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

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New thread.

Red lovely title, thank you. Sorry about the state of your house - sure you will have a lovely Christmas at your friends to make up for it.

Verity think NJC's idea is a brilliant one. Is there anyway she could have a 'penpal' too - do any of us have a daughter the same age (Emo?), that might help?

MiM can only echo the wise words already written here. Sad that you had to be receiving end of, hope DH comes to his senses soon.
Bloss my friend has those Timberland Atrus and they still look like new 3 years on. I read your post on presents and read "I'll hope I'll cover myself" and thought you meant in cellophane and thought !
Pickled your planned day out today made me soooooooo homesick! Hope you all had a lovely day. Love the idea of DC doing SS.
Amber tough choice, I say Selfridges.

I feel as if Christmas this year has crept up on me and not feeling very prepared. Did the menu and food shopping list last night but still feel something is missing (and that includes any snow).

Did you see the thread about the Tegan fashion brand? Some nice bits here

Can I just say you all put me to shame with your festive menus? I am swanning off to my parents to avoid doing any cooking [slattern]

Carciofi bit late now, but I have an equipment shirt, which I like very much but have had minimal wear from due to baby-limitations.

See, I would have said Selfridges as well, but Harvey Nicks accessories dept is like Aladdin's cave at the moment; all PS1s, Arty rings and Missoni scarves, whereas I've found Selfridges Xmas offering underwhelming this year. I know the layout of both pretty well and have a hit list:

blue's pink J brands
Some good basics: vince, splendid and LNA
this mulberry

I imagine other stuff will catch my eye, but those are my primary focus...

Probably will do Selfridges on grounds of proximity to S Molton St.

Bloss, we intend to move back to Dublin in the next few years and DH will commute to London, if necessary, so probably a bit soon to be looking at houses but prices are still falling and I saw a house I'd love! Happy to stay here for now but the long term plan is Ireland.

Tegan have some lovely dresses, I got a catalogue in a magazine recently.

I like that bag too, Amber. The hobo is nice too but not paying full price for nylon!

Cover myself in sellophane, add 50/50s, find a whip.. Happy Christmas

Suitcase and bags are packed. Even had a blowdry and emergency visit (only minor thing but wanted to have it looked at before going on holiday) at the dentist's today.

I am idly browsing the NAP sale while sipping lovely SS Early Grey. Have you seen that "my" Christmas maxi is on sale? Notyummy or anyone?

Can I join the argument-with-DH-group please? We had a blazing row yesterday, everything blown over today though. Think everyone is just exhausted at this time of the year. Plus added pressure to be all merry because it's Christmas and it can only end in disaster.

Was looking at that no spending thread again and just wanted to say how funny it was that Marsha was accused of being a troll! Her wardrobe is obviously too fabulous to be real!

Have a great trip fritzi! By the way I haven't meant to ignore your fishing question; I am indeed a regular at HN, but cannot take the credit for your fab SS!

Haha Amber I caught a taxi to Liberty, newborn baby asleep. Bought stuff, bf, taxi to parent's hotel on The Strand. Had a rest and a drink. Taxi home. Easy peasy. I know you and many here would be able to relate to high-ability post baby shopping .

Much easier than with a two year old in any case.. one with a lift fascination. Your question is very important and hard to decide. But yes go for Selfridges as near to S Moulton.

Thanks for sale notice Verity! . I am hoping a P Schouler bag will go on sale.

Fritzi have a wonderful holiday.

Hi Newchoos, welcome stick around. Nice to have new posters.

I understand entirely. I think enabling parents help - I was in Westfield with my mother at 11 days post DD, and did Bicester with her 3 days before my due date.

That's decided then, Selfridges 26th, HN 27th. If anyone else is planning on attacking the sales at the same time do let me know!

DD2 and I were in Westfield when she was 5 days old, we stopped off on the way home from her hearing checkup at the hospital.

Amber, I am thinking of going to Knightsbridge on the 27th. Will PM you in advance if so!

Amber I vote for Selfridges. Lucky duck. I am on Mom duty this week, as minder is on her hols. I am exhausted.
I plan on attemting Bloss' fudge later. I will report back on the (probably) lack of success.
Carciofi don't move to D4! Especially if DH will commute to London. He will be nearer the airport this side!We all know of course, that you couldn't possibly live anywhere other than Howth, if you've grown up there. That's what it seems like to me anyway. Someone once said to me, that basically if you marry any girl from around here, sooner or later, you get handed Estate Agent brochures and maps of proximity to their mother's house! Sent you a message on FB re FB friend in common. Not sure I can work it out, and I don't have that many friends.
DH and I also had a row last night (Was here a fully moon or something?!) which was resolved. He's in London today, am very tempted to get him to pick me up something in Duty Free. Was going to ask him to go to MAC and ask for the Dollymix blusher Bloss! The run up to Christmas is so stressful work wise, and even thought I'm off, I am constantly on the phone and emailing.
Could spend hours on the NAP site, and indeed if I added it up, it will be hours.
Anybody have any nice links? I am a bit overwhelmed to be honest.
I really like that Tegan site. Lovely blouses. I especially like umbrella blouse Would the boat neck version be better do you think for a pear shape? I am challenged in the girl's area, so a bit of volume is always good. Is it you who likes boat necks Bloss?

I've had a bit of a neckline crisis recently rufus. I always thought v necks were best on me. Then in the summer I had a square neck top which looked good, and when I did my style day, I was told asymmetric. I suppose, angular is what works. Today I'm wearing crew neck. But no, not boat neck, wasn't me!
I know today is supposed to be the shortest day, but believe me, here it is the longest day.

Oh, good luck on the fudge rufus. It is pisseasy foolproof.

Just a quickie as cooking supper but Annie - that was so sweet of your DD!

Carciofi - I have an equipment shirt and love it (check the outnet tomorrow) but also have the silk shirt from pure collection (last year sale buy) and its really good too and a lot less £££.

I too have the timberland boots in dark brown and love them - they are fab so thanks Carciofi for recommendation.

Oh had brazilian today in HN at the strip bar - they are good there but lordy the indignity

Oh Verity, that's made DH very happy. His donation is enough for 20 Newborns, so he has been told. We've christened it Karmic Offsetting to make up for his road rage and occasional misanthropy. I think the idea of a pen pal is an excellent one. I used to really enjoy writing to my pen pal in South Africa when younger. Am sure we could sort something out on here!

I'm enjoying the sales strategising. Nothing I need at the moment, am always on the lookout for coloured jeans though so any excellent spots, do let me know.

Have a wonderful time Fritzi, say hi to CT from me!

I'd be thrilled to receive any of those gifts Bloss. We had a few last-minute bits to get today and i it was real spending for the sake of it. There's something quite sickening (and this is coming from me) about the sight of so many people buying stuff, knowing so much will be unwanted things. Was a bit overwhelmed at Cribbs today.

Took your advice and ate stuffed pasta and pesto on paper plates for dinner. The DC loved it. I cooked a lovely meal at MIL's yesterday - cardamom chicken with fennel in cream with brown rice and green beans. Can't wait to have a kitchen and cook once more!

Thwarted in my attempt to make fudge as I can't locate liquid glucose anywhere. Apparently, it is nigh impossible to get, even in specialist shops. Is there any substitute? Am toying with using golden syrup as according to wikipedia, it is used as a substitute for corn syrup, which is used as a substitute for liquid glucose!

Hello all. Sorry for being AWOL. Just busy with Christmas stuff. Annie the cake sounds wonderful. What a lovely DD you have. You must be soo proud. Well done on the work success and good luck to your DH on his days work. Fingers crossed it leads to something else.

Amber net haul looks good. But yikes you are so lovely and young. Am a hag compared to you!!!

MIM sorry about DH. What a shame he sabotaged things when he had gone to so much effort. NY is right. He is probably disappointed that the great giving of the gift did not play out as he expected. Sounds like his heart was in the right place. But he does owe you an apology.

ordered the "Wendy" gap zip Agnes a likes. Arrived today. Am pleasantly surprised. Zipped ankles are nice and close and pockets are at just the right place on the thigh. www.gap.eu/browse/product.do?cid=57401&vid=1&pid=846333&scid=846333007

I think I have my SS. Picked it up from the post office. Very intriguing tube but no label so cannot tell if SS. Obviously may be card inside saying it's from SS but cannot see that until Thursday's opening.....

rufus i have liquid glucose, got it in tesco ages ago. Could do a handover in BTs tomorrow afternoon!

ollie I think that's a lovely idea, thanks anyone with a 7 ish year old girl who'd like a pen pal?

red when we were living in the hotel I was desperate to cook. That wore off quickly. There's a lot to be said for room service! Good for your dh, mine used to give blood, I must remind him to do it again, good for the soul to do something selfless.

Wish me luck, off to do some late night shopping.

Ah, if you could bottle the feeling when DS in bed, house tidy, feet up for 5 mins...heavenly.

fritzi sounds like you are very organised. Hope that you all have a fantastic time.

rufus sometimes you can get liquid glucose in the chemist.

Love the talk of shopping with newborns. When there's a will, there's a way. Still can't believe I managed to get my Houlihans with DS with me in Selfridges, having walked all the way with the buggy from Waterloo. Dedication to the cause.

Sales talk sounds great too, although I will refrain for now as I cannot imagine what my body is going to be like next year. I was looking at some honeymoon pictures earlier...why was I worried about my body then? Should have enjoyed my pre-DC shape so much more than I did.

MrsCB Its so good when you get a good waxer, however undignified it can be. I used to go here when I lived in London, was fantastic.

Meant to say that yes, I am also looking forward to the grand un-opening of SS tomorrow.

Right off to do my nails in an attempt to look polished for the big day tomorrow.

VB Good luck out there.

Argh, am having v rare night out (dinner with NCT group) tomorrow night so will not be around for SS! Will do it when I get in.

mim so agree with that, have just got my pair in bed and the house is a godawful state, but am just having an hour five mins on the sofa with Grazia and the tub of celebrations before I sort it. What bloss said is so true, may be the shortest day but has felt the longest!

DH out tonight so a bit of housework (see above :)), present wrapping and crap telly watching for me tonight. Shall I have a cheeky vino?

verity how sweet of your DD. I very much wanted a sister (two brothers who were mid-teens when I was born, so big age gap), but in reality would have hated the sharing!

I have a confession to make, I have been wearing uggs all day today, and it has been blardy lovely!

Evening ladies
Am really excited about tomorrow night! Will it be be like the Eurovision with all of us dialling in!
DH has surpassed himself this year , just saw him sneaking in with some bags!
MIM I reckon the other ladies are right, that your DH just wanted everything to be perfect, and was gutted when it didn't work out that way.
I have kept to my self imposed moratorium on clothes buying since Halloween and am very much enjoying all the sales strategising, will try to stay informed while I'm away!
Rufus Do let us know how you get on with the fudge, would love to give it a try.
Our schools break up tomorrow, as the PTA class rep I've had to organise the teachers pressies which has been a bit of a nightmare, trying to ascertain who's in or doing their own thing, DD has a male teacher so I bought a gift vouchers in the end, from our local outlet centre which has lots of sports shops. While I was at the outlet centre I popped into Anya Hindmarsh and they had the bag that Carciofi linked to not so long ago for ? 348(half price), they also had the sparkley evening bag that everyone liked during the summer for ? 150!

Ah Verity you are too kind. I have tried the local supermarkets here, and all the pharmacies, but to no avail. There is a large Tescos further afield, so I may venture there tomorrow. Thanks for your kind offer, but with all DC (on their holidays from tomorrow Grrr!), can't imagine making it to BTs.
Am of the DC in bed and the tidy house MIM. I am more like Amber (including the celebrations) and I think a cheeky vino is inorder. House is in a state. How? I have been off work. But then I am very disorganised house wise.
DH rang from Duty free, to ask if I had any requests! I was caught off guard, so hadn't a clue. There was no MAC, so I asked for a Lancome Mascara, and Tom Ford perfume (my favourite). He is in my good books again!

Portia, which bag??? Well done on not buying clothes, you're a strong woman!

My new Crumpet scarf arrived, it is a lovely pinky-red.

Rufus, maybe they have it in McDermotts?