Summer Solstice Sensation

maman

Enjoy the lunch party tomorrow LL, what a lovely idea!

Carmen

Snap LL, I also decided to have the family and friendsround to eat They have all just left.
I find it easierdoable for O/H to cook the meat on the barby and I prepare the rest during the day/as the family arrive.
It was a little cooler today until 5ish then the sun came out and it has been a lovely evening all round:) To top it all O/H always cleans up after we 'entertain'
I love the informality of eating al fresco, everyone seems far more relaxed. I tend to dress more formal during the winter months, maybe it's because I have to wear more clothes?;)
Well, regime went to pot over the weekend but tomorrow I shall be on track again (weight stayed the same this week)

How is the cough LL, better I hope? Someone on tv was talking about a 100 days cough going around:eek: I hope not! My dreadful cough lasted a couple of months and that was bad enough!

Your new hair style sounds lovely, colour same as mine now :rotfl::rotfl: Sorry I cannot recommend anything for thickening it but, I use a gel with shine otherwise mine can look dull and flat.

Maman, I hope you are well? How is the holiday shopping coming along?
I keep looking at the maxi dresses and wondering weather to buy one before the go out of fashion, again. I love wearing them so thought I would buy a size smaller and would be able to where it maybe by my birthday next month:)

Eyes getting droopy, off to bed goodnight all.
Carmen xx

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone

Glad you enjoyed your family get together Carmen - it wasn't warm enough to eat outside here - very cold wind again and quite heavy showers at times. We had my parents and OH's dad (the three of them have a combined age of 260:D) - they all feel the cold as does OH, so we played it safe and stayed indoors. What with wheelchairs, walking sticks etc, a regime of pill taking it was like running an old folks home:rotfl:

The oldies are really funny when they get together, all of them hard of hearing, a couple of them with short term memory loss - conversations tend to be loud and confusing :rotfl: I'm really bossy though - I won't let them dwell on their ailments and medications - I steer the conversation to nice things. I prepare all their old favourite foods - pork pies, scotch eggs and the like and of course loads of cake.

Before his illness my OH always was very helpful in his own special way, a lousy cook and a hopeless fire risk with a barbie but he too was good at clearing up. He was always a very genial host and a marvellous raconteur with a fund of anecdotes and witty one liners. He still loves company even if his role is more of a spectator and listener these days.

My SIL (OH's sister) helped me prepare everything and then played nursemaid to the parents whilst I looked after OH. They all had a good time which was the main thing.

I was actually very good foodwise - I ignored all the quiches, pork pie etc and just had chicken salad and half a piece of cake.:A

My cough is much better now thanks but OH is still really struggling - he has a hospital bed and he is having to sleep with the head end raised to try and ease things a bit. He's still having choking episodes but I think that is really linked to his condition not just the cough. Scary stuff sometimes.

Needless to say no time for exercise as such - just some crunches today, and no special treatments.

I've got the hang of my hair quite nicely now, mainly finger drying and then soft styling wax to give it a bit of sheen, surprisingly easy. The oldies loved it.

Anyway off to bed now, another busy day beckons tomorrow. DS2's birthday on Thursday so need to go shopping for pressies. He'll be 25 - a typical lad/bloke who loves gadgets and boys toys so I shall have fun choosing, probably a Next voucher for clothes and then something funny and vulgar for his jokey present.

G'night all x

lessonlearned

Hello Everyone

Good day today, went shopping for DS2's main presents - a small pop up tent for when he goes to some music festivals over the summer - he's lost his old tent:o and a Next voucher so he can buy a few clothes. Also did a big pile of ironing, a bit of sorting out and a little light hoovering and of course, a nice little nap.

This evening I have been doing a bit of hand sewing - nothing exciting, just a few repairs - mending & making do - true MSE style.:D Watched our hero Martin on the One Show tonight - lovely chap.

Carmen They had some really nice maxi dresses in our TK Max, £12-99, lovely bright florals, mainly halter-necks but lovely for hols or hot summer days. Ha - it's been bliddy cold here today. I'm quite tempted myself - can't make them for that price.

I know I always moan about the clothes in the High Street and the shopping malls but, credit where it's due. I stumbled across a shop called CC - Apparently it's Country Casuals revamped. Well, you could have knocked me down with a feather, it was a delightful shop, beautifully laid out and colour co-ordinated so you could see at a glance everything that would go together. Some really lovely pretty clothes.

Noticed they had chosen the actress Jane Seymour as their model, so obviously sticking with the quintessentially English look - quite upmarket and classy with a nice modern twist. Yep, I was impressed and you know how picky I am.

The down side - even with the 20% off promotion they weren't exactly cheap. They did have some really fab stuff though, good classic designs that won't date, in good quality fabrics. Great for a summer wedding or special occasion or even just because (dare I say it - we're worth it). Not forgetting of course - Tea at the Ritz;).

Given the price tags I won't be buying just yet but once I've reached my target ........ a few key investment pieces might be called for:D

Exercise - 2kms on the bike, multi-gym

My old trusty jeans are practically hanging off me - need to buy a smaller size:j - even my bras are starting to feel a bit loose. This losing weight malarky is great.

G'night all x

maman

Been AWOl due to internet going down in or area but it's back on now (obviously:o).

No time for a long reply as a bit busy but glad to hear that both lunch parties went well.

Summer holiday shopping isn't going well! I desperately need new trousers. I only have two scruffy pairs of jeans, both too big really plus a pair of 'smart' black trousers that I wear for business meetings etc and even they (Size 14) are looking a bit baggy round the bum (I am allowed to say that aren't I;)).

The trouble seems to be that I've spent so long buying cheap from Matalan/George etc because I was reluctant to spend a lot of money on 'fat' clothes that now I'm prepared to pay a bit more I don't want to make expensive mistakes. I'm delighted with a number of tops I've bought from CS and my skirts from White Stuff but trousers are a bit of a problem. What I'd like some long chino type trousers in traditional fawn or navy plus some white jeans (not full length) and some basic white cropped trousers (I find these useful for putting under short sundresses and long tops). I just can't seem to find the right lengths or colours or they have those pleated fronts that don't look very flattering.

I've seen these:

in Laura Ashley which I've just noticed have been reduced . They are really nice but I'm not sure about pink?

I'm going to ring my local store and ask if they'll put them one side. Back Later.

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone

Glad you're back online Maman.

I know what you mean about trousers - I think they are often the hardest garment to find - well if you're fussy like we are.:p

TBH I'm not sure about pink trousers either - but then being an ex flame haired beauty (oh alright nondescript auburn) I never wore pink anyway. Now that I'm a silver fox I find I can wear some of the paler pinks but tend to stick to tops mainly.

I would think that pink trousers are not as versatile as cream, beige or fawn etc would be. I suppose it depends on how much they cost really - on the basis that I'm prepared to pay more for a classic that won't date than I would on a "fun" item that is only likely to last for a couple of seasons. I used to rate GAP for chino type trousers - simple and classic.

I've not looked at Laura Ashley for years. I used to love those lovely white cotton Victorian style blouses and their paisley patterned stuff. I once had a paisley skirt - babyfine soft wool - which I wore to death.

Popped into ASDA today - wanted a pair of cheap jeans (size 16:D) to tide me over. Only wanted something cheap and cheerful for now. My current ones which are really far too big now were £4 so I figured about £6 ish would cover it. I think they must have gone a bit upmarket because the cheapest were about £12-50. I know that's not a lot really but I'm hoping not to be size 16 for long. Anyway I didn't bother.

I did have a little splurge on some everyday kitchen ware - some crockery, oven to table ware and some cutlery. Still working through the kitchen and have decided to chuck out all the cracked, chipped mismatched stuff. Replacing it all with basic hotel style white. Nothing fancy - spent the grand total of £19.

I actually live near Derby and our wonderful Royal Crown Derbv porcelain factory has a factory sale every so often when they sell off their plain white chinaware. They are actually seconds but good quality seconds so I'll look out for that and get some good stuff then.

Other than that a pretty quiet day. A bit tired today and "back-achey" - a bit more mending tonight, paint my nails and an early night.

Bye for now.

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone

Good day today. Used my voucher for my free facial and back massage - wonderful.

Which has set me thinking ....................

As you know whilst I'm no longer exactly housebound I have had to refuse offers of work because of the difficulties with carers etc. Now of course the care package is in place I can organise my time a little better.

My job offer is still technically open but I've had a rethink. I would still like to do my antique fairs but the care package is really geared more to weekdays and finding the right care for weekends is currently proving to be a bit of a stumbling block.

So .................

I have decided to use one of my bedrooms as a treatment room and put my beauty therapy qualifications to use again. I took a good hard look at the salon today, the treatments, equipment and general ethos of the place and thought to myself I can do this.

I have the knowledge, experience and now that I have finally got my own treatments, grooming and appearance back under control - without wishing to appear too conceited, I think my own image would now stand up to scrutiny as an advert for my business. After all you do have to look the part:o. (Memo to self - wear gardening gloves in future).

So my June challenge will be to revamp one of the bedrooms and turn it into a luxurious mini spa. I have lots of beautiful things tucked away in the loft which were earmarked for sale which I can use to furnish it for virtually nothing. (I get to keep my treasures too):rotfl:

I will also use this time to experiment on my sister and a couple of close friends - they get freebies whilst I practice some treatments and perfect my timings etc.

I am so excited. I wouldn't have attempted this a few months ago. But now, thanks to my Frump to Fab journey I feel confident enough to have a go.:T

I'm not going to be over ambitious, no business expansion loans or anything silly. Working from home will keep my overheads down and I can more or less chose my hours to suit.

Anyway more of that another time. In the meantime spent a couple of happy hours in the garden this afternoon. Had a mini birthday for DS2 - he will be going out with friends tomorow.

Got him his favourite ASDA takeaway curry for a treat. I think it was a mistake - I've got awful tummy ache:(

Hope you are all well, bye for now x

maman

Definitely no time for a long post but that's such exciting news LL. I do wish I lived nearer to you then I'd be your best customer!!!

lessonlearned

Hello Everyone

Well the ASDA curry was a big mistake!! Dreadful evening/night - still feeling rather delicate. Enough of that, will have a nap in a minute then I'm sure I will feel better.

WI in this morning - just 0.5lb loss this week, still better than nothing and still going in the right direction.

Went shopping in one of our cities shall we say slightly less affluent areas. Farmfoods, Herons, local fruit & veg etc It's quite a bit more time consuming than a one fell swoop in a supermarket but it does work out quite a bit cheaper. It also helps reign in my tendency to impulse buy. Oooh that looks nice / it's a bargain / that's new let's I'll try it.

Having said that I did buy a second freezer on my travels. I've been looking for one for ages but didn't want to pay full price at the electrical superstores. Picked up a nice tall freezer from a shop that sells dented/scratched white goods for roughly half the price. Slight dent on one side (which you wouldn't see once it is in situ in the kitchen). However, it's destined for the garage anyway so doesn't matter. Hopefully, I will be able to take full advantage of bargains, garden produce, bulk cooking etc and help reduce the food bill even more. Doing much better this month.

My LWD came today so returned home to a lovely clean house. It's starting to look much better - she washed down all the upstairs doors today. I managed the day to day stuff ok but could never find the time or energy to really get down to jobs like paintwork, tiles etc. I'm definitely going to stick to my budget so that I can afford to keep her - worth her weight in gold.:p

Hope I'm not going to jinx my weight loss but bought two summery linen skirts from the Cancer Research shop (bargains £7 for the two). Size 14's (nearly there). Thought I'd risk it and get them whilst they were there.

Anyway that's about it, will try and do some exercise in a bit - don't feel like it today though but didn't manage it yesterday. No slacking allowed:o.

You would definitely get Mates Rates Maman ;)Hope the holiday shopping is going well, and the WI today.

What with you all being so busy an'all I feel that it's all been a bit me, me, me recently. I do hope I'm not boring you all to death.:rotfl:

Hope you are all well and keeping up the good work.

maman

Sorry to hear about the curry problems. Is it that you are sensitive to spicy food? I used to buy those curries regularly (and the Chinese) but am now making my own SW curries which we ejoy just as much.

Congatulations on your weightloss. I'd have been delighted with that as this week I put 2lbs on:eek: I had a pretty disastrous day yesterday. We planned to go out for the day with some of DH's family. Visited a lovely NT property then planned lunch in a country pub. Instead, one of my BILs felt poorly so we had to take him home. Ended up my SIL made us a very nonSW friendly snack and then we went to a pretty poor carvery where all the veg were coatedin ether cheese sauce or butter (keeps them moist I suppose). Plus I had plenty of wine. I'll probably lose it just as quickly if I follow the plan this week but I'm not very happy.

'Back soon, visitors arrived.