Summer Solstice Sensation

Rowan9

Hello ladies.
I was going to say that my healthy eating campaign was going well then I realised that I'd had 3 roast dinners in a row (one at a carvery with roast potatoes yum yum, the other 2 at home with baked pots instead), hhhmm some cake and also a delicious toasted hot cross bun with marg and jam. Ah well. My breakfasts are very healthy! I'm fairly relaxed about it (as you can see) because I know what I have to do and will get on with it, sooner rather than later hopefully.
Ordered some different sulphate free Tigi shampoo from the offer on one of the beauty threads, originally in the grabbits I think. I also ordered the matching conditioner and a leave in spray conditioner as they are handy. I find sulphate-free doesn't make my scalp so itchy and also helps the colour in my highlights to last longer.
Painted my toenails the other day and wore sandals for the first time this year today. Am glad that I have been applying all that body butter to my heels as they are soft and able to be exposed!
Big salad for tea tonight, followed by fruit salad. Oh but I did have a wine and also -eeeek.... a pint of Magners pear cider before that! I've never had it before and in my defence I didn't know it was going to be a pint, although the barman handing over a pint glass first was a give-away. It was so delicious though, I know it won't be my last. Sadly more weight than a dry white wine and soda though!
Hope you all have a good evening
W

maman

:wave:

Not achieved much today. Bit of shopping, some visitors round, don't know where the day went really. I bought myself some open-toed patent wedges today ( no stopping me on the shopping front lately:o) so I'll need to start painting my toenails again. Is there an 'in' colour this year?

I must admit I haven't had the healthiest of weeks. After the hog roast on Sunday, I went to a carvery with friends last night (just like you wmf). Really greedy with the food but only a tiny glass of wine. Today's been normal healthy eating but tomorrow I'm off out to lunch but definitely no drinking and I'll choose the healthiest thing on the menu!! (I promise). Glad you all enjoyed the cake at the garden centre LL and well done to you for sharing a slice!

Managed to get a 200ml bottle of Bio-Oil for just under £12 today. I know I could probably get it for a similar price on line but that was at our local Lloyd's Pharmacy so very easy. I've tried it on the scar on my ankle and it feels smoother already:D

Weather permitting I'm going to wash some of the sofa covers tomorrow. Must remember to vote although I anticipate a very poor turnout as canvassing in my area has been zilch this time.

Hope you're having a good week off MrsW.

maman

Just had to pop back and tell you that an election leaflet just rattled through the door - at half past midnight!!!

Carmen

:mad:
I have just spent 20 mins typing a post and it did not appear, so just popping to say hi to you all.
Keep up the good work, will post again when I am not so tired.
Carmen xx

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone

Just had a nice little nap:pt So a quick post, and off to start the usual dinner time routines.

WW weigh-in - stayed the same this week. Not surprised after the Bank Holiday. TBH was just relieved I hadn't put any back on.

Have spent a happy hour or so pottering in the garden, transplanting seedlings - other than that nothing special today.

Had a rethink about how I could make life a bit less hectic and have decided to drop volunteering at Scope for a while. Will just concentrate on house/garden/projects and WW for the time being. There are, after all, just so many hours to a day - we can't do it all. Maybe I could twenty years ago, when I was just a lass, but I think I need to pace myself these days.:o I can always go back to Scope later.

Don't really know about which toe nail colour is in, Maman. I know the "nude" look has been quite in vogue for some time now. I have to confess I was so pleased to notice Kate Middleton's nails looked so pretty - they were a nice length - not too long, beautifully manicured and a very delicate natural looking colour. I know this is purely personal but I hate to see bride's in white with long, garishly painted talons - looks all wrong to me, but maybe that's just one of my little quirks.:rotfl:

I think if your nails are in a good condition and not yellowed with age or misuse (ie not heavily stained from brightly coloured varnish) then I think a pale/nude colour looks lovely - especially if your feet are lightly tanned. Otherwise a "mid" colour - perhaps a frosted mid pink or coral.

In the winter when your legs and feet are pale - then scarlet looks lovely and decadent. Very naughty boudoir - if you get my drift.

By the way - just a little reminder - when using bright/dark polish you should make sure you use a base coat to stop staining or discolouration.

Made up a little serum yesterday.

1 tabs - Facial quality sweet almond oil
10drops - rose absolute essential oil

Manor Pharmacy were doing a deal - three items from their essential oil range for £10 - plus a piece of 'ethnic" jewellery for free. I got the almond oil, the rose and some sandalwood oil (both two of the more expensive oils) for my three items and a string of chunky wooden beads - so was quite chuffed.

Made my skin feel lovely and soft, spent a few minutes giving my self a mini facial massage with it. Going to try and do this each night. Didn't need any other moisturisers or night creams afterwards.

Glad you managed to get some Bio oil Maman, good price too. I think you'll find it will last for ages so in the end it works out quite cheap. The point is it seems to work really well, so it should be money well spent. I think that's the trick isn't it, it can be worth spending a bit more sometimes if you really find something that works well for you, and then cut corners elsewhere to fund it if needs be.

Carmen - Sorry to hear that you lost your nice chatty post after all your efforts typing it up.:eek: That's happened to me before. Nice to hear from you anyway. Noticed the time of your post - are you still not sleeping very well?

Todays exercise - bike and yoga, aiming to do resistance training on the multi-gym every other day. Did that yesterday.
Todays treatment - cuticle soak and exfolitate hands - a bit rough from garden.

To exfoliate my hands and remove rough skin from my finger tips after gardening or diy - I use roughly a tabsp of veg oil and 1 of ordinary sugar and rub the two in. Softens skin and removes rough bits.

Bye for now

maman

I've had a good day.

Main thing was a lovely lunch out with DH and some of our friends. Good food and great company. I made quite wise menu choices a la SW and drank fizzy water so that pleased me but still managed to have a good time. Having had our main meal at lunchtime I seemed to have lots of hours left to please myself. I did get to wash all the cushions on one sofa, dried, ironed and all put back. The other may have to wait a day or two as Sunday will be about the earliest I can do another, weather permitting. I also ironed everything else outstanding, not much as I cleared the basket during 'the' wedding. I did a bit of paperwork, a few emails and phone calls. I also pampered myself a bit with lots of body lotion plus creaming of my feet. I also painted my toenails. I usually go for a really bright pink or red (although my finger nails are always French or American manicure). I've done a rather amateur French manicure on my toes. I'm fairly pleased but still unsure.

Well done on your 'maintain' LL, quite an acheivement after the holiday. My WI is tomorrow (put off a day because of election). I'll be pleased with a maintain as I've not been very good this week: party, carvery and lunch out plus extra alcohol celebrating on Monday.:o I do feel slim today so fingers crossed news isn't too bad.

I think you're right to reclaim a bit of time for yourself. Learning to say 'no' is good. The only problem I forsee is that you did have a bit of a social time with the Scope people so don't get too housebound. And remember your target of having lunch with a friend. Sorry to hear about your post Carmen, hopefully we can catch up with your news very soon.

When everyone has time I'd like to ask some advice. I need to buy some new holiday clothes. We're off for 10 days in the sun in about 6 weeks time and hardly anything from last year fits.:j:T I'm not going to spend a fortune, probably Primark and Matalan with a bit of Tesco and Asda thrown in! It's quite a smart resort (been there before many times) so we do dress up a bit for dinner but still needs to be cool and casual. So it's a capsule wardrobe suitable for beach/pool, a bit of sightseeing/shopping and eating out plus something to travel in. All ideas gratefully received.

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone

Lovely day again. Am sitting here absolutely filthy - just having a little break. Have emptied the garage and taken a load to the tip. Am now cleaning it out and sorting stuff as I put everything back.

TBH most of it should be disposed of but we don't do we - we have expensive hunks of metal (cars) on the drive and a garage full of rubbish. I'm tempted to hire a skip and chuck the lot - but then I'd find I really do need those screws or piece of wood etc. etc

Maman - what a fantastic excuse to go shopping. How fab!! Where are you going?

About your new summer clothes - well obviously you'll be having a nice new shape to show off this year so make the most of it:D.

I take your point about Primark and Matalan, haven't been in recently so don't know what they've got, but they are usually great for up to the minute cheap and cheerful fashion, especially summer clothes and accessories. And at their prices you can experiment a bit and go for different "looks".

I don't like flashing my legs in public so I only wear shorts on the beach or somewhere quite private. I would go for Capri Pants for walking round the resort etc, they look casual and chic, think Audrey Hepburn.

Maxi dresses are very on trend right now and can be dressed up or down for night or day. If you are reasonably tall and nice and slim now (which of course you will be, slim I mean - don't know how tall you are) I think palazzo trousers are great - again can be dressed up or down. (Don't be tempted into harem pants - I think they are hideous, extremely unflattering - even on stick insect models).

BTW I have been very impressed with my Sainsbury's tops and t-shirts. The t-shirts are very good quality and wash well, they are also fair trade cotton which appeals to me - I think they were £3-50. I prefer them to ASDA's - they seem to be a better fit and better quality, good finishing at necklines etc to keep their shape.

I always take a couple of "cover ups" for when I move away from the pool or beach, I don't like going into cafes, shops etc semi-naked.

Having a tan will mean you will be able to take nice bright colours, so go mad and ditch the black!!! Some funky/ethnic jewellery - I don't take "good" jewellery abroad now - I've lost too much in the past.

I think plenty of accessories, floaty scarves, jewellery, shawls or lacy shrugs for evening chills, your new Jackie O sunglasses of course.:rotfl:to ring the changes. A comfy pair of shoes for sightseeing is a must. I usually take a couple of pairs of canvas type loafers or deck shoes for "knocking around in". I end up living in them. They usually drop to bits by the end of the holiday but they only cost about £5 a pair so I don't worry about that. Some pretty sandals for evenings to dress up. You could always attach a few beads or something to jazz up plain sandals.

Don't know if you do this - but a little tip about luggage, assuming you will be taking a case each. Rather than sticking to yours and mine bags it's a good idea to mix things up, so that each case has clothing for each of you. That way if a case gets lost you've still got something to wear. Of course if both cases go astray that's not much help.:eek:

Anyway off to finish the garage, wash out the recycling bins - oh the glamour:rotfl: then lunch al fresco, cold meats, olives and a side salad.
I'll be good and skip the wine.:(

Tonights treatment - a good scrub and a deep cleansing face mask.
Exercise - if I've any energy left - bike, multi-gym and a few stretches


Bye for now x

lessonlearned

Was very good - did the full complement of exercise, now for the facemask and soak.

Then an early night - up early tomorrow to go to the hospital - 32 mile round trip - to pick up OH's meds. Saturdays mornings, nice and early to catch the pharmacy as it opens is the best time, parking is easier and no horrendous queues in the pharmacy.

G'night all, have a fab weekend.

maman

Thanks so much for your reply LL and taking the trouble to think about my holiday wardrobe. I'm delighted to say that at WI today I had lost 4.5lbs:j So that's the 3.5 I put on in Blackpool and Harrogate gone and another 1lb. I'm delighted!!

We're going to a lovely little resort in Turkey called Kalkan. We try to go every year about now for a bit of sunshine. When we were both working the R&R was essential too but now it's just for fun.

As for your wardrobe suggestions: I think we must be soulmates:rotfl:I really don't like shorts! I'm happier in cropped trousers which seem to be fine with tops of all lengths. I'm almost 5ft 9ins so I should try a maxi. I totally agree about going to restaurants semi naked!! Even if we move from the sun lounger to the pool bar I have to put something on. I do have a sarong but prefer a long, baggy t shirt or a big shirt. What I really don't like are those kaftans that are made of synthetic nylon stuff. I like the shapes but the idea of that man-made fabric next to hot skin. Ugh!! I like a cotton lawn or silk but I'm not likely to find that in Matalan! I'm definitely going to have a look at the Tu stuff in Sainsburys and I think I might also go to Tesco. I have often been lucky with swimwear in Tesco. I find that the last couple of years almost everything is halter neck and I feel much more comfortable with two shoulder straps which I've found in Tesco. Much food for thought, and thank you!

Busyish day today. 4 remaining sofa cushions did get washed and ironed, some food shopping, SW and a meeting this afternoon.

As always you put me to shame. All that effort and exercise and then a busy morning off to the hospital. Do take care!!:)

lessonlearned

Quietish day today, picked up OH's meds, went to Aldis, pottered about. There's a pile of ironing waiting for me and a load of paperwork - it won't hurt to wait until another day.

Maman :T:T:T:T on your weight loss. You must be really pleased - if you go away in six weeks you could easily lose another half stone by then. How much more do you want/need to lose.

Actually a kaftan would be very easy to make, no zips, or buttons or anything difficult. It's basically a "T" shape. You could chose a lovely cotton print then. If you can't find a pattern, you could buy a dirt cheap one and use that.

Anyway not much to report today.

Exercise - 1.6 kms bike (gradually building up again), multi-gym, stretches and tummy crunches.
Treatment - paint nails and toenails

Gone for a light bronze - my nails aren't good enough for "nude". The bronze will disguise the damage rather than enhance the look. A dark or bright colour would just draw too much attention - my hands can't really bear the scrutiny at the moment - damage from gardening and diy. Really should wear gloves for mucky jobs.

Time to settle for the evening and "chill".

G'night all x