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.

MiM now you've got it out the way, things can only get better. I shall share the story of my first foray into toddler group with you to make you feel better (not that you sound like you're feeling bad - very positive and calm, actually). DS was acting up when I fed DD (knowing I wasn't able to pursue him), so at the exact moment I chose to feed her, he bolted for the door of the playgroup (which was open as some stupidly faffing Mum and her DD came in), which went on to a main road (he was only 22 months so I had to pursue him quickly). DD started howling as I jumped up to race after him, with no time to pass her to someone else. I ran to grab him, with one boob hanging out (did I mention the main road?) and DD desperately trying to latch on. Caught him, put him under one arm and got DD latched on again, although my artful scarf arrangement was by now, ruined. The thing that annoyed me the most was that no bugger offered to help, but they were all in hysterics.

I love the Whistles dress and imagine you will get plenty of wear from it. I have been mulling over this whole work thing perpetually for the last 24 hours. No easy solution, hey?

Sorry to hear about your eczema Suburban, you must be in a lot of discomfort. Can't offer any advice, but have you been for full testing to try and see what the triggers may be?

Ollie your dreams are brilliant. Just brilliant. Love the sound of your cake.

Fritzi hope the literacy thing goes well. What have you decided to do?

DH is at a Governor's meeting tonight and then off to a stag do for the weekend tomorrow afternoon. I could have really done with a nice family weekend to remind myself that all I'm doing is worthwhile. Nevermind. DH has pointed out that I often get into a bit of a malaise whenever we return from Cape Town. He's probably right, but am feeling deeply miserable and occasionally weepy. Need something to look forward to!

Thanks Verity and MiM think will try cutting out Dairy and then Wheat next week and see if it makes a difference. Don't think I could manage both at the same time.

Red but cannot believe nobody helped you. Sorry you are feeling blue. I think it can be so hard when engrossed in the mundane life of looking after little ones to step back and appreciate it. I cannot think of my career or lack thereof for too long without breaking into a sweat. My very wise Dad said it makes good economic sense to take a career break in a recession when less people are being promoted etc anyway so I am clinging to that. Can you get out and do something nice with DC this weekend? Some nice farm parks round these parts.

Eczema mercifully not that uncomfortable, but very unsightly and outfit limiting.

Suburban, great trousers. Sorry about the eczema, hope it clears up soon.

Red, that's so mean that no one helped you.

I like the Lana bag, MrsCB, a bit like an LV Speedy but nicer.

Great dress, Mim.

Verity, DMBL40 has great scarves! I want her Mulberry finches scarf.

Hope your DS gets a place in the school you want, Apuski.

We have DD1's fourth birthday party tomorrow. I have loaded up the fridge with prosecco for the mums and ordered everything from Party Pieces, Amazon and Waitrose. Easy peasy! Fingers crossed it doesn't rain as I have a pinata for the garden.

I like the sound of your book club too, Ollie.

And glad the dye job worked well, Hopefully. I am tempted by the pink heather colour but no money left this week!

Back from meeting and all good to go for our big adventure . Now to plot relocation. I wore my freshly dyed Me & Em, bargain eBay Asos chestnut brown blazer, long Stella & Dot necklace and my Aggies. Rather pleased with it all. The downside is that I have to spend the evening combing through a million page contract.

Decam hope the party goes well

Mim well done on surviving and not flashing your boobs to the street a la Red (sorry Red, I'm sure it was awful at the time. Good anecdote though!)

The Davina is definitely going back, will package it up tonight. I'm sure another gorgeous dress that is more me will come along one day.

Have just had half a glass of pink fizz. I may fall over.

The dye job looked great hopefully. I'm with you on the davina, gorgeous dress but if it doesnt really feel like you then you'll never feel truly happy in it. I loved the TS leather roxy-alike but felt like I was playing at dressing up in it.

suburban I have those TS boots and really like them. Love love those floral skinnies but I need a budget alternative please . Hope your excema clears up quickly.

red I think it's natural to feel low after a lovely holiday. I find shopping helps. Hope you feel better soon.

Really interested by the sahm / wohm / portfolio careers discussion. Definitely agree with portia that the grass always seems to look a little greener on the other side. Nice to hear stories of successful returns to work. I absolutely loved my job teaching English but mostly feel that giving it up for a few years was the right decision. Often wonder how I'm going to combine a return to such a demanding job with two children and a workaholic DH though... Hope everyone struggling with decisions at the minute find some answers and balance soon.

Some great stuff in the IO 365 catalogue. I like this dress in both pink and black.

Raining again today. I was the only mum without suitable rain attire at DS's gym club yesterday . Just been out to get DD's passport photos done - roll on Majorca! I just need sunglasses, heeled sandals and some earrings. Think I might get these

Well done hopefully! Great outfit. I love pink fizz.

suburban sorry to hear about your eczema, as others have said it sounds like it could be food related. I get it occasionally on my legs and find that Eucerin cream really helps. Like the jeans.

Red that is some first outing tale. Mine (DD throwing mother of all tantrums, lying on the floor wailing 'but mummy I need you' while I was feeding suddenly doesn't seem so awful). My DH often has to work weekends and I find a weekend of solo parenting after a busy week really tough. I often resort to a Sunday afternoon DVD and popcorn, especially if the weather's bad.

blue I'm so impressed that you're so organised for your hol. I've just realised that we're going on holiday in just over a month, I haven't even thought about my holiday wardrobe, I need to get summer clothes for the DDs and the thought of having to wear swimwear in public is truly terrifying. I think this may be my only option

on a slightly more serious note, do you think if I do lots of Jillian plus using MFP and sticking to 1200 cals I can lose a stone in a month? I've been doing 6W6P for a week and according to DH I look "a bit less wobbly"

I think it's possible grumpy, but you'd have to be strict with the 1200cals (not cheating at weekends like I do). Would be easy if you could do 30 mins running per day as well as a Jillian.

For fear of being called obsessive again (sister yestersday), it is Net 1200 after exercise, not before, so running would give 300 and Jillian 240, so you could eat 1740.

notso I'm not really organised, I just like daydreaming about outfits!

mrscb have you seen the picture here of Helena Christensen in the Marc Jacobs white sundress?

Yes even dh is leaning towards dealing with hideous jet lag for a bit of sun result

I want white, but top and skirt. I got the weights, couldn't read these posts in John Lewis but got 2kg ones. Should be ok I think.

Saw some great suede wedge desert type boots on a tall blonde and have decided I'd like some. But suede is terrible sometimes.

I keep looking at NaP and logging out, bit non plussed. That can't be right!

Red how are you feeling? Sorry to hear you're a bit blue, I have no doubt something good will come your way work wise and otherwise.

Hopefully good decision on the dress. I like it, but now I think there is no way I'd by it unless I had a work reason.

Suburban I like them!

FLE it's a 10.

I need to get back on the healthy living wagon - I have let jillian fall by the wayside this week. However am going to have mini-bootcamp weekend as DH is taking the boys to MILs. Have grand Exercise Plans for tomorrow, sat and sun, which will hopefully kick start my willpower again - have been having too many treats this week and feel rough as a result.

So, the Davina's going back. Think I will also return the heather Me & Em - two colours of a dress seems sufficient, right? Don't want to have no money next time an insanely flattering dress appears in my life. Although it would look good dyed dark brown...

FLE. I quite like Jillian's mantra, which is something like, "if it didn't grow in the ground or have a mother, don't eat it". Although she allows dairy and eggs (do these count has having a mother, do we think?) - makes you think about all the random ingredients in practically all packaged stuff, even healthy things.

Hi everyone,meant to come back to post yesterday but a bit of a crazy day..had a meeting early evening straight after school run(DH held the fort)with fellow business start-uppers..I clearly do not get out enough,I couldn't stop talking and think I must have come across like Muriel from Muriel's Wedding,am almost too mortified to go back..even DH was and by my recounting of some of the 'witty' things I said

Anyway moving on!hope ants is having a lovely bit of time off.good to see you popping in looby and apuski

red I often find when I run to help a mum or child at playgroup there are a good 3 or 4 people standing much nearer who don't take a breath in their conversations!am sorry to hear you are feeling a bit down..post holiday blues are a drag,try to let it pass before you start planning the other stuff.

mim I can honestly say that it is my friends who work 'part-time' who are getting the toughest deal and yet everyone holds it up as the holy grail.

I really like the idea of a 3rd child but i have got to the point where I really want something for myself again..hence a business..a replacement baby that make me money rather than bleed me dry!

Hope you all enjoy the party dec

please don't talk about bad eating habits..I ate a carton of pralines and cream while watching the last episode of 'the killing' yesterday and have just eaten 300 cheese sticks!I went a bit crazy over easter with junky stuff and need to reign myself back in..

(how far have you got with 'the killing' fritzi ?)

Reine - that's a plus in my book. I LOVE Muriel's Wedding - and Muriel - and I often think there are similarities between her and me (a bit clumsy - particularly when drunk - and the ability to waffle to random people.)

You're terrible Reine.......

for notyummy ...though I'm hoping we dress slightly more stylishly than lovely Muriel(hides huge cache of leopard print items)

Argh am late for my date with Steps, thanks South West No Trains. Have colour blocked with purple American Apparel bodycon mini dress and red McQueen scarf, tied together with Pistols and black leather biker. Oversized clutch from Zara to finish the look. I know you were all waiting with bated breath.

Will catch up post-Tragedy.

Reine, your excitement at starting a business is palpable and I have definitely reacted similarly to you when I haven't been getting out much. I once went to a research meeting in London having not mixed with academics for a while and came out grinning from ear to ear (and feeling like a complete fraud).

Yes, I love Muriel too!

Hopefully, congratulations - glad the outfit meeting went down well.

Blue, you won't be after these then?

Fritzi, thanks for the last night. Have you got your lovely DH back today? Hope your school event was a success, bet you're glad it's all over.

Aghhhh. Am shattered! Dd had 'friend' round this afternoon and behaved dreadfully the whole time. Any advice on encouraging sharing? She's not too bad with children her own age or older who can negotiate but she always seems to play up with this boy who is 6 months younger, much less verbal and v easy going. I hate having to keep nagging and telling her off as it just makes her more stroppy but can't let her get away with snatching and screeching every time he touches something.

Am wearing pre preg jeans out of necessity as sick, wee and tomato puree have necessitated 3 outfit changes today. May try a brief foray to shops at weekend now I'm back to a more acceptable size.

How long are you going to keep us in suspense reine?!

Enjoy steps Amber. My university housemates and I once stayed up until 2am learning the dance to 'stomp''. I can still do the chorus
So fed up with rain.

pickled you are no help at all! . Have been trying not to think about them as I adore everything about them except the price. £240 just seems too much for something that is so this season. Wish I had a crystal ball and. Id see whether they will stick around. Surely TS will get some more in? I really like 40 bum lady's (bad name) pair. Keep looking on eBay it it none in my size as yet.

Hello icey. I have had just that sort of behaviour from DS with certain children and find it stressful. No real solution but agree that the nagging can just make them more stroppy and intractable. I have tried lots of praise and focusing on the good behaviour; talking lots in advance of the arrival about what I expect and which toys he would like to share; getting more involved in their play rather than expecting then to play nicely by themselves; and even hiding particular toys that I know he'll struggle to hand over!