It's a race against time for the Avid girls to wear the Wise summer buys..

[blossoming]

Best I could do. Jump in!

SE- that is just so ....adolescent of your ex H. Sorry but I couldn't think of a different term. Looking after your own child tires you out so much you can't see them a week later?! The clinginess sounds exhausting. I am awful for that sort of thing and have been known to lose my rag, which of course doesn't help at all.

Currently drinking coffee with papers and Grazia. Wearing fitted capris, blue vest top and hold sandals. Simple, but I like it. Just bought highly boring school uniform stuff for dd.

Gigis arrived! Gorgeous and so comfy. Should have sized up, live and learn, but they're fine and definite keepers. Exact same blue as my bag. I am an ode to bright blue (you listening HoC?!)
So which shoes get left behind? Havaianas or espadrilles?

Have fun rufus!

Quickly popping in to say happy holidays to bloss

Am sitting in the JL cafe, having had a good look around the shops as MIL is kindly lookIng after DD.

However, am feeling a bit down as I looked fat and frumpy in everything. My stomach looks dreadful, I look pregnant still. Oh and my various veins look shocking.

I'll be back later with a far less miserable me,me,me post.

Excellent, Bloss. What size did you go for? Just in case I succuumb.

Have fun, Rufus and best regards to Fungi!

I agree, that is very childish of your ex, Everything.

I have to order DD1's uniform too, thanks for the reminder, NY.

Sorry you are down, MiM. You always look great in your photos, it's probably just bad designs.

I'd say bring the Havainais but the espadrilles go so well with your pink shorts. Put them both in your DH's bag!

I went for the 9.5 decam. My Converse are a 7 UK and it says 9 US on the box. Really I'm a 41, but the Barney's website when I looked at boots this morning said a 40 was a 10! Have they got tiny feet or something over there? Flip flops, havaianas, gigis....they all lie flat don't they. DH said 'take your converse and one pair of sandals'. With a stern face.

Congrats Bloss's dad!

Finished the shoe book - a fun frothy read. She categorized the typical buyers - including Louby Girls (flicky blonde hair), Miu Miu trust fund girls (pretending to be starving artist, buying jeweled flats), Bluestockings (intellectuals/academic women, sensible shoes, one pair only, often for award ceremonies or formal dinners), Powerbrokers (ditto but three pairs at once), Madames (the best customer, elegant middle-aged women who know what they need and can afford, never return anything, and are loyal), Mrs Complainbergs, Mrs Returnbergs, plus the shopping habits of various nationalities (the French being the most frustrating). Oh and a code word for a hated customer (compulsive returner or non-buying timewaster) was 34 (coined after Macy's on 34th St). The vendeuses read their customers' shoes and accessories and mentally categorized them in seconds. And they do learn to remember customers very quickly - especially the good and bad ones.

Had a good lunch and a long walk with a good friend, a lovely day.
Marsha have an enjoyable weekend, sounds fab! Ollie's afternoon sounds nice too. 7th you probably have the perfect sandal shoes - princess feet are great for closed-toe shoes but not open ones, who knew?

Playsuits can be very flirty and flattering on the right person - good luck! Have an unopened Outnet box waiting for later - a pair of almost white jeans (am definitely influenced by MrsCB) and the Thakoon Addition shirt dress. Don't really need either but just wanted to try them on.

Browsed the shops, won't get tall boots this year unless I find the perfect ones. But think found the right ankle boots today - Sixtyseven Elins. Looked good with skinnies: slim ankles, rubber soles, comfy for boots. And two pairs of Stylesnob ballerinas - nude and dark grey, on sale. Might return either or both pairs, but they too are rubber-soled and übercomfy.

Here I am fritzi, DP is off work this week and hates me being glued to the Internet, which is fair enough. Luckily he's doing some DIY so I am catching up whilst I give DD tea.

Have fun in Kerry roary we usually go in August but doing Dublin instead this year. In laws live further south than dingle but we always pass through on the loooong journey down from Cork. V pretty if not raining.

Enjoying all the appliance talk, have bought a new dishwasher and fridge, sadly not a smeg, this week. Dishwasher is from local place that only stocks Miele and Bosch, but have just brought in a new brand called Montpellier which is an offshoot of Bosch. Not sure if we have been swindled there, but the man was confident enough to give it a 5 year warranty, so might be one to watch.

Well done hopefully bet you can't wait to see your boys. When is the big move?

Love the gigis blossoming good price too, have an amazing holiday.

MiM I pretty much double in size and turn pink in this kind of weather. Go shopping again when it's raining and you'll feel much better.

Exciting about the mini ollie one of my friends has a beautiful cream one.

Argh about the fence mrscb DP was making noises about ours this morning. Must distract him.

Well done amber's DH, I am rather coveting a DVf iPad cover...

Hope everyone is enjoying the sun!

Congrats to your Dad Bloss, the sandals are gorgeous.

Am enjoying your summary of the book Doña, part of my business is in the school uniform industry and reckon that many of our customers sound similar!

I hope that your day improved Mim.

One of my sisters and my brother were at the Olympic Park last night watching Usain Bolt in the men's 200m final. Am v jealous! Something to remember forever. I bet the atmosphere was amazing.
Will be a little sad when it is over now.

pickled- new baby is lovely but it takes a while for everything to settle doesn't it and I do feel bad for the others. Realistically, I think it must be harder to start again, so to speak, once all your DC are at school. (Mine are 1-2 yrs younger than yours and DD2 only 3 so haven't quite got there yet). I bet you are a lovely, calm mum though. The only reason I sound calm is because I have a mother's help this time.
Your DC must be incredibly well behaved for you to leave them all day with DH working. Mine would be in and out disturbing him every 15 minutes/ fighting, etc, etc. The older two are dreadful for bickering once they start and the two girls are both rather strong characters!
Exterior paint colours- was going to say my favourites are greys or sort of grey/ green/ khaki colour. It might be worth looking at The Little Greene Paint Co as I'm pretty sure they do a graded system within the same shade also Paint and Paper Library.

MrsCB- I'm totally with you on not being into cars. I would choose to spend the money on something beautiful every time (house, interiors, clothes) or maybe a fabulous holiday!!
You are v stoical with all the dead mammals in your garden!

decam- the DVF looks lovely. Can imagine that it would be v 'you'.

bloss- lovely blue gigs and glad they work for you! A bit of colour is always go to live up an outfit. :) Have a great holiday.

Congratulations Hopefully. When do you move?

MIM- you look great in your pics and I'm sure it is just you feeling a bit down at the moment.

SE- it must be so easy for the parent who doesn't have custody to make some useless excuse. How incredibly frustrating for you, especially as your family aren't the most supportive.

always- the NHS is usually fantastic in a crisis, I agree. If not, you may be kept waiting, but better this way around than the other.

Another one who wants to be marsha. Sounds like a perfect day! Wonder how long this mini heat wave will last. I love hot weather! :)

Bloss there is always room for Havaianas, I usually slip them in the side pocket of the suitcase - I always regret if I leave them behind. They are the best for the beach and grotty bathrooms and for when you can't be bothered. Wear espadrilles on the plane?

NY your outfit sounds fab, I love simplicity!

MiM I'll start abs boot camp as soon as I return to Italy. Have to be careful, have mummy tummy / diastasis recti, will do the Lindsay Brin program most likely (she has a good free Youtube video). Have managed to narrow it down a lot by diet and exercise but "strenghtening the inner corset" sounds much more fun than wearing sweaty shapewear.

Suburban have enjoyed your great blog posts!

MIM you are just lovely looking. Trying clothes on on a hot day is just a recipe for disaster. I am horrid when hot- pink and sweaty and I swell- hands and feet etc. I am sure that is all it is. So sorry you had a crap time. Hope you are planning a rejuvenating glass of wine or Pimms this evening.x

Dead vole in the sitting room this morning and we don't even have a cat flap - blinking Perdy jumps up through the top utility room window with her present in her mouth.

Have bathed children as they were hot and sweaty after friends over for lunch/afternoon and then realised hadn't given them supper. Ooops emergency pasta pesto and broccoli on the way.

My DH's car is literally held together by gaffer tape but he has this weird thing about having the worst car in the car park at his office - think he thinks people won't dare ask for payrises if they drive a better car than him. However he has been sussed as they've noticed his bikes

My laptop bag has arrived from Cocosa and I love it! Thanks GOS. DH also impressed. Apparently it looks 'well posh' .

MIM - Agree completely with Ants. Trying on clothes when you are hot is always tricky. And you have not long had a baby! Your body is not supposed to be back to normal yet. Please don't be down hearted.

In other S & B news , I managed to purchase my sports socks in with the Sainbury's shop, so at least that is one less boring thing I have to get next month. I really do need new running trainers though.

I will also be sad when the Olympics are over. Looking forward to some of the para olympic sports though. You simply must watch the wheel chair rugby - it is heart stopping.

DD was also sweaty/overly sun tan lotioned after her seaside trip. She had a great time though. They played all sorts of games on the beach, made sandcastles and paddled and had a massive picnic.

Apparently our fences are around 30m (not the full perimeter - only needed on 2 sides of the garden) but we are also having 2 gates included. It pains me to spend that much money on something so DULL. Then we have the front garden landscaped, but that will make a much more visible difference to the look of the property and something I wanted done for ages.

Garden landscaping is exciting but ours a long way off yet. Did I mention it took me 2 hours to cut the grass yesterday Told my mil who is very keen gardener she was impressed and then probed me on weeding at which point I had to go . . . I loathe weeding but just can not find a gardener and yes my diamond shoes are a bit tight

MrsCB, vile about the vole! My father had the same theory about cars and also used it as an excuse to remind clients to pay their bills.

Glad you have some quality time with your DP, Suburban. Mine is hard at work again on another project until end of September.

For how long more do you have the mother's help, Looby?

I am a US9/9.5/10, Bloss, depending on the brand. Fit the flip flops in somewhere, you'll need them for the beach. Bon voyage in case I am not back on!

Side pockets?? Genius!!

Thanks decameron, I was really happy to see you got a rest too. Shame it's already hotting up for your DH again. All a bit too relaxed here now, he's managed to get Rte on our tv watching back to back Reeling in the Years and Fair City .

Haviannas indispensable bloss wore my navy ones to the beach today

Hi to suburban and enjoy your time with DH and DD.

bloss Espadrilles + Havaianas equal less than one pair of your DH's shoes. Take both! Have a lovely holiday and flaunt your beach body in your gorgeous bikinis!

mrscb I had to remove a dead baby mouse from our garden a while ago and that was challenging enough. Your garden must be huge. It only takes me half an hour to cut our grass . I find weeding strangely therapeutic and calming

deca Shocking about your horse accident. I have always been really scared of horses.

mim What everyone else said: Wrestling with clothes in a changing room on a hot summers day is a recipe for disaster. Your outfits always sound lovely!

notyummy Your DD's holiday club sounds fantastic! DD was desperate to go too. Maybe next year.

marsha Lounging by the pool, total bliss!

dona Such a shame that shoe book is not available in English. I so enjoyed reading Overdressed and Mindless Eating. Now reading the Introvert book by Susan Cain.

pickled I'm impressed by your DCs' self-sufficientness (is that a word?) at that age. What a great mum you are!

Fritzi - its more that I don't cut the grass regularly enough and by the time I move furniture, trampoline etc it just takes ages. I thought of bloss and how many calories I'd have burned though.

Bloss - converse and one pair of sandals - is he for real?? Channels Kim K.

I'd need havianas for beach pool and at least 2 pairs of sandals for nights out. And a pair to travel in.

I am going to be 40 in just over a week and I am not liking it. Not fussed by 30 but oh dear 40 is a very different matter indeed.

Oh and anyone else's DHs vaguely amused at their new found love of athletics and particularly Usain. I patiently explained to DH it was all about a positive black male role model but DH seemed to think it was more about the big arms and legs . . .

MIM - I have often had shopping trips where I could have cried due to hideous clothes. But I think you look amazing on your fb photos and this weather is sartorially challenging in this country.

40 is the new 30 Mrscb. That is what I am telling myself anyway. I am slightly wrinklier and have some grey hairs now- but have a better body than I did at 30. Possibly not being out on the pop 3/4 weeks helps with that .