AVID, WISE and keen to debut our Spring buys

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Inspired, eh?!

Bloss love the Balenciaga account, very Wise. Meant to say, I find your fitness/wellbeing thing really inspiring - you've made me think a lot more about being healthy for the sake of being healthy and strong rather than just to look nicer in clothes (although that is an added bonus).

Wow at your mum NY!

No shopping today, sadly, have spent too much money on dress patterns this week! Am hoping to come across the perfect draped jersey dress soon though.

DH and I sharing some post-Shred fizz for an early Valentine's - my mother's down next week, so will be too busy polishing my cutlery or similar to have any Valentine celebrations.

I did some dress making 2 years ago hopefullly. I remember wishing for the perfect shirt dress pattern. Now I think that would be too classic for me.
I think I'm quite a bit older than you, and others on the thread. Which is probably why I'm a bit more obsessive about health right now!

I made a lovely shirt dress last year. It was great, but just not right for me. It's so nice to understand why that is now! Love the style day. Also having lots of fun buying patterns that are right or can be altered to be right For a dramatic natural.

ps, anyone fancy helping me on a lovely London hotel quest? Thread here

Evening!

What a day - after taking ds1 to a birthday party, he came home stoked up on chocolate and with a balloon, proceeded to chase the balloon round the room, then fell over, landing chest first on the sticking-up posts of his wooden garage. He was writhing around in pain, poor soul, which is really not like him, so DH took him off to the minor injuries unit. Thankfully it looks like it's just bruised ribs, and painkillers are helping a lot, but he's got these awful red circles on his chest like he's been branded, poor fella.

Other than that, all ok here. I am trying to follow your examples NY and Bloss and work on getting my body stronger - I had my first Pilates session on Friday, which was really good, and I have downloaded the myfitnesspal app, which is amazing for counting calories - which I'm using to make sure I eat enough.

Pickled, it sounds like you've made the right decision for you, and hopefully you have more clarity on what would work for you in the future. And well done to your DD!

Blue, some twinges!

Sorry to not respond to everyone, I suspect this post is long enough as it is

Morning.

Poor DS Apuski, sounds painful for him. Hope he is on the mend soon.

How exciting Blue, sounds promising.

NY, your Mother sounds fantastic...very inspirational.

Hopefully I have replied to your hotel thread.

We are going to a Christening this morning, difficult to think of something to wear that is warm, and will fit. So its a black IO wrap dress and calf length boots with opaques. Not very exciting, but will fit the bill.

Have great Sundays everyone...

Did you see Whitney Houston has died? When she did the Bodyguard, I thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world. I loved her whole look which was very far removed from my own. Celebrity is a curse people!

bloss DH just woke me up with that news. I am a big fan so v sad to hear it. Especially sad for her young daughter. Did my share of hard living when I was younger, but I think the game changes when you have children.

On a lighter note, returned my CdeC stuff yday and found some lovely replacement coated skinnies in Zara. DH even approves because they apparently 'look good on my bum'. So, you heard it here first folks, Zara sells magic trousers! May wear this evening for our valentines meal out, which will doubtless be a romantic enterprise as I have almost lost my voice so will be reduced to whispering, though cannot promise sweet nothings.

apuski poor DS, hope he's much better soon!

fritzi hope you feel better too!

mim my couple of IO wrap dresses got me through pretty much anything looking chic, so sure you look great!

Oh yes forgot to add, ny your mum sounds great! Something to aspire to! I'm v lucky with my own mum, she's a young 62 and constantly chasing the kids round and play fighting with them. She also has great style, and have a lot of the same items in our respective wardrobes. Irritatingly she is a size bloody 8 though. Though I should be grateful - when I was in my teens I was a 14 and she was a 6, I felt like a beast next to her!

Very sad about Whitney H- cant help thinking it was a waste and how her family must be feeling.

Apuski- your fitness plans sound great!

Amber- your mum sounds lovely. I was bigger than my mum as a teen as well (I was quite overweight at the time.) My mum is relatively elderly as a grandma as she quite ahead of her time in some ways, and had a great career before having me- youngest matron in the uk (we still have the newspaper clippings!) and then joined the Navy as an officer expressly to meet a man. It worked . She was told she would be left 'on the shelf' for concentrating on he'd job too much, but it worked out.

Pickled- meant to say, well done on making that decision. You need to do what works for you and your family.

Hopefully- will pop over to hotel thread!

Am feeling rather rotund after being fed up by my parents! Have been exercising too (lovely run in the sunshine yesterday) but not sure it is enough for the amount I am putting away. I would say 'ah well, healthy eating next week' but I have promised DH a valentines day meal - red pepper risotto with grilled goats cheese, and chocolate and hazelnut torte. Maybe the healthy approach will have to wait until Wednesday....

Off out later to take my mum for a birthday lunch. Just light lunch somewhere casual so TS spotty skater dress, grey opaques and grey biker boots.

Starting to turn my mind to MU outfit. Have lots of things that I have not worn much so not buying something new.

The thing that upset me most about Whitney's death is that she was only eight years older than I am...

I am following bloss, notyummy, apuski et al and have resolved to make my body stronger and healthier. Have decided that I need some other fitness DVDs. As much as I love Jillian, I am bored by doing the Shred only. But maybe that is because I'm still stuck at Level 1 .

ants Hope your Dsis is better and well looked after.

red How was the party? Awaiting detailed reports of other party guests' outfits .

bloss Although I just use my bike for getting around town and not for fitness, I could never imagine being without a bike. Hope the weather improves soon for you.

Have to check out amber's magic Zara trousers next week.

I am the "mystery reader" in DD's class tomorrow afternoon. I took ages to choose an appropriate story and now I am thinking about what to wear . Might have to sit on the "magic carpet" with the class, so maybe no dress/skirt.

Oh, and thanks for getting well wishes! Took high doses of VitC yesterday and think it has helped enormously.

Have lovely Sundays everyone!

Morning all. Yes, very sad about Whitney. I have an urge to buy a 'Best of' album now.

Hope your DS is ok today apuski
Christening outfit sounds chic mim. I am happy because a friend of mine who is the same size as me told me on Friday that she is pregnant so am planning to offload generously donate all my maternity stuff to her. I should eBay it of course but it is such a faff (lazy I know but it is so nice to lend things and be useful).
Love the sound of your DMs NY and amber. Just like mine and my MIL. Makes you look forward to being older and being a granny!
Glad you got a bike bloss. Wow to your triathlon plans. I am shameful: just because I am thin I don't really ever think about diet or exercise. Perhaps in the future...

Has anyone bought anything from GAP with their 30%off? About to go and peruse the site and in the mood to be inspired / imitate your stylish choices!

reine I forgot: Thanks for the offer for shopping at GAP for me. I am very tempted by the bag but think I will wait at least a bit until the snow has melted before buying any more SS stuff. Did you get the yellow bag?

amber Are those the Zara trousers?

Blue, lovely to hear you still so chirpy. Perhaps you will have a Valentine baby - 'tis a lovely name. We sing a song to our DC at bedtime called 'Lullaby, baby blue'. Will hereafter think of you when singing it - it's a really sweet song.

On the subject of things blue... the JB blue bonnets have arrived and I love love love them. They are v. lightweight and the legging misnomer comes from the fact that the pockets at the front are fake I think. I sized down from my Agnes since I have lost a few lbs recently and must now follow all the good examples on here to make sure it stays off. DS1 whose opinion on fashion I really value says they look 'cool'. Am now on the look out for other colours at as good a price.

MrsCB do you love yours?

Fritzi, mystery reader sounds great - what story did you choose. We have a German kid's book called Esterhazy but I can't read a word of it. The illustrations of a little rabbit are fab however.

fritzi no, I liked those, but so many of my trousers have ankle zips I got these which are attractively described as varnish effect but actually have a sort of leatherish look.

Not as good as the ones that call themselves 'mum trousers' - I am a mum and even I don't like the sound of them. Presumably to be worn with mum boots and a wolf fleece?

Mum trousers

blue aside from a shirt for DH and bucketloads for the DCs I bought this in grey and neon yellow.

Every, have you been to visit any friends recently and stayed the night? It can be lovely catching up with old friends, especially when the DC are safely tucked up in bed and you get the chance to really talk.

Never tried Zara trews, think I may be becoming a JB snob .

pickled I have a shocking 9 pairs of J Brands so am a bit of a snob but also really rate Topshop for jeans, and was really pleased with the 2 pairs I tried in Zara. Also loving my Nudie High Kais - super flattering!

Back from the christening. It was a lovely service, and DS was vaguely well behaved despite not being allowed any cake.

everything, in terms of my support networks, I have two very good friends I met through NCT who are great. They can't do much practically for me as they have young DC's too, but I find their company very therapeutic. We often just meet for coffe/soft play type thing - but I love the fact that we always have loads to chat about and they are the least judgemental people I know. Funnily enough I regard DS's nursery as a great support too, he loves it there and seems to thrive. One less thing to worry about. Before I went on sick leave, I was having some counselling through work, which did focus on the relationship with my parents. I know this is something you have done before, maybe something worth re-visiting?

pickled, the blue bonnets sound great.

Blue I was going to buy some fuchsia skinnies with the 30%, but have decided to hold off all purchases now, get my overdraft sorted and hopefully be in a better position for after the baby arrives.

Nice trousers amber, hope you have a lovely evening.

So sad about Whitney, as fritzi says, its no age at all is it? Her poor family.

Afternoon all. Am really sad to hear about Whitney, such an amazing talent. I never cared much for Bobby Brown and wonder if things could have been different had she left him sooner and got away from his influence. So sad.

Had a fab time at the party last night - a lengthy and freezing trip there and back (staying with ILs in Surrey) but it was very much worth it - costumes were great; my friend and her sisters were the flower bearing girls from Coming to America which was brilliant. Other notables; singing couple from Four Weddings, lady at the beginning of Pretty Woman who shouts 'Welcome to America' (very niche), Drew Barrymore in Scream, Wheezy the Penguin, the person with the tiny head in Beetlejuice (a truly amazing costume). DH and I must do more going out together, it reminds me how much fun he is!

Pickled well done for your decisiveness - your whole family must be thrilled. Glad the Jbrands worked out - please let me know when you spot them at good prices, I am on my own search too!

Hope DS is ok this morning Apuski, poor guy.

NY your Mum sounds great, very determined! My Mum is great in terms of what she has done with her life, not so much when it comes to diet/fitness. Lifelong issues with food and weight and she's never been happy with her size. I must too take a leaf out of everyone's books and pay more attention to diet/fitness/health. Bloss my friend and her DH are really keen triathletes and absolutely love it. Sounds like a wonderful plan.

Hope things get going soon Blue. Perhaps Rose as a middle name if DD arrives on Valentines?!

Nice trousers Amber, will you be wearing them tonight for the Valentines meal? Hope you have a lovely time.

Outfit sounds perfect MiM, hope you had a good day.

Glad to hear you're feeling better Fritzi.

Hopefully, I haven"t yet looked at your thread for fear of losing my post, so no idea do your criteria, but DH and I stayed at The Rookery, near Fleet Street on the hint of our wedding and it was gorgeous.

Here it is Hopefully.

NYE for the times when my family aren't available (a bit different, I know, as they are far away, but when I do see them, they are a great support) it was my NCT crowd and now the friends I've made in Bristol - which has been hard as I'm having to seek support from people I barely know, but I've been really open and honest in my conversations with everyone and have had great responses. Also, DS' pre-school have been amazing, offering all sorts of support beyond DS' sessions there. They are a Childrens Centre and are at the top of their game. Other than that, Skyping with friends who are faraway and taking the DC to others at the weekend so we can all chat in the evenings, whilst the DC sleep.

red that hotel would have been v useful to DH and I when conducting our clandestine affair - we work just off Fleet Street! Looks lovely!

Aah, we had our wedding reception in The Punch Tavern Amber, having got married in Marylebone Registry Office. Would love to stay there again, it was wonderful.