M N Vogue vol 3

[shopafrolic]

A continuation of style chat for anyone wanting to talk fashion, new purchases etc.....

Hope you find your way back to us Dona!

hello

Marsha they aren't on the website any more - they were black flats with small "GG"s on the cord at front - anyway they come up big and are going back - not really special enough to keep with an insole and still quite expensive for what they were I felt.

wearing a me&em tshirt from their sale today - good quality stuff and the discounts get really good after a while in the sale

Ah I see, good idea I think Emo, I have a few pairs of incorrectly sized shoes and whilst I love them I just don't really wear them that much.

Shop how funny! 'Chavvy' for their own stock, how silly .

Dona interesting about cardigans. I have a Theory one with a yellow trim and it's fine knit and pale grey with yellow trim. Have had it for years. And a red Sandro and black Wang one (on sale). I can't do things that drape down too much really either.

Well done AnniAnni.

Vintage is big here, Liberty vintage is very highly priced.

Had a glorious afternoon enjoying mellow Roman sunshine and one of my favorite neighborhoods, Monti (currently the Brooklyn of Rome, full of vintage and great people watching). On my way back, happened to walk past MaxMara and found the perfect necklace - one of those black ribbon affairs with heavy gunmetal and stone pearls (couldn't find a pic online). It's interesting but not dime-store tatty, and complements my dull graphite gray sweaters and sweater dresses. And on sale, so it cost almost nothing.

I also bought two eye shadow brushes from MAC - I already have one and it's worth all the hype. I don't care for their makeup - most of their colors are too loud on me - but the brushes are good. Neutral eyeshadow does wonders to my eyes - the Chanel Prelude palette is my current favorite, but I'm eyeing this beauty from Tom Ford. And to compensate, this cheap Rimmel mascara is fantastic. I used to like Max Factor but then I had some flaking issues and my beauty blogger friend mentioned that she's been really impressed with this. I like it too, and for me high-end mascara is a waste of money (they dry up and have to be replaced).

Shop Missoni scarves liven up any outfit - I like their versatility.
Sounds like almost everyone else has had success with the sales, keep up the good work!

Thank you to whoever mentioned Missoni scarves in TKMaxx - was it Shop? I just checked out a local one and got two scarves from the clearance section! Classic Missoni style, soft zig-zag stripes. One in blues and one in browns, ochres with a little black. Lovely!

Ps love this thread.

Dona, I completely agree with you about expensive mascaras - this cheap Mabelline one is really very good and doesn't seem to smudge much at all, I would really recommend it.

Great news Awkward!

That reminds me I need a new mascara. I can't seem to wear eyeshadow, never have been able to really. I remember looking at a friend in 12th grade and being amazed at how good it looked. All in the eye shape. Can finally do lipstick but have to blot most of it off anyway. I have to keep it muted although love a good eyeliner and mascara.

Bravo Awkward!

wading in with another reasonably priced mascara - often on special in boots - L'Oreal telescopic. I have never had smudge problems with it.

DVF Zarita arrived and sadly is just too short - it is a lovely, lovely dress and I like my legs but it just needs an extra inch or two on me. Such a shame but back it goes - annoyingly to the Netherlands at my expense (might put in work courier..) - note to self don't order from DVF website again!

Happy Sundays all.

That's funny about the chavvy Beas. They were in In Style in pink colours, really nice.

Shame about the dress, Emo, but more funds for something else!

Nice one, Awkward, I love Missoni.

Dona, I may have had a pair of http://www.flickr.com/photos/ginkgraph/4305361513/in/photostream/ years ago, in my defence they were all the rage in New York at the time!

Marsha, how's the jet lag? I like Lancôme Hypnôse Drama mascara, my eye lashes need the help!

Very tempted to sell my Alexa which I rarely use as find it awkward to open and regret getting the tan colour to start a bag fund for a beautiful Balenciaga I've seen.

Oh yes Lancôme Hypnôse Drama is incredible. I tried it on holiday. Am getting that next. I went for a Chanel one last time. It was pretty good, but think I prefer the Lancôme.

I say go for the Balenciaga Decam. They are beautiful, I would love one but still have a pang over the same Céline bag but in deep wine colour or raspberry. Probably crazy to get the same bag in just different colours but can't help swooning over it.

Those heeled sneakers are excellent .

Emo ah shame about the DvF it is lovely isn't it. Yes to work courier haha.

Jet lag is still in comical stage. Woke at 2am, ds2 at 2.30am dh and ds1 at around 5.30am so they are winning. On the plus side I've never seen the dc fall asleep so easily even if it is in the afternoon! I'm very awake but it is a bit dull waiting for the sun to rise.

Am looking at half price J Crew tshirts in the sale. Am feeling a bit unenthusiastic about the prospect of stocking up on tops but I really leave it to the last minute and my current ones are not in good shape.

Any one got J Crew tshirts? And anyone else find t shirt shopping a bit dull?

Maybe it's the jet lag.

I say get rid of the Alexa decam, you've never really loved it and you'll get good money for it. No sense in keeping if it's not being used...

Is semi sheer a pita? vintage cotton.

Marsha stocking up on basics is really dull. I shoud do the same - I need a navy and camel/off-white mercerized cotton top, but cannot muster any enthusiasm into looking for them. Plus I need a navy leather belt

Marsha how I understand your style (via Pin etc) semi-sheer would work for you - it may require wearing a 3.99 H&M vest underneath though (still loving mine). And your type would never wear full-on eye shadow, it would be so wrong.

I'm starting to think suede is wrong on me too - wore flat navy suede chelsea boots last year yesterday - they are not really me. And wedge desert boots today. Better, but I'm starting to think the black wedge boot you still see a lot on Pin might be the right choice for me. Dirt is off-white chalk dust here so maintaining suede is a nightmare - for this reason, Roman women love taupe suede boots (they look presentable even when dirty).

I've been playing with my new MAC brushes. I don't do Kabuki style make-up, it's all about a natural look (+ the occasional bright lip) for me, and these really help. Am in love with the #219 pencil brush, it's a mind-blowingly great tool for softly lining the eyes (if I have enough time, I prefer dark eye shadow to eye pencil as an eye liner - hard non-blurred lines don't work on me).

Today is Befana (a nice witch fills Italian children's stockings with goodies) and we lucked out - we drove to a little town nearby and they had a funfair with all imaginable rides. I love theses Sunday pre-lunch drive/walks - we generally go to a small hill-top town, take a walk in the centro storico, and then go to the local park with everyone else. The children get a few rounds on the carousel or a ride on a mini train. Everyone else is there too taking a stroll before lunch.

Decam my court trainers came from Barcelona (back in the day when I found BCN edgy and cool and they are basically tweedy kitten heel courts outside and trainers inside. If I were you, I'd sell the Alexa - there are still a lot people out there who fancy an Alexa but a Balenciaga bag is a lot cooler. The new vintage shop in our neighborhood is a graveyard of former it bags (Chloe Paddington or Dior saddle anyone?), just a reminder that it may be a good idea to leave a party when you are still having fun.

I know it is isn't it. Plus the delivery charge is making me hesitate. Whereas don't mind when it's a higher value item. But generally just lack the motivation!

I sometimes try the freebie eyeshadow I have as it looks so pretty and smooth but wipe it off and regret it.

Love suede but does get a hard time in a city. I look after the Lanvin wedges but the pistols look very lived in these days.

Meant to say your Sunday sounds lovely.

Thanks ladies ... it will be a good chunk towards the new bag.

Dona, I love that saying! Your Sunday does sound great. I could happily live in Rome.

Marsha, I still have J Crew t shirts from when I lived in the US, they are good quality. The knitwear fell apart though. Though I am not the best at laundry, may be my fault.

I have an ostrich skin Dior saddle that I got for my 18th birthday. Cost a bomb and the bastard thing broke in under 6 months. Being a shy wilting teenager I never did anything about it. If it happened now I would be storming into the boutique and demanding a replacement on the spot. On the other hand I have a vintage pink snakeskin Dior baguette from the 80s which is going strong. Dwindling quality values in some luxury brands...

Wore my navy Me&Em (inherited from Hopefully) out for lunch with DH today, with OTKs and a plum open fronted American Vintage jersey cardigan. Basically loungewear and so comfy but looked pretty polished. Fab dresses, definitely going to buy another.

Really enjoying my Rocco. The satisfaction of owning something I've coveted for years is really quite novel (I normally crack and buy whatever it is after about 2 weeks).

Could you get the Dior bag fixed, Amber? Glad you are enjoying the Rocco bag.

Celine raspberry bag sounds delicious, Marsha!

Thanks Decam! It does a bit, hmm maybe not so bad doubling up. I'd really like to get the raspberry Celine and rose Lanvin flats this year. Feels indulgent to repeat but last year was very bright and a bit clashy.

Thanks for J Crew info. I should do it really.

So pleased about success of the rocco Amber. I love that the bags we choose reflect our style so well. It's really you.

Amber there is a good bag restorer in neighborhood (a shoemaker, but he also cleans and restores bags). Worth looking for one near you? If you can't find one, there are always bag spas, check Purseforum for recommendations.

They say that when LMVH became the owner of formerly independent luxury companies. I've been reasonably happy with my three Dior bags (although two of them are made of very delicate python). The Miss Dior is actually sturdier than the 2.55 - I even wore it in the rain and it's fine - the matte finish seems quite forgiving. The 2.55 in lambskin is super-delicate - if you are not careful, you can scratch it with your fingernails. It actually comes with gloves . If anyone here wants to get a 2.55 for daily wear, the caviar version is more hard-wearing and scratch-resistant. But I prefer the smooth glossiness of lambskin.

My solution is to have a couple of workhorse bags for bad weather, travel, hauling work stuff etc (vintage leather is ideal, as it's beaten up already and only becomes better with more wear and scuffing), and a couple of dressier bags.

The Ash Bowies have arrived!! They are fab! So comfy, the perfect height (I have a bad back so have to be careful) and look great. Thank you thank you thank you for the push to buy them.
Two questions if I may?

1. does the colour transfer?
2. skinnies tucked in or bunched up above them?

Excellent Shop!

Not sure on those two things. Bowie wearer along shortly .

They are beautiful chic bags Dona. I wouldn't mind having a few more.

Lovely Shop! You'll look fantastic in them.

I know tucking in has been the norm this season but it makes me feel awkward - there is always some bunching which I hate. Unless I wear ski pants with stirrups (not really, but remember the good old 80s???)

I wonder if any of you keen shoppers know when the White Company will start doing their promos again - I have my eye on some of their cashmere knitwear but hate to pay full price as they always run something. Also any suggestions of other brands to try for pretty knitwear with a design twist for good day to day sahm/working from home days with skinnies and brogues/ballerinas please? Am stuck in a White Company/Hush shaped rut ATM. Much obliged