Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet: Be More Aunt Larry

[botemp]

Lovers of Parisian style and fashion with a conscious mindset and lots of chatter in between.

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Favoured Parisian addresses:

Second Hand Shops

Outlets

Favoured London addresses:

Charity Shops, Dress Agencies, and Outlets

Favoured NYC addresses:

Consignment shops, Vintage, and Restaurants

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Previous threads:

Un Deux Trois Quatre Cinq
Six Sept Huit Neuf

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Oh the journey... I now pay conscious attention to light and the colour I am wearing ...

Lipstick is another one discovery.

Not fishing feedback , but only posted those photos of glass door because flo asked and , well , I know is not and interior deco thread and immediately after Bo posted a [large] number of more interesting clothes photos ...
But Flo I only posted that door because you asked ...

red I thought your door looked splendid anyway you measured it. Boringly, may I ask whether you gave serious weight to consideration of the thermal bridging qualities? We're discussing three external windows here, to face serious weather patterns, and are debating two eye-wateringly expensive options one of which looks the dog's cojones, and the other which costs 25% less that is just a bit less elegant. We probably won't live here for more than another 5-10 years, and we are stuck for our decision. What would you all do? (you who have seen my previous posts will know that our house view is fairly marvellous, and we need to consider that).

You all also need to know that property prices locally are not metropolitan/city level. Nice suburb, pretty country, no serious job prospects unless you bring your work.

Oh no Red sorry - I got distracted by bo's magic blazer and then by my own face . I think they look great. The proportions are really elegant and I like the dark stain - kind of a Rennie Mackintosh vibe. And I bet they let in loads more light?

Xing it's years since I last had to think about this kind of stuff but, from memory (and things may have changed) windows fell into the category of improvements that could make a house easier to sell but which might not add much to the value. Is that still the case? So if you're not going to stay beyond 10 years, I'm guessing you might not get any return on your money? Which doesn't mean it's not worth it - if the house sold more easily as a result, that could mean the difference between landing your next dream home and missing out. But it also means the decision might be largely down to how much it will increase your enjoyment of the house while you're living there. Or whether you'd get more pleasure from getting the cheaper windows and spending the money on say, travel and beautiful clothes or whatever?

I suppose I was in a different dilemma xing, we looked at tons of options and ended up with this (eye watering expensive) that if I was selling I wouldn’t probably do it as I am sure will not provide return for investment but the plan is to live in this house for as long as we can type thing. So after debating we decided that if we were going to look at them every single day of our lives then they needed to be very good looking and do the job.
We didn’t consider thermal qualities as is internal and the house has really good insulation and back bifold doors were put last year and they have improved thermally the environment, we can tell but I cannot quantify, other than now I can live with heating thermostat at roughly 1 degree lower.
The light they let in is great and we paid an extra for the extra clear glass. Before there was nothing just a large open plan. Now when tv is on a group can be there and not be bothered by the other group in dining /kitchen with radio, kettle, singing or whatever. The acoustics have improved so I assume the thermal as a bi product will do as well but is not a tight fit (like an external door) as didn’t need to be but enough to do its job.

Thanks red and Flo for your thoughts. We've decided on the less expensive windows, which will fund our summer holiday!

Good choice xing! Nothing beats travel imo.

I am not sure what on earth is going on with my hair ... hairdressers and even people used to tell me up to around a year ago how healthy looking , shiny, etc my hair was. Tbh only visibly when I used to bothered with drying it (rough blow dry and finish it with brush on top to avoid static ) anyhow .. fast forward to now and the thing is a frizzy mess!!
I think is getting dryer ... I know I know ... as much as I feel early thirties I am a good decade older than that and maybe a couple years more ... so I know age is a factor
What do I do??
My overall health is better though as been seeing this doctor for the painful bloating I used to have and I have improved loads with a mix of elimination diet, supplements etc etc but waiting for some other test results. Maybe the hair takes longer to show improvement? Eg I was bloating, getting redness in neck , frizzy hair ... maybe the body is cleansing now?
But perhaps I have to slowly change my shampoo that as a younger me was for combination/oily and use one for normal?
Ok, I stop my rant now

Fell off a bit and gave no input on windows. I am sure you were all sitting here with baited breath. ;) But I was going to say cheaper is ok - Like red says if you're planning on staying forever it can be a different story, but as long as they're not an eyesore ...

Hair is a mystery to me Red. Sometimes it''s good, sometimes it's not. For me it's always thick. Mixed bag. I'm getting a lot of very coarse, frizzy hairs that stand straight up and out. Feel your pain.

I am so fed up with all my clothes. I hate all my tops esp. Everything is boring and of low quality. There is nothing good to buy (that I can physically touch first and check). Am channelling 2007 today and wearing a dress over trousers.

Trying to think what this thread has made me do or think about differently. Definitely buying more second hand and less fast fashion but it remains a slow learning process. I also have a rather narcissistic camera roll on my phone these days... Though I didn't take many pictures the last 2 days in Paris when I was there with Elle as I was too nosy and curious to see what she was trying on. Don't know if she took any pictures, shame if she didn't as she got some gorgeous things.

On windows, I'd say cheaper if you're not doing the entire house or a facade. I'd even err on not doing them at all/small repairs/just upgrade the glass unless they're really past it. It's money you're likely not seeing back and if a new buyer wants to replace other windows for energy efficiency reasons they're best off replacing the whole lot and tackling an accompanying ventilation and insulation system alongside it so you don't end up with mould/damp from the interior, needing to retrofit vents, etc.

Final Paris progress, I got a great cashmere roll neck in a sort of minky brown from Brooks Brothers second hand, yarn from Italy and manufactured in Scotland. Wasn't aware BB made women's clothes but it seems a good quality. Also a pair of wool (the thinner suit stuff) navy trousers from Acne with a stretchy waist so they're almost like pyjamas to wear but look like formal trousers, they even have a fully buttoned fly with no purpose Both no brainer buys and good prices. (No pics)

Then I was back to my usual self and dithered over a coat too much (#coatcurse) from Margaux Lonnberg, who is an OG French fashion blogger and got into setting up a fashion brand quite early, not sure how much she's still involved though. So it's better quality than most of those collab/ private label brands but the prices are usually a bit inflated. The price wasn't too bad (although comparatively you can usually get a wool coat for the same price with this brand) on it but I was hesitant on getting another trench coat so I left to think about it. Also it has no waist belt which left me a bit rudderless about it, but I somewhat like it in a way that it feels a bit more modern. Doesn't come across as well in the picture but the material had a really beautiful luxe sheen to it and it does come across more expensive than it is.

Bravely decided not to go back for them and then regretted it on the train back. Story of my life, but I did manage to track one down for the same price online on the train and put in the order and it so I'll have a full two weeks to dither on it further

In terms of culottes, I saw a couple, none were it. These comme des garçons shorts came pretty close but they were a bit big and too much money for a passing fancy but they've given me a good guide to what to look for on the hanger in terms of shape. (Wearing the new BB cashmere roll neck here as I was rather cold, not the best representation of it, it's a quality basic anyhow).

Other clothes of interest were these silk Joseph trousers, I tried them on, loved them, then Elle wanted them too, and they looked fantastic on her too. They're new collection though, so we both decided to get them later, hold out for a discount possibly as we'll probably soon be inundated with offers in our inbox anyhow. Bonus points, online on the models they don't look all that special so probably won't sell out instantly. We definitely looked better in them, including me with the slightly pouchy lower belly. I've also discovered they come in white/cream but I think that's probably tempting fate too much.

On hair, Red, do you have any sort of wave/curl of your own alongside the texture? It may be worth dropping the heat treatment with hair dryers and experimenting with Curly Girl Method styling, it's a bit of an investment of time and products but it does leave hair a lot healthier and supposedly (I'm still tweaking to get it to work consistently for me, I've had great results but I'm not always able to replicate them) it's pretty easy once you've got your routine/products set. Definitely have a lot less frizz to contend with anyhow, there's still some and I sort of just accept that there always will be some (unless I'm willing to sacrifice volume) but it's not bothersome out of control frizz and it's not annoyingly flat either (that used to be my two options, voluminous but frizzy poofy or flat and less frizzy). Olaplex treatment may be worth trying too, but it only really works if your hair is damaged.

I've lost my carefully composed post congratulating bo on the trench and saying thanks for the window input. I also commiserated thoughtfully on hair crises... and it vanished because I went awy to talk gardening and cook supper... and it all timed out.

But I used to be xing... and I miss that name because I felt at home with it, despite the cultural misappropriation. However, other factors... but same person, same curls.

The Times yesterday directed me to a new brand, Alice Fawke Clothing, the gist of which is versatile slim tomboyish ladies' garments cut for bosoms. It looks plain and nice and the colours are entirely reasonable, but I haven't ordered anything, nor have I read the fabric composition details but I shall probably start with a T shirt or wrap shirt.

Hrnghghgh I hate it when you flag Joseph clothes I looooove them but cannot cannot buy. I love those trousers!

I'm also very amused by Bo's coat antics . Agree that the CDG shorts are quite nice, be interesting to see if you find anything like that.

My eldest was intrigued by my dress-over-trousers combo yesterday. No-one else has commented. I feel quite comfortable in it though, as if "this is how I am meant to dress".

I can definitely vouch for the nice curls botemp was sporting. I’d love to try to CG method, but I usually wash my hair in the morning and I don’t see how I’d make the time for it. I like Olaplex and it does immediately make my hair feel soft and silky, but I’d be hard pressed to identify any lasting effects.

Nice jeans quirky

Red the doors look great. I love seeing interiors too.

Bani I’ve seen Cos style skirts over trouser recently so I think you’re just a trend setter.

So Paris. It was fantastic and botemp as ever was extremely generous with her time and knowledge of the city. I really was lucky to get several really lovely things. I’m glad you ordered the coat botemp!

On my first night I ate here: It was excellent. The artichokes with cheese were to die for. www.frenchie-bav.com/en/home/

First stop was Galleries Lafayette, where I bought….drumroll… a cheap umbrella. The weather forecast was poor. The night before I’d noticed a specialist umbrella shop close to my hotel and thinking my luck was in, but bracing myself to spend maybe €50 on a nice umbrella, I walked over. The cheapest umbrella was €250 and the dearest was €950. When Paris does specialist it really does specialist. If any of you are in the market for an eye-wateringly beautiful umbrella then parasolerieheurtault.com/english/

We had a look around the deeply discounted section of GL and I tried on a pair of Lemaire trousers that weren’t quite doing it for me. In Joseph I tried on the aforementioned silk trousers which I’m still very keen on, but will hold out for a 10/20% off loyalty event and I bought a pair of navy suede leggings at 70% off. I wear my black ones loads so this will get plenty of use. Worn today with another purchase, an Acne cardigan. Both are extremely comfortable and you’ll have to take my word for it that in person the lovely quality makes them look smart in a way that other leggings wouldn’t

Next purchase was this Céline jacket that bo posted up thread. In truth I wasn’t even that pushed to try it on. I had already talked myself out of it as being the wrong shape and not a good fit for my lifestyle, but I’ll feely admit that I was wrong. It’s fabulous. The quality is just gorgeous and it’s a beautiful clean navy with silk panels. The condition is excellent. Honestly once I had it on I was sold. Picture here is from the hotel room which had a big selfie mirror. I’m only sorry that I didn’t take more pictures there.

I’m going to stop there as work is calling. I’ll be back later.

Ha I saw someone on another thread yesterday henone who sounded like you (aka Xing) but I told myself it couldn't be cos wrong name! Thank you for the Alice Fawke tip - I will take a look.

bani I've always liked a dress over trousers and when skinnies came back in that was the only way I wore them at first. I had a couple of very simple, silky (aka polyester) straight up and down dresses from Zara that I wore over trousers / jeans till they literally fell apart. If I ever get round to buying a sewing machine they're the first thing I will try and recreate.

bo and Elle I think it's so cool that you go shopping together! I've not read either of your posts properly yet but I can already see why you both love the Joseph trousers.

On hair, I've done the curly girl method on and off for about 10yrs (my hair went wild in 2nd pg). I would say my hair's always had a tendency to be dry, but has got worse as I've got older. I think, like anything, you have to take which bits work for you with the curly girl method. It can also take a while for your hair to adjust and see benefits. I generally co wash, but need some kind of clarifying treatment every so often due to build up. I feel it's a work in progress with having stopped dyeing my hair and entering perimenopause. My hair is most definitely affected by hormones; in puberty, pregnancy and now.
Some lovely photos, bo, that I'm going to go back and look at properly.

Bani
I’ve seen Cos style skirts over trouser recently so I think you’re just a trend setter.

Can this be a stickie?

Sounds like you had so much fun shopping, great reading about it! I love the expensive umbrellas, imagine being able to get one of them and then not live in perpetual fear of forgetting it.

I really like the Alice Fawkes clothes, I hope they do well. Might be unfortunate that they only have one size range (very busty slim women). I’d be a medium busty more thickset woman myself so I’m sized out I think. But I do hope they find their market, there were several things there I liked.

I spent a good half hour today ogling Joseph trousers and tops. 🙄

I can do you one better, Bani and make the next thread title: Bani is a skirt over trousers trendsetter, take note, plebs (last part is optional ). I've actually seen it quite a lot on the red carpets lately, some more successful (the first Simone Rocha look) than others (and I'm just going to point it out now, before, years from now, everyone glibly goes, 'oh, it was a public secret, everyone knew and did fuck all about it ', Milly Bobby Brown's management -who are clearly in charge of her entire image- are creepy AF for getting her to look the way she does on the red carpet, I think I have about 20yrs on her and I look younger than that without ever trying to look young at all. Considering the legacy of child actors in Hollywood and their management it's beyond disturbing and I desperately hope I'm just reading it wrong.)

Sorry, very OT, back to trousers and skirts, I think it's interesting as part of this tiering of volumes and for legs not to be these stick things poking out (ironically, where it goes wrong in pic 2), can't remember which show this was from (pic 3) but treating the legs as another plane as part of the design rather than a look at my legs things is definitely interesting.

(I got rather wordy about Curly Girl Method, so feel free to skip over, I've marked the end below)

On CGM, I agree quirky, I definitely have some reservations about it. Some cultural (it seems that most knowledge is derived from the black hair community but the poster girls are white or racially ambiguous women with one very specific and desirable curl pattern, even when the brands are black owned) but mostly the lack of scientific evidence.

I've seen a few hair specialists with medical backgrounds (dermatologists/trichologists) for my hair loss issues and a lot of the CGM is very counter to their standard advice. It's not that beneficial to scalp health and that's what hair health all comes down to, it just needs a good rinse and conditioning only just isn't up to it, especially if you've got loads of tightly coiled hair.

Similarly, the detangling with brushes when wet, hair is at its most fragile then, I'm not convinced buckets of conditioner is enough to protect my fine and prone to fragility hair. As a system I'd never recommend anyone follow it to the letter, but as a way to narrow down products and how to use them for textured hair (same sort of knowledge out there for straight hair for forever as that has been taken as the norm and ideal for forever) it's really helpful. The best part for me is that with conventional stylers I'd need to wash my hair quicker. I can usually last 3-4 days although currently I'm on day 6 and it's still fine (probably because I haven't exercised this week). It does make drying hair take forever, I basically do it before dinner in hopes it'll be air dry by the time I go to bed (frustratingly when hair looks the best ever) but sometimes I still need to finish off drying with a hair dryer on low. I should probably invest in a diffuser as this would cut down time drastically but then I'd need a new hair dryer too as it won't fit a universal one and didn't come with one, which feels wasteful too. I also would quite like the Dyson but don't want to fund Mr. Brexiteer Dyson

I'd never thought I'd put gel in my hair, or mousse. It just never seemed like something that would make sense but I can see their benefits now, provided they have an ingredient list that doesn't cause too much build up and that is where the CGM seem to help (I don't exclusively use CG approved products either and I'm not convinced CG only routines make for better results).

The whole cleansing/cowashing aspect is very build up prone and that has always been my main gripe with 'ordinary' shampoos/conditioners. My modified version is gentle sulphate shampoo (not SLES, I find that just as drying as SLS) and silicone free conditioner which has always worked well for me, way before I ever heard of CGM. I do technically have wavy hair though, I think that probably also makes a difference, a lot simply doesn't translate from dry thick textured hair to my fine wavy hair.

(CGM chatter ends here)

Shopping with Elle is always fun, we like the same type of shops and sometimes the same pair of trousers and she always makes for great company. We thoroughly confused an Acne Studios sales assistant as she asked where we were from and couldn't understand how we didn't live in the same place and met up in another. I don't think we really gave her a satisfying answer though. But since we don't live in the same place we'll never have a cat fight over the same pair of trousers

I have a 15% off code with Farfetch (15LOVE until 14.02) who carry the Joseph trousers, and I'm now wondering if I should hold out for more as I also received a 25% off for another high end multi label site that doesn't carry Joseph. Ideally I'd like 40% off as I feel they're then perfectly priced but that's probably pushing it...

Nice shopping report from Bo and Elle.
I am loving those Joseph trousers, I think they do great fitting trousers, they are always a perfect fit for me (even if my 3 Joseph pairs are second hand).
On cgm yes agree that taking that with a pinch of salt is the best approach. I think every so often I need to clarify, and also I should get a diffuser. During the week is too hard work as I wash my hair in the morning (like Elle) at least once a week, very early before office so is not practical, I have a large amount of hair that left to its own wouldn’t dry on its own for at least 5/6 hs (literally).
So photo is day after washing, yesterday I only did low heat dry and a wash with the Khiel’s amino acid coconut shampoo and after I put a bit of conditioner. So following day my natural curl is as per photo.
So I like that has more volume than usual when I have to fully dry etc, but this weekend is an exception as I need to be head down at home Friday to Monday finishing a project deadline. So I was able to lay if finish drying naturally, I suppose I could do that once a week type thing.
I like the wave, what could I do to make it smoother/ “nicer”? Would you put any product?

I found a contender maje coat on eBay ecru colour and I am very tempted to get it as that is a good colour on me and classic too.
I got a midi pleated skirt on eBay and waiting for it to arrive, will post photos when it does, hoping it will fit well ...

I admire people that pull off a skirt over trousers.
Saw a few of that on Next in fashion, watching it on Netflix. I used to like A Chung , in photos some of her looks ... but I find her very annoying as a presenter/talking in front of a camera.

Jaysus don’t put my name in the title 😂 how will anyone believe me when I claim to be humble then 😉😘

I agree that MBB is a scandal waiting to happen. Her parents don’t seem to have control at all, and I only hope there’s nothing more sinister in it. The whole frenzy around the Stranger Things kids has been rather unpleasant and invasive.

Red, did you watch as far as the streetwear episode? The more I think about that the more annoyed I get.

Pfft anyone claiming to be humble voids the argument instantaneously through the action, Bani Bugger it, need to think of an actual title now and soon...

I had no clue about MBB's parents, I only pay attention to celebs when they're in fancy dresses. Worrying indeed.

I'm the opposite with Alexa Chung, her personal style has always felt like a lucky dip floordrobe on an easy to dress body that made it pretty hard to go wrong. I was always left rather clueless why she continually kept being pushed by media outlets everywhere as something amazing and I threw some serious side eye at all her collabs and 'designs' (as I doubt she can thread a needle, never mind actually design anything functional that isn't a bland rip off of something already in her closet, her own label is really pathetic quality for the level it's selling at). These days I just view her as the original influencer before that was really a 'thing'. I like her as a presenter though 🤷 I've yet to see the Netflix show, but just spotted it's co hosted by one of the Queer eyes, now they annoy me, not individually, just their reason for existing. I don't understand why you need five men to do what I do all by myself on a daily basis, I've got all the bases covered and they're easily transferable, especially to men, they just listen when you tell them what to do when they assume you're some sort of authority on something and break it down for them logically. I mean, honestly, it's not that deep. I may lack the camp personality but I can grow a mustache, if pushed, to go with my (sort of) long hair and tell people to use beard oil all the time...

Red, I can't really make out what you're saying in the hair paragraph near the end but in terms of product recommendations, it's kind of tricky because the thing that has been most amazing for me (as it gives consistent wave definition, volume, body all in one and, crucially, doesn't weigh my hair down like most curl specific products which results in tight coils at the bottom but no definition at the top) is Devacurl wavemaker but there's a lot of talk around devacurl at the moment (mostly the lo poo and no poo products) that it changed formulation and caused hair loss, scalp burning, etc. I've been using it for two months and I've not noticed hair loss or my hair becoming dryer or any other issues. It's entirely anecdotal, as are the ones reporting issues around it, so it's not an easy rec to make and I'll continue to use it cautiously but I'll have a major strop if it turns on me as I don't think there's another product quite like it out there.

Attached pic is when using DC wavemaker when it's just dry before shaking it out (I do this in the morning) after which a bit of frizz occurs (although in my case since I have new hair growth at different lengths it's more that seperating than actual frizz frizz). Second pic is the day after but it's not the best picture as the light is blowing out the colour, my hair's not that light at the edges or dry looking. I suspect I'd get better results with a diffuser but as mentioned previously, I'm reluctant to commit to one.

I've also used a leave in conditioner (Kiehl's) and a bit of watery gel (Aveda, not CGM approved) in that routine, although the gel doesn't seem to be all that essential, I get good results with LIC and wavemaker on its own.

Not CGM and slightly different, I do like Ouai wave spray, but that's more of a messy beachy look but without the mattness that texturising sprays brings but it's really easy and effective. You do have to be careful not to overuse it though, wavemaker you need more than you think, I use it on sopping wet hair which probably has a lot to do with the amount used.

Thanks Bo, just re read it and the autocorrect seems to have changed some of my words... I normally type on my phone.
Anyhow, thanks I will read later properly the response.
I was alluding that I could do a semi/sort of cgm on occasions (eg once a week) as in leaving it to dry naturally/helping with a diffuser. The rest of the week (two other washes) would be tricky due to my routine. And then clarifying every so often.
I am thinking that at least that way I will get rid of the regular build up and I might get closer to my old soft waves with some volume and shine, which is what I used to have and like and sometimes get complimented on.

I think than other than age/hormonal changes, build up and heat on my hair are not a good combo.

I had to look up Millie Bobbie Brown on Wikipedia and all I am going to say is that being an 'actress, model and film producer (my italics) at 15 seems rather unusual.

I've never had shiny, straight hair but mine has definitely got more dry and frizzy with age, especially since the menopause. I'm always seeing references to the curly girl method and never known what it meant. (I know I know... I'm turning into that judge who didn't know who Gazza was.) The thing that has probably helped the most - and I hesitate to say this in polite company - is just not washing my hair as often.

And now you're all going to tell me you don't know who Gazza is, aren't you

Gazza who now? (I claim geographical ignorance)

CGM is pretty much washing hair less, giving up heat treatment (and dye) and in the most stringent interpretation shampoo as well. It's pretty much a method of loading up hair with quite a bit of product but it's not as built up prone and it makes hair look defined, shiny and healthy, whether it actually is healthy, is a bit up in the air AFAIK.

Don't they hand out producer credits like sweeties in Hollywood? I can't believe wiki missed out that she's also a skincare entrepreneur, except knows nothing about it and demonstrated it with a heavy filter and make up on and no actual product was used 🤣 (I'm blaming that on poor management too).

I've seen one episode now of the Netflix fashion show, it's not for me I think, I was disproportionately distracted by AC's arms but, mostly, not all that impressed by the contestants and alongside the presenting duo that very much feel like children's TV (I understand the dislike now, but I think they're both culpable) I'm just not invested enough. Net A Porter did sent me an email the other day, announcing the winner's (not named) collection was now available online, might have a look at that.

Gazza is Paul Gascoigne, a footballer with a touch of genius (yes I think you can use the word about football) but who was also an alcoholic with (from what I remember) mental health issues who hit his wife and girlfriends. It's not an uplifting story. But in the very early 90s he was briefly a national treasure after he cried on live TV when we lost a world cup semi final (again). And in the middle of all the craziness, a high court judge admitted he'd never heard of him, which I thought was funny at the time but now I'm more sympathetic.