Mn Vogue vol. 2

[MarshaBrady]

For anyone who likes to talk about style, nice stuff that they've bought and so on.

Thanks Dona. Feel like I need to know what is happening before embarking on next project. Being in limbo isn't as interesting as being in the midst of something, but not long to go.

Kors boots might be very bad, but could be ok. Will compare with pistols and send one back, or both and get something else. I need something that I can wear instead of wellies, so very comfortable.

The subtle indications of wealth in different countries and cultures is very interesting. Someone, (Bonsoir and Dona - as a good start) should write a book.

Oh hang on I could read the one you linked Dona.

Afternoon!

Trying to ease back into my monster To Do list after a conference. Was not feeling my most stylish (trapped in comfy nude low heels due to broken toe), but managed to work a couple of Me & Em dresses and a forest green boucle pencil skirt/ivory silk shirt/chunky accessories combo which was ok.

Am trying to set money aside for some proper shopping. Situation officially dire.

Popcornia are tomatoes working for you? I love your dress - would love to have it, such a lovely shape.

I had major deadlines last week, have been exhausted (and single-parenting) afterwards, getting up to speed requires extra focus. I think I know what you talk about Marsha - my income is more stable but I have similar limbo moments. I think I am experiencing one of them right now - some minor boring details left over from my last project (a long and dull to do list), but need to gather the momentum to start something new.

In outfit limbo as well. Wore a tunic today! and stained it with olive oil Tunics are so not me... Feel baggy and middle-aged in them (plus the one I wore today is slightly 'Natural' ). Already checked where I should hem it...

Pop I've lived in four different countries during the past ten years. The downside - I don't belong anywhere (and have those stupid foreigner moments all the time), don't understand unwritten codes, and have to keep starting from scratch. The upside - I'm almost immediately at home almost anywhere - and foreigners are allowed to break most unwritten codes . Even the BCBG ones .

Love that look Pop.

Dona that's great, love the new project part. I love the work part as I feel in control and really push it and know that if it's good then I can sleep well. But this indeterminable wait from delivering the work and the event. Well it's far too long. And starts to feel like an episode of Deal or No Deal. Not that I watch it.

Hopefully great outfits. Looking forward to your shopping reports.

No boots still! dumdedum

Although the big Kors shoe box from theoutnet is damaged so they have put £25 back in my account. Makes the boots even cheaper, if I like them that is.

I was born in the UK but grew up in the middle of nowhere and my parents are very British / French so I feel displaced most of the time. I do like that though. Feels quite free-ing.

Too tired to link but checked what YSL, Celine, Stella M are up to in SS2013 (linked to some on Pin). Stella's collection has some lovely silhouettes, very easy to wear. Philo at Celine great too, most of it not right for my body type but such sculptural lines.

YSL was very blah for me. Yes, I know Hedi Slimane does narrow and black, but it just didn't look that exciting - I feel he was delivering what 50+ fashion editor types in Paris have worn forever. DvF was busy taking notes everywhere so I hope some of it will come our way too eventually.

If you are a redhead, google Taylor Tomasi Hill. Love her presence.

The luxury book was quite frank about it - runway shows are window dressing these days, covering costs but not necessarily bringing in much: handbags and other accessories are where the big money really is because they are so cheap to produce, fit everyone and change so fast. I think NAP, Matches etc are on to something though on the ready-to-wear front. I would never be a pret-a-porter showroom client (I do not enjoy the shopping experience) but love shopping from my bed.

Marsha of course I love the flow part too - hope you will be able to use this time for recharging a bit. (I should start with cleaning my desk. Actually I did already - cleaned, archived and backed up my inbox. Took all day...). Lets hope the Kors boots are gorgeous!

A quick outfit update - felt very frumpy yesterday, so dressed up today. Leather pencil skirt worn with pearls, cream floral voile blouse (tucked in), almost black jeweled ballerinas, almost red lipstick and vintage perfume. Very demure but cheers me up no end .

I don't like the floral blouse all that much, but worn this way it feels great. I actually love playing with the "Do not love" clothes in the left-hand side of my wardrobe. Pairing them with things I love often makes them work, plus I love the challenge. So satisfying! Am starting to think I need nothing new this AW - have such a rich archive.

What are you ladies wearing today?

I love the ease of shopping from NaP and theoutnet too. On iPhone, all details stored just press buy.

Love your outfit Dona. I have a floral blouse that only works with Paul&Joe wool shorts, too reduce the girliness.

Am in indigo skinnies and Birger blush jumper, will put on Lanvin wedges later.

Oh no Pop what a shame it's all sold out. Can someone order your size from somewhere?

The Kors boots are beyond bad and are on the way back today. Even at £75 I cannot be convinced! Flimsy unfinished suede, waaay to big around the leg. I think not.

Pistols should be here shortly.

Oh Pop am sorry to hear that. Consolation prize? Cobalt is a fashion color so it's not easy to find it in past collections. And no to shiny!

Well, the two items I wanted from Matches have also sold out in my size .

Marsha shame about the boots.

Pop I feel your pain. Have been looking for a tunic/jumper dress for ages and finally decided I would splash out on a Stella McCartney one. It was sold out in my size, of course.

In fact, the jumper dress being sold out in my size has galvanised me into writing a very firm shopping list of A/W wants, and prioritising them and budgeting for them. Top of the list is a much coveted pair of ankle boots and a(nother) pair of leather leggings to try. I live in hope!

Oh, and if anyone sees a relaxed slash/v neck jumper dress in merino or cashmere in not-black, feel free to link me up...

Meant to say, was really struck by how different people need different clothes to look their best the other day. A colleague was wearing this suede coat which I would never have considered, with dark jacquard print slim trousers and an amazing dress shirt and heeled boots, and looked absolutely incredible, like a gothic buccaneer or something. And she was certainly 50+, possibly 60+.

I wonder Hopefully and Pop whether there is a mismatch this season between what people want and what is being offered - the few decent items with the right price and right materials and styles are sold out while there is endless tat that will be difficult to shift (There is another thread on S&B where people say they'll skip high street offerings this AW because the quality is so poor).

Marsha Kors is clearly really going downhill.

Dona I think you're right - presumably at some point there has to come a point when the downgrading in quality is not acceptable at any price. I seriously couldn't believe how not-warm the ('wool mix') overcoats were in M&S this year - all polyester and thin, and some of them not even lined. Pointless, and I think anyone buying one would be really disappointed when they froze! The flipside is that every second thread on S&B is 'I want this, but cheaper,' so people still want cheaper and cheaper prices, and will presumably take the quality compromise. In the UK currently spend less on clothes (as an income %) than we have at any point in history, and less than most other countries (apart from the States) which I think is interesting.

Price of wool/cotton/silk etc is insane at the moment. I wonder how much it impacts on price and whether shops will eventually have to reduce their long-held massive mark ups?

I am such an evangelist about having fewer, good quality clothes though. My wardrobe is comically capsule at the moment, but I really don't see the need (unless the money is freely available) for more than about 50-75 garments to cover every eventuality. Must tot up my wardrobe one day soon and see where I'm at. Was about 28 at the last count.

Hopefully me too. It gets easier as things last longer anyway and not everything needs replacing all the time.

A big part of my decision is how much I love it. Actually wanting to wear it lasts longer too.

The next thing on my list is a dress. A really good one.

Dona I know. Possibly a one off bad thing, but they are sold out so could just be me.

Hi ladies - fashion breakthrough for me today..... I wore a dress. I haven't worn a dress for around 5 years so this is a huge deal to me!
www.whistles.co.uk/fcp/categorylist/dept/shop?resetFilters=true#ID=id_903000058660_dresses_GBP&category=dresses
This dress but in a green black colour with opaque tights and chunky black boots with a heel.
I've noticed I spend much less time choosing outfits now so my wardrobe is definitely working harder for me - not sure I could get it to sub 30 items tho Hopefully
Fingers crossed for the Pistols Marsha

Applause Shop!
Hopefully is a true minimalist and very organized too - I could never achieve that level of organization, but really admire it.
Marsha good luck with dress-hunting!

DH back from Brussels with magnificent gifts for everyone. Missed an opening yesterday - he didn't know I would have been interested. But I really enjoyed a good jog and pizza thereafter

I've owned a Kindle for a year and only yesterday discovered that I can it read aloud any text (on my old model, press Shift+Symbol simultaneously). Yes, it's a male computerized monotone with an American accent, but surprisingly good for moments when you are preparing the dinner or doing your makeup (or when I painted my toenails this morning). Also great for just finishing up a boring book - much easier to listen to it than force yourself to sit down.

Summer still here, though last night during my 5K it was the first time I felt short sleeves are not enough. Wearing my lovely watermelon sleeveless Maxmara dress, bare legs and a pink cocktail ring - soon enough you'll see me in sweater dresses.

In fairness, sub-30 items is actually too few, IMO. I could do with about 8 more things and I'd be set for A/W.

Hopefully I have listened to read a Coco Chanel book and she said that if you have 2 or 3 outfits (with the right accessories), it's enough. Well, with her prices more than enough, but I think she's onto something there. We have been seduced to buy far too much tat - unless I make a special effort to work unworn items into my daily outfits, I too would be happy in 3 or 4 outfits per season. Pareto rule...

I wear three or four variations on three or four outfits at least 60% of the time, with a few others for work/smart lunch etc. modified Pareto?

Dona no wonder you out read us all . A good idea.

Pistols arrived. Had no idea they did suede. Suede! And are completely different to last pair as black sole and strap. I completely imagined them as the same as the last ones (all neutral and leather) it's taken me a few minutes to get used to it .

They were half price so am pleased with them. Thanks Shop!

And bravo Shop on great shopping success.

Ooooh gotta love brilliant midnight coups - well done Marsha & Shop!

Hopefully, not Pareto, the new and improved 'Hopefully' Principle

Have nothing fashion-related to say except that DDs and Nanny came home from the school run crying to high heaven, fighting over two power pearl bracelets from easter eggs (Easter is always in season here). Très Coco Chanel, wanting to pile'em up instead of being happy with just one each.

The French Women / Mindless Eating approach really works - have shed another kilo

Work still difficult but after a really slow start got very absorbed. Anyone else still counting tomatoes?

Got an invitation to a film premiere. The film looks beyond horrible.