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

[Russianred]

New thread.

Happy New Year everyone

We are at the ILs, oh joy I have been on my best behaviour, helpful, chatty, the usual. After dinner, presents were exchanged and it seems that this year rather than a SS amongst dh's siblings, they included the partners - except me!! Dh's brothers wife and his sisters husband received/ gave presents. Clearly I am invisible. Well, their loss I am pretty skiled on the present giving front, I would not have been distrubuting Next or Debenhams vouchers. I am rather cheesed off as dh clearly knew about this. So much so that I feel a NAP purchase coming right up on his credit card.

Feel free to pass on links, the more expensive the better!

Evening all, hope you're all enjoying yourselves wherever you are.
I've loved reading all your lists and will have to do one tomorrow when I get a couple of minutes to catch up.

We've got inlaws round tonight. Have done roast pork and am now trying to keep my eyes open. Don't think I'll see midnight.

Yes please to tops fleecy- I'll pm you. Thank you

I had a tights rationalisation yesterday too and am planning a major sort out soon to accomodate post baby wardrobe.

Would love a Netherlands meet up. Agree that the meet ups this year have been amazing and have loved my room mates. So gutted that I won't be able to make the next one.

Happy new year to all of you- thank you so much for your friendship, advice and general life enhancement this year.

Happy new year everyone! Have just had lovely half hour reading your 2011 lists and about your plans for tonight. Gorgeous food! We're also ensconced on the sofa after having early drinks and nibbles with friends. I'm in pyjamas and under fleecey blanket, oh the glamour! But feeling really happy, reflecting on 2011 and looking forward to 2012.

We had a wonderful anniversary night away. Highly recommend the Peacock at Rowsley for those in the Midlands: beautiful Derbyshire countryside, gorgeous bar with log fires; delicious food and lots of lovely luxurious touches. I felt really glam and lovey dovey with DH; it was just what we needed before the newborn weeks that lie ahead...

marsha sounds like you had a great time in London. notyummy your planned visit and wardrobe sound fab. Hope you have a brilliant time.

Love that red/navy Breton dress. None of my sale purchases have arrived yet and I'm feeling impatient! Think I'm pretty much done now but still mulling over the mulberry Rosie, even though I agree that it's still overpriced.

Might be back later with my 2011 list, though due to spending much of it pregnant it's not as stylish as I hope 2012 will be!

Have a lovely rest of the evening all of you. Here's to a very happy, healthy, wise, avid and stylish New Year for us all.

verity sympathy re. the ILs. Get shopping and buy yourself a lovely present.

verity how rude of them

reine yes have been looking at places to stay in Spain while we narrow down possible locations. Have a shortlist of possible small towns/large villages and need to investigate.

My sale buys have been this shirt - thanks to mrsCB who mentioned them going onto the site. And this dress which is a great basic and flattering shape.

I would like to buy this inspired by the MK watch links. I have been looking for a watch for four years and nothing has grabbed me as much as the MK ones, particularly this one. But it's not on sale anywhere. Poo! I will be patient... (for a bit, anyway)

Happy New Year everyone. Now off to bed!

Good buys, fleecy.

DH has fallen asleep and I'm off to bed shortly too. But first, my list! (Brilliant idea ollie)

Best Buys

• Large Mulberry Alexa in oak - bought this time last year and used almost every day and still looking as good as new. Has the power to make me feel good even if the rest of my outfit isn't.
• Pink Carrie knee length pleated skirt from whistles. Worn lots last summer and I'm already looking forward to wearing it again. And I bought it before the fashion press started lauding it and got it with 20% off.
• IO Breton maternity dress. Really comfy, worn brilliantly and the one item of my maternity wardrobe I'd like to keep wearing after I've had the baby.

-the MK fur gilet

Worst Buys
-the maternity wardrobe: have bought too much and wish I'd tried to manage with less
-TS ankle boots bought as cheap alternative to ash Jess bis and barely worn.

Best Bargain
Hmm, not as many as there should be... But did get 3 great seafolly bikinis heavily discounted from mywardrobe.

Best Beauty Discoveries
-LM tinted moisturiser
-batiste dry shampoo (now need to try that volumising one!)
-sally Hansen leg makeup

Best Things about 2011
-DS starting to talk and becoming such a funny, gorgeous little personality
-Friday lunch dates with DH
-becoming pregnant with DC2

Resolutions for 2012
-start wearing blouses
-streamline wardrobe and sell more on eBay
-buy some OTKs
-become a happy and healthy family of four (the one that really matters).

Happy New Year again!

Verity, how very rude of them. I think you should get yourself something fabulous in cashmere.

Annie, your dress sounds lovely.

Fleecy, nice shirt, I missed that one. Is the watch cheaper in the US? You could maybe order from there?

The DKNY silk shirt I like is on sale now but still expensive. If I don't see anything in Selfridges on Thurs (when the babysitter is coming for the last time :(), I think I'll get it.

Blue, you can shove your maternity clothes on eBay soon!

Happy new year! DD2 slept until 7.30 so it is a good start to the year.

Morning all and Happy New Year!!
Have been on morning shift for a few hours now. Feel awful. Barely holding it together.

Poor Bloss! Put on a DVD for DD and snooze on the sofa?

bloss am holding your hand. Am also on morning shift. Have been up since 6.30. Have washed a zillion glasses and am just counting down till 9 ish when DH gets up and takes over and I can go back to bed. Am a hollow husk..second morning I have woken up with a hangover. Not good! Still had a lovely NYE.

Happy new year everyone!

Happy new year .

We went to an early party that started in the afternoon. It was good but a very difficult space. Small rooms but five sets of stairs and delicate stuff everywhere. Ds2 was well-behaved but I had to stay with him to make sure things weren't broken.

Red I'm not sure what I am doing with the dress. I just want to try it with a jumper as I like that it has pockets and the colour. I have a skirt shortage atm. If it doesn't work I'll let you know first for sure.

Verity netaporter pronto. Definitely.

Alka seltzer to ants, bloss and all in need of head-soothing.

Happy New Year!

Much sympathy to Ants and Bloss, but glad you had fab evenings.

VB that is so rude, did they not seem embarrassed? Agree that you should treat yourself to something. NAP sent out an email this am about spring trends....

carciofi thats is a great start to 2012 re sleeping. Hope that you have a successful day on Thursday.

Fleecy that equipment shirt is a bargain. Great spot.

blue, agree that you can ebay some stuff soon. I always go the other way and buy very little/borrow from friends when it comes to maternity clothes and so end up feeling fairly unstylish when pg. Glad you enjoyed the anniversary break.

I fell asleep on the sofa, but woke up in time to see the new year in. Watched Cindy Lauper on Jools Holland, great performance but my goodness she is not a good advocate for fillers/botox.

Sent DH back to bed and have prep'ed a roast dinner for later, all part of my 'looking after my marriage' resolution. Hope it's not broken by lunchtime.

Laughing at the presumption it was DD carciofi! DS, as usual, fully dressed and bright as a button at 6.
And I have guests and IBS.
Wish me luck! They leave at 1pm.
I am in favourite outfit of Agnes, navy vest and whistles stripy top. With black Celtic sheepskins. And I have been under the power shower for some time.
verity, how appalling. Throw a major strop and demand change!

Happy new year all!

Berocca to all that need it....

Verity- Quite agree that it sounds dreadfully rude and you deserve a consoling purchase.

Blue- glad you enjoyed the anniversary break. Hotel does sound lovely.

On the train to London, bit of trepidation about the crowds at the parade. Russell Grant and Flavia are on one of the floats- dd will be beside herself .

Hope the weather is better down there then notyummy!

Happy New Year everyone.

Hope those of you who are feeling a little fragile perk up or get a break soon.

blue I'm glad you said you had too many maternity things as I realised I hadn't offered you the IO tops along with icey and mim

Having said that, I have been inspired to have a bit of a clear out this morning whilst in a ruthless mood and have put together a charity shop bag. But also have a few maternity bits and bobs free to a good home - any of you! Let me know if any of you want them.

• khaki H&M shirt dress in M, needs leggings underneath
• Dorothy Perkins white broderie anglaise cami top in size 10
• asos orange vest, size 10
• French Connection stripy top, size S
• asos white tee with feather print around the neckline size 10
• asos size 8 blouse (the tie bit of the bow needs stitching back onto the collar but it's a 5 min job)
• asos size 8 maxi
• asos skinnies size 10
• M&S maternity white shirt size 10
• Top Shop indigo skinny flares with normal button fastening but those stretchy pockets to extend the waistband, size 10, 34 leg but generous cut

Oh NY have a lovely day. Am with your DD re flavia and Russell!!! Am going to apply for tickets for all strictly shows next time round in the hope I get lucky (only applied for a couple of shows this time round and did not get anything :( )

Am NOT drinking for a while! It's DHs 40th on the 19th so I think I can happily do without till then. bloss sympathies with IBS. I get that too and funily enough always have an attack if I have been partying too hard....

MIM roast sounds wonderful. Your DH is a lucky man.

Carciofi yay for sleeping DD.

DH has now got up and taken over. Have stripped and remade bed so have that lovely fresh linen smell ( have even polished chest of drawers in bedroom for fresh furniture polish smell) Have had blisteringly hot bath and am going to lie on bed with book and hot Ribena, happy times!!!!

If I shred today it will be this evening when hopefully I will have reached a nicer equilibrium!!

Oh and verity that is so mean spirited. Agree with NAP self gifting plan!

That sounds lovely ants. Love the fresh linen smell. I am cooking chicken cacciatore. They have gone for a walk in the rain.
fleecy, how organised!! And links too!

Wow fleecy I am very impressed. I doubt I'd fit into any of it. I am very much a larger 12 on the bottom at the moment. Thank you though for the kind offer.

ants that sounds perfect, enjoy and relax. We bought two new sets od bedding from the White Company in the sale. DH wants to put them on now, but I am insisting we wait until later in the year when the loft is done and we have a lovely new bedroom and bathroom. Cannot wait - as our bedroom is a bit of a dumping ground and DH works from home in there. Looking forward to an organised wardrobe and our own bathroom. Heavenly!

NY hope you have a good journey - sounds like DD will have a ball.

Lunch looks good Bloss, nothing like a stretch under the power shower.

Happy new year to everyone, we're heading home today, all the shops are closed! Last night we went to the hotel ' gala' dinner, then up to the mountains behind for dancing and gluwein and to watch the fireworks, lots of fun all exhausted today and ready to head home.

I'm not sure if any of you will remember me as I haven't been on here for a ridiculously long time. I do come on now and again but after a while one starts to feel embarrassed about the lack of posting and doesn't post!
Anyway, I just wanted to come on to say a very Happy New Year to all of you. Here's to healthy, happy fulfilling ones all round!

A v belated congratulations to fleecy and carciofi on the birth of gorgeous baby girls and I think amber too (although we haven't 'met' as such! Congratulations also to the 2012 mummies to be on the thread.
I have my own little piece of news too; I am expecting number 4 baby this year too (a shock but am getting used to it now and hoping that we will manage)! Fleecy- I would be incredibly grateful for any maternity bits as I have v few SS mat clothes BUT I think that any of the other pregnant ladies on this thread must take precedence as I have as I haven't been around for so long.

I am trying to be wise beauty wise but let that all slide the other evening when I ordered some bits in the IO sale.
This silk blouse in the khaki, this pencil skirt which I may not be able to fit in post preg! , khaki again and this in the plum .
I got a couple of maternity tops too. Will you let you know how I get on.
I will resolve to come on here more often in the NY. I do feels as if I need a lot of help S&B wise at the moment as feeling fat and bloated rather than blooming and gorgeous!

hello looby - great to hear from you and very excited to hear your news - hope you are feeling well. Good timing re sales and maternity wear!

verity what?? WHAT? yes, get thee to NAP or similar and go for it. Some people are just unbelievable.

ants that sounds like heaven.

I am having a DRY JANUARY and so is DH. Actually I think this is a very good idea for all sorts of reasons, not least that we might have some sensible conversations and feel physically better too!

Today I am sporting black goldsigns from pre-DD2 (they fit again - yay!), white v neck, navy Uniqlo cardi and raspberry pink scarf. Finally got round to watching Wendy and her how to tie 25 different ways - inspiration - just need to find the time to try them out and watch in slow motion. Happy 2012 everyone!

Happy New Year Everyone

We are home for veggie lasagne and garlic bread post park with the girls..ended up getting home after 3 this morning from fabulous friends who expertly wined and dined us(thought of you as we walked down your street ants and wondered if you were still going)

ended up wearing h and m whistles-a-like lace dress at DHs request which was another good buy from 2011.accessorized with blingy earrings and my SS scarf(which I wore to the park too this a.m to try to lift my rapidly fading spirits)

the good news I did indeed get the dye off my shoulder thanks to carciofi but didn't realise untill I got home after putting my hair up half way through the meal in what I thought was a rather chic and insouciant way that I had dyed one of my ears too

Also a rather strange moment when getting ready to leave couldn't find one of my(m and s)shoeboots I'd kicked off as the evening progressed only for it to transpire after much 'thinking like an almost 2 year old' that dd2 had stashed it in a cabinet!