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.

Oh I'm all about the free time. To do what I want. That's what I buy with my freelance. Gives me the impetus to find something that is well paid for hours worked.

Will be bliss!

Thank you ladies - I have heeded your advice and have an easy meal on the menu, (more) chocolate ready for a bit later and not much else planned (bar panicking about how we are going to afford a new car - which looks like the upshot of this afternoon's debacle).

I do think there's something in the portfolio career option Verity - I'll see where this little bit of tutoring takes me and go from there (whenever it starts - am waiting for someone to phone me with a start date, 2 months after applying...). Pickled I like the idea of running sessions etc, but at the moment I would need childcare to cover after-school sessions as DH isn't back till 6/7 and I wouldn't want to (and actually couldn't) shell out without making something. Fleecy that's a big factor for me too - I've put DD's name down for 2 days at DS' nursery from September when she's 2 and can't really do anything before then that isn't evening/weekend work. I was toying with applying to do a funded MSc in Social Work as a lot of the jobs I like the look of (Parent Support Advisor etc) require you to have a Social Work qualification. But, two years of f/t study? Not sure about that.

Annie - DH just would like me to earn enought to support my shopping habit but yes obviously nothing that would impact upon his life

He does work hard though - his life is much harder than mine. I used to work in the same industry as him and it was very stressful - I have no desire to go back to that.

Just want to shop for a living really

MrsCB perhaps we should set up as SW Image Consultants. We could start a blog .

Red, another friend recently started an MSc in Social Work and decided to put it on hold a few months in. She has 3 DC, youngest 3 and her DH is a teacher in an Independent School (long days but long holidays). She just found it so difficult to juggle evrything but may go back to it when LO starts full time school.

About the after school sessions, my friend manages because one of her friend's DC goes to the drama club and she is happy to have my friend's LO while she is hanging around waiting for her DC.

Annie, I heard a Kiwi chap on the radio this am, a mad speedracer, and thought of you .

Red sorry you're having a crummy day. Hate days like that (too many of them round here recently).

I am all about the portfolio career. Hope to add back in a bit more journalism again one day, keep the fabric selling, be a colours consultant, who knows what else?! Luckily come from a family of reasonably successfully self employed people(no millionaires, but all happy with their choices), so not too alarming to think about. Plus DH much prefers being employed, so he will always be trying for a steady income.

Me & Em khaki dress currently languishing in a dark olive dye bath. Eek! Will fish it out when I have DS1 back from nursery and see how it dries.

Red, how about running children's parties? Saturday or Sunday mornings, just a few hours, £150 maybe more. Can you paint faces? They could be themed with drama and storytelling .

Oh Hopefully, I'm so exicited about the dying expt - can't wait to hear/see? the result .

DH is off travelling for work this week so I shall be seeking company here .

Yy to portfolio. I love being able to say not that today. Not cc, no work or yes.

Dh has a great life. I'm not stopping til mine is as good as his .

Hope it turns out well Hopefully.

Pickled I was nearly doing stuff like that with Monkey Music back in London (remember I got a job, was about to train and then DH got the job down here?), but not sure how I'd feel about going it alone. Sorry, it sounds like I'm objecting to everything you're suggesting; I do appreciate all the advice and thoughts very much. Part of me would like something I can just go and do, earn my wage and come away from. Interesting to read about your friend who did the MSc - if I remember my NQT year, which was hell, I imagine that it would not be wise to inflict the Social Work degree and NQT year equivalent on my family.

I like your philosophy annie - that you've fallen at the first hurdle so what the hell! You really can't win sometimes can you?

Ouch amber that sounds painful.

Shopping for a living sounds wonderful mrscb - I sometimes look at the NAP vacancies and dream of applying for some web copy or editing work but it's all London-based and f/t and I'm in Norwich and work p/t. Styling would be even better but I have no experience of that!

'Part of me would like something I can just go and do, earn my wage and come away from'

I know exactly what you mean here Red and that is probably exactly what you need atm, now that your DC are so time consuming little.

Off to pick up my lovely boys, catch you later!

annie I don't mean you personally! Thought I'd better clarify after being so picky with pickled

Dress is rinsing in the machine. It's definitely darker but impossible to say by how much just yet. If it's good I think I'll wear it to meeting tomorrow with ankle boots and eBay bargain ASOS blazer. If not I'll probably wear my cream zipped M&S dress.

Asked a friend what she thought of the LKBennett dress and she said that she always thinks of my style as "I'm with the band" whereas the dress is more "I'm with the government". Made me laugh.

Hopefully I like the dress on you. But your friend may have a point! Are you keeping it?

I think probably not. It is definitely incredibly flattering and a great colour, but I literally can't think of a single occasion I'd choose it for over a more casual dress. I think I'll try it on once more before deciding though.

Good idea.

Hopefully - maybe I should order a Davina then - I AM with the government .

Or perhaps I am just looking for an excuse to order yet another dress....?!