Beating the January Blues by Following our Wise & Avid (Roxy) Rules

[OllieinOrange]

Best I could come up with......

Red sounds like a good night.

Bloss well done. Even a couple of extra pounds make you feel different don't they....? I am going to ebay my LK Tina....have barely worn it...

Hopefully I do like the Effie. Decisions, decisions....

NYE I would be the same with Roxy....just not me at all. I would most probably look faintly ridiculous. Can imagine it would look fab on the right person though.....

Not awaiting any parcels..but not wanting to buy any more Winter stuff...shall hold out now. Honest.

Am feeling/looking decidedly wan with Fluey symptoms...thanks DH! Am wrapped up super cozy in tan skinny cords and grey cashmere round neck sweater, with thermal layer underneath, charcoal Jigsaw cardicoat, and grey/raspberry fairisle scarf. Still cold.

Rufus I occasionally inform DH that he has to threaten to dump me or something in the hope I'll get stress and lose some weight

Red looks like a lovely restaurant, glad you enjoyed it!

NY I would try the blackhead strip things. They are gross, but effective. Make sure you cleanse/lightly exfoliate the area first.

Was thinking about the whole work/life/money thing, and realised that I can't remember the last time I was envious of someone else's life. DH and I are reasonably poor, but we save for the things we really want, have the time together as a family that we want and basically have been really lucky so far. I shall now await the inevitable thunderbolt that follows such an insufferably smug statement.

I am contemplating buying a bit of jewellery - maybe a bangle or two, or a necklace. Was only planning on getting cheap stuff, but came across a couple of House of Harlow (Nicole Riche's stuff) on ASOS and it's actually really rather nice. I prefer to support indie jewellers though if I'm spending any kind of significant sum though, will have a hunt around locally. My favourite jeweller has become rather popular, so she's a bit out of my price range now.

Morning everyone..sorry I missed your birthday red sounds like a gorgeous one,belated good wishes.

zembo my DH was a student in Glasgow and we have considered moving there as it is such a great city but my family is London based so never took the plunge.also I bought the leighs in burgundy as I prefer dresses on the whole especially for evenings out(very rare!)so didn't think I would use coated enough..just not for me for daytime wear..

hopefully shame about the stripey Anglomania but very wise to put funds into other things.

marsha I think we should wing it for the meetup..don't think it will be hard to grab some tables if we are there reasonably early,250 a table seems silly!

carciofi how exciting to have a trip on your own..I bumped into a friend this week who mentioned 3 times in quick succession that her weekend away had been WITHOUT THE CHILDREN..clearly a revelation!

bloss what are 'black cherry' jeans..

What do you ladies think of having this made by my friend in silver only with one dd's name on each..I decided charm bracelets are not really me.thanks

Really like that bracelet reine. I am hoping for a special piece of jewellery in the spring and have my heart set on a ring for my right hand. I want it to complement my engagement ring though, which is white gold and Edwardian, and I haven't seen anything quite right yet. Love vintage jewellery; I like feeling I'm a part of history, though have never fancied the vintage clothes thing except my mum's!

Glad you had a great birthday night out red. Lovely dress

I've ordered the raspberry patent blochs too icey. And the navy nobody skinnies, just to try. Otherwise will go for navy 811s on shopbop. Resisted the lovely theory shirt as it looks very long on the model and I am a midget.

Well done on weight loss bloss. When I finally go back to teaching I'm so going to channel you and invest in some fabulous dresses.

annie hope you are feeling ok today. I love the way you take such joy in your DC and seem to make the most of every minute.

You ebayers are making me feel guilty! Have a pile of things to go on. Greatly looking forward to ebaying much of my maternity wardrobe soon too.

Well, you know the way I said I had bought enough this month? Didn't last long.... Was walking back from a meeting and spotted this in Oasis. Will echo the reviewer who says it looks much better in real life! 10 fitted perfectly and very flattering. NOw I really will stop. I have 6 dresses in my wardrobe bought in the last 2 months that I haven't worn yet. Ridiculous. To be fair, one is the glitzy gold number that is very much a party dress, and one is a summery maxi....but enough is enough.

Many thanks to the thoughts on my skin ishoos. I will buy some of those strips at the weekend. I suspect lovely DH will be taking me somewhere for my birthday where 'treatments' are offered, as he knows how much I love a massage! If so, I will def have a facial. If not, I think my mum and dad are giving me some money so get one/two in Nottingham at lunchtimes.

NYE - the hairspray incident made me wince, but at least your skin will be firm .

Annie loved your take on the importance of small pleasures. I totally agree. My friend swears by this book especially when she is feeling a bit off here
Fritzi enjoy your WE away. Is it anywhere glam? DH got approached about a job in the big city near you but declined taking it further. I was already planning long coffees and shopping trips with you
NYE Hairspray incident sounded nasty but maybe you've just invented a cheap as chips temporary facelift?
Reine want a lovely bangle, yes you should def get one done like it.
Amber I really like that Gap scarf you linked too, would be a great pop of colour for the spring.
Red Glad you had a lovely evening. Loved that you and DH laughed a lot.

Missed my HL delivery which is so annoying. I've shredded for 4 days on the trot (desperate times). Still having huge sweet cravings after eating and usually give in to them tho. Not good.

Fritzi hit the nail on the head about the type of bag I need. Its needs to be slouchy enoughto be thrown into the basket on my bike and whilst I love both the Zara ones, the leather is incredibly stiff. Will probably go for an Oushka one and possibly treat myself to the cheaper Zara one as a smarter, occasional bag.

Is is sad that I have mentally put that navy Joseph dress I linked too a couple of days ago on my SS12 Sales wish list? Doubly sad as I think I stated on here that one of my 2012 aims was not to buy anymore navy dresses!

Wanted to wave to Ants and Emo too. Hope you both ok.

Whilst I was on Amazon getting above link, it reminded me of a book recommendation for you.
We are reading A Fine Balance here for our Book Club and Im really enjoying it. Its set in India in the 1970s and the author is really good at developing the stories behind the characters.

The MN Book Club page prompted me to download this one here which looks good too.

ollie, a piece of sugar free gum straight after eating? I find it takes away cravings. Or some raisins or a dried date (really sweet, but healthier).

Oh yes - books!

I am reading Nothing to Envy at the moment and it is the most amazing book. I cannot recommend it enough. Not heavy going, beautifully written and completely eye opening. DH picked it up from my side of the bed to flick through whilst waiting to read DD stories and didn't want to put it down. Amazing.

We read a few months ago NY, again for Book Club. So glad I did, would never have chosen to read it otherwise. We all thought it was an amazing book - painfully sad and bleak and very poignant. I had no idea what was really going on in Nortn Korea - shameful on my part really.

You and your dress buying make me laugh notyummy! You've definitely been on a roll lately. All bargains though and you shouldn't feel guilty, sometimes it just goes like that and then you go for months and don't see a single item you like (admittedly this latter case doesn't happen to me often).

ollie how annoying you missed the delivery. I hope you post a pic of you in the dress when you do get it.

Have been reading Grazia over lunch feeling pleased that there was nothing I craved and mentally compiling a SS list that I will tackle in a few months when I saw a pair of neon pink heels. Have been desperate for these since WIT's Rupert Sanderson ones and the pic looks great but can't see them on the Aldo website... so cant link or buy, the frustration!

Reine I think that would be a beautiful bangle to have made. Really, really lovely.

NY I think that will be a very useful dress indeed and can see you looking great in it.

Blue the Fuschia top is back in stock so have ordered - am very much looking forward to getting it - am trying to be a bit bolder with my colour choices!

Ollie how annoying to have missed the delivery! Have you booked for another day?

Have just booked my train ticket for the MU - I was filling DH in last night on the fact I'm staying over and he was (but in an amusing way) - does it strike anyone else's DH as a bit odd?!

NYE ouch! Hope you've got movement back in your face!

Hey all....have had a completely lazy and lovely day so far with DD...snuggled up watching films as both under weather (fluey and sniffly), and had done all my dullsville chores yesterday thankfully...I know you shouldn't have to justify having a sit down when you feel poorly but it makes me feel better.

Reine - beautiful bangle. Like the sound of the Leighs in burgundy...I did like Wendys coated ones too, but like you they'd be more for evening. I really liked Wendy's in the Moss colour too.

Red - yes, my DH thinks it ever so slightly strange that I should have -virtual 'friends' too, one of whom I have met in RL (so far). It's a Man thing.....

NY exciting about your weekend away...o you have any idea where? Have you tried Barnsley House yet? Can highly recommend. Am reading The Book Thief at the mo...completley absorbing but quite bleak - well, that matches the mood for January then. Dress is lovely....I don't have nearly enough dresses.

Ollie I find a decaf coffee quells any further pangs...that or a few yogurt coated raisins
*

Oooh Dauphin I loved The Book Thief. Was desperate to call DS Rudy, but DH would have none of it.

Red Said this before but DH was incredulous this time last year when I booked to go on my first MU. He's reaction was something like "you're FLYING to London, to STAY in a hotel, to MEET strangers to TALK about dresses?" WHY?
He thought the whole thing was hysterical - still does - esp when I refer to people via their nickames eg "Im sharing a room with Fritzi, Picked and Russianred" DH just shakes his head and says "you're making this stuff up?"!!!

My DH is slightly perplexed by the whole online friends/talking about dresses thing, but remarkably zen about it. Didn't even bad an eyelid about me staying over, but he enjoys pretending proving he can cope with both DSs for a couple of days here and there.

I had The Book Thief on audio book and loved it, really wonderful.

Need to parcel up all my returns today and get them back to their respective origins. And then I will allow myself to order the dicker boots I think

Yes red- my dh found it ridiculous the first time and was quite concerned that pickled would turn out to be an axe murderer

Hush order arrived. Pjs nice (and I'm sadly very taken with the little bags they come in) but I ordered one of those cardi-gowns that get a lot of love on S&B and I'm struggling to see the attraction- can anyone enlighten me?

I liked the book thief and am going to get the one you linked to NY. I watched a documentary about north Korea a while ago and was so shocked.

Am well and truly pregnant now- heartburn has kicked in with a vengeance and I cried in sainsbury's this morning when salad bar box opened itself in the basket and spilled everywhere. I hadn't even overfilled it-honest!

Good work on the weight loss bloss and NY. And the shredding hopefully, red and ollie (sorry if there's others I've missed)

Jeans were under the mat when I got home . Made my legs look porcine, and short. They are already in the post office!
DH is fine about you all now, but then I've met loads of you. He was positive you were all men before that though [predictable]
Hope you feel better soon dauphine.

On that note, it cost £15 to return (with tracking/insurance), so need to factor that into any Shopbop purchases.

at porcine legs ^Bloss*. I doubt it, somehow.

Icey sympathy on the heartburn. It was my worst pregnancy symptom, had it non stop from about 23 weeks both times.

Am suffering mild shopping withdrawal after my manic spree of the past week. Am determinedly resisting spending!

Ouch Bloss. You have such slim legs, I am sceptical about the porcine look though.
Icey, one word, Zantac. A miracle drug. Get your Dr to ok it. When gaviscon no longer cuts the mustard, its your only man.

Hi rufus, thanks for the blusher recommendations. I was hoping to force a Chester trip this weekend, but DH is mumbling something about snow, so that could be scuppered.

I have noticed some of the mums have skipped the skinny jeans look and jumped straight onto the super skinny bandwagon. Reminded me of Animal Farm at the school gates today. My legs are okay, but I wouldn't wear the super skinnies without a really long top.

Fellow grey lovers, Mint Velvet has two slate coloured leather jackets in their new range here

Sorry about the jeans Bloss

Good tips abot curbing sweet cravings, thank you