MN Vogue - volume 84

[shopafrolic]

Bring on the cosy sweaters, boots and coats - Autumn is here and it brings lots more shopping opportunities for the Voguettes. Join us for fun fashion and beauty chat from high street to designer. Continuing on from here

enables shop

I've got some Zebras from Stories last year, they're good with jeans.

I can do either of those dates at the moment Marsha, will pencil in 2nd for now.

I've been after some boots to wear with midi lengths for a while, I'm not sure ankles quite work (unless they've got heels?). Have just ordered some KG ones to try.

Also have a bag on Xmas wishlist although it's likely to be low-end.

Fairy sounds like you'd done some top shopping. Like the sound of the APC half-moon. I need a medium size one, must be big enough to carry a book, but not A4 size. The strap on a red one that I bought a few years back in Italy just broke, it was a perfect day to evening size

Kurt boots they may be too boring but was looking for something slightly slouchy but basically flat as I easily walk 10,000 steps a day, often more like 15,000.

Brilliant Stokey time for a list

2nd March MU
Me
QueenC
Shop
Kitty
Stokey

I’ve been for a run, did yoga, cooked a roast, relaxing listening to Radio6. Love Sundays v much

As it stands at the moment I can do 2nd March, but things may change so I'm a maybe but would love to come if I can!

Brilliant Viva, that would be ace

2nd March MU
Me
QueenC
Shop
Kitty
Stokey
Viva (a maybe, a very welcome one!)

Bought these navy boots as well as the Fat Face Boots really pleased with them both and have worm them a lot already which is a good sign along with this Uniglo down coat really like it, very light do not sure how it'll be if it's freezing but perfect when in/out of the car and flattering as not really thick.
Feeling sorted on the casual winter clothes front, shame I can't say the same for everything else!

Loving the zebra print; I had a zebra print bag from Boden a few years ago and used it so much I wore it out!

No fashion news from me but on the beauty front I bought Hourglass primer and some mineral foundation and highlighter.

I also bought a pair of fit flops for a knockdown sale price - as I said, no fashion news

After looking at Marie Antoinette's jewellery last week, it seems Southerby's are following me around the internet. I did wonder if Blingy has picked up some vintage diamonds and pearls recently

I'm just about to sit down with a glass of chablis to catch up on Strictly from last night (had a fab night out with friends) which will roll into the results show and the I'm a celeb - perfect Sunday evening.

Where has the weekend gone? I really did not want to get out of my bed this morning!!
Spent the weekend doing not very much which was good. Slightly disappointed by Strictly especially because I can’t abide Ashley so gutted she got 40 .

I’ve had a big clear out and sold a load of things-mainly blouses as I had too many to justify for my lifestyle now but also some scarves and very old black boots. I need to do a make up clear out as a lot of my mistakes in the past year have been make up. I was so desperate for anything that made me feel/look better but actually I’m more comfortable with my really old lipsticks rather than the more recent purchases. Shame I can’t sell lipsticks or eye pencils on!!

NaP private sale has started, but not a huge amount off so you’d have to really want it to go for it

I want some flares and a velvet jacket. Love KMs outfit here.

Hello, sorry has been ages, I've been lurking and feeling tired and disconnected so struggled to post. Work is stupidly busy and I've hit a really weird place mentally best described as in this Brene Brown blog post. It's like I'm suddenly realising that I've been living my life on a repeat cycle of the same mistakes, mishaps and feelings for years and I can't keep doing it any more. I'm having counselling but still struggling every day with feeling like I'm constantly on the verge of tears and like I don't know what the fuck I am doing. I haven't managed to register with a GP yet and really need to as I think I might need meds to get me through this.

And breathe...house reno is stalled due to lack of builders - might be next July before we get all the work done. But on the plus side some bits are happening - front sitting room is being decorated this week which is great although now that the walls are prepped and bare I'm having a massive wobble about the wallpaper we chose and nearly talked both me and DH out of it. The poor decorator had to talk me down. DD was hilarious, she astutely observed that I had the same crisis over the wallpaper we chose for her room and we all love it.

Hasn't stopped me shopping though - my summer buys so far are:
Blue print shirt dress
Burnt orange sun dress
paisley print dress which I absolutely LOVE

Anyway, all me, me, me... the moral is emigrate when you are young I think, seriously hard work at this stage of life

Viva go to the MU if you possibly can, this is an amazing bunch of women and they will lift your spirits no end

Ah Lib it sounds difficult...think a trip to the doctor would be a good call. Also do you think you are doing too much? Work sounds full on, maybe not enough time to just be and absorb the big changes in your life? Just to be biological about it, I think the approach to menopause also involves lots of similar emotions - again a good reason to go see the doctor. I have read recent blog posts about the menopause, I think it may have been this - the comments are useful to read too.

And ignore me if you think I am going off on an insignificant tangent

I'm pretty sure I can make either date in March. Viva would be nice to meet you.

Great new boots Shop.

Is anyone planning to buy anything on Black Friday? I am feeling a bit meh about it this year as it seems to get more and more hyped up with less and less discounts. Have a few things in my asos basket waiting for a significant code, and also thinking about the grey MJ bag that Dry has.

Want to tap into the collective hive mind...thinking about Xmas gifts for family - so women our age who can buy what they want - thinking maybe of something a bit out of the ordinary, or luxurious that they wouldn't buy themselves...any thoughts? What do you buy for the hard to buy for??

Lib really sorry you're having a tough time. You have gone through some massive stress triggers over the last year, leaving all your familiar world behind and having to deal with a new country, new job and new house.
I totally empathise with feeling tearful all the time. I keep struggling at work and think I may have to approach HR about stress and bullying, cannot believe how sad it's making me feel. I do wonder if it is exacerbated by perimenopause, but also know I'm not the only one who has had problems with my new boss.

I always like a book Bernice. There's a couple of really interesting ones out this year. I just read the Booker winner Milkman which I loved, such a strong Irish voice and themes about women and violence and the troubles. It sounds really serious but I found it quite funny. I also read Everything Under which was on the shortlist and also has amazing themes - mothers and daughters, ageing, gender, alienation.

Lib and Stokey big squeezes and hugs from me. You are both so lovely it’s hard to know bosses are giving you hard times or things are difficult.

Lib it is a huge thing and you’ve done so well to get your job and huge beautiful house but it’s natural it would take its toll. Wish I could take you out for a drink or hot chocolate (I bet they’re as nice as Melbs ones)

Stokey agh for you. It just takes one person like that to ruin a job, I really feel for you, I’ve been there and I’m afraid I couldn’t do much about it, so hard. Do they 360 feedback? (we didn’t which meant everyone underneath just talked amongst themselves)

Bernice so sorry! I scrolled back to look at names rather than remember everyone, I should have gone back another page or two. Brilliant you can make it

Sleep can too

will update list

I’ll give nice gifts some thought, I need to up my game as I think dh is actually getting me something I care about, will love and will be a surprise ie not requested.

Black Friday I still need a beach dress and flats

Ps Stokey HR sounds like a good path against bullying

for Lib and Stokey

Stokey your work situation sounds grim - ignore the peri-menopause bit as you said others are suffering the same. Definitely a visit to HR is needed.

Lib you have undergone so many big life changes in the last year it is understandable you're having a wobble. Fwiw, one of my closest friends emigrated to Australia at 38 and still struggled for a while. She said it took her about 2 years to feel fully settled. I like your recent purchases particularly the Curator dress in the blue.

Bernice I've taken gf's to an exhibition I know they'd like and then lunch. It does get difficult so always open to ideas too!

Actually just thought of another gift that I've done for a couple of different gf's - an unusual gin with the relevant mixer and sometimes the fruit. Probably a bit predictable but well received non the less. Can add a g&t candle/lipbalm/handcream etc too.

Hugest of hugs for Lib and Stokey
I’ve been out of employment for so long now i’m not the best to advise but it sounds as though you are both v justified in your feelings about those concerned so don’t brush your feelings under the carpet.

In terms of gifts. I love giving little bits of luxury (unfortunately I rarely get gifted similar back). Posh candles, lux hand cream, Chanel powder compact, or Chanel lipstick. Fortnum and Mason loose leaf tea with a ForLife teapot. Vogue subscription. Houseplant in a pot from The Little Botanical. Skincareor voucher for Space NK. Voucher for dinner at a lovely restaurant. Decent artisan gin and Fevertree tonic, or skull vodka bottle and coke depending on the person. Cashmere bed socks. Coffee table books.
Oh and apparently I hit gold last year getting all the TAs fold away shopping bags in pretty designs.

Just a quick one for shop - do you recommend the me and em pleated maxi skirt on bought? Am considering it...

Lib just read that blog. So moving

stokey and lib I’m sending hugs to you both. Aside from just work if you’re concerned about perimenopause in other ways please get investigated/treated. It has made such a difference to my life being on hrt although I did pay to see someone private as GPs get fobbing me off.

bernive I have no ideas I’m afraid as I struggle with what to get people and because I can be fussy if people were spending a lot on me I’d really like to live it. But as fedup has said, gin is always good!

Are we doing 2 March?

Yep so far we have

2nd March MU
Me
QueenC
Shop
Kitty
Stokey
Viva (a maybe, a very welcome one!)
Bernice
Sleep

To cheer us all up I’m going to link some pretty pictures...

1. Kate on her 30th because I just adore this whole look and is probably one of my favourite Kate images
2. My favourite film and I do wanted to look like Meg Ryan here and even bought a similar hat. I was 16.
3. Similarly, I love this Gwyneth look and went out and bought a black shirt. Sadly I looked nothing like this. It was the moment when I realised shirts didn’t work for me. Think it was just after dc 1 or 2 and my boobs had grown. I remember trying to style it to make it suit me and when I rolled up the sleeves it was a light bulb moment that bracelet length or 3/4 sleeves work better on me than full length.

Anyone else got any favourite images or defining moments?