MN Vogue - the 20th anniversary edition

[shopafrolic]

All welcome for lighthearted chat about fashion and beauty - but bring your links!
Continuing on from Vol 19 here

Mig I could just imagine you getting more and more as you read that article!!

Queen yuck that dress looks like one of those nylon quilted bedspreads that were all the rage in the seventies. epic fail, VB.

Although I do admire her guts. She experiments w/ fashion and that is good.

Queen I do get ragier as I get older. My job doesn't help because I see the sharp end of politics reflected in my clients difficulties.

Never was a fan of VB,it all looks like Roland mouret designs to me, and that dress is just awful,
mom how horrible,but I guess it happens everywhere,that's a great advice too, my former boss,was a great dresser,lots of chanel,birkins,Donna Karen..etc,she always encouraged us to dress fashionably,as it gives a good impression about her work, of course we couldn't afford chanel or birkins,and I'm positive she would have hated it if one of us showed up to work with a 20grand bag!

grumpy your poor boobs!

mig some men just never grow up! A consultant saying a crude comment like this is surely unacceptable!,

Loved the trans Atlantic shopping via MNV !

hey marsha! love your outfit, as ever, hope meeting was productive.

mig that sounds interesting, might get vogue later. although as a bikram devotee it's no wonder she sees more style over spirituality

also loving the transatlantic shop, well done MNV!

queenc I am not ignoring your text, we are waiting to hear on (yet another) kitchen meeting. if you have another or a better offer do take it!

Grumpy I'm now tempted to buy it myself ! And to you for suggesting the khaki dress, animal flats combo....felt great today.
A bee went up my blouse last year on a day trip to the Isle of White when we were eating outside a restaurant.....top came off double quick. dCs me DH [grim]!!!!

QueenC VB ....twit ! But I bet that dress was still only a size 8!!!!!!!
Novice what a fab outfit to wear to give a talk, you will look amazing!

My workwear needs to be washable (paint,PVA glue), not too short (up ladders), not too tight (sitting on floor) not too low cut (can't give yr 6 boys an eyeful ).

at *Grumpy's beestung boob - I think I might have a heart attack if a bee went down my top.
I had a minor meltdown this morning - meeting cancelled on my way into the city, had to take a call from a v upset member of staff having a personal crisis so ended up deciding to go home and work from there so I didn't get my planned hour of trying on coats on Regent Street - am feeling massively angsty about my life - I need an adventure or for something exciting to happen...it's all bloody work, childcare, housework etc - in my good old single days this is when I'd have applied for a career break and packed a rucksack (did it 3 times!!) ...any ideas for some (non marriage disrupting) excitement ladies????

QueenC I keep close tabs on all prosecco owed to me . That VB dress is vile and I cannot believe she actually likes it - or maybe the constant dieting has become too much and she's about to go mad on the pies.

MNV spa weekend? Liberty

Not an adventure but I decided to do the Yorkshire 3 peaks a couple of years back. Way put of my comfort zone. Felt a massive sense of achievement and proud of myself (11hrs of hell though!)
I'm easily excited (hope i dont sound sad).....but coming to London for the day for MNV MU is a bit of an adventure and made me realize that my family can infact manage without me ...so much so I've booked another day in Nov!!!!
I think you're talking bigger scale though.

liberty I just had to comment on your post,i would have personally said screw work and go for that shopping trip, and then maybe a nice lunch somewhere,
How about planing for a mini break ?,it would totally help you to clear your mind ,you will come back a relaxed person. Sometimes you need to take to give back, your job and mig's sound so demanding,

Liberty

I hear you....I know what you mean about the daily treadmill of feeling like everything you do just 'services' your life in a Groundhog Day way.

Have a think about an activity you'd maybe like to take up. Whether it's learning to play the Ukelele, Silversmithing, a foreign language......Check out your local adult education options.

i'm considering a WWOOF adventure (WorldWide Adventures in Organic Farming) where you work on an organic farm/garden/small holding whatever in whatever country you choose. You only do a few hours a day, the work is not arduous and you get accommodation/food. I fancy working on a smallholding in NY State then driving in to Union Square Green Market each week to sell it. It need only be for a week, family can chip in w/ childcare if you have small ones and DH could even come along or not.

There are other types of 'Gap' breaks here or overseas. Maybe a charity might benefit from your hard earned expertise?

Thanks Dry and Santa I actually had a spa day on Saturday with a friend and we have a mini break booked for the weekend after next and a holiday booked for November. I'm just bored and feeling trapped and I always get a bit like this at the start of winter knowing it's 6 months of dark days ahead and my work is very intense at this time of year - total first world problem!! We were supposed to immigrate to Australia this time last year and issues with house sale, finances etc scuppered the plan - we'll do it sometime in the next couple of years but I think a year on I am feeling a bit aggrieved at still being stuck in a life I came very close to changing a year ago. I'll get over it . I need to have more fun I think.

Really hoping I can make the MU Dry - if not I might barge in on you in Nov!

Thanks Mig I would like to learn something new - just trying to find the time though - when I am not at work I feel I should be with DD...I'm trying to tell myself that feeling like this is the first step to sorting things...I might start with going for a run!

Mig I actually spent 2 months working on a farm in the Australian outback on one of my previous adventures - was v hard work though!

Loving the transatlantic shopping via MNV Novice and Shop! Novice if you have any recommendations of where to send DH when he goes to NY next week, please let me know . I was hoping to go with him but he's going to be so busy working it seems a waste of the childcare which we could use another time to spend a weekend together properly .

Grumpy I hope your boob is better .

Mig I am at that consultant but at your retort!

That VB dress is just vile.

I am pretty pleased today, I dug out a few ponyskin items out of the back of the wardrobe, including a great MiuMiu bag from about 10 years ago and [[http://pinterest.com/pin/320600067194467136/ these] Boden shoes from about 9 years ago . Have been wearing the shoes today with red Iro jacket, navy Wang vest and (now very) distressed cropped jeans. I am desperately in need of some new skinnies, am going to have to bite the bullet and go and try some on. Maybe then I can give DH instructions of which to buy in NY .

I am back to the weight training with a vengeance this week - everything hurts from the last two days in the gym - I wince with every step I take down stairs. I guess that means it's working though .

Oops shoes here

Yes it can be but going through WWOOF offers guarantees about hours worked and type of work.

Your DD will benefit from having a happy Mum so do try to challenge yourself when those guilt feelings arise; differentiating between what is 'warranted guilt' and what is not can help dissipate some of that 'trapped' feeling

. I know that working outside of the home can leave very little time for the children (or makes us feel that way) but maybe you can find something to learn or do that takes place after bedtime or when they are at school. These pre school years will go fast and soon you'll have more time to yourself.

I know that doesn't help w/ that 'yearning' feeling now . Finally, consider a light box because low level SAD when treated, can make you feel very very different. Even normal Hibernation Blues can be reduced.

Sleep I am normally quite reticent about defending myself IRL which is probably both cause and symptom of some of the bullying i have experienced since childhood both from Parents and in the work/school place.

But that day I was so furious (and a 'green' student) and I also worked w/ his Wife and felt very angry on her behalf. And the patient too- what a thing to hear. No wonder some patients think it is okay to molest/assault nurses.

That outfit sounds very sassy-sharp Sleep and I really like the navy/red/monochrome shoe print. It all has a Modern Dolce Vita feel to it especially due to those shoes which I think are such a sexy shape on the foot. A little toe 'cleavage' displayed through that Pill box shape slit too. Lovely.

I do love calf hair accessories even though saying that makes me feel like a sociopathic calf hater.

Excellent idea re the light box Mig both DH and I reckoned last year we suffered from SAD - he mentioned last winter we should get one so I'll remind him about it.

Sleep those shoes are fab - they made me smile - really lovely! God work on the weights.

'Good work' not 'God work'

I honestly think Dp suffers from mild/moderate SAD, he gets so down and turns into such a grump as soon as summers over I know he can't help it but it pisses me off when he's just laying on the sofa all weekend because he feels too crap to get up and do anything with me

I honestly think Dp suffers from mild/moderate SAD, he gets so down and turns into such a grump as soon as summers over I know he can't help it but it pisses me off when he's just laying on the sofa all weekend because he feels too crap to get up and do anything with me

I'd recommend Light Boxes to anybody feeling a little sluggish as Winter approaches. They have been used w/ teenagers and children too although consultation w/ your GP is advisable.

I went to my dentists today wearing my cream/ochre and nut brown tweed wool check skirt. It has a fluted 'modified' A line that just covers below my knees. I wore black Merino tights, a white GAP slouchy V neck T, my cheapy Ochre cotton New Look cardigan, carried my dark brown ox leather Roxanne and felt very 'current'. Oh and my feet were clad in Paul Smith nut brown high stacked heeled pumps. Nothing new except for my tights.

I do want some rich 'Autumnal/Winter colour T shirt/shirts though. I don't like too much fussy detail like bows/ruffles as I fidget but don't mind pleating/folding/applique. I prefer tops to not drown me, to have some waist shape but not too fitted-I hate clinging on my torso and that is why i cannot wear the classic wrap dress as I am always tugging at it.

Tops in colours that go w/suit browns, ochres and other yellows, burgundies, greys and greens welcome. I like marls too.

However I'll take any suggestions.

Where have you found great quality T shirts lately?

Apologies for the double post up there, I don't know what happened with that

Liberty I totally empathise with the feeling. I've always been a grass is greener kind of person which, while helpful as you never stagnate, is as much as a curse as life becomes a bit of a quest. Focus on your Australia adventure - it's only postponed, not cancelled and fill your time with mini-treats. Running is good - endorphins and clearing your head at the same time.
I do love the sound of upstate NY Mig, esp at this time of year. Glorious.
Sleep those shoes are ultra sexy pretty, totally la dolce vita.

Ordered that animal sweater from Mint Velvet today and had a DPD message within a couple of hours telling me it will be delivered tomorrow. Free delivery too - now that's service. Unfortunately the stripy sweater was the only thing to be delivered today, that means there's a very real chance of everything coming tomorrow when DH is here all day. Typical.

I can totally sympathise Liberty. I'm feeling pretty similar at the moment (though my idea of an adventure is much less exciting then emigrating or a career break!). I think you need to rearrange your coat trying on trip. Little things to look forward to make a big difference I find and it is disproportionately disappointing if they get taken away.

Love the shoes sleep and great outfit. Motivated by your gym work to try to go for a run tonight (if DH makes it home before it goes dark - seems to be by 8 these days, argh).