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.

Hi, internet connection very slow for some reason but boots arrived & are fab. Really comfortable, my usual size would have been too big. May have to get them in black next winter. Happy days. Though they do make me very tall, I'm 5'9 as it is.

Charlottery, I love Me and Em too.
Bloss, maybe say something to the receptionist? Is the scarf big?

Verity, would the principal be more sympathetic?

Pickled, glad you found a suit. Yes, pregnancy cankles, not a look I enjoyed.

Back later when broadband recovers. Interesting about jobs. I liked what I used to do but not sure there would be many roles in Ireland for me. Maybe in a few years.

Hi all.

Welcome Charlottery - good to hear you have got some inspiration!

Verity - so sorry to hear about the school issues. So all consuming for children, as it is so much of their world - like being deeply unhappy at work I guess. He sounds very bright and you must be very proud of him.

Pickled - good luck with the prospective interviews. I think that amount on a decent suit is absolutely fine if you will get plenty of wear out of it (i.e it is quite classic so you will be able to drag it out in 5 years time, even if your day to day life doesn't involve wearing suits everyday.) I have a couple of suits that came in well over the £300 mark, but they still look good and are going strong 4 and 8 years on respectively.

Hopefully - glad you are getting the chance to draw breath. The attachment thing sounds so stressful and I can quite understand why you need a break. I had a tiny taste when DD was about 8/9 months old....and I only had one....and she was in nursery 3/4 days a week (she was fine being left at nursery - although would cry if she couldn't see her key worker - , but would cry if I left her sight at home. I found that really hard to cope with and frankly it sounds like what you are dealing with is a lot tougher.

I am having a skin focus week at the moment. Like the sheep that I am I have ordered the glycolic peel stuff after reading the thread here. I am also intending to book in for some treatments on the small red thread veins I have on my nose and cheeks. I bought the Bare Minerals primer at Heathrow duty free and it is very nice, but my current new love is the Garnier BB stuff that DH bought me as a little pressie on Mothers Day. I never have much time at all to spend on make-up, so something that doubles as moisturiser/spf and is very light (don't like much coverage for everyday) really works for me. I love how it just makes my skin look like a slightly better version of itself without being 'done' and is so easy - just like putting on moisturiser. I bought the fabled Elizabeth Arden Night TReatment serum in Duty Free at Singapore (where it was LOT cheaper than the UK) but haven't started using it until I finish my Clinique serum stuff.

decameron great that the boots fitted. Now becoming a little obsessional about finding a bargain pair......really like the acne star ones here too
www.farfetch.com/shopping/women/acne-star-boot-item-10189332.aspx
But am determined to find a bargain....can't believe I got beaten to the 39s!
Have had a mass eBay selling session to help fund a pair! Also lusting after these beauties too
www.selfridges.com/en/Womenswear/835-skinny-jeans_114-3000993-835K120/
But as there is snow on the hills outside my window they may have to wait

Have looked at that Reiss dress a few times Decam but since my last Reiss dress experience I have been scared off them a bit because of the sizing. The 10s were so huge and shapeless on me, but I am certain I would split the seams apart on a size dress (round the 'seat', certainly ). But perhaps I just had bad luck.....

FLE it doesn't really fit with the workbook, but then neither does the Me & Em and it is great on me, so I know I can push the boundaries here and there (I am reliably informed that having Dramatic allows one to push boundaries wherever one pleases ). Dress is pretty dead on the knee on me. I'll try it on again later with shoes and accessories and see if it brings it back into my type or if it's too grown up for me.

You are al so lovely about me having child-related meltdown, thank you. I really feel a bit incompetent finding it difficult to cope when so many people manage perfectly well (and I am sure I am not the first person ever to produce a clingy baby), and you are all making me feel a little bit less silly.

Post some pics for the W&A jury Hopefully?

Im stewing on the Reiss dress. I loved it far more than the Helmut Lang or Jospeph dresses. For the first time ever I have emailed a company requesting they produce the dress in a different colour

ARIH my new grey Jersey blazer was H&M and the navy one I've had for a couple of years was Vila - but very good quality and wearing well.

Is there an Isabella Oliver code flying around at the moment? Thanks!

Ollie I might just do that when I'm back from town (have 300 returns to take to post office and DP).

I am typing one handed. i have just cut two fingers quite badly leaping down the stairs singing Born To Be a Dancer. DH pointed out that, just possibly, I was not

Hello All.

Sorry for not posting - we had a hideous stomach bug in the Mim household yesterday. Seems to have passed though, and obviously losing 2lbs shouldn't be sniffed at!

Red - I will PM you re DS clothes - will be having a sort out over the next few weeks before our loft starts, I will have stuff for you. Does she need things for all seasons?

Oh bloss I totally understand, I would have been fuming too. What on earth was she thinking? Good call though Amber, it could have been worse!

Hopefully can you post a pic of the Me&Em in the heather colour...please, pretty please? Sympathies on the DC situation. It's really hard when you are in the thick of it. Hope you are feeling a little rested after having DH at home.

Verity so sorry to hear about DS, very upsetting for all of you. As you say, next year, new teacher which hopefully will bring happier times. Hope DD is better, and you finally get some alone time soon!

That dress is lovely Ollie, such a shame the colour is a bit too out there. Could it be dyed?

No foot files here Fritzi, I looked in both the feet section and the S&G bit too in Boots.

Great that the boots fit Decam. What a great bargain.

I am also in agreement that WIT is upduffed. Without doubt. I love the 40/arse blog. She has a great wardrobe. Fritzi, I felt the same when I was reading it...she is very polished. However, you have a fabulous figure and very swishy hair too.

Took DD into town today, she is an excellent shopping companion.

Had a look in the White Company. this made be think of MrsCB.

Ollie I saw the linen sweater you like - suspect it would be much easier to wear than the Whistles one. So, I changed my mind!

Had a bit of a trying on session in HoF - very nice black and white striped long line top in Day birger. Too see-thru though and not good on my post partum tummy. They had the most beautiful rose coloured scarf though, cannot find a link to it, but it was lovely.

Tried this on - but holes too big for me. Also this which did nothing for me colour wise. However this looked good on, and could be a useful summer dress, especially with a white scarf and tan sandals. Although not sure if it looks a bit too 'hanging' from the back. Can purchase yet anyhow as still have weight to lose, but I have my eye on it.

However,I am making a calorie laden tomato and goats cheese tart for dinner, which will not help the cause.

What would your ideal colour be Ollie?

Afternoon All,
Lots of great posts. Must be an Irish thing Decam and Rufus my Mum used to threaten us with the prospects of living on the North Strand where the tenements used to be if we didn't work hard!

Verity sorry to hear about Ds having problems, my nephew ,same age ,had similar issues but changed school last September and is now thriving.

On the subject of a third Dc. We have a 4 year gap between DD1 and 2, and a 7 year gap between DD2 and 3, Dd3 is a joy, and we wouldn't be without her. Having big gaps though I think has made having 3Dcs easier, the down side being that I will still be at the school gates for many years to come!

Hmmm Pickled how about blue or grey just for a change ? Id love it in a steel blue with say a grey or even a coral jersey layer underneath. The top layer was a silk mix I think so no to dyeing it I think.

Its really affected my mood this afternoon - silly isn't it!

Im still faffing with linen jumpers *MiM. Love that navy dress - but no surprises there given my thing for navy dresses. Ive given up thinking about what things look like from the back - I have enough trouble getting things to look from the front!

Another white broderie anglaise dress here

mim The Whistles navy dress is great. The Me&Em Tulip could be good for you too?

MIM pictures of the fabrics of both new Me & Em dresses on my profile now. I did take one of me wearing it, but for some reason it was incredibly burry.

And for anyone who wants to give an opinion, I've also uploaded pics of me in the Davina. Second picture down is it with the sleeves as they are, top picture has them slightly folded away - am wondering if it's worth getting tailored to a slightly less classic cap sleeve. I can see it being a useful dress for extra-formal work-type occasions (not that I can think of any extra formal occasions I need to go to, but, you know, I might do one day). Maybe if I ever did some corporate work...

Fritzi - I have that Marc dress on my long term wish list - just need it to be vastly reduced in the sales.

MIM - hope you're all better now. I saw that dress too but too shapeless on me - the white co really need to make their stuff less voluminous in my opinion.

Ollie - phone Reiss and ask if the dress is coming in any other colours - is it viscose because that dyes really well.

I've just realised that (a) my desk is a mess and (b) you can see my discarded jeans in the background. Whoops.

Thanks for the pics Hopefully. I am a dither now. I like both the grey and the heather. Hmmm. I think the Davina looks amazing on you, very flattering. Discarded jeans is the sort of thing I'd do.

I know what you mean MrsCB. I find that lots of their jersey dresses just have too mach fabric in them.

The Me&Em one is very similar Fritzi, although Whistles one is cheaper.

I laughed at your getting things to look good at the front Ollie. I apply the same rule to my hair!

Its says the dress is 100% viscose - not sure about that - grey layer was stretchy jersey but top green layer was thin crepe-like material. If you dyed it, you'd loose the contrast between the two?
Hopefully as our resident dyeing expert, what think you?

MIM are you fair? I think the heather would be better on a fair skin/hair person than me. And I didn't in any way hold it up against DH to determine this . Thank you for the Davina opinion!

Ollie viscose should dye (although it can be funny if mixed with other fibres), but I think the only colour you'd get over that green would be dark green or possibly navy (but it would probably still be green tinged).

I couldn't fiind my Shred so I had to run. A long one. It hurt! I felt sick! I welcomed red lights. But I did it

First of many. and even managed a fast bit to fave pop running song.

Dh laughed but said well done.

Curses have just lost lengthy and witty post!!!

Have had a couple of lovely days pottering. Have borrowed a bike from a friend (proper 'ladies' bike with high handlebars and a basket) to see if I am ok pottling around on a bike. DH took me out yesterday for the first time and I managed to wobble my way down to the high road!!!

bloss my toucan scarf arrived today too and is a keeper!

Am not really in the mood for buying anything at the moment as am trying to loose weight and am having my colours done on Tuesday but am very tempted by whistles at the moment. Love the Sylvia blouse and the 60s knitted top www.whistles.co.uk/fcp/categorylist/dept/shop#ID=id_903000058117_newin_GBP&category=newin

Also fancy a jersey blazer. Zara seem to have some nice ones.

ollie I tried on those sandals you saw in Massimo Dutti. Unfortunately the strap was too tight across my ankle. The shame.

Well done Marsha- how far did you go?

Hopefully- Davina looks great on you! I like that heather colour, but the world of colour (a la FLE and Bloss) is a bit lost on me so I may have got it hideously wrong!

These are the Massimo Dutti sandals. www.massimodutti.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/duttigb/en/30109452/152166/832504/HIGH%2BHEEL%2BSANDAL alas not for me but perhaps for those of a more slender ankle?