Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet: L'enfer c'est les Autres

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

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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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Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet shop

Xing

Turns out Sinterklaas has been good to me 🎉 I can only find a small repair at the back vent which is a known weak spot but it's been really well repaired and invisible unless you examine it extremely closely. Otherwise it's overall still a too good to be true feeling (I'm still convinced they forgot to put a 1 in front of the total price) and shows no signs of worn in spots as per description 🤷 but the Kent cashmere brush seems to be sold out everywhere or with insane delivery costs but I might get a German alternative that also look good. I'm still eyeing the coat sceptically but I expect I'll exchange that for a full on Snoopy dance soon.

Thanks for the recs Viennese, the YouTube channel looks very helpful, especially. Your RBG inspired project sounds really interesting, please do post a pic when it's done.

Back to my furries tendencies mohair, I came across this French brand that hand knits everything and they have an all (well 98%) mohair cardigan that makes me suddenly interested in cardigans

She also has some mohair/silk knits and at twice the cost of the kits I saw they seem very reasonably priced for something hand knitted in France.

Speaking of knits, my Johnston's of Elgin cashmere jumper bargain came in and it's heaven, it's much less basic than I anticipated, it has that (to me) ideal of somewhere in between a crew and boat neck and easy fit, not too tight not too lose.

Fashion news, Natacha Ramsay-Levi left Chloe and has been replaced by Gabriela Hearst. I have mixed feelings, GH seems a good fit commercially so an understandable choice in uncertain times but Chloe has always been an incubator for emerging female talent and GH isn't really that in the traditional sense and if they're not going down a sustainable route it feels a bit wrong to me.

Nice bargains Red - the cardi is a lovely colour. Wasn't sure about the jacket at first but it's really grown on me, although I don't think the length would be kind to me as it would probly end at the chunkiest part of my thighs. Never heard of Sessun and unlikely to take a punt online but I'll look out for the label.

Predictably I tried to grab some trousers in the Toast sale but they'd gone before I reached the checkout. If it helps, I find their sizing pretty generous.

I think I've missed what's been happening with your MIL Xing but sorry to hear that - it sounds very difficult.

My shirt isn't in the bin yet but I've taken a good inch and a half off the width on both sides. Unfortunately that involved unpicking the sleeves - very annoying as I'd actually done a pretty neat job of them the first time around which I haven't been able to replicate. But there was a load of excess fabric under the armpits before so it had to be done.

Where's this Celine coat then I'm bored?

Any more trousers yet bani?

Soz cross posted bo so missed the coat update!

Looking forward to the Viennese RBG jumper!

I've saved Katia Sanchez now to show my daughter, it's very much her kind of look. Not mine I don't think, a bit young, bright and fluffy. But not too fluffy, odd that she has it under control with her 98% mohair! very nice.

No chartreuse trousers yet. I'll be so happy if they work out!

Flo, very impressed with how you're persevering there. Good woman yourself.

Forgot myself - only logged on to say I got an email about Cos winter sale preview out now.

Without wishing to make this into an annexe of the old parents thread, we had to give SIL a break from caring responsibilities in February, and did so just in time to beat lockdown on new admissions, and there she has stayed. She's self-funding, so after 10 months we have to sell her house. The home is run by very nice folk, but DMIL is frustrated. She is clever, even with poor short term memory issues. This weekend we cleared out everything, and SIL has snaffled all the furniture, glass and china... all beautiful to exquisite quality. While we didn't want anything much, her avarice was a bit grabby. In the spring, we plan to move her the 300 miles to be closer to us, so she can come for lunch and we shall be able to stop in casually. SIL is adopted and DH is the only biological child, but a 600 mile round trip to visit only to have to sit outdoors is not an enticing plan.

Fashionwise, I rescued a loden overcoat which DS has snaffled. Very unisex, stylish and already at the dry cleaner. And a Bolex 8mm projector from the 1950s, likewise snaffled by DS who is looking forward to showing it off to the technicians at university.

Oh Xing, I feel your pain. We are still having issues with BIL over late MIL's chattels. Despite a will saying everything to be shared equally among her children, he seems to think it's "his stuff" .

Inheritance really brings out the worst in people. I have some relations where siblings fell out when one of them couldn't see that taking over the family farm should be seen as part of their inheritance (this is a normal way of looking at it in Sweden) and their share after the parents passed away should be adjusted accordingly. Just couldn't see it, since the farm had been somewhat of a burden personally and to them it somehow negated the value of it or something. None of the siblings has had easy lives and the issues became muddled.

There's something to be said for not expecting anything!

The law is pretty straight forward here, can't disown children and they have to get equal parts, doesn't stop any infighting though especially if one sibling has taken on the bulk of care or some property is involved that one person buys the others out from.

As someone who has put their life on hold to take care of a parent I can tell you resentment builds up quickly, not so much about inheriting and who gets what, just the lack of acknowledgement what it costs the caregiver, mentally, physically, life, etc. Never ever got a word of thanks 🤷

Anyhow, eBay threw me for a loop this morning. I was looking at this coat and only then noticed the pictures on the headboard later. Do people really need instructions on a headboard 🤣

Cos sale is failing to entice me, everything I've previously earmarked is still full price. I went a nose around in the shop in hopes of finding some nice PJs yesterday and there was just too much stuff, it's S/S, lots of stuff from last year and a smidge of the newer collection. Also, no PJs to be found (not even full priced )

Also trousers finally done although I have to redo the clasp at the waist, it's a single one now like the original but it really needs two in this one and OH pinned the length for me and it's a smidge too long so I'll have to rectify that too or find other shoes to wear with them, I'm preferring that option right now... But the colour looks great with my Aquascutum coat which is more of a vibrant Royal Blue, which is not showing up in the pic though

Too true bani and CatherineMaitland, it is very shocking when others seem to think certain things are their right, rather than how lovely I've been left xxxx. It does leave a bitter taste in the mouth.

Everywhere always seems to have 20 or 30% off one day in a week at the moment - hard to tell what's sale and what's not.

I could do with new face skin this week, but no-one's got that, sale or otherwise.

bo, I hear you about the caring responsibilities, we were by far the nearest to mil. I think that and that we did all the clearing of the house too, after.

Gorgeous trousers, I love the colour. That headboard, though . It's a bit distracting from the coat.

www.libertylondon.com/uk/department/accessories/scarves/ I thought I'd share this link. I was bought a scarf for my birthday from this brand, they seem very sustainable and are Parisian, I believe. Mine is sold out, a very dark brown and winter white in wool, very lovely. I will try to post a photo later.

Scarf from Inouitoosh. It looks better with a dark coat, hence trying to scribble dark on the photo! I also liked the pink, red, black and white one in the link above.

I couldn't find it on the website, but an ad has just appeared for it www.libertylondon.com/uk/Yako-Wool-Scarf-R349112006.html?istCompanyId=53594fab-416e-42ab-b3ca-8816d2013fe8&istFeedId=6894997c-21a2-4de5-ad8c-4f4c2b36367d&istItemId=ilaqwttwr&istBid=t&gclid=CjwKCAiAq8f-BRBtEiwAGr3Dga8HL7WSjPgZLq6zww7WKNHWSc4trOuothJuHGni0O6sgnecSkrBFBoCVBMQAvD_BwE here. It was in a Black Friday deal, but is now full price.

It's lovely Quirky, I just googled the brand a whole load of Yoox results showed up. They're around €50 on there with lots of lovely designs, seems like a real bargain for something like that. It also looks really nice worn on which often isn't the case with artsy scarves IME.

I found another pic of coat trouser combo, but it's overlit, it's not that bright.

What's up with your poor skin Catherine? Sales do seem to have started early but from what I can tell they're getting rid of older stock in most places of the percentage is more than 30%. I'm waiting on a load of delayed packages atm so am rather put off online shopping for now.

It's not that bad Bo. It's just - not behaving how it used to. Oilier and I seem to have one hard red spot that travels around, emerging in different places every few weeks.

does this happen to Parisiennes? :)

Of course it happens to Parisiennes, my best thing to combat painful random under the skin spots is a French pharmacy OTC secret. It doesn't miraculous take it down overnight but more like 48hrs and it drastically reduces the pressure (which IME is the most annoying part) and it doesn't look as traumatic after. It's called Hexomedine transdermique, you can usually order it from French pharmacies online, doesn't cost much, a few Euros, just stick a cotton bud in and apply.

The extra oil production may be down to being indoors more and it being very dry so your skin starts compensating, adding in a hydrating product could help.

My secret weapon for the spots I get occasionally is the Body Shop tea tree wand.

Bo! The trousers! They are magnificent, well done!!! Would you make me a pair? (UPS have delivered the chartreuse ones, ie they haven't there's not even an attempt to ring me or deliver them, they just go straight to the pick up point so I think you might be a more reliable trouser-deliverer). I love them! And they do look fab with the coat :thumbsup:

The Inouitoosh scarf looks so lovely, that's a great brand to keep a lookout for too. So pretty!

My skin has calmed down only with perimenopause. But frankly I don't remember ever seeing anyone with acne in Paris. The fuckers.

Lol at the headboard. I follow an Instagram account called Hemnetknarkarna that post funny photos from real estate ads, there's a few good ones there too! They actually had a few fan posts about a Dutch real estate agent who gets himself photographed in the houses he's selling - in the bath or whatever.

Thanks Bo and Viennese - will give both a go!

I think the French are generally pragmatic with any beauty/health issues, a bit I have a spot what can I do to solve it, rather than I need to hide from the world in shame because I have a spot etc. I know my mum used to send over the cold sore patches from France before you could get them here (I can't use zovirax) which were great.

thank you, I'm quite proud of the trousers although they still need to be properly finished off. Have you got your trousers yet, Bani, not sure on delivering you trousers though. Usually I'm up for any excuse to travel (hand delivery at this fine establishment only, of course ) but probably not the best of times to try that.

I remember seeing a really striking woman in Paris with the most angry acne I'd seen in a while but like quirky says none of the I must hide under a rock attitude. She was so confident with it that it became pretty insignificant and a general attitude of so what. They do have a lot easier access to dermatologists (or quasi medical facialists) and I assume having a medical professional successfully assure you it can and will be fixed will have you feeling very different about it.

Bani I really want to love the Hemnetknarkarna insta but it feels kind of judgey in the way only Calvinists can be (although maybe that's down to me not understanding half of the captions ) but some of it feels a bit like laughing at innocent choices of people's personal taste in another era and framing it as bad taste. I love the absolutely mad interiors though for their sheer experimental nature. You didn't mention the real estate agent was nude in the bath 🤮 I'm scarred for life

Went into town today and came away thoroughly depressed. I even saw Christmas cards reduced to clear.

I know human beings are clever and resilient and that my parents and grandparents - who lived through far worse - would give me a good kick up the arse if they could hear me, but right now, I'm struggling to see how we come back from this.

On a more positive note, they are lovely, lovely trousers bo.

Oh Flo sorry you’re so down 😢 I went into work today and we were looking out at the grey grey grey weather and all of saying well this is depressing - it’s a time of year that affects our mood pandemic or no I think. You’re supposed to feel cheery but it’s just muddy and grey and the year is almost over and what does the future bring blah. Pretty much all of Sweden has had zero sun hours all December - I just bought some industrial strength vitamin d.

Bo of course he was naked, he’s Dutch. 😉 Hemnetknarkarna isn’t that sneery actually, a lot of the time people like the crazy. I think the sneering might be mostly at estate agents who don’t vet their photos better.

Well I picked up the trousers! Will take a photo tomorrow in “daylight”. They are :drumroll: too big. Feck Suitsupply and their size charts anyway. I’m undecided if I should keep them and see if I can alter - I don’t have a favourite tailor after all. Also they are not lined and did start to feel a little itchy 🙄 I love the fabric though. Feels thick and warm.