AVIDLY addressing the key questions that WISE women ask....like 'full refund or credit note only?' and 'what this would item actually be on a cost-per-wear basis?'

[notyummy]

Hello all!

at you both.

verity thanks for Gwynnie link, love it.

Anniemac you must be exhausted! How are you feeling now?

I'm going to have a look at johnnie b.

Evening all, my sister is here for the weekend and is all hungover and asleep on the sofa already. Bless.

I had a lovely afternoon with gorgeous MrsCB; thank you!

Bloss which shorts have you gone for?

How annoying about clothes shrinking Decameron. I hate that.

The Aggies arrived and are going back, not leg-lengthening enough for me. Have ordered the NL ones just now, for collection on Monday.

I also enjoyed the Gwynnie link, despite the levels of irritation she inspires in me. Loved the Wang stripy dress.

for bloss & amber sure that will solve your problems

Decameron :( sorry for you washing woes

blue that hotel is on my list for a definite visit I`m am equally avid about lovely hotels/ restaurants. Good luck with ring search.

annie hopefully your DH will leave a present and a card. I won`t put my money on my DP coming back the dates always change.

Quick question how to 811 size up please ?

Off to top up my own wine glass and look at hobbs/nw3, 20% off at John Lewis until Sunday.

I have bought these chino shorts and these cargo shorts. I said yesterday couldn't find anything I wanted in the main catalogue, but had a voucher and a buy 4 get 4th for a pound thing, so found the jonnie b catalogue and also bought this vest in grey and navy. You never know, they may fit! Oh, and by then the voucher had expired. Sigh.

I am about to join you all in some . I have had to do 40 minutes cardio to justify it, so did 6w6p, followed by, masochist that I am, circuit 3 of shred level 2. DH should be home later, but have yet to have the text that the train is in.

red, did you have a nice time with Mrscb?

I won't lie to you slay I have found 811 sizing to be erratic. I have 3 pairs, all different sizes which all fit the same really. I normally wear 27/28 in J brand. My pink pair is a 29, I originally bought the 27 but they just wouldn't go near me. The red are a 27, fit fine, and the cobalt are 28 and perfect. I also have jodhpurs, Agnes and (so that same twill stuff) all in 28 which fit well if maybe a teensy bit large as I lose more baby flab.

Ah Jesus, I look totally awful in shorts. Another summer to be spent dodging them...

amber, few shreds, fake tan... johnnie b's your uncle

bloss there's less orange peel in Seville. Shred is a good DVD, it's not a magic DVD.

Hi all. annie my lovely hope you are getting some rest?

Am completely behind on everything. Full of guilt as I am not seeing enough of the DCs. DS is acting very strangely. Calling for me and then when I come demanding daddy instead. I know I need to man up but I have found it very upsetting. Am determined to find a better life work balance once this project is over.

So the Pied a Terre shoes arrived and are going straight back. Far too high. Very annoying that they do not give heel height on the website and only provide one picture from one angle so you have to guess...

Am behind also on boots. Could someone link me the NL boots and aggies everyone is talking about. Have just binned my Ash Jalouse. They were looking very tatty after a lot of wear and looking for a replacement.

Big wave to icey and mim and hello slay

Oh and Amber am in awe of your outfits you sound so well put together.

I have deluded persuaded myself that I might be able to make shorts work this year with ballet pumps and a blazer. I suspect that I will try on one pair and realise that I am horribly, horribly wrong.

Have gone off Aldo and Asos heels [fickle] but have decided I definitely need the trainers. Now need to find alternative heel option. Sigh.

And now I am off to bed because I am tired out. My dad is visiting and it is basically like having another toddler to look after (albeit a very agreeable toddler with good taste in wine).

I will be changing my tune when they arrive and don't fit amber.

Just saw an advert for Clinique and it says 'meet almost lipstick'. I am hoping this means it's being reintroduced. I love black honey, but there used ti be another I really loved. Quite hopeful.
On a make up note, I just booked my MU make up session.

Quick bit of advice- can anyone recommend a nice SS dress for DD1, aged 9, above average height, v slim build, dark complexion? She doesn't like anything v girly (won't wear skirts/ tight, etc and loves jeans/ shorts) so will have to be a bit funky. I wouldn't normally pay more than £30 either. I would like something a little smarter in case we go somewhere nice in S/pore or on another occasion.
Secondly, any good advice on stylish postnatal clothes much appreciated (have already asked blue further down)!

Great looking shorts, bloss and a v reasonable price too. Sadly, I don't think my backside would squeeze in either! I'm a M in their tops but bottoms, unlikely! Great that you are enjoying all your cycling.

verity- sorry to hear about your friend and the frightening fall. Gwynnie does look good in those clothes, doesn't she? I love the TS and Zara jackets you linked to recently.

decameron- I was wondering about the name too until I caught up. What a pain about your washing!

MIM- totally agree with the advice you were given yesterday. It is your decision alone and there is no right/ wrong answer so don't listen to anyone who tries to persuade you otherwise. I also second ants advice re scans frequently being inaccurate, second babies being much easier generally. I obviously don't know any of the details of your first labour but if you got into active labour, there is a particularly good chance of a successful VD, around 75%, I think.
I love the look of the TS tan leather bag. I also need a changing bag- was looking at the Oushka Dover before but this is half the price so tempting! Good to hear that annie found her TS bag good quality.

icey-hope things get going soon! You sound v relaxed.

Hi to slaymill and other recent delurkers. :)

annie- you do a great job of keeping going and managing everything else too. I think one survives on adrenaline at these times. DH has been doing similar- working til 5am, etc. Last night he slept 12 til 3am as still trying to complete a particular piece of work. Surprisingly, after a couple of weeks of limited sleep, he has a sore throat today! Hope DH is around at the weekend so that you can out your feet up for a bit.

amber- nice links. Hope operation cleaner is going well! Have fun at HOC- is it tomorrow?

NY- poor you with the bad headaches. Have you seen the GP re headaches? Alternatively, something relaxing/ holistic could be useful if you think there is likely to be an element on stress (not surprising with your busy life and DH being away so much).

blue- you sound v stylish! Thinking about postnatal clothes-do you tend to go with loose tops/ T shirts and more fitted bottoms? I usually wear fairly tight fitted things but they won't work with BF. I was thinking perhaps a blazer might make the outfit look smarter. I'm not sure how quickly my tummy will recede this time with number 4 (was fine post one and two) but don't want to be wearing sloppy/ loose clothes forever! Any good advice appreciated!

red- did you decide on a colour for the playroom? You could go for a cooler blue and be sophisticated or maybe paint one wall a brighter/ deeper blue. If you have lots of artwork, etc on the walls, it will look homely anyway.
My DS's room (which he now shares with DD2) has white walls (just dulux) and a sky blue ceiling down to the picture rail with an aeroplane light and some planets and stars. Lots of yellow/ red and multicoloured bits and bobs in there too!

Hi to everyone I have missed.

Saw a couple of nice things in the Jigsaw sale, some nice J Crew on Nap and several nice looking things in the IO catalogue (wish I had that model's figure) but too tired to link just now- maybe tomorrow!
Ridiculously long post- sorry!

Thank you for your suggestions Looby thnk we will go for plain. Also meant to thank you Decameron - we love murals here - DH is just finishing off hot air balloons on DS' blue walls (he loves spotting them from his bedroom window). Have seen some nice decals and have some nice framed prints (including a lovely one of Annie Rose and Alfie which reminded me so much of my two I had to buy it).

Ants I'm sorry things are so hectic - when is the project due to finish? The Unicorn have some lovely looking things coming up for a bit of Mother/Son time. I miss that place. NL boots here

Unbelievably I've just seen a Kooples advert with Pete Doherty in it. Last time I look at their site.

I am so unbelievably pissed off with my DH it's untrue. So the baby had a terrible night, I maybe got 2 hours sleep in total. She co-sleeps, so I told DH to sleep elsewhere so he wouldn't be disturbed, but he refused as he wanted to help. This consisted of picking her up once at 1am and ignoring her the rest of the night. So this morning rolls around, and I ask if he would mind taking his prearranged lay-in tomorrow so that he can watch the children while I cook lunch for him and MIL and clean upstairs, thereby forgoing any lay-in I might possibly get. What a surprise, he doesn't feel that great, so I'm left to look after and breakfast children, clean, cook, Hoover, do some washing and somehow have a shower all before 12. After all that talk about being less selfish and helping me more, he can't be bothered. This is after I left last nights dinner things after he said he'd do it this morning, so another job. I'm at my wits end. What is the point in putting everything in to a marriage and getting precious little back? I know he works hard, but so do I!

On a lighter I think we've gone past Muted Despair and are now looking at Worn Drudgery.

You are right to be seething amber. That is ridiculously unfair and lame of your DH. However tired he may think he feels, he should get up and pull his weight. Have you told him how much there is to do and what you are trying to do all alone - and on less sleep than him? You need to make him understand that this is utterly unacceptable.

Much much sympathy. I speak as someone who does far far more at home and with children than DH but you've made me realise that actually he is still very good. I've had a terrible night too but DH took over at 6.30 andis currently sorting out both toddler and baby and insisting I lie in until 8.30. It doesn't actually take much to make you feel supported and less dreadful and your DH must surely want to ease your burden just a little.

Good luck. Do keep venting here if it helps!

And you may think you look like Worn Drudgery but I - and I think everyone else on this thread - think you are incredibly stylish. Reading abou your outfits is one of my favourite parts of being on this thread!

at Pete D for Kooples. French firm isn't it, and apparently they LOVE him. Go figure. I always thought he needed a good shower and a Trainspotting style detox. I would hammer the wood across the door.

Amber- so sorry to hear what is happening. This period of sleeplessness would take its toll on the strongest relationships, and it really sounds like you are carrying far too much of the burden. His argument about working is rubbish - working outside the home does not give you a free pass inside it. Not an easy one to resolve, I know. It isn't acceptable, but you need to make him understand that.

Ah! Just lost my post1
Amber I do feel for you, in long term relationships there does seem to be a certain amount of taking for granted and it is so tough. On practical note after 26 years together today! I have found putting on the hoover outside the bedroom door and getting outside help does ease the burden.

Bloss I love those shorts, well spotted. Pete Doherty, what are the Kooples thinking?! I was going to wear my Kooples jumper today!

Scarf I bought Massimo Dutti boots and they were appalling quality.

oh amber - I work full time and it's an easier ride than looking after two children day in day out believe me! sorry you're having such an awful time of it. not sure what to suggest to encourage him to buck up his ideas but I suggest you look after the children and yourself and if there's no lunch for MiL tomorrow it's too bl**dy bad because something has to give!

ants I hear you re work life balance. was intending to take yesterday off for some me time but no chance! still the good thing in my business is that if we're really busy then things are going well so the incentive is a good Q1 bonuse

DD2 attacjing computer shouting jake jake for baby jake back later m

Amber you poor thing, you sound broken. I think perhaps it's time to down tools a bit. By all means do the minimum for you an DCs, but time to stop looking after DH so much - no lunch for MIL, no ironed shirts or whatever it takes to make him realise that you are not enjoying life atm. The trouble is probably that he has absolutely no incentive to change as long as the only thing he has to put up with is a bit of complaining from you. Obviously he should change because he sees you miserable, but that clearly isn't enough, so time for something a bit more 'real' I think.

Is it bad I have literally no idea what Kooples is? And I am reluctant to go and look on the basis of skanky Pete D.

I have officially shrunk out of my TS Agnes-alikes. They fall down and give me a muffin top even straight from the wash. I am about the shrinking, but that once again I am down to only a couple of pairs of trousers. No idea what to get to replace them though.

Amber, I agree, don't do anything for your dh (except maybe to fling something at him). It's just not on and he needs to get the message loud and clear. Hope you enjoy your afternoon, you really deserve a break.

Portia, thanks, I'll have to stick to Russell and Bromley. :o

I like your shorts, Bloss, I bought them for my 13 yr old niece but no way they'd fit me!

Someone once said that Pete Doherty looks like a sweaty cheese and I laugh everytime I hear his name now. He is gross.

Looby, Jigsaw and French Connection have nice girls clothes. I saw lovely dresses in Desigual recently in bright colours, like this (a bit over budget).

Thanks for all your kind messages. I think half the battle is just getting him to realise just how selfish he is. He just doesn't get it. He is up now and I had a moan at him about staying in bed and how I'd quite like to have the time to shower before I go out. His words were 'you want a shower, I wanted some extra time in bed - it's the same'. I mean what the actual? Consequence of bein told you're perfect all your life. Poor DS is in for a rough ride from me - he will make a good husband. Oh and of course that utter witch has now informed us she's turning up an hour late.

portia 26 years - you're a hero!