Stepping into 2012 in style, remaining WISE and AVID all the while

[Russianred]

New thread.

We filled the last one quickly!

Thanks for this Red - just marking my spot.

Thank you Red too.

Thanks Red.

MIM thanks so much for Roksanda link. I just need a bit more discount . Love the Kain top. I'm glad the Parlux is great, hope your dh is nicer to you and makes up very soon.

Great sale stuff Amber

Verity and Zembo nice to see you, Verity glad the house is getting there.

Lovely Burberry top Bloss - different enough from the Whistles I think - not as boxy in cut, darker background etc etc.

Very nice purchases Amber - really like the tube skirt, but not sure the overall look is for me. Am tempted though.

MiM (great new name, we can now be comrades) I'm sorry about the argument with DH - it sounds like he's blown it completely out of proportion. I second NY's point about wanting a surprise delivered in the 'perfect' way and perhaps he was so excited about finally getting it right (with the saucepan history) that he was disappointed. This doesn't justify his behaviour in any way though. DH and I weren't in a good place at the same time and there's a lot on your plate right now. Hope he sees sense and an apology is forthcoming.

A lovely long holiday for you NY, hope the final day of work flies. Have there been any developments on the Christmas party couple?!

Thank you for all your wise words on the house front. We're off to Shropshire until the New Year tomorrow evening (will be SS'ing on the journey!) so things aren't too bleak. There is one more month and then at least there'll be a kitchen and we can get cracking on the other decorating. I am the unreasonable one here this morning - had a huge go at DH for disappearing to give his platelet donation (I mean, deserting his family to potentially save someone's life at Christmas, how very dare he? ). He's mega worried about long-term finances and was practically in tears this morning. My New Year's resolution is to spend much, much less on myself. Or get a full-time job. Imagine I am more likely to get the job..!

NY, enjoy your time off.

I don't see anything I have to have from the NaP sale, phew, so saving my pennies for Harvey Nicks next week. I like your links though. You will look very cool in the jeans, Amber. I am nearly 40 (eek) so I'll have to pass. I really like Current/Elliott though.

I would like an Equipment silk shirt, does anyone have one? Are they really worth it?

I ordered this Whistles top, not terribly exciting.

Annie, hi, we are all ok thanks but the DDs and I have colds (sympathies to your DCs, Verity and glad you have settled in) so sleep is not great at the moment. They are usually great sleepers, it is hard to go backwards!

MiM, sorry your dh was so over the top and stormed off, he really is over-reacting.

I saw a nice house in Dublin, probably not too far from you, Verity. I don't know anything about schools around D4, are there good national schools?

Red, hang in there! It must be tough having so much work done while living there.

Can't wait to open my SS gift. I am like a child.

Ah, Red give your dh a hug from me, ds2 had to have a platelet transfusion aged 2, he was very ill at the time and we were frantic with worry.

Ny so glad you are having a good break over Christmas, that commute must be a killer.

Annie meant to say earlier your dd is a star, what a lovely thing to do for you. So pleased dh has some work on. BTW, I have been colouring my hair for years and the John Frieda mousse is streets ahead of anything else I've tried.

Fritzi have a fabulous holiday

marsha Liberty sale has started too!

So, dh has work of global importance to do today, so Christmas will have to wait I could rant, but I'll restrain myself! I've rung around some shops and begged them to put aside what I need and I'll be out the door as soon as he comes in this evening.

Now, I really need some MN wisdom here! DD has asked Santa for a sister for Christmas, and nothing we can say will convince her that there won't be a 7 year old girl under the tree for her on Christmas morning [panic] Her brothers are 13 and 11 and very close, and I think she feels left out and wants a playmate of her own. She doesn't want a baby sister, she wants someone who will always be willing and able to play sylvanians and have tea parties. We had a freind to stay the other night and dd bunked in with the boys, so last night when she went back into her own room she sobbed and sobbed (literally) about being lonely and wanting a sister. I nearly cried myself! She has friends over most fridays and often at weekends, and my friends dd often sleeps over, so I'm doing my best, I just don't want her to be crying on Christmas morning. Any wise ideas please??

Thanks for the new thread red. We are having a quiet day. In between browsing NaP sale, I have made a batch of seeded oatcakes. There will be 20 of us tomorrow, and if I buy some good local cheese and a nice bottle of wine, they will do as a last minute gift. Wish people would just stop buying stuff.
Have also just made pistachio and cranberry cookies which I will give my aunt with some nice earl grey. I have baskets left over from Christmas stall last year, and miles of cellophane. I hope I'll cover myself. Oh and I still have some nice mincemeat left. If I wrap everything up in cellophane and tie with festive ribbons, I shouldn't get caught out.

Annie, I missed that your DH found work, that's great news. I also like John Frieda and if the colour isn't what you were expecting, Colour B4 works well too!

No advice, Verity, but that is so touching. I used to beg for a sister (have two brothers). My dad used to tell me that there couldn't possibly be another like me (I used to take it as a compliment but it probably wasn't!).

If I sound a bit scrooge-like, it is because we specifically asked people 2 years ago to stop buying us stuff and if they wanted to, they could make a donation to dc2's 2 charities. From the parcels that DH is hiding from me (ie all from his vast family, and knowing I'll be annoyed), they have completely ignored my wishes this year.

Kain top has gone. It was a sign that the dry clean only situation would have driven me mad.

Meant to say to Zembo, no I have not found a jumper like I described anywhere. I thought this was ideal, and until I noticed the white stripe in the middle and also its not long enough either.

I missed that post verity. How awful for you. I'd just be quite down to earth about it I'm afraid, tell her what you already do (ie have friends over etc), talk to her about what else father Christmas is bringing her and say you don't want to hear any more about it. But then I'm harsh!

Lurker here and another fan of Wendy's Look book.
The Timberland Rustons are on sale in Jones the Bootmaker for £75. Just ordered a pair.
Happy Christmas and thank you for the links!

Sorry, I missed your post too verity. Think that NJC's idea is fab.

bloss I totally understand where you are coming from. I know that some family from DH's side have bought him selection boxes, despite me telling everyone last year quite clearly that he is allergic to milk. Like you, I'd rather people just saved their money. We also advised that if people wanted to they could donate to allergy UK. That idea went down like a lead ballon...

Hope you and the DD's are on the mend soon carciofi. Do you have a list for HN yet?

red, not long now and it will so be worth all this stress and upheaval.

Thanks for the link newchoos. While I was there I saw the Atrus. Waterproof it says (hyperventilates). But they only seem to have a 7. Would that be a 40 or 41? Bigfoot here needs 41!

bloss I ordered those too, in a 5 which is a 38. So, a 7 would be a 40?

The website went down mid order and I almost had a palpitation! All seems ok now though....

Hi NewChoos, they are lovely boots, I'm wearing mine now.

Thanks Mim. I can hear poor Rosie snuffling away in her cot right now. No list, I just want lots of bargainous designer wear at miniscule prices! Well, I'm after a red wallet, I saw a DKNY blouse I like so hopefully that will be on sale, I also like Splendid so going to take a look at that too.

Pickled, enjoy your family day out, it sounds lovely.

Only my brothers and the grandparents buy Christmas presents for the DDs now. I used to spend a huge amount on outfits and toys for DH's nephews and nieces and DD1 got stickers/selection boxes in return for her first Christmas (she didn't even have teeth!). So last year we agreed not to exchange gifts and it's great. Less work for me and fewer fillings in the future for the DDs!

BLoss, I take size 7, my boots are a 40.

What a shame. They would have been the perfect everyday, country boot. Have googled, doesn't look like anyone else has them either. Or not at that price! Will have a think.

Great idea NJC will look into that. Bloss I have tried that approach, and really she's got to get to grips with the fact that you can't always have what you want. I am a softie though and always want the dc to be happy.

Totally with you on downsizing on presents, why won't people just listen??

Oooh carciofi we could be neighbours [excited] Schools are not plentiful in the area though, we do a 50min round trip to school. PM me with the address and I will tell you all I know. I've lived around here all my life. We are often tempted to move out to the suburbs for more space, but it is a really great area to live in. Hope your dds are sleeping better tonight.

Right very important question for you ladies; boxing day we are due to visit MIL in Kent, but after some intense negotiation DH has granted me one hour in the dept store of my choice. So, the question is Selfridges or HN. Have had great bargains in both in the past...?

See I told you it was important.

Verity, have PMed you, thanks.

I ordered the Atrus, a better buy than the Equipment silk shirt, which the baby would probably splatter with carrot.

Amber, that's like choosing a favourite child! OK, Selfridges, since you have already been to the HN sale.

Yup they're twice the price on Amazon for 41. Have I missed that you're moving carciofi?
I'd say Selfridges too amber, as long as you know the layout!