AVID and WISE: This is the place where you can harp on about your new buys.

[FritziGreenEyes]

Sorry about thread title. Hope everyone is back from holidays soon and will find us here.

amber Which JBrands did you get?

bonsoir I tried on those two tops in Cos before Easter and was tempted too. Bought a simple navy dress in Cos and shoes, which are not on the website . Will return this top. Cos is great at the moment I think.

Decam I like the 'Does my bum look 40' blog. I'm planning to check out the M&S girls sandals she linked to on my trip to Westfield.

I'd love to be able to pack light when going away but when I did that last weekend when we were visiting relatives I ended up having to ask if I could use their washing machine... DD2 picked up a bug (on top of the teething) and was v sick. My uncle and aunt were v good about the fact that she'd projectile vomited over their spare bed but I suspect we won't be invited back for a while.

Oh and Annie I'm terrified about DD2 being on the move because we have stone floors downstairs. Friends have lent us a playpen, I didn't have one with DD1 and am not that keen but i think I may need it. Lovely that you're going to try for DC3, DH and I keep talking about whether we want another but so far haven't made a decision. I suspect we probably won't and given my age we'd need to try soon and I don't think I could cope with a small age gap.

Amber I was thinking much the same about her 3 of everything rule.

Blue biker jacket quality pretty impressive for the price, I think. Not absolutely fabulously amazing, but feels robust and like it will last a season or two of the kind of hard wear that I inevitably give my clothes. Which reminds me, must go and try them on and decide whether to keep both colours I ordered.

Liking this lightweight cashmere sweater from the new Pure Collection stuff, but the colours are all just too wishy washy for me. Really want another fine cashmere sweater - I wear my Inhabit one all the time.

We haven't decided whether we'll go for three DCs - decided that relocating and me (fingers crossed, depending on meeting on Thursday) training as a colour consultant was probably enough change for 2012!

Given the way I'm coping with the DSs at the moment I'm not feeling entirely broody though . Am feeling v blue about my ability to cope with them at the moment - DS2 is phenomenally high needs (has been since birth, but worse than usual now) and basically screams all the time he is not physically touching me, and DS1 is finding that a bit hard, and it exacerbates his own anxiety-prone personality. And he is having gut issues which cause him loads of further anxiety, and so his behaviour is significantly less than perfect. And my patience levels are somewhere around floor level with all of it. . It is doubly tiresome because I find my energy levels low which means I scoff chocolate snack a bit more than usual. I don't think even this morning's run and a Jillian session this evening are going to counteract the full back of mini chocolate biscuits I consumed earlier. I have just input it into MFP and tried not to snort at having about 500cals of meals today and 1100cals of chocolate.

My DSs are largely dressed surfer dude style, with a bit of Monsoon knitwear thrown in. I figure they've got no chance of pulling off neat and tidy with their blonde mops and my ironing skills, so they might as go for casual-chic

There are some really lovely green dresses around at the moment. Loved this Reiss one esp the idea of silk layered over grey jersey.

Thought this dress would suit you classic dramatics - or vice versa (still not got a handle on all this personal style thing!) here

Like the blue dress ollie - I seem to have a thing about blue dresses and I really don't need any more!

blue I have seen a few TS floral skinnies come up on eBay recently - worth saving a search and seeing what comes up?

looby glad you had a good time away.

DD1 like your DD1 dec with a love of pink. I'm hoping if I let her and don't pass comment, she'll get bored of it soon... DS is a little dude and lives in skinnies and hi-tops ( <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=grey+hi+tops+h7M+boys&hl=en&client=safari&sa=X&rls=en&biw=1280&bih=617&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=O2P2pzOsT72w1M:&imgrefurl=www.stylenest.co.uk/kids/best-of-childrenswear/childrens-high-tops/&docid=FiE44xv4K2wfVM&imgurl=www.stylenest.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/grey-and-Neon-high-Tops-HM.jpg&w=306&h=390&ei=JFuMT7ayPKKR0AXY_82_CQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=348&sig=116406401135925065396&page=1&tbnh=133&tbnw=136&start=0&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:67&tx=65&ty=53" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">these are my current favourites). Got him some little silver aviators the other day - so cute! DD2 rarely dressed. Mainly sleepsuits still. Have bought her loads though so should start dressing her more

amber can you link to the Raoul bag again? Sorry but I can't remember seeing it.

red I forgot to say that I have also got your Warehouse leopard sandals. They were sold out here but found them in Jersey over Easter so snapped them up.

Lovely dresses Ollie

Decameron / NSG I love that blog. She has a killer wardrobe and doesn't look anything like 40. Had a look for the M&S sandals, but couldn't find them

Blue I have had my beady eye on the camel version of WIT's mini Gracie for a while. I really hope it goes in the sale at some point. Have also been on the lookout for some floral skinnies and have a similar jumper to the one you linked. We seem to have very similar taste. :)

Thanks for the maxi skirt advice, Amber and NY. Think am going to try the bias one annie linked to in case it is more flattering than jersey otherwise I will have to invest in some serious spanx.

Meant to also say thank you to Looby and Verity

Verity about your DS do you think things will improve when he has a new teacher next year? I hated one school I went to and my confidence and grades improved incredibly after I eventually moved somewhere that was a better fit would that be an option? It sounds like an incredibly stressful situation for you and him.

Hi everyone. Really sorry to hear that about your DS verity. Must be so difficult for all of you.
Emotional here today as my little dd started nursery in her little uniform (yellow and purple). She has been beside herself with excitement with all the photos of her siblings in their uniforms up round the house. Found it really hard, even though she goes to the childminder every day. It was her innocent wide eyed excitement that got to me.
I'm a bit out of sorts too ny. It's my shampoo making my hair greasy (please remind me which one you use again decam), my new comb, the freezing weather, the not knowing which coat to take.. It's mid season jet lag for me!
Had the most embarassing moment today, comes from living in a small town. The parcel force man bought my boden package to school, as he saw me there one day and joked he wouldn't have to traipse up the hill to my house anymore. Then the dippy receptionist bought it to class. All bright boden package. Mortified, never shopping there again, never getting anything that will need parcel force-ing again.
I have missed loads, but will read up and be back later.

Ah, bloss, could have been worse - Next or something...

Amber you do make me laugh

Bloss - I really rate kerastase shampoo and I never use conditioner just a touch of their elixir ultime on the ends.

Suburban - you are teeny - no way you need spanx.

Just lost a big post. Grr.

Was agreeing re green dresses Ollie - lovely. Saw a nice one in the Telegraph on Saturday - here.

Laughing at Hopefully's calorie split - mine I am sure is often the same because of cake intake! Felt so out of sorts today that I could only manage my power yoga DVD. I think the stretching/strength bit did me some good. Out running tomorrow morning. The hills I did in Aus really made a difference to my speed - I ran 10k on the treadmill on Friday in Singapore in 47 minutes which is really fast for me, and it didn't seem that much of an effort. Sadly there are few hills in Lincolnshire so I am not sure this form will last. I don't quite have the self discipline to push myself to do efforts on the flat, which is what I would need to do to continue the improvement.

So pleased you had a nice time Looby - we did universal studios and the Zoo and loved both of them. Plus quite a few temples etc.

Lol Amber

My god I actually slept this afternoon. Two hours, felt like I was falling. Dh here today. I think I am in post work detox!

ny that is bloody fast by anyone's standards!

Verity thanks for the link! After I have recovered from the strain of doing a project without childcare I am on it. (Zero paid cc is insanity btw). Which is tomorrow woohoo.

I'm sorry to hear about your ds. Stressful for you and him. I really hope he is a bit happier soon x.

NY my beautiful marathon running friend does hill training too and says it helps with timing. Difficult if there aren't any hills.

Suburban do you do exercise? You look great < ready to take notes>

Am I the only one that thinks the back of the green dress is a bit rare?

Did your little DD love nursery then Bloss?

Verity, I thought you were half joking about your DS not wanting to go to school. How old is he again? Am I right in thinking that you have had a meeting at school to try and work things out? We have one scheduled with DD's (age 10) English teacher and having spoken to her already, I'm not convinced that she has 'unconditional positive regard' for my daughter .

Suburban, American Apareil have long tubey maxi skirts in all colours under the sun, agree with MrsCB that you do not need spanx (nor do you NY!). I love the mini Gracie btw.

nice stripy cowl neck top to go with white jeans.

NY that is incredible.

Bloss about the parcel. I feel very bleurgh today aswell, have developed a rash all over torso/arms/chest/neck I think from using different washing powder. I also keep reminiscing to how much nicer the weather was this time last year/year before (DD's b'day this week so can remember) and becoming irrationally angry that it is still so cold.

Thanks Marsha. I go through phases with proper exercise (gym and running) but haven't done any since before xmas . I can't drive though so walk with the buggy a lot. I also don't drink very much. And don't eat after 5ish when I have dinner with DD. This seems to be the main thing, I put on half a stone earlier this year when we stayed at my parent's for about 6 weeks and I ate most some of DDs tea followed by a full meal for myself later in the evening. I really like this book for loosing weight. Tend to loosely follow her rules, eat cake for breakfast most days, but then soup for lunch and meat/veg for tea.

Really ought to start exercising again though because have become v wobbly hence need for spanx. Does anyone have recommendations for toning exercises I can do at home?

Ooh yes I eat at 5 with dc and no carbs then. My diet is good actually, I'm on the cusp of big fitness thing. Tomorrow! I might even break plastic on the Shred.

French way is good, I grew up with it (in an unlikely place).

I'd just like white for summer so far. Pretty white skirt and top.

Blue, don't Topshop have floral Leighs (saw them on the Does my bum look 40 in this).

I like her because I am 40 (EEK) and she seems to live in skinny jeans and scarves, like moi. Those sandals she linked to look good but I find thong sandals very uncomfortable.

I should shred but I'd really rather go running and I can't at the moment.

Hopefully, that sounds very wearing. I always tell myself (through gritted teeth), just a phase. Best of luck with the interview.

I had a playpen for DD1 but she screamed blue murder when I tried to put her in it so in the end I just used it for toy storage. I haven't bothered getting it out for DD2. We have flagstone floors in our kitchen.

Bloss, that is hilarious about the package! They do look so grown up in their nursery uniforms. DH got a bit teary (very unlike him) when he saw DD1 ready to set off on her first day and said sadly that she isn't ours anymore.

My Boden summer preview order arrived too, just keeping this in navy, a good fit so going to get it in green too. I thought it was my Acne boots being delivered, AlwaysRunning, but sadly not. I will let you know if they don't fit and I have to return though I may just amputate my toes if they are too tight.

Sorry, Verity, I missed that bit about school, your poor DS2.

What an epic posting day - have been racing around trying to get the car fixed, get DH's birthday present organised (tomorrow - so disorganised), make him a cake and sort out my job start date, following a play and lunch-date for DS this morning. I had a look for the Soap & Glory buffer for you Fritzi, but there were just swinging tags where the hordes of rampaging M'ners had done some kind of smash and grab .

Someone very wise on here (Fritzi??) once explained that they get their DC clothes in a 3 colour palette so that everything will always match when they dress themselves. I have stored this in the bank.

Fleecy those leopard sandals were excellent on holiday - can see that I am going to get a lot of wear out of them.

Verity I'm so sorry DS is so miserable about going to school - have they been any more supportive than before?

Bloss I am a Kerastase convert now. This is the one Secret Santa sent my way and I love it. What a dappy receptionist - who would actually hand-deliver a Boden parcel in the middle of a lesson??!

Suburban, I used to have that book, must get it again. Really don't think you need Spanx!

Oh, yes, Bloss, that's the shampoo I use too. :o Or sometimes this one. Also, this conditioner

Eejit of a receptionist Bloss! But they wouldn't even recognise the brand probably. Over their heads completely.
My Miu Miu bag is black shiny (but not patent leather) with gold hardware. It's big enough to carry during the day, but small enough to use for night time. I really like it. Have a chocolate brown one as well, that DH got me for my birthday 6 years ago, they are still doing it, just different colours slightly.
That's so sweet Decam, my DH gets very emotional as well, when he thinks of them growing up, and "leaving us". I on the other hand dream about it. (joking!)

Rufus, I think we are cut from the same cloth!

Fleecy, your DS's shoes are too cute. I like dressing DD2 up and have some lovely Mayoral and Emile et Rose for her, which were DD1's. She keeps pulling off her bib and they are getting ruined. She'll grow out of them soon anyway.

Decameron you are probably right. Warns everybody off this body dismorphia inducing skirt.

Red I will be sure to go that with DD's clothes in the future. She has put together some shockers lately.