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.

Have been sorting out my wardrobe today and have stuck a load of stuff on EBay. Finally decided to sell my AH maxi satchel which I love but the orange colour just doesn't work with my jewel winter diagnosis. Also selling my brown Crisi IM boots.
Have been thinking about your comment Stokey and could seriously see a wardrobe made up of black, white, grey, with flashes of fuschia and red working for me. When I divert from these I never feel that comfortable.

Yes, I can see that working for you Shop.

Not shopping for a few weeks has forced me to think about what I need and I realised I really need jeans and trousers. I'd decided to order these Boden jeans in grey and I love them . I haven't worn grey jeans before so I have this feeling of a new look which is good. Wore them yesterday with a cream Uniqlo sweater and kakhi Puma suedes and felt I looked a bit spring like!

This does of course mean that I have broken my shopping ban . A sensible woman would say 'ok, one slip up is allowed' but instead I went hunting for more new trews . Have ordered these Current Elliott skinny cords

Phew! Thank God you're back Lib
I am so tempted to strip it back. I rarely wear any of the navy that I own (other than a striped Breton). Hardly ever wear any of the green or purple. I might go for it.
When I was a teenager we went to visit my very well to do Aunt one Christmas. She took me to one side and said with my colouring I should live dressed in black, with winged eyeliner and red lipstick "à la Paloma Picasso". I think she may have been right!
In other news I bumped into an ex boyfriend today (only one of two men who ever dumped me!) whilst in full on Mum mode. Hair tied back, glasses on, just not looking my best. Rubbish!

Shop. Your aunt sounds cool! Grrrr at running into ex - hate those situations, have to resist the urge to insist they meet you another time properly scrubbed up.

Mara's lovely Equipment buys sent me scurrying back to the Outnet. I now have managed to put a dress and 3 shirts in my bag...am going to put my CC out of reach and consider it for 3 days

Good call Lib
Yes! That's it exactly. Am gutted I wasn't looking slim and fully made up (yet understated). I forgot how fit (and tall) he was TBH 😂

Obviously he has gone home and thought no more about it

Shop that's too funny 😂 But I sympathise! You try to corrupt me with all that lovely Breton aren't you?

Amber, i am so chuffed for you! Had to delete my first response on your FB post in case i sounded like a loon!!

Loving the alternative flats that people have suggested, though i have to say i have fallen in utter lust with the Aquazurra ones that Mara linked! I wore the Christy ones today and got loads of compliments from both men and women, but i still felt that they weren't quite "right". My feet are small (size 3) and they look much bigger than that wearing the pointy flats.

Also loving the print dresses linked by Stokey (good luck for the interview!!) and Mara, especially Mara's one. I can imagine you looking so lovely in it - i am vert confident that it wouldn't suit me in a month of Sundays.

Bernice those white slingbacks are scary! I would get it dirty in minutes!

Lib, credit card down lovey

today i wore my new McQueen dress for work as i didn't have any formal meetings. I love love love it!

Shop, always the way . Think your aunt was right too btw, she sounds like my grandma!

Lib nice jeans, they look a good shape and colour. Love the shape of the c/e fling but they are huge so be prepared to go 2 sizes down. I went down one size in jeans but they were ridiculously big even when I was at my heaviest last summer. And well done for sitting on your outnet choices, you once said something on here about not panicking about something selling out as more nice clothes always keep coming along. I always try and remember those wise words when tempted by an impulse buy. clearly wasn't listening this week though

Stokey stay true to yourself for interview dressing, you don't need to wear a shirt. I don't think it's the kind of job where they'll be expecting you to look classic corporate. I think the leather skirt and sweater you wore for our mini mu for example would work.

Am not buying anything else this month but continued my white flatform search. Quite like the look of this scandi brand eytys, seemingly founded by an ex-Acne designer.
Also like their canvas ones but not keen on the purple stripe of their branding (Picky McPick)

Also nice are adidas superstar bold which is a similar shape but can't find them anywhere in pure white.

Not sure about the EYTS Mara - they look a little like bowling shoes from above?

Never knew they did Superstars like that! Be still my beating heart.

Has anyone else had trouble getting into mumsnet or just me? It just kept saying it was busy. I,m still recovering from the panic

lib nice jeans. I have grey but always feel a bit dull in them.
mara love the equipment too, i didn't realise that they did tops like that as I thought they just did shirts.
stokey god luck. You'll look fab whatever you wear.
amber you are an absolute star and I can't wait to watch it
shop anything navy you can pass my way . I'd be happy in just navy and royal blue with the odd bit of fuschia, damson and grey thrown in.

Went shopping with dm yesterday. Not a lot caught my eye but there were some gorgeous things in oasis. Some didn't suit me but I did buy this top which is a little out of my comfort zone but dm persuaded me. It'll look fab with black or navy trousers for work though once it warms up. And if I decide it's too out of the comfort zone, it's not too much money to have wasted.

So, who's in for mu on 25th? I've booked the venue so just need to let you all know where it is and confirm numbers. It's booked for 12.30-6 so let me know so I can let the place know. I'm really looking forward to it but I'm doubtful that the weather will warm up in just 3 weeks and I was hoping not to wear coat/boots etc.

Yes, think you're right Shop. My favourites are the common projects ones but have never spent more than adidas prices on trainers so is a big leap.

Everyone meant to say earlier in reply to your Bicester question that prices are outnet or main store end of sale levels. Like any outlet the stock varies massively, we probably go a couple of times a year and I probably leave empty handed at least one of those. Dh does brilliantly there in the likes of Hackett, Dunhill etc but I find that lots of the womens is top of range stuff heavily discounted but still £££ eg exotic skin bags, Valentino embroidery which am never in the market for! Don't want to put you off though, nothing beats the moment when you find a gem.

Blingy ha ha, yes, we are very different but similarly I love your McQueen dress for you. Glad it's a keeper.

Count me in for MU please. Will be home by then.

I'm in for the MU - can't wait. Thanks for booking QueenC
Mara I love the common projects ones - have you tried them. Agree £££ for trainers but I know Marsha loved her IM ones.
Am going to sort out my make up and skincare today - wish there was somewhere to sell on only lightly used make up. I have wasted a lot of money over the years on stuff that isn't quite right for me due to bad lighting in stores.
Hoping for good news about a new car for me today. We've been negotiating with the dealer - today is the day he comes back with a yes or no. Eek.

I'm in for MU but will have to shoot off a bit early to meet DH.

I struggled to get on here yesterday and lost a couple of posts so gave up in the end. Think it was more to,do,with a dodgy internet connection round here.

Anyway, I loved the dresses Mara and Stokey have ordered and the white flatforms trainers. I love the black trousers/white shirt combo with trainers - that is what I'll be wearing just as soon as the weAther improves.

It's really cold and wet here today so ootd is blue Oversize French connection polo neck, navy indi & cold skinnies and Next metallic Chelsea boots.

Those jeans look good lib. Think the cords will fit really well into your wardrobe too. 😂 At filling up your basket as the ban is broken. Good idea to think about it though, I've been trying to do that as well. Especially if something is a spontaneous lusting rather than something I've wanted for ages.

It sounds like a capsule type of wardrobe could work for you shop. How annoying about the exboyf, I'm sure you looked fine but always frustrating that we're not looking our best when we see them. Good luck sorting out your make up. Have you thought about starting a thread on S&B to see if anyone wants any bits. Not sure what MNs rules are about selling?

Thanks mara. I'm not sure if I want anything but I've got some holiday to use up and thought a mooch around might be a nice way to use it up.

That's a nice top queenc. I have one in a similar colour (it looks magenta in the photo?) and it looks good with jeans, black or navy. You could always wear a navy jacket or cardigan over the top at first to reduce the brightness if you feel it's a bit outside your comfort zone?

Miserable here today after the spring like day yesterday. Sooooo sick of the cold now. Outnet clearance is open. Not much grabbed my eye apart from a petit bateau t'shirt for £17. (shop?)

those jeans look great lib. the cords also look nice and like they will really work for you. I always think of texture when i think of your outfits, you seem to do really well at mixing textures in interesting ways

I am so so tired today, couldn't sleep last night really and now i'm exhausted. Think i'll go for a little lay down shortly and try and catch up a bit on what i didn't get last night

For those looking for Mac Ruby Woo colour but in a less drying format I have found I own 3 v close matches! Thought I'd share in case anyone is interested.

1. Chanel Rouge Allure in Passion
2. Chanel Rouge Coco in Gabrielle
3. Burberry Lip Cover (looks to have a different name now) in Union Red

x

Ooh I've got the Chanel in Passion shop. Agree a much less drying formula. But I always wondered if MAC do that so it gets on your teeth less? I really want to start wearing lipstick more as it makes my face look so much better.

Staying on the topic of beauty I just bought the Charles Worthington shampoo (and conditioner) recommended here by Sali Hughes (baaa) after not changing my shampoo and conditioner for literally years. I will report back. Booked a long overdue haircut too, I'm in need of some improvement!

Now for a catch up post

Blingy I have been wearing and loving my trench in this mild weather! Have thought of you such a great purchase. So glad you're recovering well and hope you can make it to the MU.

justa so sorry to hear about your DF, what a horrible time for you. It's awful enough when one parent is ill so I hope they are both making a good recovery now.

Lib you sound much brighter, you had loads of good advice and I hope the shopping ban being broken means things are better :) how is your dh doing, is he able to be a help yet?

Well done Amber you legend! And good luck Stokey.

My sister's baby is due next week so I am very excited about that! Nothing else to report as I STILL have not bought anything at all fashion wise (and mid season sales are starting!) - but I have plans to...!

Waves to everyone (and for hump day)

Blair do report back on that shampoo - I am really struggling to find anything that doesn't irritate my scalp but can handle my thick, colour treated frizzy hair.

First Happy International Women's Day to all you strong, interesting, bright, talented ladies 👊 You're a lovely, supportive bunch.

Shop I struggle to picture you in green or purple. I think your Aunt was on the money. Thanks for the Mac dupes.

Very exciting about baby Blair, hope it all goes well.

Nice Trews Lib, you've done very well on shopping ban thus far.

Thanks for all the well wishes and reassurance. I'm just going to be confident in myself

Stokey you're awesome. You'll smash it. Hope it goes well.
I'm now in similar panic mode as I have an interview on Monday for some freelance work - I think it must be my first interview in about 10 years - I have absolutely nothing work appropriate in my wardrobe and very little cash.

Shop I'm currently using this Ogx shampoo and conditioner - my hair is also thick and colour treated (and curly/wavy/frizzy) and I'm really happy with it thus far.

Blair you must so excited for your sister - newborns are just so scrumptious.

Lib I forgot to mention the Boden jeans - grey is a good option for spring - let me know how baggy/skinny they are - I wore an old pair of straight jeans the other day and they just seemed too baggy after skinnies. Think they are headed for the bin as I didn't feel good in them at all.