Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet: Orangutans in Paris make for poor gondoliers

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The sunshine might be fading from our passion fruit punch but we're looking forward to what autumn will bring.

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I was also going to post that there is an adult version called Highly Sensitive Person for Xing as that might be more appropriate. Coincidence that you are rereading it too, bo. I don't think dd1 is a snowflake, not that nice a term really, but secondary school and girls' friendships are certainly challenging for an HSP. The child's version of the book interestingly talks about cultural values and how that can affect how a parent or other views an HSP. The author is American, so there is even more value on being socially confident than perhaps the UK, whereas, Japanese culture values the pause and check trait more highly.

I think there are several books, quirky, I know there's a specific one written for MH professionals, some sort of practical guide/workbook type thing. I've only ever read the main one.

I agree snowflake is a terrible term. It just struck me why people who are otherwise unaffected by it would be so annoyed by it. It's very counter for an HSP to go round proclaiming any special status or demanding special treatment for it. I only ever mention it when I spot a fellow HSP and only really in case they're unaware and it's just nice to pass on the mental clarity you get with understanding it all. Otherwise really only with someone you're very close to and it matters.

I'd forgotten about Aaron's obsession with Asian culture, though I do feel she paints a far too rosy picture of it. But it is interesting, there's a show on Netflix, Terrace House, which is reality TV from Japan but it's the polar opposite of Western reality TV. It's very slow and everyone is quite considerate of each other. Drama is noticeably absent. Men cry all the time without that being seen as weird. It's really interesting to observe, although there are some things that make for more difficult viewing from a Western perspective.

Since we were talking books earlier, it's a bit marmite but I absolutely enjoyed it at the time (despite seeing the twist well before reveal), We Are All Completely Besides Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler. Not advertised and I doubt intentionally written as such but it's a good insight to a child HSP's experience.

I'm going to have to go back and make a note of some of these books. I have a massive pile of books I'm trying to get through , but I read something I like and keep getting side tracked to read something in a similar vein. I think I'm quite an eclectic reader too, I've just been rereading the Game of Thrones (Song of Ice and Fire) that's put me on a fantasy track, but I also read psychology (as in HSC), historical, contemporary literature, thrillers... lots of things really. The next thread needs to be something about a Salon, surely?

I had a charity shop visit this morning, I will try to post a photo. I thought of flo as I found a black Vivienne Westwood Anglomania dress, but it was too small, in all senses, much too bodycon for me and too short. However, I did find a Jil Sander Navy skirt for £5 , a-line in a heavy brocade.

Not sure the photo does it justice, but it's a particularly murky day today. Close up it's orange, white and black, but looks dark pinkish. at looking up the price of them new.

What a find! So how much is it full price?
Shame about the Anglomania - too big can often be altered but not too small.

Not the exact same skirt, but Jil Sander Navy skirts on MyTheresa seem to be going for £700-900 . The shop had obviously clocked the Anglomania as it was on for £25 with an extra note on the tag that it was Vivienne Westwood. They had obviously not clocked the Jil Sander label. I almost didn't buy it.

What a bargain quirky - lovely skirt.

Lovely skirt, quirky, are you sure you are looking at Jil Sander Navy and not the JS mainline on MyTheresa? Navy is a diffusion line and whilst still pricey for a diffusion line their skirts are more in the 200-300 range. Still a bargain.

I had the opposite experience in a new to me second hand shop that was full of German and Eastern European items of questionable quality but the black viscose jersey turtleneck took the cake with an asking price of €25. I doubt it cost that new

I thought it was the diffusion line too. I picked it up because it looked nice on the hanger tbh, then checked inside. There were some New Look skirts and tops for a similar price. I need an occasion to wear it now.

I meant to add that I actually feel a bit happier wearing a skirt that's worth £200-300 rather than £700-900, if that's the case .

I've been fiddling with my clothes again, I've just lopped 2 1/2" off a pair of gap bootleg jeans I bought secondhand in the summer. They look more kick flare now, I might take more off too...

Is it stuff fitting, quirky? It would seem like the thing you could easily dress down with opaques and some chunky boots and a comfy jumper.

Mango released their new Conscious collection today. Quite like the look of it, very much my colour palette atm. If I have time I'll go have a nose in the shop tonight or tomorrow.

bo I could dress it down, it's brocade and has a slight satiny sheen not obvious on the photo. It is quite stiff, with a panel at the front. It's not that practical for day to day, as I'm sure it's not washable (with dd2 in the house). I'm sure we've got some things coming up that I can wear it to.

Lovely photos from mango, I look awful in tan, but can admire from afar. Burgundy, I can do and I have swapped to a dark, brown crossbody, not a particular brand but old from a local leather boutique.

Bonjour, les belles dames du Salon style. Reporting back from dementia duty; please, someone shoot me before my marbles get that scattered!

No vintage shopping for Xing, only the dubious delights of the M&S bra department where we were firmly directed by SisIL on a mission to replace DMIL's ancient and exceedingly ill-fitting bras. We needed two lovely ladies to help us and they were so kind and helpful, but firm. Too high, too tight, too stiff was all she could find to say (which is probably fair comment, as her scoliosis is quite severe and the elastic on the originals had long gone). Whether she will wear them long enough to get accustomed to them is anyone's guess.

I fled the house in darkness to beat the half term escape to the seaside and it is bliss to be home.

Thank you for all the book recommendations that came after I departed, and congratulations on the Jil Sander skirt!

I’ll shoot you if you shoot me Xing. It’s heartbreaking to watch and very frightening too.

You're on Flo!

for Xing, how difficult for you so distressing. Not quite the same, but very elderly mil had a very confused episode earlier this year, accusing dp of stealing, friends and family very concerned about change in behaviour, not bothered by others' opinion etc. Her gp was very unhelpful, she seems fine now, but we're just waiting for a repeat.

quirky, you are describing my lovely MIL a while ago, when we first realised something was amiss.

Now, all conversations are circular, recall is poor and her general health is deteriorating, but nothing terminal. She is isolated, and lonely, and probably clinically depressed. We need to move her from her home, which she is fighting to stay in as her memories of happier times are all there. However, the place that has done her respite breaks is full, with a big waiting list, and doesn't have a dementia facility. DSisIL is run off her feet with work and grandchildren. But it will mean moving DMIL 300 miles to be close to us, so she will lose all sense of place.

There isn't a good solution really, only the least worst of the options. But identifying the right route is weighing heavily on my mind.

Xing mil lives near us, but wouldn't have anything to do with us during this episode, then finally turned up at Easter with chocolate eggs for dcs as if nothing had happened. Trying to get some cooperation from her gp was eye opening, she had tested ok for dementia but was obviously not right. I feel for you, it's a minefield, and the provision is so poor.

Xing

What a stunning find, quirky!

Surely the next thread title needs to be “Blue stockings are back in fashion”? :) Talking of which, I have finally worked through enough of the back threads to understand this and the previous title.

My shopping failures have continued with the H&M lined Chelsea boots. The suede is very soft so my feet would not have been destroyed by that (though the converse is not true, my feet would have destroyed the line of the shoe). The back of the heel felt like it would rub, though.
Another pair of suede ankle boots I already own and have worn last year got an outing the other day, and my heels were covered by blisters. Such is life when your feet are shaped like a hobbit’s but are sensitive like Pricess Pea. I am very grateful for their service, but used to rather wish that they were shaped like a princess’s and tough like a hobbit’s...

So I’ve given in and ordered a pair of the El Naturalista Viajeros that normally work for me. I like to think they are the Parisienne equivalent in the comfy world of orthopaedic/hippie shoes.

Btw I’ve been lost down a VI Warshawski rabbit hole. I did not know of the series at all, would you believe it. I doubt my love for it will match up to the Peter Wimsey books, but there are a lot more in the WIW series so it will keep me going through quite a few night feeds.

I’ve looked up some of the others mentioned here but a few seem to be heavy on child abuse, and I just cannot read anything like that any more :( it is too gut-wrenchingly horrific even in fiction.

VI is a wonderful creation isn't she Peregrane? I too love Dorothy L Sayers (and several other great crime writers) but the complete understanding of her Chicago and its world is just as good as Lord Peter Wimsey. I also love Quentin Jardine for his 30 novel portrayal of crime and politics in Edinburgh, later Glasgow, Catalonia and more recently Westminster. Whether you enjoy them depends on whether you like (or hate) the chief protagonist and his family/friends. I currently think Val McDermid is on the money when she writes that people who are interested in society tend to read crime fiction.

I love VI - she's so grumpy. I can't believe I hadn't noticed Paretsky was still writing her but it looks like there was a 5 year gap in the mid 90s so when she resumed I'd have been deep in baby fug. But it means I've now got about 12 to catch up on so no complaints.

Random question but has anyone been to La Rochelle? Is it basically Paris-on-Sea?

I've tried to like Wimsey. I think I made the mistake of starting with Busman's Honeymoon which left me adrift for a few years, but lately I've enjoyed Nine Tailors and Strong Poison.

@Catherine, it's some years since I went to La Rochelle and then it was only passing through/a day trip on the way to Ile de Ré. It wasn't Paris on Sea then (unlike Ré which is intellectual, cultural and political Paris-Plage). Historically interesting, attractive architecture around the harbour, and quite nice shopping then, but see above caveat. It was before RyanAir flew there.

Lucky you Flo; I wish I could find 10 of any favourite series that I'd missed or been unaware of. I do like Wimsey, but not so much that I have read and reread all of them.