And so we Wisely turn away from any summer purchases to Avid thoughts of stylish winter coats. Which means (surely) that the sun will shine, after wool jackets are bought....

[notyummy]

Stamp

DH's and how much time they are home....
DH was a junior doctor when we married so worked crazy hours when elder two DCs were little.
Not so bad with younger two as now a GP but he likes his hobbies so does tend to fill spare time,plus is restricted sharing holidays with 2 partner's so I take the DCs away on my own or with my parents a couple of times a year.
He is good at taking to swimming lessons,parties,activities etc at weekends,but I tend to do most school related stuff and have always been the one emotionally available,ifyswim....
However as someone said up thread,when I think of my friend Lynda I feel guilty if I moan at him....

I had a little stroke of the orange ones in Matches. They are truly gorgeous.

I would like to go back to Barbados where DH and I had our babymoon, and drink all the rum I couldn't at the time. Was such a great holiday. It's all bloody kids clubs and uncivilised meal times now. They are a joy though.

Are they your size Amber... Would you buy?

I did love Miami beach at 22. I could go back for sure. (and use dh's global membership thing)

Ooh, forgot to mention, had proud mummy moment this AM. Asked DS 'what would you like to do today?' his reply: 'Shopping!'

Slightly ruined when I asked him what for: ''tatos, cheese and beans'

I have considered it marsha but I don't think they'd fit too well in my broadly 'winter' wardrobe. Do really like this nudey colour though.

Gosh yes lovely. I had pistols in that colour and loved them. If I got them again I'd take more care with them.

That's very cute, Amber.

I ordered the black pistols (paypal not credit card so I can still hit the roof if there are any cancellations for the week after next!).

I think I'd go back to New York, good times.

DH and I have grand plans to return to Japan en famille for a holiday next time we have money. So in about 2026. I would also love to see more the States, have only been to NY and Canada. One day .

Agree, chalet school books were awesome. I was into all books like that.

Am loving Shred after Insanity. It's so easy! Even with 2.5kg weights I hardly had to stop and rest at all. And over so quickly! I'm feeling the Jillian love for a while before I return to Shaun T. Am trying to be strict in the hopes of being approximately 4 dress sizes smaller in 9 days. totally doable.

The ILs are having the DSs this weekend. I am anxious and excited about time off in equal measure. They have never had them overnight before, have only left them with my mother (and only once). One of the things on my list to do is order a whole bunch of clothes, hammer the credit card into the ground, then hopefully not return all of them.

Bargainous 811s arrived, thanks amber! Can't be bothered to try them on as have pmt bloat, hope I am less large of tummy tomorrow.

Black pistols are great. Does anyone remember what mine cost? £36!!! (I like to mention that at every opportunity).

Bit disappointed there has been no Matches clearance store this season.

hehe Amber. That was great fun. Bolted over and got the Marants.

They actually had the black pistols in my size for £36 but sadly they looked as if they had been worn for 6 weeks already. Much better to have a small fault like yours that can be fixed or my Marants that didn't matter.

Tokyo is fab, would like to see more and of course NYC fab.

Amber . I got 20% off at MyW, still expensive but at least went through quidco and got points.

I need to go back to New York too. And Paris. Love cities especially now I live here! But Miami Beach is just the perfect week away (decam!). Stylish hotels and the softest powederest white sand. (And very little sightseeing). DH hates the states though following a mis advised tour by greyhound bus as a student. Not sure how to reconcile that!

The frump thread really got to me actually. It's the lack of imagination I think. I'm as reliant on the skinnies, blazer, scarf and boots look as the next person, but I do like to think I have some imagination. Most styles can look awesome on the right person. For prim 50s button up cardis are 'proceed straight to frump, do not collect £200' for me, whereas waterfalls (my jersey Demylees) look great. If I was less assured of my own style I might be fretting that they makes me look mumsy.

seventh is right, we have such a wide range of styles here, but it's so supportive. I would look dreadful in GoS's sexy 40s workwear, or marsha's floaty florals, but they totally rock them. Most of you think the wedge trainers I so covet are absurd and to an extent I agree but you still encourage me. Diversity makes us great and should be celebrated, not condemned. So what if someone doesn't conform to the 'uniform'?

bloss you sound like my ideal holiday companion - beaches and no sightseeing. Sign me up.

Oh loving the idea of white sandy beaches. Have always fancied the Maldives....

Am off tomorrow lovely ladies to Gozo. Have agreed with DH not to take iPad - he thinks I will be on it all the time- he's probably right!!!

So see you all in a week xxxx

Have a lovely time ants.
amber, did your VL arrive?

Have a lovely holiday Ants (am on ipad whilst DH stll asleep!)

Id like to take the trip to Malaysia we planned for 6 months after we married but never took due to getting pregnant with DS1 and feeling so poorly. Always wanted to go to The Maldives too. One day. One day.

Hope you find the perfect dress today Marsha

Yes it did, and it is fab! Gorgeous ruby red colour. Now all I have to do is work on my mum tum. DH off this week, so we will be out doing theme parks, seaside etc so will start next week, but going to go Hardcore then. 6w6p, ripped and the no junk challenge. We are going away first week of September, then I am back to work, so need to look my very best.

Have a fab holiday ants!

Morning all! A glamorous weekend of clearing out various bits of ghe house awaits.... Think I will wear new Zara indigo skinnies. Am also on Operation Fake Tan today and will apply Via Liberata stuff (or whatever it's called.)

Enjoy your holidays those who are off. Don't mind us, left behind and woebegone .

Loving the dream holiday chat. DH and I did the Maldives 10 years ago. Amazing. Just amazing. Do me s favour though and don't go if you ate scared of the sea. We met a few people who wouldn't even paddle and even if you dont fancy diving, just a swim in shallow water with a snorkel you can see such amazing wildlife. Can't understand why you would go all that way and not get in!! Prefer it to Mauritius which we did as part if the honeymoon. Would like to do Borneo, Costa Rica and more bits of Oz.

Another Insanity session yesterday. It is tough but I feel like I can keep up with most of it. I do struggle maintaining the pace they set for the pressups though- how did you find them Hopefully?

Deca- great that your DH has booked a week off.

Loving ALM the bootcuts on Pinterest! I have a fair few skinny flares and have hung on to them throughout the skinny jean years. They can def be flattering.

NY I think it took me most of month one to be anywhere near keeping up with (a) the push ups and (b) the third segment of the warm up. You were probably much fitter than me at the start though, so probably the warm up isn't as challenging for you .

I have just put on shorts not worn since holiday and they are too tight, really . Am being quite sensible at the moment, but it just shows how quickly you can gain a few lbs if you're not paying attention - only had a couple of weeks of indulging a bit and not moving as much and it's really made a difference.

Ants have a lovely time! Sounds idyllic - my mother went on honeymoon to Gozo and always talks about going back.

Amber I look a zillion times better in a waterfall cardigan than in any kind of structured cardigan - it really is down to body shape and personality so much more than just 'X is frumpy, Y is cool'. I haven't read the frumpy thread, would probably get too much rage at people with their rules of what is stylish and what isn't.

A right pea souper here this morning, hopefully down to the lake and mountains. Could be sunny 5 miles away.
Mountain biking is cancelled as DH and DS both under par. DH seems to think I will want to spend the day with MiL instead

Love those green trousers wow. Might try them on. The issue for me with work trousers is that i find it a hard look to work in winter. They always look better with a slip on shoe and some ankle than they do with a boot. this dress caught my eye too.

Sorry for those whose DHs are working long hours. Mine often does (including weekends and travel) but not always and its different for me as I have my own work thing so I think I don?t feel it as much as I would if I was home with DC every day.NY?s take on it is very sage and exactly what I observe as well in men I work with who are probably very similar in outlook to a lot of the DH?s on this thread. Like most working mothers (not all mind!) I am not affected by ?presenteeism? the sooner I can get out of the office (and the later I can arrive) the better!!! Slight catch 22 in DH?s having to buy their way back into favours though (and do see that, even with my own DH at times even tho our financial set up very different _ I pay the bills he pays extra stuff) as it increases the £££ pressure which fuels the workaholic-ism.

In other news my big deal is done so lots of brownie points I hope and am home (yay!) . Lots of work to do still on other things but still good to have this one over line its a career highlight for me I got lots of hugs and kisses from pleased clients yesterday and even someone else?s client !

Have been paid a bonus too and thinking of going to buy a new leather sofa from Ikea today before the money goes on the long list of other things I have to pay for with it ? hardly big £££ but our one is knackered. Sort of tempted to buy a new work dress from somewhere nice like LK Bennett or Joseph but feels a bit wasteful/selfish as DD?s need a new bed and rest of money is spoken for (air fares).

DH finally paid a big appliance purchase off that we bought last year woohoo. I hate these things hanging over me and paying it now means no interest ? love those interest free delayed payment deals on appliances! And just love ticking off debts!!

Hopefully you are so clever. Bet they loved those gifts. I was pleased with teacher?s gifts this year. DD?s teacher so nice, he actually cried on last day of term. Also thanked me for the gifts such a ncie man.

Keep the Reiss suit if it fits you well ? Reiss work clothes are of good quality IMO. You can always split the 2 pieces and wear separately with plain separates to tone down the pinstripe. I like a pinstripe anyway its classic.

Yes yes to different styles.

Totally applies here. I wouldn?t buy floral jeans or pistols even though I like them on others. Just wouldn?t suit my style. Have about one Breton top which I haven?t worn that much.

I meant to respond when Marsha wrote great post about how we are subconsciously influenced by ?now colours?. So true that is exactly how it works.

In the airport yesterday my plane was delayed and bought some ipanemea flipflops and a tedbaker orangey peach silky tank top on sale ? am sure summer will still arrive!!