So, Spring has Wisely sprung and MU was Avidly done, now we're planning for Summer sun!

[AmberNectarine]

new thread!

When is half term btw? It's 4th-8th June I think? In which case Bretonbee we could make it so we meet up on your day off. Which yes we should decide by pm and the park too. (one that is good for everyone).

Fashion fairies - I would really like a feather print scarf like this one - but in a different colourway. Please find me one?

So hot here today - and have seen a real mix of outfits including those wearing shorts and vest tops and a couple in their duvet coats!

Im going to break out the white jeans tomorrow!

I need to see that cake reine. Dd is abney and teal mad and is most upset that it's not on anymore and not on iplayer either.

Good to hear from you MiM- sorry things didn't work out as planned but glad your dd is here safely. I have also been blessed with a chomper this time around and having to work on the latch at every feed as he has made one side v sore.

Verity-sorry to hear your ds is upset. Afraid dyslexia isn't my area of expertise but in terms of general advice for the meeting i would suggest writing down things that you want to discuss before hand so that you can steer the conversation in the direction you want to. Also, does he have an IEP? Worth going through that and establishing whether the targets and strategies are appropriate and if so are they being implemented properly?

Welcome suburban- please stay. I'm another one with a low budget so would love to see more links from you. I like that shirt but unfortunately don't think I'd get away with an xs at the moment. Boo.

Picked-you are very naughty. No cake pops for you.

I adored the faraway tree too. My mum bought dd a DVD of it for Christmas though and it's dreadful

After such a warm welcome I'll have to stay

Actually my blog is a shameless rip off of The Frugality which I thought was such a good idea but what is frugal to a junior style editor with zero responsibilities is just what we have to do anyway eg she writes about prioritising paying her mortgage and home cooking, so I wanted to take it a step further.

Ollie yes, whenever the blog is linked I can see how much traffic comes from that link which is how I found annie and Red's manhunt this morning . I wonder if anyone at MNHQ could let you know about lurker numbers, might be worth an ask... If not I can give you a rough number, but it's not very accurate.

annie No I'm not in London, or irish for that matter but my DP is. I am based in the south west, not very glamorous and very suburban. Are there any other country mice here or do you all live in London?

I'll read back now and try and catch up a bit then post some links.

Finally congratulations MiM. I am sorry to hear you had such a hard labour. If it's any consolation I had a horrible pregnancy, long painful labour and problems feeding, but then when DD was about a month old I suddenly felt like a new woman. Actually I had forgotten what it was to feel normal, albeit sleep deprived but normal, not sick or anemic etc etc So hopefully there is a revelation just around the corner for you.

No Internet yesterday... tracked it down to an upgrade at local exchange. I
thought we had been hacked so changed passed word on router.. etc.. was so frustrating. Grumble over.

Reine Happy Birthday to your DD, this is a Abney & Teal obsessed house.

Glad the dress was suitable annie I have a similar in green but not sure how much the colour suits me.

I skyplused A&T at 12.25 on cbeebies this week Icey we have just gone HD as they last box got water poured it as my DS washed his cars.

Hi surburan great name please stay this board is very lovely.

Verity My eldest has a touch of dyslexia but grew out of it.I used private tutors etc as school wasn`t up to much.

I need a break from mothering sometimes Marsha in fact I can hear the ESPA salon calling to me. I can pm you my NAP order its not that exciting as it daywear. I am ordering in 5 days ish.

MiM I didn`t think I would cope with my littlest mini muncher so hungry and bad reflux. I agree stick with it and it should come good. BF helpline might help ?

Lastly I need a jacket not too biker just casual and some new flats.

Glad you came back suburban! I read 'The frugality' too. We're not all Londoners (though I sometimes wish I was, like when umpteen pairs of cheap j brands are being purchased at HN etc!). I'm in Nottingham and there are a few other Midlanders as well as other, more exotic locations!

verity. Sad for your DS. A good teacher should aim to make a pupil enjoy and feel confident in his work in my opinion. Echo what has been said already about SEN and the IEP. I'd also have a look at what the teacher is writing on his work. Teacher comments can be really important (I remember myself the disgust I felt when teachers wrote simply 'Good work' on a 3 page story!). Your DS's teacher should be praising specific strengths before suggesting one area on which to work. If the balance tips towards lots of areas to improve and no real praise I find pupils do become demoralised. So perhaps have a few egs to look at in the meeting and tactfully ask if your DS can have a little more encouragement if possible. Let us know how it goes.

Love mrscb link as usual. Wearing a very sweet jaeger blouse today with my neon pink skinnies, short sleeves, gauzy white with black spots and great buttons and edging. I used to wear it to work but have dug it out inspired by you and really like it with blazer and jeans.

Love faraway tree too! In fact was complete Enid Blyton addict and so excited to share my favourites with the DC. Crossing my fingers they take after me in this dept and not DH who reads the Money section of the Sunday Times and nothing else at all.. red how old is your DS? I too feel that that will be that rare area of parenting where I don't feel completely daunted! Might order that series of books too to have a look at.

mim hope things better today. Would love to know your DD's name (nosey!).

Thanks very much for the Donna aida coda dec. Dithering between mih Paris or 811s though. Then again had thought I was too old for miss selfridge but if my style guru mrscb says not then maybe I should try those...!

Sorry you're feeling grumpy hopefully. More shopping needed?!

Love that green dress annie - gorgeous and such a bargain.

Can I the link to the Gap shirt please ?

Shame about Me & EM dress Decameron glad your are getting out for a mini meet.

Now I was reading about an alternative colour analysis based on Carla Mathis at Body Beautiful. You get 80-90 swatches. Its supposed to be more indepth than just seasons.

The pros/cons I can get HOC locally this other method means going to London.

Finally I tried on my white jeans today and I look fat. So help me, what reduces belly fat and trims thighs quickly.

Slay oh no it's fine. I thought you did the order already, I can wait

I'm sure you do not look fat at all, which type of jeans are your favourite? I quite like jbrands and MiH.

my favourites.

I had jbrand Agnes, I am buying their Kinsey Mid rise not tried MIH yet but, are also trying the Elizabeth & James jeans.

My white ones are just Phase Eight bought last yr in the sale. I want to be sleek not squidgy. I might have to take up swimming or get my my old fitness instructor to come around and crack the whip.

Just had an email from AH about new Huxley bag not me I think.

Money Issues Marsha Sweden didnt put in the ££££ expenses so I darent spend until the end on the month.

Gave in and did another pregnancy test. I'm not (small sigh of relief - would really throw our indecision further up into the air!), so what the hell is my body playing at? I'm sending it back for a refund if this continues. Have spent the entire day shouting at DS1 for minor misdemeanours and practically breaking down every time DS2 cries. Clearly I would make a superb mother of three

Slay every colour analysis method has its pros and cons. The American Sci/Art system is bloody brilliant and narrows you down to one of 12 seasons. The downside is that, naturally, your palette is limited further because it only includes your absolute best colours (what HoC would call your Wow Colours). I think HoC offers a good compromise in that it gives you your wow colours, but also your 'runner up' colours - i.e the colours that tone in with your best ones but aren't necessarily quite as amazing on you (but are still better on you than colours from other seasons). CMB has the upside of giving you a wider range of decent colours, but the whole palette doesn't match itself in quite the same way, so you have to be a little bit more careful putting your wardrobe together. They also don't rate your colours. Oh, and I think the style day that HoC is absolutely brilliant - more revelatory than the colour analysis, and I don't think anyone else offers anything like the same style training.

That's good Slay. I really have to wait to spend what I earn. Thank goodness I get paid the week after.

I had to write off thousands as a bad debt recently and that was soooo annoying. (Since I had mentally spent it before it was due)

The dress was nice enough but not wow. Slay, I don't like the Huxley bag either. The satchel is the one for me! I like the Goldsigns a lot too, and Paige. Going off my Current/Elliots, they are way too low. I must do another clear out.

Thank you, Red, that is very nice of you to say. Just tried to buy your shirt but it's sold out.

Lovely colour dress, Annie.

Hopefully, get well soon.

My-Wardrobe has restocked Supergas if there are any other fans. I need a navy pair.

Back later but wanted to link to these tan and neon sandals from NL here.

Another Enid Blyton fan here, Mallory Towers was my favourite.

blue I lived in Nottingham for four years, lovely city and great shopping. My friend told me that Westfield have scrapped their plans to do up the Broadmarsh centre such a pity it could use a boost...

MrsCampbellBlack I love the styling of that dress, my mouse has been hovering over this for a while, looks very shapeless on the model but could be good with better accessories and bare legs....

Lovely sandals Ollie and Amber I used a Grazia discount and vouchers to buy these which I am really pleased with...

I hope everyone enjoys their Friday evening

Welcome suburban. I very much enjoy reading your blog!

Pfff, forgot everything else I wanted to say. Had an intense day of gardening and writing. Totally exhausted now and lounging on the sofa with DD. Have cracked open the Prosecco.

ollie I really like those sandals. Are they the same style you already have from last year? I am wondering if they can ever be remotely comfortable.

Ohh hopefully Ive been reading everything re colour anlaysis. I think im a Warm Autumn though I am not sure my research was acuurate or in depth enough in the subject. I definitely need a style day, I was looking on the website of Lizzie Edwards re the Body Beautiful Analysis. HOC sounds great but there makeup always look very full on in photos ( okay two photos ).

Decameron I can`t do too low either I will have to try Paige jean if you rate them. Is that a AH satchel or another brand ?

Marsha I know where your coming from re bad debt, we spent alot on a plot of land. Mining reports, architect drawings and solictors fees lost the lot. I`ll be happy when I start to make my own money again.

Speaking of which I collect 1st editions Enids suburban I also like Eileen Sopher. When I open my vintage shop I`ll do a little hommage to her.

I `ll check the sandals out r/l Ollie thanks.

Joins Fritzi with a sparking apple juice.

Slay the make up can look a bit full on as I think they're so pleased with having the perfect colours they like you to wear them everywhere, so left to their own devices will make you up quite heavily, and all the consultants wear too much for their photos (although not necessarily in real life, I have discovered). I wore mostly HoC make up to the MU and fingers crossed no one thought I looked like Pat Butcher...

I love exercising the day after a rest day - Ripped Level 2 was positively doable!

Am so excited about working all weekend. It's been a tough week, childcare-wise, since I have been the hormonal beeyatch from hell, so a couple of days staring at the computer and cutting fabric will be very welcome.

Those sandals look great, Suburban, I will have to try them on. I am impressed with your St Patrick's Day menu, we are both Irish and did nothing!

It's this AH bag, Slay. I am going to do a no spend (can I do it?) for the next few months and get it.

Right, I need a glass of wine. Hope you all have a good weekend.

Loved the Joseph dress too mrscb.
And that bag is lovely decam, but not worth a no spend!
OMG the Whistles top was AWFUL on me! Not navy at all, maybe a French navy. An inlaid peter pan colour with the inlay in lace (can you all see me turning green?) and gaping armholes. Run for the hills..
In fact, most of you would probably love it and suit it (sulk).
hopefully, I think I was about 4 weeks late sometime last year. Very odd, but just a hormonal blip I think. Enjoy your weekend.
I think it's time for wine too, so will be joining fritzi, decam and suburban. I'm going to check out your blog too as it's rugby night on tv here!