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Missing forum members...

Sal

Veteran

Just a shout out to missing forum members - I am reluctant to name people because I will likely leave out someone important. But there are some lovely forum members that have been missing, some since the election which may be one reason, others for a little longer. I know some people are facing health crises for themselves or family members, and others might be busy with other projects.

I know we all have times of hiatus and I myself come and go a little, but please chime in and say hi on this thread if you want to check in, even if only briefly!!

It is another long weekend here this weekend - we are off to the beach for one night.

Take care
Sally

Off Topic

87 replies

Latest reply was from

rachylou

Veteran

Yes, I was thinking this too. Hello all yalls!!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Hi Sally, I'm back after a longish break. Have a great weekend

Sal

Veteran

Lovely to see you back Caro!! Hoping all is well in your part of the world. I was in Melbourne two weeks ago - a lovely lovely city to visit. Mostly at the tennis though:)

Sisi

Veteran

Oh, Kiwigal, you read my mind! I have been thinking of writing a post like this forever. Thank you for doing it. I have joined YLF recently but I have been lurking for years. I have "known" and got fond of many forum members that then disappeared.

I echo Kiwigal: please say at least a quick "hello"!

Hi, Caro! Hope you are fine.

harmonica

Veteran

Thanks for writing this post, Sally. I have been thinking the same for a long time. Sending good vibes to all wonderful fabbers out ther and hoping you feel love wherever you are in your life now.

Have a nice weekend!

Style Fan

Veteran

Thank you for writing this Sally. I have noticed that sometimes forum members who are very active take a break or may just leave and that is perfectly fine. I do worry about the forum members who left after the election. Lots of love and positive vibes going your way.

Helen11

Veteran

Yes, I've missed seeing some fabbers, too. I hope all is well.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sally, a lovely sentiment because you are just that- VERY lovely.

Fabbers come ..... stay for a while .....participate profusely......and then go, which often makes me sad. But life takes over, and it's understandable. The nature of the beast, so to speak. I wish the very best for Fabbers when they leave. But every so often Fabbers that leave pop back in and participate again - and it makes me very happy.

GREAT to see you, Caro. Missed you.

SW Ann

Veteran

yeah, I was never a big commenter but there is definitely a less accepted feeling here for me....I read the fashion but ignore your politics.m

Lyn D.

Veteran

A thoughtful thread Sally!
Nice to hear from you Caro

carter

Veteran

I can only speak for myself, but for me it's the politics. I find it very off-putting to see political rhetoric on a fashion and style forum There have been several comments that were very offensive to me and certainly to the women to whom they were directed. Decidedly not fun. Certainly not inclusive.

I come to YLF for fun. I want to see what you're wearing, how you're managing your wardrobe, your thoughts on style, etc. I enjoy so many of the women in this group, so I pop in every week or so to see if it's stopped. It hasn't. Maybe it won't. I don't know. 46% of women didn't vote they same way the other 54% did. Maybe the forum is a totally homogeneous group and I really don't belong, but I hope that's not the case.

marianna

Veteran

I've been MIA since around NAS and I often feel guilty about it because I love YLF so much. But, life happens and my mind hasn't been on fashion. I may get back to "fashion mode" in time for the next NAS.

Diana

Veteran

I'm happy to see some familiar faces popping up here! hope you are all well.

Eliza

Veteran

Timely post, Sally. I have been wondering how many folks have been lately. Best to all YLFers- you are always appreciated. Nice to hear from everyone who has chimed in here.

Gigi

Veteran

You have a big heart, Kiwigal! What a nice gesture.

I think that it is sad that a person can make an educated guess from recent posts (by who is posting and who is not) what a given member's political affiliation is, when this is a *fashion* forum.

anne

Veteran

Thanks Sally. I've been on the forum since it began and there are LOTS of people I miss! Sometimes I have got in touch with them by PM.

Some forum members don't read off topic posts so you may not get responses from people who are still reading other posts.

Gigi, I'd like it if you were cautious about those educated guesses, remembering that people have all sorts of reasons for waxing and waning in their time on YLF.

Cococat

Veteran

Sally! <3

I've been busy at work, and then it quietened down...but then I started noticing the politics and, as I commented in the Ivanka Trump thread, it made me uncomfortable and reluctant to post......not because of my own political views....but because of how it changed things from being about fashion, style and building confidence to something else.

I'm so pleased we got to meet Sally. You certainly do have a big heart!

Have a great time at the beach.
x

Laurinda

Veteran

.

Deborah

Veteran

I have been popping in and out as I can as work/life is busy. But I post and comment when I can and I do pop in most days when I have a spare 10 mins or so to catch up. This is such a lovely community that I have no intention of actually leaving so if you are not hearing much from me, be assured I am sitting quietly in the backgroundreading along. xxx

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Thanks for posting this Kiwigal/Sally. I had been wondering if people were feeling like outsiders, given the posts.

It is my hope that everyone will stay part of the community.

Sal

Veteran

Well I am back after two days of sunshine (swimming, walking, eating, reading)....

I have also read the other thread about Nordstrum but will write my comments on this thread.

Thanks for the support Sisi, Angie, Helen, Eliza, Diana, Anne, Deborah, Lyn, Harmonica, Barbara Anne and Style Fan. Angie - thank you for allowing this discussion.

A few replies first:

SW Ann - nice to hear from you. I think ignoring the politics is one way to move forward, and a sizeable chunk of me thinks that is the best way too. I have not "seen" you much on the forum but I would be happy to read your posts or comments.

Carter - I love your postings, and I love your wardrobe, and I am sure we would get on if we met in person. Your points are also valid - there has been a political undertone recently, and the election was very very close, so of course many sensible and good people voted for both main candidates. In a democracy I think we owe it to ourselves to make informed and careful choices and we all have different priorities depending on our age, where we live, our experiences, our work situation, and our family situation.

Gigi - thanks for chiming in. I like your posts too.

Laurinda - I did see your post but could not respond at the time. Thanks for your input as well

Cococat - the only YLF person I have met!! Yes I understand where you are coming from, and as with SW Ann and Carter, a big part of me agrees with you. Read to the end for a few more comments....

Marianna - I read your thread and congratulations!! Very exciting news.

A few comments of my own. I am not American, and could not vote in the election. I am a keen follower of NZ and International politics, and have a Diploma in Political Science. I find it interesting to talk about politics and have friends who vote in NZ for five different parties (Greens (environmentalist, liberal), National (more conservative), Labour (more left wing), Act (more right wing) and NZ First (more conservative, nationalist). I myself swing between two of them and have split my vote on several occasions. We are business owners so of course have views about tax, compliance, employment - but I also have had much involvement with a lower socio-economic school where we had 1/3 immigrants, including many refugees, from Somalia, Congo, Columbia, Afghanistan, and many immigrants from China, Pakistan, India and Brazil.

One of the things I enjoy about YLF is the diversity of the women in age, size, profession, location, religion and of course style. I will name some people here - I love seeing Joy's stunning style, I love seeing Maneera's pics with style in the heat of India, I love Ledonna's colourful and strong looks, I love Aida's creative fresh shapes and vibrant colour....

Just one final point, I do value YLF as a fun interesting place to talk about style, clothing and relate to the other participants. And a good part of me thinks politics is for other places - let's keep this place positive and an oasis. But what is happening now is concerning on many fronts - and too important to ignore, because I think we can all agree we are facing seismic changes in the relationship of the US with other countries (US-Mexico, US-NATO), in the way the Executive interacts with the media and the media interact with them, and deep wide divides within the US.

I hope we can keep politics in the off topic part and style/fashion in the main section - and people can choose where and how they want to be involved. I hope we can hear each other as wise Barbara Anne said in the other thread.

rabbit

Veteran

I went missing before the election, focusing on work deadlines and then on following the election itself, promising myself I'd be back as soon as it was over, but enjoying peeking in at times and reading the blog. Well things turned out differently and now the free time not working and following current events is spent um, outside my congressman's offices, and at the airport, and at town halls, wearing outfits chosen for warmth and good range of arm motion (if I have a sign). I still try for fab though, and bringing my outwear and accessory game.

So it's lovely to peek in here and see fashions, and discussions, but I keep waiting for a breather to really be able to unplug and focus on something not urgent and topical, but it isn't happening quite yet. Finding balance and self-care is important, and this community can be great for that. I also understand the desire to have sacred spaces...and the sometimes conflicting desire to be able to find a way to talk across cultural divides. So no answers, but I have been popping in and reading along when I can, and appreciating you all.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for posting this KG. I've noticed a few profiles being changed or even deleted, which is a cause for concern. I wish these absent friends well and I hope they'll be back soon.

I guess many of us are here because it's a space where we don't have to talk about politics. I know I am. But I agree that we can't pretend nothing has happened because things are changing so very rapidly. I don't think it would be healthy for the community to ignore it completely.

Rabbit: thank you for your tireless campaigning. I'm feeling quite helpless as a non-US citizen, but I'm looking for ways to offer some constructive support from here.

ETA: a final thought on politics... I have friends of different political colours with whom I enjoy rigorous debate and we can often agree to disagree. I wouldn't dream of judging anyone on this forum for any opinion they hold, or even think of trying to guess it from their personal style.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Hi Sally.

I only just saw this post. And I feel bad about not being more active.

Thankyou for the shoutout. I feel touched.

I'm going good. Life's been busy and I've had my hands full. Weather is already warming...this winter was DISAPPOINTING.

Since this is a place where everyone talks openly, I want to share this. One thing that did keep me from posting pictures more often is my hair. Everyone here at YLF loved it when I went natural and sported curls, but the curly style really required ALOT of work as I started to grow out my hair. And I hate fussy hair that requires a blow dry or extra work. I seem to only be capable of wash-and-go hairstyles. I contemplated this ALOT, and then decided to get a hair straightening treatmemt again. I longggggg for fuss-free hair! The treatment was today. I now have straight hair! And hair that looks good all the time! Hallelujah!!!

I think we can safely assume you'll be seeing a lot more pics from me here on

Once again, thanks again for this post. You're sweet & kind & thoughtful & funny & considerate - all wrapped into one.

Much love to you,
Manny
<muah>

Peri

Veteran

Don't know if I was missed, but I've been scarce for awhile. I just wasn't having fun with fashion and decided to take a break from thinking so much about it. In the last two years on the board I worked out "my" style...what I feel good in and what makes me happy, within some physical health limitations. It seemed like that coincided with the fashion world for about one season, and then fashion moved on before I was ready to. Now it is once again harder to find things that speak to me, and I just got tired of how fast things cycle around.

I still check in from time to time, and I did notice lots of missing friends too. I hope everyone is doing well, and I do love this board. I'm just not interested enough in keeping up with fashion to post much anymore.

AM

Veteran

As someone who is recently back and seeing this forum with
fresh eyes, I'm glad to see political post are in Off Topic. One of the reasons I came back was to see the coverage and discussion of one of the biggest fashion events of the world -- the fashion of the First Lady during the inaugural events. One post by rachylou about what her mother said? It was an incredible let down and I had much higher expectations of this site. I'm not a student of fashion history -- or fashion, period. The braintrust on this site could have delivered some great thinking on this historic event -- this is America's fashion history in the making. I immediately thought, what is going on? Politics before fashion? Did something silence this type of discussion? Is politics really
preventing women who love fashion to be silenced when Fashion History is breaking news -- what a sad commentary. I raised this issue with Angie via email and appreciated the added responsibility/challenges she is faced with as a moderator and a business owner.

I've been reading the recent posts and I get it now. I would argue that this isn't about valuing diversity, expression, political views -- about differing views on the president, the media or the current events. I will give all the woman within this community the benefit of the doubt on this, period. It's about YLF as a type of media. People are clearly voting with their participation -- a boycott of YLF as fashion brand (a fashion media brand), a pause to assess this form of media and to what degree it is of value or to what degree they want to be personally represented or be anonymous (i.e. the views on this site do not represent my own, I don't want my name to be attached to this brand, I'm taking caution to distance myself personally, I'm here for growing my own personal fashion not for the intersection of politics and fashion, etc.)

People determine the value of media based on content (subject matter, fact, opinion, etc.), tone, values, etc. I'm an urbanite. I've lived in Portland (OR), LA and even more time in NYC and DC. I work within the creative fields. Might you guess the company I keep despite now living in Annapolis, MD. I'm quite pleased that this is in Off Topic -- because I rarely went to that area of the site. I might check in but I will definitely take the temperature of the thread and evaluate my interest level based on the diversity of views. I haven't seen enough to evaluate if this will amplify the current echo chamber that I can already easily find in my life.

Last thought, I would have hoped that a new member coming in during the inauguration would have seen coverage of what one could argue is one of the World's Most Historic Fashion Events. To what degree people feel that their political comments are welcoming to new members -- or if that is even a priority -- choices are being made. To what degree people value Off Topic and it want it free from politics -- I hope they will they stand up for a new section (Politics and Fashion) -- I hope they choose to make their voices clear. It is clear that people are voting on the value of the YLF brand and making adjustments. This is about a fashion brand and its consumers.

And for others, the YLF brand becomes less relevant as life and other passions take over. I miss many of the people I used to see. Hello out there.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Hi Sally, I just read your above comment. Thank you for this post; I think it has helped clear the air. If I may, I'm going to repeat two of your points:

1. "I hope we can keep politics in the off topic part and style/fashion in the main section - and people can choose where and how they want to be involved." Well said. Non-fashion topics belong in the Off Topic section.

2. "But what is happening now is concerning on many fronts - and too important to ignore, because I think we can all agree we are facing seismic changes in the relationship of the US with other countries". I couldn't agree more. A huge shift in global politics is underway, and it is colouring nearly everybody's worldview. The Trump administration affects us all. To completely sidestep any political discussion would be awkward -- a classic "elephant in the room" situation.

I have full confidence in the people who visit this forum. Regardless of our religious views, political ideals and ethnic backgrounds, we are all capable of expressing ourselves in a civilized way. Indeed, everybody has been doing so. This forum is, I believe, fairly unique in that regard. Props to you all, and props to Angie and Greg for doing a stellar job of moderating, and for providing this space to begin with!

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

AM, it's hard to comment about First Lady fashion when many designers have distanced themselves from her, and when she herself is not assuming the role. She's a public recluse. It's hard to be motivated to follow the fashions and stye of someone who avoids public life, makes infrequent public appearances, and doesn't want to offer interviews. At that point, there's not enough material to be speculative.

Michelle Obama and Kate Middleton, for example, made careful choices in their clothes, working to elevate the reputation of designers in their respective countries, across a spectrum of price ranges. They also assumed their public positions confidently, even though (at least, in Michelle's case), they did not want to enter the public eye. Many designers benefited from what these women wore, and the fact that they had/have a full schedule of public appearances.

So far, there have been lost opportunities for Melania.. Were I her, I might incorporate garments designed by less-well-known Americans, so that the publicity would ideally boost product demand and translate into the creation of American jobs. But I'm not her, and could spend a comfortable life in jeans and flats.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Also, thanks for starting this thread, Sally. I'm thinking of at least one regular member who was facing an illness, and am hoping that she's doing ok.

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