Avidly plotting to Wisely splurge. Come on the sales!

[blossoming]

Just bought the Me & Em maxi. Well I had a code..

Big hug for you Emo. Is shit to have to sit and think about all of this in his absence without being able to talk it through. Hope you can find some equilibrium. Amber's right though; no one can claim to have the perfect lifestyle and everything comes at a price. My friends used to gush about how lucky I was to have a DH who could be home by 4 with me and was so involved in DS' care, whilst they did it all on their own. We were in a poky flat and spent nearly every evening in because we couldn't afford to go out (still can't really), whilst they were in very, very different circumstances. No. Easy. Option.

Ollie am very pleased you have found such a lovely maxi. Can see you looking gorgeous in it.

Sorry to hear that your trip home wasn't as relaxed as it could have been - I completely get that. On my Mum's first visit home, on a walk with DS, she was completely aghast at all of the grannies in sole care of grandchildren and told me in no uncertain terms that she would never do that but would be happy to provide financial assistance in place of it. She really said that! Love, love your bag.

MrsCB the Marcie is equally divine - a forever bag?

Fritzi I think you will look amazing in those jeans, as will you Decam.

Had a really good trawl on the COS website - some great bargains to be had, particularly with old AW11 stock. Nothing for me, but have a clear mental picture of how I want my work wardrobe to look.

Agree that HN campaign is in particularly bad taste. Yeuck.

Have half an eye on Secret Eaters whilst posting and babysitting - it's outrageous!

ny I am afraid I don't know. Any way you can check with the guest? I am sure they wouldn't mind being asked - in fact they may be very appreciative of your consideration in doing so.
bloss do report back on your St Tropez stash
dona I hear the Marcie is REALLY heavy - the Chanel sounds divine!
portia I concur with the others - how the past year has flown.

Thanks for the support you lovely lot. DH just got back drunk and swearing and angry (at the world, particularly his company who sound like they are going to rip him off on a bonus, not me) I cannot say how much I dislike him when he is like this.

Anyway, with lack of DH bonus in mind I am going to make a concerted effort to "change things for the better" starting with making a list of all I have to ebay and sell second hand to a) declutter and b) get some handy £s in. Onwards and upwards as they say.

and yes I agree the HN campaign is puerile, offsensive and certainly doesn't encourage me to shop there.

The lady on Secret Eaters seems to be dressed solely in Whistles - Roxy, wild meadow dress and triangle dress spotted so far. It is deeply pathetic that I know the entire Whistles back catalogue. Does anyone else do this?

Agree that the last year has flown - what with Portia's DD returning and Decam's DD2 turning 1 (that I cannot believe!). Is your DD 1 soon too Amber?

NY, my sil is lactose intolerant and can only eat dark choc.

Thanks Red. DH was out a while ago and came home ranting that he saw not one, but two sets of grandparents out walking their new grandchild, cooing proudly. He was so jealous, it was funny.

Emo, hope he wakes up in a more reasonable mood and you can have a good talk.

Agree about the HN campaign. I didn't like their Christmas ad either.

Maybe we should do a lottery syndicate!

Yes, I know the Whistles back catalogue too, Red. I will be checking out their sale and that's it. I was wondering if I could persuade DH that the My-Wardrobe also sells children's clothes so I could sneak in Fritizi's J Brands. I'm thinking no.

I carried the Marcie in Selfridges and it didn't seem heavy to me - its the medium size though not the large which is incidentally half price on HN website.

Red - I used to do that with Emilia Fox in Silent Witness

Emo - hope things pick up with your DH - sounds like a good clearing the air conversation is necessary.

That is an excellent idea Decam. Can you imagine the joint shopping spree?! I have to hold my tongue when people who have grandparents providing free childcare so they can work complain about the set-up.

she is red, in just over 3 weeks. Crazy. It is also my thread-iversary in a few days. Should I make a speech? or are you all sufficiently bored of me talking bollocks?

My-Wardrobe need to set up a PayPal option for this sole purpose, I think. On that nore, MiM, did you know that Ocado stock your lovely range of tableware? Time to do the weekly shop online I think.

Glad I'm not the only one MrsCB - DH cannot believe how gleeful I am when I spot someone in something I know. I also do this with strangers on the street.

On the compliment note - I never, ever receive compliments. Never. My Primark yellow dress got the most, I think. But other than that, nothing. I frequently dish out compliments, to the point where I think I should give it a rest as people must think I am deeply superficial I am.

I am being assessed tomorrow and am manically trying to plan the 'outstanding' lesson. Is your DH around for a tutorial red
I have a model lesson on my iphone (downloaded from TES); the 'Perfect Ofsted Lesson' on my Kindle, and an excellent coursebook that covers all aspects. So I should be okay. If a bit removed from what I do day to day .
emo, I'm so sorry to hear things are difficult at home. We are all here for you.
decam, the 910s are exactly the same as the Agnes rise-wise. I wear mine slightly big, and belt them.
Time really does fly on this thread doesn't it? Hope you had a nice celebration yesterday decam. And yes a speech would be nice amber.

russian, people are just too intimidated by your beauty to compliment your clothes.

Red, I find that quite hard to believe, you are gorgeous!

Good luck tomorrow, Bloss. Thanks for the info on the jeans, they are now on my list. I'm your wardrobe stalker.

There was one lovely moment when I was home, we went to see my grandmother who is now in a nursing home and very slowly recovering from a stroke. She didn't recognise me or my father at first but stared at the children and smiled. DD2 smiled back and DD1 went over and kissed her and my grandmother said their names (she doesn't talk much any more).

Happy anniversary, Amber! I have been on this thread a long time too. I need to come to the next night out.

Posted too early earlier red. I really loved your cape when I first met you.

seventh, thank you. But you're right, I don't turn up after only 3 hours sleep and still half drunk any more! (reminisces fondly, those were the days...)
No idea what to wear, although I did love my preppy French look today.
Could be the midnight blue shirt with the navy pinstripe pencil skirt again. I like that a lot too.
Or Davina, which would mean showing my arms, as it is quite warm in my room right now. Maybe not.
I think you should go for coffee with as many men as possible, married or not. Just platonically. Just like practise. 19 was very young.

Hi lovely emo sorry it's a wretched return..lots of hugs.x

red no compliments!surely not!I'm sure I was drunkenly slurring how beautiful you are into your shell-like at the last meet up

The dalmation print top I found in Primark seems to get me a few compliments which appears to trash both hopefully's rule which is to buy exxy and suburban's which is to avoid print in cheap fabrics so it might just be the rest of my wardrobe is so dodgy!

seventh I was the queen of inappropriate crushes in my young working life..cornily I liked the old grumpy surgeons and now I could still happily crush over a pretty gay man(DD1 is quite partial too!)But I say enjoy the ride!

dec I have ordered the scarf you linked..I have enough scarves to stretch to roary (how are you btw) but wear the orchid crumpet constantly.I just love it!

ollie hope you are ok and the teariness has passed.Glad you've got your dream maxi too!

missed a few posts there..slow typist that I am.. dec wonderful story about your grandmother,thanks for sharing it.

oh emo, slap him with a wet fish. My DH can be a total tool after a drink. You have my utmost sympathy.

Oh that wasn't a fish for compliments . Thank you though. I really, truly never get them.

Seventh I like the sound of that little frisson. DH and I used to have those moments in a class full of teenage girls. Not the easiest audience for flirtations - they knew I fancied him before I did. And told me so. Speaking of which, Ollie the Grey books are, um, interesting. I read out of curiosity and, tbh, they were poorly written and I found myself skipping the raunchy bits in an attempt to discover the plot. Worth it for the giggle though.

Measurable progress is your friend Bloss, that's all Mr AST was banging on about before my interview. You'll be awesome.

Dec that was a lovely story indeed. Your Grandma must be so proud of you and her great-Grandchildren.

Yes Harvey Nick's ad v tasteless. I think the best sales adverts are the simple ones with a countdown or something. Surely people just want to know date/reductions.

Oh Emo I am sorry. If possible you just need to ignore at least until he's sober, but i realise that can be hard to do.

SE, how exciting. I love the part in Bridget Jones' Diary where she is furiously flirting with her boss over IM.

I get most compliments over my tatty old H&M parka. I think mainly because I always have it when it's raining, so people think oh lightweight waterproof good idea....

The Urban Outfitters Sale has some quite good shoes, including Swedish Hasbeens and Ash Wedge Hi Tops circa 40% off...

Fritzi I love those jeans, really subtle you must keep.

Good luck tomorrow Blossoming

Emo I hope you get a chance to speak with your dh. He's sounds a bit stressed and wrongly taking it out on you.

Decam I know I'm trying to be uber grateful. Most of the time I want just their time and the interaction so I can relax a bit and not be on guard. But make do with Stella M and so forth instead and remember to not get grumpy or upset. (Because it is really generous!)

Fritzi love the floral skinnies.

Dh and I have just watched something very interesting on the television relevant to us. Those with long memories might remember (I wish I could link or say, but best not). Was really good!

Oh I do remember Marsha - will catch up on it tomorrow.

Has anyone been watching the Grayson Perry series? Have found it really interesting.

Recent most complimented item is DP jersey maxi that cost £13.50 with a discount code.

emo I'm sorry things aren't great at the moment and hope you can clear the air soon.

Dublin ladies, anyone flying from Gatwick or Heathrow with Aer Lingus? Have been checking prices after ny's tip off and I'm not sure it's going to get any cheaper. £87 return from Gatwick!