AVID, WISE and keen to debut our Spring buys

[Russianred]

Inspired, eh?!

Am sitting with peanut M&Ms and a cup of Earl Grey. There really is no better combination.

NY I do hope the weekend brings some opportunity for rest. You must be looking forward to your Oz trip so much, especially when looking out at your current snowy scene.

Ollie I really think that dress could be the one. It's lovely. Shame about the jeans these were quite a good fit. Perhaps worth trying when over for MU?

Ant your poor sister. Hope you get to see her over the weekend. Your week does sound like it has been particularly manic; also hope you can fit in some time for you to relax a little over the weekend.

Very nice blazer MrsCB. The thing about the black boots is that I haven't worn indigo jeans for a really long time. Black occasionally. Will pop to Cribbs next week to escape the plastering/DH painting and try the NL ones too. Cake sounds yum.

Hope you are sitting on a plane/in the airport enjoying the Kindle and basking in the glow of your Alexa Scarf. Have been thinking about you lots this morning.

Fritzi the chairs are lovely. Can't imagine it would be too hard if you go slowly.

I love the yellow bag Reine. I think you should get it regardless of the weather. In spite of the weather, actually.

Amber my DH is similarly cutting when it comes to bad purchases. I like it though - would far rather he is honest and prevents me from leaving the house with everyone else thinking the same but not saying. Provided he is as forthcoming with compliments!

Am packing for the weekend. It is the fancy dress party tomorrow. Bad planning has meant I'm now going as Vivian Pressman (as I had all the necessary costume components) rather than Liesel Von Trapp. Will have to be Liesel some other time. Really looking forward to letting my hair down a little. Also, discovered a dress in my wardrobe I haven't worn (and barely remember buying ) that is perfect for SA - H&M breton with loads of ruching.

NY - I'm not really a runner - more a read about running person But determined to do it now as I just don't seem able to maintain my weight and am convinced this may be the way forward.

In car at school with sleeping baby and toddler in back. Peace at last as baby has been crying on and off since 11. Got another bottle and cup but no joy as they both need her to suck. Going to stop on way back and try to get a bog standard cup that milk will flow out of. Not feeling quite so broody now!

scarf hugs to you, you are bound to feel such a mix of emotions, take care of yourself. So glad you are able to come home, enjoy Alexa you have waited a long time for her

Better run, need to bribe my dc to be quiet and not wake baby.

Proper catch up later!

NYE if it's any consolation my DH has been getting on my nerves as he's just malingering now. But jokes aside totally understand, hope things improve for you v soon.

Oh no scarf-that sounds very hard- I'm so sorry.

Ants- best wishes to your sister- hope she gets well soon.

NYE- sorry you're feeling so down. Vitamins can't do any harm and try to get outside for a while everyday. Easier said than done at the moment I know.

Verity- I continued to be very cross on your behalf. What did your friend say when you told her how upset the baby was?

Ollie- I am so excited for you- that dress looks ideal from here. Keepjg my fingers crossed that it will be the one!

Mrs cb- great jacket. I will invest in that book-sounds useful.

Red- enjoy the party. Photos please!

Hello Lovely Ones

I'm freeeeeee - hats off to you Bloss for taking on more hours, I simply couldn't hack it and have resigned.

Red, congrats to you for getting your position, don't let them talk you into doing more hours than you want to. Apuski, I remember you holding out for the job that could offer you work on your terms, I probably should have done the same.

The kids are delighted and we had great news today about DD's scholarships so all good.

Scarf, be kind to yourself. You are a devoted mummy to two beautiful girls and a loving wife and daughter. Hope you have an enjoyable w/e with your bag .

Every, your strength of character and high level of self awareness makes me wonder how you can be anything but proud of yourself. You too need to be kind to yourself and shake your demons from the door. No one's life is perfect, we are all just trying to get by as best we can.

Hello to the rest of you...seroiusly tempted by the 'new' HL dress but will let you have first dibs Ollie.

Am wanting to run too,mrs CB but too cold,and am too lazy!

Agree with everyone re delaying spring purchases.
I was freezing today,and only - 1 here,so not too cold

Have been trying to post all day.
So sorry to hear what you've been through scarfi. Please be kind to yourself. You are doing amazingly well with so little support. Is it this weekend you are in Dublin? If so, I hope you have a lovely time with friends and family. It will be nice for you to have some time to yourself. Really good of your DH to offer. Also, I hope you got the Alexa. Brilliant bag for you.

Also I was really sad to hear of your sister ants. She is in good hands where she is. How many dcs does she have now? You know they say it never rains but it pours. You shall deserve your new bag too!

everything, sad to hear you're still down. Have you considered seeing your GP. I'm glad we know you have good friends around you, and you know you can depend our support too. Be kind to yourself too.

Oh pickled, I am so sorry it didn't work out for you. Enjoy your family's good news.

On another note, my raspberry coloured swimming costume arrived. No, I haven't tried it on .
No snow here though. Going biking tomorrow even!
And ny, I worked it out, I would have to lose 10 lb to have your bmi.

Now I've missed loads of links, and especially one to ollie's dress. Will trawl back.

Hi to you all, and wine all round tonight (exceptions apply). Extra large one to verity methinks!

Don't think I do as it's half term Annie. Massive relief all 'round here. You are a seriously strong woman Annie, Emo too and the rest of you - I am full of admiration for you all.

It is wine o'clock here and I agree Bloss, xlarge for Verity, what an amazing friend you are.

Pickled - hope you are ok, glad to hear you are pleased with your decision. Funnily enough annie gave me some wise words on the 'going back to work boards', it really is a tough time, but as annie says, you do find your own methods in coping. Agree that when the element of choice is taken away, you tend to make it happen.

NYE sorry to hear you you are still feeling down, maybe the GP might be of help. Do you have a good one? The energy you must be putting into keeping everything together with no outside support is phenomenal. Hope that we can be open ears to you here though and a place to come for some support.

Come on Bloss, try that bikini on! Though of you today, we have a Sweaty Betty store opening here soon.

Have a fab weekend red, looking forward to some pictures of your outfit.

Turns out we need to pay the cost of an independent surveyor, we cannot get out of it. Am gutted, but there is nothing we can do, and we just need to pay up. DH and I being very pragmatic about it.

Yes to Verity enjoying the biggest glass of wine this evening, although I am having a 'crazy' time with a lime and soda water tonight.

Pickled sounds like the best choice for your family, judging by the positive reactions from your DC. Hope you are celebrating and enjoying your wine. And Verity, I hope you have a bottle to yourself this evening! You deserve it.

Bloss and NY I would be facing more like a 13lb weight loss to be in the mid-21s, BMI-wise. Although I'm planning on losing a bit more, I'm not sure I have the sticking power to go down another 13lbs! Especially since I am celebrating a night off Shredding with pasta, cheese sauce, cheesy garlic bread, mozzarella and tomato salad (healthy, see ), coffee cake and ice cream. Never let it be said that I do things by half measures.

NYE £200 worth of Brora would improve anyone's mood, I hope some of it is for you, at least!

Have had a slightly trying day here with two poorly DSs - DS1 isn't too bad, but is v clingy because I have DS2 in my arms all the time. It's so hard to balance their needs, I want to be able to give both of them 100% all of the time, and get frustrated when I can't. Luckily DH is on duty tomorrow so will be able to work and to spend some quality time with DS1 at some stage.

Pmsl at the thought of exposing my stretched and saggy midsection to the world mim. It is this one. Got it half price in raspberry. I already have it in royal blue, but in a larger size. The quality, compared with the thin normal swimsuits, is incredible.

Yes, verity you should be knee deep in wine this evening. I think you deserve some sort of MN medal or at the very least a 'friend of the year' award.

pickled good on you. Really admire you for acting now rather than struggling on. I can feel your relief. Enjoy half term and looking forward to hearing about what Pickled does next. BUY the HL dress, you know how quickly they go from The Outnet, will be a nice pick me up - or a pick up dress

NYE really sorry you are finding things tough at the moment. Be kind to yourself.

Working up to the idea of crawling out of bed - think my boys have infected me with their cold.

Bloss those swimming costumes look great. Next time I have spare budget I could be tempted.

Wonder how badly last nights carb-fest will show on the scales today...

Can't keep up , have read four pages and wanted to say

Well done red and you will be a fabulous mentor

verity I am speechless and quite sad re your friend. You however are a superstar!

amber that sounds like night from hell
Work busy home strained thik I will get some new running kit today and try to motivate myself out of rutt

I'm also working up the momentum to hoist myself out of bed! Feels very cold. No baby action to report yet, I'm afraid. Back later for a proper catch up but just wanted to send sympathy and thoughts to NYE and scarf in particular.

And good for you pickled!

scarfy my heart goes out to you.

ants we all have your weak moments!! Hope you sister is improving.

pickles I too can sense your relief and I am thrilled to hear DDs news.

everything maybe chat to your gp? You are a strong woman but sometimes we all need to reach out.

In shopping news I got a quote from John Lewis for a custom made roman blind for DD1s room and was staggered, over £700! I was a bit "merry" when i got hone on weds and opemed the quote, i nearly cried!!!! I think not.

Also treated myself to some new brown lip gloss and cream eye shadow in stone. Really like their website for natural look ideas.

Happy Saturday's all