Avidly gazing at spring/summer looks, while Wisely purchasing caghouls......

[notyummy]

Hi all!

Sorry about the rain/hairdo situation Hopefully.

I am eating G and Bs Mint dark choc as I write Verity.

Bloody cold here. And wet.

Evening everyone!
Thanks for your supportive remarks re lack of ambition/ feeling lack lustre. pickled- you are right that sometimes one has to tread water rather than make huge progress at work. I guess it is hard to accept and not feel guilty about doing this. I think that both myself and DH tend to have quite high standards and to push ourselves (along with most Drs). It is quite ridiculous but he (DH) would probably even describe himself as being unambitious when he is actually extremely talented and highly conscientious at work.
Strangely, articulating it/ thinking about it has actually made me feel a bit more positive about the situation.

reine- will try to remember to PM you re PIL- pushy doesn't start to describe it!

NSG- so sorry to hear about your poor friend. What fantastic advice from ants and bloss. Ants- don't feel in any way obliged to answer this but have you also suffered a similar loss? Your advice seems so spot on.
I can really see how a friend staying away in that situation could spell the end of the friendship. Bloss- I'm so shocked that your friend actually avoided you. Better to have fewer true friends though, I think.
ants- happy belated b/day for the other day from a fellow Taurean . I love the dress and the bag. In fact, I noticed those bags and thought that they looked lovely for the price.

MIM- sorry to hear that you are struggling too. It seems only natural that you are feeling this way at present- hormone dips, extreme tiredness caused by newborn, disappointment over the BF and then the added financial pressures. It's easy for other people to say don't feel bad about the BF and I'm sure I would feel the same as you in reality. In time, I'm sure you will stop feeling like this as you see DD grown and thrive.
Do stick around- it's lovely having you.

bloss- love the matches outfit. You are not at all old looking and are definitely not mutton dressed as lamb if that is your concern re short skirts.

Just ordered the asos aggies to try as great price in the sale plus these and these except in the apricot colour which now appears to have sold out completely.
I think these look rather gorgeous but they are outside my budget range (and sold out in my size in any case).
I think I will ask DH for these earrings for our 10th anniversary/ b.day present. Something that I would never buy myself so a lovely treat.

Thank you all so much for the advice, particularly Ants, I've made a note of all your suggestions so that I have it to refer to in future and have written and sent a card. Bloss and Decam I had similar experiences when my mother died, people who ignored me or simply didn't mention it which is why I always write when friends experience a bereavement.

MIM sorry to hear you're having a difficult time, I found the first few months with both my girls quite hard and the transition from mum of one to mum of two is a big one. In the early months with DD2 I often felt that there wasn't enough of me to go round and I struggle when I haven't had enough sleep. Take care of yourself.

Amber I love your idea of a W&A blog although I'm not sure I'm stylish enough to contribute. I was stupid enough to give DD2 pasta with tomato sauce for tea while wearing a cream jumper...

Bloss love the black top, I may purchase.

Oh and decam that sounds like a really stressful playdate. After the time i had to clean yogurt off the kitchen ceiling i decided simply not to invite children who behave really badly back again, I find policing playdates too stressful although normally it's my DD behaving badly and refusing to share her toys. She only likes playing with girls so all our playdates are other little girls.

Hello! Only had quick skim so apologies for non-responsiveness but longing to tell you about Bicester joy! Two fantastic purchases, both of which have been long term wants and with huge discounts. Spied WIT's (now discontinued) hot pink Rupert Sanderson heels in the window, hotfooted it in and turns out there was just the one pair in my size. £125 off and I negotiated another £25! So so pleased although slightly at spending so much on shoes, rare for me but I adore them.

Then found the pink anya hindmarch makeup bag I've also wanted for ages at £100 off (think WIT also has this, what a copycat I am).

Could have spent lots in Cath Kidston / white company etc but resisted as can buy from such places easily and discounts only small. Lovely Paul smith shirt for DS in pale blue with tiny red polka dots (!) - very him and he'll wear it with bright red slim trousers this summer.

Quite frankly I'm keen to go back already (a MU??). Didn't even go in mulberry in case I saw the Rosie!

Must go back to bed but just had to send hugs to mim, do stay I love your posts and sounds like you need the kindness and support here. Also nsg it's really strange but a close friend of mine has gone through exactly the same this week and I am devastated for her. The advice here from ants and bloss has been so helpful. I am going to see her next week and will be so scared about saying the wrong thing but just glad she feels that seeing me might help.

Bed! But back with less me me tomorrow. And please can it stop raining now? I'm bored and my hair looks bad.

blue I just imagine a W&A MU at Bicester: 20 of us swarming off into different shops, meeting for wine and lunch a few hours later, shrieking with excitement over our new purchases Love your new shoes!

Bicester MU is genius!

Lovely shoes, Blue. I love Bicester.

NSG, I always write too and I've kept most of the letters I received. I'm adopting your playdate policy going forward. The mother asked me to have her little boy over as she had an appointment. I told DH and he said I will just have to say no next time. He is afraid that the child will hurt DD2. He caused havoc at a party recently, lashing out and hitting other children.

MiM, I also found it very hard going from one to two.

People who have the FCUK Renoir top, is the medium a 12 or massive?

Have resisted buying the Crumpet scarf but the day is young.

Bloss you're right about the prices. Ive been thinking lately "surely I didn't spend that much on them before" (it wouldn't surprise me as I'm quite willing to suppress stuff like that!)
Decam that child sounds quite disturbed. I would say it to the mum. Know it's upsetting but she needs to know. He sounds like he needs intervention.
A Bicester meet up sounds wonderful. I have often dreamed of going there. My junior was at a training course last year in UK and she went down on the train. I was so excited "what did you buy? What was there? Yes you should have bought that!" (we bonded over our mutual love of style, but as a bonus she was also fantastic at her job!)

Blue love the shoes! I remember when you first linked to WIT's. Really fab that you got them.

I haven't been to Bicester yet. Sounds great.

Had a great night last night for friends 40th. Wore my ciggarate pants from Reiss and very very bling gold sequin jacket which I love. Champagne and dancing, what's not to love!.

Decam I am absolutely the same on playdates. After some truly dreadful ones I am now quite selective on mine. Life is too short.

looby. I love those dinny hall earings and have bookmarked as its my 10 year wedding anniversary too this summer! Have we missed your birthday If you are a > fellow Taurean!!?

blue. Love love love those shoes. Am well Jell!!!

fritzi you might be onto something about having a MU in Bicester. Some lovely countryside round there and I am sure we could find a country house to stay in...something to consider??!!

Also we're people serious about a Dublin MU? I'd love to do that. Dublin is a fantastic city. But if we are doing Dublin I'd quite like to book flights etc now to get the best deal.

looby yes I had a similar loss and like Decam and Bloss I lost a few friends as they were soooo useless. Lovely NSG is doing all the right things though and your thoughts will be really appreciated.

Ants- so sorry to hear about your loss, and that you also had people who weren't able to show their support.

Delighted to hear about your night out though- and agree about the Dublin MU. I'd be up for it! May start a list/dates shortly.

Blue- so exciting re Bicester. Great shopping, and yes, another good idea for a MU!

Am soooooo over this weather. Rain was supposed to have cleared by now to allow me to run (was going to go yesterday but swapped it for Jillian because of grim weather.) May just have to get wet, as if I don't go today then tomorrow will be a complete write off. Apparently we have driving rain, 6 degrees max and 40 knot gusts!! Staying at home has meant I have just had a satisfying charity shop clear out though....

Yes yes to Bicester MU! It was such a nice day (despite the awful rain). Great shops, all very quiet, super customer service and prosecco and late lunch at Carluccios. And the babies slept most of the day!

And yes, lovely countryside and places to stay nearby.

Bicester MU would be awesome. I have just slightly arranged a family and friends camping holiday around a trip to Bicester, haven't been there for years. And I'm sure the DCs will have nice time at the campsite with DH and other husbands who don't fancy shopping...

MiM hope you're feeling a bit less blue. It's awful when things get on top of you. As others have said, I found it hit me hard having two once I was about 3 months down the line and everyone expected me to have figured it out by now. TBH I'm still pretty shit at getting out of the house/getting stuff done/parenting DS1 fairly, and it does get me a bit down if I let it (which I don't, any more, on the whole).

I have just got a copy of Insanity from ebay. I am expecting it to be entertainingly impossible . With a bit of luck it will kill my last irritating wobbly bits trouble spots.

Am feeling positive after a trip down to Devon yesterday to check out possible places to live. Have narrowed it down a lot (there are a lot of dives in Devon!), and have a Rightmove search saved for the areas we like. Now the perfect house to rent just has to appear. Also impressed with shopping in Exeter, which surprised me. Now just going back and forth about where to stay to do training (which is running at the same time as the Olympics, so hotels are INSANELY expensive). Lovely to be moving forward with the whole relocation/training/new life thing though!

Just been for quick browse in Matches and emerged with the Toucan scarf and this cute little cardi, whoops!

Was also pathetically pleased that the shop assistants were cooing over my DIY jeans and asking how I did them!

Love that cardigan amber! Hmm, forbid myself from purchasing stripy tops but actually only have one stripy cardigan...

Bicester sounds great! Well done on your Matches visit amber.
ny, would you be okay to organise the Dublin MU? Maybe the locals could pm with details of good central hotels?

Also meant to say your new opportunities sound very exciting hopefully. Good luck with the new fitness regime!

Evening All! lots of lovely links, Really nice dress Bloss and great cardi Amber

I would be happy to help organise Dublin MU. I actually live very close to The Irish 'Bicester Village', it's called Kildare Village, we could organise a trip there.

Mim please stay around, I love your posts and you would be missed, life is long and hopefully still is just a short phase

I have only just come across this blog which the rest of you are probabley ahead of me on, but I really love the colours she wears, and she really does both current and vintage really well.

The weather here is still appalling, so very uninspiring clotheswise.Can I ask what you other women who work outside the home wear to work in spring/summer?

I am lusting after a pair of Pistols and am off to London on Wednesday week to check them out, I have a pair of ASOS Aggies but they aren't very comfortable and I reckon a poor substitute.

Red that photo of you is really sweet.

Thanks Bloss. I have lost count of the times I have fallen off and climbed on the wagon in the last few weeks, so I'm hoping a 60 day challenge will keep me on the straight and narrow (apart from the inevitable blip of a 5 day camping holiday bang in the middle, but we'll gloss over that).

I like the idea of a Dublin meet up. Less so Bicester - I like shopping alone (antisocial emoticon?)

Went shoe shopping today...for DD2 (19m) in the rain and on the bus - she's decided she doesn't like pushchairs any more so it took ages. Managed to get her some though, I think my stress levels hit a new high as she ran amok in the shop meddling with the displays as I tried to eyeball what was on offer. Some old biddy at the bus stop gave me a lecture on DD2 "catching her death of cold" as she sat with me (under the bus shelter) on the way home. I hasten to add she was well wrapped up and smiling! Some people.... I have started my (overdue) tax return and ordered DD1 some school uniform. I know, fascinating!

mim please PLEASE don't beat yourself up if you do decide to stop breastfeeding -YOUR wellbeing is important too. And please stick around.

hopefully I went to uni in Exeter - fabulous town with beautiful surrounds and I believe the shops are pretty good too. Maybe I have student rose tinted glasses but I love that part of the country, wish there were some City jobs there!

amber you could start a jeans biz. seriously! do a job lot and stick them on ebay with a premium price?

ants sounds like a fabulous bash and fabulous outfit

Big wave to everyone, I as usual am behind on recent events here.

sorry have I missed Red being in the paper or something? any links?!

and ants very happy belated Birthday to yooooooooooo!

portia, I wear my winter clothes, but with less denier tights and a more lightweight scarf