I don't dress for the school run, I dress for my (wise & avid) life!!

[LetThemEatCake]

continuing from here and quoting esher!!

Hope you have ear plugs too Fritzi! Enjoy the match - think of me with my 2 little Dutchmen (DS2 will be in bed) and my tray of orange nibbles - edam cheese cubes, cheesy puffs & carrot sticks! Hup hup Holland!

Tracey - sounds like a great haul and well done for shopping through the hangover pain . I finally check out vogue and can see why you were converted to trying the Houlihans. Have yours arrived yet? I can't wait to hear how you find them.

FLeecy - glad it went well....just saw some FB pics of yours...you look gorgeous as ever.

I'm still in a packing frenzy. Why oh why is it taking me so long? I guess we haven't been away for 2 weeks for ages and that's what is stressing me so...but for goodness sake we aren't going to a third world country. I can buy pretty much anything there (except nit lotion ).

I'm exhausted. DS is being a little menace but also wonderful at the same time. DD has just graduated from babygros/vests at night into pjs/nighties. Why did I wait so long? There is nothing quite so cute as a curly haired toddler in pretty pjs.

hey folks am a bit sozzled after a party, This is not good I need refreshments to be clear.

Hf sorry to hear about your father hope you and he are ok.

Quick question - asos have offered to replace shoes (& collect others etc) but I am a bit worried they'll break again. Should I just get a refund? Off to watch footy . I'm not supporting Holland

I have raved about this dress before on a previous thread and it is now reduced to £10!!! Some other nice stuff in the sale too. I have it in purple, but it appears there is only the grey or raspberry left - for A/W 2010 obviously! Honestly, it doesnt look like much on a website but I have compliments every time I wear it. It is V V flattering - although may not be as much on the large of boob (as a 34 A on a good day, I know not of these issues...its all about my arse!!)

grey here

raspberry here

New A/W collection is on the Next website (all v tense here so will now waste an hour trawling thro it as distraction!!!!)

MM - I think get a refund as it might happen again, unless you loved them (in which case, worth the risk). BTW didn't your DP buy them thinking that they were what you really wanted but you actually wanted a slightly different pair? In which case I think def get a refund and buy the ones you want.

Fleecy - yay, sounds like you have recovered really well. I 2nd Hell's comment - looking stunning as always in your FB photos.

DH went out and had A Big One on Friday night (3:30am v drunken arrival home). My reaction? Just pleased that I had bought my new strappy gold shoes - I DEFINITELY did deserve them after all. DH thinks my mental processes are insane (if you wanted them and could afford them, just buy them), but I do like my little justifications... Just like DH does like his boys nights out!

And then we went out last night to the opera to see Manon. Not my favourite opera, it turns out, but I do love to get dressed up and go to the opera w DH. Feels like such a special treat. Wore navy evening dress w strappy silver shoes and silver vintage mesh Oroton handbag. DH v complimentary on how I looked, so made the night even better!

notyummy - Dress would be great for A/W! But doesn't it cling to your backside? What is the sizing like? Do you wear yours with a belt? Would be tempted to get the raspberry... Sorry about all the questions but need some distraction from rather uninspiring World Cup Final.

DH is leaving for New York tomorrow. Have not compiled shopping list for him yet. Maybe should take it as a sign that I don't need anything

fritzi- It slims rather than clings to the backside, but I wear spanx to be on the safe side. I have the medium ( am 10/12). I have tried it with a belt, and is ok but better just left to drap I think.

Hi guys....just back from 2 weeks away in Cornwall....a fab time had by all and loved the area so much that we spent a bit of time househunting as we do really want a place here, seeing as we are having nil luck finding a place up here....so actually feeling quite chilled for a change. Maybe its the copious amounts of St Verans imbibed each evening...?

Back Dukaning now (well, my version)- fell off the wagon - but only gained 2 pounds...as did loads of walking and running on beaches/coastal paths each day...

Now have to find another dress for another wedding as have invite to a wedding in September...oh, the pressure!

Had wedding anniversary whilst away and DH surprised me with a fabulous canvas oil seascape, -very abstract - which I'd admired so was very

Hope you are all well and enjoying the sunshine...sorry that some of you appear to have had sad news (sorry, missed so much!)

Have to say you guys entering the Mums race on Sports Day are v brave...no way would I ever do it!

Tracey - where are you off to next Saturday?

fritzi, I'm sure you will love the belly fat DVD. That's how I feel right now: belly fat. Brother just plied me with food. I felt quite green reading about ollie's snacks!!

notyummy, do you think it would be beneficial to do level 2 and 3 per day, or just level 3 twice? I have 30 days left to 'push'! Realistically I can only work out at home. If I only did non modified level 2 maybe? Would love to know what you think.

Welcome back dolcee, you've been missed. Next Saturday is the a&w meet-up.

Evening all. I was a little worse for wear (bottle of prosecco before I went out, 7 jagerbombs in the pub then some drinks in the club - oh my!) and posing for pics thinking I was it Amused me (and served me right) that most were truly dreadful but I deleted those

bunny My DH likes his boys nights too but I don't mind as it means he doesn't complain when it's my turn! I don't love being woken up by someone trying to be quiet and actually making huge amounts of noise though! The navy and silver sounds gorgeous.

Is everyone watching football tonight? We're watching GP first and recording the final.

Welcome back Dolcee!

Blossoming- I would have thought doing 2 different levels is better than repeating one tbh. That is what I do when I do a double session, anyway. I think more variety of exercise 'shocks' the body into changing by challenging a wider variety of muscles. Trying to do everything at the unmodified level will also help. If you are not doing it already, adding some pilates as well as doing the shred could make a big difference to your mid section. I use Kristin Macgees MTV pilates which sounds naff but is pretty challenging on the core!

and hello Dolcee

Glad you had lovely hols

notyummy - I think I might get the dress in medium too. Have bookmarked it to see if I still like it tomorrow or if I'm just bored by the football match...

dolcee - Welcome back! Your holiday sounds great. I love Cornwall!

Agree re the football being v boring! As is most of the new Next stuff btw - some cute raglan t's for DSs tho! They seem to have stretched the photos so a lot of the models look v odd - eg middle pic - no-ones legs are that long!
Welcome back Dolcee - sounds like a lovely holiday and lucky you re the gorgeous sounding painting.

Thanks for that notyummy. will check out the pilates one even though I'm ashamed to admit that pilates scares me!

Thanks guys...was itching to catch up with you all and find out what you'd been up to...Blossoming, sadly can't make next Sat as DH away (stag weekend! ...humph....), but I know you'll all have fun!

Don't mind DH's boys nights out either...not that often, does pop to local for a pint or three sometimes...and I get the chance to do beauty treatments and luxuriate in the bath.

OWW thanks...I looove the painting...its gorgeous...fab colours! Such a happy surprise...

Cake - DH seriously wanted me to get a VW Transporter...he's an inner hippy surfing dude....

Hurrah! eBay woman finally claimed payment and dispute closed!!

Hi Ladies

Sorry that some of you are having a crap time at the moment . Things not great chez Choo at the mo with DP being a pita. Am sick of having to do everything. Have finally decided to get a cleaner - definitely good call.

To quote Tracey I am feeling as fat as butter. Everything seems to have swollen up and none of my clothes fit me. This will not be helped by the fact I am out everynight this week. Am going here tomorrow.

Have no idea what to wear to the meet-up this Saturday.

Re Meetup not sure Paramount is such a good idea. I called them to check things out and it is a guest list on Saturday. It would be a nightmare if I got a name wrong and someone couldn't come in. Am thinking Soho Hotel may be a better idea. What time are we aiming for? I know Cake can't get there until late.

My Musa sandals are going back - make my feet fat .

Sorry OWW. I worked in Utrect for a while, so have soft spot for Dutch, but have a softer spot for the Spanish.