What would you wear ...wise & avid girls?

[blossoming]

In reference to a question by ltec the other day.

Have emailed you a few times Vin.

Thanks for the sympathy Plum. Part of my
problem (& it is my problem, not anyone else's!) is being generally a bit funny about people leaving London. I understand the reasons but it makes me feel so old. I've not been able to offer very sincere advice on the whole countryside thing.

Sorry to hear about your sunglasses monkeysmama. Can you sell them and spend the afternoon in Harvey Nichols finding a new favourite pair?

Hello all! We had an improptu holiday as my aunt who lives by the sea was away and offered us her house. Collected dc from school on thurs and headed for the beach, weather was lovely until sunday afternoon and it hasn't stopped raining since! Typical June weather so It was a bank holiday weekend so trip home which should have take 2 hrs was 3 and a half. Children tired, no food in the house and piles of laundry everywhere! I always feel I need a holiday to recover from family holidays.

Carciofi and Rufus isn't that crazy, we were all at tcd at the same time. We could have been sitting next to each other in the library or on those chocolate boxes in the arts block! I loved those trinity days, when
was bored in the library or between lectures I would nip into BTs and friday afternoons were always spent in the Screen cinema. Happy days

Blossoming and Bunny so glad the celebrations went well

Who was looking for a leather jacket? I bought myself a comptoir jacket for my birthday and patches of it faded and it looks awful,but there is no CdeC in Ireland so too much hassle to to anything about it.

The hair on arms discussion is very pertinent for me as dd who is only 6 is really self conscious about hers She has very pale skin and very dark, almost black hair, blue eyes and rosebud lips. She is so stricking people often stop us to say how lovely she is But some of her friends have obviously commented on the darkness of the hair on her arms, as a few weeks ago she asked if we could buy some Veet when we were shopping. She had seen an ad on tv and wanted to use it on her arms and legs We have had lots of chats about it but last week she insisted on wearing a cardigan with her short sleeved dresses so her arms couldn't be seen, poor poppet.

Vin so sad about your friend, how shocking that yourself and Whelk have had the same experience in such a short space of time.

MM sorry about your friend. I am an urbanite through and through, but dh would love to live in the countryside. We had a trial run about 8 years ago when his sister lived abroad for 6 mths and we moved into her house. I had a toddler and a baby, dh was gone from 7 am to 7 pm, we had to drive everywhere as the tiny road was on a direct route between a quarry and a major road build and trucks thundered past the house all day and made the area a death trap. The cottage was so picturesque but absolutely freezing and there was on oil leak in the pipe leading to the aga so it devoured oil. AAaargh! It was the worst time of my life, I HATED it. Hence we live in a lovely city area, albeit in a tiny house. We may be crowded but at least I have my sanity

MM I would have cried too. I have a vast collection of sunnies (short attention span) What did you lose on the off-chance I might have them? If I do they are yours

Verity, your DD sounds beautiful, that is sad she is self-conscious. I loved TCD, I'm going to encourage DD to go there!

MM, I know how you feel, several of my friends are leaving London now. We are considering it too as we can't afford a house around here. I'd like somewhere busy and not too far out, still thinking of Esher and I really like Teddington. Really want to move back to Dublin but it could take a while.

Vin, I don't know what happened but I am taking it as a sign not to buy the bag.

Blossoming, happy birthday to your DH!

mm I'm sure it should be the people who are moving out of London (like we did!) who should be feeling old, not you

bloss yes, mum and I are being "done" together. I kind of presented it as a fait accompli so she didn't have a chance to refuse! She also struggles with the idea that you can wear nice clothes all the time - she will buy nice(ish..) things For Best but won't spend anything she thinks is a lot for everyday. Need to have that "cost per wear" discussion with her I think!

Sorry your dd is self conscious right now VB. It's so awful to see them beginning to worry about how other people see them.

Vin don't worry that you haven't contated your friend's family immediately; if now feels like the right time for you, then maybe you could send a letter with some happy memories? I'm sure something like that would be appreciated.

Ladies - I think I've gone mad.

Went to look at sewing machines in JL as am inspired by Romana and Blossoming and fell into warehouse on way back to car and ended up buying this. Is it too mutton for words?

Funny I was thinking about our move out of Cardiff last week as the dentist was at the bottom of our road.
I was heavily pregnant, we were moving to West Wales where dh's university was and I hadn't seen the house. We were travelling in separate cars aswell.
The house was 4 miles from town down a narrow road, there was an orange carpet in the lounge (rented house), and a giant spider sneaked into my cardigan. How I cried.
Only 4 tv channels, two showing the royal welsh show...
The only shops were dorothy Perkins and monsoon..
Hours from a big city or airport.
It got better when we bought a new carpet and had sky installed. Also met two lovely friends in the antenatal group who are still great friends.
I wasn't happy though till our house was built back home. Commute for dh but closer to transport links to London where he was yesterday. And RL shops for me.
Thanks carciofi. Cupcakes looking good. Had to throw some tuna in the bowl to stop me licking!

verity, so sorry to hear of your daughter's pain. Maybe consider IPL for when she's older?
There's so much heartache involved in parenting isn't there?

traceybath, amazing jumpsuit. I'm sure you look fabulous in it. Did you get the sewing machine?

No - I want one just to do basic dressmaking and curtain making and was looking at this one as don't want to spend loads.

Also need to learn how to do dressmaking and curtain making

Hello everyone!

Missed loads of posts, cannot keep up!

Big shopping spree in JL, Cribbs yesterday, with just baby in tow, so relaxing! Normally loathe Joules but bought fab navy tank with frilled panel detail...and navy cream skirt from Hobbs to go with navy peep toe wedges...and gorge dress from Monsoon...dark, dark navy and cream halter longish...v v flattering! Bought kiddies loads - including lovely Joules pink dress for Madam, and things for baby and my DS...in readyness for hols...

Had eventful weekend...including night out on Saturday with DH- who I must admit made me do a double take as he looked quite tasty! Steady......!

As I've said before he's tall and lean, but he looked scrummy in an outfit he'd actually picked himself! Gieves slimfit washed look long shirt over loose stylishly crumpled linen trews and chocolate leather flip flops....very understated and a bit of all right!

I wore an off white linen shift dress...and taupe suede peep toe wedges...

Used Neutrogena body glow 'holiday skin' tanning moisturiser and found it excellent...v v natural...

Also, best, best, best body moisturiser for me at the moment is another recent purchase...Clinique's Deep Comfort...baby soft arms and legs, and feet....! Better than Clarins I think - more immediately recognisable benefits.

Still not found a house - went to view a gorgeous Georgian former rectory-stunning...Fabulous kitchen with Mercury range - you get the picture... but near, well, virtually, on a major, major road, so NOT idyllic...Estate agent, clearly exasperated with me told me she thought we'd need to win the lottery to get everything we want in a house! ... 'Noooo', I said...'There's something out there'...'please keep looking'...!

Anyway, have been cutting out bread for weeks now and had some this morning as my DH made me toast and felt hideous...within a few hours...?! Bloated and crampy...not good!

Dolcee - I was just in JL at Cribbs

Just doing my weekly rightmove sweep - utterly depressing.

I wish prices would come down a bit.

Yes tracey, I do a sweep every other day...and its v quiet...same old things on...we are getting calls from agents now though, so hopefully things on the up before summer hols kick in. I would have loved to have found something before my DS started school, but not feasible now.

Prices still ridiculous...No different to 2007 I think! We do have a decent budget and we are struggling...

In the middle of a tropical downpour here! DH has gone off to his leaving drinks so expecting him to roll in past midnight a gibbering mess! We went and brought a new mattress today after struggling for 5 years with an expensive mistake! Have ordered 2 that fit together with mine being a bit softer than DHs - got the giggles with both of us lying down testing them all as people walked past - just seemed so wrong esp as DH started throwing a few moves/bounces to test for firmness!!!

DS1's teacher has asked me to be one of the Class Mums next year - jaw dropped a bit as wasn't expecting it (cos of the whole me not knowing much Dutch thing!) - didnt like to ask if she'd already asked half of the other Mums and they had declined!!! Are Class Mums respected or scoffed at???? The ones we've had for the past year have been pretty low key (ok done bugger all) whilst other classes have had all kinds of social events arranged by the Mums! Should I say yes?

LTEC - love those boots - tick all the boxes as far as I am concerned for a AW staple but you are right and we will not even think about AW 2010 til at least Sept!
Rufus - hope you have finished packing - I am at the 'lets start and leave bits all over the house' phase! Ergh!
MM - sorry about the glasses and your friend moving away. Try and be ultra organised and get dates in diaries for meet ups - that has helped me when friends have moved and I have dates to focus on etc.
Tracey - did you get the H&M scarf? No sign of it on the Dutch site but am rather taken with this coral number for a beach cover up and only 5euros model wearing it here. Quite like your Warehouse purchase. My NL chinos arrived today - will see which tops look good with them later.
Vin - I always struggle with the send flowers thing after a bereavement. My Mum received a lovely plant/shrub for the garden from one of her friends after her Mum passed away that she has always cherished. Could that be an idea for you?
Blossoming hope you've had a great day with DH - loved the sound of his new bday outfit!

Boden Preview site is available - saw these and thought of you Tracey![[http://www.bodenpreview.co.uk/en-gb/Womens-Shoes-Boots/Heeled-Shoes/AR448/Womens-Chic-Peep- Toes.html click giraffe ones!)

Got it monkeys, sorry about your glasses can you return them?

All Saints order finally turned up, via someone who works under the wrong address...

anyway, dress is a keeper. Jacket- which I paid 90 less than current price for over bank holiday weekend, is reeeally tight! So I figured, ooh I should get the next size up (it is lovely, and I can do it up, but it's so tight it causes pain to do up!!) and due to the order going elsewhere it now won't let me return it as I am outside the time limit. So. hmm. I think it would be too avid to buy 2 of them, so I am keeping it and shall possibly await a shrinkage of BFing boobs before I wear it zipped up

verity sorry about your DD feeling self conscious. She sounds so so pretty. Children can be so sensitive even at that age but at least she has a lovely mummy. (My mother told me I had leg hair and should get rid of it(aged 9) before I had even noticed! Was a very light fuzz!! tsssk) Must be really hard for you though to see her upset about something

Just found an email sent today from my wardrobe with a secret sale, 40% off..cue vin hyperventilating and neglecting parenting duties, but I clicked and there was an ever decreasing number of items, first 160 then down to 68 or something, which was most confusing!! I have given up!
My new purchasing quest.. a highchair. Oh the glamour

Ollie, funny about your DH- we bought a new bed when moving last year and DP decided it was appropriate to shake the bed and forcefully move it around to check it didn't squeak. I was so embarrassed as it was in front of an old couple and the staff. Fat chance of it seeing any activity anyway! He sleeps on the sofa!

Your idea about a plant is really good, sadly I panicked earlier and just ordered some flowers which are totally naff but I had a brief moment of 'Oh no I haven't sent anything or said anything and it's days ago argh' and thought they were better than nothing. It's weird, I don't have her home number I deleted it ages ago only her mobile, and that has already been disconnected. I tried to reply to the text informing me but it wasn't possible. Bleurgh.

Afternoon, lovely and sunny again!

TraceyB so pleased it's lovely. I thought it would be, really gorgeous. I'm not having much luck with theoutnet, two down. (Getting to the point where it is the equivalent of going to a store and throwing away ten pounds to try something on )

My mother is a great influence. Half French/English she moved to a two horse town in mid-thirties but refused to wear anything but Escada, agnès b and some other Italian brand I can't remember. (Ok Escada can be deeply dodgy but there wasn't much choice). She would take all three daughters shopping and it would sometimes be a bit tense. We would all massively dress up for Christmas and the Big Reveal had to be met with ooohs and aaaahs otherwise daughter would go off in a big strop. And probably cry.

MM friends keep moving to the country from London too, it makes me whenever one goes. The last one I found quite hard, hope you are ok. Although like VerityB I crave big cities, the bigger the better, and I will have to be dragged from London. I hope we can (afford to) stay for a long time.

Ltec love the Chloe boots.

Dolcee getting close with the perfect house. Georgian sounds marvellous!

Vin hope you are holding up ok, those cards weren't quite right were they....

Hells Dukan going ok, had a funny spell this morning no energy! But feeling really full of energy now so won't stop yet (had a brief moment of bf'ding dilemma, but then ds2 is on solids now so hopefully ok eek)

Ollie not sure about the class mother, only if you really fancy it .

Breaking News......Primarni has Houli-a-likies for £14!!!! Worth a punt I guess if you're a fan. Might give them a go myself.

I love those Chloe boots cake, but have wishlisted them as sold out in my size. So nice.

OWW I'm a class mum have deeply regretted stupidly volunteering as loathe that kind of thing. I just felt bad that no one else volunteered. I will never do it again. It's like being the most menial kind of secretary/logistics officer.

Hi W&A -ers

Not been around much, although was lurking on iphone earlier as dd1 had op at GOSH this morning. Op went fine, dd was first on list so by lunchtime was as if nothing had happened and tucking into lunch at Carluccio's but it was a 5.15 am start for us so am feeling absolutely knackered now.

MM - PITA about the sunnies . I know they are not the ones but are they in any way similar enough for you to grow to like them?
Sorry you are feeling so miz about people leaving London. I totally get where you are coming from on this, despite being a leaver myself. If it's any consolation I am not at all sure we made the right decision - always feel really sad when we come back into town although am never sure whether it is our pre-dc lives we are missing or the citylife.

Carciofi - I was feeling a bit bad about not having sent you an email re Esher schools but then I saw your message re no longer considering moving out so not to worry but then I saw today you are still considering it maybe so let em know if you have any specific questions. I think I was being a bit paranoid re outing myself, I am sure I can answer any queries on here

Tracey - honestly? IMO the strapless jumpsuit is a bit de trop for school runnage. Maybe ok as a beach/pool/breakfast cover-up on hols but personally I would think it was a bit too try hard if I saw it at our school gates I think.

Verity - so sad that someone has put these things into your dd's head . I have 2 girls so am sure I have all this to come but I find it depressing that it starts so early now. I am quite sure I wasn't worrying like that till I was at secondary school.

Blossoming - I did that a few weeks ago, except I actually managed to change the time on my alarm clock accidentally the night before so I got up at 5.30am but didn't realise for a full hour that I had Made the day very long.......
Glad your DH likes and looks good in his new gear

Tracey I have this sewing machine. I find it handy for lots of things, including taking up trousers, and that kind of boring thing.

WIll catch up and respond later but quick question... on the my-wardrobe secret sale, can you see the 40% discount before you click to purchase? I've gone right up to the page where it shows my card details and it's still showing full price.

I know they don't ask for discount codes until right at the very end when you think you're confirming but surely in a sale, they show the sale price? Help!!!

Esher - hope DD is ok - is she staying in or home tonight?

Wasn't thinking of jumpsuit for school run - more for going out . Lordy - they'd all die if I turned up at school in that.