The race is on to (finally) wear our summer clothes. It's the Wise and Avid Olympics - off we go!

[Russianred]

Athletic leap on To new thread.

Back home and desperately trying not to get into a post-holiday grump. We ended up leaving at 4am to avoid heavy traffic. Was surprisingly fine - i snoozed quite a bit whilst the boys slept for just 20 mins out of the 10 hour drive home . DS1 is still awake now, I dont know how he does it.

Was a really lovely holiday. We we thinking about trying somewhere new next year but am v tempted to go back yet again. We literally relax as soon as we step out of the car which is partly due to the gorgeous gite, pool and garden and also due to the lovely owners who we now consider friends. Am paying the price for over indulging on the food front tho - cant face the thought of eating anymore pain au chocolate for a while!

Watched most of the ceremony last night - loved it too especially Becks

Just watching the swimming now. Gary Linekar is really getting on my nerves tho - terrible puns and questions imo.

Hopefully sounds like you got some lovely investment pieces at Bicester. ive decided the Tom Ford bag Jennifer Anniston is seen a lot with would be a good a buy, until I saw the 3000 pound price tag! Why so much?

Bloss have you found any similar necklaces in silver to the one Ants brought? I loved it too. My HoC consultant said I needed to wear medium sized pieces and have yet to find anything I like or can see myself wearing.

Feeling the need for one or two treats as all I got in France were the 2 bargainous scarves and a panama hat which I love - but DH just thinks is wrong!

Oh yes Emo, feeling the Lochte love here too!

I think we should have a W&A Olympic dish of the day - or something that sounds less sad and letchy?

decam thanks v much for that fab Donna Ida code, have ordered some 7FAM black skinnies and some JBrand white skinnies (not sure but such a bargain has to be worth a try)

ollie glad you had such a wonderful holiday. Hope summer has arrived in the Netherlands for you now, good weather makes all the difference I find.

hopefully sounds like a wise haul, I haven't been to Bicester for ages - did you feel it was worth it?

ollie for a second I thought you mean cooking dish not male talent, and I was thinking mim might have some winning ideas. Actually, mim may well have some winning ideas in any case...

I'm with you on Ryan EMo.

Glad you had a great holiday Ollie.

Good haul Hopefully!

Having lovely weekend away. We all loved the opening ceremony. Spinning class for DH and I this am whilst Dd did a games session and then visit to nature reserve. Sunshine helped.

LOL Emo

Now, Clare Balding should just present the whole games - she obviously researches her sports and makes interesting and relevant comments.

Lovely blue chiffon backed Zara jumper here. And I think I like this coat too - unusual sleeves. here

Ollie is it actually possible to tire of pain au chocolat? I admire your dedication to the pastry cause . Tom Ford is insanely expensive - from the perfume and make up upwards, it's a seriously expensive brand.

Emo Bicester was good, but tbh I quite like the luxury shopping experience as part of buying designer stuff (you know, the nice box and tissue etc, and wonderful CS) and you totally don't get that at Bicester at all (staff all nice though). There was a reasonable range of stuff, but I was totally done inside of 2 hours. Massive queues to get into Prada .

Hated Ryan Lochte in BBC interview earlier, but he grew on me when he finally smiled a bit.

I think the BBC need to stop bigging up our athletes - it is clearly a death knell to any medal hopes every time they do it!

DH has called Ryan Lochtye 'a bit of a bastard really.' That is high praise on the 'how dare he be so good looking' front.

Off out to dinner in new Zara Rex high necked dress worn over super skinnies with wooden heels. I just can't wear the dress with nothing underneath- so short!!

Started watching 'Up' with DH and Dd in the hotel room early. Very emotional! I also tear up when I see the C4 ad for the para Olympics 'Mert the super humans.' So inspirational.

I have vague fond memories of drunken shenanigans in that place decam! Can't quite picture children's parties there, but hey I'm all for diversification for the cause . Great jeans and you too emo. I 've only gone and missed Lochte... will google.
DH a bit shell shocked after his coaching training. I'm being (kind of) attentive.

Welsh Mountain Zoo was cool. Small - Dd with her little ladybird backpack with lead, no buggy, no changing bag.. things are getting easier. Good range of animals and good playground.

I'm on the lookout for a black and white stripe tee, Breton style, crew neck, cap sleeves.

Well done hopefully. Love the bag especially.

Mark Foster is catching my eye right now!

Up is a funny one isn't it? DS finds it strange and is frightened of the dogs.

Up was unthinkingly turned into a comedy for us when we watched it with ex-step-MIL (don't ask). She was a snivelling, sobbing wreck by the end of the opening montage and said, "he's just like my father was". I, unthinkingly replied, "what, square?" in my defence, I didn't realise quite what a state she was in...

Hopefully

There is a room at the end they use for toddler group, kids parties etc at the end with a bouncy castle, Bloss. I was a bit of a rugger hugger too! Can't wait to be done with the baby stage, cute and all as she is. DH said about DD2 this evening, she's adorable but she's quite demanding, isn't she? He has no idea.

What did you buy, Dexter? Glad you found some bargains, Emo!

Decameron - I got a air of Roxannes for £66 which was good! Mind you I got a black pair from TK Maxx the other day for £50. They seem to be an easy brand to find heavily reduced.

Nice jeans, Dexter.

Ollie, glad you had a good holiday, it sounds lovely. I'd go back next year if I were you. If it ain't broke!

Glad you found a few bits hopefully, I saw those Anya bags, great for you! I love Bicester, especially for work stuff, as I resent paying £200+ for a bloody work dress from LKB!

Had some shopping success myself yesterday, went to MILs for the day so I escaped to Tunbridge Wells with DD for a spot of browsing and found some lovely shoes in R&B, gorgeous metallic rose gold courts down from £165 to £45. Snapped them up as was after shoes for a wedding and they will look fab with my pink sparkly Anya clutch.

Went to family party last night, wore plum FC Renoir top, skinny Goldsigns, rose gold Sam Edelmans and MK watch. Felt good in a sea of floral maxis and overly short dresses.

Busy day today, early lunch with DH's ex (don't ask) before NCT picnic later this afternoon. Hmm, now what outfit can simultaneously say 'back off my husband, bitch' and 'I am a competent, caring mother'?

Tough one amber! I'm sure you'll come up with something 'not too try hard'.
It is so tough when they're at that stage decam. We're having a quiet morning. I've been pinning like mad, basically doing my holiday packing list on there. I find it really focuses the mind. DH on his training course again, so have planned a trip to the swimming pool. This is a first for me, as it's the first time I've been allowed to take both of them. DS can swim competently now, so I can take 2. Then home to a boiled ham and ratatouille, then a walk round a nice easy route this afternoon. Then another day I was dreading will be done!
Which costume to wear to the pool though? Could be a few locals in there, and do not want to be constantly readjusting!
So good to have you back ollie. Glad you had better weather this year. I am avidly searching for a similar necklace. I'll let you know if I find one!

Now Emo you know I only have eyes for Mr Cumbria.

Holiday sounds fabulous ollie, really good to have you back again though! I love that necklace too, have found nothing as nice yet.

It's really hard Decam. DS is really pushing my patience at the moment, it's a combination of bolting/jumping on DD/not doing as he is told/yelling "I want Mummy" every 10 mins. Exhausting. Things sound good Bloss, no buggy/changing bag. Everything has to be planned to such detail when they are really little.

Great shopping Hopefully, I do like that DVF as well.

Amber did you hear back from Matches. I replied to them on Wednesday stating I was not happy with their response - nothing back. Really not good enough.

What would you suggest is my next step?

Hopefully great shopping. Yes to luxury experience but for work it sounds like a good idea. And lol at square.

Ollie holiday sounds fab. Finding one you like and going back sounds good to me.

Amber any one of your outfits should do it.

Out last night wore floral current Elliots and Kors purple calf hair heels and navy t. One of my fave combos.

Hello everyone. Am back from a lovely villa break in Gozo. Gosh it's nice to come home to sunshine!! Washing machine is on second load. Five more to go!!!

Ladies I have a new style crush www.lucylaucht.com/

hopefully. I just wanted to commend you for shopping efforts in Bicester. I have never been but that is a seriously impressive haul!!!

amber am well jell of your plum renoir. Now I just need FCUK to do it in a coral or other spring like colour.

Have been pinning like mad from the J Crew website. Some lovely stuff.

I can thoroughly recomend the Gap stovepipe kakhis BTW. I wore mine loads on holiday with £9.99 white trainers from M&S or with my yellow clark t bar shoes.