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

[Russianred]

New thread.

BTW had roasted Brussels sprouts (in olive oil, thyme, and salt and pepper) with my roast chicken tonight, testing it out for the Big Day. Very nice, very tasty.

hello hello

midnight did I miss a name change?

all this talk of sales has me salivating BUT suddenly funds are a bit low here so I must desist AND resist.... that said, anyone know when the Anya Hindmarch sale starts?

fritzi I agree there is something about this time of year that piles on the pressure to be perfect and happy and compliant etc. Glad you've made up.

amber go for it, clinking glasses with you. I have prosecco and am watching Kirstys homemade bl**dy perfect Christmas and want to hit the telly. Best change channels...

pickled what a lovely special day out!

I am out for my last Christmas night out tomorrow, dinner with an old and lovely City contact. Alas I am likely to miss the live unveiling of SS pressies - but I will love reading it AND will report in on mine when I get home!

Oh I meant to say good idea olly - verity my DD is similar age and would be delighted to have a penpal I think. So if your DD is amenable to it then we PM me an address (or I can send you mine) and we can start a mini W&A penpal club!

MrsCB, thank you for the MIH Oslo rec, I want another pair now!

Fritzi, have a great holiday.

Emo, I'm interested in finding out when the AH sale is too. :)

It started on christmas eve last year - not that I checked back or anything yesterday . . . .

Hurrah, finished all presents today! And treated myself to whistles navy and pink striped cashmere jumper, half price in JL (can't find link). Now luxuriating in bliss of sleeping DS, DH out, supper on sofa, rubbish tv etc. Going to start wrapping next; have gone for brown paper and coloured grosgrain ribbons.

amber yet again I am wildly jealous of you. Especially as I now learn that you're a good few years younger than me. Love the CE snake jeans and would go for them myself but feel I must hold out for the leopard print ones I am now desperate for! Also adore the mulberry bag and the splendid skirt: great links, thank you. Your dept store hr sounds heavenly and am sure you'll get a good haul. I long to live near a decent one.

Does anyone have / like j brand earharts? Some in the mywardrobe sale but I've never seen them in RL and wondering what they're like on and whether they only work with heels? ants, I've also got the Wendy gap trousers and think I like them. I've gone a bit trouser mad at the minute!

I'm touched by your DD's desire for a sister verity. I'm an only child and my mum was always very clever at making me feel lucky to be one. Perhaps worth stressing all the benefits of her being your only daughter and how special your relationship is?

Sounds like most of you are 'breaking up' for Christmas now: how lovely. The cooking and menus continue to wow me. Hope you're all getting to do some well deserved relaxing too.

Off to look at the NAP sale before the wrapping commences....

blue I have got Earharts (why is it whenever anyone asks about something, I have it?) and they are great; v comfy, and I imagine they would work with heels though I never tried. Sadly mine no longer fit as they were bought post-baby. What I will say is go down at least one size, they come up very big! red and icey also have them so may have more to bring to the party. As for being jealous, I am a good few dress sizes larger than you (probably even at full term), does that help? :)

Am still on sofa . Getting up now!

Ants I have the Wendy zip trousers too (actually purchased before I knew Wendy had them!) - the fit is great around the dreaded thigh zone, but they do bag around the knees a fair bit (on me anyway).

Bloss thank you for the hair compliment, I have my fair share of bad hair days. I've added your fudge and biscuit recipes to my GF binder, they both look great.

Ice I never knew you were that close to me either, when's your due date? We should try and squeeze in a MU.

I find myself wanting the Wendy gilet, but too late it's sold out everywhere. I'm also feeling the need for a leather jacket, having never owned one in the past - may try and order the Roxy for research purposes. Wonder if I'm about to have some kind of mid-life crisis

Amber I was clueless at 27, I admire your A&W traits and envy your youth.

Blue Flannels have some random JBrands in, so may be worth looking there - they had Houlihans and Agnes in the summer.

Blue, I bought that same sweater, I love pink and navy together.

I still haven't wrapped my presents, should do it now as DH is at his Christmas party but watching Bad Teacher and drinking wine (helps my sore throat!) instead.

Amber ... I want your wardrobe.

HiCarciofi this one in navy, at least I think it was you! And this one too!
Am about to watch Hangover 2 with DH and DD1&2.

Blue I love my Earharts - they are huuuge though. I bought a 26, being a J Brand 26 and they are very big on me. I wear them with heels and flats and they work equally well - they're clearly designed to be on the calf on a taller lady, but they work well for us shorties. Have actually just ordered a 24 (which is completely ridiculous) in the sale as I love them that much. Having said that, I now have a size 26 pair looking for a new home if anyone fancies them? Your clothes swap party is an excellent idea Annie - if you ever decided to do it, just say. I've got so much stuff which I'd love to know someone was enjoying.

Am trying to pack and getting distracted by singing along to The Smiths, badly.

Trust me Carciofi you don't. It is like a jumble sale in there. I must get better at keeping my lovely things more appropriately. I caught DS standing on the Mulberry DH got me as a wedding gift today

BTW are many people/anyone waiting for their SS gifts still? Am hoping that there are no glitches, but do let me know if anyone's still waiting on their gift.

Ooh red I could home your Earharts, what do you want for them?

I have a pair of 29s going spare...

Yes, it was me, they are bringing it out in red soon. Lovely in navy too.

Amber, I could sort it out!

I want your wardrobe too amber! One of my favourite things is tidying and organising clothes and accessories so bet I would have a field day in yours!

Thanks for the Earhart feedback. I am a 24/25 usually so perhaps I will resist and keep going on the CE leopard hunt.

carciofi funny that you have the Whistles stripy as I nearly bought the cream sweater too! Looked a bit see through in RL but definitely a lovely classic item.

zembo my due date is Feb 7th so please if there's a Nottingham MU can it be January?!

I want to go to portia's outlet store and get that clutch!

Will PM you Amber.

blue they had lots of the leopard C/E in Selfridges last time I went, will let you know if they are in the sale. I nearly bought carciofi's cream sweater too, it was only the reality of life with a toddler and a baby that stopped me. Do you have particularly clean children, Carciofi?

Thanks, red.

Wow - so many posts! I can't keep up. Just finished work . I actually came home early and snuck out for a run whilst DH picked up DD from her outing and then they went to the supermarket for shopping. Felt very selfish! Knock-on effect was that a million emails arrived whilst I was out running and I have had to work after putting DD to bed.

Can't remember who said they were slobbing out and letting their mum do the cooking? Me too!! Although we have a 'fun' journey on Friday before we get there.

verity - I have a 5.5 daughter - not sure if too young for a penpal? Can't remember how old your DD is. I was an only and went through a stage of wanting a sibling, which was never going to happen. I think you do need to be relatively clear on the dis-benefits (as the Americans say ) of having a same sex sibling. Children tend to think of it as endless fun and games on tap, when actually they are just as likely to get someone who steals their stuff, fights with them and generally bugs them. Yes, there are sisters who get on famously - but I also know of a few (some good friends of mine from completely different families) who put each other hospital with their levels of violence. Not pretty.

Am admiring links but no buying. Just finished paying for the Oz trip. Trip of a lifetime and all that, but OMG the cost . Was sorely temted when you said your lovely maxi was on sale though Fritzi

Think I will be wearing this on Xmas day with big earrings, opaques and wedge boots. What will everyone else be wearing?

Keep reminding me tomorrow about the 9pm SS will you? Am sure I will forget otherwise!

I can do lunchtime in Nottingham in January (well, most of it)!!

Amber, err, no but I keep them at arms length. Actually, they kept wiping their noses on me today. Nice.

Lovely dress, NY. I might wear a pink dress that I bought when pregnant and have just recently found.

Lol at Earheart dominos .
On the train on the way back from London, it's taken me most of the journey to catch up! A fab day was had by all and all of us would recommend 'The Magical Night', so that's for anyone from 4 to 43. Sushi for tea made the day even more perfect.

Loving all the sales chat, I noticed many of the shops in Regent Street had sales on.

Marsha the troll made me lol too!

MIM, DH is most probably feeling cross at himself for not managing to do something lovely for you. He must realise how silly he has been by now.

Ollie, I had the same penal idea as you but thought of DD except she's a bit too old at 10. Verity, you could always have a little go at playing with Sylvanians, you may even enjoy it. Have got DD the windmill from FC.

Thanks for the new thread Red, glad your London trip was a success.

Hmm wonders if she can fit in a trip to Kildare village with DC on Friday afternoon. (drums fingers)