friday (staying overnight Wednesday and Thursday). Can't wait! How sad is that? But it will be like a mini break! (And my Dsis and DF are going as well)

Morning all. Hope you all had great weekend and those of you who had fireworks outings/parties njoyed them. The weather stayed ok for us, so the fireworks party at our friends house was great. Lots of over-excited children and FAR too much food (in fact the whole of this weekend has been a bit dodgy for that; I feel bloated.) Wore black CoH skinnies with oversized French Connection stripey jumper and new black worker boots.

Cycled to local farm shop with DH and DD for lunch yesterday and managed to pick up a few stocking fillers from the little shop there. Have also ordered a couple of presents for DH from JL, and some childrens stuff from Not on the High Street. I also ordered some Christmas decorations from that Re site that I linked to on Friday. Still not sure what to buy DH though - have got him a few little things but not a 'main' present as such. DD is wavering over whether she believes in Santa or not, which I am a bit sad about as she is only 5.3 and I had hoped to keep it going a bit longer. She asked me if he was real yesterday, and turned it back round and asked what she thought and she said 'No he's not.'. Then she paused and said 'Actually, I think he is, because I say he isn't then I might not get any presents from him?' She started writing a letter to him yesterday and can't think of anything to put on it except 'a pet' and I have explained that Santa doesn't bring animals as presents because you shouldn't treat them like that. I did say that when she is old enough to look after a pet properly then we will consider it. DH is a right grumpy git about pets, but I had them growing up and they added a lot to my childhood. Realistically our lifestyle doesn't lend itself to a dog, and neither DH or I are cat people, however we may be able to run to a gerbil?..

Loving the watch links. Not too bothered about watches myself, but DH likes them. Unfortunately the ones he really likes are around £5K so not present material this Christmas.

Morning.
Saw I Dont Know How She Does It at the cinema last night - was a nice film to watch but it kept reminding me of SITC as SJP runs around the streets in heels and narrates parts of the story!

Very excited tho as also got tickets to see The Help at a special showing on Wednesday (cocktails, giftbag etc).

There was also a preview for Hysteria which looks, well, hysterical! - lots of open mouths watching that I can tell you! What a funny plot for a film!

Rufus Ikea metal cabinet is great - ours is in the hallway and now contains all of our collective shoes which were previously on a shoerack and just looked messy. Friend has one in her lounge which works too. Its quite big in RL.

NY Im dreading the day the boys stop believing in Father Christmas! Lots of families here dont 'do' it as they celebrate Sinterklaas on 5th December with St Nicklaas so sure some helpful classmate will say something to DS1 this year. Im ready with my "you're half English and Father Christmas goes wherever the English are" response!

Oh, these arrived and are fab - not remotely stylish or beautiful but sooo cosy and comfortable and bargainous compared to similar ones I've seen over here snow boots.

Fritzi your boots are amazing - biker style and stars - whats not to like?!

Enjoy the conference, Rufus.

The boots look very cosy, Ollie. Can't wait to see The Help.

Fab boots, Fritzi.

How do those of you working full time manage the school holidays? I was worrying about this yesterday as I do need to go back to work by the time the baby is in school. We have no family to help out. Term time would be ok, but holidays sound tricky. I'm thinking about doing teacher training part-time for two years starting next Sept, would I be mad? DH would prefer me to contract in my old role but is also worried about how we will manage the holidays. Suppose this is where an au pair is great but we wouldn't have room.

My older cousin told me there was no Santa Claus when I was quite young, I had my doubts but wasn't sure I could trust my cousin as he was a bit of a bully anyway, so I humoured my mother for a few years longer.

Carciofi - school holidays are indeed tricky. For the summer holiday we are lucky in that my mum and dad can generally cover a week (as long as arranged well in advance, as they live 4/5 hours away.) It does mean we either have to drive down their with DD and drop her off and then drive back the next weekend, or have them staying with us for a week though....

We both try and take 2 weeks off together for a family holiday, so that is 3 out of 6 covered. Then we both take 2/3 days each (one a week) over the other weeks. This means that in total there are only 2/3 days a week to cover for 3 weeks (9 days in total over the whole 6 weeks) and we use a holiday club for these (the same one she goes to after school, so she knows the staff.) They run all sorts of activities like t shirt making; day out to adventure park; baking; sports day. She was there for 2 days in half term week and really enjoyed it. I think it may get harder as she gets older and I plan to look into things like PGL to do for a few days to offer as an alternative. DH and I both have pretty generous holiday allowances, although his job means he can rarely take all of his.

All of the above will be a lot harder next year as DH is on security stand-by for the Olympics and pretty much all the armed forces and police are on a leave ban for the whole period of the Olympics and para-olympics . I foresee a single parent trip to Scotland with DD to see friends instead of a nice holiday in Italy....but after 3 weeks in Australia at Easter we were probably not going for another big family holiday anyway.

Oh, and while I am on the subject, we found out recently that we have't got any of the tickets we bid for for the Para-Olympics. I am torn about how I feel - disappointed about not getting them, but proud that as a country we will be hosting the first ever Para-Olympics where the tickets have sold out, and what that says about the value of the event to the British public.

hi everyone - back from South Africa! Capsule wardrobe packing was a success in the end, has made me determined to pare down what I have back home and ebay etc.

Trip was good, got some downtime at a friends house near Cape Town which was amazing. Got back yesterday morning, good to see DDs again, slightly less so DH who is growing a tache for "Movember" - most offputting and we are going away this weekend for a romantic effort - I know it's for charity BUT......

Will catch up on the shopping - but I need to consolidate now rather than add..still tempted by a red coat though to brighten up winter...

Hello, hope everybody had a lovely weekend. We had the most amazing time celebrating DS' 3rd birthday - a weekend of splashing in puddles, riding on tractors/trailers, feeding horses/sheep/cows for DC and evenings of good food, wine and conversation for us. Am in agony today, following a rather comedy fall after chasing a bale of hay down a field in order to feed cows and tumbling over it. Not my finest hour.

Carciofi, I think it takes a whole lot of juggling. As a teacher, you don't get to see all of the term-time stuff - assemblies, drop-offs, accompanying on the occasional trip etc etc. But, I think the benefits of having holidays with DC and not having to worry about the logistics of childcare for those periods far outweigh this. What would you teach?

Nice boots Ollie and I like the sound of the finalised outfit. Can you link to your new storage unit please? I am waiting to order one of these in the red and wood go on the hallway wall and would like something to go underneath for the endless shoes.

I very much like the watch Bloss. Tried on some Ballet Russe (raided my friend's make-up bag) but think it may have been a little dark for me. The search continues.

Glad you had a good time Emo. DH is participating in Movember too - It's all too hideous.

Sometimes I am grateful for the military and their strict views on 'comedy' facial hair....