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.

Everything I think in the second month some of the workouts are an hour. Which won't be too much of a leap from 42 mins, I hope! Will have to get more efficient at getting chores done before the DSs are in bed.

Annie that must have been terrifying! I fell down the stairs with both DSs when DS2 was only about 10 weeks old, we were all in a heap at the bottom and I honestly thought they were both dead for a millisecond. I was absolutely hysterical, was awful. Saying that, I've been v lucky since with two very late movers (neither crawled till 12 months, DS1 walked at 22 months I think, DS2 showing no interest yet at 14 months) so both have had a bit more sense of self preservation by the time they were tackling stairs etc, and some understanding of a shrieked "stop!" so minimal baby proofing required.

hopefully and annie that does sound scary!

And annie don't say that about Gone with the Wind - I am looking into riding lessons for DD1!

I don't imagine you do have time for exercise given everything you already do - there's only a limited number of hours a day! I struggle tbh although I need to tone up before holiday next month - and am only managing at the moment when DD sleeps and DH is working from home so I can nip out. I pay for it working until the early hours of the morning instead of doing it during her naps though...

I have just finished. Earliest finish this week so best get off to bed and catch up on a bit of sleep! Body combat during tomorrow morning's naptime...

So happy: DD went to bed at 8pm and just woke for feed now, her best ever sleep! Know I'm lucky (amber I'm in awe of your stamina!) but DS was just so amazing at sleeping that I have slightly unrealistic expectations.

Loved all the tips about DC clothes, thank you.

Art class (as I call it to DS, it's a lovely arts and crafts activity session for toddlers) and lunch at my mum's today, then hopefully will escape into town with just DD. Want to get to whistles, topshop and jigsaw. And boots desperately. We go to Majorca in less than 3 weeks and need to get myself sorted!

Ummmm....hello everyone from Australia! Real life has taken over from internet life a bit here, things are very busy still, but i wanted to wave to you all and let you know I am still keeping up with your W&A doings (although missed the details of NY's trip, I think!).

Remember how I said the shopping was bad in Australia? Well, it is, especially online, except for.....

this place. Design your own shoes, they'll custom make them (so extra narrow for me) and then remake them till they're perfect.

i've linked to these little beauties I just ordered as a well earned treat (although am fretting about my blue trim and versatility). Be warned that if you start designing you may spend all day there.....

www.shoesofprey.com/shoe/14VLN

Morning all.

Great to hear from you Roary! The short version is that trip was AMAZING. Travelling was remarkably unstressful and DD a complete trouper and al round great travelling companion who lapped up all the new experiences. We are now up for a similar 'big trip' (when I can get DH to commit the min £10k needed for something similar....)

Annie and Hopefully - those falls sound so scary. DD fell down the stairs (we have hard wooden floor at the bottom) when she was around 18 months. We had a stair gate too, so I am still not quite sure how it happened. Luckily I was in another room and didn't see it happen - but DH did and is still traumatised! I just heard him shout 'DD!' at the top of his voice and then heard the thumps as she tumbled down the stairs and a loud 'SLAP!' as she hit the wooden floor really hard....and then mercifully a voluble indignant scream. She didn't even have a bruise. So glad that DD is being so calm about it all Red - she looked v cute in the pic on FB.

I am also impressed with all the exercising. Still haven't bought Insanity - will show it to DH this evening and see what he thinks. He is a creature of habit and does like Jillian. I am not sure if I can wean him off!! We did NMTZ yesterday with mostly 5kg weights and my thighs are feeling it this morning. Managed to run on Saturday and Sunday and plan a run tonight whilst DD is at Rainbows.

Suburban - thought the article was v balanced and the photo was lovely.

Blue - so glad you got such a good stretch of sleep from DD!

SeventhEverything - re the babyproofing; they definitely need it less after a certain age and I got a lot more relaxed when DD hit 3/4. Having said that, when she was nearly 4 I caught her trying to feed a little friend Calpol during a game of hospitals .......that she had climbed up to the top of the wardobe to get (using a chair balanced on our bed!!) We got a lockable cabinet after that. This was the same playdate where she had already dialled the real life 999 operator to tell them that her teddies were sick, and came to find me in the kitchen saying 'Mummy, this lady would like to talk to you.' .

Nice dress Amber.

Am struggling to find my work mojo after a fun weekend and a rubblish nights sleep last night. My outfit and the weather are not helping - they are both rather 'meh' and not lifting my mood. I recorded Swallows and Amazons for DD yesterday morning and we started watching it last night. She was utterly glued and wants to know when she can go sailing and camping on her own....

Thanks for the feedback re the Dublin MU ladies. Looks like there is a clear winner with the date and the accommodation too at the moment. If anyone else has any thoughts then just PM me. I will get in touch soon with some narrowed down costs etc.

Roary, hope you are enjoying life in Australia. I like your shoe design, I love a bit of leopard print.

That's a good chunk of sleep, Blue, good going.

Fleecy, I rode from age 5 for about 15 years, hunting, hunter trials, used to exercise racehorses, etc and never broke a bone. My father regularly broke ribs though, ouch.

NY, your DD calling 999 really made me laugh!

My DD2 still can't crawl so haven't done any babyproofing yet, but better get the stair gate out of the attic in preparation.

Goodmorning All

Roary, I was just thinking about you a day or two ago. I can't believe you've had to resort to designing your own shoes in Oz. How are you finding being a SAHM?

NY, we all watched S&A here and my 3 are busy planning exciting adventures - did children ever really have that much freedom? A family bike ride around an abandoned WW2 airfield yesterday is about it for me and exercise. It is great that both you and DH share the exercise 'love'.

What about you, Hopefully, is your DH into it all as much as you are? I am in awe of your level of planning and dedication - well done! You have even managed to inspire Marsha .

Blue, glad DD has found her sleeping mojo, long may it continue.

Lunch today with some friends - may wear my new navy blazer which makes me feel like WIT everytime I put it on. Have a great day everyone.

Get The Shred for £4.99 - bargain or what.

Pickled DH really doesn't enjoy exercising as much as I do (the chance of getting him out for a 5:40am run is approximately nil), but he loves the effects - looking better and being fit enough to rush round with the DCs all day without dropping dead at 5pm, so he puts himself through it. He's hoping for a bit more time sailing when we move, which he does love, and will serve the same purpose. He's thinking of building another boat . It does take some serious planning to fit in a sensible amount of exercising, but I've decided that until I'm at the fitness level I want to be at, I am viewing it as just as important as eating, sleeping and showering. I wouldn't compromise any of those, so I'm not compromising this.

NY maybe you could tempt DH with the Jillian Body Revolution - a bit less, umm, insane than Insanity, but from the reviews on MFP seems like a good solid 90 day fitness program. Although not a time saver, as it sells itself, as it wants you to exercise twice a day, or do 2 dvd consecutively, making it quite a bit longer than Insanity. My DH, also a creature of habit, was disparaging of Insanity and stuck with Jillian, but 6 days in is already making noises about fancying something a bit more cardio for a few weeks, so I anticipate him starting. Not sure he's actually fit enough though - I'm fitter than him, and I am nowhere near being able to keep up yet! Definitely fitter than a week ago too.

Blue glad you're getting a bit of sleep! I got two bad sleepers, but at least exhaustion with DS2 didn't come as much of a surprise after DS1 .

I would whinge about my lack of clothes again, but since I have whinged about that every day this week without actually doing anything about it, I will spare you all. Maybe I'll wander into town for a browse later. DS2 can just mainline raisins and cheerios while I shop. He's such a pain in the pram...

Hopefully Ok am trying to find this Insanity dvd on amazon. Is there a single one for around five pounds? Or is it the set (! at price)

Marsha I think you can only buy the set, but I think most of them are on YouTube if you want to see what they're like and have a run through before committing - I can tell you the order they go in (it starts with the 'Plyometric Cardio Circuit' if you want to hunt that down first). I bought my set on eBay, and am intending to eBay it when I've finished, so hopefully won't be too out of pocket.

Ooh thanks Hopefully. Will check it out on you tube first.

I'm sure you will be able to get it back on ebay.

Am in love!!!!!! Acne boots have arrived with kurt Geiger discount. Creamy, soft gorgeousness- and with 25% discount I think they count as a wise purchase!!!!
A little narrow and a mild panic that the wrong size had been sent until I undid the back buckle......but am sure they will be worn enough to merit the cost. Definitely recommend them- does not feel like a 4inch heel- which is what I call a result. Off to admire some more......although DD is already asking "are you keeping those" which may hint to recent buy and return history.
Have a lovely day everybody.

Glad you like the boots, AlwaysRunning, nice to get them with a discount. I keep looking at them in black, I should have taken DH up on his offer!

You are very inspiring with your exercise, Hopefully and NY. I keep starting and stopping Shred. I have a bad cold and not feeling up to it at the moment. That's not the right attitude, is it!

A quick little question- are there any runners on this thread? Am impressed with all the shred etc talk too and do find exercise is such a mood lifter. I have a charity place in the great north run and am now v v scared. Has anyone done such a race and have any pointers? Have no time to join a running club and am a bit lost as to where look for inspiration. There does seem to be a lot of fit ladies on this thread and am hopeful some one might have done this before and have advise!

Just popping in with some red carpet dress porn....

Alwaysrunning - I do quite a lot of running and have regularly run half marathon distances, although not this year (currently up to about 8/8 miles.) Let me know if you have any specific questions, but in no particular order my thoughts are:

• You need good trainers and a sports bra. Visiting a 'proper' runners shop (i.e not Sweaty Betty or Sports Direct!) to get these and get some general advice is useful.

• I cant do distance without music and have lots of play lists to keep motivation high. That's an individual thing though - and some races don't allow ipods, so worth knowing what the case is for you.

• Dont try and up your distance too quickly. And if you want to do it properly, efforts sessions and hilltraining really, really make a difference to your endurance and fitness. It takes iron will though! You can try running tabata sessions using a download from itunes called 'Touched by Tabata'. Basically, you sprint as fast as you can whilst the music is playing and then walk v slowly when it stops. 8 sessions, lasting 4 minutes.

• It can be good to have a least one session a week that doesn't involve running to challenge your body with something else and help avoid injury. Some kind of core strength work is good as it develops back strength, which is important for running.

What did Rachel Zoe look like?

Rachel Zoe is so wee! And solar cheated.

I want to be Paula Patton, she has the most incredible figure. Saw her in Mission Impossible (5?) the other night, she's fab.

Solar cheated?!

Should be 'so flat chested'. Love the iPhone.