midivydale

Dad in our house is abit like this I afraid. Not at all impressed when he overheard ds asking me if he could have pjetty jed nails too and i said of course! Different cultures and all that. In country where I am from the fear of gender stereotyping is taking some extreme forms (hence me not batting an eyelid at ds wanting his nails painted)...country where my partner's parents are from, not so much. One of our culture clashes, one of very many I should add 😉

Oh and fab little thing is benefit gimme brows. Such a fab little thing and gives a really natural result.

i think a tinted moisturiser is a good start, Nars or Laura Mercier are both excellent. I also swear by "tightlining" which was abit of a revelation for me, clarins 3 dot liner as pickle mentions above is great for this. Very natural looking. I have roseaca so suffer from redness alot which means that blusher is out for me but I use a gentle bronzer instead to warm it up abit. The chubby sticks and any sticks for that matter is great for quick makeup. You just dab it on and go. I use a stick bronzer thingy, stick eyeshadow and a lipcrayon (a my lips but better colour) and it all takes about 3min to use. I hope I dont come across as ridiculously shallow its just that these small things have helped me feel so much better about myself over the last (actually v hard few years).

Grr, slightly further afield

Yes glamorous nails are also good. And sleep ghtly further afield is reecy roos in camberwell. Quite a trendy place (and I am really not) but the staff are lovely. The nailtech Sandra is amazing. Now, it sounds like I do my nails every week, very much not the case 😉

Hey sw, I have been to @999 beauty on ed road a couple of times and have been happy there with the results. It is not a spa/salon/pamper experience but the result and price is very very good. I have also heard really good things about the manipediwaxclub although never used them myself. Enjoy your much earned pampering. X

Kristina Glausis

Yes i found the endless questions from people really hard (and rude!). We have landed abit with idea of having one child but I find the endless questions really overwhelming at times.

Baby jogger is excellent

Hello, As much as I enjoy the Gruffalo, I was wondering if there are any books around the topic of diversity that I could read with my son who is 3 (4 in March). I would love books on race/cultural diversity but also in terms of family make up (same sex parents/ single parent households etc) and or stories with children who have disabilities or in any way "feel different". Any tips? Hit me!

A superhero magazine or colouring book? Stickers?

Aw thanks both! Perfect

Please?

Thomas the tank engine trains? Can be used on brio tracks. Pepppa pig play set?

Yes, please everyone do attend these meetings and also please do join the leaseholders association.

Have you tried the dry like me pads? Saved us alot of pants but otherwise i would follow the cheap pants option too. Also echoing poster who asked about constipation (how is his allergies?) as we have had alot of issues with this which creates anxitey about going and then withholding which obviously makes everything worse. I contacted an amazing helpgroup (on suggestion by forumite saffron) called eric and they were really lovely in helping with suggestions (deal with soiling/anxiety/refusal to use potty etc). And remember, even this shall pass and until then, wine helps 😄

We have this every year when we go to back home, smaller presents are easy to pack so last year it was thomas tank engine trains. This year action figures are on the agenda I believe and they are easy to pack too. Lego figures? Sticker books are great (entertains them on flight home)ditto are more useful things like clothes/fancy dress costumes (minus big wings or swords) or backpacks (they can then carry it themselves as hand luggage on plane home.

Aw salt dough, how could i forget? Brilliant tip, have the cookie cutters already as keen gingerbread makers (swedish thing). And then i can paint, chuck glitter etc on top and make holes to hang them up (or not if they look awful). Thanks, super tip. Oh and that baker ross website is dangerous stuff, spent a fortune, blaming you pickle :).

Well done Belle! So proud of you. You helped me so much in those dark days and I am thrilled that the book is now out.

We bought an octavia earlier this year and are very pleased with it. Great boot and lots of room, great to drive. Only one child but have fitted two var seats easily in the back, not sure about 3? I am terribly uninterested in cars but it is a good reliable car and oh is reag happy with it too (and he does have at least a moderate car interest).

Thanks everyone! Really appreciate all your ideas!

Brilliant nunhead mum :) thanks

Brilliant pickle, thanks!

Thanks everyone for suggestions! Heading to pound shops today to stock up! Pickle,your comment noted and obviously we all do things differently according to our individual circumstances and children:) As I only have the one child and work full time my time with him is very precious and I want to make the most of that time. So if that includes getting into some festive spirits by doing some gluing/sticking with my morning coffee then I cherish and value that time. Even if it is at 5.30am, by 7am we are already out the door (another thread...) Not everyones cup of tea but works for us. Huge thank you for the tip baker ross tip will look it up! As i said i am cluless so grateful for all tips.

I am the least creative/artistic person there is but does anyone have any ideas of easy to make christmasy craft type things that i can make with my ds at home? He is an icredibly early riser and I keep using tv/ipad/puzzles to engage him and keep the noise down until more sociable hours but would love to use this time for something abit more engaging/productive. I want him to be engaged (gets bored v easily)and i also want to practice skills such as using scissors, maybe glue some tiny bits (need to practice some fine motor skills). Can anyone help with festive ideas or pointers? And where I can get material for said ideas? I am really clueless. Thanks x