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

[LetThemEatCake]

continuing from here and quoting esher!!

RG so sorry to hear about your miscarriage.

notyummy hope your meeting went well and not as awful as you are imagining.

OWW Yay for Nederland!! My DH is like Roger Federer when it comes to watching these games........very cool, focussed and doesn't break a sweat until the final whistle goes My DCs, on the other hand, were ecstatic! Leaping around like mad little orange frogs!

I stupidly promised that we could decorate house and garden with a sea of orange flags if they got through to the final.......! We have friends coming over to watch and DH is going to distribute his collection of orange shirts amongst his friends. The women have decided they are all wearing orange too. It is soooo not my colour but I may have to brave it.

Anyone shopped with Vente Privee? I ordered some Lejaby lingerie from there this morning (to celebrate my new tum ) and after paying, the delivery date came up as somewhere between end of July and mid August . Just wondering if that's the norm.

So yes, as Bloss pointed out, my gorgeous new tum is in place I can't stop smiling. The recovery is knackering but it is so worth it. Despite the stitches and swelling, the effect was instantly noticeable and I am constantly taking my luvverly binder off to admire it . My big fear is gaining weight. As I am usually so active (running and daily dog walking - she's a gun dog......she likes to walk a long, long way!!), I can generally eat whatever I like and not gain weight. I have kind of reached that stage where my post-surgery appetite is back to normal and I can feel myself eating out of boredom......I have a packet of choc digestives and a coffee here by the laptop . Can't wait for 3 more weeks when I can start exercising again. I should be driving by next week. Unfortunately for DH, his gorgeous little sporty number (SL500) is going to be easier for me to drive - lower seats to get in than my mum van and automatic rather than manual - meaning easier on the abs and lower back......he is trying to be supportive but you could really see his pain when he had to admit I was right

I thought you'd been buying shoes in tesco for a minute there verity!!

Reallygrumpy, sorry to hear your sad news. I like your dress.

LTEC, passed the Christian Scientist church today on the way to see a friend in Claygate and thought of you (well, your ILs)!

Verity, lovely shoes.

I wore my Blochs today, very comfy and much aadmired!

Tulpe, I ordered from them a couple of years ago and they were very slow to deliver but it did eventually arrive. Glad you are happy with your tummy tuck.

tulpe, put the biscuits away!! Will you be brave and post before and after photos?

Lovely dress reallygrumpy, and so classic.

reallygrumpy - lovely dress!

Tulpe- glad you are so pleased with the results of your tuck.

Well, we were not given a formal announcement of our fate today, apparently that is next week. What we were told is that the most likely option is that our office will close. A LOT of people looking for work. Tbh it didn't come as a bolt from the blue as the signs had been there, but it still feels odd- I've never been made redundant before! I am in luckier position than many as well - I have a married couple who work for me, who have 3 kids. Both out of work at the same time.

Notyummy, sorry to hear that.

That's dreadful NY. Hopefully you'll get a package to make things easier. My stress levels would be through the roof, reaching for the marlboro lights (as if that would really help).
RG you sound so brave and together. Be kind to yourself.
Glad the TT was such a success Tulpe. don't worry about the biccies. It will all balance out when you are back on track in a few weeks!

Evening all!

RG so sorry to hear that

NY and your news too! From what you've said before, it sounds like you're pretty prepared but it's still not brilliant so I hope something perfect comes up for you quickly.

I am a little on edge today as I have to go into hospital tomorrow to have a camera inserted into my colon. Nice, right! I am being sedated and to be honest am more worried about that as my mum was sedated to have a tooth removed (she has a severe dental phobia and took years to get that far) and she was so out of it, didn't know what she was saying etc. Anyway, it will be all over in 24 hrs... Not expecting them to find anything, it's just a precaution because they think my womb is pressing on my bowel but need to check there's nothing else funny going on there just in case. Yuck!

To cheer myself up I have shopped today. Bought this but think I won't have much chance to wear it so think I might swap it for the trousers here I don't suppose most of you will like them so I'm counting on MM to be their only fan! The 10 was quite baggy on me and I prefer a slimmer silhouette (sp?) so I'm going to order an 8 unless everyone screams at me to stop

Also bought this in the white and the black, just for tucking in. Plus a gorgeous caramel A-line mini with tulip-style pleats from Zara. An odd shape but a flattering one and only £20. Will work with tights and boots in winter too so very wise. Oh and a pair of brown/mink shorts from Zara too. Stupid website - can't link!

I have started drawing up my A/W wishlist. I already have a fairly classic camel coat so I'll dig that out again. I'd like a cape, a new white shirt (mine is looking a bit off-white I think) and some wedge boots, like the ones that esher (I think?) linked to but in brown.

Fleecy poor you, that sounds unpleasant, hope it's not too awful. I like your purchases, I think you'd find more opportunities to wear the trousers than the jumpsuit. I quite like the trousers, I couldn't wear them because I'm too old and too fat! But I'm sure you could carry them off.

notyummy so sorry to hear about yourjob, I hope you get the current civil service redundancy terms.

oh and I'm considering this which is probably the retail equivalent of comfort eating.

Ooooh Fleecy, poor you. The jumpsuit is v. cool.

RG, I have that and it's a great colour. I saw a pale pink DKNY wrap in Harvey Nicks, it is going to be my next purchase for winter.

Carciofi - thanks for the heads up on VP.

NY - that's really crappy news.

Blossoming I will definitely post before & afters. Just give me a few more weeks to let the swelling subside so the photographer can get my "best side"!! I am still able to get into my dresses so swelling not hideous but, well, lets just say the skinny jeans will remain in the wardrobe for a while yet .

Fleecy - hope all goes well for tomorrow. I understand your worry about the sedation. The nurses/doctors will have seen and heard it all before so don't worry about what you say in front of them. Just make sure you have your mobile phone tucked well out of your reach for a while after your procedure. Apparently one of my best friends received a rather funny call from me immediately I came around from the general anaesthetic.....I don't remember calling her at all! Just don't sedate & dial

Oh and I think you should definitely keep the jump suit. Absolutely love it. Am also v jealous of Zara skirt purchase. I hope they still have some in store by the time I can drive & shop.

RG I keep toying with the idea of the DKNY cozy but wonder if I would either find it annoying or just end up wearing it just the one way, and therefore defeating object.

I have spent the evening watching my gorgeous DS1 perform as part of a very funky dance group in a talent show at the local high school.........and they won! I am so incredibly proud of DS. He is one of those children who really wants to perform but his nerves always get the better of him and he ends up either backing out or crying I had no idea he could dance so well either!

And now tomorrow I have the delight of what I think is referred to as a "round table discussion" with the head teacher, DS2, his class teacher and the little toad child who has been making his life so miserable for the entire academic year, oh and his mother of course. I am not looking forward to it because she is going to be very defensive and confrontational. But poor DS2 has taken such an emotional battering from this child so when it was stepped up to physical this week, I have gone feral and demanded meetings and threatened to withdraw DS2 from school until situation is resolved.

Notyummy that's terrible. Will there be a chance of relocating to another office??

Fleecy Hope all goes well tomorrow.

Tulpe Good luck at the 'round table'. Just keep calm and focus on ds.

Absolutely adore that Stella Cape - tres chic!

Everything try the Pandora one Figleaves sell. It's a bigger cup than the Wonderbra but brilliant.

Not sure Hf. We are supposed to be 'repatriated to our parent government Dept.' (Their phrase - not mine.) Thats a long way away for me! We don't know really what will happened - we may get offered a package, but unlikely to be under current terms (which btw everyone, are NOT 6 years salary..I think literally 6 people in the whole civil service are eligible for that, but the DM likes to quote it. Having said that, the compensation scheme does need reviewing and bringing closer to the private sector norm.)

Fleecy - good luck for tomorrow.

Fleecy hope tomorrow goes well. I can of course support your purchases - looked at that jumpsuit myself. I have the black Warehouse one that Tracey has and love it. I'd probably keep it rather than swapping for the trousers actually though I am a big jumpsuit fan.

Tulpe hope tomorrow goes well. I don't deal well with those kind of things - one of my beautiful little sisters was suffering at the hands of a peer and we found it so hard to deal with respectfully.

Wish the River Island website was better and I could share my purchases. They won't arrive for ages though as they've cancelled fast postage apparently.

I have the same Blochs Tracey. Think I was possibly more avid than wise but am hoping they'll compliment my winter wardrobe. Had lovely moment earlier when I realised I have a beautiful black cape I loved wearing last winter (am I finally head of a trend?!!!) I will need a camel one though. I love love that colour. I want loads of new clothes while it's widely available. IMO MaxMara is first stop. Feel a shopping trip in Italy coming on. Could be our next meet maybe ?

notyummy All will be revealed in time I'm sure. Still worrying though. Usually they will try and find another office within reasonable daily travelling time - 60 mins outside London, 90 minutes in.

They know that will force people to resign as they can't commit to that sort of commute for various reasons.

Then of course there may not be any other offices within that distance and will say 'Oh, we've found you a job in Manchester, will that do?' Knowing of course it will not 'do'.

Then the redunancy comes in. I hope it all works out.

Cozy I like mine. It's handy - just a black one and there's usually lots at Bicester.

NY You also become a 'priority mover' in some instances once you have been 'repatriated'. Basically you have first dibs on any vacancies in other govt departments.

I have a major style dilemma. On 14th been invited to a tres posh do at the Tate with the developer I used to work with. 450 people that built their landmark building invite to celebrate the end of the 7 stage development. It is where dp and I met so he'll be going too. There will also be two exes there and lots of adversaries. I need to look good. I need to look bewitching. (I may also smuggle a sister in for moral support)

They will all be going from work and 97% men so I need to fit in (as much as I ever did ) and look fabulous without looking like I've tried hard. How do I do that?

On the cozies: I got one at Bicester where they are v cheap. Mine was £79. It's been so warm not much chance to wear it yet. I don't find it a faff to tie but then again I am a wearer of wrap slings. In fact dd asked if it was a new sling for ds. I just should have gotten a slightly bigger one as i have quite broad shoulders.

On capes: they are the sort of thing I love but feel like I can't wear without looking like or turning in to deranged lady academic (ie, a colleague!).

Notyummy and reallygrumpy , sorry for the different types of bad news.

Standing. Chatting. Lots of drink. I have no idea what to wear! Thought vaguely my safe option Zara snakeprint silk dress with studded black shoeboots and smart jacket to dress/sexy it down but dress is very short. It's construction and so damn sexist.