AVID, WISE and keen to debut our Spring buys

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Inspired, eh?!

It's all about home improvement chéz Fritzi: Ordered this "flip clock" for our kitchen yesterday

I think the 'danger' is that if you do lots of exercise there's a tendency to eat more to reward yourself.

But obviously so much depends on the individual, how much you exercise, genetics, metabolism etc.

I am small and have a tendency to gain weight so need to be vigilant and when I'm not the weight just creeps on.

And agree with Hopefully - for me I'm an ok weight now by most standards but I want to be that half a stone lighter and thats the bit thats difficult for me to lose.

Most of my very slim friends don't eat a great deal though - and are very disciplined. We were out for dinner on Saturday night and I was very restrained as resisted bread and had no pudding.

For me though its about being healthy ultimately - hence liking the 'clean and lean' recipes as they're super healthy but also very nice.

Fritzi thats v cool. Bet you stay up til midnight on the first day its up on the wall just to see all the things flip over to the next day!

This is such a clever idea - photographing people's reaction when you tell them your pregnant here

Must go and hit the Dutch text books now. Hate Mondays.

That ratio works for me too. Low carb works and luckily I don't care much about eating lots of pasta, bread or potatoes.

I am about to start running in my newly acquired free time (free time, can't wait!). But I'm not that keen on DVDs but want to run in the day time.

Marsha - there are some lanvin flats on the outnet but size 35.5 which I'm guessing is not your size.

Thanks MrsCB , but yes too small.

Unlurking to invite you A&W ladies over to my music thread - I'm very curious to see what stylish musical choices you would all make :)

Hello to warmwool and Breton.

Sending nutritional vibes to those of you trying to be lean and healthy. It is really tricky isn't it? I agree that diet is the crucial bit, in that I think people hugely overestimate the amount of calories that exercise burns off. Apparently the shred is between 200 and 250 calories depending on your size. Really not that much at all. I think the crucial bit is realising that you have to exercise for tone and health, but only portion control and cutting back will give you weight loss. Finding what you can live without and removing it from your diet. Weighing any carbs- so easy to have too much pasta. I half the size it recommends on the packet (albeit we don't have it v often) and probably drink alcohol a couple of times a month. BUT I have cake everyday. I also think that the exercise needs to keep being challenging to make a difference, and I know upping the weights has worked for me. I have a cross trained and they are really handy for fitting in exercise but apparently notorious for overestimating calorie burn- a trainer at a gym I used to go to told me to half the number of calories that they are claiming you burn and then you are closer to reality .

Intend to be back with some links later. Saw a skirt I fancied.

Does anyone ever wonder how many lurkers there are.

I am in pizza express in 50/50s and thankfully the Aigle. I had toyed with the idea of Roxy, but boy is it cold and wet here. So much so I bought the white co square neck charcoal tunic. Lovely soft merino. Have bought some bobbi brown stuff too. After lunch I need to get a trunki for dd, and a coffee pot!

amber I sometimes wonder about lurkers too. My guess is it could be hundreds or possibly very few. I was one once!

I am in pizza express in 50/50s and thankfully the Aigle. I had toyed with the idea of Roxy, but boy is it cold and wet here. So much so I bought the white co square neck charcoal tunic. Lovely soft merino. Have bought some bobbi brown stuff too. After lunch I need to get a trunki for dd, and a coffee pot!

As was I emo!

Sounds like good cold weather dressing bloss - I am in OTKs today too, worn with nudie high kais, blue l/s top, LV bleu nuit leopard scarf and chunky rose gold MK watch. Will be wearing Zara duvet coat on top when I venture out shortly.

DD took a bottle with no fuss this am, yippee!

It's not actually too cold here today, but possibly I am artificially warm after walking into town twice in two hours.

Have obtained cake for visiting friend this afternoon, will be trying not to scoff too much myself.

Does anyone else feel forced to choose between a muffin top and falling down trousers? Seems to be a problem with hourglass shape and low cut trousers. Interestingly, don't get it so badly with any of my j brands.

hopefully I empathise entirely re trouser issue, I too find J brands better than most, also like TS Jamies which I always go on about but they have a nice rise and a lovely skinny fit.

Hello all. Still here. No baby. Quite a bit of pain today though, which is very different from last time when I felt absolutely nothing until intense contractions started. But I suppose all labours are very different. It's very bearable still though - at least while DS is having a much needed nap upstairs anyway!

I too have the issues with the rise of jeans, hate them too low but high rise can look a bit funny as I'm so short. Do best with j brand and TS like you amber - would love your jeans wardrobe! Although can never wear Zara trousers; aren't they just for leggy amazonians?! Your new coated skinnies sound great though, jealous of those and pickled blue bonnetts. I've been on the 'how many pairs of jeans?' thread though and it's made me realise I need to be ruthless and do some culling after the baby. Too many pairs that I just not quite right. Then I can reward myself with some more TS leighs, perhaps the bonnetts and maybe even these flowered j brands. I'm wondering about dying a pair of j brand indigo skinnies black - they're a great fit but really faded one the knees. Anyone had any luck with a DIY due job?

nye more kind thoughts to you. I'm really hoping to hear you feel brighter soon. While it's obviously not quite the same, I do find my own moods and swing wildly from day to day and week to week so happier feelings may lie just ahead. You've had some great advice and the only thing I can think to add is that during a particularly low period in my life I tried to pull myself out of my gloom by doing something very different and dramatic. It kind of worked and made me feel good about myself, which I really needed.

Interesting to read all the diet / exercise stuff. I think I am lucky in terms of weight in that I just find food and eating rather uninteresting. I'm always struggling to make myself eat or think of something I can fancy. I'm not even particularly fussy, it's just the endless round of three meals a day that I find hard. But I only think this attitude is lucky in terms of never having to worry about weight; I actually think that it's really sad that I can't seem to share the great pleasure in cooking and eating delicious food that you all seem to have - I do feel like I'm missing out, really.

Hope those with poorly DC have seen them turn the corner. DS is as robustly healthy as ever but submitting to some terrible tantrums. He was clawing at the front door with his nails yesterday evening bellowing 'I want to go to granny's!'. Horrible to see him so worked up but then within 15 mins we were enjoying cuddles and stories.

Welcome to breton - nice purchases.
A big wave to everyone else - sorry to be dragging out this having a baby business for so long!

Sounds promising though blue - hope things get underway soon.

I had midwife appt this morning - baby still back to back and not engaged at all which doesn't fill me with confidence for an on time delivery. Hey ho.

I like all the talk about eating and exercising to be strong and healthy - very wise.

Brilliant news about the bottle Amber. Hope it continues and you get a bit of freedom.

Great outfits today bloss and amber.

Oh Blue sounds like a Valentine's baby is on the cards. How lovely if so. (why is there no heart smiley?)

OMG is it V day tomorrow? I haven't got a card!!

But hopefully the Crew half zip I bought DH today will do. Both Crew and White Co obligingly gave me 15% off when I explained I didn't have the codes with me. Great customer service.

Anyone else in a pickle about MU attire? I would spend money on the problem, but cannot find a single dress or top that I even like right now.

Im about to raid my card store Bloss am hoping there is one I can convert with a few strategically placed hearts! DS1 said he will HATE it if he gets any cards tomorrow! Im secretly hoping he gets one from school but fear all the girls hearts already belong to one of his friends - who at aged 6 is already a little heart throb (incredibly handsome already); he gets invited to all the girls parties - and goes even tho he's the only boy there! The girls literally fight to sit next to him. All v funny!

Im going to rely on Janice as a MU back-up oufit if I cant find anything in the meantime.

Did we decide on if we are eating elsewhere early or having food at the venue?

Yep V day tomorrow. I am being dutiful wife and cooking DH's favourite meal, baking a cake, have stocked up on champagne to be drunk from heart shaped flutes and have bought him a shirt and a CD. Will probably put together a little hamper of his favourite treats. We are idiots in our house and make the most of any tiny celebration, which is why we have three anniversaries! Ah, well does no harm I suppose.

blue so exciting you could have a Valentines baby, obviously keeping us updated not a priority but can't wait for the news!

icey make the most of your pre-newborn time, lots of afternoon naps!