Halston and Hasbeens and Harems, oh my! Wise and avid gals this way, please!

[PlumSykes]

Wonder how quickly we'll fill this one?

apuski hmm, mine are just slung low on my mile-wide hips I'm afraid ... maybe size down to an XS?

The ASOS vero moda top I linked to for the rats arrived and is indeed perfect for the job, even managing to make them look somewhat classy with heeled ankle boots and a swagger. Not mad on the texture of the cotton - a bit stiff - but will leave it on the roof in the rain and then chuck it through the wash a couple of times, ought to sort it out.

Roman you are far too chic and glamorous for a smalltown Shazza like me, I am scared to watch your video

hells ace news on the dress, fingers x'd.

oooh hells that YSL one also dribble-worthy. Think I prefer the shade of the other, but both delish

oh good news on the top LTEC. I'm tempted now but have an irrational fear that one day we shall meet - dressed identically from head to toe. Alas I shall be a fatter dumpier version.

I took DD out today with the desperate intention of shopping (as I have work for the next three days which will be full on and intense - with no time for any MN breaks I fear) but nothing was right. We have a Whistles in Islington - but try as I might I can never find anything in there.

The other one wasn't quite as delicious a colour as it appeared on the NAP site. Slightly dulled in RL. But still lovely.

oh please buy it hells. You have so many more beautiful frocks than I. What's an asos top or two? Besides, I love to think of having a North London doppelganger and am determined that one day we shall meet and friends in fashion forever

Thanks LTEC and hells, I think I'll hang on to the small, I can't imagine I'll shrink sufficiently to get into the xs before winter arrives, and I think they will look better a little bit baggy. It was always going to be hard buying post-preg clothes at this point, but by the time I need to wear them, there'll be nothing left in the shops!

Now to start on scarves and trying to find the perfect bag...

oh o.k. then

(but I promise I don't have many more beautiful frocks than you - DM's wedding has just got me on frock alert so frock link crazy)

Hana - looking forward to seeing the new version.

Morning all,

OWW, I have purchased the Laura Ashley dress. I'm not very optimistic about it's fit on me, but I'm great at returning things! It could be the perfect transition winter/spring school run dress with boots I think. Will report back re sizing of 14.

Beautiful day here today. Looking forward to finishing my evening classes this week, just tonight and Thursday to go. They've been a good distraction, keeping me busy and forcing me out to socialize with people who have no interest in children or clothes, thus forcing me to remember who I once was, as well as keeping my brain active.
I'm going to start back at the gym next week on the two nights. Just finding it impossible to shift this weight. I'm eating really healthily, taking exercise on the school run, which is about a mile there and back, going to bed early (baby's dropped the 10 pm feed) and is sleeping from 6.30pm to 6.00am. She needs cloning. I'm very lucky.

I'm going to post a photo of her and me in matching breton tops with my new fringe.

Oh blossoming - can't wait to hear what you think! Had one of those lightblulb moments this morning and realised that instead of checking the LA wbsite every 2 hrs and groaning when 12 is still out of stock, I just need to ring the store near to where my parents live and ta da, they have it in a 12 and are holding it til my Mum can pick it up! Will have to wait 4 weeks til my parents are over for a visit to try it on tho but I'm hopeful it will do the job! I am usually a great returner too so hope I like it - just not sure about how flared it could be on! Mum nearly dropped the phone when I said I was buying it from LA and I could wear it for the school run - she said I was finally growing up - I am 38!

Great pic by the way! DSs has got a stripey H&M long sleeved T on today in blue and white - looks v cute. Its his 3rd bday tomorrow and I promised to make him a fire engine cake - like this: here What was I thinking! Off to buy 3 bottles of red flood colouring now!

*OWW - - what a cake, good luck!! In Australia the Australian Womens' Weekly birthday cake book was standard childhood reading, whereby you would peruse endlessly and take months choosing and anticipating your birthday cake. Then show your poor, tired mum, insistently pointing a chubby finger at one of the more advanced cakes, repeating that "This was the one you wanted". Oh dear. All this lies ahead of me.

On the shopping front, off to Paris over Easter, and think I have the wardrobe sorted: silver ballet flats (will not be parted from them, such is the comfort factor), TopShop Marthas, Uniqlo skinnies, and cardis and camis galore, plus my breton top (minus some jewel detail thanks to DD). Ha ha - am descending on the style capital of the world in my usual SAHM spring uniform! Have asked Bonsoir for some child friendly places to see/go.

Re more shopping news, have found a beautiful handbag, as still have some money from former City life. 'Tis lovely. And £1000 (LV in their EPI range). Came home and told DH all about it, and about lack of special treat in recent times (he did query whether our daughter is considered special enough for me ). Then announced £1000 for a handbag is obscene. Sadly, think he might be right. Still considering.

I was expecting 'three bottles of red wine' not food colouring. Best of luck with that. Post photos.

Were your ballet flats from gap bunnymother? Gap in Chester was awful last week. Reminded me of why I don't shop there any more. But I am looking for a silver pair of flats.
OWW, there is no way I'm telling my mum of LA purchase. I would not here the end of it!

Re cake - should have said that I will be cheating a little bit - I use shop brought large maderia cakes that I cut and stick into required shapes! So far this method has served me well with a train and a pirate ship! Then all you have to do is cover over with butter icing! Sorted! For the fire engine I have ruthlesslydestroyed borrowed a plastic ladder from a cheapy fire engine of DS1 and will use thick silver card for some of the detail like wheel arches and bumpers etc and stick a few playmobil firemen on it - so in fact cake will look nothing like the picture!

My M&S delivery has arrived - will report back on the bargain 12 pound Indigo jeans & leggings!

happy birthday to your ds OWW!! good luck with the cake!

yes, bunny, I have a good selection of AWW cake books lining my shelves, what Aussie mum wouldn't??!!

Master C's last b'day cake

Miss P's last birthday cake

it horrifies me to think that I am going to have to do this 3 times a year

What is this LA dress of which you all speak!? I seem to missing lots of links...

OWW that's a bit like the cake I made for my 4yo last month. I'll try and put a pic on my profile. I recommend using brownies as they're v.dense and you can build with them like bricks (and they taste nice!). I got some red powder food colouring which was really intense.

Amazing cakes LTEC! Love the pirate one - jelly bit was inspired! I covered mine with a zillion cadbury flakes - gave a v rustic look to the boat!

I would love to have done this hungry caterpiller one but my 2 DSs are def the car/train/pirate type! here

This is the LA (Laura Ashley - not the city - alas!) dress - here - we are reserving judgement til we try it on but I like the neckline, colour etc - just not sure about the shape of the bottom half.

Blimey - all those cakes are very impressive.

Blossoming - you and DD look gorgeous.

I am having a very dull day of sorting out paperwork - yawn.

Is this the AWW book?
here or [[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kids-Party-Cakes-Pastries-Australian/dp/1863964185/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_a here or both?

Ooops I meant here

My heart sinks, Cakey - I need to go to a class or something. How else could I possibly churn out similar works of art?! I will definitely be using shop made cakes and/or brownies. Have told DH that he needs to get on YouTube and learn some magic tricks, pronto. I heard at playgroup last week that for birthday parties we should expect to spend £250 on entertainment, £200 on hall, £5 pp on party bags, and then food/drink as well. Oh dear.

I love baking but have never made such gorgeous cakes for birthday. For those of you less artistic, and if like my dc1 loves victoria sponge, I make a plain sponge, with jam and butter icing in the middle, with icing sugar on top, then stick loads of lollypops and sweets all over the top, put candles between the lollies, and it looks quite impressive, for almost no effort.
I might start planning dc1's cake now following your inspiration! (I have until September!!)

Just looked at your photos LTEC after posting. Absolutely amazing.

Great cakes. Cute caterpillar! Followed that link to this Cococake blog. Love this for ds1 and these. So sweet!