MNVogue - Vol 28 (the Christmas edition)

[libertychick]

Calling on style and fashion fanatics, this is the space for frivolity and fun (though it gets a bit tense at sales time) . All welcome.

liberty how has your style changed ? What was it like before and what influenced the change?
Anyone else welcome to answer that too....I'm just being nosey.
Justa that is a very nice bag

Haha dry. Our conversations are similar. Dh 'pays' me for being a sahm which I see as my personal spending money. I only try and ask for extra at times like now when he asks for a watch for Christmas but I think he expects me to save some of what of he gives to me .

Ooop Dry. I am not good at saving either. DH has savings and we have some joint savings but not a penny saved myself. Really must sort that out.

On style change...I say transformed, others may not notice! Work wear has become a bit more relaxed - fewer dresses, more mix and match separates. Casual is the biggest shift, I am struggling to remember what I wore this time last year at the weekend. I had only one pair of jeans I felt ok in (Gap bootcuts) and now I wear either skinnies or straight legs and feel frumpy otherwise. Top half was T-shirts and cardis. Now it's more cashmere sweaters, or breton w jersey jacket, or my new fave Cos oversize jumper with skinnies and ankle boots.

The thing is I always had an eye for style but wouldn't spend on myself as (a) I was permanently trying to lose a stone and would say I'd get expensive/trendy clothes when I was skinny and (b) I had internalized a belief that I somehow didn't 'deserve' nice things. I suddenly realised that at 40 I probably wasn't going to suddenly get thinner or prettier so if I am ever going to look good it may as well be now!

I also wear make-up almost every day now and take the time to blowdry/BBH my hair, put on some jewellery so I just generally look more pulled together, more of the time whereas previously it was a bit hit and miss. That said, I still don't stress about it if I have the odd day when I don't have time for makeup before running out the door.

Oh yes Dry - I am sooo glad it was him instead of me, would never have heard the end of it! Umm - have you seen the price of botox ? Just sayin'.......

Sounds like you, I and I think Novice share the same issue with regards to attitude to money. DH is anything but tight, very generous in fact, but at the same time he is definitely shrewd and a bit of a worrier with money. Definitely a saver whereas I am the spender. He gets very stressed about money being for the DC's in particular - school fees, university and beyond....I guess its a lot of pressure to be the one earning it all, not that he ever complains about that. Its hard because I am much more about enjoying it (within reason) whereas he genuinely doesn't actually want very much in the way of stuff, so hardly spends anything on himself. I'm also not convinced that giving loads to your DC's is particularly good for them either - nice to have a safety net but I would never want them to be aware of it IYSWIM. If I start earning money myself next year it will be interesting to see how the issue pans out with a new dynamic .

In answer to the style question, I don't think mine has changed much but this thread has definitely reinforced the 'if you don't love it don't buy it' approach. Always a good rule to stick by. I love pretty much everything in my wardrobe and it is and will last for years, I tend to only go for items that will date quickly if they are Zara type price point!

I didn't answer the style icon question but whenever I catch a bit of XFactor I do always wish I owned Nicole Scherzinger's wardrobe - not that practical for everyday I admit, but pretty spectacular! I would have said Olivia Palermo too but lately I think maybe a bit too well thought out...it would be nice to see her chill out occasionally and venture out in some comfy jeans and a beautiful cashmere sweater and cosy boots rather than Manolos?

My style icons are Leigh Lezark, Carine Roitfeld and Kristen Stewart.

I think my style has changed a little over the last year. I always bought cheap because I was fat and I made myself believe that I couldn't have nice things because I was fat and disgusting. Since joining MNV, the kindness you ladies have shown me has made me believe in myself and now I think I do deserve that nice dress or that nice bag. I honestly don't think I would have come this far without you all and I am so grateful you didn't cast me out with a boot up my bum!

Sleep

I nearly inhaled my own tongue in shock at the cost of the diesel/petrol mess up. OMG!

Because Beautiful dress, just beautiful.

Dry that conversation made me laugh. Er. 'more cheese?' I have just had some garlic and lemon scented Rosary goats cheese on oatcakes - coincidence. Not been the best of days-all emotional for many reasons but cheese does help.

DH watching 'It's A Wonderful Life' Oh goodie, a film about Suicide. Talk about a Busmans Holiday although I no longer do that day job.

Interesting chat about style changes/best purchases.

I am a Leigh Lezark appreciator - she gives good Chanel.

One - I am about to take my blocked up nose and head to bed with a big on it after that post from you!

I don't have style icons as such, more attitude icons. I like women who have an individual look and especially in women who look like they are comfortable in themselves and don't give a fuck!! Off the top of my head I would say Chrissie Hynde, Jo Whiley, Marianne Faithful, Helen Mirren - women who look like they have lived a bit, know their style and would be good fun to go on the lash with!

God, the day I cast a person out because of their body shape is the day I will give myself a mental kicking all over town One.

I am glad your self image is starting to match the good person you are in reality. We have congruence yay!

liberty you sound so much like me!!!! I was a Gap boot cut woman through and through until 2012 when I finally broke out into straight and now skinnies. I thought I was the wrong shape for skinnies, but like you, you get to an age when you think why the hell not? I still have to get into premium jeans, keep trying, but maybe I'm not a premium jeans person, prefer to spend on other garments .

sleep Our DHs sound similar with regards money.
Meant to say Marsha your style crush/pinned looks are so "you"... You look just like those gorgeous women.

Don't know who's mine. I'm a bit "put together" aren't i?

Dry you are a bit 'put together' but you own it and look great. I'd count you in on my gals with attitude list! And I know you are good fun on the lash!

Mig so sorry you've had a bad day. hope the cheese cheered you up a little bit.

liberty thanks so much! wish I'd been able to stay at the epic MU cocktail hour...............next time perhaps

Who are my style crushes?

I tend to remember individual outfits sadly. Christina Ricci in her Met ball Super Hero dress; Lezark in her feathered Chanel; Moss in her black strap bondage Balenciaga; Kate Bosworth in her Met Ball Prada; Paltrow in her purple casual day dress and ochre cardigan.

I like a lot of what Kate Bosworth has worn in the past. I love Arizona Muse and her Americana 40's style bob and look. I like some of the US Vogue staffer looks, that breezy Lauren Hutton look although it is far removed from my style as i am not tall enough to swish through life with that Charlie Girl elan. Yes to Carine Roitfeld and her very pared back look. I also like her minimal make up- a dark eye and no base and healthy eyebrows.

Kate Phelan looks good- dark pants and casual top half.

Begrudgingly I have to admit that Alexa Chung is a decent style role model in that there is an absence of tits n ass which I like. I do wear stuff a bit like hers although i have always dressed that way and I am waaaay older than her!

Dry come with me to the Dressing Room for a premium denim shopping trial with me. I bet I can convert you,
liberty I love your style icons. ESP Jo Whiley
Sleep ouch about the car
Same situation here about money. I receive a generous 'salary/allowance' as a SAHM but I spend to the last £ of it each month
DH lives as though we're broke - I have to force him to spend money, and every year I have to plead for a holiday.

I wear more plain things now wheras before it was a lot of girly florals and lacy bits on cardigans etc. I still like florals but in a more controlled way. I think I am a bit more minimalist now and it suits me better. I have lots of plainish things from Cos and whistles wheras before it was all Topshop and zara. Like Dry have yet to discover premium denim!

Dh's and my finances are quite separate. He pays all the bills, food etc. I have a part time job and also some rental income from a property that I had before we got married. I am definately the saver and put some away each month for the dcs future and we have been able to fund lots of home improvements over the years with my savings.
I also like Olivia P but agree she is a bit too co-ordinated at times.
One well done on coming this far, of course you deserve nice things!

I know it's late and you're probably in bed, but I want to get in before the morning QueenC - as Liberty has passed on the cardi, can I offer it a home? I know I usually go xs, but I do love it and am sure the s wouldn't be far off the mark. Pm me if poss...

Happy Birthday Amber have a fab day! X

Happy Birthday amber!

Let us know what lovely prezzies you are getting!

Good morning ladies,

Today I'm wearing the All Saints Zoe dress, in plum, with black tights and a white long cardigan over it. I'm going to have to spoil the effect with black ballerinas but my back is still giving me grief.

I'm SO TIRED of dressing for work! Hope to get some new work clothes on the sales so that I can make it until spring.

Happy Birthday Amber
Morning all.
I completely forgot my Dagmar sweater as a best buy of the year (wearing it today….)

Happy birthday Amber

Happy Birthday Amber