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.

mine changes every time I pull the thing down. Which is very often and usually behind the actual weather.

Yes NY Hayfever combined with PMT and muggy weather have given me the worst headache since the weekend. I have tried water/sleep/iron tablets/paracetamol and the extra strong anti histamines they gave me to bring down my excema nothing has worked so have now resorted to wine (hic)

The BBC weather deceived me badly and left me a walking Wet Tee Shirt competition after toddlers yesterday. Fingers crossed for sun tomorrow here too.

Just popping in to say thank you for your thoughts. Still no baby arrival to report! I'm feeling fine but was hoping to have had it out by now because of DH's lack of pat leave and the fact that the DC are constantly asking me when it is going to pop out!

decam- I ended up ordering two Crumpet scarves and have kept your rose stole rather than the leopard. They were both gorgeous but the deeper colours definitely suit me better and felt more 'me' so made a wise decision.

Am thinking of getting a few basic Ts/ long sleeved tops in the Zara sale as I know the will be worn lots. Ordered a DP maxi yesterday with a discount so will hopefully have two of three post natal outfits! :)

Once my size settles, I will invest in some nice jeans but have resisted so far.

Not a toddler group fan myself. That woman sounds daft MIM

am also struggling with headache here... damn weather.... am off on hols day after tomorrow - for some much needed sunshine....

I see a few of you mentioning toddlers - I have an 18 month old and two big kids ( teens) we live in Brighton where I can frequently be found lurking outside Whistles and Jigsaw and Karen M ........

Looby That's a shame about your DH's paternity leave. I keep meaning to ask how old your other DCs are. I was 9 when my youngest DB was born and vividly remember it as one of the happiest times of my life I was so excited. My mum also raves about how he was and still is the easiest.

Suburban that is impressively loony . Really pleased with the baxters, no annoying sagging thus far.

I really enjoyed seeing the torch too, such a lovely patriotic vibe to the whole thing (apart from the hoards of sponsor vehicles, of course). Looking forward to seeing it here in a couple of weeks (we were on holiday when we saw it last time).

Duritz we are not too far from brighton (w.sussex), in fact have just arranged to go shopping there either on weekend or early next week.

DS2 (15 months) has taken to proper, full on food flinging at meal times. It is v hard not to laugh, he thinks it is hilarious, as does DS1.

Sob, sob I think I can claim the honour of being the elder lemon, 47 and size 26.

Welcome Duritz!

I like the sound of those pilots NY, of course you've got your own!

I'm going to Majorca on Saturday with DD3 and my parents, DD will stay for 3 weeks but I'll be home in a week. 2 of my Dsis's will be there with their children after I leave so DD will have fun. I need to start packing.

Today I' m wearing my new floral H&M top which is really pretty. It's muggy here too , I'm also suffering from a headache.

Hi Looby. Really hope it's not long now for you.

Good to hear its not just me and toddler groups then! I do go to a good one on a Thursday where I know a few people whom are lovely to chat to, there is even a lovely women with an Anya! Obviously she is fab to chat to! I thought groups would be good as I find it hard getting out with both DC's as DS is a bolter, so we are limited to where we can go.

I use XC weather for updates, seems to be pretty accurate.

Thanks for the encouragement re the food blog, took some pictures last night, but they are poor quality. Need to work on that. Anyhow, tonights dinner was chorizo, thyme and red onion quesadillas with a big helping of chunky salsa and guacamole. Am stuffed to the brim.

I can't say that I'll miss toddler groups when I am done. There is a lot on for children around here, though luckily they also see shopping as a treat (as I feed them whatever they want to stop them running amok).

DD2 does that too, Hopefully. I hope she grows out of it soon though it is funny. She shouts hiya hiya all the time.

Are you planning anything nice for your birthday, Duritzfan?

Big wave to Rufus. I'd happily dress head to toe in DvF, if funds allowed.

Looby, glad you like the scarf, I love mine! Great you are feeling well but shame your DH can't get time off now.

Have a great time, Portia.

I have spent ages on Pinterest, need to eat.

Oh and great plan, Dona.

Dinner sounds delish, MiM. Looking forward to the blog.

Thanks for the new thread Blue. Hope you're having a lovely, lovely evening.

Nice to see you Duritz. 30 and 26" here, but I'm 5 4", so look rather larger than all of the 29" goddesses.

We've had real issues with toddler groups in the past (sure some of you will remember), but things seem to be getting much better now. I cannot believe that mother though MiM - did you say something? Your lovely little DS, too. Mean. Your dinner sounds completely delicious.

Hello Icey! So glad to hear that DS is doing so well and that DD has adjusted well. I have to say that I think you got the age gap just right. I very much wish mine had another 6 months between them, frequently.

DS had a hilarious conversation with my DSis tonight, during which he requested that she buy Nutella and fish fingers for his stay this weekend and that she let him watch CBeebies 'all the time. Because Mummy and Daddy are mean and you aren't.'

notyummy. All those men in uniform sound VERY interesting

yay another 29" to join the club here and 36. Hi Duritz am off to Brighton this weekend as my sister has moved close to there (and also where I went to school). She phoned earlier to say we are going out on Saturday night to celebrate her BIL's 50th..? (he's the most youthful 50 you have ever seen). Wondering what to wear.....might give the Zara floral jeans their first outing as think will be fairly casual.

Hilarious story red that is the kind of thing I imagine my DS doing soon. He already makes me laugh constantly...the other day I was getting changed after work and he poked my backside saying 'what's this bouncy thing'

blue hope you are having a lovely evening out and love the sound of your outfit.

MIM definitely persevere with the blog, your food ideas always sound great. I love cooking as well, definitely my favourite hobby and have thought briefly in passing of blog. I also tried once to take pictures of a dish and it is soooo difficult to make it look good. Definitely requires a lot of practice and there are courses on food styling and photography. Oh and sorry about the toddler group, you have my sympathies as well...I remember a mother glaring at my DS when he was 6m old in monkey music and accidentally flayed his little arms excitedly and came into contact with her precious DC...she even said something to her DC like "ooh lets move you away from THAT boy" Grrrr

Good luck looby

Zara sale has started, keep me away from the blazers

Such a fun night. Gorgeous sunshine too so we sat by the river drinking cocktails before dinner. Some lovely outfits, including a cobalt blue flared dress with thin gold belt. That colour seems to look beautiful on everyone. Really pleased with my outfit too, loved the elegance of the classic LBD and it's Grecian draping, with the colour pops of neon pink shoes, nails and large turquoise earrings. Love my AH gold clutch too. So fun to get dressed up and go out and gossip!

Sadly I am far from the youngest everything: am 34. But think I might be the littlest: 24 in jeans (25 in topshop though!). But I am only 5ft 1 and just built tiny and completely in awe of all the gorgeous toned, statuesque ladies on this thread.

Enjoyed all the toddler group chat. I've found some lovely and some rather less so. DS does enjoy them though and he has never been to nursery so I've found them useful.

Now on to next excitement: wedding in Wales on Friday! Rain due though... Staying at st David's cardiff bay; thanks for recommendation bloss. I'll miss the DC but it will be lovely to have 24hrs alone with DH. Outfit pondering to follow.

Should go to bed but might just peruse Zara sale...

Oh hello icey, have missed you! Glad all well.

Welcome to duritz. Love that whistles sweater but it looked awful on me sadly.

Hmm, Zara sale looks a bit stingy in my opinion. Lots not in sale and pretty small reductions. Bed.

Morning!

Thanks for the new thread blue ..I am not too impressed by the Zara sale either!

Well I ended up falling asleep in my clothes last night putting DD2 down.Poor DH tried to wake me 4 times so I could go to mums night out but I was clearly beat.Of course then woke at 3a.m and couldn't get back to sleep so have done a bit of work.

Thanks for faith suburban Things are moving quite well at the moment,I am struggling to blog,post everything I'm doing but will hopefully get more time in Summer hols.

mim as you can tell by my blog photography is NOT my forte. pickled gave me a great piece of advice which seems to work well for shooting cookies which is to have some of them not fully in the picture ifyswim rather than framing them completely.Also try going in at different angles with your camera.I have to say I always like L.A blog pictures probably as the light so good!best to take pics in natural light..unfortunately not so easy in England..

yummy I am going to wear similar outfit for Stone Roses at weekend..lots of men there I'm sure but rather less fit and smartly dressed than your event!love the look of exhibition.

welcome duritz hope you'll enjoy the thread,we were in Brighton for our last mini-meet,fab place!

portia is definitely no 'lemon' she is a beauty and looks a good 10 years younger At Least than her bio age.

I have the roses scarf too looby and love the brightness of it in RL.

Good days all..

Ooh just looked at weather report and will be scorchio!x

Woke up to torrential rain, but brighter now so have taken off my knitwear [hold the front page!]
ny, I'd be in my best pulling clothes
Have fun on hols portia
I have announced my intention to get up at 5.45am from Saturday to do 6w6p every day till my holiday in 6 weeks. Will keep a record this time.

Really warm here this morning, but thunderstorm looks imminent. Have laundry on the line and am waiting to shoot out to grab it all in.

Oh, there you all are! Thanks for the new thread blue! Your night out sounds wonderful. I was looking forward to going out with DH on Friday. He got an invitation to the biggest summer bash in town which a big law firm is hosting. Our babysitter cancelled yesterday. I am really disappointed but learned my lesson for the future and will search for back-up babysitters during the holidays.

Welcome duritz! I adore Brighton and have many happy memories of a great night out at a tapas bar with some of my lovely W&A friends: "Kareeeeeem!"

looby Saw a family with their fairly newborn at the school concert yesterday and thought of you. I never really cherished newborn cuddles with DD as I was so stressed out and anxious about everything. Have more than made up for it though: DH often finds me asleep and curled up with DD in her bed when he comes home from work. I love how DD's hair smells when she has been playing outside in the sun all day.

Anyone buying from the Zara sale?

Not my colours but I like this tie-dye star-print scarf

Some nice bags too:

Tan shopper

Mini shopper in different colours

Yellow clutch

Boucle blazer in mint

Like the back detail of this blazer a lot

Pink boucle blazer with gold zips

Silk zebra print shirt.

Can you tell I am supposed to work?! Logging off now, back later!

Morning!

Having firmly reminded the Mothers Help about applying lotion to dd and wearing a summery outfit.....it is raining here . Supposed to be hot later. Need to leave work early to avoid all the road closures in Nottingham before the torch arrives later today - are you going Blue and Zembo?

Reine - quite agree on Portia's agelessness! V jealous of the Stone Roses. You are obviously exhausted from all you are doing, so hardly surprising you had an unscheduled nap.

Bloss - your pulling clothes are 'understated rock chick' rather than 'verging on WAG' which mine tend to be (just can't help myself...) I may look rather overdressed in mine . I am keeping an eye on the weather for the airshow. Suspect it will either be knee length summer dress and flats, or skinnies and boots.

Haven't looked at the Zara sale so far, but doesn't sound too promising....Will have a peek though!

Morning.

Muggy here, DS already driving me mad playing with a toy lawnmower that is very noisy and irritating!

Thats the problem Reine, I am taking pictures in the evening, so the light os very poor. Need to keep trying. I did try doing half shots, but I suspect the light is the issue.

Impressed with your promise yourself Bloss.

Shame about the babysitter Fritzi. Good food and wine for you then.