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

[Russianred]

New thread.

Pickled so glad your day was lovely and The Magical Night is excellent. We are aiming to include a two year old in that range. Only because he has proved himself by listening to 45 minute headmaster speeches without a peep and various school plays. And yes re old thread obviously my life/wardrobe is just too fabulous .

NJC love your Christmas Day outfit.

Amber I am the same. I spend so many Christmases with the parents in Aus or here I have yet to take responsibility for one. I do find it more relaxing that way.

This made me feel sad for the park I visit. Dh just sent it to me. stolen Hepworth.

Morning all and Happy Secret Santa Day!
The last thing I said to DH last night was, please don't lets fall out over the next week. The first thing we did this morning? Fall out. Over nail varnish.
We all know the JL Christmas is a myth, putting undue pressures on everyone, so why does my family and DH's family still do it?
Today is the first hurdle. My dad's birthday. 20 people. I fear it will be too much for him, have no idea why my mum organised it. It's not a big/special number. She says it's because she booked 2 years ago and cancelled, then last year's got cancelled at the same place because of the snow. So she felt duty bound to go this year. Who'd live in a small town?
Positive thoughts, DH would like to bring the cost per wear of the 50/50s down, so is insisting I wear them today and the other biggy, Boxing Day. So it will be a question of which top to go with my black skinnies and roxy. WWEAD? Bloss top? (sleeeless), jigsaw asymmetric (lightweight, long sleeve), slinky Whistles (looks better with heels I think, but might give it a go) or WC stripy top (stripe is metallic, so festive, but knitwear might be too warm. It is boiling here today).
Happy birthday to mim too. (We over compensate because dad's is so close to Christmas). Have you and DH made up yet? Shall we do a Christmas pact? Let's all be the first to apologise to our DH's (we don't have to mean it )

That was a nice Christmas deed Annie.

Sounds like a lovely day Pickled - I can't wait for DD to be a bit older to get along to the theatre more; it's always been my thing and DS has enjoyed so far too.

Sounds like the Whistles slinky Bloss - think oversized on top works well with the 5050s. Enjoy your say and think your pact sounds a good idea!

Happy birthday MiM - hope it's a lovely day for you.

Happy birthday to the lovely MiM!

Annie, definitely going to meet you in 2012.

The DDs slept last night, phew. I think they are on the mend.

Marsha, that is awful.

Rufus, shall we do a group trip to AH next time I am home?! I am sure we could recruit others. :) Nice duty free presents from your DH.

Bloss, for tonight I think the Jigsaw top or the slinky Whistles one.

Where is Dolcee?

I am going to do a clear out now, will let you guys know if there is anything worth passing on. I think I will have to retire my favourite Current/Elliotts, they have massive holes in them, I have worn them out.

Amber, I am a 29 sometimes a 30, do you think the 29 Earharts would be too big? I am sure you can sell them easily on eBay, more money for the sales. I told DH that I was heading off for a few hours next Tues, he looked a bit worried. I'm sure he'll survive.

Happy birthday MIM hope you have a lovely day

Good idea bloss, dh and I had a spat this morning I find the week before Christmas beyond stressful, especially as dc always seem to be ill and disrupt my shopping schedule! Poor dd and ds2 are lying on sofas with cold flennels on their brows. I am listening to 'O Holy Night' scoffing warm mince pies and cream

Thanks for the wise words about dd. I keep reminding her of various friends who don't get along with their sisters, but in a way I'm glad that she still has a rose-tinted view of the world where everyone loves everyone else. Long may that last! I suppose we've all got to accept that life dosen't always turn out the way you want, but I'm a firm believer in making the most of what you have got. I would love to have a sister myself, and have always had a niggling regret that dd doesn't have one so maybe that's why we're both getting so worked up about it. I really love the penpals idea, thanks to Emo,Annie and NY, and Ollie for the idea. A&W the next generation

Actually, I was having a browse of the ASOS sale (staying resolutely away from NAP!) and they sell Ally Cappelino there. When I was about 11 I saw a red Ally C dress in one of my mums magazines and became fixated on it. it was slightly drop waisted with a white peter pan collar. This would have been around 1980 ( I am cringing at the thought that some of you weren't even born then!). After many phone calls, we tracked one down and it was brought home from London by a friend of a friend. I still have it somewhere. Actaully it'd be pretty much on trend given all the peter pan collars around ATM. Oh God, when you get to my age all the trends just keep coming around again and again

I have a bit of a thing for fitted blazers right now, I like this reduced Whistles one, nice dress, pretty blouse

I can't justify the whistles as it's too similar to my GD one and I also have this Z&V one upstairs for dh to give me for Christmas.

Enough waffle from me, the kitchen is a state. What I would really like for Christmas is a self cleaning kitchen. Surely with advances in technology that is not too much to ask for?

carciofi regretfully I think they almost certainly would be too big. I reckon down 2 sizes is the way with Earharts, because they stretch with wear. I don't think I have ever worn anything out! To be fair, until 2008 I used to be 4 stone heavier than I am now, so haven't really had the opportunity!

Happy birthday mim, hope your DH has grovelled appropriately.

Am excited because DH is getting me an extra present for Christmas today as he 'doesn't think I have enough'. He is supposed to only be giving me money for the sales so am a bit but not really about to complain. Suppose it makes up for him coming home so drunk at 3.30am this morning I had to help him to the loo!

Glad you had a better night Carciofi

YY to a trip to AH I have a pink Gracie to wrap up and put under the tree. It can be from the dc!

Morning all.

Annnnd relax. After finishing work late last night, and before the 'Big Journey on the Busiest Day of the Year', I am determined to relax today. A very few minor jobs today, plus some exercise to assuage the Christmas food guilt. Currently wearing a fetching lycra leggings and t-shirt combo before going to see Jillian for some punishment. Gorgeous day here, so planning a family bike rude and a trip to the library later, before a viewing of The Muppet Christmas Carol. Right up there with 'Its a Wonderful Life' as my favourite Christmas film.

Bloss - I would go for Jigsaw asymmetric or sleeveless.

Happy birthday MIM!

I have said to dh surprise presents this year. No guidance. Could be a risky .

Verity, I am envious of the pink Gracie. I think you must get the Verity blouse. :)

Amber I practically lived in those jeans and was still stuffing myself into them at 22 weeks pregnant! No wonder they are ripped. I have just found three pairs of Earnest Sewn jeans (black skinny, dlue skinny and straight leg indigo) that I threw in the back of the wardrobe in disgust after DD2 as they no longer fitted. They fit now so I have three new pairs of jeans (sort of).

Our local Sainsburys is selling DVDs, I have just bought Muppet Christmas Carol to watch with DD1 later, NY.

blue not dlue

Amber, I think you deserve the extra present. DH was in a pretty good state after his party and was home by 11 but then fell asleep on the sofa until 3am, he said.

Hello, and thank you for all the lovely birthday wishes!

DH will be home later from Manchester. We spoke briefly last night, but I was too tired to argue/push for an apology. I agree with you Bloss, re the pact, I am willing to let it go this time. Hope your Dad's party turns out ok in the end.

carciofi, my Mother did say she would come over in the end, but what a surprise I got a text this morning, saying she can't come as my Dad has a sore throat. Never really expected her to come really so not too bothered!!

I have opened my cards though with DS and am hoping there will be a gift from DH of some sorts tonight.

The Drs called me this morning to say that my bloods from yesterday show I have anemia. I am glad though, because I am sure that getting some iron into me will make me feel a whole load better. Funnily enough, I have been craving meat for the last week...my body was onto something.

Right, off to put DS down for a nap.

Yep, another me,me,me post...but hey its my birthday.

Happy birthday mim! Hope you have a lovely day and your DH is extra nice.

Your day out in London sounds fab pickled and your day today notyummy. It's gorgeous here, all bright and sunny. Glad it's not just me planning a lazy Christmas and v little hostessing. We are visiting galore and in between I will be sitting on the sofa while DH cooks! Christmas day outfits sound super stylish. I am wondering if I can make a black dress with a lace panel at the top work for daytime? Thick tights and some sort of cardigan perhaps? here in black

amber would be so grateful if you could keep your eyes peeled for leopard CEs in a 24 in either the grey or neutral.

bloss hope your family lunch goes well. Any of those combinations sound very EA. I would go for stripy as I love metallics and stripes together and am always cold!

Nice links verity, love the coral of that dress.

Happy Birthday Mim. Hope DH comes home later with a smile on his face. Sad about your Mum and the fact she texted and didnt phone Think of the great SS opening later as a W&A b-day party for you too!

I nominate Annie as todays Christmas Fairy for her lovely good deed!

Had a nice night out last night with friends. Walked past Desigual which I normally never bother with and it had a nice skirt in the window - short, A-line with a black and white city scene printed on the front. Would look good with plain balck jumper and boots. One of those things you like but you don't know why!

In the middle of a baking frenzy - am making shortbread hearts (to put in glass jars with a ribbon, tag and xmas decoaration) for DSs teachers and 48 reindeer cupcakes for DSs's Christmas dinner this evening - am being kind to myself tho and making mini ones! Now have to chop a zillion pretzels for the antlers.

Oh, yes...what are we all wearing for the opening later?

Happy birthday MIM!!!!

Hi all,

Happy birthday MiM!

Yes-another pair of earharts that are too big (or had better be in a couple of months) here-size 27 if anyone's interested. I do love them and wore them a lot but def on the large side.

6 adults, 2 children and 3 dogs here for Christmas, feeling remarkably sanguine about it at the moment but things can change.

Went out for work Christmas do last night. Wore the dress I wore for meet up- it's had a lot of wear but I really can't wait to get back into normal clothes and buy some new things.

Looking forward to the ss opening party later

Happy birthday MiN.

Am contemplating the Earharts Icecream. Would never normally wear a 27 though. I wear a 28 in TS- am I deluded or would they fit? And would they be too short??

No, I don't think you're deluded at all! The 27s were the 3rd pair I ordered after a 29 and a 28 were heaps too big.

And not too short- they'd be cropped on you whereas they're ankle length on me. Happy to send them to you to try if you like?