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.

i'm here lib just browsing for last bits for christmas. being so good that i'm not even looking at any clothes or anything!!

Hi lib

I have that French Connection dress in black AND white - agree its overpriced as FCUK full price always is - I rarely buy full price there and normally wait for everything to inevitably end up on sale but I wanted these for Christmas..

I'm here

Starry boots arrived, tiny bit tight not in length but on the top.... I love them though so may have to keep regardless and hope that the suede stretches.

I don't think I'll wear them with jeans though!

There's a couple of things I'd like in the sales - cashmere scarf and chunky, cashmere jumper and maybe a couple of things from Hush.

Accessories are a good call Lib

Great boots Stokey.

Am laughing at the contrast of one diligently ignoring clothes sites while happy splurges on 2 of the same dress

I've had an unusually busy day today, so just catching up before collecting the DC.

at lib copying me! I don't do the colours as such, I just tend to buy things from a similar range / comfort zone and tend to think I know what suits me.

I like that AOS dress mara especially in burgundy. And it's quite a good price. In facts I'm quite tempted! What are their sizes like?

Good question on sales strategy lib. I bought quite a few accessories last year to elevate outfits - scarves, bags, bracelets etc and I was pleased with that approach as they seemed to lift what was essentially quite boring outfits. I also bought a few wardrobe staples like a nice navy jacket, which was missing. This year I'm a bit undecided as I don't really need anything. I'm also thinking of cutting back on purchases in 2017 and putting the money towards a (diamond) ring for a big birthday towards the end of the year. I've liked the rain dance ring for so long that maybe 2017 is the year I get it!

lib

Evening all. Drove into Earl's Court today to get my hair done and then had lunch with the lovely Mara - my outfit felt quite dull, Breton, skinnies and Pistols with IM etoile jacket. Tried to ramp it up with red lipstick and my Weston silk scarf in pinks and reds.
Mara had also had her hair done so we swished and swooshed our newly coifed dos
Am going to go and do the last bits of Christmas shopping, I have about 5 more gifts to get. Wish me luck. The shops are getting hellish here.
Stokey those boots are so you. I am dithering over the velour tee. I think it might come in handy for me with jeans and a blazer for nights out but wonder if it will seem dated in 6 months?

Gosh I'd better get a sales strategy

Had a mooch round the shops today, nothing much out there. I think I could do with a nice coat to wear instead of my poor, much worn MD camel, still coming strong. But don't really know what I fancy as camel is so good in my wardrobe..........

I think accessories are a good call.

May need to replace my Paige Jimmies.....anyone found a good equivalent?

Everyone my NY resolution is always to buy more considered items and less in bulk, saving up for something special is a great idea.

I'm starting to decluttercmy wardrobes.......

Love the boots Stokey also loved your other purchases too

My sales strategy this year is more accessories to lift plain outfits. Sadly my recent purchases are returns, apart from leopard cuff, I loved the camo shirt but sadly it didn't love me back, the colours did nothing for me, the Jaeger belts were tiny couldn't get them round my waist Blingy the leopard one could be good for you and there's space to make extra holes.

Am still accessory buying and have ordered:

black shoes

grey belt, ordered a medium this time!

another cuff paid £7.50 for delivery, ouch!

Would love a pair of shoes like these:

snake skin shoes if anyone sees anything remotely like them let me know, they look quite expensive though.

Loved the lace LBD Mara you linked for Fedup

One & Linus wishing you both speedy recoveries

Evening! Thanks Kitty I thought the belt is lovely.

Lib how long have you known me?! Of course I don't have a sales strategy!!

Dh came home this evening having gone Christmas shopping as I told him to sort out his PAs present. So he's got his PA a present from Hermès. I have got my PA something from The White Company which I thought was lovely. And the two PAs talk daily to coordinate our diaries!

Oh shit Blingy what was he thinking?

I asked about sales strategy so that someone could inspire me to stay sensible and not go down my normal high stress mode of ordering all sorts of things just because they are reduced and then having a mass of returns to sort.

You really need Blair! She's a total ninja. I think she sets up wish lists on all her favourite shopping sites for the things she actually wants, and she also does a secret sales board. So she sticks to stuff she needs rather than gets diverted by stuff she doesn't need. Do that, and then if you get weak, you remind yourself!

Lord knows what MrBlingy was thinking! I could throttle the fecker. I told him he will need to make up for it by making sure my present is extra sparkly

One, hope your elbow is improving by the way.

i have zero sales strategy, I'm really not feeling the pull to shop right now if i'm honest. That could all change next year though when i have better physical access to better shops in fairness though, it's been quite nice not buying masses of stuff and wearing what i've already got, it's made me appreciate that i already have nice things and i was just shopping to fill a different kind of gap

Evening!

I am a Sales ninja as well, like blair I usually have secret sales pinboards divided by online store and I only allow myself to buy what I have previously pinned.

This season I haven't done this as my mind has been occupied by other things but I have kept an eye on items I have pinned on my 'normal' pinboards. None of them have been on sale or have sold out immediately.

I do agree with investing in accessories like scarves and belts. I feel immediately more pulled together with a good quality scarf of belt.

Probably my favourite purchase this year has been my Saint Laurent belt, it just works with any outfit.

I bought it at the men's SL store on Bond Street when I came to London for the MU and now I am on the lookout for another belt (I only look at men's belts now as they are 'cheaper' and there's more choice)

Love those boots stokey, I adore a big star print.

blingy what was your DH thinking?!

My new hairdresser told me that the leather Hermès bracelet I was admiring was a Christmas present from one of his other clients last year. If he thinks he's going to get a similar present from me, he's going to be dissapointed.

What's the matter Linus?

Day three of the party marathon dawns. I spent 12h on the razz yesterday and feel surprisingly fresh! Black tie shindig later so need to decide what to wear!

Also need to sort house for a load of viewings over the next few days and do a full day's work!

i don't know how you have the energy amber!! you're just full of beans

my elbow is pretty sore today and i have to go out because i have a doctors appointment that i cant miss. Still, i've kept completely off that arm since monday lunchtime so that's a pretty good rest for it!

OOTD is a black fitted tee with GEEK printed on it in the old Sega font, a floral print Ohlson lindy bop skirt and black tights. will add a cardigan, dr martens and the usual coat hat and scarf when i go out later. its pretty warm in the flat so i dont generally need too many layers when im indoors here, unless im ill of course!

Christmas presents for hairdressers . Hope you are feeling better today Linus.

I imagine elbows are tricky buggers to heal one. Good idea to get it looked at.

Amber that is mental!! Black tie at Christmas is great though. Permission for full on glamorous. Did you see my shout out up thread for a mini MU with me and Marsha on 21st Dec at 3pm? Any chance you could squeeze us in?

Feel the need to share the loveliness that is my DH...

I have organised 2 (small) Christmas get together this weekend and have been massively busy with work, study and arguing on MN and have been worrying about what to prepare food wise and how I'm going to get to the shops etc etc.

Have been on telconferences this morning so didn't notice DH go out and arrive back...he has completely sorted both get together's...he went to M&S and just bought loads of naice pizzas (mix of meat and veggie), dips, antipasti platters, olives, cheese, crisps, lots of peppers, carrots and baby tomatoes, macarons and profiteroles for dessert.

All I have to do is get some wine. And put the food on plates...I think I love him more right now than I did on our wedding day

amber reading your post made me feel all light headed how do you do it? I was out twice this week and feel exhausted and I'm a teetotal
linus I loled at your hairdresser story! That's over the top insane ! Hope you feel better,nothing is worse than a cold at this time of year,
one hope you are better today,

lib no sale strategy, but I vowed to shop less online and do more actual store shopping, I'd rather spend an hour going to the shop trying,seeing,feeling and deciding if it would do or not, than all the hassle of returns and waiting for refunds..etc, plus most stores offer free alteration on clothes so that's another plus for me, and I only live about 30 min away by foot from my favourite department store ever, so its a win win situation for me,

And NAP sales are on, and I think there was a major glitch in their app for a few hours,everything from miu miu's and chloe's AW was on sale, but when I checked agin a few minutes ago, it was back on full price

I've been practicing for years, in fairness! My tolerance to alcohol is pretty heroic by this point!

lib sounds like great fun but regrettably I will be on a plane to Milano at that time. Sorry to miss you all!

Anyone else turn into a manic list maker this time of year? Post its everywhere ......actually v satisfying when you can cross things off though.......not so satisfying the rate that things get added on though curses having Christmas baby

So, quick mooch around local "designer" tat outlet. Waste of time and I'm VERY annoyed to see my Reiss black blazer there hugely discounted although I beautiful jacket I've hardly worn it, a classic piece I guess grrrrr

Looking at coats, I actually think I'm ok. Camel coat fits with everything I've got. How many coats do you all have?
I have my 'work' coats 3so only really wear smart, wool coats/jackets on weekends really.

Kitty I love that cuff
Blair and Linus super sales ninjas, I'm in awe. Think Amber is amazing at Selfridges first day too with DCs I seem to recall, love a black tie do.....have fun A what are you wearing?
Blingy annoying about DH and PA pressies

Late night shopping cocktails with girlfriend this evening, can't wait.

Well done MrLib!

dry I am always a list maker and this time of year the amount of lists just gets bigger.

blingy nothing really wrong with me but Inhave had this horible cold for days and I am trying to shake it off before our transatlantic flight on Sunday.

amber I used to be able to drink loads especially in my student days but those days are long gone.

The hangovers just aren't worth it anymore as they take longer to get over and just get worse in general with age.

And having small children jump on your bed the day after a bender is torture as well.

Linus I thought of you when I bought this basic on Saturday, think you're a fan of teal too. Do they deliver abroad?