MNV Volume 76 - the blimey it's so cold edition

[shopafrolic]

We're looking forward to Spring when we can finally get our ankles out. Come and join the fun. All styles and all budgets welcome.

amber so sorry to hear about the house. It is so frustrating but I hope losing this house means you will go on to find an even better one.

In principle I should be able to find lots of clothes that work for me in Zara as I like their style but quality wise it is such a dissapointment. I already know when I pick up the item that it is probably going to wash badly, without even looking at the label.

I agree that Uniqlo etc make great clothes for the price so I do mix and match with those brands and more expensive ones.

I think I make it work because my day to day style is very casual so currently I often wear designer jeans with plain Target tees and a cashmere jumper on top. And I love my J Crew and Uniqlo merino jumpers.

Shop, DH is currently complaining about a dodgy tummy. I hope it is just something he ate and not a bug. Glad your DH is starting to feel better.

blingy I loved your bag dementor comment. It perfectly describes people sucking the joy out of others spending their money on purchases that give them pleasure/comfort/joy.

Blingy DH has headed into work today and managed to hold food down yesterday so fingers crossed.
Amber really sorry to hear about the house - hope the next one is even better.
Freezing cold today - I looked super stylish on the school run in my gym gear and my new Arc'teryx coat

That's a relief Shop though I suspect he could do with a couple of days at home instead of racing to work.

I am the opposite of stylish today. Having taken a break from the cashmere joggers over the weekend (I swear!) they're back on today. The problem is the top I am wearing with it. It's a Theory knit which Shop and QueenC told me not to get when I sent them a picture of me in it. I stupidly ignored them. Best way to describe how I look is that I love it but it doesn't love me back.

I am surprised to read all your comments about Zara. I rarely shop there but the few things i have bought from there from many years ago are still in impeccable condition.

Frosty here too shop. I quite like frosty mornings when it is bright and sunny as it looks pretty, but does cause traffic chaos.

I saw the bag thread too and thought your post on the follow up thread was brilliant blingy. I honestly do not know why people have to be so sanctimonious over how someone else wants to spend their own money.

Am enjoying reading all your views on high street and designer combos. Unfortunately my wardrobe is high st as can't afford designer, but I often buy from the more 'mid to high end' high st (Reiss, jigsaw, Ted baker, Hobbs, boden etc) as I find them better quality than sat next. I think it also depends whether something is a fashion buy or classic piece. If I wanted something that was quite of the moment, maybe something like a leopard print skirt or shirt, that I didn't think I would be wearing in 5 years time I would be tempted to get it from somewhere like next or Zara, whereas something like a navy blazer I would look to spend more on. I think you can mix designer and high st, it's how you put it together.

Glad DS had a good birthday mara. You are brave having a house full of small boys but glad it wasn't too bad. Cake sounds great.

Glad your DH is feeling better shop.

I like the LM tinted moisturiser too, especially in summer. Haven't seen the hourglass one so might have a look for that when it gets warmer. I'm currently using the Estée Lauder double wear foundation. I've found the perfect colour match and really like it. When you first apply the coverage seems quite full on, but it soon settles down to a nice natural coverage. They also do a 'nude' version of DW which I might have a look at too.

Glad your DS had a nice party amber. Sorry to hear about the house but good to hear you've seen another. Fingers crossed for that one.

I'm feeling a bit better, still got my cold but a good nights sleep has helped.

At home so just a casual outfit, but am trying to make more effort so OOTD is black Harem pants, blank skinny polo neck, long black cardigan and some beads. Still comfy but a bit better than just skinning in a hoody!

sorry for the massive post. I don't get much chance at the weekend so Monday always sees a mega post!

I can't even respond on the bags threads as I'm likely to just tell the naysayers to f* right off and shove their sanctimonious opinions up their arse!

I use LM tinted moisturiser too but I had a sample of Bobbi brown too which was good. JL were great when I went round counters asking for samples.

I think there are some great quality items on the high street but like someone else said, you have to look harder to find them. Things were probably better made years ago but they probably only bought out new stuff 4 times a year whereas now there's a new drop every week. The appetite for fast throway fashion presumably means that garments are made cheaply and quickly to reflect trends and get them onto the shop floor. It's probably why somewhere like uniqlo does quality stuff as they do what they're good at rather than being trend led. I do find that I'm buying more higher end of the high st nowadays because of the lack of quality (looking at you Zara and mango) but also because I don't really do on trend stuff as such and don't have the need for a new outfit each week to go clubbing etc like I did when I was younger.

amber sorry to hear about the house move but it obviously wasn't meant to be and the next one will be much better.
blingy always listen to me and shop

It was nice not to be frosty this morning as there's nothing worse than doing press ups and planks on the icy ground. Just got back from boot camp and so am damp and muddy and in desperate need for a shower!

Everyone the Hourglass tinted moisturiser is a much heavier coverage than the LM one so more for winter than summer I'd say.......
Yes Blingy what QueenC said - what were you thinking?

Thanks shop will have a look in Heathrow when I'm next there.

Got some vouchers for Xmas from John Lewis so just ordered this grey version of drys navy oasis jumper

I also got some m&s vouchers. I was looking through their website and it was complete dross. Usually there is a basic jumper / polo neck that is boring but useful, but there was absolutely nothing that made me click twice. Even the kids stuff looked pretty poor. It's no wonder they're in trouble. Looks like I'll be using the vouchers to stock up on tights and pay for my lunches when I'm in the office!

I used to love Zara. I lived in Spain for a long time in my 20s and they seemed very sophisticated compared to the H&M, Top Shop lot.

I still think they're good for some things. I've bought a couple of nice jackets there in the last couple of years but recently haven't found much to wow me. I've switched allegiance to &OS partly because they use better materials.

Sorry about your house Amber, hope your offer gets accepted on the new one.

Why do people get so uppity about a flipping handbag?!!!! Honestly!

Msrsha "Mon Roi" cute male lead, fab French grungy fashion, that not-tried-too-hard sexy fr woman look that you have actually......a good watch but fairly miserable film really. Worth it for the cutest baby though.

Amber so sorry, but fingers crossed, -and I'm sure you'll love the new house even better.

Froze today....Boots back on tomorrow

Everyone check out the M&S beauty brands - they sell loads of good stuff - you could spend your vouchers on that instead?

I really want to try the Caroline Hirons and Pixi collaboration cleanser from M&S

Everyone I also got vouchers, uninspired so far...will watch what you find

Definitley agree with Shop on the beauty brands in M&S. There was a lot I loved in the advent calendar but my favourites are SKYN eye relief cream (ignore the funny texture) and Rodial facial peel Green tube - don't know if you can purchase seperately.

Also found Leopard print trainers which are lovely.

Amber I'm sorry your house purchase fell through. Fingers crossed this next one is more successful.

I've ordered a couple of whistles bits in the Next sale - thanks for the tip off Bernice. I'll link if I keep.

Was it Everyone who bought the grey jumper? It's lovely.

I'm off to buy a kitchen/holiday/bench read the bag threads......

Hello,

I missed that about the house falling through Amber, sorry to hear but am sure you will end up with one even better

Everyone glad you're feeling a bit better.

Rant warning ⚠️ about the dismal life of an intern! Am fed up again, getting in before everyone and staying late but struggling to keep up with everything they are throwing at me. Wanted to scream today but you have to smile, accept and suck it up. Have made a commitment to them and will stick out my term no matter what but am going to use my time wisely to decide if this area of the industry is really for me. From what I can see so far there are no short cuts, you need to work your way up from the bottom and will take years to make any decent money. Can feel my no. 11 lines deepening by the day!

Thanks for the tips on m&s beauty. I never thought of that! I always forget they stock brands now.

Oh Mara. sorry to hear you've had another rubbish day. As you say it's a good opportunity to decide whether this is what you want to do. I know it must be frustrating starting at the bottom again and have people talk to you like you're an idiot but it is only your second week. Give yourself time and be kind to yourself.

Oh Mara. That sounds so frustrating. 3 months will fly by though and it's good to get a clear perspective on the industry you are getting into. You will learn loads from this and I have absolutely no doubt you will find your niche. In the meantime sounds like a good glass of wine or a nice long bath is called for

Mara I completely understand and feel for you, I've switched enough times in my life not to want to start again but that in itself causes problems. Plus the industry you're in is tough, as is the one I'm in right now, lots of big voices (or maybe that's just mine?). Big hugs, keep going, always happy to meet up if you fancy a chat.

Thanks Dry will remember to check it out.

Aw, thanks guys - don't feel bad, the vendors were WELL dodgy. Offered on the other one and waiting to hear back but it's substantially cheaper than the other one so we can offer asking price without issue. We'll then crack on with the extensions we want straight away, so hopefully by the end of 2017 it will be the finished article!

mara sorry it's tough going for you at the moment x

Mara sorry you're having a hard time . You sound very determined so I have every faith in you that you will make it work.

I start a new job this week and as it's part time, I can continue to temp whenever I'm needed. I really don't think I could kick start a career again so kudos to you Mara.

As I will not need any smart workwear, I finally ditched most of my work wardrobe yesterday. I'd not worn most of it for a couple of years now so was time to say goodbye and good riddance as the clothes were either dated or worn out. I am keeping a couple of jackets though.

Mara chin up lovely, so sorry it's so tough. What you're doing takes guts. Hugs to you xxxx

Watching 'Legend' tom hardy is brilliant as both Krays.

Marsha an absolutely brilliant French film, and wonderful book, is 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly'.....if you haven't seen it you should

Mara just wanted to give you a hug. You know we are all rooting for you x

I'm also on a three month no clothes spend. But not before I got some good sale picks at the end of 2016! Will see if I can link...

mara big hugs to you.

I can only imagine how challenging it is to start all over again career wise and tbh, it is one of the many reasons why I haven't even started thinking about what I want to do with my life now the DC are getting older.

When I did have a job pre-DC I always tried to find something positive about the job.

For example, the only job I had that was truly horrible (I used to cry in the shower every morning before handing in my resignation) made me realise what I did not want in a job/boss/company so that really helped me in any future jobs.

Nobody can take away the experience you gain during this internship and you will learn things/meet people that can help you in the future.

Red Suede

They work well with my Equipment Aubrey leopard print silk dress.