AVIDly purchasing lavender, orange, yellow and pink for spring is a WISE thing.

[FritziGreenEyes]

Sorry for poor thread title but I am hopeless at rhyming at the best of times...
Unbelievable how quickly we filled the last thread!

Had one hour on Friday before the meeting started and used my time very efficiently and bought these. They are not quite as high as the 50/50s but suit me better. Was hugging the shopping bag close to me on the train back home yesterday .

ollie Such a shame that your DH isn't going to go with the job offer over here. Oh, the fun we could have!

hopefully Having you on this thread is great and I enjoy reading your posts a lot. I hope your mother doesn't find any more tidying tasks for you today. You look fab in your wedding pictures.

annie Hope you got all your work done last night and have the chance to get some rest today.

red We have our hob on our kitchen island too. We couldn't decide on backsplash for ages. Haven't had one for ages and it is absolutely fine. I do most food preparation stuff on the island anyway.

Have lovely Sundays everyone!

For SS so far I would like

Ballet flats, Tory Burch eddie flats or Lanvin.

Cream blazer

Pretty white shirt

Pretty wedges

Smallish bag

And, hesitates... after what I said about the pink one not being me. I am soooo tempted by the blue version. Which I like unbuttoned and sleeves rolled up a bit. Maybe with light denim shorts, and ahem a tan (hopefully!). If it doesn't suit me I shall send it back.

fleecy it's the Aldo ones in the black I have my eye on. Hoping to get them on Tuesday when I go shopping with my mum. Those Ash ones are v nice too, but I'm worried about being too spendy on a transient trend.

ny how lovely, your friend has a great writing style!

yy you were very directional MiM! We are nearly all going for it this year

Fleecy last year, Next had some orange patent sandals bit like these and ive often wished i'd got some. Think NL has some orange ones, will go and look.

How about these bad boys?

these are the ones i was thinking of so nothing like WITS, my memory is playing tricks on me!

ny thats a really great blog entry. Lovely tribute to you!

Lovely wish lists ladies - mine isn't too bad:

-Small cross-body bag, undecided between a neon or nude.
-Shorts (have some coming from H&M this week after last year's no shorts on holiday at Easter saga)
-Pastel jeans (my sister had a gorgeous pair on this weekend, that I tried on and liked very much, so think I'll just copy her)
-Nice pair of wedges
-New pair of gladiator-lite sandals as my lovely pair have finally died.
-New Breton
-Knockout day dress

Shame DS wouldn't sample the meal MiM - hope he's not too unwell tomorrow.

Can I see your pics Reine?

Hope MiL was an impeccable guest Ollie.

I know what you mean about sisters Hopefully - have had a great weekend with mine and really miss her not being around the corner.

Have had such a lovely time cooking in the new kitchen - it's such a lovely, sociable space - duck, mushroom risotto and asparagus last night (DSiS is TTC so all her faddy eating has gone out the window), lovely porridge this morning (ridiculous but haven't had porridge for ages) and roast chicken with roast potatoes, butternut and sage gratin and green beans with our friends tonight. DS and his little buddy snapped the wish bone and DS' wish? 'I wish, I wish for a little ponytail'?! Oh how we laughed.

My sisters bought me some gorgeous framed butterflies from Benjamin's Butterflies in Broadway Market for my b'day - London ladies you must check them out, gorgeous jewellery too.

Dress, I forgot dress! Print, pretty, summery.

Reine the photos of your girls are so gorgeous.

Lovely scarf bloss- great colours- love the pop of blue with the neutrals. leopard has become a bit overdone now even if it did suit you, I think.

Loving the blazer links.

MIM- gorgeous Chanel colours- they look good enough to eat! Tis tempting to buy but I rarely paint my finger nails. Will perhaps treat myself to pedicures when it is warm enough to expose- could be hard to get down that far this year! Hope your DS isn't too poorly. My DD2 isn't well today- think it may be slapped cheek syndrome so probably need to get myself checked for immunity, etc!

I think that my SS list will be quite short this year. I think that I have nearly everything I actually need for a maternity wardrobe and don't want to waste money (particularly as will be on mat pay only before long).

I would like:

Leather bag- not necessarily a changing bag but a good sized one- tan colour, I think.
Couple of pairs of Summer sandals- maybe one wedge, one flat.
Will treat myself to a decent hair cut of two before baby arrives, some make up and maybe the odd beauty treatment instead!

Need to go to bed as my brain is going v slowly. Night all!

Evening!

Nice to hear about people's weekends; Red, good to hear you're getting plenty of use put of your new kitchen and that you're enjoying the space! We've had done friends to stay for the weekend, it involved a lot of bed rejigging to fit everyone in!

I've bought the red FC dress, plus navy trousers and a couple of scarves from Matches (including the same one as you Hopefully, so thanks for linking it!)

I haven't properly thought about SS but I think it's one of my favourite times on this thread, when we first start switching our attention to the next season! I agree that it's easy to be overly optimistic about what the weather will be, so won't go too mad. But we have finally booked our holiday (Lake Garda, will be picking your brains NY), so I will need some holiday wear after two years of Cornwall!

Morning! I have woken up with a horrible cold, as have DS1 and 2 . Am wrapped up in cardigans and eating porridge in the hopes of improving things. Hope my Brora order arrives today or tomorrow, could use some more cashmere comfort.

Loving all the SS lists, it's making me mentally add to mine though!

Hoping the random gut ache I've had all weekend eases today - have tried to exercise twice with it and ended up with awful stomach cramps, can't wait for it to ease so I can get back on the Jillian-wagon!

Oh no, Hopefully, hope you and the DCs feel better v soon!

Quick q - has anyone got or tried Nudie High Kais? Any good?

Morning all.

Hopefully - hope you and the DC feel better soon. It is miserable when they have colds when they are little isn't it? So little that you can actually give them to help. I used to try propping the heads of the beds up and vicks.

Amber - Monkeysmama always swears by Nudie High Kai. No personal experience myself I'm afraid.

Great news about the holiday Apuski - it is such a lovely part of the world and I would love to pass on some tips. Salo in particular is gorgeous, and well worth a trip on the ferry to see if you are not staying near it.

Red - love the description of the cooking that went on in your kitchen at the weekend. Sounded delicious! I did my 'very healthy, veggie, beany' soup that is made in 5 minutes yesterday in preparation for MIL arriving tonight. I also think of you know when I make it Zembo as I remember you saying that did it a few times after I posted the receipe!

Reine - what gorgeous pics! Looks like they were having a great time.

Ollie - I think I have a similar radar to your MIL for large cakes in general.....

Hope all the expectant ladies are feeling OK. Not long now for Blue at all! Obviously you must let us know...or text me and I will do it for you [shameless gossip emoticon]

SS wish list. Hmm. Am struggling a bit tbh. I definitely need some cotton long sleeved very fitted tops (probably round necked) for layering. Black, white and navy I think. That's a bit dull, isn't it? I will think of more. There are some lovely dresses I have seen in magazine, but I sooooooo shouldn't be buying dresses.

Well, I now know I am off to London on the birthday break, but still don't know where we are staying or what we are doing. I have just been told that there are 'plans' and I should pack casual sight seeing stuff and dressy for evening. Got some great presents - CDs; books; new JM DVD (obviously!), earrings; personalised huge jar of 70s sweets; Moroccan hair oil; debobbler (!!); L'Occitane goodies; itunes voucher and a very generous cheque from my parents and I will have to think about what I do with it.

Hello.

NY sounds like you had a fab birthday, I am intrigued as to where you are staying in London. Exciting!

Red your meals sound amazing, glad that your kitchen is already workig well for you. I used to live 2 mins from Broadway Market, but it was only just becoming 'trendy', some lovely pubs along there though and a fabulous Georgian restaurant.

I laughed at being 'directional' Marsha, I am usually the last to discover and then 'do' a trend.

Oh dear Hopefully, sounds grim. I have kept DS off today as he had a temp all last night, suspect it'll be a CBeebies day.

Nice sandals Amber, I bought some orange ones last year that I am hoping will be good again this year.

Adding to my SS list:

'old' gold coloured flat sandals. I had a lovely pair from TS but they are looking seriously shoddy now. Need to be flat, with a bit of braiding etc on them.

Meant to say Fleecy, yes my Jalouse are looking shabby too. I am hoping the shoe repair shop can help me out.

I am amazed at the effects of Spatone. I have seen a real increase in my energy levels in the last day or so. Shame it's like drinking iron filings though!

v quick post- MIM- can you get Spatone from Boots or is it Holland and Barrett?

Reine- pleased could I see your pictures?

I got it in Boots. I went for the one that has added vit c, slightly more expensive, but worth it for not having to faff with drinking OJ with it.

They have 3 for 2 on it at the moment.

Hi ... too dull, but curious bug again at the weekend made us all sickly. All better now, but urgghhh....

Never mind. Have shed those last couple of pounds, so that's good.

Icey .... you have excellent taste in names . I really love choosing names...so exciting.

mrscb fingers crossed on tests, and am so loving that Marant Etoile jacket too. I freeze lemon and lime slices, and often throw them into some Tonic water or chilled Pellegrino sparkling water as a non alc alternative.

Happy Birthday Notyummy

Did watch Call the Midwife last night...is very good viewing...and of course Birdsong....

Ooh, like the tip for freezing slices! Must try.

NYE - I can quite see that having to be strong for yourself and DS must be exhausting, and am not surprised you feel like you have had enough of it at times. I am amazed at how well you are doing. It is a particularly grim time of year in terms of weather, weight, money etc....as well as the grind of everyday life. I think little steps, like some regular exercise, are definitely the way to go.

MiM I found Spatone a real help. I used to drink with OJ to disguise the taste as much as help with the absorbtion!

NYE so sorry to hear you're feeling low, sounds like you're doing a sterling job of keeping everything together. Maybe buy yourself some flowers to say well done? Always cheers me up!

Quick question - need to order some curtains for the bedroom (yes, its all about the windows at the moment in Chez Ollie).

Faffing re style, any thoughts on tab top, double/triple pencil pleats, eyelets or am I over-thinking this?
To give you some idea, bedroom has v high ceiling, 3 ivory walls and one with LA Erin wallpaper in cream and duck egg blue colourway and a fireplace. Curtain will be ecru/natural colour to tone in with room.

Ollie - I think bigger windows can take more pleats if that makes sense?

Bloss - are you still watching the Biggest Loser? We watched this weeks last night. I couldnt believe someone lost 40 pounds in a week. DH's face was like this --> .

Hi NYE It's so often a miserable time of year...try to have at least 20 mins outside every day, pref a brisk walk, it will do wonders for your mood. Also, buy some really healthy goodies...great tasting fruit and wholesome cereals. Oh, and a big spring clean always makes me feel better. Though you sound very orgnanised anyway.

Olli I don't personally like eyelets...I'd go for pencil pleat as I hink they hang better.