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

[Russianred]

New thread.

fleecy thanks for Gozo holiday recommendation. Villa looks amazing. Have emailed owner....

What a great post Ollie, sums up the whole thing really.

annie hope the return to work today is not too painful. I understand that feeling about missing the DC's and the guilt, it's rotten.

bloss the date with the planning officer was great, thanks. We have contacted the architect to arrange the full sets of plans to be drawn and then we will start the submission process, so that hopefully we are good to go in May.

Zembo I have never been to Sicily, but have been Sardinia which was beautiful. Not sure if that is any cheaper though? We were due to have a holiday back in October, but once you added up the airfares at the moment along with a villa, it was eye watering. Never can understand where people get these amazing deals for £199 for a 2 week holiday for 4!

Its a pain Marsha isan't it. I am eating lots of red meat and brown poultry meat too, plus tons of greens. Am going to start the drinks that Ants talked about next week.

red go for it, don't feel guilty. Totally agree with olly!

Ants agree with Blue about shoeboots being my footwear of choice for a night out. A great buy.
Verity smiled at your book purchase. Did you get the sale item you were stalking pre Xmas - was that the lovely dvf dress?

Blue please dont worry about what you wear to the meet up - I was shaking in my shoeboots for my first MU but everyone was so lovely, you'll have such a nice time. Your MIL sounds a star. Mine is nice but unreliable - she was supposed to come over and take DSs out this morning but rang to ask if I would mind if she helped SIL instead who has a hairdressers appointment - this happens a lot!
Annie your post about not leaving DD2 was like reading something my sister would write. She works FT too and just doesnt feel comfortable leaving her DC. Im 100% certain that I would feel v different if I wasn't a SAHM - and I can see that it actually helps my relationship with the DC if I go away every now and then. I honestly think they get a little bit bored of me!
NY great that both dresses were keepers.

Dauphin I really enjoyed your Christmas post. Love the image of you all on the bed wih the fairy lights - fab idea for next year!

Can't remember if I thanked the lovely NY for her Portugal holiday tip - you are my holiday fairy - trip all booked for the end of the May. Can't wait as it sounds perfect: sun, lovely villa, great restaurants and beach and a kids club for 2 hours a day !

So glad you booked it Ollie! Will await your feedback as I have had my eye on it for a while. Don't think we will be doing anything other than short Uk trips this year after the Australia extravaganza! DH is not allowed to take any holiday for the entire period of the Olympics and Para Olympics (along side all the rest of the military and the police) so that's the school holidays wiped out. I will probably try and take dd to see friends in Scotland for a week, and my folks will have her for a week. We might manage a couple of weekends camping (only if the weather forecast is good though!!)

I am very excited about the 4 days away DH has booked for us for my 40th later this month! No idea where we are going...

Also, have just had an email from one of my best friends entitled: 'Spa 2012: The Year they hit 40.' There is a group of 4/5 of us who all went to school together who get in like a house on fire despite being scattered all over the place. We try and get away a couple of times a year to somewhere with a pool, spa treatments and shopping/eating/drinking opportunities. So far we have done London twice, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Manchester. As we all turn 40 this year we are looking to make it a slightly longer trip away and perhaps go abroad somewhere- contenders include Seville and Florence. I can't wait!! (Well- I will have to. It will happen in Sep/early Oct)

You are all so lovely! Thank you for your words of wisdom. So far, I've been away for a coule of hen weekends/mini break type things with friends but being so far away seems to make a difference. I didn't go to my Grandad's 90th or his funeral, both of which I really regret so think I should go. DH had a little change of heart yesterday along the lines of 'It'll be the end of term and I'll end up being the little man sorting out the house etc etc' (not in a denigrating what i do way, but he would end up spending the whole time decorating). He suggested I don't go, then that i take the DC with me and co-ordinate with my sister for help on the plane and so on. There's a history of conflict about the trips to SA so it's a thorny issue.

Did you get the Roxy Blue?

NY Spa 2012 sounds amazing, how lovely to have a group of friends from school days. I only keep in touch with mine sporadically, more so now tht they are getting pregnant .

MiM you must be so excited for May (and obvs. The other irritant Inge happening before then). I dream of an en-suite!

Lovely to hear all these fabulous holiday plans. January definitely a good time to book them for the uplift it brings, am sure.

Irritant Inge?! Important thing!!!

Dauphin- what a lovely Christmas! It sounds magical.

red- hard one re SA. I think that, overall, you should go but it is going to depend on how your DH feels isn't it. I expect the DC would have a wonderful time with their dad if you did go!

zembo- no reason why you couldn't try again! :)

NY- trip away with friends sounds wonderful!

MIM- sorry to hear about your lack of support. It really sounds as if you could do with some at the moment. Must be v hard to do anything much with the fainting that you are having and didn't you have dreadful hyperemesis too?
I think you are due soon so hopefully you will have a lovely placid, healthy baby!

Right, must go and do some ironing

Like the thought of this oversized tshirt with navy skinnies here. Must.resist.buying.stuff.

Dauphin, I like the new name and glad you had a lovely day. The Effie looks like a great bag. I also like the Somerset shoulder bag and AH are bringing out a red bag in March that I must have. :o

I've just read that giving up alcohol for January is medically futile so glad I didn't bother!

Looby, I think a streamlined maternity wardrobe is definitely the way to go.

Annie, I'm not really keen on leggings on me as I am a dedicated skinny jeans wearer but those look very cool. Hope your DD2 feels better soon.

The DKNY blouse I liked on My-Wardrobe was further reduced so I bought it and an M Missoni black poloneck.

Ollie, NY, that resort looks great, I've bookmarked it for when I am bring in the big bucks again! NY, either Seville or Florence would be wonderful.

I've complained before about having no family help (apart from my aunt but she lives abroad most of the year) so I'll spare you this time. FIL has not even seen the baby and she is almost 7 months old. His loss, she is a cutie if I do say so myself!

Red, it sounds like you are close to your grandmother so I think you should go if at all possible. I have only been away overnight from DD1 (though I was supposed to go to Australia without her but had to cancel) and never from DD2 but I probably would go if I could!

Marsha, that's sweet that your DCs are playing together.

I think I have been hanging around the house too much and need to get out more. I'll look for a job when DD2 is a little older. And study in the meantime!

Am just reading and running but have to say ollie I can really relate to your post about trips away though I go through all that every time I go out and have never actually done a night away except to have DD2 though am looking forward to the meet up in Holland that will change all that

On a serious note though red I would be inclined to see in your Grandma's 90th if you can.

obviously every time I go out sans children!

I like those leggings Annie - and that shirt Ollie.

I am reporting in from the land of relaxation. I have been very decadent and booked an additional days leave after DD restarted school today. (Back at work tomorrow with a vengeance as it is very busy day....but only one day this week as I don't do Fridays!) So, today I have done an hours workout straight after dropping DD off, then gone for a massage, had a wander round the shops (bought a few bargain presents in the sale and all of next Christmas's cards - but no clothes!) Nice relaxed lunch and am currently doing some admin for the holiday (visa/insurance etc.) Very, very nice.

Just been on Ash website and they have brought Jalouse back in suede....

Sounds like a nice relaxing day, NY.

The babysitter has just cancelled tomorrow afternoon, wah! :( Sorry Red, that means I won't make Selfridges. I am tempted to order pink jeans online to console myself.

Be honest, would I look like an overgrown toddler in pale pink jeans? My DDs wear similar!

Happy new year!

Carciofi - I tried pale pink jeans on and looked like an undercooked sausage so surprisingly didn't purchase

carciofi, not again! You poor thing. I think I'm with mrscb on the pink jeans. I did use to have a pair though, and a matching pink denim jacket. I was really the bees knees (and maybe 11).
I might get the pale purple ones from Boden for my lovely DD though.

I do wish J Brand would sort out this year's Agnes. I'd like the colour range of the 811s but with the zips.
Really though, I am so happy with my wardrobe right now. It feels complete. Glad I culled last week.
Oh, apart from a going out dress. One needed for 19th when I'm going for a 6 course meal with different wines for each course. Waistline is dreading it. Anything gorgeous and loose around? Maybe really short..?

LoL at undercooked sausage MrsCB.

Hello everyone, oh my, I had forgotten how exhausting teaching is. My feet ache and I almost fell asleep in the bath. Bloss, the pounds will drop off if you are doing anywhere near as much walking as me. Thought of you as I cleaned my classroom yesterday, luckily there wasn't much chewing gum.

NY, I love that you treat yourself from time to time, v.sensible and I have no idea how anyone could think of you as a snob . I wonder if we'll still be posting on S&B when we are MiLs .

I am loving all the chit chat, especially liked your post to Red, Ollie and all the first bra memories. Do you remember the shop ETAM that Tammy Girl was part of? I stopped shopping in there when I found out that the name stood for Everything To Attract Men

Verity, we have white corian worktops and an integral sink and I would definitely recommend, they look as good as new after 8 years. We had ours continue down the side of the units (pinched the idea from H&G) and I think that looks great too. Ours looks like it is a thick piece but it's just cleverly designed and so not too expensive. Hope you get the house sorted out soon.

Must go and do some work...big kisses to you all..

MrsCB, very funny! My friend has just emailed to say get the bright blue and a big no to the pink.

Bloss, I think I had the same outfit! Meal out sounds amazing.

Pickled, do you love being back?

Lovely stuff Anniemac.

Wow right back to it Pickled, well done.

Which ones were they Carciofi?

(I want to check if they are the same as some I am looking at ).

Well done on getting through your first day pickled! Hope the rest of the week goes well for you. Do you have a treat lined up for Friday?
I shall have a sober DH. He has agreed to be taxi for my parents (what was he thinking?!) More wine for me!
My dsis whispered something about requesting 'compassionate leave' when I saw her yesterday. FFS does she not realise how lucky she is to have a job??

It's good to know that carciofi and I have always had our eyes on the fashion pulse .