Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

Bitsy_Beans

I have left my toes unpainted for over a week and the discolouration is going although I only get it on my big toe nail.

LL you described exactly what I feel like in a large waist cinching belt, a sack of spuds :rotfl: I just don't feel it adds any definition, only highlights what isn't there.

Maman sounds like a lovely trip, can I come too :rotfl: if cousin was only 16 how old was the bride :eek: I can't imagine any lad of 16 being mature enough for marriage at that age so well done them on making it to Golden Anniversary.

As for ideas for winter wardrobe......I fancy wearing more skirts and or dresses to get away from living in jeans. If it snows the. I shall probably resort to jeans but until then I want a pencil denim skirt or cord one. My legs are my best feature so want to show those off in leggings or tights. If they're not your best feature then how about a longer length denim or cord skirt with your boots. I fancy some nice knitwear too. I can't wear chunky knit, has to be fine knit otherwise it just adds unwanted bulk, Tesco had some sort of wrap cardis that looked quite nice that would go well with skirts. My current dresses I can layer over long sleeved top, I've got 4 two black and two White although I would like a grey one too. That way stuff that's short sleeved can still be worn all year round and I think the layering looms nice.

Now I just need the funds to pay for all this :rotfl:

Willow92

OH painted my nails again last night A pale, peachy pink colour so mistakes show up really easily, oops.

tru

Congrats Skipsmum :j :T

Boots, as promised

Hmmmmmm, I probably should clean them

Here's my new ones, they look a bit bulky but look nice when they're on.

I've weighed the salt and opened the dye packet, just waiting for the washing machine to finish with the towels then I can dye my clothes *drums fingers impatiently in coffee table*

podperson

Morning all,

Floss - think you may have prompted me to visit Asda this week I do like the patterned and coloured tights, have some lovely purple ones that I really must wear more!

verynew - welcome :wave: sounds like you have a massive amount on your plate at the moment! Unfortunately have very little constructive advice but sending you *hugs* and would say that it's important to try and find a little bit of 'you time' even if it's just a little bit here and there, eg have a nice bubble bath or get out of the house for a walk. Try to make sure you're looking after yourself as well as everyone else x

Tru - yay on your boss letting you bring some stock into work - hope you sell some! Still think we need piccies on here, I'm a sucker for pretty notebooks so will probably clear you out on my own :rotfl:

Bitsy - love the new boots, I used to wear the Doc Martin-type ones as well, takes me back lol. I was totally into the whole goth/rock look in my teens - sometimes wish I could still pull it off but feel a bit more self-conscious now

Skipsmum - congrats on being a grandma :j:j so glad mum and baby are doing well.

Maman - hope you have a lovely holiday, sounds very exciting, I would love to do something like that in Italy but don't think OH would go for it Have been to Seville a few years ago and loved it, is a beautiful city, and the palace at Granada is absolutely stunning!


Was a little lazy for tea last night as had cheese, onion and leek plait and potatoe wedges from the freezer - enjoyed it though! Painted my nails a nice denimy blue colour and actually managed to get back to my shred (finally!) just have to keep it up every day now :rotfl:Don't think I have much chance of losing a stone by my birthday now but will see if I can get a bit off at least. No portrait class tonight as Scottish bank holiday (not that I'd know as I have to work as usual *sighs*) but will try and do a bit myself.

lessonlearned

Yes today is 82 - got my head on right today.:rotfl:

Good morning ladies.

First of all - sorry Skipsmum - slipped my mind last night - congrats on the new grandchild. Glad that Mum & Babe are doing well. How lovely it must be to have little ones around - one day perhaps my sons will do the decent thing. Not holding my breath though - they haven't even got girlfriends.

They are both handsome, well educated and charming (well I would say that wouldn't I) so any takers????. Mind you they are both as poor as church mice and (apparently) we women are too expensive!!!!!

Mind you - it doesn't help that I personally think they are both a couple of geeks DS1 a Maths Geek (Phd) and DS2 a film/photography/music geek.

Still there's time enough yet. I always wanted a daughter - so a nice DIL and some granddaughters would be truly fab:rotfl: In the meantime I have my cute little niece who is now 12 and growing up fast.

Tru - I know you can't "advertise" your wares on here - are you allowed to pm with me some details, i.e. do you have a website etc.

Maman - Your holiday sounds awesome - I agree Seville is wonderful. Never managed Granada yet and I do have several pieces of Toledo jewellery. These packages are often very good value and you usually get to see plenty of different places. We once "did" Sorrento, Naples, Amalfi, Capri. Gorgeous.

Actually I have been thinking about holidays - haven't had one in three years now since OH's major episode and hospitalisation. In the few years prior to that we just went to our apartment in Spain but even then it was very hard work for me and I didn't really feel that I'd had a holiday.

Anyway - once OH is safely esconced in his residential home and I am completely satisfied that he is happy and well cared for I will start to take the odd holiday.

I will tell you all about my plans when we discuss our New Year resolutions etc. But that's a while into the future yet.

In the meantime, reading all your about your Autumn/Winter wardrobe plans has set me thinking ......................

lessonlearned

Having read all your ideas and suggestions re your winter sartorial elegance;) I feel a few trips to ASDA/Tesco etc is called for. I recently saw some fab knee high leather boots in Sainsbury's but didn't try them on. Waiting till I've lost a bit more weight - my calves need to slim down a bit.

Would you believe I don't actually own a dress at the moment. Now that I've dropped a size (now 16) I think I will definitely go and try some on. I've been picking up long skirts/knitwear etc from the CS shops so not too bad there. And of course, I'm always on the look out for nice coats and jackets .................

Don't know if any of you wear them - but years ago when I practically froze to death working on building sites - I discovered the joys of - wait for it - thermal underwear.

Nowadays there are some lovely designs and colours - I can thoroughly recommend thermals. They give warmth without bulk and don't add inches the way chunky knitwear does. I've even converted DS2 - he works in a garden centre and it can get quite nippy in the winter.

I also like to wear finer knitwear etc - apparently several thin layers are better at keeping you warm than just one thick woolly.

So yes, its definitely time to prepare ourselves for winter.

As well as clothes I thought we might look at other ways in which winter affects us. Skin, hair etc. So over the next few days I thought we could perhaps talk about winter skincare etc. so do chip in with your tips and suggestions.

I love the way this thread spreads knowledge.:D

But first our health.

Now I know we are not supposed to discuss health issues, ailments etc so I'm not going to talk about medicines etc. - just keeping it very light and general.

So - as long as I'm not bending board rules too much - I would just like to suggest that we start preparing our bodies for the winter onslaught.

If you don't already do so I suggest taking a good multivitamin - sooner rather than later to boost your immune systems.

Aches and pains always seem so much worse in winter, so a good fish/cod liver oil capsule each day will help with joint flexibility and reduce pain.

A lot of winter aches and pains are exacerbated by poor posture. In winter, when we are cold, we "haunch up" to try and keep warm. Try to ensure that you are dressed warmly so that you minimise the "haunching".

(You are all still working in your posture aren't you? Of course you are:rotfl:)

A body rub containing lavender oil is very soothing to aches and pains, a few drops of lavender oil added to bath water helps relax tired and stressed muscles.

Dead Sea salts/Epsom salts added to the bath also help by reducing inflammation.

For winter dry itchy skin - oatmeal added to the bathwater is very soothing. You can combine both oatmeal and lavender oil in the same bath.

A wheat pack with lavender is also a very good to ease away pain and stiffness.

Evening Primrose Oil or Starflower Oil is very good for the skin, keeping the oil balance right and helping to retain moisture.

I usually stock up about now on "Comfort Meds" - cough mixtures, sore throat pastilles, paracetamol etc so that when the colds and flus start I'm well prepared. DS2 calls it "Mum's Crack Stash".

Anyway - with preparing for winter in mind, off to play at being a Domestic Goddess - going to make some green tomato chutney.

Have a good day, X

Bitsy_Beans

I am taking Vit D, now the sun has essentially disappeared it's not possible to get enough over winter so am supplementing it now.
Already getting into the habit of taking a multivit with my glucosamine and I have a stash of eccinachea for those coughs and colds (although it's not done much this week as I am all bunged up).
In terms of skin for my hands I highly recommend the Body
Shops Hemp Hand cream, it's the best I've ever tried. They also do a version for your face but I found that too rich every day in winter for my skin so will leave it for one day a week. Now they are not cheap but a little goes a long way.

Actually thinking of the lavender I wonder if that would help my DS go off to sleep.......he'd probably hate the smell but it's one thing I've not tried yet.

floss2

Bitsy_Beans wrote: »

....Actually thinking of the lavender I wonder if that would help my DS go off to sleep.......he'd probably hate the smell but it's one thing I've not tried yet.

Bitsy, why not put some onto a hanky slipped inside his pillowcase? You could also try him with a few drops of lavender bath stuff before bedtime?

maman

:wave:

I've got a multi-vit I take in the winter. I'll make a start when I get back from Spain as I'm still hoping for a few days of sun!! I've done the Sorrento trip too LL, two years ago and it was great. I've done a number of city breaks in Italy too podperson. My favourite is probably Verona and you can do Venice, Lake Garda, Vicenza etc from there easily. What is it your DH wouldn't fancy? Oh I think I just love travel!!

Another vote for Body Shop Hemp stuff. It's not the prettiest but it's very effective. I make DH use it when his hands are dry from all the housework!:rotfl:

I'm a fan of thermal vests too. I took to wearing them at work as we had a useless heating system but it was neither smart nor comfortable to be wearing lots of heavy knits. I tended to wear them under a shirt or stretchy top and then my 'uniform' jacket. My DD1 wears them as well and I remember buying them for DD2 when she was in a particularly draughty student house. I have long johns too but they are generally reserved for football matches.

Buying winter dresses is a bit of a first for me too. I have some summer dresses but that's about it. I wear skirts to my dancing class but that's been about the only regular airing my legs get in the winter:) I'm loving hearing about what everyone's planning for the winter as I need lots of ideas. To add my bit about belts, I don't think they look slimming if you're not IYSWIM. I've seen lots of young women wearing those stretchy belts just under the bust and I think they just accentuate a large tum.

Back later.

bratz81

haven't been on a computer all weekend, but think I've caught up now! Since I work in IT and sit at a computer all day every day, it's nice to not have to look at one over the weekend

I also have decided I wear jeans far to much, and to wear more dresses. I also feel better in dresses as they can skim over problem areas better than jeans, plus I find it really tough to get jeans to fit. I've quite a small waist compared to my hips (typical hourglass type thing) so if I get jeans that fit the waist they're too tight on the hips, and if they fit the hips they're too baggy on the waist. I've bought a few jumper dress type things on eBay to start me off so can't wait til they arrive.

I've also stuck a load of clothes that are now too big on eBay, and if they sell great. If not, charity shop it is. I hate them cluttering up my wardrobe so someone else might as well get some use out of them.