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.

Hello! Sitting on the train on my way home from the interview - I thought it went well (should have done, the amount of bloody practice I've been getting). But a big and then a bit more , they want another person to meet me before confirming the offer. Fourth interview! I've told them I can't take more time off work, this process has already cost me a grand in lost earnings and childcare, so either needs to be evening or my days off.

I wore my trusty Maxmara dress btw. And I am heading straight home rather than shopping because I've got a shocking cold and need to go to bed. Sorry, I sound a bit grumpy (cos I am atm!).

Pickled, I hope yours went fabulously, let's compare notes later.

I am a fan of LinkedIn, it's a great way of maintaining contact with people who you'd normally lose touch with - I forward jobs I hear about to people I know are looking, drop people a note when they change jobs, and shamelessly ask for favours as well. I've had recruitment agent approaches through it too. Look me up anyone if you want to 'connect''!

Morning All!

Good to see you back Mim

I'm not familiar with that brand Fritzi(there's a first!) but it really is nice.

Best of luck Apuski and Pickled today.

Am wearing my biker jacket today for the first time in forever as it has stopped raining! Still rather chilly though.

I went to see Salmon fishing in the Yemen last night with some girl friends, it really is an enjoyable movie, I think that I''l bring my Dad to see it, he is a very keen fly fisherman.

Best of luck with the move Verity

Running in in an attempt to ignore the carnage that currently constitutes my house - painter working in the bathroom, and have a friend's DSs over for a few hours to help her out - fairly easy as playdates go but lego and playmobil everywhere.

Lots of luck today Pickled and Apuski

Sounds like you have had a bit of a lightbulb moment MiM. Great that the loft conversion will soon be done.

Ive been meaning to recommend this book - The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. here

Proving a very enjoyable, gentle and funny read. its also a recent film with Maggie Smith and Judy Dench - about a group of elderly Brits who go to live in an old people's home in India. Wish I had saved it for my upcoming holiday as its perfect holiday reading material.

Speaking of which......I need some help putting together my wardrobe. Haven't really done a resort based holiday before and this one looks quite chic. Couple of posh restaurants and couple of brasserie style ones. No idea how warm the evenings will be as apparently it can be quite windy Daytime outfits sorted but not sure about evening attire - have a couple of dresses (eg breton one) which could work with tan sandals etc but worried about legs turning blue if its chilly! Do you layer with cardi's over tops/dresses - or just sit inside in the warm?! Im probably over-thinking this. Do people even dress for dinner these days when on a resort?

Do you have any maxis Ollie? But seriously, might help with the legs thing. With flats, wedges and a wrap. I am sure it will be a real mixture clothes wise, with some people wearing adidas shorts and old tee shirts to dinner and others looking smart. I would err on the 'relaxed dressy' vibe. Skinnies and heels with nice tops; maxis - perhaps a 'dressy dress' as an option. Are you driving or flying? Will obviously influence how much you can take! I am still mourning the lost wardrobe opportunities in Noosa, where dressing up at night was very much done....

Apuski - not surprised you are cross. How annoying. Hope cold is better soon.

MIM - how lovely to hear from you. Sounds like some helpful insight around the relationship with your mum and how colours your view of the parent you want to be. Really hope that helps you to gradually process the emotion around the feeding issue.

Ants you are incredibly wise and thoughtful. MiM, it's great that you're processing all of those thoughts - have you ever been to talk through it all with someone (I have a vague recollection of you having done so)? With all that has happened for you in the last few months, it may really be worth going for some counselling. I don't get to spend the periods of time with my close friends that I would like to and often, DH is so bound up in my day-to-day, that he can't be as emotionally supportive as I might like him to. Not saying it is the same for you, but if it is, it may be a useful thing.

Ollie I think a maxi or two is a good idea - even if it is windy, I hate putting on skinnies at the end of a hot day - feel too constricted (although I am not someone who deals well with heat). Having said that, I'm not sure you have any maxis.!

Aouski that is very irritating indeed. Hope an answer is forthcoming.

Sending you lots of endurance to get through the next few days Verity; I imagine you can't wait to be back in your house.

How has it all gone Pickled? Thinking of you lots. The thought of setting up a tutoring thing has crossed my mind. There was another woman in the room with me tutoring at the same time yesterday who is making a living from it, going to houses and being in schools. I quite like the camaraderie of a staff room though.

How are the vests Decam? A worthwhile buy for anyone else?

Hopefully this Insanity stuff sounds, well, insane. Good luck with it.

Ollie are these the jeans from the MU?

Maxis and a couple of cardigans sound like a good idea, Ollie. Do you wear the navy jeans?

The vest is a good basic, Red, nice and long but go down a size as the reviews recommend. Wish I'd bought the other colours. I also bought this which I am wearing today with skinny jeans à la 40 bum.

That's annoying Apuski, though sounds like they will offer you the job.

I'm also on LinkedIn though at the moment I mostly get requests from former colleagues asking me to write recommendations.

Hope your move home goes well, Verity.

I forgot, I also got this stripey top, which is a nicer shape than the Boden one I have been wearing. I have avoided IO 365 up until now as it reminds me of maternity clothes though they were the best of a bad, bad bunch.

Lovely stripy top there, although have banned myself from buying anything more of the stripy variety (famous last words). Has the code now expired?

Afraid so but there is also a 15% off code (LUXE56).

That is very annoying Apuski.
Very envious Ollie of the resort holiday. Another drab day here.
NY I second the glycolic acid, although I'm not able to tolerate it for longer than 3and 1/2 minutes. Do think my skin looks clear and polished (!) if that is a good thing. My sister keeps commenting on it anyway and she is eagle eyed about these things!
Glad the colours have worked out well Verity, I should have got you to consult on mine. Fear my hall is rather night club looking at the moment. I suppose that might be a good thing depending on your perspective. DH likes it. Dd hates it and she thinks the kitchen is snot coloured (hope you've all finished your lunches!), but I think the kitchen is lovely. It's a greeny gold tone. Lemon curd apparently on the colour card. I think the colour trend historic colours are lovely. Have you seen them? Isn't it funny how you can be attracted to a colour by its name? Parsons stone for example? But if it's called classic beige? Yeuck!

Ohhh, my foot buffer is here. Will start buffering now!

So exciting Fritzi. Keep meaning to have a look in Boots here. I'm an avid foot scraper. It takes very little for my feet to achieve Hobbit status.

Thanks for all the links yummy I was very lucky that I got an invite to join a local business forum where the administrator is brilliant for things like that,in fact I haven't managed to check them all out yet but am happy to forward them to anyone interested in starting up themselves if you pm your email address.Also I have been reading a few books which I could also suggest.

sits down next to hopefully with notepad poised for twitter revelations.

apuski I am not surprised you are irritated..I am feeling a bit irritable myself,probably hormone related..

Meant to say hope you've had a lovely day away from the office emo

Lol at Rufus's Hobbit-like feet.

Verity, glad the paint colours worked out...nearly there now...have some to help with the packing and put on some loud music with a heavy beat ("I'm gonna wait 'til the midnight hour" is running through my head).

Emo, you didn't dye it red then ?

Apuski, you sound pretty confident - well done for not slapping the interviewer around the head with a wet fish and yelling 'just make a decision will you!"

My interview went OK. It was a lot more technical than I had anticipated and so I bumbled a couple of questions. That plus the fact that they were interviewing all day from 8.00am to 4.00pm (45 min slots) means that I'm not holding out too much hope. On the plus side I was v. pleased with my outfit - new navy suit with brightish Mango chambray shirt, navy opaques and black shoe boots. Also made the right call by taking my yellow bag. Very swish environment...would so have loved to work there. If I don't get the job it won't be for the lack of good wishes .

MiM, you are entirely different from your mother, don't sweat it .

Just a quick one from me as need to sort out the DC still.

I had my colours done yesterday (so much excitement in my life) and it turns out I am not a Deep Autumn but a Winter.
I couldn't really see what the consultant was seeing initially but could see that all the deep jewel colours suited me, particularly once she had put a bit of make up on! Fortunately, I love all those colours- deep reds, blues, greens, pinks. I also love grey and have been avoiding it recently. The paler colours from the Winter palette weren't as good on me and even white was better below waist. Black was okay but charcoal and navy much better. Funny as one of the reasons I didn't think that I was a Winter is because I don't think I look good in white and only okay in top to toe black. V dark brown was fine, although not a W colour.
A little disappointed that I can't wear orange (you know what I mean by can't) and teal as I love those colours but a girl can't have everything! :)
Quite excited now at the prospect of mixing some outfits with plenty of colour confidence!

By the way, has anyone tried Uniqlo slim fitting chinos? They are on offer and was thinking of trying some- possibly the white in case we have 5 minutes of sunshine this year!

looby congrats fellow winter! I have the chinos, they are good but v long (I had to use the free alterations service to have 5 inches off the length) and I do find they are a bit baggy by the end of the day, but imagine that is the case with most chinos. I find the fit flattering though which is the main thing!

I have pale pink Acne chinos which I love. But I do have to iron them which makes me reach for the skinnies. whoops

Am slightly addicted to shredding at night now, and feel a bit rubbish if I don't every night.

Pickled good outfit, Looby well done on the colours.

I'm quite taken by this Max Mara dress. (although should probably steer clear of the black). And wish the model was standing a bit straighter.

I really can't see you in black marsha. It is a lovely dress though.
Well done on having your colours done looby. It is a lot of fun in the months afterwards experimenting with different shades. (Says she dressed head to toe in black).
Just had to do a double 6w6p, and am still over my calorie limit. I blame the DCs. Have been sitting with DS in the tv room watching rugby reruns since 2.30 finishing off their sandwiches etc etc. I have also been awake since 4.30 when he decided to call out, then went back to sleep himself. Grr. Never mind. He's not this poorly often.
fritzi, that Burberry Brit parka needs to be completely waterproof. That's what we want! Style and function!

Hope you are nicely tucked up in bed apuski. Do you still want the job? I can't believe the expense you've been through. I would be livid too.
How stylish you must have looked today pickled. Your attitude sounds very healthy.
Hi to everyone else. If anyone is still interested in my Violet Lake obsession, there was a 20% off thing the other day, and I bought this top and these bottoms. Bottoms are fabulous, top not so, so I'll have to swap for another of these.
Where are you going again ollie? I'm going to go completely against the maxi brigade and suggest tailored shorts. Love the big earring suggestion from reine, but do I remember you don't have yours pierced?

Oops, just realised you wanted to keep you legs warm. Ignore me. I'm delirious.

If anyone fancies a more muted version of the toucan scarf see here - cheaper too!

Did the make up for DD1's school play this eve - they all had to have foundation, blusher and mascara (even the boys - not sure the audience would have noticed but I had fun doing it and DD1 LOVED that I was involved) really lovely evening. DH is seeing New Order this evening in Brixton - reliving his youth.

apuski that is very annoying, you're quite right to insist that the final interview must be at a time convenient to YOU.

verity I am excited that your home is almost ready... you're in the home straight!

Have just ordered this navy dress from Cos which I tried on in a smaller size today, in the right size it will be fab.

I got this Massimo Dutti cardigan today - I am a marketers dream, all the girls in the shop were wearing it with navy trousers and white shirts and it looked so lovely, even on the brunettes!

does anyone need some pretty light pink slightly glittery flats?!