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

SE I have a jar of hazelnut butter in my fridge that is almost 6 months old - it only goes in the odd smoothie!

My god I feel bloated with no exercise or anything. Hope I can get shoes on tomorrow!

Could possibly do yoga, but think tensing my foot half the time would make it less enjoyable. Will try a walk tomorrow night I think.

Looking at my wardrobe pins is quite interesting. Can see why I have never worn stripy Janice (still has tags I think!). It does not fit with my clothing personality. Whatever that is. So PM me if you want a size 12 Janice in mint condition!

Oh I have to report that DD2 is an adorable monkey. She has been diabolical at bedtime lately and I am pulling out my hair - so... I promised her a sweet if she would be good and quiet and not climb out of cot - so she has been a dream. Even went back to bed in her cot after a wee with just a little hair stroke. Honestly that girl she is just so funny has me wrapped around my finger (and the ability to drive me to distraction!)

Looking forward to my planned mini MUs in next wee while with various of you lovelies and catching up.

SHow was a success thanks for asking. We also have earring action (aren't I a softie giving in at 7!).

Bought some Lee Marlin bootcuts for half price in soft blue stretch denim and strangely I love them which is odd as have never ever liked bootcuts not even when they were in. But with a wedge and blouse tucked in they are lovely I think.

DH and I have been a bit shouty and shouting at each other blaming other for shouting - so silly!

DD1 has started a chart where we all get marks for bad behaviour eg shouting (me and DH), sulking (DD1), crying pointlessly (DD2!)

Quite a good idea!

Seveenth I am with you on the anti diet... have never dieted. that's probably why I don't fit some of my clothes mind you! Luckily I am good at convincing myself that I dont care.

GoS I wish I could be carefree like you wrt body image/food etc. What is your secret? have very very bad relationship with that stuff stretching back 15 yrs now. Drives DH crazy, as he worries. We usually have a big bust up about it every 6 months or so.

blue meant to say, more power to you with your tweeting. Great result!

red you sound like you're being super supportive and lovely. Great that DH has taken positive action.

bloss fabulous bag board. I love, love the Muse, but it's probably not dramatic enough, is it? What fun to be choosing one.

hopefully hope your toe is on the mend soon. If not, maybe fitflops for your romantic dinner a deux?

Am up having trouble getting back to sleep after crashing out very early last night so catching up on the thread.

What a lot going on for you at the moment red Great that DH is addressing issues it but you must be stretched so thinly at the moment with work and children so please look after yourself.

blue well done on job and blochs.I have a pair from tkmaxx,very pretty but would never buy at full price as seem too flimsy for my stomp.

have been busy with the girls so no time for pinterest but did look at your matches buys dona absolutely divine!

ollie after chatting with DH yesterday realised in fact he expected me to last 3 hours of the holiday not 3 days

love the name gos and good to see you.

amber please don't tell me they mention fitflops in shades of grey I definitely won't read,then.

yummy I can definitely see you in the mcqueen,very you!DD1 has asked to do a blog about her 'projects' so have added one to my blog if you are looking for craft ideas over the summer.She surprised made an art gallery she made a few months ago,inviting us to the opening!

bloss that JM link is brilliant.I finally did Shred yesterday,probably why I fell asleep so early!

Will catch up on weekend papers now.

Morning, woke up at 6.30 when the girls jumped on my bed... Still trying to really wake up - hear they are playing with my iPhone (cue: Hello Kitty theme song) but don't care. Reine hope you got back to sleep.

GoS great to hear from you. My girls were born in Brazil and everyone there was puzzled why I didn't have their ears pierced at the maternity. I think 7-10 is the age when you have to have it done, or it will not happen at all

Also enjoyed your bootcut revival GoS - was just idly thinking about three favorite pairs yesterday, how to style them - you just inspired me.

Amber very sorry to hear about body shape issues, will lay off the diet talk. My life goal is not to diet. But living in the US and Italy and having children has changed my body... Trying to accept it (my "normal" weight has crept up a stone over the last decade), no crash diets for me, but need to pay some attention right now because I don't want to change too much.

Ants I also am an absolute no stripes girl. Not sure why - they just make me look and feel too drab and ordinary. I found my style at 17, have been distracted from it by various trends and fads but am discovering now that those looks simply don't work for me. My favorite clothes have good materials, simple clean lines (not too angular) and full saturated color and structured tailoring. Anything too cutesy is wrong, and also overcasual looks (no Converse / Superga for me). Also very strong patterns, especially black and white ones, do not work on me. If I could freely choose what to wear without any budget limitations I'd just wear vintage Chanel and Dior mixed with the odd minimalist more modern piece (adore Calvin Klein). Lookalikes are fine, too.

Right, the Zojirushi has exploded hot milk all over the kitchen (was making a rice pudding overnight - always risky). Need to clean up the mess...

Ah, no need to kill the diet talk because of me. It's actually refreshing to see a normal take on it i.e. people controlling their weight with portion control/exercise, rather than the methods I use.

reine to be fair, while I have clocked references to Jimmys and Manolos, I haven't noticed Christian Grey removing any fitflops, though imagine they might be quite a good spanking implement...

Funny about no stripes - I wore a lot in pregnancies and so don't like them when non-pregnant. Also feel they make me look a tad mumsy.

I love Dr John Briffa - my version or rather his of low-carbing includes vegetables so not hardcore like Dukan and I'm trying to just adapt to this way of eating forever really. Wheat does not agree with me - stomach so much better since I've stopped all pasta and bread.

However montezumas dark chocolate with ginger may be my new addiction.

Fitflop kinky
Amber on pin, I love your style - you are so pretty and all the clothes and accessories you pick are exquisite. One of the joys of growing older is that the insecurities and outside pressures fade away and your inner voice (or whatever) grows stronger.

Many of you have analyzed your clothing personality. But do you feel you know your personality? Have you done the Myers-Briggs test? I feel it is scarily accurate in describing me (the good and the bad) and perhaps also explains some of my style preferences - I am an ENTJ, just like Mrs Thatcher

Oh I just love stripes, mumsy though they may have become. Just simple and chic.

Sorry to hear about issues amber. I'm surprised because you are so beautiful and have such a confident sense of style but I know body stuff is just not rational. Thinking of you and hope you can break free of it all one day. I have been really shocked on this thread by how much people do think about weight, calories, diet and exercise. I never think about any of them but perhaps I am just lucky.

Had fun last night while DH was out trying on bits from back of wardrobe and throwing out the dross. Charity shop bag full = lovely feeling. I have many nice pairs of trousers that just look dreadful on me; I really before skinnies came into fashion. Please let them stay there forever! I am in love love with my whistles animal skinnies, they're just perfect.

New car day today; am quite nervous!

Another one here with a totally f@@@cked up attitude to food. Have toyed with the idea of seeing a nutritionist recently.

Will try that test dona.
Lovely to hear from you girlsofsummer. Your gorgeous girls!

I meant I really struggled before skinnies. I remember wearing the same pair of tight black boot cut trousers for 3 years at uni.

Blue I always imagine you as Alexa Chung like and she wears stripes well.

I think with me its the combination of boobs and stripes which is just not so great.

Now I just dress the dc's in them a lot.

Dona will do that test.

Amber you are gorgeous.

Hopefully one last try

Bloss going to look at your bag board. Sounds very nice.

Quicky, had power cut last night. Quite peaceful.

Ants you are very pretty.

And thank you for Bruno feedback! And Hopefully

Blue I'm with you on stripes - I think they are very chic too. I now dress me and the DC in them; often simultaneously . I feel mumsy in a floral print and as such, have very little of it in my wardrobe. I tried on countless pairs of floral skinnies, but felt so mumsy in them; different strokes for different folks! Animal print skinnies I can do; what's the fit like on the Whistles ones?

NSG thank you so much for the link; invaluable.

Had a drink last night with my friend, which was long-standing in the diary (the one in my head, that is) and really enjoyed myself. We had a long, long chat and she was so supportive and fab. I wore Nudie black skinnies, H&M sequin jumper (thanks WornOuters), Roxy and Jalouse. Felt a bit of an 80s rock God, but overall happy with the look.

Another one with myriad body/diet issues here. Hope it does get a bit better as I age.

Good morning all.

Hiya GoS - lovely to see you.

I have been doing a fair bit of driving with DH - starting to enjoy it, even went on a dual carriage way and did some overtaking yesterday, felt like rally driving to me! Our street is a nightmare for parking, so I am a little nervous about how to get parked up nearish to the house to get the DC's out. DH is a great teacher though, he is very calm and give me confidence in myself. The driving is my first step to living up to one of my pins. "This is my commitment to live up to the spirit that is within me". I am the sort of person who throws caution to the wind, so I just needed to do it!

Stripes can be funny for me, although I love them. I need to wear them with blazers to make them chic for me too - otherwise I stray into mumsy territory too.

Bloss, I love the bag pins - my heart belongs to the Bal though, I saw one in RL the other day...it was pretty worn, but look even more fabulous for it.

Red, I hope you are ok - sounds like you are being a tower of strength for DH at the moment. Make sure you are taking care of yourself too.

Hopefully hope the toe is on the mend. Has it stopped bleeding now?

I have some funny issues with food, whilst I love cooking it, I find myself using it as a comfort tool - when the going gets tough I crave sugar and more often than not, I give in. To be honest, I have a similar relationship with alcohol too. My first thoughts at the end of a stressful day are towards wine and gin. DH bought a bottle of Bombay Sapphire home from the golf trip - half has gone already. .

Oh, and as a reward for my driving, I bought the Whistles animal print skinnies. I love them too blue. Anyone know when the next Gap 30% and Grazia Whistles 25% will be though?