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.

Oh Bloss will a few champagnes help on first night with friends on holiday? Hope it is ok.

It's really helped to go out. And love dressing up I mean actually wearing heels. Stella was there apparently I never see the slebs. Dammit

Dona good luck tomorrow!

I'm quite enamoured of Stella having seen her interviewed this week.

Bloss - I could never do holidays with friends - far too unsociable.

Right have new book to read plus a stack of September issues.

Hope it is ok Bloss. Try to use it to your advantage where possible - suggest reciprocal babysitting so each couple can go for a lovely meal alone, make sure not always together during the day and drink plenty so the first week merrily whizzes by!

Love an age gap. Agree that alcohol necessary for these things to begin - needs that in order to step from one world into another, iykwim.

No lemon skinnies for my mother, although she keeps on What's Apping the most amazing images from St P. Very jealous-making.

I hate fairgrounds Rufus - went on those awful, awful waltzers when I was on a date in first year of uni (should have known not to pursue after date venue being such) and committed all over date. So. Awful.

Must, must recommend An Equal Stillness by Francesca Kay. Have enjoyed reading it so much.

Not a big Stella fan here, couldn't tell you why though.

Panties (shrieks) that's another one that totally gets me. Knickers all the way.
Bloss at least you'll get them over and done with the first week. And if they have kids, then at least yours will have company. But hey, you're on holidays and there always to make it better!

Rufus, you made me laugh out loud with "a lovely lemon pair". Please tell me she called them slacks. :) I like the Bastyan trousers and skirts. Someday, I shall wear such things again!

Have a good time, NY.

Amber, how did DD get on at nursery?

DD1 is very formal and calls DD2 Baby Sister, if pressed as to her real name, she calls her Baby Zanna.

Ollie, I like this WC sweater. Did want this DKNY one but the WC is more reasonable (RED3 for 20% off). Happy birthday to your DS!

Well done on the potty training, MsCB.

Blue, maybe Covent Garden?

Everything, oooh exciting!

Thanks for suggestions. Hmm, will decide on train. To be honest will just be glad to escape the HELL of failing to potty train DS.

Adore Claire Balding. Liked Stella too. Disappointed by Gary.

My DM commented 'oh, are tapered trousers in again' when she saw my whistles animal print skinnies. . She finds my style and obsession interest in fashion very silly, I think.

Still wincing at 'panties'. Ugh.

She was angry rather than sad decam, which I think is progress...

Lovely buys Rufus those trousers look great as does skirt. Don't wear trousers much for work but they could tempt me.

Exciting Se to have a distraction like that... hope you are enjoying your free time.

Love to hear all the "How I met your..." stories.
Mine was a 1 night stand only he couldn't stay away so called me within an hour of saying good bye . I was delighted of course. Obsessive behaviour (and calling) on both sides very quickly turned into declarations of love and things moved fast from there. I was tottally infatuated from the get go thought he was the most attractive person I had ever laid eyes on and knew he was a total one off. As Marsha knows, I still do feel this way!

I used to walk past the bar we met in and my stomach would literally do somersaults - for years afterwards. Weird.

Im lucky my family like my interest in fashion - lots of them like to go shopping with me as I help them choose the best stuff. Including my mum, both my sisters, one of my brothers (and his wife).

I worked in fashion for ages think they all thought I would end up there rather than where I am. My Dad (bless him) wanted to help me buy a shop (his idea) when I was v. young but I knew how tough it would be making a living having worked in the business. Such a nice Dad.

Wow to Ambers cool mum. She sounds very stylish

Hope your DD gets into the nursery thing soon .

I am in bed catching up with your late night chat. You are all so entertaining!
Meant to say, I am finding Rivals hard work mrscb, but have since downloaded Lace which I am enjoying much more.
Happy days everyone.

Sitting outside for breakfast in shorts

Hope that amberlette has a better day at nursery today. Must be so stressful for you amber.

every How exciting for you! Ask him round for wine and dinner pronto.

I have to admit that I didn't get on with Jilly at all. Started the first chapters of Riders but found it very boring. All this talk about horses (might have guessed that from the title though ).

Am off the h

Morning. Great chat last night - I missed it as in bed by 8.30 to escape the mess we are living in. Still, stairs went in yesterday. We are getting there!

On my phone, already in Costa. Just me and DD today which is lovely , as DS is really pushing the buttons. So I can't comment as I find it hard to scroll back and type at the same time. Although Rufus , we share two issues - I seriously hated my lack of bust for years too. Really did mess with my head. Stems from an ex telling me I had a good body but seriously let down by small boobs.

Don't know what he'd think now - still have small ish boobs and my body is a train wreck! Two massive babies put paid to that!

Oh, and I hate roller coasters too. With a passion. And circular saws, but that's a whole different, rather gory, story.

Back later.

Bloody sausage fingers

Off the hook today fritzi she only does it on Tues and Thurs, when I take DS. Hoping she'll stay for the whole morning soon and I can swan off shopping use the time wisely.

Feel utterly wrecked today. DH not home till 2 am as he has a deal closing today. He was gone at 6 am again this morning. Find it really hard to sleep till he gets in and last night seemed to lose the sleep window of opportunity and couldn't sleep even after he got in. Feel utterly drained.
MIM what an a#*%hole. I hope you dumped him promptly. I actually think that was a totally abusive thing to say. Imagine if you had made a comment on his manhood? Hah!

Oh rufus poor you. Sleep deprivation is such torture.

Laughing at the boobs tales, partner meeting(love over the false teeth here) and potty training. The one thing potty training makes me think is how quickly you forget things. I know one of ours was a nightmare but now cannot remember which. A lot of the things that seemed huge at the time have faded so much. Now we are starting to deal with per teen hormones and it seems each stage brings new challenges- but I know one day these will have faded too!! Is this just me?

Pre teen!!!!

Just found DS going through my wardrobe and trying stuff on. He has paired my American Apparel tried tribal print mini with a Breton tee. Looked good.

I'm stadium. Atmosphere is AMAZING. Feeling quite choked up. Jess Ennis warming up.

On phone, photoshoot (for a magazine profile) over. 30 minutes of fun and silliness, stopped traffic and was ogled at by tourists, liked the photographer. Watermelon DvF definitely a great buy, slinky and bold and lovely.

Realized Mini Gracie is wrong on me - color right, size right, dainty bows and pleating all wrong. Somehow the Zatchel is much more me.

Post photoshoot got underwear and pyjamas for DC at H&M. Found some things at Zara too - if you are Ingenue / Gamine / Romantic, go there and buy the amazing sheer white lace shirts.

Oh and if you have been lusting for a good Chambray shirt , check the men's department. Bought one in size S at Selected/Vila, as good or better than my Marc Jacobs at a fraction of the size. (I use the for lounging around but saw lots if them on very stylish ladies.)

Then purchased something for AW that is totally off character for me (will pin). I was wearing the cobalt blue COS shift at the playground yesterday and looked, ahem, quite different than other mums in sensible shoes and crumpled jerseys - the new purchase will hopefully allow me blend in.

Found a bargain (-70%) navy peacoat for autumn at Vila. Not sure about the material, but great cut. Oh and a bargain bright coral wide belt at Mango for 3 ?.

Sorry for not commenting, too difficult on phone, will get back later.

Wow NY

Also of Fritzi breakfasting in the garden, raining here again

Nothing worse than lack of sleep Rufus the odd time it happens here now, I really wonder how I survived ds1 who didn't sleep through the night until he was 4. I feel ill just remembering it. Hope you catch up tonight.

bloss your holiday will be great

reine are you off soon? Have a fab time

Making the most of a day indoors sewing with an eye on the olympics. Not a great strategy, I keep having to rip back wonky seams

Enjoy NY the atmosphere is amazing isn't it. Made me very proud to be British.

Must be amazing NY and Ants. I loved the glimpse I had, very minor but still enough to make me feel so emotional. Loved it. It must be so incredible to be there.

Dona sounds absolutely fab! Would love a navy peacoat too.

Ds and dh out for a walk and started pouring. Now sunny.