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

[botemp]

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

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Sales are restricted to specific time periods in France (Jan-mid Feb and July), Red. I think for bargains there isn't much outside the sales. Chercheminippes is always worth visiting. The Sezane boutique solidaire is also nice and right next to their main shop, and quite affordable. You might find a high-end bargain for under a 100EUR rummaging in Kiliwatch (have found Louis Vuitton, YSL, Burberry, etc.) but it'll be from an undesirable era (not always a bad thing, but French tastes tend to run more conservative). BIS boutique solidaire is a bog standard Salvation Army (I think) charity shop but it's a really well presented one, but brands are middling brands, but prices reflect that. The Free P Star shops are open late and the atmosphere is lively but it is very overwhelming. Addresses for those and others in the list below:

2nd Hand Shops

Outlet Stores Central Paris

Enjoy the trip Redandblue

Lovely jumper botemp shame about the kilo sales

floisme a celebrity in our midst...well we always suspected as much...

Lots and lots of sales on at the moment - NAP doing that 25% off thing and Browns private sale etc. The only thing I bought are a pair of burgundy shoes with a mid heel at 40% off. Seeing as a pair of "jewel" coloured shoes were an identified gap in my wardrobe I feel somewhat justified. Other than that I sat on my hands.

I see that Hedi's handbag for Celine has launched. It looks like the love child of a Kelly and vintage Gucci and whispers I kind of like it. What I do not understand is who the new Celine customer is? I cannot fathom that the woman who would like this bag would want that dress. I know that lines may target different groups for leather goods versus RTW, but these seems like polar opposites to me. I could see the connection between the RTW and the other bag previewed, which I really disliked for all the same reasons that I didn't like the clothes - garish, derivative etc. The one above has me puzzled.

Lovely burgundy heels, Elle.

Hmm, no NAP 25% off for me but I think we had this argument last year and that it started at different times per country. I do have access to the Farfetch sale but haven't had a proper look yet, I'm not really in need of much beyond elusive knee high boots which I've given up on and a non necessary 'fun' coat don't ask about the iconic Céline one I saw when buying the jumper.

Speaking of bags did try on the Loewe Hammock and my wallet is safe, it's too bulky on me and the fact that it's completely open with no internal zippers makes it quite impractical for city living.

I'm not a fan of the new bag, but don't hate it like the other. If I had to guess it's a revival of an older model? I think with HS when it comes to women's wear it's pretty pointless to try and make sense of it creatively, this bag looks like a commercial decision to me. Same trick as the Sac du Jour at YSL which was a clear rip off of a Birkin for people with money but not Birkin money and people with Birkin money and tastes would buy it as a gift for daughters/female relatives. The bags have always been earners at Celine and he is there to increase revenue so that side can't falter to high risk creative visions.

I seem to remember seeing something written somewhere about retail buyers liking the Hedi clothing designs and backing them to be a success.

botemp thank you for the list, I will plot the address in a map and see if any are on any of my routes while in Paris.
The jewel shows are fab Elle .
I was looking at combination of clothes and found a pair of purple patent shoes from Hobbs I have not worn for some time. Thinking in wearing them with a silk red dress ... any thoughts? I am not always the best at looking what goes and sometimes I clash stuff, but I kind of like it .

I might wear it for a nice dinner and cocktails in fancy bar I have coming up in my diary.

He's a money spinner, less creative genius IMO. There have been quite a few articles saying as much but a lot of buyers have been worried about buying into the new Celine as they already have Saint Laurent on their floor and added in Alexandre Vautier (sp?) which all represent much of the same thing and carried on the commercial HS looks that continue to sell steadily. You can still buy HS staples at Saint Laurent now. Buyers have also lost a Phoebe Philo brand that needs to be replaced with something similar in order not to lose that customer, so it's not as simple to push the new Celine for buyers when it's had such heavy public criticism but I suspect it will sell well outside of Europe.

I think whilst the criticism of his hard break of old Céline is valid, more worrisome from a commercial angle is the criticism that he hadn't moved on creatively from when he left a few years ago and his die hard fans already own the SL staples so are unlikely to buy one with a Celine label insteadif that's the only difference and they're used to more choices now, as well a as probably having moved on in life as well, the twenty something party girl rarely stays that way.

Redandblue I like red and purple together, it's in the tone on tone style. I would probably tie it together with something burgundy/berry between the two colours, either a bag, coat or accessory, so you have three tonal colours together iyswim.

Thank you for all the compliments. That’s how I look in my own head anyway - can’t understand why the mirror doesn’t see it!

I love purple and red. Purple and green too.

Has anyone heard any more about Phoebe Philo? I have this fantasy that she’s bored with the designer world and having talks with M&S....

Evil mirrors and cameras breaking our disillusions. Always better to be overconfident than under, I suppose.

Last I heard PP is attending a cross disciplinary symposium or festival of sorts in Switzerland in January (I think). Only know about it because there's an architect on the panel with her, but I doubt she's plotting any M&S takeover. She took a couple of years out before to focus on her family, she does seem an all or nothing sort. Who knows, maybe she's holding out for Karl Lagerfeld to retire, though I suspect the whole reason HS took the Celine job was pretty much an audition for Chanel, see also: Ricardo Tisci at Burberry.

I'm getting a little fatigued with all the Black Friday shouting in my inbox ATM and it's not even Friday yet...

I’m supposed to be ignoring Black Friday cos I want to save what little remains of my autumn/winter cash for the proper sales. But I’ve a bad feeling I’m going to end up with another sparkly knitted top, even though I’ve already got one for every day of the week.

I managed to scare Elle from even hovering near anything shiny in Antwerp , I could give it a virtual try for you Flo?

Yes please bo! I’m holding out so far but tomorrow’s going to be a long day - all support gratefully accepted.

We seem to have been scouring Black Friday deals for dd1, it's her birthday soon and she wants a laptop for her homework and maybe some games. I feel my mind is completely boggled by all the information!

I've just bought myself a birthday present , it's a grey bag from tkmaxx by Oushka. I have a grey bag hole as my last one has literally worn out. Dp will give it to me for my birthday, but I've already bought it on his behalf as he's been dealing with mil who is in hospital with flu. Life is suddenly very hectic.

It's this model, but in grey and it was £69 in tkmaxx. Simple and slouchy with a crossbody option.

I’m passing through Lille in the way back from a business trip in a few weeks. I’ll have a couple of hours to go shopping so wondered if anyone can recommend any good clothes shops?

I'll have to consult Elle how I exactly managed it, Flo, but let's just start with attached to warn you about the repercussions of wanting to outshine the Christmas tree [santa]

raisin, it's been a while since I was last in Lille but back then Vieux Lille was the most interesting for shopping, around Rue de la Grande Chaussée which houses the big designers but the small streets around it have a lot of lovely little shops/boutiques. Meert is their most famous pattiserie is a flat waffle (a bit like Dutch stroopwafels/syrup waffles). I think there's a Galleries Lafayette as well, definitely a Printemps but they don't carry as much as the Parisian branches, but would make for easy one stop shopping. I vaguely remember Euralille by the station but I think it's mostly chains.

quirky, would a Chromebook not fit the bill? I assume they'll be discounted for BF and they're already reasonably priced. As long as she doesn't want to play very graphic heavy games probably no need to get one with a state-of-the-art graphics card.

Bag looks great, grey leather is surprisingly versatile, I find.

bo she apparently doesn't want a chromebook, I can't remember why. Both my dad and brother are real techies, so we have information overload lots to go on, with processors, memory, storage...

I was very good with the bag and put it back the day before to decide if I really wanted it. I had gone into tkmaxx to see if they had any bargainous coats for dd1, so felt a little guilty. I came home and googled Oushka, and they get good reviews on mn, so went back first thing yesterday. I agree that grey bags are very versatile, my previous one was used so much it has started to wear holes.

Flo's morning reminder that, no, you don't want it that way. Step away from the glittery knitwear already.

quirky, I'm guessing she already knows someone with a Chromebook... IME the nerdy relatives are always rather unhelpful as they get overly obsessive over (to the end user) irrelevant details. Years ago I ended up with an overly powerful DIY desktop assembly with a graphics card that required a separate fan unit for my birthday because that 'was the best use of my money' I'd asked for a very lightweight and portable laptop with a decent graphics card to do some basic 3D modelling on

Thanks bo please keep it up. This kind of top is one of my weaknesses. I have no need for it. The V neck is too deep for me (I've seen it in real life). And Whistles and I broke up when their last jumper bobbled after one wash. We are over; over I tell you. Plus I could put that £55 towards something really special. But still it keeps waving and winking at me - they do that effortless glamour thing so annoyingly well.

So please buy it people, and put me out of my misery.

Nice bag quirky - I think grey is much more versatile than black. Same with grey boots.

I think you accomplished it with a look. I would note that the effect appeared to wear off within 24 hours (see Dries skirt) so I think that these daily refreshers are wise.

There's always one in every family. My brother is the same - recommending needlessly complex set ups to my mum, who really is only going to used email, browsing and for managing her photos. She ignored him and bought a Mac (he doesn't approve of them).

I wore my new brown top on Wednesday with the bargain Tom Ford trousers that were back from being altered. They came up very big, just for info. I forgot to take a photo though. Casual today so black jeans, white top and grey sezane jumper with black boots.

I do have a good face for expressing damnation

The whole Black Friday thing always seems to work counter to me, I'm not always convinced the savings are that great. Think only electronics really get reduced well but it has to be something you really needed.

I might brave the shops today, the Arket thermal I was interested in isn't on offer but the one in Cos is, but I preferred the Arket one so I'll give the Cos another chance.

Wearing my new Joseph jumper, Theory camel midi skirt that I bought in Paris for a song, and Margiela ankle boots, not as ideal as knee length boots would be but not terrible looking either.

The chromebook is a no because she needs Windows/Office for her homework, which is often posted online. I think we just want a laptop that we don't need to replace in 2 years.

Lol at the tinfoil pictures. flo I do have one subtly, sparkly jumper, but I definitely don't need more. I find the need to dress it down with jeans and trainers. I agree about grey bags and boots, I wear them lots and have really missed a grey bag, as mine has died .

Sounds like a lovely outfit, bo. I feel I'm channeling the sixties in John Smedley, grey roll neck jumper, denim tulip mini, hoop earrings and baker boy cap. I went for ankle boots too, as my (not quite) knee length boots, need reheeling. Also, that was too close to 60s dress up, I think!

The skirt may actually be Vince, I always mix those two brands up as one and the same I am actually eyeing a baker boy cap from Isabel Marant, but they feel wholly ornamental to me as it just covers top of head, not the ears which is usually why I bother with a hat.

True, that is annoying about Chromebooks, quirky, although I thought they could run Office on it and Google has indicated you will have the option of running Windows on them soon, just don't know how soon. I'm sure you'll find something through the mountain of options.

Anyhow, speaking of tinfoil, since it's around lunch time, just here to remind Flo, that no, tinfoil is for turkeys not people

Sorry, meant to add, I like the sound of your outfit too quirky, and Elle previously. I'm a bit memememe and all over the place today.

Nice colours, Elle, I missed you'd posted an outfit. My brain is all over the place atm. I'm trying to sort stuff for birthdays/Christmas and we've still got elderly mil in hospital, complicated by difficult family dynamics (think "stately homes" thread).