We Wise ladies Avidly are, bearing bags and links from afar.......

[notyummy]

New one!

Wow portia- v happy for you and your bag!

Right, I probably don't want to know really but has anyone got any idea of the price of [http://mobile.chanel.com/en_US/Jewelry/comete-necklaces#Pendant_in_18K_white_Gold_and_Diamonds_Large_version-J0869 this pendant from the Chanel no. 5 advert] ? I love it

Short sharp posts from me today. Feel like crap and have been working all day, either on housework or on marking, lesson planning etc etc.
Just wanted to say though that it is lovely to see you posting again verity. Hope you have a really wonderful Christmas this year.
And portia, what colour is it? The style is so perfect for you. Is your dd home yet? Loved your Paris fb photo.
mrscb, do you have your eye on anything in the NAP sale?
annie, I really feel for you. I hope things get better very soon. Go on, get out there next weekend!

One million seven hundred and twenty five thousand pounds and 20 pence icey exactly.

Sorry, buggered up the link

try again

Just a touch over the secret Santa budget then. Hey ho.

No price icey? You know what they say don't you? If you have to ask.....
Can't believe you've had your hair cut so short. Any chance of a photo?

Im back and just skimmed the thread.
Had a sort of nice WE away, house and location lovely, DSs had a great time but i do find the whole family being together hard work at times with various tensions coming to the fore. DH very supportive tho. Had a v quick potter around Cirencester which was lovely. No purchases but finally got my hands on the WC star scarf and absolutely love it. Also saw a nice star jumper in Mexx as we were trotting back through the airport, buttons all down the back and a star on each elbow, in pale green, dusky pink or grey, will look for it properly next time i am shopping. Im with WIT about stars not being over yet!

Older sis got me a Thomas Sabo pearl bracelet with a couple of charms, at the risk of sounding v ungrateful, im not 100% sure about it. She had arranged for an amazing bday cake tho, a blue square made up to look like a Tiffany's box, looked and tasted great.

Hi all! Portia- am agape at your raffle handbag price! If DH saw that it would be straight in the cupboard for eBay . To be fair, I don't really do bags so as long as the money he raised was going to pay for a luxury break them I would be ok . One of my closest friends has a walk-in wardrobe stuffed full if v high end bags that she bought when she was a highly successful business woman (she now works in the voluntary sector for much less money, having bought her own house cash at the age of 28.) She used to try and 'turn' me with her handbag porn, but it never worked!!

ny it's all about the maxis for you, not the bags!

mrscb I remember that thread too. I'm ashamed to admit I do find these things very funny and wouldn't dream of starting my own thread there. Maybe if I was anonymous on here but those days are gone for us lot having had all the meet-ups!

Christmassy day here too. We finished putting the decs up in the sitting room this morning then went to local National Trust place to see Father Christmas and the decorations in the house. Some lovely crafts too. Back home and now relaxing in front of a roaring fire. Perfect!

Don't all go Chanel on me - most of my more expensive stuff is eBay/Cocosa or the sales and I can't imagine I'd have much luck hunting out a genuine 2.55. TK Maxx maybe?

It's ok Fleecy - just found a current retail price of $5100. Beyond my wildest dreams barring a lottery win . I will keep my eyes peeled in tkmaxx just in case

Morning all.

Ollie - glad to hear you had a (mostly) nice time. I am with you on the stars but interestingly dont actually own anything starry of my own.

Annie - Glad to hear you slightly brighter. I am not surprised you are worried, and we are all happy to listen/read and chat.

Rather tired this morning after the big party yesterday. It was much harder work without DH! Went well though, and friends helped out by picking DD a couple of hours before the party and taking her round to play with their DS, thereby giving me a couple of hours of doing nothing but cooking and tidying. I did a big roast chicken, a salmon in filo pastry (with a sort of tarragon and parsley sauce) and a mushroom stroganoff. All served with new potatoes, broccilli and carrots. Seemed to go down well. Friends brought cakes and puddings and we all ate far too much! Lots of mulled wine as well. Played 'stick the nose on the reindeer' and had a treasure hunt, and the DCs watched The Muppet Christmas Carol , in an effort to calm them down before dinner. I love that film .

Have decided that I am going to wait to the sales to get a parka, as I am sure there will be a few bargains to be had. Only S and B plans this week are some new lace tights from M and S that I intend to purchase, and a blow-dry before my Xmas party! I may also get some TS sparkly earrings, as I have realised that I would like some blingy ones to go with my black cocktail dress - just to make it more 'seasonal.'

Hope you all have great days.

Ollie hi welcome back. Glad the weekend was nice. Tensions can be tough however. (We usually end in political arguments which is quite funny).

NY party sounds fantastic. Great job on solo organisation.

Anniemac glad things are looking brighter too.

Lovely Ds2 is two today . The party is on Friday afternoon as they finish school early.

Good Morning .

Ollie, I forgot you were coming home. The kids do love it don't they and I guess that makes it worth the stress. I had a look to see which celebs were sporting your bracelet - Nicky Hilton - you can get earrings and a ring to match . I think it looks nice and you could wear it when you are wearing your silver Kew skirt.

Fleecy, are there any youtube vids of you playing/mum singing, it would be lovely to listen. Such a privilege growing up in a musical family, I think.

Annie, Marsha's right, you (+ Emo) definitely contributed a lot to the last meet up so I'm sure this time it's your turn to get off lightly. It might be just the thing to cheer you up and you'll also be able to speak about things more openly. You never know, someone might know someone who can help with DH's quest.

NY, I have been looking out for a parka for you but I haven't seen anything that I thought you would like.

Icey, I was thinking of getting a bob with a fringe last week at the hairdressers. What a good thing she had a wig there for me to try on, it stopped me making a huge mistake. So I just went with a few more choppy layers and more highlights/less red. I bet your kooks great.

Blue and Sprogger, I am enjoying your posts - it's lovely to have some new ideas/inspiration. Good to see you again too MrsCB. Did you ever find a good leather skirt?

hello - just wanted to recommend a lip gloss - Max Factor "vibrant curve effect" - I got a mini freebie in the "bubbly" colour - it really does make lips look bigger!!

Can't believe how much some designer stuff costs. Portia that bag is the best raffle win EVER!!

Thanks Anniemac!

I know Portia really amazing. And what a thing for someone on this thread to win. I think I one a cake once in a guess the smarties jar in grade 2. That's it.

That sounds good Emo, might get some of that.

Happy birthday to your DS Marsha.

I am with you on the raffle wins. The RAF have a big 'Christmas Draw' at the annual ball, which people buy lots of tickets for over the months prior to it, which funds the gifts. Depending on the size of the Officers' Mess, and the number of people paying in, the prizes can be really big (think small car, family luxury holiday...that kind of thing.) I have been to around 10/11 Christmas draws over the years, paid squillions of pounds in tickets, and have won:

A case of really nasty cheap wine
A large teddy (pre DD)
A small teddy clutching a miniture bottle of Baileys
A Palm Pilot....which is obviously worth more than those above, but did anyone ever have one and try to use it? You had to learn a whole different language to enable to use the little stick and write on the screen. It gathered dust and I then threw it out as it was obsolete within a couple of years.

You never know - one day my luck may change!!

Morning all. Am frantically trying to pack for the three of us in one small holdall - it's never going to happen! I need to now plan a serious capsule wardrobe - am out most nights with friends and lots of visits during the day. Might have to limit the DC to two outfits each .

NY your party sounds like a huge success and a yummy menu too! Well done.

Happy birthday to BabyMarsha, hope you have a lovely day together.

Ollie glad you enjoyed your starry weekend, Know what you mean about families and being together. We'll all be at my Mum's tomorrow night for dinner as she seeks counsel as to what to do with her London house. I anticipate fireworks.

Icey you never know. Could you sell a kidney?

Hope you have a safe journey back WAN and hope you're feeling a bit better today Bloss; only 4 more days to go!

Marsha, I can't believe your baby is two. I love love love the 2-5 age range.

Red, good luck with the packing.

Cushie, a huge well done on the job front - what a star you are.

I blame Portia and her bag for giving icey such high aspirations. You really have raised the bar there Portia. It is a lovely necklace though (look away Ollie).

red, I am a joy to behold. Rudolph has nothing on me. Sneezing and sniffing my way through a video conference.

Happy birthday baby marsha. I just love 2 aswell. Just gorgeous.

Well done yesterday notyummy, and welcome back ollie.

Where is carciofi?

Hello lovelies!

I have missed you all but had to be wise about limiting my Internet/computer time as I get headaches from staring at the screen for too long. Managed to get a big chunk of work finished yesterday (4 whole days before deadline, yay!) and can now fully concentrate on Christmas and packing for our holidays.

red The 50/50s look stunning on you and your kitchen will be great I think!

annie So sorry to hear about work-related stress for your DH. I cannot remember exactly what he does but those clients who ripped off his ideas are just shocking. Agree with others that you should definitely go to MU on Sat. You so deserve a glam night out!!!

pickled Fantastic news on getting the job! Can we sort out a new working wardrobe for you?
Food sounds delicious and I'm sure you looked great! Will play pin the nose on the reindeer with DD and her friend this afternoon.

portia Enjoy your raffle price! I'm and . Like notyummy I'm not really into high end handbags but Wendy has made me investigate Balenciagas but I'm not sure if I could ever love a handbag enough to spend that amount of money.

icey Pic of your new haircut, please!

bloss Are you feeling better today? When do your school holidays begin?