Where's Mrs Martin and PerryCombOver???

[StyleOverSubstance]

We used to have two regular posters who were really good with their advice - Mrs Martin for Make-up and beauty care and PerryCombOver for Style. Anyone know where they have gone??

Also, slightly off topic, but one of the posters on AllWornOut blog - lady with the blonde crop, (Rachel? I think) doesnt seem to post any more. Does anyone know where she is - loved her posts and was wondering if she was Mrs Martin or Perry?

TIA

We all wear jackets, except PE! No cardigans, not even those with leather elbows. Jackets in the summer too, and told off if we take them off. Freaking ridiculous, isn't it? I don't mind wearing them, but like to take them off to leap around the room.

Who was the poster who used to make and sell necklaces or those beaded lariats. I have a gorgeous one of hers.

I remember MrsM.
She did vanish.

I don't care if Mrs Martin worked for QVC - she gave really good advice and did recommend so really good products. I wish she would come back....sob sob :)

what if you took it off and they came IN?

1. Snooty look
2. warning
3. Note on PM record

I am serious too, sadly.

Remus that's harsh....
*MrsCB" I have bought a few bits you've recommended. Love your style.....not always mega bucks either. Have worn my cotton, embroidered H and M blouse from last year loads and it's still going strong.
"Prim and proper" hee hee....
WIT drives me a bit nuts. Can't stand that bloody bobble hat.
I'm obsessed with Pink PEonies.....what do these women do so dressed up every day? Even on holiday........

Cyb has gone AWOL too

cybbo is of COURSE on twitter with me!

Well, get her back DrNick

no way

she is over mn now

Oh yes pink peonies is pretty. I reckon they get dressed up, have their photo taken and then carefully package all the clothes up to send back. They then put on their skinnies and a scarf and swish off to work like the rest of us

Dry - I got that top out the other day and still like it

Are you a WornOut lady too DryWhite? Like that blog most because they aren't pushing other products like some of the other blogs I occasionally dip into. I have noticed that certain ones, as they have become more popular, have been able to sell advertising and it has become obvious they are 'sponsored' as that particular brands products are seen more often on the blog.

Also like it when sometimes WornOut ladies have bought same or similar items, but style them completely differently, its nice to see other peoples take on how they put items together for inspiration, rather than slavishly following a particular style.

I often wonder though if the bloggers feel added pressure to look good all the time if people know them as style bloggers - no more popping out for an emergency bottle of milk wearing scruffs!!

Do they end up buying more clothes and accessories as if they don't post regularly, people lose interest. I heard the term 'wardrobeing' applied to one blogger, where she basically went out and bought a load of Zara stuff, wore the items and blogged about the pieces and then promptly returned them all with labels still intact.

If their blog does become more popular - do they get loads of freebies from say Boden or M&S to push the brand? Just a few random musings..........

perry was a prick

Style no I don't blog....obsessed with fashion but not brave enough. I read LOADS though. I agree about sponsored blogs, I know that's partly why some bloggers do it, and who wouldn't like some freebies from time to time, but it annoys me a bit . All I want is ideas to prevent me looking like a frump!

I've name changed for this (I am on Mumsnet, but sometimes post beyond what I blog about, although it's hardly controversial / private stuff)...

That's nice to read that you like the blog, Style - thank you. I'm happy to respond with my experience / views (they are mine - I can't speak for the other ladies).

The WornOut blog doesn't have sponsored posts etc because we haven't wanted to. As it's our fun on the side, that we do as and when we like, and not a business, it's easy to take that approach. If, however, we were trying to commercialise it, then we would probably look at ads, but sponsored posts are tricky. You are tampering with your content, which is what made your blog valuable and appealing in the first place.

Avril of School Gate Style spoke at the first BlogFest about the need to maintain the integrity of one's blog, and to be careful not to erode it with sponsored posts that are done just for money - she stressed the importance of only working with brands that you actually like and use. I absolutely agree, and I think she does hers well.

If a blogger is looking to commercialise their blog, I have seen some bloggers establish a shop with either (presumably, lucrative affiliate links to) others' merchandise or their own stock. In other cases, it seems to be a way to increase their exposure as a stylist (Tiffany Wendell and Atlantic Pacific) which may lead to other opportunities. The cupcakes and cashmere blogger has managed to turn her blog into a full time job, using ads, sponsored posts (she is connected w Estée Lauder) and her book deal.

Given that the blog is a hobby for me, I try not to spend more than I otherwise would on my clothes, although the blog does keep me more focused on what I wear than I might otherwise be. Similarly, I don't devote much time to it ie go to new season launches etc unless I really want to and it's convenient (I have limited time without my 3 young children, so that time needs to be spent carefully).

Re me feeling pressure due to being a "style blogger", no one who knows me in real life cares that I blog or seems fussed about what I wear. Which makes sense - I don't have a particularly dynamic, unusual look. I wear what I wear and I blog what I wear. I wouldn't buy things, blog and return them - you'd need to be more "invested" in your blog to do that. Also, it runs counter to what our blog is about - what we actually wear and like.

Sorry for the essay, but I got carried away answering Style's interesting questions.

Belinda it's all very interesting. That's why your blog is good though and also because there are several contributors, so a mix of styles.

Agree with Dry, I think that having several ladies contributing is one of the secrets of its success, each one of the worn out ladies has at least one 'area' I like - so with one blogger it may be their taste in jewellery (thinking of Belinda' Banana Republic Bracelet) or with another it may be their choice of footwear and so on.

Thanks for taking time to reply to my questions Belinda, was really interesting to read.

Used to like Wendys blog a lot, but am getting a bit tired of it as she always seems to be done up to the nines and it is generally very label led - she looks more like she has just got dressed up to model the clothes rather than for them to be a practical choice to wear all day unless your day consists of sitting around looking perfect!!! Looking back to earlier posts, hers is definitely one I have noticed getting more commercial as time has gone on. Gone off WIT since she only seems to be Greta-centric these days, which although understandable she is totally wrapped up in her little girl, she seems to forget that other people are not as absorbed by it as her. A lot of her posts also seem to be selling related too - like the Greta jewellery, so don't really look at that one now. Kendi everyday, hmmm, gone off that a bit too - although a lot of her outfits were inspirational, she too has got a little more commercial as she now has a shop.

But I think with any of the style blogs, it is just an opportunity to see how you can be more creative with how you wear your clothing, making it more versatile to get more wear per item and what combinations you can come up with - rather than the obvious. Unfortunately, at the moment I rarely get the time to spend playing mix and match dress-up with 3 DCs taking up the lions share of my time, but on the occasions I do, its nice to have a little inspiration from seeing what other people do!!

Sorry folks - pressed send to soon and have dropped a few verbs and adjectives! Bucket load of soz.

Morning! [clutches mug of coffee]

I think you are right that the WornOut blog having a variety of styles adds to the blog, I certain like it for that. But, of course, I am biased!

The comments you make regarding blogs losing their appeal for you once they become more commercialised highlights one of the issues with blogs: they are evolving things. Perhaps Wendy et al started their blogs for one reason (hobbby?), and now is doing it for another (to make money?), and, of course, that changes the blog content.

It must be hard to turn a blog from a hobby into commercial enterprise and hold on to your original readers. For example, how do you criticise a brand, when you are looking to get / keep advertising? How do you dress for yourself when you also need to wear the freebies you have been given? I'm not saying its impossible, but I think there is a tension there.

Re the WornOut blog, we ladies have all talked about it, and decided it would just remain our hobby. The blog has, though, got me interested in something else, that's separate, but related, that I am starting and will mention in a blog about soon (the WornOut blog will remain the same, though).

Re WIT, I have to say, since she is a fashion stylist, I did always see her blog as a commercial enterprise for her, and I'm not surprised or disappointed to see her selling things, but I don't want it to take over the blog, as that's not what I look at it for. I feel mean saying this, but the baby aspect doesn't interest me terribly, either - like you, I have 3 young children and I don't look at blogs in order to get even more child focused. I want light relief and style inspiration!

I think that's enough from me, but I've found this conversation enjoyable and interesting much more so than tidying up Duplo - thank you!

thanks Belinda, have really enjoyed 'chatting' with you, nice to hear the other side of the blogging story! Good luck in your new venture and look forward to reading about it in the blog.

Would love to have the other 'worn out' ladies carrying on contributing to the blog, even if it is only an occasional post, but appreciate that family and work commitments don't always allow the time.

Think there is a real gap in the market for a blog that includes working mums though, as there are always a few threads appearing in S&B asking for advice on what to wear when returning to work after being a SAHM for any period of time - long or short term or general questions on what is work appropriate if ladies are changing careers.

Yay! Rachel WornOut has posted again, good to see you back