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

Well DH decided he didn't want a 'crappy day' either and managed to come biking with me after all. DS quite poorly though and just threw up in Sports Direct. Realised DH on his coaching course all next weekend hence the need for studs.

Aw, poor DS, Bloss

Quite sunny here today so didn't wear the Whistles skinnies in the end, wore raspberry ones instead with sparkly flats and broderie anglaise top. Lunch was interesting...I arrived on time, XP, his parents and DS 30 mins later and BIL and girlfriend 30 mins after that ??. What was interesting was that there was plenty of tension but nothing to do with me - somehow I had thought most of the dysfunction in their general relationships was my fault - and XP seemed to have my back more than in response to some of his DM's more mad comments than usual.

Missing DS lots though but keeping busy cooking for big picnic tomorrow - am going to the Polo with friends. Very excited too about wearing my new dress and shoes.

Really annoyed at one of my best friends though - I emailed earlier in the week saying that I was by myself this weekend and if anyone was free for a drink please let me know. She said that she was sorry but she was busy. Then another mutual friend texted to say he was just back from holiday and did I want to do something tomorrow, I replied that had plans but was he free for a drink tonight, he replied and said he had people coming over but that previous friend had texted to ask if he wanted to join her for a drink and maybe I should give her a call...wtf?!! ...she is newly engaged and all I can think of is somehow she thinks I'm bad karma to be around but it's pretty upsetting that she can't put herself in my shoes for a minute. Rant over, feel better now!

Anyway sorry about long post about me. gos love, love that Joseph dress. I desperately need some more exciting workclothes. hi petit love your boards

Great to here from you Petit!

Hopefully - I think I like the matt. The shiney look like they could be harsh on the bottom - shiny and no pockets to break things up (but perhaps I am dragging my personal issues into this .) Am boggling slightly at the Joseph legging prices - will they work on a cost per wear do you think??

Well done on the joint acct GOS. I know separate works fine for some, but not if you having to ask constantly and it is resented on either side. We pay the same % of salary into joint acct and use microsoft money to track everything. Dosnt stop me sneaking beauty purchases into the Tesco/waitrose shop, obviously .

Finally some sunshine! Toes are painted. Fake tan is on. Garden furniture is out. Phase 8 bright green twist front maxi on and feeling summery. Excited by Tour de France. Come on Wiggo!!

Lastly - not a glamorous eatery, but if you havn't tried Wetherspoons recently it could be worthwhile. They label everything brilliantly so you can see calorie count/dairy free. Meat and eggs all organic/free range. Good coffee. I had a great superfood salad with pomegranate, edame beans, brocilli and chicken - delicious!

NY I think with either pair you have to work on the basis that they are 5yr+ trousers. Which I think mine will be - I used to wear my mum's old skinny motorbike leathers at 18 and have wanted a pair ever since, so it isn't a passing phase . I think I like the matt ones better too.

Wetherspoons? Who knew?
I often 'dine' out in Sainsbury's cafe. Since they started putting calorie count on the menu my choices have changed dramatically. Such a great idea. Everywhere should do it. My mountain bike cafe sadly doesn't. The size of those home made cakes!! My gran would've cut 5 slices out of their one slice of bara brith!
On day 11 of no junk. Easier this time because I've seen results quicker, and I'm getting my sugar fix from fruit.
Took me a while to figure out that bag portia!
Hope the girls had a good time at the park decam.

Oh my goodness, I've just pinned something from the 'farmer's friend' website

Running in with scarf news! In Galleries Lafette for all of 5 mins, I saw, i liked, i purchased! Lovely ink blot patterned one in off white, slate grey/blue which was reduced from 30e to a bargainous 5e and another taupe and cream medium sized polka dot one for 10e. Both lovely and soft and great for A/W. Have pinned a pic of ink blot one. Doesnt really do it justice tho.

Going to a brocante market tomorrow with the owner of the gite/friend who also runs a brocante type website. Wonder if i will spot any good house buys?

We have already brought a lovely wooden wall cabinet from them which i will paint off-white for the toilet. Has a glass front so will line, or attempt to, the shelves with vintage wallpaper.

Bloss hope DD is feeling better. Grim sports shop experience.

petitdonkey lovely to see you back on the thread. Glad you are feeling more positive about things. What a lovely present from DH.

Hello to everyone else. So pleased to see the sun is out in the UK too. Its lifted my mood no end having lots here.

Running in with scarf news! In Galleries Lafette for all of 5 mins, I saw, i liked, i purchased! Lovely ink blot patterned one in off white, slate grey/blue which was reduced from 30e to a bargainous 5e and another taupe and cream medium sized polka dot one for 10e. Both lovely and soft and great for A/W. Have pinned a pic of ink blot one. Doesnt really do it justice tho.

Going to a brocante market tomorrow with the owner of the gite/friend who also runs a brocante type website. Wonder if i will spot any good house buys?

We have already brought a lovely wooden wall cabinet from them which i will paint off-white for the toilet. Has a glass front so will line, or attempt to, the shelves with vintage wallpaper.

Bloss hope DD is feeling better. Grim sports shop experience.

petitdonkey lovely to see you back on the thread. Glad you are feeling more positive about things. What a lovely present from DH.

Hello to everyone else. So pleased to see the sun is out in the UK too. Its lifted my mood no end having lots here.

Meant to say, breton, love your dress, and sorry you had a bad experience with your friends. You will come out of all this stronger, I have no doubt.

A very quick hello after a very busy day. Went to COS with a stylish friend. Freshly blow-dried hair, favorite skinnies, Marni coat dress, green Zatchel, pointy nude Argentinian flats. Felt good. COS has some amazing things, shopping with an expert was fun. Bought a bright blue blouse that has exaggerated shoulders - amazing, felt like a couture piece -belonging to Cinderella's evil stepmother. Also found a cobalt blue dress that was extremely cleverly cut, will need to think about it some more and perhaps revisit. Stunning color and flattering fit and very simple but dramatic.

We had a lovely lunch (sans DC) and a bit of shopping ath Kiehl's. I love perfume and would like to recommend Kiehl's Original Musk oil. Not pricey at all, very refined, a classic - and they are very generous with samples. I also realized I'd like to have a full bottle of Chanel's Antaeus (a very classic men's leather cologne) for myself. To be paired with my most feminine clothes.

Late afternoon at a petting zoo with DC and friends. Hasbeens, bootcuts, pink Goat jacket. The bootcuts seemed a bit off - I think they should be paired with very luxurious accessories (thinking heavy silk blouse, outrageuous heels or non-utilitarian showpiece wedges). Otherwise they feel too safe and dull. Maybe the tuxedo shirt would have worked, and I have very slick Brazilian nude origami-like patent leather peeptoes with an architectonic conical heel in dark wood. If going for laid back, my green Dayanas and a tailored Marc Jacobs denim jacket might have also worked.

Re: work-life dilemmas, I'm the one with real drive and ambition - DH is much more relaxed. I think I'm the highest earner... We actually quarreled some time ago because I had been travelling a bit too much for work. But after 4 years at home with DC I can see his point - he hates to be the one left behind - and so do I . To compensate, we have been to Miami, Paris, Lisbon, NYC, Montreal, Buenos Aires, Moscow and many other places as a family - having been able to remain mobile even after having children has been very important for me. I have taken the whole family along on some of my work trips and he has done the same.

Haved read the past pages properly but...
Marsha, hope you found a great dress!
Petitdonkey not sure whether I already follow you on Pin - what a lovely gift from DH.
GoS please treat yourself to that Joseph dress!

Oh and Breton your Erdem is stunning, hope you'll feel lovely in it!

Breton, I would have it out with her. Hope you have a fun tomorrow, lovely dress.

DonaAna, sounds like a great day.

Hope DS is feeling better now, Bloss.

I'm exhausted, going to bed now. Rock and roll!

Red, how did it go with the elderly relatives? Hope the sun has brightened your mood .

Petit, lovely to see you again - have you reconciled yourself to your colours yet? Some v. nice stuff on your boards.

breton, beautiful dress. Don't worry too much about your friend, there may be a simple explanation - maybe someone cancelled on her and she felt too stupid to call you after turning you down. You seem to be coping remarkably well with things, such strength. You remind me of another lovely lady on the thread - I admire you both and wish a good friend of mine could find such strength.

My lovely DS2 is asleep in bed beside me, early night here too Decam.

picnic stuff made, fake tan on legs for tomorrow, looking forward to spending time with some stylish ladies - think there will be great people watching so will report back on any interesting outfits! Thanks too for your kind words - I'm sure my friend didn't mean to upset me, it was probably a last minute thing and the other friend does live more locally than me - but just annoys me that she clearly hasn't thought for one second that I might need some support this weekend, I think she takes my normally happy exterior at face value.

Like the colour of that dress dona, have been thinking that I would like some brighter blue tops in my wardrobe too.

Lovely sounding holiday purchases ollie and hope DS is feeling better bloss

Have a fantastic time tomorrow breton. That dress is divine. You sound like you're doing brilliantly btw; that lunch must have felt daunting but you sailed through in style!

Been in a grump today, cross with everyone. DH insisted we all went out for supper to Jamie's and it worked, one glass of prosecco and some delicious food and some strangers cooing over the DC and life not so bad . Wore black vest maxi dress belted with floral blazer and leopard Gigis. DH dislikes all three items but I felt ok. Legs tanned for shorter dress, or even shorts, tomorrow!

gos so thrilled to hear of your work success, so deserved. Please treat yourself to something lovely.

dona I think you're spot on about luxe-ing up the bootcuts. I have never considered Cos as it doesn't really feel like me but you've made me tempted to give it a try.

Must go to sleep, wasted an hr last night reading the wretched frump thread, grrr. Have lovely sunny days tomorrow everyone!

Hello!

Lovely to hear from you petit, sorry to hear that things have not been great for you, but glad to hear you are coming through.

Breton that dress is devine, you will look amazing. Have a fabulous time today.

Great scarf bargains Ollie, cabinet sounds lovely too.

Sorry to hear about the long hours worked, its really hard. I am really lucky in that DH works for a very family friendly organisation, home working is encouraged, as are doing the hours that suit you. I, on the other hand am the one that does approx. 6 hours a week (unpaid) overtime and it can be a sticking point between DH and I in that he cannot understand why I would do that without any financial gain...but its a different world in the NHS I suppose and the systems don't allow you to be efficient.

Went to a BBQ yesterday, wore my new GAP skinnies with the Whistles animal print top. Felt good. Totally let DH down on my first "I'll drive darling, you drink". Had 3 glasses of fizz, and so we had to walk home!

Going to attempt a BBQ for lunch, despite the garden looking like a building site.

Argh, maybe I am getting too sensitive in my old age but I am just so bored of all the snarky, sneery threads about what people are wearing. There is another one about ugly shoes, and the basic implication is that the woman guilty of wearing these monstrosities (damn sight better than irregular choice, I might add) makes no effort with her appearance and as a result her partner will probably leave her, and she'll have only herself to blame.

Can't help but feel if you wouldn't say it in real life, don't say it on the Internet. Bitchiness is far less attractive than sensible shoes.

I know, Amber, I then get annoyed with myself for even reading the threads when I could be doing something more constructive like reading Vogue!

DS has been throwing up all night and is now back in bed again. We had decided to have a different Sunday, not cook lunch and as the forecast is good, do the mawddach trail which regularly features in top 10 of family bike rides. So now I might stay home and send DH and dd instead.

I'm coming to London for a few days this week as DH is working. He has read me a forecast of 29C every day. Not sure I have London appropriate hot weather clothing! What will you London girls be wearing?

Hope he gets well soon, Bloss. I wear jersey sundresses (mostly Me & Em) when it's hot.

You could wear your new shorts.

Sorry to hear about DS Bloss- fingers crossed he will be better soon. Shorts or sundresses would work for me. If using public transport it will be packed and baking hot so something that will work for that will be crucial I think.

Fizz sounds good to me MIM! Walking home is healthier...

I am aching from a combination of Insanity, NMTZ and running. I refuse to stop running as I like getting outside so I am substituting the 'easy' Insanity workout for a 5 mile run. Hopefully I will shortly look like I have 2% body fat and it will all be worth it. Roast chicken for dinner tonight- large portion for me for extra protein .