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

[LetThemEatCake]

continuing from here and quoting esher!!

Morning all

Love the sound of the pirate parties! Dolcee - I didn't need much to entertain the large gang of 4 year olds on Saturday tbh. They wanted to play to begin with, and split into 2/3 groups and some played in the garden where I had put out a tent and my big swiss ball (supposedly for my abs, but actually catnip for kids!) DD led a big gang to her room (mostly boys..hmm....) where they played a complex game involving aliens. We did pass the parcel, which in retrospect was more hassle than it was worth. I had 2 games in reserve - musical bumps and 'whats in the box' - box with hole cut and various household object to guess. Didn't use either. The game that went down REALLY well was 'hula hoops on a string' - just get 2 long lengths of string/wool and 2/3 bags of hula hoops. Thread the hula hoops on to the string in equal numbers. Split them into 2 teams, get some adults to help you to hold the strings up to 4 year old head height....and then they have to the hula hoops as quickly as they can without using their hands. Very funny and they all enjoyed it!

LTEC - glad you enjoyed your outing. Interview outfit sounds great - I would have thought with your colouring you would definitely suit a vibrant green.

Rufus - Like the red HH dress - agree that the second could be a bit drab for a wedding, although I like the look overall. Having said that, when i read the description, it described the material as 'synthetic silk' - I thought 'Hang on...isn't that nylon?' I am also pear shaped, although a size up on you at least. I have tried the VWA but it didn't 'do' it for me. (LTEC and I are the only non-VWAs on this thread though, so we are the odd ones out - I am sure it is worth a try!)

Anyone got any good ideas for birthday presents for a DH who has got pretty much everything he wants...?? Don't get me wrong, DH would love a new Audi A8, or a complete Bose sound system, however within what I have to spend (up to £300?) I can't think of things to get him. Wish I was talented like Dolcee and could paint.

All ideas gratefully received....please??!

Another sunny day here, althouygh slight threat of rain. Meetings to day at work so in Jigsaw trouser suit and pink structured top I bought last week.

Sorry quickly skimmed but notyummy is your DH into games consoles as a new xbox came out last week.

Open invite to all of you suffering in the 'heatwave' to get over here to'severe weather warning' North Wales!!

Don't think I'm very good at having guests to stay. Kids are under a blanket watching Nanny McPhee.
Need my own space!

Will catch up properly later when they've gone.
Have a good day everyone.

blossoming = DD LOVES Nanny MacPhee. I wiped it from the Sky Plus by mistake and it was a major black mark against me! Have managed to wean her on to Anne of Green Gable and Charlie and the Choc Factory (1970 version!) for the time being. She also loves Pete's Gardon - remember that anyone?

Libra - He has a Wii and bought the latest Play station last year, so probably not an X box as well, although some games might be an idea. Thanks.

FGS!

Pete's Dragon.....

OMG! Just seen my MIL completley starkers! She forgot to bring her swimsuit and wanted one for her trip to the beach with DS1. Gave her one of mine and then had my head stuck in the closet looking for beach towels etc and turned around and she is completely starkers trying it on without a care in the world! My eyes, my eyes! The curtains and windows were wide open too! Swimsuit slightly too small so other beachgoers will be getting an eyeful too! I was so English - got completley flustered and put head back in the closet pretending to look for something else! Am now going to lie in a darkened room and think calming thoughts! As DS1 would say - yucksie!

ollie, your scrapes make my day!!

ollie - Sorry about naked MIL trauma but it made me ROFL

notyummy - Just thinking about your DDs birthday cake... Would your DH enjoy a cooking/baking class? I got a voucher last Christmas and was thrilled! I gave DH once an iPod adapter gadget for the car which he loves. Cordless Sennheiser headphones are also great as you can listen to music in the garden without disturbing anyone. DH loves these by Bose which are apparently the dream of every music aficionado.

Morning all,

Wisdom tooth came out this morning-does that make more more avid, now I'm less wise?

DH has taken day off work to look after the baby, DD is at my mum's, so I'm lying on the sofa cuddling the Laptop and watching the entire contentsof the Sky+.

Loving the Lanvin dress LTEC, and dress for interview sounds perfect. Have you an idea of what they want you to write-a blog style something? Is It for LA? I would think that coming up with tonnes of ideas is the way to go. Be ultra prepared and well dressed and there will be no need to be nervous.

Am loving the WC poncho, but will have to resist-also suspect will look sack-like and lumpy on hourglass short-arse me!-as DH had told me sternly that we need to STOP spending so much.

Luckily have just taken delivery of these, this this and a navy cardigown and some lounge pants from Hush. Hee hee! May send the dresses back-have tried on, am not sure, need to try again.

Not sure if any of you are beauty product junkies like me, but I have, I think, secured myself a weekly column in teh womens pages of our local paper. Not much money in it, but LOADS of products and treatmenst to try out. That's one of the things I miss most about working in magazine ( that and the discount cards), so am thrilled.

Hi ladies

I need some help choosing a new bag and I daren't risk posting a new thread about this for fear of the "How much..?" backlash.

Have been looking for a nice mid coloured brown bag for ages and have finally narrowed it down to the following two options:

The first one is kind of slouchy and more casual but I like that it is kind of plain and not too bling / named

www.net-a-porter.com/product/96093

This Chloe one I like too but fear I may get bored of more quickly and also not sure about the piping detail around the edges...oh also its twice the price;

www.net-a-porter.com/product/94375

Which one would you go for?

Thanks in advance!

I really like the first one but not so keen on the second.

linwin, I like both, but if you got the first you could go 'free' shopping with the 'change' from the Chloe!!

Just about recovered from naked MIL trauma! DS had a lovely day with her at the beach so thats good - less good is the sunburn on DS1's arms despite me giving her factor 50 to put on him - she said it was cloudy so she didnt need to! . He has red hair so catches it easily.

Plum congrats on the new job - and lucky you re all the products you will get to test! How lovely. I just saw this and am v intrigued re what it smells like here. She does look amazing doesn't she?
Notyummy - would DH appreciate a pair of handmade shoes - you could get him a voucher for one of the places that do good ones in London perhaps? Or a tailor made shirt? Bit stumped for other ideas at the mo!
Linwin - like both bags a lot but think I prefer the Chloe - am liking blossoming's reasonsing tho!

Afternoon - back from couple of days at parents. Children had fabulous time - me less so as Bea screamed all night on monday so I felt rather out of sorts yesterday.

OWW - I did laugh at your mil naked moment.

Plum - that sounds a fab job - well done.

LTEC - exciting news re. interview.

A question for you all - how do your mum's look? Have they aged well? Do they take care of themselves/their appearance?

Just had a slightly awkward conversation with my mother when I suggested she needed to start looking after herself a bit

Thanks so much ladies for your opinions on the bag (and letting me crash your lovely thread). I'm loving blossming's advice about the "free shopping" too... is definitely swaying me away from the Chloe

traceybath My mother has aged pretty well, has her hair done regularly and it is dyed a very tasteful colour, however the lack of makeup and per una type clothing do let her down. I can never buy her any clothes either as for some reason she insists on getting the next size up so instead of wearing clothes that fit her she looks like shes wearing a sack most of the time. And don't even get me started on the "comfortable" shoes

LTEC Good news re interview. Outfit sounds good.

That All Saints skirt is nice. I have a similar silver DVF skirt. Just be careful with the material - I can't wash/dry clean mine - it's 'wipe clean' only

I had a lovely birthday. Just very happy. Champagne afternoon tea in a lovely hotel on the day itself. Steak frites in a local bistro on Saturday night. Just so nice to see mum and dad and for them to spend time with dd. She made my day on my birthday - when I tucked her in to bed she looked intently at me and said 'Happy Birthday Mummy'.

Bloss I nearly bought the 'Bec' dress in Edinburgh! Trying to be good though as we are off on holiday next week.

Instead I bought this for said holiday

www.jigsaw-online.com/fashion/1000884/J10233/GY021/womens/dresses/silk-ribbon-neckline-maxi-dress I am only 5'4 but the length and cut is perfect.

Actually it may not be that dress as it looks slightly different!

Tracey My mum looks very good for her age (77). Has always looked after herself - face creams, diet, interested in fashion etc. Always wears make up, goes to the hairdressers etc.

She may have had a head start though - her nickname in the 60's was 'Lady Penelope'

linwin Bag no 1. I don't like that ridge on bag no 2.

Well seeing as I saw ALL of my MIL today I feel quite qualified to answer your question Tracey! MIL has aged really well - but follows no beauty regime whatsover! Has very short cropped hair which really suits her face, wears no make up and has never had a facial etc in her life! Oh yes - she hardly ever buys new stuff and if she does, it stays in the wardrobe for 5 years til she wears it. She looked lovley at our wedding in a silk printed dress (brought on shopping trip with SIL) but then had a frumpy pair of black lace up shoes on! My Mum on the other hand looks her age - despite wearing make up and having monthly facials etc. She is overweight too and loves wearing bright colours. She has a fab seamstress who runs up all sorts of things for her just by looking at pictures - but in some v dodgey material chosen by Mum! I think there is something to be said for genes and how they help you to age naturally! How did your Mum react? My Mum is v stubborn and would not listen to anyone else's views so me and my sisters have given up trying! She was dragged along to House of Colour by my older sister once and did change her lipstick colour as a result!!!!

Happyy birthday, HF!

Linwin, I prefer the Vanessa Bruno bag.

Fritzi, the size small would be fine on you.

Rufus, I love the red dress.

Plum, lovely boots. They are quite like Fryes.

OWW, very funny about your mil!

We are just back from a party in Kent, it was good fun but DD is wrecked and very cranky.

My mother died quite young (at 51) but she did look after herself, had regular facials and trips to the hairdresser, and was very elegant.

Interesting ladies - my mother is a smoker so her skin has aged really badly and I guess she just isn't interested in fashion really.

She is only late 50's and could look so much better.

Just read the Gok thread and thought it was pretty pants really but then I'm not a huge fan of the big belt under boobs look which he does so often.

Plum dream job! I'd do it for free!
Tracey my mum hasn't aged well at all. Wouldn't diet to save her life and as for a beauty routine - nonexistent. Bizarre thing is my sister and I are the opposite and can't understand it. Complete clothes and beauty junkies! She keeps saying "what did you buy a new dress/coat/bag for, sure haven't you a wardrobe full of stuff". I sometime worry I'll someday just "down tools" like she did and say "I can't be arsed". Don't think so though and DH would not be impressed! While he would hate and probably freak at the amount I spend uf he knew the exact extent, he likes the way I look and present myself. He said recently after meeting a contempory "god I'd have hated to marry a plain woman". That probably makes him sound really shallow and he's not, just aesthetically minded. My MIL on the other hand loves fashion and clothes and delights in my outfits. She has a really good eye, especially for colour and I frequently seek her opinion.
NY those Bose headphones are supposes to be the business. I got my DH for his birthday a Bose docking stereo system for his iPod which he loves. You'd get one for less than 300£.
Plum meant to say love the boots and the green
dress.
LTEC interview outfit sound spot on.
Linwin love the second bag. You were right to post here and not risk the wrath of the "how could you possibly spend that immoral sum of money on a bag when there's world poverty". Hmm. Now I sound shallow don't I?!

Thanks rufus I learned my lesson last year when I was pondering buying a vivienne westwood dress for my friend's wedding I got many type responses.....

LTEC told me I should absolutely buy it though, and I did

this was the VW item in question