Summer Solstice Sensation

lessonlearned

Wardrobe Woes

I am turning into a bag lady. My wardrobe is a disaster. We were going out to an antiques fair and everything in my wardrobe is either too small or just plain manky. I really must buy a few things - problem is I've been waiting till I lose some weight ........

Apart from my new grey trousers, a free size "hippy" skirt and a pair of jeans I've nothing else that's fit to be seen. Most of my knitwear is well past it's best. Anything that's half decent doesn't fit me.

I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and just buy a few things to keep my ticking over.

Glad to hear you had a good day Carmen. We enjoyed the antiques fair. I was very good - didn't buy the gorgeous red Poole vase - I've bought two vases in the last week - would have been overkill.:rotfl: Did treat OH to afternoon tea.

Off to bed myself now, been falling asleep on the sofa. Hope you get a good night's sleep Carmen.

Hope you've all had a fab weekend.

lessonlearned

Vernal Equinox (Spring Solstice):j

Today is the first day of Spring, and it is the half-way mark on my frump to fab journey.

So how is it going?

For me, I'm behind schedule with the weight loss - I had hoped to lose a stone by now and it hasn't happened. And, as I confessed the other day, the exercise routines have slipped again.:o

On the plus side I am doing better with skin care, hair etc. so it's not all bad news.

The biggest change has been in my mood and outlook. Yes I still have the odd blip when I think about OH's illness, but generally I feel much brighter and better able to cope. Sleeping better too.

I really do feel that I am now starting to turn my life around. It's a slow process at times, though it often feels one step forward and two back. I just have to remember the old saying "Persistence Pays Off".

A major factor has been sorting out a care-plan for OH. It has taken almost six months and has been very stressful but, fingers crossed, it's done and dusted now, so onwards and upwards.

From now on I will have the time and energy to really get to grips with sorting myself out.

Today was a good example of how I hope things will pan out. Whilst carer was here I was able to go out and buy paint and decorating materials ready to start the living room tomorrow.

I also picked up a nice TV stand to renovate, the old one had glass shelves, both of which had plastic clips which hold them in place which have now sheared off and cannot be repaired. Not ready to replace TV so just bought a second hand stand from YMCA to keep us going for the time being.

I really enjoy decorating and revamping my home, I love getting my creative hat on. For me, having comfortable, attractive surroundings is very important to my well-being - just as important as my appearance. Tarting up the house is all part of the fab life plan.

Tonight I noticed Bronnies thread about glycolic peels. It reminded me that I have been meaning to post up some simple "pretend" peel treatments for a while now.

Will dig out my recipes and hopefully post some tomorrow - nice little treatments for Spring.

Keep up the good work everyone. I am determined to really make things happen over the next quarter.;)

BTW - wasn't the moon amazing. I'm still an old hippy at heart.!!!

Carmen

:dance: Spring is in the air lalalala:rotfl: Cannot remember who sang that :question: Another beautiful day and hope you are all feeling well?

I have just finished making up a few quorn dishes for the freezer and popped a macaroni pudding( O/H's favourite pud) in the slow cooker.
LL, I know how you feel but we must remember it took us a long time to become frumps, and it will take a while to become fabulous again

To be continued.........

maman

Carmen wrote: »

but we must remember it took us a long time to become frumps, and it will take a while to become fabulous again

:rotfl::rotfl:

Been AWOL recently, many apologies. I've had lots on in RL. Auntie's funeral today and very busy in my 'voluntary' job (the one the taxman doesn't understand!). I've been wearing 'business' clothes a lot recently. Fortunately I have a few jackets left from when I was working that actually fit me now which teamed with black skirts/single pair of trousers that fit have seen me through. I certainly need to treat myself to some casual clothes but am hanging on 'til they can be summer stuff.

Great seeing my cousins today and whole event was a lovely celebration of my aunt's 95 year long life!

I've been coping well with food side of eating plan. My brother and SIL stayed last night and was given all SW friendly food but the problem has been the drinking side. Too much wine slipping down with food! Fortunately my aunt was strict Methodist and teetotal so 'wake' was decidedly dry. I'm sure I've put on a few pounds but will go back to my plan tomorrow 100% and start to get back on an even keel.

Weather is glorious which helps hugely. Next week should be calmer then Easter (school) holidays soon kick in and I have another busy time planned. I love a busy life but when it's boring it's easier to manage (including eating):rotfl:

Great to hear from you both LL and Carmen and also lurkers. Keep in touch.

lessonlearned

Hi Maman - great to hear from you - there's absolutely no need to apologise for going awol (at least not to me) RL can be pretty hectic as we all know.

Glad to hear that the funeral was a - well happy is maybe not the word but I do think that a funeral should be a celebration of a life. Although if someone has died tragically young then that would be very different.
I've told my lot then when I pop off they are to have a good "wake" to send me off and to wear something red - my favourite colour - a tie, a scarf.

You sound as if you are doing well with your wardrobe. I quite like a "business-type" look myself - as long as it's not black or navy - even my casual clothes tend to be quite well fitted (at least when they fit me properly:rotfl:)

I do like good tailoring because I think that suits my shape best and classic tailoring is always chic and stylish. I used to love the Ralph Lauren stuff when he was at his height and some of Armani's designs - well out of my price bracket of course. Still when I've got the figure I want I will get the sewing machine out and use them as my inspiration:p. I've got a box full of patterns - most of them free with Prima magazine - very MSE.

There is so much work involved in making clothes that I can't see the point in making them now - only to lose my excess blubber and then have my lovingly made garments no longer fitting me.

My style icons would be the two Hepburns - Katherine and Audrey for their simple well cut tailored look, Joan Collins for her glamour and immaculate presentation, Diane Keaton is similar to Katherine Hepburn I think, and Sophia Loren for her drop dead gorgeous voluptuousness (is that a word).

I think that some of the younger generation of Holywood Stars do a sensational "red carpet" glamour, Halle Berry especially, but they don't seem to have a signature day time or off duty style. At least can't think of anyone at the moment. I think our own Twiggy always looks lovely.

You are dead right Carmen - about the long time to frump and therefore needing to allow time to get to fab. (Still can't manage the quoty thing). Patience .....

Anyway here as promised, some "pretend peel" treatments. As always if you are allergic to anything either leave it out or make a substitution.

These treatments will not have the same dramatic effect as a salon peel, but they are perfectly safe and make an excellent maintenance programme between salon treatments.

AHA - Glycolic Acids

Alpha Hydroxy Acids are acids found in fruits, the highest concentration is found in soft red/purple fruits. Really ripe fruit is best. Very MSE - because you can use fruit that is damaged/bruised or "going over".

2oz soft fruit, mashed (raspberries, peaches, plums, strawberries etc)
1oz ground oatmeal
1oz ground almonds
little water if necessary

Apply to cleansed skin, leave 10 mins
you can do this treatment once a week.

The oatmeal and almonds act as exfoliants and are optional, they do enhance the work of the acids though. Ordinary porridge oatmeal is fine, just pop it in a chopper/blender thingy to make it finer. If you are in a hurry and have some fruit in the bowl about to go off just mash it up and pop it on your face.

Variations

Dry Skin - 2 fresh apricots/1 teasp avocado oil

Mature Skin - 4/8 grapes - black/purple grapes

Lactic Acid

This recipe was given to me by a very charming Egyptian gentleman whose perfume factory I visited. He tried to tell me that I didn't need it though!!!!

Lactic acid comes from milk and can help soften wrinkles a little - sorry it doesn't magic them away. Of course we all know that Cleopatra took baths in the stuff and Shakespeare did say that age could not wither her.;)

1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon sandalwood oil (smells divine)
3 teaspoons milk
1 drop lemon juice

Use daily, keeps about three/four days in the fridge

And our old friend

Salicylic Acid

Comes from the bark of the willow tree. Don't worry you don't have to go out stripping bark from trees. It's asprin, costs pennies.

Crush 4 to 6 asprins to a fine powder, add a spot of warm water. Leave on for about 10 minutes. Very good for congested skin, refines large open pores.

Enjoy.

Phew, long post. G'night all.

Bronnie

Thanks LL, have been looking forward to reading these and since they are pretty well all ingredients I have in the cupboard, will have a go at one tomorrow .

Will let you know my favourite!

Any excuse for 10 minutes lying down on the bed listening to music!

lessonlearned

Beautiful sunny day here today. Gave the grass it's first cut, had lunch "al fresco". I know it won't last - it is still only March but it was a lovely little taste of summer.

DS2 gave the sitting room ceiling it's 2nd coat of paint so hopefully will get started on the walls in the next few days.

One of my favourite cinema icons, the beautiful Liz Taylor died today. Good bye Liz - you were an inspiration.

Really struggled with sore joints and muscles today, my gardening was quite enough exercise for one day - so will just do a few stretches before bed.

Today's beauty treatment - a deep cleansing face mask.

An early night beckons.

lessonlearned

Quiet day. Blitzed the house, loads of laundry - not ironed it yet:o

Todays treatment - manicure, really sore back so just a few stretches.

Hope you are all well and enjoying the good weather whilst it lasts.

lessonlearned

Another lovely day but I gather it's back to normal tomorrow. Pity.

Still really struggling with back/neck and elbow pain. Have NHS physio assessment booked for Tuesday so hopefully will be able to have a proper course of physio. I have paid for a few treatments privately averaging once a month, but really need some weekly input I think. Fingers crossed I can finally get some relief.

Have sold a couple of pieces of jewellery via the Chiropodist, it won't make me rich but I'll add it to the savings pot and treat myself to something nice. Another vase?:rotfl: Not this time. As you know I've made a start on painting the living room, so maybe a new print or poster. I've also got a couple of paintings not currently displayed because they need reframing.

DS1 home for the weekend and DS2 has a weekend off - so a nice family weekend with my boys. Should be fun.

Have a good weekend everyone.

lessonlearned

Weight Woes

I am so disappointed and angry with myself.

I've been feeling rather bloated of late and noticed that my clothes were feeling tight again. Put myself on the scales and damn and blast I've put the half stone back on again. Lack of exercise and wrong foods.

I've only myself to blame and I'm so cross with myself. So .......today I've vowed that whilst I can't do as much exercise as I would like I can at least do some. I can also stop eating rubbish!!!

The rot has to stop here - watch this space..... Please kick me up the derriere.

Anyway on a more positive note - my lovely neighbour gave me a fab back and neck message this afternoon. Heavenly - much gentler than the physio I was seeing. My neck feels tons better and although my back is still stiff it's much better than it was.

I'm going to try one a week - I'm sure I'll see some real improvement. (She only charges £10 - what a bargain - so it works out roughly the same as the physio I was paying privately to see once a month). I am
sure a gentle treatment once a week will be more beneficial than a real pummelling once a month. Far more pleasant too.

I will still see the NHS physio on Tuesday and see what he comes up with.

Have been sewing this afternoon. Off to make dinner.

Todays exercise - some yoga stretches this morning (perhaps some more before bed).
Today's treatment - Facelift Facepack.

Weather cold and miserable as forecast.:(