AVID, WISE and keen to debut our Spring buys

[Russianred]

Inspired, eh?!

MrsCB, Amber and Blue that is exactly me as well! I am always wanting to make plans, know where I'm heading etc. DH properly laughed at me when I announced that we needed to decide whether we were ever going to try for DC3 so I could decide whether to put away or charity shop the baby clothes. DS2 was all of about 7 weeks at the time. The idea of putting the baby clothes away and waiting to make a plan was all a bit weird for me!

The first Muubaa arrived (the flax jacket and was lovely soft leather, but the dipped front looked really weird on me, and made me look like I had love handles poking out under the jacket. Not a look I'm aiming for. The second one is arriving later in the month and is the Jadene in conker brown. It has a removable sheepskin collar, which I'm thinking could be nice for colder days. Hopefully it will be nice!

Love love love the Massimo Dutti blazer MrsCB. Practically worth having a job just to justify such child-unfriendly clothes

I do pretty much always wear a scarf, but because I like pretty simple clothes (I don't think I own a 'statement' item of clothing of any description), I used to always dress them up with nice accessories and bags, and I can look fairly dull without them. That has all fallen somewhat by the wayside with the DCs, but I'm ready to start considering looking interesting again.

DS slept through the GP's appointment, perfect. Was slightly put out by the fact that the GP was pregnant with a very neat bump, but declared she was only due 9 days after me. I, on the other hand, am looking like a small whale.

Blue, hope you are ok. All those pains are a very good sign. I think we must have the same TS white blazer then, is your's 3/4 sleeves?

Yes, a big happy birthday to scarf.

Sorry to hear that your FIL is so distant NY, and I understand what you mean about wishing was just honest. My mother made a big thing about saying how guilty she felt about going on holiday etc last night. Well, don't book a bloody holiday abroad when I'm 36 weeks pregnant then, knowing that I had DS at 37! I think you made a valid point about the minimal contact Red, and not really having much of an expectation of them.

Saw a beautiful scarf in the window of Donna Ida earlier, but can't find it on the website...will investigate at the weekend.

Hmmm, if I was pregnant I'd be convinced my period is coming...maybe things are afoot?

WARNING: annoyingly smug post alert. Sorry.
DH has done something completely lovely and tbh a bit unexpected. You know how I was (partly) joking about having an annual bonus this year? Just had to check my account and saw he has placed a not-to-be-sniffed-at amount in it with a little note saying i deserved every euro. DH not known for his present giving skills or his ability to part with money so im quite overwhelmed.

Feel awful as all he's coming home to is a card customised with hearts and some salmon with a mustard and parsley crust for dinner . Time for some creative quick thinking - and please dont suggest serving it naked

Blue am feeling so sorry for you, was convinced something would happen today. Hang on in the and keep rolling on that ball.
ants glad your sister is on the mend, how horrible for her.

back from having to pick up DD1 from school..she started crashing out so she was lying under a duvet while the other girls stroked her hair..so cute

ollie that is wonderful!the TA at DD1's school was warning that she was expecting something good to make up for the 4 jars of marmalade at Xmas debacle.I laughed out loud at the 'serving it naked'

mim I had to take both DDs to the gp yesterday and was green at the great outfit she had put together and how fabulous her figure is!(an insight into what your patients are really thinking looby )

mrscb that fabulous jacket is only for me in another life(sans crayons,chocolatey hands)

Very Happy Birthday scarf hope you had a lovely trip.

Well done MrOllie!

Just a quick one while I'm in the queue in the bank, but MrsCB I have tried on that Dutti jkt and the fabric is not quite as nice as the v similar Sandro one that's on NAP. Sando a bit more exxy but worth it I think!

Proper catch up later

Verity meant say I got dragged to The Muppets at the weekend and ended up really enjoying it. Lots of jokes for adults and celeb cameos. Love the image of you MN in the bank queue!

ollie you clearly don't need to bring out the big guns if you can provoke a gift like that..you need to tell us your secrets!
what will you spend it on..any ideas yet?

icey I am very impressed your Dh takes school trips to NYC..how cool and I like the sound of those blue boxes!

Wow ollie, what a lovely thoughtful valentine! How about serving it semi-naked?

DS has come from nursery with a valentine flag (he said he wanted to make a flag instead of a card and his lovely key worker helped him). V cute.

I can just imagine what that jacket would look like on me after 5 mins in this house..

Hello sanuk, all welcome here!

ollie how fantastic! Do I remember you talking about a Mulberry?

Have returned from shops laden with pink fizz, chocolate roses and ren Rose otto body oil (which is really for me but will give DH a massage as I'm nice) - the Valentines arsenal is complete. Yet, my doorstep remains completely unburdened of flowers. Hmmm.

Wow Ollie, how lovely of DH. I really laughed at reine's 'big guns' comment.

Am enjoying hearing about all these Valentines plans, although have told DH that I am straight in the bath as soon as he gets home...and I can assure you the sight of me heaving my naked self into the bath leaves a lot to be desired at the moment.

Yes Amber, DH felt bad that I didnt buy the Taylor when it was reduced in the sale cos I was still fretting over its cost which is partly why he's been so generous now.
Am sitting here making wish lists. Do i blow it all in one go on one particular thing (have 2 possibilities from that list) or on several things, not all of which are clothes ?

Excellent Ollie good one!

Checks bank account.

Blinking Aveda need NEW patch tests for hair again. So not only do I have to fork out a small fortune (and at over £200 for cut and half-head highlights it is a small fortune) I have to go all the way in for a test again two days before the appointment.

So, so annoying.

Big guns - oh Reine if only! Maybe I should add boob job to the list?

At the risk of sounding cynical, Im wondering if DH has timed this gift to coincide with him buying a new car and him wanting a big sporty thing and me saying we should have a more sensible and cheaper option....

ollie that is so lovely of your DH! The only last min valentine ideas I can think of to reciprocate are too lewd for this thread, I'm afraid . We will need to hear all about your plans to spend your bonus. I received a v generous bonus at Christmas and thought about spending it on one big item before frittering spending it on a range of things including a gorgeous retro radio, and my sales haul of jeans, blochs, aggies etc. I was pleased with what I got and DH was impressed by how far I stretched it but I do kind of wish I'd got one really indulgent thing like a YSL Arty or the 50/50s.

amber I really hope your DH appreciates all your effort and has some tricks up his sleeve himself!

mim the sight of me full stop leaves a lot to be desired right now... Have stayed in pyjamas all day. So so fed up!

Blue - the Pure DAB Orla Kiely radio is on the ' spend it on a few things' list. Fritzi and Verity's Hermes watch is on the 'blow it in one go' list.

Well, I love my Kitchenaid Ollie, have had it for four years and it still gives me pleasure. I do have a sentimental value attached to it as it was a gift from my former workplace though, so it reminds me of some very happy times and people.

I think you need to draw up some lists and then we can help you decide..am very excited for you.

Oh Blue, you poor thing. Would you consider trying something like reflexology?

Too many images of naked people- ollie, MiM, Amber + dh... Some of us are of a delicate disposition here

Lovely of dh ollie- have fun making your list.

Ouch marsha- that is a lot. I am going back to blonde on Thursday (full head iof highlights) and am glad I don't have to pay London prices. Although I don't actually know how much it will be -scared to ask!

Yes reine- it is a good perk of his job. He's been leading the trip for 5 years now and was very put out when his boss advised him that it might not be a great idea to go this year due to imminent baby. All the students gathered under a webcam on times square to wave at him the other night and make him !

Come on MiM and blue- get some babies out! Have accepted I'll be last in the queue

Oh, blue he won't have any tricks. He'll give me a voucher for sex - I get one every Xmas, birthday etc. because obviously its such a prized commodity usually get a present and flowers too though!

ollie I say big item, something with real meaning so that whenever you're feeling pissed off and undervalued you can look at it and remember that you are appreciated. But I would also be tempted to go on a spree!

ollie I vote for the Hermes watch. A KitchenAid is household expenditure surely

amber thank you for the welcome

marsha I used to spend just under £200 on half head of highlights and a cut in Soho, but need to find somewhere cheaper right now. It seems such an extravagance, but I liked my hairdresser and what he would do with my hair. I'm a bit dubious about putting myself in someone else's hands. I am tempted to do my own but remember how I tried that once as a student, and ended up with badger stripes Any tips welcome annie mac & verity

Ollie That is a wonderful present, and so lovely the way he did it. I'd spend 3/4 on one big item and the 1/4 on a few smaller things.

Ollie also a vote for Hermès watch or something beautiful and long-lasting. It is exciting.

Although a KitchenAid as a present from work is very good MiM!

Annie yes darker easier I think, those foil things are tricky .

Oooh Icey enjoy having newly blonde hair!

Hi Sanuk and yes welcome! Welcome to Breton too.

I know it's a lot. I grin and bear it.

I have even chosen the creative director this time as when I go cheap I regret it. Not that it is ever cheap at Aveda.

Better be good!