MNV-Vol 66. The Christmas Edition.

[QueenC]

It's that time of year again.....blingy and dry have already been wearing their Christmas jumpers.
Come and join in the festivities. All welcome, new and old. Just bring your sparkly links.

Evening all,
Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas.
I'm not being very good with the clothes sales, even though I should get some things.

I need to try and sort out the bathrooms, I'm so stuck on what showers to get, I've 4 bathrooms to do and I'm confused :/

Some lovely links over the last couple of days. Absolutely love that coat Lib. Hope your trip home goes well and you have fun on nye.

Similarly lucky Mara and whatever sunny climes you're heading to!

Amber i loved your description of nye. And oh those boots. They're talking to me! Less so the ring. Nice bag btw despite my irrational dislike of Stella Also like your bag QueenC although not normally massive quilted bag fan!

The sparkly boots that Shop linked and the sparkly shoes that Amber linked are soo divine.

Love your earrings FedUp

Not heard of that brand before Safety.

Cranagh love the dvf dress and the jeans. The All Saints dress would drown me .

Big waves to Blair, One and Stokey. Hope you're each feeling better.

Oops got distracted! The Burberry bag contained a scarf and a coat similar to this. Love both. Dh got the coat in an 8 (on advice from dsis!) but it's too big so need to change it for a 6. The box contained this watch. Hope it's blingy enough for you Lib!!! Dry has already told me not to lose it. I feel she has cursed me. I am bound to lose the bloomin thing now aren't I?I asked dh why he got me a watch and he said all my watches are funky and he felt I could do with a sensible work one but that if it didn't sparkle i wasn't going to wear it. He knows me well!

I lift the curse Blingy ......
Mara in sound a bit like Briget Jones's mother.....no turkey curry or Colin Firth at my party tomorrow sadly !

Karcheer I did 3 last year, not that difficult.....
-think what you need (rain shower, hand held or both)
-then what you want to spend (invest in showers, German or British brands) -and what sort of fixing (outside wall, easier if there's a fault or leak, or hidden under)
-Then what you want to spend
Once I'd decided this I just bought 3 the same and had fine with it and asked for discount

"Had done with it"

My only advice on showers is don't buy a Matki walk in one. All style, no substance. I speak from experience.

i'm feeling much better thanks blingy very impressed by your Dh's presents for you, the man has tatse as clearly evidneced by him marrying you

no sale shopping here, i got so much for christmas that i have to find homes for all of that before i can even think of bringing anything more into the flat. i think im going to have a clothing clear out to see if there are any genuine gaps so i don't buy for the sake of it. i would like some new beauty items though in replacement fo things that have been used up but i haven't decided which brand/s i want yet so still researching

Spotted this on Grabble before the sales and decided to buy it (my size also miraculously restocked)
Playsuit

One, I also need to have an overhaul of the wardrobe but I never seem to find the time with 2 young kids being in the way!

Morning, back home after Christmas away at family too. Had a great time but always good to be home!
Received some lovely gifts, Elie Saab perfume from DH, some leather gloves, cute bobble hat, Molten Brown smellies, a couple of novels and cookery books to name a few.
Sale purchases have started arriving, will link once tried and sorted later.
Couple of Questions as I fancy some leather trainers, Stans or Superstars?? And are they true to size?
Secondly as we seem to have quite a few domestic goddesses on here! I'm cooking dinner for 10 at the weekend. Have a celiac, someone who hates spicy food and DH who hates salmon. What to cook?? I was thinking of keeping it light after all the food people will have eaten over the festive period but am a bit stuck for inspiration! Any thoughts appreciated.

Waiting to board at Heathrow. DD driving me insane too early for wine unfortunately

one very sensible to review before buying. I have a skirt gap, both for work and casual wear.

Did a bit of a quick review of purchases this year when I was packing yesterday. I realised i need to be careful about Other Stories. I really like their stuff but the quality is crap compared to Cos or Uniqlo.

I need to overhaul my wardrobe too but like you Safety struggle to find the time. I managed to do about half in the Summer but then other things needed doing.

Safe trip Liberty, love the teal coat btw.

Gosh I love your watch Blingy, your DH has excellent taste.

And fantastic sparkly boots & shoes Amber & Shop. Love the sound of games night. Dd1 got a game called Labyrinth for Christmas which Dh & I have been getting quite competitive over, would recommend it for any dc aged 6 or over.

Interesting about &OS Lib, I do love their stuff but realise that I don't wear it as much as I think I will. oh & love the coat, great buy.

Sounds like you had a good xmas Viva, look forward to seeing your sales links. What about non-Salmon fish for your party? I do a sea bass stuffed with fennel recipe that is very simple but looks very impressive. It can be a bit pricey though as each person gets their own fish! Or something like chicken tagine?
& hello Safety, love the playsuit.

Glad you're feeling better One & Blair, I'm in recovery but fear NYE will send me back down. We're going to a friend's house, 10 adults & 9 kids all little but the hosts are BIG drinkers. I'm never sure what to wear to things like this, suspect I'll be carrying a child home about 2 in the morning so sensible shoes.

Have a great holiday Mara, always jealous of winter sun. What have you bought Marsha? Don't keep us in suspense.

Hope the party goes well tonight Dry, and good luck with the Greek Goddess. Round the world party sounds fun, we went to one once where they had different cocktails for each continent - dangerous stuff.

Mammoth post- sorry just time for a couple of sales links I've ordered from AS.
A shoulder cut-out jumper, a tee and a dress. They only had the dress in 4 in sale styles so am trying it but not holding out too much hope!

Stokey it was the Long Island Iced Tea in the USA that finished me off last time we went round the world feeling v nervous about this NYE.........BTW are you coming to my party this evening?

Viva I'm doing bbq pulled pork with loads of salads tonight and roast beef sandwiches and more v easy, and you can buy GF rolls. Super easy.

Doubt Johnny B will deliver my red shoes today .....was a bit hopeful, can wear my Pour La V heels though, so all is not lost.

Delivery man came yesterday. Told me he'd had a heart attack over Christmas, I felt sorry for him .....but bet you can imagine what I was really thinking ..................

Fab links on here recently, too many to comment on, I love Blingy's watch and coat along with Lib's coat, Cranagh I loved your links too can you link your Golden Goose trainers, I love the pre-worn look and hate brand new looking trainers, sorry Dry* Safety I've been eyeing that APC playsuit, where will you wear it? That's my problem, I have nowhere to wear an item like that. Great AS links Stokey liked the dress. Sorry if I've missed anyone's purchases out.

Mara have fun in the sun I am

Shop you buy the SE sparkly boots and I'll buy these Boden sparkly boots and we'll do the school run together.

One I'm with you in the no buying stakes and am just buying items where I have gaps, feels really boring but I'm still trying to stick with my buy less buy better manta, although after much deliberation I've finally bought a black cross body bag, hurrah, will link when it arrives.

Kitty, I work in quite a casual environment so I can totally wear that to work. Otherwise I can dress it up with heels and wear it going out for drinks/dinner.

V. jealous of people with holidays/parties, I'm so stuck at home until New Year!

Buona sera ragazze (v subtle clue to where I am, think I over-egged the sun thing, not exactly sipping cocktails on a beach in Barbados!)

Big hello and hug for Cranagh, lovely to hear from you. Would like to see your trainers too, am sure they look fab on you but am with dry in loving box fresh look. And no, definitely not Bridget 's mum btw . Red shoes definitely a great winter party look. Have my red patent ferragamo flats packed for NYE, should probably be a bit more glam and do heels but going for comfort.

lib enjoy your trip.

Safety like kitty I loved that playsuit fp but didn't think I'd wear enough to justify. Tempted though...

Vegas am stans all the way, couldn't say why, just like the shape. Think Shop is superstars girl, they really suit her.

Fab gifts Blingy, love love your scarf. I got the same for dh in navy.

QueenC forgot to comment on your bag, not normally a fan of mk but really like it and perfect colour. Btw v big reductions on Aspinall silver tote, keep getting their e-mails.

We are having an oyster fest tonight. Not sure if wise as my stomach still not fully recovered but do love them with a glass or two of crisp dry white. Dh has been buying wine, the guy encouraged us to try a champagne with next to no added sugar (zero dosage) which is v much my thing. Saw the most enormous bottle of fizz (several litres) and was thinking it would be perfect for a mu bash!

Lib and Mara hope you both have a fab time.

There are some lovely sales purchases - really like the AS dress Stokey and the all the sparkly boots/ shoes links and obviously love the coat, scarf and watch Blingy - your dh chooses really well.

Marsha, where are you? What did you buy?

I am a massive fan of supergas and now Ash jordy's but am listening very carefully to the trainer chat for a spring shoe - think the stans might be my fave so far.

Popped into town earlier in the hopes of finding something to wear to a party tonight (sadly not Dry's bash) and NYE - we went early, had breakfast, did a couple of returns and came home again - it was SO busy I got in a huff with everyone!

These boots arrived today but am not sure about them. I think the gap is too big at the front - want to wear them with both jeans and dresses/skirts. Will try on properly tomorrow.

Big waves to all. Love all the sales and present links. Love that coat Lib I saw it the other week and thought it would be a good coat for an autumn.
Blingy gorgeous watch and coat.
Shop that dress looks lovely.
Love all your sale links too cranagh good to see you back and hope you are settling well in your new home. I quite like the golden goose trainers but haven't seen any irl.

I have finally bought some boots!!rag and bone devon I think Marsha or shop may have them? I am ridiculously pleased with them, so comfortable and the perfect heel height.
DH bought me this bag for my birthday this weekend (the big one) www.fashionette.dk/prada-bauletto-vitello-daino-baltico-1 I went to the bond st store on boxing day and got it half price. I considered getting another marcie but decided I needed something plainer with a top zip. The colour and silver hardware make it easy to use day to day too.

Other than that have not gone too crazy in the sales have just used it as a chance to fill wardrobe gaps like black jeans and black trousers as well as stuff for the dc.

Right I'm party ready, dressed and everything. One hour to kick off and Dh is still in his joggers .........see you on the other side or atfter

Mara sounds fab and very glam

dry I didn't realise your party was tonight. have fun.
safety love the play suit

Thanks for the bag love. mara I'm not a huge fan of MK usually either as they're a bit too logo'd for me. When I was looking at silver bags in store I spotted it and fell in love. Ummed and aahed about asking for it as I don't really need it but I adore quilted bags and the colour is perfect. And it's so soft .

We should all do a review of purchases over the past year so I'll start of with some questions...

1. Favourite/most useful buy of the year
2. Mistake buy/something you thought may be useful but turned out not to be
3. Style resolutions for next year....

My answers....
Ive made a ridiculous amount of purchases this year. A lot were "essential" such as holiday stuff and work stuff but a lot was just treating myself as dh has been so generous with money due to bike and bike paraphernalia purchases.

1. Difficult to pick one favourite item as I love all of them. Especially love the Great Plains star blouse zara black top.
2. Flares were a mistake but the sort of thing that needed trying to be sure. The grey coat I bought in the gap sale for £17 last January turned out to be a mistake as however much I convince myself it fits it really is a teeny bit small. I love the next grey blouse I bought but don't wear it that often as tend to always go for navy which is weird as I was desperate for a grey blouse
3. Resolutions...wear in the pink MD shoes so that they don't rip my feet to shreds. Buy less. Buy no more handbags.

Most useful buys have been coats - whistles leather jacket and whistles teddy coat, or trainers (stans, leopard print adidas). Favourite have been: Chanel WOC and self portrait dress.

Mistakes, hmmm, I bought a tea dress which I just haven't worn because I'm not a tea dress sort of person, despite loving the style on others.

Style resolutions:

1. Sparkles are not just for Christmas
2. No more shoes. I don't have space.

Lib gorgeous coat, such a nice colour. Have a fabulous time! I must admit when I travel for work the serenity of the car to the airport and the plane journey with a g&t is rather nice

QueenC lovely bag, really nice colour too

Safety well done for sticking to it for a year! Nice skinnies, were they the rights size? I still prefer skinnies too.

Linus must be lovely to be home.

Shop great one on the HL dress.

Dry have a fabulous party, I'm sure it will be.

Fedup lovely earrings.

Mara not yet, I'm >< close but feel I need a push. Tried on a really nice green silk dress in Marant (but it may not be silk after all) and a jacket and scarf but couldn't decide. Have a lovely time away I am too

Cranagh great links

Blingy gorgeous presents, well done MrB

Viva yes to sticking wil light food. How about scallops for entree? I love scallops and feel I could eat that then keep it at that level of lightness throughout.

Stokey fabulous AS stuff.

Amber great sparkly shoes

One hope you feel better

Kitty you must get the boots they are so good and would really suit you

Justa yes! I adore the Devon Rag&Bone boots and have finally found one I like more than the pistol boot. Great heel height, love the waxy finish

We are with close friends on NYC. And to sum up I am not doing well at sales. Something will happen and I'll order three things on the spot and quickly.

Ok this may well be the longest post I have done, hope I have got everyone!

Will be back to do QueenC's questions.