sarahf

I?ve just had some threading done at the new Fab Beaute salon at The Plough end of Lordship Lane. I was thrilled to see the lady otherwise known as BusyBee there. It?s her new venture and it?s wonderful. Busy used to come to my house when my children were small and her threading, facials and massages were some of the best around. The salon is very calm and elegant; as is Sam. Prices are very reasonable as she understands that people want to be able to get their nails etc done regularly. 20% off this month - fabbeautelondon.com

For pre-reception girls, definitely start with summer dress which can be worn until October half term. We stuck to the red PE tshirt and blue polo shirt plus skirt or tracksuit bottoms in the winter. Our daughter did have the shirt but buttons were fiddly for her and she liked to get dressed independently in the morning. For boys, navy shorts, joggers, blue polo shirt, round neck jumpers and red PE shirt. These can all be worn in reception. Ido have a random assortment of uniform if you?re thinking about buying second hand?

I also have nothing but praise for Barney. He responded immediately to my text and came round as soon as we had gathered our rubbish together. His service, pricing and manner are all excellent. Highly recommended. Thank you, Barney!

I can wholeheartedly recommend Peter's services. He's come over to hang pictures for us twice. He's got a great eye for placement and is unbelievably efficient and professional. It took him about an hour to hang 12 pictures beautifully. I think it would have taken my husband and me the same time to hang one (40mins of this would be spent having a row!). Seriously, Peter is both an expert and a gentleman.

I found Peter's details on the EDF and he came round this evening to hang 16 pictures (including one very large one in our stairwell, a montage of different sized photos and two large frames on plasterboard). Peter is BRILLIANT! He has an expert eye, a cheerful demeanour and completely professional. He also works incredibly quickly and hung everything in under two hours with no mess or error. We are so pleased by his work and it's something that could have easily taken my husband and me a whole weekend (plus several arguments). Thank you, Peter!

A bit late in the day but we used Koi Ramen (they have a permanent base at Pop Brixton) for a party last week and they were brilliant. They operate a Sunday stall on Brick Lane so have all the kit to set up in a garden or driveway. We had gyoza and Japanese skewers to start with - served on platters like canap?s - followed by their utterly delicious ramen. The noodles are served in cardboard pots with either chopsticks or forks so easy to eat standing up. It was also a big hit with the children (age range from 3 to 13). Very professional, friendly and genuinely wonderful food. koiramenbar.co.uk

I also wanted to post a glowing recommendation for Colin who assembled our son's new bunk bed on Saturday. I found him during a handyman search on the EDF and felt that the recommendations for his services seemed the most consistent. I can see why. This is a genuine job for Colin (rather something he juggles with other things) so he prioritises his clients. We found him to be efficient, cheerful and professional. He's coming back next week to hang some pictures for us.

I found Colin via the EDF. He came on Saturday to assemble bunk beds in our son's room. He's excellent - efficient (built in 4hrs; guidelines on website were 4-5hrs), punctual and good humoured. I highly recommend him and have asked him to come back next week to hang pictures. His number is 07754691541

I had a complete panic when I turned up to Rocks this morning. The salon was completely empty! Anyway, it turns out that Miguel had to move out due to subsidence caused by neighbouring building work. Thankfully, he has now set up again in the Rose and Crown salon (near King's Hospital and opposite the Love Walk cafe). Phew! It has taken me my whole adult life to find a hairdresser that I love so much. I've been going to Miguel for over 3yrs now and I've always been thrilled by the haircuts Miguel does. Most importantly for me, the style grows out beautifully. The new salon that Miguel is working from is lovely. It's adjoined to a well kept vintage shop and very retro chic. To save anyone from similar panic, you can book an appointment through the Rose and Crown or directly on Miguel's number - 07503 473191.

Hi I need to get an oak table top delivered to West Sussex (BN6 8SH) at the beginning of February. I've posted on Anyvan and the cheapest quote so far has been ?60. However, was wondering if anyone from the forum is planning to be driving that way. If so, please get in touch via PM. The tabletop measures approx: 2570mm long 855mm wide 35mm thick Many thanks.

I second this recommedation. The High Vibe studio is very welcoming whilst being focused on delivering an efficient and effective workout. I have used Power Plate machines on and off for about 6 years and think that it is one of the fastest ways of toning up and slimming down. Gianni is a brilliant trainer as he immediately gauges your "level" and workouts are personalised, even in a group session. I always feel energised and positive post a 30mimute work out. Gianni has recently added TRX to the offering, which is amazing in conjunction with the vibrating plate. I can definitely see and feel the difference since going to High Vibe. I can't imagine a better way of kicking off the 2015 fitness resolutions.

Hi I'm looking for someone to take some beautiful photographs of a family lunch/reunion. Ideally, a combination of formal photographs and some more casual/reportage style images would be ideal. My granny is over from HK so it would be wonderful to capture the four generations whilst we can! The family lunch will be this Sunday (5th October) afternoon. Ideally, 2hrs would be brilliant from 3.30pm/4pm. We are based in Herne Hill, just off Half Moon Lane (37 bus route). Thank you for reading this! Sarah

I would like to second this recommendation. Dave the cooker man is brilliant. He came to fix our hob extractor fan yesterday morning. I had called various other companies who didn't want to do it or quoted extortionate prices. When I called Dave, he offered to pop in for a no-obligation look at the job. We found him to be very professional, fairly priced and also a thoroughly nice guy. Would use him again in a heartbeat. Thanks, Dave!

We have a de dietrich extractor fan over our hob, which has stopped working. The lights behind the control buttons are constantly flickering and it doesn't respond to being turned off and back on again (even from the fuse box). Do any tradespeople on the forum fix these? Thanks!

Another vote for Miguel at Rocks. He is fabulous and I find that my hair looks great for 3-4months post cut, which is unusual with long styles.

Alan came round to replace our rather flimsy Yale lock today and, as affirmed by many reviews on the forum, he is genuinely wonderful. He gave good advice, was friendly, professional and honest. Really couldn't ask for more. Thank you, Alan.

Hooray! Steve has just fixed our dishwasher with minimal fuss and expense. He was punctual (called before arrival), friendly and professional. Really delighted. Thank you.

I wanted to write a recommendation for Kelly who came to do eyelash extensions, an eyebrow wax and a leg wax for me last week. All the treatments were fabulous and very fairly priced. More than that, Kelly is lovely, meticulous and professional. It is genuinely a salon experience at home with a very comfortable couch! Thank you, Kelly. I look forward to seeing you soon!

Hi - I'm having a birthday party for my son who will be turning 3 this month. It's really for family friends so the age range of guests is from 4months to 9years. To try to appeal to all age groups, would love to put individual photos in the take home party bags. Considering buying a polaroid camera but was also wondering if any photographers could do a same day package - 1hr of taking photos and then printing some out before the end of the party. Very welcome to print them out on our home printer or to bring your own. If anyone could do this on Sat 24th May, would love to hear from you. Many thanks!

I'm about to post a very similar recommendation but just wanted to affirm how lovely and professional Rabya is. She came to my home yesterday to do a beautiful set of Novalash extensions and HD brows. Feeling super groomed and will be trying her gold facial next. Rabya is very efficient, punctual, professional and friendly. So impressed!

I'm about to post an identical recommendation but just wanted to affirm how lovely and professional Rabya is. She came to my home yesterday to do a beautiful set of Novalash extensions and HD brows. Feeling super groomed and will be trying her gold facial next. Rabya is very efficient, punctual, professional and friendly. So impressed!

I would also like to recommend both Charlotte Allocca and reflexology. Charlotte is a warm, charming and excellent therapist (she also does an amazing pregnancy massage). I had reflexology with both my pregnancies and found that it was immediately beneficial to sciatica and general aches. Furthermore, the treatments always made me feel rejuvenated which was very welcome by the third trimester in the midst of a house refurb with a clingy toddler in tow! Yes, I guess that's another way of saying warm and fuzzy but that's not a bad thing! However, I genuinely believe that reflexology made my pregnancies more comfortable and I was also fortunate enough to experience straightforward childbirth. I can't recommend it more highly.

You could try Rachel Frost who also has lots of recommendations on the forum. She's brilliant with all tailoring, alterations, soft furnishing and costume design. She's great and you can find her on the forum under frostyfreezy. Her website is www.frostyfreezy.co.uk

Hi My son has been attending the Little Fingers on Burbage Road since September. The admin is atrocious an I have posted this somewhere on the forum, although not on the link referenced above as I think this was purely a discussion about the Barry Road nursery. Thankfully, the quality of care seems to be inversely related to their administrative duties. It's a small, caring environment and I have found it to be the perfect place for my son who was going from one-on-one care at home. The broad Montessori principles also seem to be well adhered to and I think it really encourages a child's natural curiosity whilst instilling independence. Very happy to discuss in person if you want to PM me your contact details. Sarah