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

[Russianred]

New thread.

amber- that is really tough. Huge respect to you as you don't see to have lost any of your (fashion) mojo with the sleep deprivation! I would definitely be sitting in leggings and hoody on the sofa feeling sort for myself :) If you are BF every time DD wakes, she will have that association now. Co- sleeping can make your life much easier or much harder depending on the individual baby and mum. Have you thought about asking the HV for some advice initially? Lots of books nowadays with useful tips.

ants (poor you with the horrible cystitis)/ MIM- I have been thinking about loft conversion as we are going to run out of space. Any advice re costs/ planning, how long it takes, etc, etc would be much appreciated.

Sorry to be a bit slow on the Whistles coated skinnies front but is it these at JL?

Not those ones Looby! Can't link as am on iPhone at swimming lesson, but look for the Whistles Lily jeans. Those are the coated ones.

Looby, theses ones.

Oh dear. I am in love.

Just had a short walk into town with DH and had a very quick look in Whistles. They happened to have a Roxy in a 12. I happened to ask if I could try it on.

Oh, it's so lovely and soft....and the perfect fit for a biker jacket. I love the slight 'heaviness' of it too, feels like a proper jacket. Showed DH who just said, "Nice" and then, "HOW MUCH??" (You need to say that in DH's very strong North-West accent to get the full effect ).

Came home and looked at my New Look plether.

Didn't even touch the sides anymore. If I jacket can look fab when I am the size of a house, it must be good.

looby happy to, although we are just at the start of the plans really. Tine wise, approx 8 weeks to get approval from the council before work can start. We are looking to have one bedroom and bathroom. Completed with the bathroom installed but no decoration its around £35,000. But that's stupid South East prices - might be cheaper in your neck of the woods. Should be able to get the work done under permitted development rather than planning which is quicker, less bother and also far cheaper.

What a lovely thing for DD to say Icey, heart melting moment.

MIM GET THE ROXY!

icey Awww....

ants Bed rest, lots of water and cranberry juice . Hope you'll feel better soon.

mim Get back and buy the jacket if you are sure that it will not be too big after DC2. That would be a shame. I never bought anything for after birth when I was pregnant. But I put on a lot...

Cannot wait for next meet-up to see some of you wearing the Roxy!

Welcome hopefully and cup of coffee for amber..

Amber you are a star!! Thanks so much for Matches info I got some Isabel Marant heels for loads less. Am very pleased!
Will see if I can find a link later.
(they did have the black Acne boots in my size 39 but I wore my other ones so much last year someone commented).

MIM I was in Whistles too, I forgot to look at the famous Roxy. They didn't have the coated skinnies. You should get it.

Ny our satnav said it was 10 miles to Wimbledon I did think of you, thought NY would probably run this.

Fritzi you poor thing re turbulence. We've had some shockers too. Small planes seem worse.

Icey very cute!

MIM get the Roxy! I've already worn mine lots, going to a childrens birthday party this afternoon and planning to wear it again. I like the fact that it's warm (hate being cold) and so lovely and tactile.

Also just coming on to say it's NEVER too late to learn to swim. I started having lessons last summer. It took a while to get into it (i.e. to not hate the lessons) but now I actually look forward to them and swim twice a week. I thought it'd be good for me post-laparotomy etc and also need to keep up with my DC so I don't miss out on swimming with them. Looking forward to racing my DD (who's better than me) in the summer

Icey I was v impressed by you selling your kitchen on eBay and your DD is so sweet.

I've been making pasta with the kids this morning - we made farfalle, easy peasy and loads of fun - beats play doh anyway.

MIM definitely get the Roxy (assuming it won't be too big post-baby) I have been trying to replace my old faithful leather jacket for five years (I kid you not. I have had it for about 11 years), and the Roxy was the first and only absolute perfect replacement, apart from being completely the wrong colour for me. I have literally never seen such a well made jacket for under about £800. And I have, in my desperation (and richer days), contemplated paying £800 for a jacket

I have procrastinated for approximately an hour. It is time to Shred. Sigh.

Its 2.30pm here and I have just surfaced, feel wretched but DH has been a star by keeping DSs entertained and has just taken them out to the park. Know its just a cold but its knocked me sideways, so pleased the worst of it happened over a weekend tho.

Ants poor you, I used to suffer a lot, it was v debilitating.

MiM agree, get the Roxy as a baby present to yourself. How many clothes do you find that prompt such a big reaction - it speaks volumes I think???
Hopefully hello and welcome.

Am sitting on my hands as had two bits of news this week that I would love to share with you but am very aware that the friends concerned would find out what I've posted so I.must.resist. MU cant come soon enough imo!

Speaking of which

17th March MU
Red
Bloss
Pickled
NY
Marsha
Ants
Ollie

Ollie you poor thing. . Looking forward to MU, thanks for adding moi to list.

I can't find a link for the Marants. Bummer. They are black ropey canvas and lamb leather. They are beautiful (especially at 80% discount).

ollie Poor you but glad to hear that you can at least rest for a bit. I am intrigued by your news .

marsha Well done on bagging those boots!

17th March MU
Red
Bloss
Pickled
NY
Marsha
Ants
Ollie
Everything
Fritzi

Food for MU: Yes please but would also love to go back to "our cave in the bar" .

Afternoon all! Have just returned from an afternoon in the playground with the DC whilst DH is at the rugby. Somehow managed to get them both into their beds from the car, remaining asleep. For some bizarre reason I am always very happy when I pull this off.

Ant and Ollie sorry to hear your weekends have been blighted by illness, but good to hear your respective DH's have been looking after you well! Ollie am most intrigued by your news!

MiM you will never regret buying the Roxy. Cost per wear and all that. Loft plans sound so exciting. Our bedroom will be the last thing we do, so a White Company boudoir is some way off, will look forward to living vicariously.

Well done on the Marants Marsha, sounds like it was worth the trip.

Blue the TS trousers were waiting behind our bin - discovered them this morning. They're going straight back unfortunately as they are huge at the waist and very tight on my calves - a most unattractive look. Hope you have more success!

Amber I moved DD at about 5 months into her own room as she was waking so much. I fed her before she was really sleepy and then gave her to DH to do all the rest. It did work.

I am heading to John Lewis tomorrow to pick up and try on the Whistles skinnies. Am so desperate for some trousers to look alright on me for once and hoping beyond hopes that they work!

Red I've been thinking about that red dress. It feels bad to keep it when I know you would love it more. I could bring it to the MU for you to check it out if you like? It is a FR36.

Been thinking about MiM and the Roxy and my New Years resolutions.

I am now going to patent The Roxy Test - if a potential purchase makes me as excited as Bloss, Red. etc about their Roxy's, I should buy it.

Sadly the boots I brought yesterday are v nice but dont fill me with Roxy level amounts of joy (will keep and wear tho as can't get a refund )

You poor things ollie and ants. Hope you feel better soon!
Well done marsha on the day out to Wimbledon and the Marants. They sound perfect for your style.
Is there no discount at all on the Roxy mim? I have been in the Aigle since Christmas! Although not that cold it is windy here still and always the threat of rain.
Fingers crossed the coated skinnies work for you red.
Well done on learning to swim zembo. That is a massive achievement. My mum can't swim, and my dad was bought up swimming every day (so the story goes) in the sea in west Wales. Limits where they go on holiday.
I'm sure you'll be back to full fitness soon ny. Your dedication is inspiring.
Where are we staying this MU?

I'm so excited about the MU. I get more so each time .

Bloss I just need a slinky top like yours, to wear with the Stellas and Marant heels. I want to be all nonchalant with my hands in my pockets. I love a good pocket.

Ollie good term. (you can include the above Marants in that if you like , but not so much the Carvela's. Although will wear them more so maybe cancels out).

I also want to recommend a Satnav app. We have lasted without buying a proper one, failing to see that we get so cross about getting lost. We used it today and it was bliss. £3 for marital harmony!

I want a roxy now too

Yes-the swimming is a great achievement zembo- must be v daunting as an adult. My friend learnt especially for her honeymoon and was really pleased to have done so.

I know the sense of dread you mean about the cycling bloss. I had similar when we went quad biking a few years ago. I'm quite adventurous normally but something about the quad biking terrified me! Well done on getting through it.

Fritzi- poor you with the turbulence. I hate it too. I used to cry every time I flew but had to control myself when I flew to NZ by myself (was worried I'd give myself a heart attack if I panicked for 24 hrs solid .

Bad luck on the trousers red- doesn't sound like a good look!

I bloody hate Shred.

Red I have literally never managed to get either DS from car to bed without waking up. I'd be pretty smug if I managed it too.

Definitely down with Ollie's patented Roxy Test. I have bought way too many size 14 post natal clothes that weren't terribly nice but fit, and I have decided that I will do it no more! I am hoping that the pair of Agnes winging their way to me from my friend in the States will pass the Roxy test, or they're going in eBay.

I am coveting this Whistles leather jacket, but suspect that (a) it's too red for me and (b) the combination of my broad shoulders and the extra shoulder bit will make for a look reminiscent of Grace Jones circa 1981. Oh, and (c) I can't really afford it.

Thanks for loft conversion advice, MIM. DH not keen as unsure that it would be a good investment and we won't be here forever. May ask the advice of a local estate agent.

Loving all the Roxy chat! It looks lovely but I don't think I'm cool enough for a biker jacket! MIM- do get it-sounds as if you real love it. Did you get hold of one in the end, blue?

Thank you for coated skinnies link, pickled. I think that I would be wiser to leave off buying a good pair of jeans until I am back to a reasonable weight postnatally. Pickled- I am also surprised that you are a Chemistry teacher. I would have guessed that you would be in the arts. Good for you, anyway! I only managed it to A level :)

Wow at your running, NY. Do you take part in any marathons?

Would love to come to MU but probably not possible. Hoping to meet another group of friends one weekend in March and would probably be in Glasgow so definitely a whole weekend thing (date not yet finalised but may be 17th/18th). Couldn't expect DH to look after the DC two weekends in one month so that I can socialise! Is it a day or night time thing- wondering if day trip feasible or not.

Have had some luck with IO order. Am keeping the jersey drape dress in purple here. Lovely colour and great stretch fabric so can actually use it now. Also keeping this in the olive- really recommend both of the above.
Also keeping a maternity rushed tank top which is so long that it could be a dress. Should be v useful in the warmer weather.
I had ordered this which I like the look of a lot but then received an email to say out of stock in my size :( I think the size 10 may be a little big as I don't like shirts to be too baggy.

Can I quickly ask for opinions on a couple of Seraphine sale bits? Wondered if anybody else had tried them. This ? too body con for work bearing in mind that I am usually pretty conservative for work. Secondly, this. Any preferences? The prices seem quite reasonable in the sale, I think.

looby, I like the first best, but wouldn't wear it to work. The second one looks good, especially in the bump photo. Much nicer maternity clothes than 3 years ago (aghast that it's that long ago!)

looby I have tried the first dress on instore, is lovely and would be fine for work with very dress down footwear. Agree you need to know you are going to get your monies worth out of a loft. We have decided to stay put, so it's ideal for us.

Thank you all for the enabling Roxy comments, and ollie I love your new 'Roxy test', very wise and so right. Sorry to hear you have been feeling so dreadful. Get lots of rest this evening.

I am trying to get it past DH as a gift to myself for having had such a crap pregnancy...(Do you remember the 100% polyester hell of wearing my Mum's clothes in hospital that I endured ). Feel guilty though as we have agreed to pay off CC's etc. My saving grace is that, for the record, I have mentioned on several occasions how much I would like to upgrade the NL pleather to the real deal. I am sure he must have listened once.

No discount on the black one Bloss. I could take a risk and wait for a Whistles 20% code from Grazia, but it might be too late. I have been in the Aigle too for most days, and also Red's pea-coat.

Do you know that due to the thread I have bought the following coats:

Barbour Cameron
BR Trench
Zara blazer
Topshop white blazer
Aigle Cuckmere
Red's H&M pea coat
Roxy

In fairness, you do wear a coat 10 out of 12 months in the UK.

Hopefully what colour Agnes have you ordered?

Sympathy Ants, cystitis is awful. Hope the cranberry juice helps and you are feeling better tomorrow.

Fantastic running again NY, agree that the lack of wind and rain must be so much better.

Fingers crossed for the skinnies Red. I saw them today too, they are very nice.

Great buy Marsha, what a fantastic discount.

Hmm, I love Sunday evenings. Will be having a bath and then hypnotising myself..(will be trying hard not to think of Roxy rather than positive birth experiences. ) Then a lazy evening of TV and cheese and biscuits with DH. Boring, but perfect!