New thread and it's welcome to the roaring twenties beauty addicts!

It's been a little quiet on the exciting edit and beauty releases front what with all the advent malarky but summer is drawing to a close and soon those autumn/winter releases and holiday edits will be popping up to tempt us.

If you're new here welcome and hello and for everyone else nice to see you back on Mumsnet's most tempting thread series that you cannot ignore even if you want to. 😈😍😂

He got mostly 4s, a couple of 3s and one 5. He was predicted 6s and 7s.

This isn't the first time he has not performed as well as expected- we had the same issue with the 11+. He seems to be perfectly capable until the exam.

It makes me feel like a failure for not pushing him more, but I feel like I do push him. We had so many arguments over the last couple of years about refusing to revise or barely putting any effort in. It frustrates me so much. He refused to attend revision sessions before the exams, and if we suggested things to help revise he wouldn't listen. Dh and I did very well in our own GCSEs many years ago without any of the support or help we have provided ds so it feels like a kick in the teeth. We failed and got it wrong somehow and somewhere.

He has always been like this though - he just won't be told and now he is sad. And I feel terrible. All his plans are up in the air while we wait to see where he can go next.

We have given him so many opportunities - all the extra curricular I wished I had had a chance to do but never did (tailored to him and his likes of course), music lessons, sports, trips and visits, a house full of books and every other resource we can provide. But it all means nothing, he barely puts any effort in and it feels like he just doesn't care.

And then, all the school's words about "if it doesn't work out there are options..." turn out to mean nothing because when I asked what next they basically just shrugged and said he doesn't meet the requirements, there is nothing we can do.

I am of course venting here to avoid damaging him by saying something hurtful and harming our relationship.

Is there a product for easy grey blending/ disguising? Ideally like a shampoo or conditioner, something you can easily throw on, doesnt take long and the greys are no longer so obvious?

I have naturally very dark hair but been dying it a dark red for years but now have probably 50% greys and only in early 30s as a new mum. Don't have the time to be maintaining like I used to. I have heard about John Freida but think this is discontinued.. is there anything similar? I just dont want the greys to look white until the next permanent dye session. Any suggestions that actually work? thanks! (Happy for the grey roots to be dyed dark red / dark brown / black etc)

I was in Marbella old town a few weeks ago and saw a lovely smallish bag with a long handle to be worn cross-body or to hang at hip level.

It was leather (or at least looked like leather and the price indicated it probably was real, but could easily have been fake leather as I didn’t have time to stick around and check) and had a kind of flap over the top in a brown/tan colour that made it look kind of like a mini longchamp pliage.

There were a variety of colours inc a lovely green and a yellow. It cost €69.

I couldn’t buy it at the time (time restraints with family and I don’t spend £60 on a bag on a whim) but have been regretting it ever since. I have tried googling to find something like it online, but cannot find anything remotely similar. I suspect it was a local maker/supplier. I cannot remember the name of the shop or the street it was on, other than it was one or two doors up from a wee jewellery shop (Cheap jewellery - my teens were in it), and it was on the left hand side as you walked up the street towards the heart of the old town, with the main road behind you.

People who are good at these things - is there any way to find it?!??

My DS (almost 14) doesn't want to go on holiday with his dad, my ex-DH, and has twice told him this directly.

My ex-DH is saying my DS has to go, no question. They are meant to go on Sunday. Other people going will be my DD(nearly 16), a friend of hers, two grandparents (ex DH's mum and dad), and ex-DH's new-ish live-in partner and her child (DD, 5).

My DS is asking me to speak to the dad for him as he really doesn't want to go.

I've no idea how to handle this. Custody is 50/50 (informally) and I think my DC are both old enough to decide what they do and don't want to do (DS is almost 14 and DD is nearly 16).

If my DC didn't want to go with me somewhere and wanted to stay with the dad instead, I wouldn't dream of trying to force them.

My DS is giving two reasons for not wanting to go. One, because he just wants to chill at home and see his friends, as I've already taken DC on two trips. (One was a short trip to my home country where they have family they can only see once a year, therefore not 'just' a holiday. The other is the exotic holiday we've just come back from. In total kids have been away with me for 19 days but this was all agreed with ex DH beforehand)

The other reason is that he just doesn't enjoy being with his dad when dad's new GF and her young kid are there (they now live with my ex-DH and the entire dynamic has changed since they've moved in).

Ex-DH is already blaming me, saying this is the result of me having taken them away too much this summer.

What do I do? Do I speak to ex-DH to say DS doesn't want to go, and he should give him a break, as he'll only alienate him if he forces him? If I don't try to speak up for my DS, he'll feel he's got no one backing him up and, honestly, I don't think my child should need anyone's permission to stay at home with his mum - this is his home, even if he's normally here just 50% of the time.

I also feel it's my ex-DH's own fault for this situation because the kids used to have a brilliant relationship with him and adored going away with him. We did 8 years of fantastic coparenting, until he met his current partner; she moved in after a very short amount of time, they now also work together, and everything is focused towards her and her DD(5). My DC have said that they feel like visitors in their dad's house. Things between my ex and me have been very strained because of this (I have tried to advocate for the children), and I'm weary of making them worse, but I also really want to help my child feel supported and stay at home with me if he wants to.

Am I wrong to think he's old enough to decide? Please help - what's a reasonable course of action here?

35M here.

I have put a number of posts on mumsnet asking for some more objective clarity on some the disagreements between myself and my wife.

Today is a more minor one than previously. These kind of debates have in some ways defined our three year marriage.

My wife (38F and successful high achieving professional) is not letting me into the private spaces of our home or touching my kids because earlier today I tried to fix her bike without gloves.

I got a small amount of grease on my hands. I have washed it off and clipped my nails, see pictures attached.

Currently my wife is insisting that I stay in a hotel tonight and that I cant spend time with or touch my children (daughter 21 months or daughter 7 months) because she is worried about the risk of contamination from the grease harming them. Also we had plans to make some Ikea furniture which needs to be postponed for the same reason. No amount of washing/ cleaning will convince her that I am safe.She thinks she is an educated professional who googled grease which is harmful if ingested or swallowed by children.

Am I being unreasonable thinking that its unreasonable that I should be kicked out of my home and not allowed to see my children because of this?

I’ve taken my two DDs to most of the more obvious places in London. I’d really welcome some less obvious suggestions of things we can do. They’re aged 11 and 14. The eldest is jaded as only a teen can be. She’s into history, art and science but the youngest is easily bored and a gallery or museum is dull for her. She says she doesn’t know what she likes (which is fair enough - she is only 11!) though enjoyed the science museum which we’ve now done to death.

Please help inspire me!

Help - I have found out that work have volunteered me to go to no.10 next week and meet the PM and other cabinet members to discuss an issue impacting our industry. I normally dress smart casual for work eg jeans and nice top so am panicking about what to wear as only smart dress I have is for funerals. What would you wear to the event - I’ve a budget of up to £250 - does anyone have any suggestions please? I am 40 size 10/12 and like to look on trend rather than too formal….

We are in a row of houses which have a footpath running in front of the road with a grassed area either side. One of the neighbours has two kids, who for the past week have been drawing on the pavement using chalk. It looks an utter mess. Would it be wrong of me to say something to the parents?

I bought a tracksuit in Primark today from the new Coleen Rooney range. Lovely navy colour, stunning. I only planned to buy the tracksuit top but the trousers were so nice I decided to just buy them too.

I don’t know why I did this - I don’t know what I was thinking. Primark bottoms do not fit me. I am 5ft 11 with an inside leg of 38. They were halfway up my calves.

I get all my bottom halves from Next Tall, Long Tall Sally, ASOS Tall or M&S. But they all cost a fortune! An absolute fortune!

I think I’m just envious of girls who can walk into stores like H&M, Primark, even supermarkets and pick up beautiful trousers/jeans/tracksuits and it not cost the earth.

I’m annoyed with myself for buying the trousers today. I guess I just wanted to feel “normal.” I’ll be returning them tomorrow :(

New neighbour moved into a social housing bungalow behind our house a few months ago. He has been a bit of a nightmare to be honest. He doesn't make excessive noise as such but he is definitely impacting us and our immediate neighbours. Some examples are, letting his dog out for a wee at 6am every morning. It then barks when in the garden. It only barks 2 or 3 times and he ushers it back in the house but it is very loud, waking us up each time. He also has excessively loud phone conversations on speakerphone throughout the day. I mean really loud. I was in my bedroom the other night with the window closed and I could hear everything the person on the end of the line was saying it was that loud. It makes sitting in our garden a bit of a nightmare now to be honest. This happens at least 5 or 6 times throughout the day up until about 10pm. He has a loud car which he loves to rev up constantly and the exhaust has been modified to make it even louder. Is this just normal behaviour these days or do I contact the social housing provider? I will not speak to him direct as I've been warned he's quite aggressive.

Hi all,

Hope the moderators don't delete this post, as this is a genuine story.

Have you cut back on essentials to fund Back-to-School items?

Seeking a powerful case study for a national broadsheet.

Must be named and pictured.

Message me if interested.

Compensated for your time.

What happened to the leather trousers and sandals thread? Didn't get a chance to reply 😕 🤣

Getting remarried. Going to be a very small (just us and teen kids) registry office wedding.

I bought this months ago but have lost a little weight since and I don't think its fits right and just don't think I want to wear it now.

I think its because it's white/Ivory.

I'm in my early 40s. 9st. 5ft5.

I just think maybe its a bit too boring/traditional. Maybe just too wedding-y.

I don't know. I'm just not feeling it at all now but have no idea what I might like?!

My DD1 has just collected her GCSE's from her school which is an Essex girls Grammar with high standards. DD1 has done very well and 'likes' single sex teaching (if she wanted to learn with boys she would got to the Boys Grammar for Sixth Form). However, like most Grammar Schools whether Boys or Girls they are Co -Ed or in my DD's School partially with around 30 Boys in both Year 12 and 13. I know this seems to be the fashion that Girls Schools which really should be single sex all through are admitting boys these days into year 12. I guess it is probably due to funding though personally I would prefer single sex availability for girls with the Boys Grammars offering the Co=Ed experience if wanted.

Just that, really.

9 and 12 years old. Constantly fucking bickering.

Do not listened to me when I ask them to stop. Or listen full stop really.

They started arguing over a fucking face towel, so I said ‘nope, not having this be my life’ grabbed my bag and keys, got in my car and have driven round the corner and parked up.

not really sure what I do from here really.

AIBU to say I am not cooking for my in-laws anymore?

Lots of back story with in-laws being rude to me, but this really pissed me off, was the straw that broke the camels back.

We seem to always end up hosting everyone at our house for Easter, Christmas etc. Although not always on the main day because PIL usually get a better offer from her SiL or her own sister and her DH.

Last Sunday we had a lunch at our house. I’m not sure what the latest thing is that I’ve done, as no one will ever tell me, but my PIL and SIL all refused to eat anything I’d prepared. They brought a few dishes themselves, asked what my DH had made and stuck to that. You may think I’m being paranoid but I’m not. This is the kind of games they play.

Usually when MIL and FIL come alone they are happy to eat whatever with my FIL actually telling me that I’m a great cook.

I just found this really utterly rude and I am done. I put so much effort into cleaning the house, shopping, planning and cooking dishes (I made fresh bread, side dishes and 2 desserts) and they ate none of it. They even asked who made what.

My DH fully admits that his family like to play politics but I’ve had enough of being one of the main villains.

It’s nearly that time when Christmas is discussed and who is doing what and when. I’m just not doing it. I’m not having any of them over at all. If DH wants to see them he can go and meet them in a restaurant.

I’ve been so stupid putting up with this crap but I’m done.

i’m looking for a sling bag that I can wear across my front. I think my frontage is average, like a D cup. But a lot of them just don’t sit well.

I don’t want to carry much in it except phone, keys and a bottle of water. The bottle of water can be really small. (Also wondering what the smallest bottle of water is that you can buy to be honest)

does anyone have any recommendations? It’s for a power walk that I do with my friend. We aren’t likely to be out for longer than about an hour and a half, we’ll go to the shops and stuff or go for coffee on the way home. So I’m basically looking for the smallest one possible. I had one that I thought it was quite small. I wear it as a Crossbody and I feel like it’s constantly bumping into my hip or my back when we do the actual power walking bit.

Keys, I can manage in a pocket but the phone is too big for that really.

Any ideas? Basically, I’d like to adjust it to be quite tight. I suppose an alternative would be a bum bag type thing.

Our baby is 7 months now and we only had sex for a bit after the birth (there was a sort of surge of hormones and it was rampant for a short period of time).

Now it’s been months since we last had sex. I am really confused as to what I am supposed to do. I am not happy living like this and it makes me miserable. I feel like my husband is trying to make a housemate out of me. He essentially wants to carry on as normal, be chatty and keep talking throughout the day in particular if he is working from the office but there is no sex, no affection, no intimacy of any kind. Because of this, I have felt distant from him and increasingly annoyed at him, and I find it hard to act all chatty and normal. I have communicated it to him in detail many times now, we’ve had long conversations. But nothing’s changed.

I resent him because he’s ruining my maternity leave. I am meant to be enjoying my baby but inevitably my marriage situation ends up making me feel flat. If I were single, I wouldn’t be dating at this point as my baby is too young and I am busy. But considering I am married and living under the same roof as my husband, I feel awful being so physically separated. I feel distant emotionally too because of that.

I just feel very angry at him sometimes particularly when I receive another breezy message talking about his day and asking about mine. I AM NOT YOUR HOUSEMATE.

Really, I feel trapped. I am not single and choosing not to date currently. I am married and denied intimacy. It feels humiliating and upsetting. I don’t want to leave just yet, it seems too early to exit and also I would like a sibling for my child from the same dad, whether we be together into old age or not. And he knows that too.

He himself says he feels emotionally distant and that’s why we aren’t having sex and I’m creating that emotional distance, again, because we aren’t having sex. It’s a vicious circle but I have tried to be all breezy and chatty and allow for some emotional intimacy however that hasn’t resulted in sex.

Does anyone have any advice for me? My thoughts are disjointed so I appreciate my post may be, too. I feel so upset. And stuck. I am 31 years old if that matters.

I have always been short, which my in-laws have always found hilarious. Whenever I see them there are comments on my heights, comparing me to the children, jokes etc etc. sometimes I laugh it off, sometimes I roll my eyes, but on a couple of occasions I have actually made it clear I don’t find it funny. One family member once asked me if I mind it and when I said I didn’t like it they stopped. The others haven’t (the children now join in).

I didn’t go to the last family occasion because I’m getting tired of it (it’s been over 10 years). I told DH and said I was happy for him to go and to take the kids too, but he said he didn’t want to (it’s a 2 hour drive and they’re not particularly close). When he told his SIL (just said we couldn’t come) she expressed some disappointment. We have one of the kids (teenager) coming to visit soon and I don’t know how to respond if any comments come up.

I’d love some advice on how to handle future comments. AIBU to be irritated to the point of avoiding them or should I get a thicker skin?

We've been here two years and the wall behind the sofa is still bare. It's about 3m wide so anything small looks lost on it. I keep going back and forth between canvas pictures for wall the big wrap-around ones with no frame — and just doing three proper framed prints in a row.
My worry with canvas is that it dates. My sister had a huge one of a poppy field for about a decade and it screamed 2012 by the end. But framed feels a bit safe and gallery-ish for a family room where things get thrown at the walls.
What's yours like? Anyone regretted going canvas?

Help me process this dear mumsnetters!
On holiday with my family, 2 kids and my oh, we've booked with our friends who have a similar set up. We've done holidays together most years for over a decade, my best friend is the mum.
So, we arrived together from another campsite yesterday, to find my friends, neighbors/friends are here, not really a problem per se but a bit awkward?

My friend is a a bit embarrassed and said when they asked where they were going in holiday, they just said oh sounds great we can meet you there. And couldn't really say err no, with other friends.

Turns out theyve booked the same arrival and leave date as all of us, so not just crossing over.

They seem keen to find out about our meal arrangements and what time we plan to be at the beach etc. so far kept it vague and said hello when we've seen them. Now asking about tomorrow, but we've all planned to go out for the day as it's my husband's birthday so going for a long lunch and walk round etc.

I'm a bit perplexed about what's happening 😂 and what to do about it really. Never met them before, they seem nice enough, but everyone is feeling a bit awkward.

What do we think to this then?! 😂 I'll enjoy reading your comments over wine later 😘

We’ve had this today and in all honesty it’s been a verrrrry long day. They’ve played nicely for some of it but for me the day has dragged on a bit.

Am I doing it wrong? I do wonder this as I feel like I’m always out with my kids but my friends don’t seem to be and I always wonder what they do at home with their children! (Most of them only have one child if that’s relevant!)

I have these earrings which I LOVE, they remind me of bubbles 😁 and I’m looking for a fun dress to wear with them for a friends 50th party - not fancy dress fun but something fun!

I’m

• a size 22
• very Apple shaped
• have a large apron belly so nothing tight there
• reasonable boobs 😂
• haopy to buy and wear shapewear
• Dont suit a high neck
• will be wearing flats or v low heel
• hair will be down and shoulder length big curls with lots of volume

Budget of £75-100

I’m SO bored of wearing black maxi dresses! I want something that makes me feel fabulous and is fun! And it’s fine if you don’t like the earrings, they’re my joy 😂

Hi,I am a qualified teacher with strong SEND experience across a range of educational contexts i.e mainstream, specialist and FE.I have some questions that you may be able to help with and I look forward to hearing all of your responses.

Firstly, I am interested in becoming a SENCO. Whilst I teach SEND students and have tons of teaching experience, I don't have the opportunity to shadow any SENCO's. I have completed relevant CPD and qualifications for this role but I do not have the NPQ for SENCO or NASENCO.I have applied for a few roles this year such as SENCO, Deputy/Assistant SENCO and have not always been shortlisted for interview.
When I have been shortlisted for interview, I have been unsuccessful.

Feedback has been around offering the job to someone who is a better fit for the team, or they want someone to immediately run with things and focus less on developing provision or the role has been offered to someone already doing the role. Am I wasting my time?

Secondly, I am waiting to hear if I have been shortlisted for another position and the closing date was early-mid August. The role was readvertised but I didn't apply the first time around. The setting sound like they are keen to appoint as noone is currently in post. However, although I do not meet the essential qualification criteria, I have completed a different qual at a similar level with some crossover/relevance.

How likely is it that I will secure an interview if my application highlights competence/experience? How long would you leave it before you chase up?I'd really appreciate your thoughts.

Finally, I'd like to add I've sat in on several EHCP reviews and have substantial experience dealing with parents of SEND young people. In addition I am familiar with the NPQ for SENCO framework, hence why I know there is some crossover with my postgraduate qualifications.