The Crepertoire - put on your peignoir and get into the boudoir

[MrsSchadenfreude]

And out of the armoire.

Largely because I have to give a presentation the day after I get back from leave, at a v. Important Meeting. This is a joint presentation, and I need to speak to my co-presenter. Unfortunately he is in NZ till next week, and it's not something that can be done by email.

Can you not skype or phone him, Mrs S?

Vacuum bag still holding up!

Agree with others, MrsS, but that doesn't help you, I am afraid.

NY sounds lovely, WAF; I have very fond memories of our visit, and particularly of going to the Plaza for afternoon tea.

I am glad you had a pleasant afternoon with DM, and I hope sharing your problems with her was cathartic for you.

MI, sorry to hear about the hamster (which, for some reason, I want to spell hampster). We had several and I can still remember the panic I felt when they escaped.

I gather the hamster was still spritely till it, er, wasn't. Just fell asleep and conked out - it had already outlived the usual hamster lifespan. A good way to go and it's now in our garden where I hope nothing digs it up.

WAF it sounds like you are having a brilliant time - looking forwards to photos on FB.

MrsS, Skype sounds like a much better plan. And sympathies 're the DM visiting - I am currently on a train 200miles north to see mine.

Cloud, glad you had a good catch up with yours.

We had a hamster death whilst hamster-sitting for friends. DS had to put it in a shoebox in the shed till they got back - the rest of us didn't dare touch it

We also had a hamster death when pet sitting. Buried it & then someone told us they can go into a coma & not be dead.

WAF - great to hear you are having such a lovelt holiday.

Rudy - I think uni makes them worse. They have 8+ weeks a term with no one nagging reminding them to clear up!

I do too (uni). And they re-establish territorial and rights and place in family by inaction. dd now gone back to get cracking on last push.

Did you dig it up to check, Magi? (good news on vacuum bags).

MrsS, hope you can get your hol.

Oh MrsS! Yes try a Skype meeting if the time difference allows. You need your leave particularly after such a trying time with your DM.

WAF loving your NYC updates. Photos please!

Good luck BTM I hope you fine DM not too bad this time.

Poor hamster...their time on this earth is but short.

I am a bit jaded. DH touched base briefly last night and is now away again until Sat night. DD really isn't well but insists she's well enough for her maths lesson and then a planned shopping trip with friends. I have now finished work (such as it was) for the hols (Have declined an invitation for a skype meeting on Sunday night from 7-9.30, the nerve of it!) A small boost to the self esteem last night from great written feedback...words like "non judgemental", "unbiased","warm", "open" ,"generosity of spirit and concrete facts", "open minded". Made me feel I may have some use to someone out there.

Sainsbos haul...keeping this but will look better if I lose a few pounds. Returning this shirt dress as gathers on the waist never did much for me

I'm relieved they both at least fitted in my usual size....

The time difference and his intractability are the problems. Aibu to book myself on a package holiday for a week to Spain on my own?

DO IT.

I like that frock.

DO IT.

I have bought w v similar frock from sains, but navy. It, too, will look better when/if I drop a few pounds!

Off to sis's house today in deepest stockbroker belt. They have a boot room, and two cleaners. And a gardener. And three lots of private school fees. I can't help going a bit Outspoken Lefty when I go there. It is, of course, lovely.

MrsS I'll come with you:)

And me!

Do it Mrs S. And don't even stop to think why you should not. I know what you mean re conference calls at diff time and at distances. Utterly shit. Get thee ( and BD) to forrin.

Loving MM updates regarding vacuum bags. Noticed some in tkmaxx yesterday , but restrained self pending your reports

Waf, oh my god, you are a Crepey after my own heart; Target ( the joy) and Williamsburg Sally Ann shops. Wowsers. Sounds like you have had a terrific time and I'm SO pleased for you.

Rose/Herbs is that the Gok pinny? I tried it on but I looked boxy in it. boo. All my middle weight has ascended to my 'above tummy' ( is there a word for that bit? )Lower Tummy now allows for a size 12 jeans but then there is a cascade of intractable flab over the top complete with norkage.Infuriating.

Is a Hampster a rodent form Hampstead?

I have 5 eggs
1 punnet blueberries
Butter
All the flours
Chocolate
Several types of sugar

I'd like to make a cake or similar. Suggestions please Crepeys.

Clafoutis?

I have two (vaguely) S&B questions.

One - my glasses leave a sore red patch on one side of my nose. Is there an appropriate unguent I could apply?

Two - what are the best temperature-appropriate shoes to wear with wide-legged trews? In the summer it's Birkenstocks, but for now trainers don't look right, and nor do ankle boots. Brogues would be good, but too smart for 90% of my casual life. I've been doing Adidas shell-toes, but not sure if that's a bit Mariella Frostrup 2012.

Three - where is the skincare thread of which you speak?

I use Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream for stuff like that. Get thee to an optician & get your specs tweaked - they shouldn't do that.

No answer to your Style & Beauty questions, I'm afraid.

Canvas shoes Herbs - brilliant when it's really hot and cheap. The French seem to do this and I think it's a good idea. Also, can the optician not adjust your glasses slightly. Mine seemed to heat the plastic frames so they would bend a little.

Rudy - spot on about uni making them worse. Same issue here with DD2 although dare I say it, DD1 seems to be coming out the other side.

Am sitting in the sun on the front doorstep reading Mary Beard. They reckon Julius Caesar killed about a million people (today's cultural yet shocking fact)

Sudocrem, Herbs . Not sure about the shoes but I would try very slimline but slightly funky trainers or converse ripoffs from Sainsbos...or what about espadrilles?
Crem I'm not sure if it's a Gok pinny. What I like about it is that the neckline and straps would also make it quite a nice sundress in the summer...My main worries are the doughy knees at the other end. It's slightly too short for comfort but I shall resort to the S&B mortal sin of cropped leggings in the summer, and the much preferred opaques in the winter. It's less boxy than it looks actually and has some waist definition. I just wish I wasn't so lumpy.

And now Crepeys...I must ask. I am lately fighting a desire to get some dungarees. Don't die laughing...really. I'd love some but what style would grace a lumpy, vanity size 14 with a big bottom, wide hips, and ample thighs, which isn't mutton, or too hillbilly. Or shall I just drop the idea?

Someone just cold called me about funeral costs and an associated savings plan

I must be old......