Avidly surveying the sales... but already starting Wisely to wonder about A/W Wish Lists.

[blue2711]

New thread!

The fake tan is on (with requisite orange patches, naturally) and hair is done. I'm on countdown to Big Night Out, aware that will have to get ready whilst putting 2 DC to bed.

40bum lady is wearing my black suede Zara sandals today. I heartily recommend. She goes out a lot, doesn't she?! . I have a wardrobe full of going out clothes but not enough occasions to wear them all!

bloss is right: coats and warm jackets are the way forward. I am stupid; I have 20 odd blazers and lightweight jackets perfect for May to September but only 1 jacket and 2 coats I like for September to April. Must rectify.

Hello delurkers and welcome!

Slight fashion disaster...crumpet scarf arrived and it was the wrong colour. Sort of doubted myself and actually went back to website to check scarf was yellow. It was. The scarf I got was lovely but blue. Rang them. Turns out they had mislabeled a whole batch of scarves and had no yellows. Am gutted. But on the plus side feel I have £50 spare cash to spend......

What do people think of this Pure cardigan? www.purecollection.com/.Printed-cashmere-cardigan_LK-F64.htm

Loving warehouse peach clutch 40 bum lady has flagged.....

looby I have not been a 26 since I was 12!!

Have noted new love of pinterest. All looks lovely but not sure I want to get sucked in. Knowing me I could loose days...

Clutch 40 bum lady flagged www.warehouse.co.uk/diamonte-clasp-hard-bag/Bags-&-Clutches/warehouse/fcp-product/307993

Delurking briefly to share my mini Gracie strap tip for making it a more wearable length (as seen in the Bond street AH store).

Remove the strap completely, then thread one end through one of the 'D' rings (bit fiddly, but it does go through). Thread until it's half way through and then attach both 'latches' to the other 'D' ring.

I find that makes it a nice length that tucks under my arm neatly.

looby I love your DS's names and I'm amazed you're in a 26 so soon after giving birth. My tummy is still horrible (DD2 is nearly 1) but 6w6p has definitely made a difference.

My DD1 also got a lovely report which said that she's a pleasure to teach. I was so pleased and proud that I took her out for ice cream.

Ants how annoying about the scarf. Ages ago you posted a link to a website you'd bought some prints for your DCs from, could you post it again? I remember the prints being really lovely and we're finally at the stage where I can choose pictures, rugs etc instead of having to talk to the builder about the latest horrors he's uncovered.

NSG ta da www.bodieandfou.com/apple_papple_poster_by_fine_little_day?category_id=147

I have this print.

If you check out the rest of the website I have the penguin wallpaper in the DCs rooms- pink for DD and blue for DS.

seventh I am very prim don't you know!!! I know what you mean but I would belt it in and wear with pencil skirt...

Another link to pink penguin wall paper www.isak.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_8&products_id=73

Hi can I ask what 6w6p is please

NY, J Brand coated skinnys - are you still looking?

6w6p

I really like that cardigan, Ants, in fact I may have to get it. Annoying about the scarf.

Glad you had fun, Everything.

Her numeracy needs work but she's only 4 so we won't get the tutors in yet!

Morning all, PM me anyone nsg, breton, and others if I can help with joining Pinterest.

I think it's a good cardigan for you ants.

Ants I like the cardigan, very nice. Quite sensible, as SE says, but pretty.

Currently baking what is known as 'porridge pudding breakfast' in our house (christened by DS1) - baked jumbo oats with stewed fruit, a bit of sugar, eggs and baking powder. Not as much sugar as cereal, but feels like a massive treat with a dollop of greek yoghurt. Also makes the house smell rather delicious.

Has a massive indulgent day yesterday, have been so bad about food this week, must get properly back on track soon before I start whacking weight back on.

Have absolutely tons to do today, so got up early, but have mostly pootled on here. Whoops.

Contemplating a trip to Bicester on the weekend, now I know what the gaps are in my wardrobe (why does it take a shopping trip to actually work out what's missing? I didn't buy anything yesterday apart from fabric, but I now know exactly what I need to buy to make my wardrobe work). Will I get things like sensible trousers and shoes there quite easily, do we think? Budget is reasonable as have been unable to find any clothes for a very long time, so i'm thinking it might be a good opportunity to have a proper shopping trip. Also need to think of outfits for honeymoon next weekend! Will definitely be debuting the McQueen dress at dinner on Saturday if it looks nice on arrival.

CS sandals no good for me as they are black, boo, but will keep an eye out for something similar.

looby wow!!! Back in your jeans and a size 26! Am in awe! Congratulations on both your DS and the jeans. Be kind to yourself- a week- your tummy will settle soon!

hopefully please just list the things that have changed your life- am v intrigued. Am defo getting my definition back with the shred and a set of big elastic band things. Yes for the first time in years I have brought - and used- my trainers on holiday.......,

Loving all the pin boards but am still not sure who everyone is. It's v interesting to get ideas from other people. However also loving the cook book photos as am more than a tad addicted to cooking- along with my trainers I brought cook books on holiday!
dona the colour wheels are fab! Can a summer be blonde(dyed) with pale skin and blue eyes?? It's the board that instantly jumps out at me.

In a rush, will get back in the evening but Always Summers usually have blonde or brown hair, often with an ashy cast. Summers often worry about looking drained/pale/dull/too muted as most of them are naturally low contrast. I have pale neutral skin, blue gray green eyes and ashy dark blonde hair (highlighted to my natural sunstreaked color). If I stand against a beige or light gray wall, I blend in... Hence the fondness for vivid color. A good friend of mine is a Summer too - she has slightly darker hair than I do, fabulous natural style and lives in gray, navy, khaki and white (she loves Eileen Fisher's clothing line and looks great in them - I went shopping with her in the States this spring and she blew 1000 USD in 30 minutes and was set up clotheswise for the rest of the year).

If you are light overall but your eyes really stand out (are bright azure blue or a very vivid green) you might be a Spring, too. If you are unsure about your season, google Soft Summer - it's definitely one of the trickiest seasons to self-diagnose. I'm a Light Summer so I can wear some Spring colors too, corals and peaches in particular.

Sorry BTW about sounding like a total fanatic Just trying to reach out to other Summer out there as I've found that they often really struggle with color.

Looby kudos to you and be gentle with your body! Many of the tissues are still a bit relaxed postpartum so have some patience - I've had to be careful with my ab diastasis and am getting back into my normal flat abs state only 2 years post last birth. I had to wear high-waisted maternity jeans for 2 or 3 months after birth for extra support. Tupler exercises have been great - my OBGYN said I might need plastic surgery to fix my abs but I'm not too keen. Trying the old-fashioned diet & exercise route first, seems to be working!

Am now fully recovered from cake pop hell. DS1 was very happy though so it makes it all worthwhile - well, almost!

Hopefully that is such a great dress for you. Hope its a keeper.
Ants ditto the cardi and clutch. Buy!
Looby lovely to read your post. Glad you and baby are doing well.

Alwaysrunningin heels Ive got (highlighted) blonde hair, pale skin and blue eyes and am a cool summer - so blues, greys and beige/taupes best on me.

Brunch was lovely yesterday - lasted til school pick up time. Lovely to be able to sit in the garden, eat scones - and admire the bunting .

Missed my NAP delivery (A Wang and J Crew dresses) and now have to wait til Monday.

DSs finish school at lunchtime today. We are all shattered. Cant wait for some lazy mornings next week.

Had the most amazing storm here last night - full on thunder and lightening which continuously lit up the sky and the heaviest rain I have seen for a long time. DH and I stood admiring it on our balcony and then realised it was 2.30am and we really should go back to sleep!

Right - Im off to make the most of my last morning sans kids for a while: shower, trip to the PO and potter round a couple of local shops - purely to help support the local economy you understand.....

Mrs CB Hope DH is enjoying his le tour. I was shopping for a present on NOTHS and saw this and thought of you

here

I'm not sure what I am. It's interesting. Summer or Spring for sure I should imagine.

I love these colours this and this but also the brights like the blazer and Lanvin flats.

But can probably take something a bit stronger than blondes with pale eyebrows.

This colour is a good one I think blue.

Ants I like the cardigan.

Big storms are great. Sports day today. No cancellation yet.

We had a big storm yesterday around 8:30. Watched with DD and it was amazing!

Thanks Ants and I like the cardigan too.

Ollie you are such a nice mum putting yourself through cake pop hell.

I have a poorly baby, she was up half the night and has an ear infection. I look very haggard, I think I should hire my under eye bags out to test beauty products aimed at reducing dark circles. I'd buy an eye cream that had been tested on knackered mothers and been shown to work.

Oh and this arrived and is a keeper. I'm planning to wear it with dark skinnies and heels when we go out to dinner next week. Decam did you have any joy finding a babysitter?

Can I please ask someone for English native speaker advice. I'm struggling to phrase the instructions for one of the tasks of my current project. In the task, the students have written a short text and I want to tell them to read it out loud (to themselves) to practice reading/pronouncing etc.... How do I phrase this?
"Read your text out loud to practice." Read out/read out loud sounds totally odd to me but I cannot come up with anything else.

Oh, and sorry for linguistic hijack of the thread