MN Vogue - volume 58

[shopafrolic]

Still going strong after all these years. Come and join us for fun and friendly fashion and beauty chat. Bring links.
Ankles are out, flares are on and the hunt for the perfect shoe, breton, blazer, dress etc continues.
Continuing on from here

So many questions:

Best colour: anything on the burgundy, plum, damson spectrum

Sales: a work bag and probably shoes. Could also do with some work dresses like blair as none of mine fit anymore.

Best recent buys: 2 x stan smiths - wear all the time. Anything from Topshop.

Kick ass: great heels and leather leggings does it for me!

Oh yes and as QueenC says, I'm feeling pretty good at the moment because I'm trim and toned. Was thinking this morning how nice it will be to wear a bikini on holiday without sucking my stomach in!

QueenC i think intravenous is going to be the next step if the two lots of super strength Abs ive been put on today don't do the job. i've got everything crossed that they work, i can't afford any time in hospital, i just can't.

Amber you look utterly AMAZING i wish i looked even a quarter as good!

I didn't answer for kick ass - I guess for me it depends how i'm feeling. some days ive all the right clothing and make up ingredients to look fab but i don't feel it and it shows. its very much dependent on that for me, some days im in scruffy jeans and tee and i look great because I feel great and other days i'm dressed super nicely but i feel crappy so i look crap because the inside really shows. i can't hide my emotions, i'm very heart on my sleeve so if i'm low, its obvious and makes even the most special outfit look crappy

Have just started my sales shopping, ahem.

Sensible work bag

Not so sensible shoes

Amber very balanced shopping!

Fingers crossed for you One, take it easy.

QueenC thank you! I can't see myself in fuschia at all (maybe a clue?) but you have reminded me I have a cool toned hot pink lipstick at home which I can retry. My sister thinks the makeup artists just have it wrong - I'm like "but they work for CHANEL!"

Stokey I think I'm done with HOC! Lol :)

Kick ass outfit: silk blouse and well fitting pencil skirt (probs my J crew one), heels. Or for going out, a fabulous fitted minidress and amazing shoes.

Lovely Amber - especially the shoes :) I know what you mean about the bikini - this was the first holiday where I've felt confident in years. Sad it's taken until I'm in my 40s
Blair when you had your drapes done did you get the lightbulb on off moment? Where they pulled away the right and wrong colour drapes and your face lights up and then looks dull, lights up, looks dull?
Kick ass - same as Amber heels and leather leggings, or the HL red dress. Always when dressed up, never casual - which is rubbish as I am a casual dresser 95% of the time.
Does anyone own any Theory tailored stuff? I'm considering a blazer - not sure on quality.....

great shopping Amber please report back on the bag, i'm considering buying a MK bag for Dsis for christmas as she desperately wants one but I don't want to buy something rubbish so please let me know how it is as it will help me make a decision!

I was gutted this morning to find chilli from yesterdays lunch down the leg of my best fitting jeans. I must have dropped some without noticing so i'm in my 2nd place jeans which are the same jeans in a different colour but they are far more stretchy and so go baggy quite quickly. these are wear twice then wash jeans so they keep their shape better which is a shame as i generally prefer to wash jeans as little as possible to keep them in the best condition

shop yes I did. I think what's frustrating me is that I know I'm at the cooler end of Spring. My best colours aren't the yellow/oranges (apart from coral) - it's all the blues, plus red and a sort of mid leaf green that isn't obviously "warm". I can wear gold and silver jewellery. I just think what's the point of it all if this is the case?
HoC colour theory obviously works really well for some people that sit definitively in a season (you, Amber, and my sister spring to mind) but for those of us that are "on the cusp" I think it's less helpful.
Maybe I could do some photos in natural light of me in a black dress and a coloured dress to compare.

Also I was confused yesterday because though I did have on a warm lipstick, the MUA put a very pinky-red (cool) gloss over the top. So I thought it was cooler than I'd normally wear anyway. I do have photos so maybe I will stick one up.

I'm rambling now, sorry!

I have seen Theory recommended as a good place to buy a quality mid price suit. No idea on how they cut though.

Opinions please! Which do ppl prefer/like....Adidas Stan Smiths or Gazelle?

one I've already got a couple of MK bags and have been very pleased with them. Really good quality for the price IMO. My mum recently bought the little cross body one with the three zips (which I think Blair might also have) and she is really pleased with it too and she is normally a die-hard Mulberry fan. I bought both of my existing ones on the Outnet for a reasonable sum. Jeans that go baggy give me the rage too.

shop I thought you might like the shoes. I love our red dress but mine is a little big for me now - need to get it altered.

Blair I think you probably are on the edge of Winter and Spring because you look great in cobalt, navy etc. I can really see you in bright pink.

maz I have both and I like both. Stans probably more versatile, but it depends what colours you wear. I have burgundy high top Gazelles and I wear them loads in the winter but this Spring I've been all about the Stans.

Yeah I love the high top style gazelles but I'd prob go for light grey low gazelles for spring summer but I do think the stans would go with more. I currently have some converse (which actually aren't that comfortable and if I wear all day they start to rub my little toe!) but previous to these I've always had vans so wanted to try something different. I just can't decide

Thanks Amber... I find it so much harder to see on myself! Yes, I have the 3 zip crossbody (Celine trio tribute). MK bags are nice quality, they get a bad rep sometimes because of their ubiquity but they still have nice styles. You just need to be careful about the amount of bling! And don't buy at full price.

maz I have neither but I think I like Stans better.

Go for the Stans maz - you know it makes sense ;)
I have Gazelles, but wear my Superstars more..... box fresh white all the way (looks down at filthy shell toes)

Oh Blair as someone who was wrongly diagnosed, and then saw it when they got it right I know it must be v frustrating..... :(

I like both Maz but gazelles come up quite narrow so may not work if you have wide feet. I'm loving my (black) Stans, may have to "do an Amber" and buy the whites.

I've just bought your Office red pointy flats Shop, they're gorgeous. SA pointed out they're a bargain Aquazurra copy ...

Kick ass? Must have missed that.
For me it's always a fitted dress ( pref sleeveless) with heels. In fact My favourite dress, that makes me feel amazing, is a DP black crepe dress, I'd love to find a higher end equivalent. Feel pretty sexy in my Bella dress too.

Maz I have SS s and the grey gazelles. Am wearing the stans more at the mo. Both are really comfy.

thanks amber and blair

is it weird that i never see myself in anything,anything at all,as sexy?i never feel it either,its almost like some kind of mental stumbling block.i just got to wondering about it,i worry its because so many people assume im a lot younger than i am so it almost feels cartoonish for me.sorry rambling a bit

I don't think so one - I've historically never really thought of myself as terribly sexy. DH obviously thinks I am (especially lately, that man loves muscles, apparently) but I'm starting to feel a bit sassy these days

I'm the same as Amber, never really felt sexy historically is a good way of putting it - I was horribly awkward as a teenager, and feel that I've only "grown into" my looks in the last couple of years. Being more interested in S&B has definitely helped too. At the end of the day, a lot of sexiness is confidence and that usually comes as you get older.

shop thanks

Anyway, the reality is I look like a dog's breakfast 80% of the time anyway - usually in gym gear, mad hair etc. in fact I've just noticed some grey emulsion in my hair and I painted the kitchen last Thursday (I have washed it several times since then, but still). A lot of stars have to be in alignment for me to feel sexy!

Its ironic that as a teenager/younger woman I never felt sexy and now, although I struggle with ageing and am happily in denial, I feel sexier? I guess Im happy " in my skin" . Add that to a sexy lbd , heels and some vino and Im good to go.

Despite me having had a shower amber I'll join you in the paint splattered camp!

blair you're orobably fairly neutral rather than obviously warm or cool. I reckon we are quite similar. I can't wear any lipstick that is too blue toned as is looks awful but a neutral bright pink looks great unless im deluded. You looked fab when you put my Uniqlo silk vest by you so like me, you're all about the blues/greens. I've become a lot more relaxed about the colours thing and don't really wear the red/burgundy/pinks except as accessories/nails. What was useful was knowing to wear brights rather than muted and go for contrast.

I never feel particularly sexy as such but it's never a look I aim for. I'm sure I did in the past if I was out on the pull but nowadays I just like to look elegant but natural at the same time. I do feel pretty kick ass in the vivien Westwood though! Othetwise I feel overdone in a skirt and heels nowadays. And I've said before, dh loves me best in full on hiking gear.

Just popping in to show this ring to shop

Maybe an idea for your new statement ring?

linus I really don't like that ring. I'm sorry.

The sexy thing is really interesting. Being 5ft tall I've always felt cute rather than sexy, the main thing I wanted to get from my style day was to understand how to look sexy, which I never really felt was answered. I get that fit and flare dresses suit me, but I was moving away from them as they are cutesy, which to me isn't sexy.

amber I'm sure you don't! but agree this is me. For example right now, I look tired, hair in a falling out french plait. Old navy h&m jumper with a spec of paint on it, nice vb dark blue skinnies, blue and grey north face walking shoes.