House on the market at 695k. I offered 640. Response was ‘sorry the price is 695.’

Surely you just say the offer is rejected? Or if it’s 695 express at the outset that it’s fixed?

House has been on the market for two years already and not sold! Recently reduced on May from 720 to 695

34

AIBU to think that many of those parents who push back against schools and their rules are completely oblivious to the damage they're doing to their children?

The children who do the best are those whose parents instill in them that they should conform. Yes, that will cause difficulties at times. Yes, there will be things they don't like. But that's life. That's how children develop resilience.

Whilst little Timmy and his Mommy are complaining about the school sending him home for wearing the wrong shoes, little Jimmy has learned to suck it up, wear the damn shoes, get his head down and realise it's up to him to make the most of his education.

246

We’re on a ferry on our way to a small Greek Island and I was checking the accommodation arrangements. I have just noticed I booked from 23-30 October not September 😮. The booking is for a week and not refundable. This is so unlike me but what a bloody idiot !

284

For context dd14 is in year 9, she’s very much all for her friends, always stuck in the middle, never starts arguments, she’s never in trouble, never had detention, most of the teachers love her, although she has a few boy best friends she’s not really into relationships just yet. Got a call today from the school, immediately my backs up because usually the only time they call me is when she’s in the medical room. No it’s a teacher singing DD’s praises, saying how she’s a pleasure to teach, etc etc. he mentioned he’s a new teacher at the school and as a father didn’t get feedback for his daughter who has just left so wanted to do it for his promising students.
so I was just talking to my mum about it, and she said to me is that the same teacher that told dd she had really nice eyes.
of course I’m like what you talking about, she never said anything. I laughed it off at first but the more I think about it, it’s a bit creepy. No? My mum defo wasn’t impressed and I’m surprised dd didn’t tell me considering she tells me everytime a teacher so much as shouts at her class. Obviously I don’t know the full story as she’s at school. I know I’ll need to keep an eye on this. I don’t know who it is, but just a bit surprised. I’m not being unreasonable to think this is slightly creepy right?

185

I am looking for a cream/ivory/white blouse. I would like something in a style that would pair well with jeans. I saw someone with a lovely broderie anglaise style and it looked feminine, elegant & classy..but I can't find it!

I don't mind spending a little more to get something I will get the wear out of. I've looked on Mint Velvet and Sezane and while they are along the lines of what I'm after, I haven't seen exactly what I want. I would prefer long or 3/4 sleeves, v neck with buttons, no collar.

Any suggestions of other places to try? Thanks 🥰

27

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I was in the toilet cubicle at work. The door was locked, so from the outside it clearly shows that it is 'engaged'. Regardless, someone outside came along looking for a free cubicle, rattled the cubicle door really violently (to the extent I was worried it would break the lock) before moving on to another one.

AIBU to think this is really rude? It is not the first time this has happened, once I was just in the cubicle about to lock the door and a male colleague burst in nearly pushing the door. These are unisex closed cubicles which is all there are; It has to be said that when we had old fashioned dedicated female toilets this rarely happened....perhaps the men are resentful about the time women take & aren't used to queuing?

61

I’m almost 40. I’ve never been good at relationships. Looking back there was a reasonable amount of emotional neglect as a child though I had everything else I needed.

I have one child with a man who is now my ex, who, although isn’t an awful person, frankly always put his work first and didn’t really care and not even sure he loved me. Unavailable men in all sorts of forms have been my go to. They keep me committed.

In contrast, I look back and know I lost a lovely lovely man who would have done anything for me. I was happy with him but spent the entire time feeling on edge. It was uncomfortable for me. I needed drama.

I’ve had a break from relationships for a few years and have quite by chance met someone. He really likes me and says so often. He’s lovely about my child and takes an interest. He’s polite and kind.

I am picking apart everything. Looking for problems. Even asking him things that I know would turn me off him if he gives a particular answer. I know people will post here and say hope he gets a lucky escape etc but for all
the issues I have my heart is in the right place. I truly want a relationship and I’m supportive and caring and kind. I know this but I just struggle so much with the ‘nice men.’ I don’t want to mess this up. Any advice? I am almost scared to communicate much with him as I know now I like him that I will find anything to write him off

7

I cannot believe I am typing this but my now ex “partner”of 2 years has given me an ultimatum. Have an abortion and we carry on as a couple, or keep the pregnancy and I will never see his face again. As soon as he said this, we were done!

His initial reaction was apprehensive - I thought it was fair. But I NEVER would have imagined hed do a runner. When I first told him I was pregnant he made it clear that he wasn’t going anywhere - it just wasn't the best time. 3 days later he gave the ultimatum. He was as cold as ice.

He’s being manipulative and saying “don’t let any man tell you what to do, if you want to keep it, that’s fine, but I will not be there”. He had a truth dump and admitted to being a terrible father to his other two kids, beating them, being abusive, and basically not enjoying fatherhood. He loves them “sometimes” but cannot stand the responsibility. The entire time we were together I never met his kids but he claimed to be father of the year, pretending to see them and be with them.

I’ve cut contact with him and blocked him yesterday!

Hes ruined this. He was the one who told me not to take the morning after pill! We agreed we would see what would happen regarding family planning and a baby. Hed go up and down but always maintained it woild be a good thing.

i had a bad feeling that I’ve misjudged who this man is and contacted his ex who I have never spoken to.

she was an Angel and told me he has not seen his other two kids properly in two years due to social services intervention because he badly best their 9 year old. On top of that he was just a terrible terrible partner that financially abused her and beat her. He wouldn’t turn up to visits, ignore them for months at a time. No birthday cards….nothing. He also refused to divorce her and she had to get it done via court order. He told me they were divorced 3 weeks into us dating. The amount of lies exposed in our conversation was something out of a Netflix documentary. He told me she was a housewive….turns out she had 3 jobs while he paid for nothing. When her son was a baby she came home and he had bitten him! Hes a stranger. A stranger. I’m broken.

I basically have been with a compulsive liar and sociopath who saw our relationship as a bit of fun. I ignored a lot of red flags because I’m 34 abojt to turn 35 in December and I’m scared. I’m kicking myself for letting my loneliness consume me.

I don’t want to be pregnant anymore but already had a termination at 31 and cannot bring myself to take the pills. I feel no connection to the pregnancy anymore because of him, and am scared I’m romanticising motherhood out of fear of it not happening for me.

you know how some woman say “F U, I’m keeping it!”. That’s not me! It sounds horrible but I’d love to just have a miscarriage to take the choice out of my hands. I have no desire to be a single mother or raise the child of a compulsive liar. I don’t think I can love this child and heal from his lies. I’m also petrified this is my last chance to be a mum. I guess I’m clinging on to being pregnant - I felt so special and giddy in those short three days before my world was turned upside down.

please give advice and be soft with me. I want to be a mum but not like this. The abortion just feels….wrong. I’m 34 about to be 35. What if I never meet anyone? What if I do but we can’t get pregnant. The abortion I had at 31 was a massive massive relief. This feels like the hardest thing ever. I see no good outcome. Children abandoned by a parent seem to have a lot of trauma no matter how big the village.

my head is saying get rid of it and feel horrible because you deserve to. Deep down inside you knew who this man was and you played with fire because you were desperate. If you don’t have kids after this - that’s the way the cookie crumbles. The other side of my head is saying that I’m just grieving a massive loss and I will forgive him, come to peace with this, and love my child.

please give it to me straight and share your experiences because my brain is fried. I’m 5 weeks + 4

344

All my plans at getting organised in the last thread left me as I realised the thread with referrals was already up and running, so the one I set up I'll link to once the current one runs out!

Welcome one and all to this safe, warm and fuzzy place for people to share discounts, bargains and Christmas gift ideas both online and IRL. Please note the tone and intention of the thread and join with spirit as generous as DC helping themselves to the Christmas chocolate celebrations Smile .

Here’s some useful information about how to save the thread or a specific post so you don’t need to have a message to check in for every thread so you have the thread saved:

To watch the thread - click on the little bell that has ‘watch’ under my first message. This adds the whole thread to your ‘watched threads’

You can also bookmark a specific post by clicking on the ‘bookmark’ under the specific post. This saves your exact place in a thread but doesn’t alert you to new replies.

If you have any referral links or codes, please share them on the referral thread here

A reminder that we don't use affiliated links on here please

If there’s anything you think would be useful or good to include in this post then please do tag me and let me know here (or DM me). Also always happy to hear nominations for a thread title.

226

Welcome to Thread 9 🎉
A huge thank you to @OvaHere, @JoRaRaRa and @Thelifeofawife,@ilovepond,@solocat
for the previous threads, and to everyone who has been sharing spoilers, information. links, bargains, discount codes and enabling each other over the first 8 threads. ❤️
As agreed, we're taking it in turns to start each new thread this year. If this thread starts getting close to the reply limit, please post to let everyone know you're happy to start the next one so we can avoid duplicate threads.
🎅 A few festive housekeeping notes:
🎁 This thread contains spoilers.
🎄 Please be kind and respectful to one another.
💸 No judging anyone for their purchasing choices (or how many calendars they buy... we're all enablers here! 😂).
🎀 Feel free to share spoilers, offers, discount codes, GWPs, delivery updates and stock alerts.
🎁 Available Now:
Boots:
www.boots.com/christmas/advent-calendars/advent-calendar-waiting-list
Luxe £150
beauty-detective.com/boots-beauty-advent-calendar-2026/
Fragrance £90
beauty-detective.com/boots-12-days-of-scent-advent-calendar-2026/
Skin £70
beauty-detective.com/boots-24-days-of-skin-advent-calendar-2026/
Liberty – £285 (Beauty Drop members receive £25 off). Now on general sale:
www.libertylondon.com/uk/features/beauty/beauty-advent-calendar#
Unboxing
P. Louise – £250. Available to pre-order with payment instalments available:
https://plouise.co.uk/collections/wonderful-world-of-p-louise-advent-calendar/products/what-glows-around-2026-advent-calendar
John Lewis – £250. Available on pre-sale via the app for MyJL members:
https://beauty-detective.com/john-lewis-beauty-advent-calendar-2026/
Harrods Beauty Advent Calendar – £270. Now on sale online and in-store:
https://www.harrods.com/en-gb/p/harrods-of-london-the-harrods-beauty-advent-calendar-2026-000000000000284475
Harrods 12 Days of Hair & Body – £99. Now on sale online and in-store:
https://www.harrods.com/en-gb/p/harrods-of-london-the-harrods-12-days-of-hair-and-body-advent-calendar-2026-000000000000284465
Harrods Fragrance Advent Calendar – £225. Pre-sale sold out. Went on sale in-store 1/9 but appears to be completely sold out:
https://beauty-detective.com/harrods-fragrance-advent-calendar-2026/
Vogue Festive Calendar – £355. Available to pre-order:
https://shop.vogue.co.uk/products/vogue-festive-calendar-2026
Fortnum & Mason Beauty Advent Calendar - £275. Available now:
https://www.fortnumandmason.com/fortnums-beauty-advent-calendar-2026
Fenwick 25 day beauty advent calendar - £250. Withdrawn due to problems with the ingredients list. When/if it will return is unknown:
https://fenwick.co.uk/products/fenwick-fenwick-beauty-25-day-advent-calendar-2026
Anthropologie 24 Day Beauty Advent Calendar – £98. Available now:
https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/24-days-of-beauty-advent-calendar5
The Fragrance Shop - Available for pre-order £120 members, £150 non-members.
Women's Advent Calendar:
^https://www.thefragranceshop.co.uk/the-fragrance-shop/the-fragrance-shop/gift-box-advent/p/76306
Men's Advent Calendar:
^https://www.thefragranceshop.co.uk/the-fragrance-shop/the-fragrance-shop/gift-box-advent/p/76307
Selfridges
Beauty & Fragrance £250. On sale 1/9:
https://beauty-detective.com/selfridges-beauty-advent-calendar-2026/
Fragrance - current thinking is that this will cost £225 and launch around 30/9-1/10:
https://beauty-detective.com/selfridges-fragrance-advent-calendar-2026/
Elle £197 or £187 if you joined the waitlist or with MissBoux’s code available on her unboxing video:
https://beauty-detective.com/elle-advent-calendar-2026/
LookFantastic Beauty. Available for pre-order:
https://www.lookfantastic.com/p/beauty-box/the-beauty-advent-calendar-worth-over-665/17691363/
LookFantastic Fragrance. Available for pre-order:
https://www.lookfantastic.com/p/beauty-box/the-fragrance-advent-calendar-worth-over-530/17691405/
Glossybox. £90 or £75 for subscribers. Code: KAREN5 may give £5 off the £90. Available now:
https://www.glossybox.co.uk/p/beauty-box/glossybox-2026-advent-calendar-worth-over-645/17691528/
OK Beauty Box advent/Hannah Martin. Available now £109:
https://www.okbeautybox.co.uk/products/the-ok-beauty-box-advent-calendar?srsltid=AfmBOoppTH5x1vrf3PT8oCWpKiUj111T5PdA8IBPKCjA9SYOpugUFCBJ
Cult Beauty £245 - £20 gift voucher back when buying at launch 03/09 early access.
https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/c/advent-calendar/
Harvey Nichols: Due to the recent takeover, it’s unclear if these a/cs are still going ahead for 2026. Details TBC.
Beauty:
https://www.harveynichols.com/harvey-nichols/harvey-nichols-beauty-advent-calendar-2026-75896-258491/
Fragrance:
https://www.harveynichols.com/harvey-nichols/harvey-nichols-12-days-of-fragrance-advent-calendar-2026-75906-258490/
John Lewis Fragrance £99 - appeared briefly for sale 1/9 online but this seems to have been a glitch. The calendar is either out of stock or withdrawn. It MAY reappear 21/9, (its original release date):
https://beauty-detective.com/john-lewis-fragrance-advent-calendar-2026/
Space NK £275 - available now in-store and online:
https://www.spacenk.com/uk/gifts/beauty-advent-calendars/beauty-advent-calendar-MUK200063764.html
Oh My Cream £195 with 20% off for new customers with code: WELCOME20:
https://ohmycream.co.uk//products/advent-calendar-lrnce-oh-my-cream?
YESSTYLE: $164.99 5% off with code: PAULAYES
Early access: 29/9 3am GMT
General access: 6/10 3am GMT
https://beautycalendar.com/yesstyle-advent-calendar-2026/
Sephora UK
Sephora Favourites: £235 available for pre order:
https://www.sephora.co.uk/p/sephora-favorites-advent-calendar?
Next £150 available now:
https://beauty-detective.com/next-beauty-advent-calendar-2026
Debenhams £120
https://www.debenhams.com/pages/beauty-advent-calendar
PURESEOUL £140 (first year they are doing an advent)
beauty-detective.com/pureseoul-advent-calendar-2026/
Holland Barrett: £60 - available now:
https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/beauty-advent-calendar-6101407249?
Diptyque: £420 - available now:
uk.diptyqueparis.com/en-uk/products/advent-calendar-25-scented-treasures-xm26advent?
Jo Malone: £375 - available now;
https://www.jomalone.co.uk/product/26322/107822/gift-sets/christmas-kist-advent-calendar?
Jo Loves Waitlist:
https://www.joloves.com/pages/a-jo-loves-advent-calendar?
💄 More Calendars & Spoilers
Rather than making the opening post a mile long, here's a brilliant roundup of lots more advent calendars and the latest spoilers, including Charlotte Tilbury, Elemis, Lancôme, Tatcha, NEOM, Neal's Yard Remedies, and many more as they're announced:
👉 ^https://beauty-detective.com/category/beauty-advent-calendars^/ 👈

Sent from my iPhone

Selfridges Fragrance Advent Calendar 2026 – First Spoilers – Beauty Detective
Selfridges Fragrance Advent Calendar 2026 is coming soon What’s inside (according to the picture): New Notes Latte Di Cherry Extrait de Parfum Deluxe Size INITIO Lift Me Up Eau de Parfum Deluxe Size Initio Parfums Privés Oud for Greatness Eau de Parfum...
https://beauty-detective.com/selfridges-fragrance-advent-calendar-2026
367
124

Popular on Mumsnet Swears By

Our most useful reviews and buying advice

Put it all in to not drip feed.

They do apparently often have Bradycardia. They also clearly are disabled. They have been around medical care and hospitals a lot, and clearly have both health and general anxiety. They eat poorly and self care and MH are not good.
Visibly drained, pale, thin, unwell, low energy, unable to walk without aids.
I feel bad for questioning them at all.

Their life has fallen apart and it's clear general professionals around them aren't really doing a lot partly because the person makes it hard work.

I've been doing lots to get them out of the mess, into better situations and it's been working. Practicality wise we're almost over a huge life changing line.

I'm now hitting a wall both with my own pissed off suspicions that they may feel weak, wobbly and sleep a great deal but are capable of being woken by an alarm, rather than be, literally, as they claim, suddenly collapsing without warning, (always in a bed or chair, never in a public place or in front of friends) at any time, and being literally unconscious for hours.

And, with the fact that is now being used as a reason to not to turn up to important appointments or agreed times to do things for them that they have asked for, which messes up my life.

They are outraged at me proposing they still have to take responsibility and practical answers: IE Wont lend me a shed key so a delivery can happen regardless. But insistent they may be unconscious and expect the delivery driver to return as many times as it takes, and me to come to help, for them to get their goods. (made up example close to realities)
Or I arrive with someone and materials to do a hard five hour job (free) and they aren't there because 'They where unconscious' for the first three hours, so I'll 'have to do a little and come back another day.'
They are claiming this is their disability and I need to recognize I'm discriminating against them if I don't accept it and work around this not yet diagnosed awful condition. They rarely even say sorry. 'As it isn't their fault.'

They have said their conditions are complex and have mentioned neurological, complex, bradycardia, ELS, and it's been confirmed they have over 20 diagnoses. (I question how many might be non serious type)

Would Dr's really be leaving someone living alone, collapsing all over the place and literally unconscious for hours? (they are 'difficult' and the sort of person wards seem very keen not to keep)

Or am I being an ignorant rotten ablest bitch here and need to listen to them and believe and center them?

157

I know there is a thread about the theft of some pre publication editions of this book.
This thread is more by way of a book club discussion about the actual book , the text. Threads will go where they will , but my intention is this is more for me to give my opinion on the book and for others who read it or are interested in the book to join in. I have pre-ordered from Kindle (half price otherwise I may not have 😊) But is only available on September 22nd. So a holding place if you like.

801

Im 45 assuming perimenopausal. Periods are regular enough, a few days out here and there. Sore breasts but I take evening primrose oil and starfish which helps lots. But I've started itching. First my foot i thought i had been bitten. Then my legs and now this morning my chest, I feel like i want to rip the skin off. Is this menopausal symptom and what can i do apart from hrt which i can't take?
. Ive also had sore heavy legs and groin pain without even exercising, thats gone today but now im itching instead

12

I am having my three nephews over for a sleepover. They’re six, just turned two and five months. The eldest has slept over a few times but not the younger two.

Instead of wrestling them into bed I am planning to let them stay up as late as they like. I’ve always done this with the eldest and he loves it and usually falls asleep at about 10:30pm. I’ll obvious have the baby in his crib but I’ve got a huge corner sofa so I’m going to bring the duvets down and we can just have a slumber party downstairs.

I told my friend who has two sons and she thinks that this will impact their whole week and their schooling and routine and probably exam results and future careers.

I’m not going mad am I? This is fine for one fun evening?

118

Gen X menopausal me saying my hair made me ‘look like Worzel Gummidge’ and being met with blank looks ! Yours ?

412

Not intentionally manipulative. I’m sure she would be utterly mortified to know that it has an effect on me. Bit mum is a complete slave to her emotions and cannot hide them one little bit. If she is worried, if she is sad, stressed, disappointed or upset with herself about something, her mood will plummet. I feel like I am the adult, regulating my own feelings, while she is the child or teen, acting them out. She doesn’t get unpleasant, just tense, flappy, morose, a bit moody or snappy.

In my youthful naivety I would say things like “try to forget about it” or “think about X instead” and she would say that she cannot control her feelings, as though it’s just a fact of the world, like the grass is green.

I just find that as an adult (she is my closest family - I am single) I can’t actually confide in her about any problems or worries, because she would just fret about it more than me (because she loves me, but that does not make it helpful).

Not sure what my AIBU is, I just wanted to vent. Anyone else experience this?

27

Does anyone else try to stick to the "Something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read" rhyme/ theology (??) of presents? From Mum and Dad at least!

I've tried to the past couple of years - maybe gone for 2 x want presents and then a present from Santa and stocking as well. The year I was pregnant with my second, I went absolutely mad and got her tons of stuff and opening really felt like something we had to get through rather than enjoyable.

But, my point really is what do other people do for the "something they need element"?

67

Two years ago I was earning £70k and living very nicely on it.

Then stuff happened and I decided to take very early retirement. I have good pensions to come in 5 years' time, but meantime have some casual work which earns £4k pa and investment income of about £12k. I planned to live off savings to fill the gap and budgeted up to £20k pa.

Now, I realise I am very fortunate and I am definitely not claiming poverty. I realise being well set up and then moving to a lower income is entirely different to a lifetime lived on a low income. My mortgage is paid off etc, but I am finding I only need to draw on the saving for one off big purchases. I've drawn £6k altogether in 2 years.

I'm still living a good life. I still spend without thinking to hard on the things I want, I still have a busy social life, I still travel multiple times a year.

Being able to be fully flexible means everything is cheaper. I can at the time of the week/month/year when flights are cheapest etc. And the money I must have been spending on clothes, food, travel for work etc. PlusbI think when you're working hard there's a tendency to spend on "treats" that you don't feel the need for when lofe is.lore relaxed.

Just me and an adult son at home. He pays some keep, but I don't make any profit out of him.

222

Will a tote bag be big enough. This will be instead of a handbag.
Do the airline measure this bag.
It's usually holding passport, paperwork, purse, kindle and specs.. Maybe a bikini and spare knickers.
Newspapers for DH to read.

25

So my DN who lives with me is turning 11 in a few days.
We've been encouraging her to pick some presents but she isn't sure what she wants.
She likes reading but has a fair few books already.
Shes not into skincare/makeup/sports or gaming really.
She will craft a little bit but she has poor motor skills so anything her age is too hard and she loses interest and she is very self-conscious so anything for younger kids would upset her.
She likes blind boxes but gets sad if the one she wants isn't in there so I wouldnt want to get loads of those.

She has a tablet but weve just had a really good few weeks of her limiting screentime so I don't want to add anything like a kindle when we've made so much progress

She showed interest in a sylvainian families family and house but changed her mind because she said it might be babyish and it costs too much. Part of me is wondering if we still get it but I'm not sure.

So far she has chosen 2 books which we have asked family to buy her.
When asked what she wants she says she doesn't want us to buy her anything because we have already given her and her siblings a lot the last few months.
Which is lovely of her but we really want to get her some gifts

Her younger sister had a birthday a few weeks ago and we had completely the opposite problem of getting her to narrow it down cause she wanted everything.
She also had a big party and had lots of presents from school friends. Plus around 5 gifts from other family members.

DN wont have that because she wont be having a big party just a couple of friends for a day out and sleepover. So I don't want her to look back and think her sister got loads of stuff and she got nothing.

16

If you are wanting to lose weight or if you maintain a slim figure but dont go on a specific diet or calorie count. What eating patterns/ habits do you have to achieve this? I have a busy and a social lifestyle so conventional diets don’t work for me and to be honest I just end up breaking them.. how do you achieve the above on the go etc

170

I saw this on Reddit earlier and I thought that I’d ask Mumsnetters about their childhood obsessions.

I’m autistic so I had many obsessions, too many to count but to name a few, I was obsessed with Spring-Heeled Jack after reading Terry Deary’s True Monster Stories and I was fascinated with the Kray twins after watching the 1990 movie when I was much too young 10 or 11) at a friend’s home. And I was also weirdly obsessed with Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suites and Dick Turpin.

What were your odd childhood interests?

Tia

33