YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Secret Santa

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Secret Santa - hints https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:33:54 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php anne on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1581684 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 08:37:34 +0000 anne 1581684@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, a very interesting thread. I live in Australia (so please, for your sake, go light), and work in a professional environment 4 days a week. I am a mother to 3 and very busy! I haven't worked out a style descriptor despite over 7 years of YLF but I think it'd be up the classic end. I have a fairly limited colour palette and particularly dislike any murky or greyed colours as they don't go well with my olive skin. I love blue and also wear red, pink, white and black with the occasional teal accessory. I like to wear white or bright colours around my face and love relatively big colourful necklaces (they also help to fill in the space under my neck, since I have a small bust) and scarves. I love reading and enjoy jogging, cycling and watching comedies. viva on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1580997 Fri, 06 Nov 2015 22:24:31 +0000 viva 1580997@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am not even doing the exchange this year -- too late, too much going on -- but I am so enjoying reading this thread! It's really fun to read about preferences, and it's giving me ideas for friends around here. I have to admit I'm sorry I didn't sign up. I hope you all have a blast! Anonymous on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1580937 Fri, 06 Nov 2015 20:11:10 +0000 Anonymous 1580937@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Good idea Sally! Ok, here goes... Firstly, I have a stay at home lifestyle and work from home with my small sewing business. Style wise I wear colours from the 'Soft Autumn' colour pallet. Always muted gentle autumnal shades....Think faded Autumn shades rather than full on intense Autumn. I like soft textures, like knits and faux fur, and always have an element of softness to my style with no 'hard edge'. I also love plaid and some florals.  I find it difficult to say what my style is, but I can say what it isn't :)  I'm not preppy, boho, edgy or bombshell. You can always browse my wiw's for a better idea of the kind of look that I have.  I like the occasional scarf, I sometimes wear nail polish, I prefer earrings and necklaces to bracelets because my wrists are very, very tiny and bracelets fall off. With my mid length hair, dangly earrings show up better and at the moment I'm fancying pendant style necklaces. I like cats, chocolate, green tea, rose wine and cake. I'm not a big reader. I mostly like fashion magazines. I like to garden a little and I love sci-fi tv like Star Trek, Dr Who, Falling Skies. Also love Walking Dead, True Blood, The Strain, Dexter. I always wear make up, though nothing that is strongly scented. Good, thick body butters and hand creams are always useful, as are nail enriching lotions as the winter plays havoc with them. Theodora on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1580908 Fri, 06 Nov 2015 17:46:22 +0000 Theodora 1580908@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks for organizing this Sally! Good idea, as Elfster only let's you pick their sponsored products to put in wish list. This will be fun! I celebrate Hanukkah, but I love all of the holidays, and this will be my first "Secret Santa" since college! I haven't posted a lot of WIW's, but have quite a few things in finds. I am at home most of the time, due to spinal surgery, but I travel fom Florida where I live, to the mountains in North Carolina and the city of Raleigh in Nc, to visit my daughters. It gets colder there, and snows a lot. I love books, coffee, bright colors, lipsticks, and find I am accessories-impaired. I really need help in that realm! Socks, scarves, gloves also for NC. Style wise I know more what I am not- not RATE or arty. More classic, feminine, and fun! H, and of course, I'm a chocoholic! Major!!! Anonymous on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1580812 Fri, 06 Nov 2015 11:04:30 +0000 Anonymous 1580812@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm not very good at opening up, but the rest of you have inspired me! I'm in my mid 50s, with grey hair and a winter complexion. At 5'4" I'm on the edge of petite. I tend to dress neatly by default, though I adore drape and drama. I'm an introvert. Since we live in an extrovert culture, I work to create that effect with my clothing. I'm in the process of winding down and culling my work wardrobe, which is substantial. My current style challenge is figuring out how to develop a style around easy-care gear. I'm a natural fibres girl. But I'm fighting my poison eye for athleisure because in 5 years I'll live in a place where my closet space is 2'x1' and I won't own a washing machine. I need to start building small and easy care. I love nature. I currently live between the water and a farm, where I enjoy spying on my neighbours--a bald eagle couple. I'm a cat person, dog person, all-around animal lover. I even love Mr Fox and Mrs Owl, despite their teaming up and putting paid to my dream of keeping chickens. I'm a locavore. I avoid sugar. I have a vice: coffee. Oh, how I love coffee. I grew up in the UK and miss M&S like nobody's business. I've posted a few ideas on Elfster, but hopefully this provides a more personal idea of who I am. Suz on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1580776 Fri, 06 Nov 2015 05:16:46 +0000 Suz 1580776@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oops -- very late to report, but here goes. I'm a long time forum member (4 years) who lives in Canada. And I wear a lot of hats. I mean that literally. ('Cause, you know, it's cold here a lot of the year!) But even more so metaphorically. because I am a woman of many roles:  <ul> <li>Writer of creative nonfiction, poetry, literary fiction. </li> <li>Full-time graduate student. </li> <li>Part-time teacher (university level and adults). </li> <li>Part-time freelance editor/ manuscript consultant. </li> <li>Community volunteer (mostly in the arts sector). </li> <li>Mother of a teen daughter. </li> <li>Step-mother to 3 (now grown up) children. </li> <li>Fitness enthusiast and inveterate walker. </li> <li>Foodie. </li> <li>Constant reader. </li> </ul> Also, the phrase "on the go" might have been invented for me. I am always on the move. In the last 8 months I've made at least 20 trips, short and long, from Beijing to Montreal.  Phew, no wonder I'm tired. I definitely need a new suitcase, but that is over Santa's budget, alas. Still, any nifty travel gear would be much appreciated. Despite the fact that I do this so much, I have never bothered really looking into what might make it easier! :)  In terms of fashion, I'm pretty much a modern classic dresser. My style persona used to be "urban prince" but I find myself more attracted to the idea of "glam gamine" these days - perhaps injecting a bit more femininity into what is overall an androgynous look. On the other hand, like Ornella, I am immensely practical. I prefer clothes that I can move in and that suit my sometimes brutal climate.  I am a "cool summer" in colouring and wear a lot of blues (all shades), berries (cranberry, raspberry and even fuchsia), wines, taupe, grey, some purples, teal. I like stripes and plaids and I love diagonal lines. I wear scarves for fashion and for warmth. I have pierced ears. I like cuff bracelets. I am beginning to enjoy jewellery more than I used to. I have always had a soft spot for brooches.  Dark chocolate, red wine, and good tea are happy indulgences.  In general: love clean lines, luxe fabrics, interesting textures.  :)  Ornella on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1580690 Thu, 05 Nov 2015 19:48:12 +0000 Ornella 1580690@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What a clever thread Sally! I am a YLF veteran (5 years!!) who recently slowed down my activity here on the forum due to demands of the full-time job and some technical difficulties (old laptop), but I try to keep up with the blog at least.  Most commonly used style descriptor for me is Modern Classic, but I also love what one of my previous Santas wrote "Strong and Simple". Practical could be my middle name. I love simple clothes and usually don't wear more than one detail that stands out and pulls the outfit together. I am happiest with limited range of deep winter colours: black, white, deep red are my signature neutrals and colours, with some other occasionally thrown in: deep, rich shades of purple or magenta, or apple green. I don't wear warm tones well and more importantly - don't feel happy wearing them. I only wear pattern in scarves and love those with strong b&w graphical pattern, but solid coloured scarves are my weakness too. I wear few pieces of jewellery (not all at the same time), with preference for pretty stud earrings and interesting brooches. Gone are the days when fun, patterned hose were my thing. I love books and limited me-time had made me even pickier about with what I read. I prefer autobiographical to fiction works, and anything that aids self-growth. I have a week spot for good espresso, but also for refreshing aromatic teas, rich scented hand creams, colourful pens, pencils and markers, writing with ink pen and pretty notebooks. gradfashionista on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1580643 Thu, 05 Nov 2015 18:05:45 +0000 gradfashionista 1580643@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Even though I don't celebrate Christmas, I wanted to join this year's Secret Santa--the previous years' looked like a lot of fun! Thanks for organizing this, Sally. My absence of WIWs/style descriptors might make this a bit challenging, but the previous posts have given me a better idea of what tips might help. At the moment, I'm in transition (re: unemployed), and am applying for academic, and non-profit jobs. In other words, casual style, alternating between my boyfriend jeans during the day, and my Lulus for workouts at night. I'm definitely a "cool" colour, and look best in turquoise/aqua, deep wine/burgundy, hunter green--the closer to my face, the better. Winter colour and make-up preferences are 'minimalist bold', like a deep wine nail polish or lip colour. Big fan of Bite Beauty, and Sephora in general.   In terms of accessories, I wear the same earrings everyday; no necklaces or bracelets, but that's partly because my jewelry was lost/stolen in the recent move. In the past, I've gravitated toward dainty, silver coloured, Israeli-style pieces.  Coffee and green tea, because in academia, these are necessities, not luxuries. Peanut-free nuts are nice luxuries (and at TJs, my downfall).  I can't recall the last work of fiction I read--it's been that long--but I'm into historical fiction, or more broadly, anything that's not dystopic. Not into bling, bacon, vegetable oil, sugar, polyester or zebra print.    rholmes27 on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1580468 Thu, 05 Nov 2015 07:25:27 +0000 rholmes27 1580468@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love all things makeup, but lipstick & nail polish are my faves. My style is casual classic. I think I look best in lavender/lilac. I like to read & watch old movies. I wear both gold & silver, even though I think silver looks better on me. I have a short neck, so only thinner scarves look good on me. And always yes to chocolate. Jjsloane on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1580382 Thu, 05 Nov 2015 01:43:27 +0000 Jjsloane 1580382@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Late to the party (thanks for squeezing me in Kiwigal). This will be my 4th YLF Secret Santa and they are so much fun I'm glad I made it under the wire. I haven't been around much lately, but I love YLF. and you should be able to find some older WIW posts by searching  I'm a little (ok a lot) preppy and like to try new trends I love bling - (Queen Magpie), pattern (leopard and plaid!!) and color (red, navy, white and amber/camel)  I like statement necklaces and post earrings (I have pierced) I do not wear scarves as fashion, only for warmth I also like food, wine and makeup. LIpgloss (neutral colors) over lipstick. carter on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1580348 Thu, 05 Nov 2015 00:25:34 +0000 carter 1580348@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm in a hotel in Lexington, KY at the moment, so I'll try to get this posted before the internet connection fails. I live in Atlanta, so except for the occasional January ice/snow storm, we never get terribly cold. I am recently retired at 51, so it's a bit weird still figuring out what my non-working day-to-day look should be. Whether I'm really a deep Winter or not, those are the colors I wear...black, gray, blues (other than cobalt), deep pink, dark red, etc. I love all things animal print...leopard, zebra, giraffe, snake, tiger, etc. I have lots of long hair, so anything that puts it up/pulls it back is always welcome. I have pierced ears and wear both gold and silver chunkier jewelry. I love cookbooks with yummy pictures and health-related books (I follow the paleo/primal approach) I also love a bunch of authors...Lee Child, Karin Slaughter, Linda Fairstein, Alex Kava, Philip Margolin, Stephen White, Greg Iles, Vince Flynn, James Grippando, Harlan Coben, Steve Martini, Lisa Unger, Jack Higgins, and John Grisham. I usually just buy/sell paperbacks at the used bookstore around the corner, so it's safe to assume I haven't read any 2015 releases. I also have oodles of WIWs posted from the past couple years. Hope that helps. UmmLila (Lisa) on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1580307 Wed, 04 Nov 2015 23:29:55 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1580307@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm undisciplined and lazy about figuring out style descriptors, even though I've been hanging around here a while. I am a lawyer and even though I've been working from home for more than 15 years, I still love the sharp, polished aesthetic of a pants suit, Yet, I was a teen in the 80s and black, spikes and studs make me happy, even as I absorbed my first intro to US style through prep school dress code. Confused much? That's what I mean about undisciplined style. I like both summer and winter colors, from the seasonal palette perspective. I can never have too many scarves, lipsticks and gloves. I live in a climate that will be cold for the next five months, even though today was wonderful for a dog walk when I should have been working. deb on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1580281 Wed, 04 Nov 2015 22:51:46 +0000 deb 1580281@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sally, this is so much fun! Hi, I am deb and live in Northern California. I love tea but not the herbal kind. Is there anywhere in the world that has tea tasting like we have wine tasting here in California? Anyway, jewel tones work best for my coloring and I am really looking for a skinny scarf. The new style I am seeing on so many bloggers. I am also good with surprises so you are welcome to surprise away.. Sal on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1580275 Wed, 04 Nov 2015 22:44:32 +0000 Sal 1580275@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am in NZ so light is probably good. I work from home for an aeronautical engineering firm (our firm) - we have an office/workshop at the local airport.  I do a mix of finance/marketing/website support....I also am Chair of School Board involving a lot of meetings and am heavily involved in children's sport.  When not doing these things I like to entertain at home, garden, read and travel.  We like the bush and the beach.  I love food and wine and coffee too.  I go to the gym and walk and cycle. I think I am a Clear Spring colour wise.  I like to be well dressed, but I am not very polished.  I like elegant stylings - I am not cutting edge fashionable but try to stay current.  My job and lifestyle means I have diverse needs so I try not to overbuy for any one capsule - I only need 3-4 good work looks. I like surprises too. Thanks to all participating Susie on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1580172 Wed, 04 Nov 2015 16:45:04 +0000 Susie 1580172@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hello my name is Susie and I buy a lot of shoes :) I'm 53 and work full time in a fairly casual office environment. I think of my style as relaxed, unfussy, hopefully modern, and rather minimal. I love black as well as burgundy, gray, white, navy and deep berries and jewel tones. I wear more solids than patterns but I love texture and the patterns I prefer are graphic or larger scale florals. I don't like fussy or girly -and generally avoid ruffles, polka dots, bows, pastels - but I do like pretty. I love shoes and bags and consider them a key part of most outfits. I prefer silver and pewter more than gold and I love necklaces and scarves as my 'third piece.' I usually wear a watch or a bracelet, a large ring and either a necklace OR earrings. I like pedicures but keep my fingernails neutral. I wear makeup pretty much everyday but not a lot (concealer, foundation, blusher, mascara and lip color.) I like to read (especially YLF!), shop, play in my closet, dine out, and do a bit of cooking. I am very organized and have been interested in decluttering and trying to move away from too much 'stuff.' I share my home with my dear husband and our 2 doggies. I have an almost 3 year old grandson who is one of the great joys of my life. Wow, that was probably way more than anyone needed to know! Murph11 on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1580114 Wed, 04 Nov 2015 14:16:43 +0000 Murph11 1580114@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'll go! I love to cook and bake, therefore I run and hit the gym to offset. Appreciator of homemade/crafted and local specialties. My lifestyle is casual, as I work from home, but have opportunities to ramp-it-up. Our wee dog, Lily Anne, is our pride n joy. She loves pink n sparkly. Early, early mornings with coffee in a small mug, with pup on lap, is my YLF time of day. Dark chocolate. Modern art. Secret Santa "Opening Day" follows my big 50th, so the party will keep on going! I posted a wish list on Elfster with more specifics. Thanks for organizing the fun, Sally! Rubygirl on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1580076 Wed, 04 Nov 2015 11:32:16 +0000 Rubygirl 1580076@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Going up next. :) I am from Canada so my gift may be coming from overseas so it as well may need to be kept light. If my Secret Santa is from across the planet I would love spices from your country but in a small amount to keep the weight of the package light. I have been told that pepper is different in Scotland and Ireland than here in Canada. I like CocoC like feminine but not dainty or floral. I absolutely love scarves especially the long rectangle ones. I wear smart wool socks especially the lightweight crew socks. I enjoy drinking my coffee and tea from a bone china mug. I like silver jewelry especially bracelets. I like blues and berry colours. As much as I try to stray from these colours I keep coming back. I have pierced ears and need a nice pair of studs to go in my second hole. I currently wear my Elle silver hoops in the bottom hole. I wear light makeup and wear the plum colours for lipstick. I try to be modern and current and start within my budget at the same time.  Hope this helps my secret santa :) Helen11 on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1580071 Wed, 04 Nov 2015 11:17:53 +0000 Helen11 1580071@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ok, I'll go next. I'm new here, too, and probably haven't posted enough for people to know too much about me. I didn't know how to use the list on Elfster, either. Like CocoC, I'm probably on the other side of the world from most of you, so postage is a consideration. I like coffee, chocolate, dogs and butterflies. Though not necessarily all together! My colour descriptors are Warm, clear, light, which makes me some kind of a Spring. Petrol green, khaki, rust and cream are colours I enjoy wearing, though my wardrobe isn't limited to these. Black is generally not good for me. I live in the tropics, it's Summer, and I plan to wear outfits with a necklace as a third piece (as in one WIW ). I like both silver and gold tones. I love scarves, too. I don't wear earrings. My lifestyle is casual. I love getting a little glimpse of other places and lifestyles through YLF. What's the local specialty in your part of the world?My not-so-secret, not-so-fashionable love is for rainbow stripes. But you already knew that : ) Cococat on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1580027 Wed, 04 Nov 2015 05:29:51 +0000 Cococat 1580027@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That's a great idea because Elfster felt a little restrictive for hinting. Shall I start? :) As I live on the other side of the planet from most people, my gift will need to be light. I wear makeup almost every day. I like natural smoky brown colours on my eyes. I'm better with cool colours. I always have painted nails and toes. I wear soft naturals or silver/gold on my fingers but outrageous colours on my toes (currently red glitter). I love costume/statement/loud jewelry and will happily wear pieces from F21/Express/H & M etc. because we either don't have those stores here, or if we do, they're far away. I have pierced ears. I love scarves and I prefer long rectangular ones. I like to feel modern and current and I'm not conservative in the way I dress. I like feminine but not floral/dainty I like exotic but not boho/hippy I hope that gave some ideas for my SS. Sal on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1579933 Wed, 04 Nov 2015 01:15:51 +0000 Sal 1579933@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes keep it on the thread I think UmmLila (Lisa) on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1579921 Wed, 04 Nov 2015 00:57:32 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1579921@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think it would be easier to keep it all on this thread. Suz on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1579919 Wed, 04 Nov 2015 00:56:10 +0000 Suz 1579919@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Do we start a new thread for each of us, or post something about ourselves here? Great idea, by the way!  carter on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1579894 Tue, 03 Nov 2015 23:35:48 +0000 carter 1579894@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great idea, Sally. We have so many new members. Sal on "Secret Santa - hints" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/secret-santa---hints#post-1578896 Sun, 01 Nov 2015 02:01:30 +0000 Sal 1578896@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ One of the members suggested a thread where those participating in the Secret Santa could write something about themself to assist their Santa. Of course you can't really ask questions because that gives it away!!