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!

I am in total awe of anniemac and other FT working mothers who aren't driven to breakdown by the household chores! There are so many of them, admittedly low-intensity, but ongoing. The minute I spend the whole day out of the house, I seem to slip backwards. Laundry and catering, in particular, are totally relentless - like brushing your teeth, they happen every day...

I think it's fine, anniemac, for your DD to bring you coffee in bed. My DD makes me coffee - she's not naked when she does so and if she spills it, it's not boiling liquid.

Interesting how things are split. The thing that I can't quite do is get the children to two different schools. Well someone else could drive them of course.

Ds2 is so very eager to help with everything. He can flip eggs, make coffee, make toast. I'm right next to him of course.

.. and hoovers a room, cleans. Hope he is enjoys the two days at nursery as much as he does home life!

Multiple school drop offs / pick ups are a nightmare, Marsha! The day the DSSs could get themselves to school was a big day in our house. DD's school has three locations, and although they are pretty close to one another they are not close enough that you don't see harried parents and nannies haring across the park at pick-up.

I know. I can't imagine what it must be like to have to do a lunch time one as well!

Ready for some Oscar dress action?

here

and

here

Gwyneth Paltrow looks stunning.

At lunch time there is quite of lot child-sharing - lots of parents have regular arrangements with other families so that a whole group go to one house on Mondays, another on Tuesdays etc.

Since I want to practice reading with DD at lunch time, I don't swap as much as others.

I think I hate every single one of those awful oscar dresses.

Agree that Gwyneth looks great. I hate Cameron's muscly arms!

Not to my taste but I thought Glen Close looked good - liked the jacket with the dress, suited her.
I also quite liked Sandra Bullocks dress.
Anjelina Jolie annoys me anyway, but whats with sticking her leg out in all the pics?

Yes, the leg-sticking was unbelievably obviously self-conscious. I know they are all hyper-aware of the image they are projecting, but couldn't they at least pretend that it's natural? Victoria Beckham does that leg thing, and hip jutting, which is all very well for VB but she ain't no actress.

And WTF is with Angelina's leg? It's alright love, we can see the split in your dress without you standing like you just wet yourself. I normally live what she wears, but that velvet thing is way too big and fussy for her. Love Gwyneth's and whatshername in the black/gold Alexander McQ.,

love

Out for breakfast today to give our cleaner some space at home

Opposite me is a fabulous looking woman in her fifties. Looking effortlessly chic but not overdone. Great hair too.

DD has been operating our Nespresso machine for quite some time now. Carrying the cup without spilling is the real challenge.

Not impressed by Oscar dresses but on iphone so images are tiny.

I will check out those jeans, Bloss. I tried on these Paiges which are my next purchase, I think. I've just listed my Agnes on eBay, I bought them a size too big. I have a stack of jeans for the charity shop as well, I don't want them to sell for a fiver on eBay so I'd prefer to give them away.

I like Gwyneth Paltrow's and Penelope Cruz's dresses and that's about it.

DD1 is in disgrace this morning, she woke us up shouting that she didn't like her quilt and woke the baby.

I could make a gin and tonic from a very early age. I would train the DDs to do the same but I don't like gin. :o

I really miss living by the sea, I had a great view of the harbour from my bedroom window growing up. I didn't appreciate it at the time, of course.

Angelina's pose is hilarious.

In london. Will have to walk past zara to get to stn and may hAve to pop in. So many pretty things in window. I really don't suit pastels though..

Joseph is here - the dress that is.
All very lovely except its gaping under one of the arms - quite noticeably so. Perfect fit everywhere else. Will get DHs opinion later but I fear its not a keeper.
So close. so close

Angelina's leg! Also a her face is a bit waxy and her leg is a bit er real.

Greyish hair doesn't suit Kelly Os. and Cameron Diaz is a bit too light ash.

The lighting is not hugely flattering, they look like they have less Hollywood gloss than usual in those pics.

Fritzi I love doing that once a week too. Ds2 and I go for breakfast so the cleaner do her stuff. There are usually very few people at nice gallery cafe we go to and there are sometimes conversations that could be from mn. About class and grammar school and private v state. Always makes me smile.

haha Scarfi good work on the g&ts.

Aw Ollie wait and see what MrOllie thinks.

I really do loathe Angelina and Brad - all that hand holding with his parents just seems so staged.

Gwynnie looks good but most very uninspiring.

I do everything at home and always have as haven't worked since pregnant with DS1. If I'm out for the day - children will have much fun with DH but house would be chaos when I got home. MN would have a fit at the little domestic stuff my DH does but he works very long hours and thats the deal we've made and are happy with. I still get loads more freetime than him and will get more once DD starts nursery 2 days a week in September.

I've started to let DS who is 7 use the nespresso machine and he can get breakfast for the younger two provided its cereal.

Just lost a long post . Haven't got time to write it out again!

Oscars- AJ looks ridiculous. She is really the Queen of posers and Brad comes in second place!
I like the simplicity of Gwyneth's gown but not so sure about the cape. Penelope Cruz looks lovely but she is rather stunning.

DD2 is 3 today! Can't believe she is so grown up already.
She received this from her grandparents- so simple and beautiful on her. She has it in age 5 as she is a giant (off the scale for height and over 75th c for weight)!
She has also been v spoilt by her Uncle and Aunts and will no doubt be further spoilt when we go to S/pore.

Had posted in response to your "light weight' comment, annie but lost if all so will redo later if time.