Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: Ce n'est pas bon de faire du lèche-vitrines avec de l'argent en poche

[botemp]

Lovers of Parisian style and fashion with a conscious mindset and lots of chatter in between. Feel free to join in

---

Favoured Parisian addresses:

Second Hand Shops

Outlets

Favoured London addresses:

Charity Shops, Dress Agencies, and Outlets

Favoured NYC addresses:

Consignment shops, Vintage, and Restaurants

---

Previous threads:

Un

Deux

Trois

Quatre

Cinq

Six

Sept

Huit

Neuf

Dix

Merch in celebration of our tenth (previous) thread:

Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet shop

For the ambitious sewers, this article, Réaliser une robe couture avec un drap ? La démonstration de Rabih Kayrouz has lovely draping demonstrations and patterning on a mannequin (and to me a demonstration as to why I really prefer that to flat patterns). I know Madame le Figaro is always a bit crap on mobile so the Instagram account is here they're the first few videos.

That's a good price on the twill, definitely worth having a go at dyeing it yourself.

I'm not a big fan of the botanical dyes, a bit too sludgy, but I've known a few people who've asked their local cafes for the leftover avocado stones.

Draping is an amazing artform, will go have a watch of the video.

Quirky I'm waiting on my yacht and south of France villa to materialise so I can waft about in a Sandra robe properly. Think I'll be waiting a while.

Ah Elle, great minds! I really liked that very Gimaguas jumper too what with the wrapping around you look (even though I normally am not a puffed sleeve fan). But how much avocado have you been eating to contemplate a dye job? Side note: can you dip your head in the dye bath for a DIY ombré pink head of hair?

Lovely swimsuit.

Now now I don’t hate Stockholm. Just the people in it. That’s the rule.

I had a tin like that too that spins around, I might have given it to my sister (she had one of the set and I hardly ever used mine). Now of course I miss it. I found a half-Dutch blogger here who had a recipe on her website, she uses normal sugar but I’m pretty sure I can find moist white sugar too actually. I will try this.

Flo I am so annoyed with AIBU at the moment I considered, briefly, to just pop on all the threads and answer “yes” or “no” to all the inane AIBU:s there. Then I decided it wasn’t worth it. But if you do it too we can burn our bridges together?

ThisName thank you for the links! I’m very jealous of Bo if she can just swan into a shop and get fabric as good or better for same price or cheaper… The metermeter one I’ll definitely save. Not that I sew. But I like to know where I can source shops if I decide to.

Can I divert you with a Swedish house for sale? Look quickly before the page gets taken down, people are bidding. It’s like fecking Grey Gardens. There's a toilet in the living room and the estate agent just gave in and put it as a selling point.

www.riksmaklaren.se/objekt/CMVILLA50BARB2L2IUEP5J3#images

This recipe and is by one of the best traditional bakers here and he demonstrates with a springform pan (but warns it leaks a little bit foil should sort that out). I'm not allowed near the shop as I'll eat it all but it's all so delicious there's English subtitles but you have to switch them on. And spoiler alert, the granddaughter is many years older now and in pastry school and dear particular grandpa still won't ever let her do anything 🤣

Another spoiler alert, sorry, Name, you're going to have to dream bigger as a yacht is rather close quarters, those sleeves will catch on everything. Super yacht is what you want, although they look dreadfully embarrassing when docking.

Toilet in a living room is a definite plus. Very Howard Hughes and he was all buddy buddy with Katharine Hepburn and we all agree on KH being a queen of cool on here ergo toilet in living rooms are cool

I'm confused though, has it just been oddly staged by hipsters or do some really non conforming types actually live there?

When I say local I mean in the country, it's this webshop/wholesalers they ship internationally and seem to be insinuating their twill is the same manufacturer for Hermes silk scarves 🤔
The local shops are pretty crap because they basically appeal to crafters and fashion students, so the prices are low but that's the nicest thing I can say about them...

I'm thinking I may just order a metre first as a trial run and make a camisole out of it (maybe some pj shorts too) and try my hand at dyeing it.

Look forward to results, Bo! Will watch baking video x-posted with the draping video, am enjoying that too.

We went for a long walk Easter Monday and on the other side of the lake saw an embarrassing big yachty thing outside a house, looked very out of place away from Nice and all

Oh forgot - yes the house is a fun game of "spot the stylist" isn't it?Obv the random orchids. The artwork is more of a guess sometimes. The toys in the window? Unsure.

I am just looking at that house Bani. I am admiring the styling of the photos in it, how everything looks like out of an interior design magazine. Most house selling websites here in the uk have the blandest non inspiring photos.

I love that house Bani. I think hipster photographer who's true calling is documentary photos combined with an over enthusiastic estate agent who bought a few orchids in a supermarket on his way down. No true hipster would leave them in the pots with the labels on? The EA will bring them to his next job. I especially love that a picture has been removed leaving a ring of dirt behinds. It's like an anti-picture, the next hipster trends maybe - you heard it here first.

The more I look at it the stranger it gets. Someone has moved the strange frying pan down lower on the wall leaving a shadow of dirt behind, what for - the perfect vignette? So many questions

Yes, it's really a narrative on its own. Did the Grim Reaper get off his face on Chianti when he was supposed to be making blinis? Does the skull in the bathroom belong to the clearly hungover cow hide tipping down the stairs? Poor cows and their inability to go down stairs whent they can go up... The random record, what is it, what does it mean? The giant speakers, why?

I'm appreciating the fake orchid touches though, it shows ambitions for a Wes Anderson scene by imparting the bleak scene with colour. The surrounding landscape definitely has strong WA vibes. All it needs is someone in a bright blue puffed with red woolly hat to walk across it in the distance, stopping briefly dead centre, turning head to acknowledge the fourth wall and then continuing on off scene.

And I have to say, in isolation, this picture is brilliant, the composition, the way the light hits everything and the colour palette. If this was painted in that hyperrealistic style that feels historical it would make superyacht money in a gallery here with a flimsy concept of how modernity is occupying our past.

You lot are miles more observant than I am. That's so strange about the frying pan (for plättar which are mini pancakes basically, but the circles do look a little large - actually it's a very nice one, I sort of covet it)!

The photos are quite normal here though. Masses of photos from all angles. Very much selling you on dreams and aspirational lifestyle. One agency in Stockholm went viral with stuff like a washing machine full of green peppers spilling out on the floor and stuff. It's even better if you can read what she's written under some of the pictures:

Microwave (doesn't work) included!
Laundry room (washing machine not included)
The bus stop is literally at the edge of the property

Very much a fan of this estate agent. She set a very fair start price of 350 000 and it's almost up to 600 000 so she's certainly struck a note! The headlined blurb for it is "Dilapidated 'functionalist' house on overgrown land with non-functioning drains. Large garage!"

Bo absolutely rofl

Now thanks to Elle I am googling about natural fabric dyes . One that looks reasonably easy to do at home with stuff you might have is using carrot greens (the top of carrots)
Here is a blog that mentions it here
I have an old cotton bed thrown, that looks quite tired ... that could be a potential candidate for a trial .

I'm a bit about how many avocados and carrots you have to eat before you have enough stuff to dye your bed linen. Haven't you guys heard of Dylon?

bani I'm not usually averse to a bit of shoutiness but AIBU? Man It's like the Wild West in there at the moment. They would hunt us down and shoot us just to watch us die.
My theory is that we're bending over backwards to be extra nice to our families cos we're with them 24/7 plus how would we feel if we had a row and then they got ill? But all that unused aggression has to come out somewhere.

But if I'm feeling belligerent tomorrow after my Friday night I'll give you a shout. (It is Friday night tomorrow isn't it?)

I think it's anxiety that has escalated more than suppressed aggression. Although the latter probably also exists. I fear they'd have a coronary if Bani would chronicle what she's been up to this week. Start with that

Is brigading allowed on MN? I do feel strongly it needs to be reconquered from the fanatics here except it's #formalFriday video conference drinks thing here tomorrow night. It's become a bit of a recurring thing, never thought I'd ever say this, I'm running out of evening wear

I'm definitely going with synthetic dyes, if that's the appropriate term, no faffing about with unpredictable dyes on expensive fabric here. But I'm being overwhelmed by choice, because it's shiny I think either neutral or dark. I like the idea of dark brown, taupey beige, or midnight blue but maybe it's too boring. The lighter greens look fun too. I usually like emerald but I think it goes too evening wear when shiny, would solve my depletion of evening wear though...

Bani, I'm annoyed it says bedroom with walk-in closet but no pic of the closet, but plenty of pictures of other random stylistic choices. I love for walk in closets Is that where the bodies are hidden?

Is it unusually cheap (you couldn't even get a parking spot for that here) or likely to just be a holiday home?

Let me daydream with natural dyes I know for a fact is my dellusional mind going on here and not reality ... let me dream that I am creating my own colours and living of my own produce .
I am staying away from all those ridiculous posts at the moment.
I am also having virtual evenings of drinks / quiz nights but not bothering much on making an effort on what I am wearing when I participate of those . Maybe I should?!

Flo that’s a very kind interpretation. I myself am very much seeing the thin veneer of modern Britishness stripped away and the lusty violence of the Elizabethans surfacing. Let me know if you want to play troll. (Disclaimer to all those waiting to report us: this is a joke.)

But maybe Bo is right, I could just write my own AIBU constructing some sort of scenario out of us popping to the shop three times in an evening because we are disorganized and forgetful - the energy out of that thread could run two or three NHS wards.

Bo I'd wager that the “walk-in closet” will just be what we in Swedish call “klädkammare” which is basically more of a small storage room for clothes. Like a pantry. You can stand in it, sure, but it’s going to be more step-in than walk-in. (I love that estate agent, she is trying her a b s o l u t e best.) So sorry I didn’t spot this house earlier, I’d have gone to the viewing for you (and reported on how it smelt). Yes, it’s cheap. Even houses out there in the arse end of nowhere cost at least 1,5 million I’d say. So it’s a bit of a bargain really. The land alone is worth it. Not scenic enough for holiday homes!

I agree that emerald green on silk is Nobel dinner material. I cannot help you choose because I’m a Libra.

red I’m with you on the natural dyes. We can eat our granola together. I once dyed a cheap white bralette with tea actually to make it “nude” coloured. I'm in that club.

Currently doing lots of Zoom meetings, and vain enough (yup vanity does not diminish after you hit 60) to apply make up for Zoom engagements. Also bought a pair of casual around the house trousers from Saint & Sofia. a new London company that makes casual soft clothes, in sizes from 6-22, with pockets. Made in Europe not Asia. Will post pictures when items arrive. Decent colours, no surfeit of pattern. I think they will do well if the clothes fit well. The jury is out but the Times gave them a big plug yesterday.... and no, I still don't work for a newspaper!

But I would be open to offers though I think they'd sign bo first!

Ha Xing sure we only just talked about Saint and Sophia upthread! Bo wasn't too impressed IIRC but I am looking forward to a review of the trousers - the Camden ones? The only thing I think I'd like out of the lot.

You're being awfully diplomatic there Bani 😂 I wasn't very nice about it, I was looking at several of your FB ad brand recs so I'm not sure anymore but I think S&S was the one where I felt they made the wrong fabric weight choices for the items and that it all hung a bit cheaply. Reminded me too much of the Kooples which always just looks off because of that. I'm also suspicious as it's an instant MN fave.

A tea bra? How long did it smell like you were brewing a nice cuppa I always wonder how fixed natural dyes are, surely they'll fade quicker over time, especially if you hang your washing outdoors.

Be sure to include in your AIBU that in your multiple trips to the supermarket you touched everything and then put it back (seeing you're an indecisive Libra) as this is now a capital crime according to MN. I am really tempted to point out that all this frothing, stressing and anxiety is really detrimental to your immune system. But I think it will just be lost on them and cause them to overdose on Vitamin D instead.

There was some English woman on SM who apparently tried to shame us (the entire country) as we only clapped for our healthcare workers once (after which we cracked on with volunteer work and other small initiatives, as we always do, we have the most volunteers per capita worldwide). I did wonder if she was a fanatic MNetter.

I'll let you have your dye day dreams, Red. Speaking of daydreams that won't come to fruition, I feel I really should be mastering hand pulling noodles even though that's stupidly difficult to master and I'm not that fond of hand pulled noodles. I am losing inspiration for what to cook lately though, I usually love this time of year with all the new produce but I'm feeling uninspired. I think I might have to kill some grannies and order some new cookbooks. Anyone bought anything recently? I have Falastina in my basket but I think it still hasn't released here.

I'll decide when they arrive! But I need some soft trousers to replace the current version, which are threadbare and no longer black. I need a big re-dyeing session soon.

Failing to have a superyacht for the Zandra Rhodes kimonos, I'm going for a sailor artist vibe with an old toast indigo smock . I don't often wear it, as it's hard to wear a layer over, but perfect for a cooler, spring day spent in the house and garden. I also realised I must have spent the last 4 weeks in the same two pairs of blue jeans, as both dp and dd1 commented on me wearing a taupe pair.

Mmm, boterkoek (?) looks delicious, especially the idea of with almond paste. The finished article looks a lot like those massive butter galettes from Brittany, though I imagine softer and more buttery.

That house, definitely a different way of styling than here, which I agree is usually quite bland. Though, some real corkers show up on mn property boards from time to time.

Diplomacy - another libra skill

God the other day I wanted to buy a mango and this girl was standing there feeling every single one to see if they were ripe and in these days I didn’t want to stand next to her so I waited and waited. And reflected that MN would go that I actually did but one after that with her cooties all over it. (But I’ll admit to washing it when I got home...)

Quirky congratulations on getting to wear the one day a year item I’ve got a few of those too

I made some very nice panko fried chicken today ... but that was only because I had no energy for anything else after another office sitcom day. I’ve just been for a long walk and had a gin and tonic and I’m still tense.

bani, I'm hoping I might be able to turn it into some kind of quarantine "lounge wear". Last year, I was seriously thinking of passing it on to the charity shop. I hope you manage to unwind a bit this evening.

I love it quirky I can totally imagine the little boat of your dreams with lovely weathered paint that's been splattered over with bright colours from your oil paints.

Boterkoek does seem quite similar to Gâteau Breton but I think that uses less butter amazingly. Brittany does have some of the best pastries, maybe I should finally tackle the difficult to pronounce Kouign Amman (sp?)

Of this were 2010 I'd tell you to start an anonymous blog about your office life Bani. I fear theses days that would not be appreciated in the same spirit as then.

Ooh I've got panko, maybe I should make some panko/coconut shrimp with a mango sauce...

I must admit I go a bit MN ragey in supermarkets. I just don't understand why couples think it's fine to go together without a clue what to buy and instead block the aisles (supermarkets are small here) without being aware of anyone else discussing what to have for dinner tonight And anyone with a mask is an asshole for being a mask hoarder when they're needed elsewhere, thinking they're now somehow miraculously immune and it's totally fine to run through getting in everyone's space. A true ragey MNetrer would have a better swearword than assholes for these people though.