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.

I've been a 34B for as long as I can remember! Rigby and Peller say that I'm a 32C but I do find that a bit tight! No breastfeeding here, so boobs are exactly where they started off!

I've been wearing my new favourite colour, cobalt, today I can't think of why I haven't worn it before. I'm sporting a cobalt singlet with a white Uniqo short sleeved blouse gathered under the bust and grey Armani skinny cargos.

Hope that everyone has great weekends.

portia, are you on Pinterest? And reine?
Cobalt is fabulous I agree.
seventh, I took all my clothes to the Salvation Army. Liberating, as you said.

Bloss I haven't managed to pin anything yet! but am really enjoying everyone elses, I've bought virtually no magazines since I started looking at Pinterest.

What name are you under portia?
It surprises me that I can find 3 looks I love on Pin in five minutes, but struggle to find anything in magazines. I have a confidence in my own style since starting with it,

Can't see your photos, Rufus. Hope you had fun despite being tired. That guy was an idiot, MiM.

I had a similar comment from a colleague in my first job in London, I was 23. Colleague then stole my ID card and put my head on a topless page 3 printout and circulated it. When I saw it, I start shouting at him, stormed up to HR and was told to calm down, it was a joke, that's what the City is like and leave the building. This was after weeks of putting up with jibes about my accent, being Irish, the IRA etc, as well as quite vile personal comments. I phoned my boss from home (he wasn't there at the time) and told him I quit. He fired the guy, told me to come back and he would support me if I wanted to take it further. I wanted to forget it and went back to work. I was let go 6 weeks later. *kers!!! Still makes me angry.

Home, and wanted to check in before bed. Far too many wnes tonight, but had a fabulous time. WORE Whistles leopard skinns...and new zara sandles - pervfect going out shoe...get them if you can.,

i have that funny noise in my ears when have been in loud plaves,

Morning all!

MIM- so glad you had a nice time. Outfit sounded fab.

Deca- that sounds absolutely awful. Not surprised you were furious. I have a friend who did very well in car sales industry, where there are v few women sales people/managers. She has some dreadful stories to tell about attitudes there. Conversely people always think I will have done similar stories from the military, but I experienced nothing like that.

Struggling to come back down from tiring but amazing day yesterday. Had such a great time and dd loved it too. So proud of all the hard work that went into it and the army of volunteers of all ages colours and creeds that were eager to help everyone. Turned out friends flat was in really great area of London- v hip and happening and round the corner fro
Spitalfields market/Lamb St if anyone knows that area. We had a great meal out in a boho little place that seemed to be staffed by off duty female models. DH tried not to gawp but didn't always succeed

About to go camping with friends(only a few miles away) with some rain forecast. DH mutinous because of missing Olympics. We may have to drive home for cycling tonight for an hour if it is not on at bar at campsite!!

Foggy wet morning. Indoorbound. Carefully blowdried my hair, love it, and love even more how easy it is to find inexpensive and great Wella products here. I have fine straight naturally blonde Nordic hair and hair products in Southern Europe are all wrong on me (oils make my hair limp; I need light hold and volume - most hair products weight my hair down and make it look dirty and greasy).

Glad Bloss and others that you find inspiration on Pin. I find it very helpful in constructing outfits of what I already have - magazines are only geared toward selling me clothes I don't need whereas Pinterest and style blogs are full of real world fashion and help me to update what I already have.

Currently considering dyeing an old faded pair of bootcuts deeper indigo blue - would look sharper in the fall. Wearing right now a pair of bootcuts with a new emerald green Splendid tee from NAP. Love it, thanks for the recommendation!

NY sounds like you've had an amazing time at the games, what an experience!

MiM hope you'll get to sleep in

Portia I could also wear C but find B much comfier somehow. Love love love the freedom of strapless bras.

Everything I cleared two or three vanloads of unwanted stuff from our apt during our move last year plus eBayed over ?1000 worth of stuff (hated the faff of it). I love sparse rooms and clean lined modern architecture (we have a pair of Barcelona chairs and a Jacobsen Egg armchair), so it's essential to stay clutter free. But so hard! Clutter just keeps creeping up. Would love to get rid of everything. I think empty space is the biggest luxury these days.

Decam I have a very similar story, when I worked as a financial analyst in London, I used to get lots of teasing about my accent, the IRA etc, when I came back from lunch one day the guys in the dept had taped a page 3 picture with my face superimposed on it on my Vdu, they thought it was hilarious, unfortunately I didn't stand up to them, well done you! I was the only woman in the dept and it was so sexist, I now am ashamed to say that I used to laugh along or say nothing, rather than stand up for myself.

NY you lucky thing, yesterday sounds amazing, my Dad was at the 1948 games, his Godfather brought him, he has often spoken about it over the years.

decam that sounds truly awful, and portia too. You are stronger girls than me for sure.
We have an iPad. And quiet children.
Great hearing about your wonderful experiences yesterday ny. Hope the rain holds off for you.
Raining here and going on a family bike ride on the trail I linked to recently which gets us to a small seaside resort. For fish and chips. I think I peaked too early with my diet!
Have gone through my holiday clothes. Will only take colourful stuff. No navy, black or charcoal. Just cobalt, emerald, fuchsia and white. You wouldn't recognise me! Will pin all variables at some point.

Your day sounded amazing NY. Your DD will carry those memories forever. You always do such interesting things.
Decam that is outrageous. I would find it very hard to let that go.
I really hope that things have moved on by now. Medicine is extremely sexist, and I has plenty of inappropriate remarks etc when I was a student/junior (you're too pretty to be a doctor for example), but now that it's over populated by women, thankfully the landscape has changed. I find though women have gotten a little predatory and leery. When I mentioned my new reg was male the very senior nursing staff I work with said "is he cute?"! Supply and demand clearly play a role!
I put the pic on pin interest. Took it down last night as i didn't like it. I looked like I was looking into a spoon reflection or something.
Amber saw it though! And "liked". Thanks Amber!Might post another today if I'm feeling brave!
Went out last night. Glad I dragged myself out. I met DH at his office at 9, with a change of outfit (he can never wait to ditch the suit) and they were literally still singing the last few document. Very enjoyable night, food was great. It's a place that just does loads of unusual cuts of steak, with divine sides. DH LOVED it. It's very buzzy. They have these millionaire fries, which are potatoe dauphinois cut into thick chip shapes, which are then deep fried. One word. Divine. I can only manage one though they are so rich. (luckily)
Have a great weekend all. We are child focused today as DH hasn't seem his children all week. We have a family ticket to the Irish Ladies Open in golf tomorrow. That should be interesting. I don't play. (DH does)

bloss Can't wait to see your holiday wardrobe on Pin. It will be fabulous. I remember when you posted from your holidays last year saying you would only pack black/white monochrome in the future

portia and deca That is just awful. Think I wouldn't have lasted a week in your jobs.

I'm just back from the market with DD. Bought lots of lovely veg, fruit and cheese for tonight. DH is in charge of the meat and alcohol

Morning!

Absolutely bloody knackered here, was practically falling asleep in DS1's bed while the boys played this morning. Lovely to be home for the weekend before another insanely full on week. I seem to have landed myself in the training group of over-achievers (which is good, as I attempt to be one too, most of the time), so we are doing quite a lot early on in the training so as to be able to concentrate on practising it all next week rather than learning all the information over the two weeks but having a bit less time for practise. It's great, but exhausting . So amazing being able to take people on such a positive journey though, I love seeing happy faces walking out of the door!

Bra size - I am a 32D/30DD, depending on brand.

Boden pointy flats arrived while I was away. Am not convinced - the nude is a much duller greyer shade than it appears on the pic, and I think they're going to rub. Will try on again later, but envisage them going back. Definitely need to get another pair of work shoes though.

Am annoyed - thought I would lose weight this week as have not been snacking at all, but think the hotel breakfasts have scuppered my efforts . Oh well, I love croissants too much to be terribly upset.

Portia and Decam astonishing that people can be bothered with sexism/irish comments - I just can't imagine having the energy or inclination to spend time doing that sort of thing, never mind the fact that it's bloody nasty . I would have had a complete breakdown if it happened to me I think.

Morning all. Up with the lark and all that.

That is a dreadful story Decam, and you too Portia. What a awful environment to work in.

Sounds like you are having an amazing, albeit tiring time Hopefully. Sounds wonderful.

Fritzi, I remember Bloss saying that too - can't wait to see your Pins though Bloss, I bet it will all look fab.

Dona I cannot imagine what it's like to live streamlined at the moment - We now have a velux window and a french door residing in our bedroom.

Glad you had a good time in the end Rufus.

Slight hangover here, all made better by copious cups of tea. Wearing the new boxy breton that Bloss has, so comfortable and easy to wear. Off to the fun day and then back to prep dinner for tonight - at which I need to seriously limit what I drink.

Have decided that I need no more clothes unless they are proper winter buys - i.e Knitwear etc.

Hold me to this!!

NY yes a great area. I've been somewhere on Lamb St can't recall the name. Olympics must have been so good.

Dona yes I can't do oil in my hair of any kind either. Mine is fine but a lot of it. So can't be too long as tangles terribly.

Portia and Decam that is really awful, I would be too cross with that. Makes me annoyed thinking about it. I hope it is better these days.

Bloss sounds really lovely!

Rufus do another if you feel like it. Sure it looks lovely.

Hopefully sounds great. You'll be so full of information and knowledgeable by the end of it you'll might not be able to walk the streets without determining what people are.

MiM night sounds lovely.

Gos that lovely Freda dress is sadly double what I can spend on it. Will have to be after the main things I need.

I am starting to finalise what I will get.

Strong contenders might be

Deep burgundy cord skinnies.

J brand or proenza s skinnies and sweater.

And a peacoat. Would love Burberry or Derek Lam!

Decam, decided to follow your lead and took the DCs out to eat at Jamies in Norwich.

Fleecy, I was convinced I was going to see you there. Apparently it is the biggest one in the UK. I like the food and find it v. reasonable in terms of price, was a good evening, would recommend.

Off crabbing today - no opportunities for dressing up here! Good luck to those of you entertaining, at least you get the chance to wear something nice and swan around as the hostesses with the mostess .

Reine, have a great holiday, a friend of mine who is going through a difficult time atm was v. inspired by your blog/business, so thanks for that .

Last one - MiM, it is so stressy having work done but IT WILL BE WORTH IT...keep the faith.

End of week 5 of the summer holidays and DD and I are driving each other CRAZY... She has just started to bicker with DH too and I frogmarched her up to the garden. Think we all need a bit of space

notyummy It must have been amazing in the stadium yesterday. Watched some of the heptathlon on TV.

Marsha just tried on a Burberry peacoat at a local dept store - might buy it for AW. ??? but remembered can do duty free (automatic -25%) so may not need to wait until sales time...

Leather leggings look all wrong on me - a bit trying too hard (aka "eagle" around here - local dialect for cougar, only older and uglier )

Fritzi I'm so boooooored with vacations. Last week just started. I prefer travelling or doing something. Being mostly at home with DC and relatives is not a vacation from my normal life. DH will return to Rome in a week, I'll stay with my parents and DC until Sept 1. Actually prefer that, will go to work then and travel a bit and have a few good parties.

Oh a bought some Dylon indigo dye. Will test dye a pair of jeans and perhaps an old cotton sweater - really interesting to see what happens. I dyed some clothes red last summer.

Dona good idea on 25% off. I'm going to Germany later on, not sure if it applies can't remember.

Those jbrand ones are coated those ones, but yes actually I'm not sure I can do those in any case. I like the sweater / skinny combo. But better for me to stick to proenza black.

Fritzi 5 weeks, well done for getting so far. Ours are only 3 weeks in. Sometimes I feel more on holiday here with no dc around and lazing in nice places in London than I do shadowing a toddler on holiday near pools, walls and great heights. I think holidays for the next year or so will be ones where someone can look after him for me so I can actually relax.

Dona - your hair sounds similar to mine - I very rarely use conditioner either as too heavy on my hair. Which particular wella products do you use?

Red - breton dress alert saw this on way to hairdressers and looks gorgeous. Perfect with bare legs for this oh so changeable weather.

Bloss - yeay for the colour in your holiday wardrobe - you will look fab.

We've been off for a whole month now and its not been too bad - eldest has had swimming lessons every day for last 2 weeks and has one more week to go - has made an amazing difference to his confidence/technique.

Dolcee - where are you and how are you . . .

Dec - that's an awful story. I've tended to work in male dominated places and had a lot of sexist comments in the past.

Ooh, just found some nice pointy leopard print heels in (whisper it) Clarks. Annoyingly none in my size but have ordered some in.

Ugh, have gained weight while training - no time or inclination to Shred. Despite eating really quite healthily - I nee to be running around after the DSs all day to keep trim!

Dona lol at 'eagle'. may order the Joseph leather trousers this week. Hope they are more perfect than the Drome ones. Hope I am not eagle-esque (at 29, I'd be pissed off, frankly, to be too old for something )

Hopefully - I got the AW donna ida lookbook and there were some nice looking forest green leather j brands - around teh £800 mark.

Oh I think leather leggings can look great on much much older women especially when worn with silk or cashmere - very glam/luxe look