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.

Icey big congratulations to your dh!

Pickled I'm thinking a white pretty skirt. Actually while googling what I'd like I saw this Mulberry dress. Something like that, I quite like that but it could be a bit short.

Not sure about the run. I think I commit early in the day then psyche myself for a good one. I just did shred and actually it could be a good warm up. I find the first 5 minutes harder then get into the groove. In a week or so (when I am a bit fitter!) I might shred then run. Think it will be better.

And yes Pickled and NY to the country house. What a great idea!

And Cornwall sounds lovely btw. I'm lucky to see my family often considering the huge distance. I mean it could hardly be further. But I'd happily plonk where they live in Cornwall, S of France... or even better a nice part of London, quite frankly! But hey it's all good (as they say in Aus).

Tee hee Hopefully I think I'd end up waking even earlier if I had to do that!

(ps I said no carb at night earlier, but I forgot I have loads of veg so wasn't true, I am low carb not no carb)

Hi everyone. Well done on the shredding marsha!
Weekend by the sea sounds lovely dauphin
Hope mrscb is having a lovely time.
Have been in Chester, all of us, buying, ahem, shiny red shoes for dd amongst a other dc related necessities and DH who needed new indigo jeans which he wears to work and buying a 32" waist from 36"! That is what giving up lucizade and taking up mountain biking has done for him!
Nothing for me but I'll have a few free Wednesdays soon when exams start so will go then. Alone.
Also got a bike seat for dd and a cute bike helmet.
Turns into a long day though when you have to stop with mil.
DS crying. I take it Munster are beating Scarlets. When is it wine time?

Country house would be fabulous. But yes, black tie dinner absolutely essential

Have just more or less cooked my fingers ironing some bias binding. Ouch.

Yy to black tie would be great.

Bloss thanks! It's good stuff. I'll join you when the scrappy upstarts are in bed. Oh hang on maybe a bit sooner . Well done to your dh!

Big yes to country house idea. Wonderful.

Had an excellent afternoon with friends at a soft-play centre (needs must) and got home with kids tired enough to be transported directly to bed. Steak and salad with copious amounts of wine and enjoying The Voice hugely.

Grr, I forgot to record the Voice and by the time I'd got the bots in bed, it was well through, so I shall have to wait until tomorrow to watch it on iplayer. DH is having a city night out, so I'm about to settle down for a solo evening. With

Country house idea is fab.

Dauphin, I meant to say earlier, so sorry to hear about your dad, tough to deal with.

Ahem, the boys in bed; I don't actually have robot children! (hmm, though I can see the advantages!)

at Apuski's robot children. Can I have some?

Unlike most of you, I am thrilled DH is away as it means I do not have to ensure The Voice. bloody hate it.

Have had a great day - lots of work, good run, L3 Shred, an epically long phone call with FLE and now enjoying a couple of chocolate truffles with tea before I fall into bed

Was this the sort of place you had in mind Pickled amazing house to rent for a weekend
My sister has stayed here and said it was wonderful. I love it purely for the stylish grey lounge and dining area.

DS1 passed his swimming diploma. I was more nervous than him. They make a huge deal of it here - parents and numerous relatives standing all round the pool, a walk-in parade by the children to thumping music, bloke on microphone shouting encouragement and even an underwater photographer! All good fun as it turns out. DS1 just took it all in his stride and was even waving/sticking tongue out whilst swimming past! He will now take lessons for the next level of diploma.

Missed The Voice as had friends over for takeaway. Can't access iplayer so will have to comb You Tube tomorrow for the highlights! Did anyone stand out?

Morning.

Congratulations to Icey's DH - great news, and to DS Ollie.

Took DH for a very quick browse around the shops whilst both DC's asleep in the buggy and tried on the navy Whitles dress, which he thought was quite shapeless on me. I did suspect it was too. However, this blouse got the thumbs up and I could see it working well with black/red skinnies.

We are off to look at bedroom furniture for DS and wardrobes for us today. The thought of a bank of wardrobes with integrated storage for scarfs and shoes makes me weak at the knees.

Happy Sundays!

I loved the Voice last night. Some amazing singers. ollie that house looks amazing. I would be up for summer weekend there.

Totally agree with all the wise words re bottle feeding MIM
Have FF 2 of 4 DC'S and BF other 2,only for few months though.
Cannot see any difference between the four of them,IFYSWIM

Am loving DMBL40 blog,although find it a bit samey in that she wears skinnies every day.Love her scarves though and will try ebay for FC top.

Due home today after week in Lanzarote so not looking forward to temperature drop or putting summer clothes away.

Continuing holiday talk,we do 2 weeks in Cornwall every August and it is my favourite holiday,especially if sun shines.We like The Lizard,not as crowded and beautiful scenery.

Love that house Ollie- amazing. If we went in the off season and filled it, it really wouldn't be that expensive...

Good work with the shredding Marsha! Have your weights arrived yet? DH and I just did L2 shred followed by L4 Ripped. 'twas hard- especially after NMTZ yesterday and 9 miles on Friday. Will give my body a rest tomorrow I think.

Frustratingly, Outnet order due to be delivered tomorrow when there will be no one in all day. I am hoping they will leave a card and I can rearrange delivery for Wednesday when I will be working from home.

Hope you all have good Sundays and dodge the showers!

L2 shred, L4 ripped = masochist ny!
Meant to say marsha, I did 10 days of each level initially then repeated whichever I fancied over the next year(!), increasing the weights, doing the advanced version. You could move on to Ripped in 30 which follows the same 3-2-1 format, then, and this may not apply to you, target your problem areas with either Killere Buns and Thighs, or my favourite, 6 week 6 pack.
Running will burn more calories, but Jillian gets you strong and toned.
Oh also wanted to say wow, we'll done icey's DH. That is my goal for the future.

Thanks NY! Lots of inspiring exercisers here, definitely helps. I am aiming for and shall be happy with pretty much half what you do. So 5 miles I think, well for the next 6 months. 9 miles is amazing.

I carried the 2x2kg weights home from John Lewis. I realised after I paid that it would curtail my shopping.

Cornwall sounds great in summer. If we don't go to Aus dh gets to choose. And he'd like a Scandanavian country. I have a huge desire to be where it is light late so I'm really keen. A beach villa would be ace.

Thanks Bloss. Tummy dealt with first I think.

Must, must, must get back to shred. God that Tracy Anderson Mat method, but she is so bloody annoying. Really, you have to see it to believe it. She just loves herself.
Dauphin you are tiny, tiny, tiny.
NY did you try the GA schizzle yet? Is it a new you?
Bloss I am so impressed with your DH. 36" to 32" just by cutting out lucozade? Very impressive.
Decam what a good party.
Had a bit of a splurge this weekend and bought this Hoss dress but in an olive colour this weekend. Also got this Zara tee in an (almost) fluoro yellow. Think it looks really good with white vest layered underneath and indigo j brand skinnies and my [[http://www.ashfootwear.co.uk/womens-c1/ash-orchid-tan-leather-sandal-p297 new Ash sandals which are just great for schlepping around in.
Also got this white lace dress in Zara. Will look good if it ever gets warm and I get a tan.
Sorry for me, me, me post. In a rush, a friend is coming over to collect my old McLaren buggy.(no more use for it here, thank God!)

rufus, he admitted to sipping lucozade sport all day at work where a normal person would sip water!

at MrBloss! Yeuck. I quite like lucuzade, but the sport version....

hi all - love the country house idea but black tie without men "dressed up as James Bond" to ogle at? hmmm!

ollie well done DS on his swimming - the whole thing sounds quite unintentionally comic (unless of course one has a DC participating!)

had a scoot round the shops yesterday afternoon and came home with a mini chopper for the kitchen and some anti moth hangers. Living the dream. I picked some things up in Massimo Dutti but it was taking forever to pay and I was not feeling very patient - now of course can't find them on website - gah.

anyway big wave to everyone - sorry I haven't been posting much recently, work is nuts (and not much fun at present) and I need to keep reminding myself that life is not a race nor a treadmill and family is way more important (to me) than the minutae of working life.

Afternoon all,

Am zombified on sofa after a few horrendous nights with coldy baby. Have literally had to sit up with her in my arms all night. On the plus side I did manage to watch you've got mail, and catch up on the soaps... Have stuck Songs of Sodor on for DS so am being assaulted by cheery children's choir drivelling on about sanctimonious trains. Happy days.

Realised today I haven't bought an item of clothing for over a week. This is impressive for me. Am reasonably ashamed that I am impressed.

Need to get back on Jillian's wagon, sick DCs have severely interrupted my exercise regime. Am hoping to do L1 Ripped tonight and do the full 30. We shall see.

Sorry for me me me post, DD awake now...

Hmm yes I did think before we might need the male quotient for balance. Whose dh is feeling brave?

Hope you get a break soon Emo.

Amber if you do a Jillian tonight I will. My spending has been under par lately.

Back from a couple of hours as a friend's house celebrating her daughters birthday (the Dutch are very good at holding grown up parties to celebrate kids birthdays). Loads of amazing Spanish tapas (friend is Spanish) to scoff whilst sitting in the sun with some Mums from school, DH and DSs enjoyed it too. Love afternoon's like today.

Marsha several people I know are going to Norway or Sweden on holiday this year - its something DH and I have talked about for maybe next year. Ive been to Sweden a couple of times - such a beautiful country.

Dauphin DH and I have just finished watching The Bridge (friend lent us the dvd set). Had to watch it in Danish with Dutch subtitles so didnt really get everything that went on but DH said it was a brilliant tv.

Pickled the country house thing was a dream I had (whilst sober ). My sister's friend hired that house for her 40th and got caterers in to do an evening meal. Will remember this idea for my 50th!

Looking forward to the Ash feedback from MrsCB

Loved catching up on The Voice. What a shame Danny paired Bill and Max together tho - they both have great voices and loved them singing together.

Result! Didnt realise The Voice was on this evening - pleased I saved the Ben & Jerry's and didnt offer it as pudding to unexpected dinner guests last night