MNV Volume 75......the Christmas edition

[Drywhitethanks]

It's time to get out your sparkle. Over here for festive fashion cheer, friendship and anything frivolous.

Bernice that stye sounds really sore. Hope it clears up soon.

One well done!!! The start of a new chapter. I hope you will be very happy in your new location.

Everyone I hardly ever use mascara and when I do it's usually good old Maybelline.

Lots of meetings today. Wore the Boden print dress with brown opaques and R&B Chelsea boots. Seasalt raincoat for protection from the elements .

Shop the Trind nail repair has arrived, first coat on this evening. Thanks.
Ouch Bernice
Good luck with the unpacking One

Evening Voguettes,

Evening Mara how are you?

Evening Voguettes,

Oops, posted too soon there!

Count me in for the mu, thanks for fixing date QueenC, if you book it they will come!

One Congratulations on your move! It will take some adjustment but all very exciting.

Bernice eye sounds nasty, hope it clears up soon. We barely left the house this weekend due to the dismal weather, snuggled down on the sofa with ds yesterday afternoon and introduced him to ghostbusters, a great success.

Was also totally wiped out after 4 days of work . Felt a bit wobbly about it all earlier today like what am I playing at, the oldest intern in town. It's hard starting again at the bottom and think my professional confidence has taken a knock after years of being sahm/student but am goIng to give this career change my best shot. Got my outfit wrong too, wore black patent ballet flats and spent half the morning with soaking wet feet . Lib your rainy day work wear sounds spot on.

Have a very non-Vogue question that is possibly kicking off thread worthy. How to you clean your ovens? We have an issue with it smoking to the point where it stings the eyes. I blame dh and his bloody côtes de bœuf. Nanny and I both had a go with Mr Muscle but it hasn't made much difference.

everyone I use Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes and really rate it

mara you need to get the professionals at the oven. Just Google oven cleaners. They literally take it apart and clean everything. Think it was about £80 when we had it done a few years ago. Once it's done you can maintain it with Mr muscle type stuff. I think Lakeland do various products to line the oven when you do messy things like roast pork which might help with maintenance.

Hugs for you on the back to work wobbles. It's a huge thing to change direction like that and completely normal to feel thrown by it. Also, just on a practical level, work is tough at this time of year, lack of sunlight, cold etc all sap your energy. I am inspired by your courage. On my wobbly days I remember the Woody Allen maxim that 95% of success is turning up! Get your lippy on, take a deep breath, and just keep on turning up and eventually it will be the new normal

Ah thanks lib . I will indeed keep turning up and give it my best shot. It's only a 3-month placement with possibility to extend to 6 so I should be seizing the opportunity rather than stressing about it.

Thanks for oven tips, have ordered a product called oven brite with the Sainsbury's delivery, it got rave reviews! If that doesn't work will get a professional in.

Have a good day all, some blue sky and sunshine here, such a pleasant change from the grey misery.

Mara first off. HUGS for you my friend. You are doing amazingly and you've worked hard for this - enjoy it.
On ovens, we have an AGA so slightly different but even before owning one I got our oven professionally cleaned once a year. Lakeland sell one called Oven Brite which is also good.

I want to give you a massive hug as well Mara. Please give yourself credit and a massive pat on the back for this really brave step you have taken to change directions and do something different. Most people are too scared to do it. Also, most people would be scared to go back to study as a mature student and would be scared to do internships that "the kids" are doing. You have been brave. So you have had wobbles but it doesn't matter because that's normal. In fact it would be weird if you didn't have a wobble! So please take a moment to acknowledge how brave you have been and how well you have done. And then be kind to yourself because you can do this. x

Not as important but certainly noteworthy, I can report that the cashmere trackies are just the best things ever!!!

Mara You know you're fantastic. It is so hard to shake off the SAHM life, find a new job, start something new. I haven't managed it, but you have If you ever feel down & need a post-work pick me up, happy to come & meet for a drink.
I applied for a job last week and was lying awake at 5 this morning stressing about what I could wear to an interview (which I haven't got) and what I would do about childcare - insane.

No fashion news, still blocked up but feeling slightly more human.

Morning everyone this infection has now attacked my sinuses so sitting at home in comfy bottoms and top smelling of menthol and 8 hour cream plastered round my nose to stop me looking like Rudolph!

Shop jealous you have an aga when I moved years ago I had to leave behind my nice big double 8 burner cooker

I am really struggling for inspiration for clothes this year on Pinterest so not much on there at the moment but will share it later on.

Thanks one will have a look at that mascara.

mara as others have already said, you've done brilliantly to get the internship as I expect it was quite competitive. I can understand that it must be a bit weird being a junior again if you were quite senior in your last role, but just try to have an open mind and learn as much as you can. As lib said, I don't think the weather from the last couple of days has helped, as it's been so grey and miserable and generally pretty depressing all round. But today, the sun is out and it's a new day, so hopefully you're feeling a bit better.

littlered I'm struggling for inspiration too, I'm getting sick of winter stuff now, I feel like I've been wearing the same outfit for ages. I should try and shake it up about like shop is trying to do but the grey weather has left me a bit uninspired.

Mara I was / am in a similar place to you - back at work (same industry though) after a long career break. Be kind to yourself as it is a shock to the system, and I have found my confidence lacking as a result of being away for so long. I think it took me a few months to adjust, plus I was also really knackered at the beginning.

I wore my gold brogues today, with an all black outfit.

I am v uninspired fashion wise - it was 'blue Monday' yesterday so maybe that is why??

I watched a haul video on you tube from on the frow (I think) and she had some nice pieces.
There is a lot of ruffles everywhere especially across the chest area which would just look wrong on me with a big bust!

I like this outfit that was posted on twitter by primark

Evening all. Mara I hope your day has been better.
One how are you settling in?
Little I love my AGA - I can't fail at roast dinners and cakes - Plus in this weather there is nothing nicer than having a cup of tea with your bum against it!
Everyone I use Hypnose mascara (but the original one not the Doll Eyes). I've tried loads but I always go back to the original Hypnose. YSL False Lash effect is also good but dries out quickly and Benefit They're Real or Maybelline Great Lash (the pink and green tube).

So I have finally found my school run coat. Thanks to the lovely Sleep she was looking at Arc'teryx coats and I spotted this one. It arrived today (within 48 hours of ordering from Germany) - it is so lightweight I was worried it wouldn't be warm but it is toasty. So pleased. The seams mean it is reasonably flattering and it isn't at all bulky. It's a bum warmer too. (who knew I was so obsessed with having a warm backside

Stokey your FB post today made me LOL
Bernice the weather is crap and everyone is waiting on payday - I think that's why we all feel rotten at this point in January. Hope your eye is getting better. I always used to use Goldeneye but that was years back.

Evening,

Thanks so much for your kind words, it's not often I lose my confidence but felt really rubbish yesterday, lots better today which am sure is due in no small part to your empathy, true friends. Yes to meeting for drinks one night Stokey, lol at night time preoccupations, mine were of a similar urgency!

Blingy cashmere joggers are the way to go!

Bernice I think part of it for me is learning how not to be in charge again and defer to people, at home mummy is the boss! Love the sound of gold brogues with all black outfit.

littlered yes, ruffles are tricky. What gaps do you need to fill in your wardrobe and what is your style?

Glad to hear you are feeling brighter mara. I had a WFH day and decided to take a long lunch break with DH. Was really nice and just what we needed.

Great coat shop. I miss having access to an Aga/range in this weather. I did lots of bum warming at my Mum's in Ireland over New Year.

Littlered and Stokey sorry to hear you are both still not well.

No fashion news from me. Pondering what to wear tomorrow...

Oh and I need a haircut and am obsessing over this picture of Natalie Portman as Jackie. Those who know me, could I pull this off and any ideas how much work it might be to style?

Mara huge apologies. I said hello last night and then promptly fell asleep.......terrible friend! I can only reiterate what everyone else has said. It's so brave having a career change and returning to work after a break. I think you're amazing, and very gorgeous too. X

I'm busy preparing for DS's surprise 18th on Friday. At what stage did I think it was a sensible idea to fill my house with 40 (ish) 18 yr olds?!!!!!

Wore my COS forest green high necked sweater today, love it so much....its been reduced too but hey ho. I'm a rubbish sale shopper

Lib I'll text a pic to Tim and ask him if you like?

My gaps so far:

Navy Trench coat - had one in the past but don't think I picked the right style. I'm 5'3" and busty

Blazer - I have one but it's quite old needs to be ok for work and with jeans.

Accessories - I have my core set of bags but it's belts, jewellery etc I need to pull it together.

This year I would like to start replacing my older/cheaper brands for better quality.

When looking on the web at the different styles I feel I'm more classic and definitely feel better when in well fitted clothes than in loose flowing outfits.

Mara glad today was much better, you've taken a huge step and good on you for pursuing your heart rather than opting for the easy option. Also re: ovens get someone in, they do a great job with no mess and the kitchen doesn't smell of Mr. Muscle's fumes either!

Have got my eye on 2 items which will link if/when I buy them.

Dry argh I hat that when things go in the sale but knowing my luck they'd be sold out anyway!