Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

lessonlearned

Hi !!!!!!

Black, white and red sound like a good basis for a very stylish wardrobe. And - by sticking to three basic colours that you know suit you you can easily mix and match in quite a variety of combinations.

What follows is just what I would do in that I would follow the same principles that I would use when decorating a room. Stick to the basic colours and add "accents".

Dressing in two separate colours is known as "colour blocking" i.e. red is one block, black would be the second block. When colour blocking the best way to pull together is to use accessories that combine the colours. That way it looks as if the outfit has been put together rather than just random pieces just worn anyhow.

So for example - a red dress, black cardy combo you could add a red and black necklace, hey presto the two separate items are brought together. Or perhaps a black belt to the dress combined with a red bangle, or perhaps a red and black bangle or one of each. That way you pull the two separate colours together - if that makes sense - a bit difficult to explain without pictures. A silky patterned scarf with red and black being the predominate colours.

The permutations are endless really. You can use jewellery, scarves, belts, shoes, bags.

The trick is to have a bit of fun. A collection of costume jewellery and a few scarves, belts etc can be built up very cheaply - don't forget the chazza shops, markets etc.

Experiment and enjoy.

floss2

See, I told you I'd be back....

!!!!!!, what I sometimes do is this (usually when DH is away all week so he can't see how much stuff I have ). Get all your clothes out and lay them neatly on your bed in piles of tops, skirts, trousers etc, along with any accessories you have like scarves, belts and jewellery. Then hang 1 item on your wardrobe or bedroom door, and put different tops / bottoms with it, trying different accessories to create new looks. Then take your phone or camera and take a quick snap, before putting together a new combination. Finally, download them to your laptop/pc or store them on your phone, so you've got a record of your fab new outfits.

Cleggie, why not go into your nearest big Boots or department store and book a makeover with one of the cosmetics counters. Benefit are good and not too expensive, or try Clinique, Estee Lauder or Clarins - even MAC or Bobbi Brown if you have them. Tell them what sort of look you are aiming for, and ask questions while watching them, as they should use colours that will suit your skintone & eyes.

Am slipping a bit on the fabbie front....it's opaque tights & boots weather so I tend not to defuzz my legs unless I'm going anywhere Also, as I'm not wearing sandals or peep-toe shoes, I haven't repainted my toenails for ages...the cheapie Asda polish still looks fab though, so will definitely try some other colours

I need to go & buy some eyecream as the Superdrug one I have makes my eyes itch so I rub them loads which creates more wrinkles & bags - I've got a No7 till spit so it will only be £12 instead of £17 :eek: and I think they have 3 for 2 on so I may have to get a couple of other bits too....ooh AND I've got a double points voucher, and extra points if I spend over £35....I think I'd better count it as my Christmas pressie

My weight seems to be fluctuating a bit too much for my liking....the lovely new glass scales that are accurate right down to the 1/4 pound can't make their mind up if I'm 10st 6 3/4lb or 10st 2 1/4lb from one day to the next!! DH says its because we have an uncalibrated slate floor in the bathroom so the scales aren't level when I get on them....will have to start weighing myself on the landing where it's flat instead!

We're gradually getting the spare room back - DH has repainted the wall where we had a Dr Who crack in it, he's touched up the varnish on the floor where it had rubbed away, and we've sold the old desk that was in there for DS2. Just need to put the bed back in it's right place and wash the throws before making up the bed again Can't wait to get my clothes sorted again!!

LL - how's your DH doing? Has his PA come back to work?

Willow - maybe you could not subsidise the shopping every time if your healthy stuff gets left out for his not-so-healthy stuff? And why not buy some grapes to pick at like sweets when he gets his biscuits out

tru

Molly, I'm angry on your behalf :mad:

lizzie157, sorry to hear about your friend

mugwump79, I know what you mean - sometimes I feel like my clothes are wearing me, rather than the other way round :rotfl:

LL, thanks for the compliment

I ache, and I'm really happy about it It's been sooooo long since I could throw myself into a workout. Yesterday I went upstairs, when I got to the top I realised I'd run up, I was thrilled and told everyone within earshot

I'm having a few bare days - no make-up. I feel very fresh and clean. Sometimes, I feel like it clogs my skin up, even though I know it doesn't.

I've been getting my stuff ready for thursday, it's giving me a headache, lol. I keep rearranging the display stands, I can't seem to get it all quite right. Dunno what I'm so nervous about, I've had my things in shops before.

Bitsy_Beans wrote: »

it is National Chocolate Week

Thank you That statement prompted a short conversation about half an hour ago. Me - 'Do you know, it's national chocolate week?' Mr tru - 'Oh. Should I go to the shop and buy some, then?' Me - 'Oooh yes please.' I'm sat here munching on some lovely Chocos

I'm waiting for 9pm, the new series of Haven is on and I can't wait.

fedupandskint

I dragged myself out for a run tonight for some exercise after not a huge amount last week and to help with the weight loss. It went well and I'll be going back out for another one on Thursday to get back into the exercise routine again.

Gone a bit over the kcal allowance for the last week - not too bad really considering the 3lb weight loss last week.

Anyway, lets continue the fabiness ladies and before we know it we'll be fabulous!

Carmen

Good evening ladies,

Welcome on the wagon to fabdom Cleggie.

Deep breaths Tru everything will be fine on Thursday:D

I managed a lovely walk this afternoon in the sunshine.

Winter pansies planted in the window boxes, more spring bulbs planted in the borders, lots of leaves raked up and burnt(daily job at the moment)

O/H watching football so I think I will have an early night with my book.
Goodnight all

Upwards and onwards
Carmen xx

maman

Goodness, you've all had a lot to say today.:D

I'm having another really busy week but wanted to keep up with you all. I know I won't have time to catch up with everyone individally so :wave::wave::wave: to everyone (and to you cleggie, a warm welcome)

Belated birthday wishes to podperson and big hugs for lizzie, molly and anyone else who needs one.

I've really been pushing the 80% rule to the limit today. I think that because I was below target weight last week, I've relaxed a bit too much. Been out for a delicious lunch with wine. Tomorrow I will be eating (and drinking) 100% healthy to try to redress the balance. :T on the 2.5lbs weightloss betony, it's really motivating isn't it!

My advice for what to do while working on weightloss is hit the charity shops!!! and the cheapo shops like Primark, Matalan, Asda, Sainsbury and Peacocks has some nice stuff too. I think it's best to buy just a very few things and wear them to death and then buy again at the next size down. DH has been most complimentary today. I don't think he's really thought it through but I know it's not just the weightloss but the confidence it's given me to wear different things. Today I've worn white jeans, a pink cashmere v neck (half price in Tesco at the end of last winter), pink and grey scarf (Phase 8 from CS), black ballet pumps (TKMaxx) and my favourite black bag (pressie). I felt great and compliments are always welcome.

On the make up front I've still got a bit of colour but I did brush on bronzing powder today. I'm loving my smudgy brown eye crayon, eyebrow pencil and highlighter. I fished out a pinky lipstick today too.

I use this eye cream from Body Shop. I generally get it when there's an online code but full price it's £9.50. My favourite is Clinique but that's usually a gift or duty free. Floss, I'm persevering with the fabbing but I do know what you mean about winter creeping up. I made myself do my feet and toe nails on Sunday despite nails not being on show any more. And only tonight I was thinking what to wear to evening out on Thursday. My mind was going along lines of ....I fancy wearing a dress (one of my new jersey ones).... if I wear sheer tights I'll have to shave/cream my legs...perhaps I should wear opaques:rotfl:It's important to keep up the routine for US!!

'night all

floss2

maman wrote: »

...Floss, I'm persevering with the fabbing but I do know what you mean about winter creeping up. I made myself do my feet and toe nails on Sunday despite nails not being on show any more. And only tonight I was thinking what to wear to evening out on Thursday. My mind was going along lines of ....I fancy wearing a dress (one of my new jersey ones).... if I wear sheer tights I'll have to shave/cream my legs...perhaps I should wear opaques:rotfl:It's important to keep up the routine for US!!

I have to admit to having some pretty funky tights....lacy, patterned, dotty, fishnet, even striped!!!

Molly41

So many thanks from the bottom of my heart for all your supportive posts. I spent much of yesterday emailing and researching and it does not look good. For an Individual Funding Request you have to be one in a million (literally) and it looks like this is where my case failed. I cant even understand why I was put forward for the funding as this gave me false hope. Anyway I will still fight it and i am very lucky to have lots of support from my family. It is very humbling as two of my children have offered me their savings, which I could never accept. However I could accept their help in raising funds and may well go down this road. I am seeing my GP on Monday and I know she will write a supportive letter so I am not giving up anytime soon!

Fabness - I am still trying and second Lesson Learned regarding wearing all your nice clothes, shoes, using cosmetics and toiletries. I have recently started doing this and feel so much better for doing it:T:T:T I look at my mother who has so much stuff stashed away and will now never use it. So I have started and am very much enjoying going shopping from my stores x

Wishing you all a very good day x

podperson

Morning all,

Thanks for the birthday wishes, is much appreciated

Lolly - sounds like you have your hands with party plans, rather you then me trying a skateboard cake :rotfl:

LL - I think the 80/20 is quite a good rule, even with the healthy eating etc I've been determined I'm not going to 'ban' myself from anything - if I want some chocolate or a bag of crisps I'll have them. If it's going to be more of a lifestyle change then a fad diet then it needs to something I can stick to - have just gone a little overboard this weekend I think. It's more that I can actually feel my body protesting the unhealthiness Anyway have a nice big online shop coming tonight so can get on with some batch cooking for the week.

!!!!!! - I've had a similar problem (well still do sometimes!), I'm not saying this is you but one of the problems I had was that a lot of my clothes didn't fit very well but would wear them anyway and I think that contributed a lot to the fact they looked a bit wrong iyswim. Also accessories, as mentioned, can be great for tying colours in together - jewellery, a nice belt or scarf. I also find layers quite good, a cardi or shrug can pull things in together. As Floss suggests, experiment with putting outfits together and see what looks good - I'm currently building up my wardrobe and accessories with bits from charity shops and cheapy shops like Matalan and Asda so if you do feel you need some extra bits it doesn't have to cost a lot. On a random point - we're the same height, size and almost the same age - if you live near me as well I'll start to get freaked out lol!

Betony - yay on the weight loss :jalways seems better when it's unexpected as well I think!

Cleggie - starting off slowly is always a good plan, once you start seeing results it makes you feel more motivated as well! I have a soft blue eyeliner that I love but if you're wanting to start off a little safer then yes browns should be nice, or quite a soft grey. Blondes tend to suit the pinky lip colours as well. As others have said maybe go somewhere like Debenhams and ask at the make-up counters for some ideas/demonstrations. If their make-up is expensive then don't have to buy it but could give you some ideas. I also quite like buying cheap eye pallets from pound shops or the market so you can try out new colours and see what suits you without spending a lot.

Tru - yay on the exercise, I so need to get back into it this week - have been ridiculously lazy lately Hope your stands go well on Thursday - remind me again what you're selling, I'm sure you have said but memory like a sieve this days!

Molly - how frustrating that they got your hopes up instead of telling you how low the chances of getting it were :mad: I hope something can be sorted, if any of us can help with fundraising or anything please let us know - and how lovely do your kids sound

Anyway - went to choir straight from work last night so not much time for anything else. Did make sure I made some tea when I got home rather then stopping at the chippy lol. Was going to do my nails but my remover seems to have vanished into thin air - was looking for it for hours! So am going to have to get some more today - and then of course it will show up somewhere really obvious :rotfl:Think might have a nosey in Asda on the way home from work, someone was saying they have some nice knitted dressed in which would be a bit of a change for me for winter. Got a big online shop coming tonight so can get back on the healthy eating properly. Must get myself back on track!
Hope everyone has a good day x

Molly41

cleggie wrote: »

Hi ladies.
i know this thread is already well established, but do you mind if i join in please?
I quit smoking last year and since then have gained a stone, so i need to lose it!
I suffer with depression and find it hard to motivate myself to dress nicely/straighten hair/apply make up, but i really would like to as i think it would improve my self confidence.
I am forever saying "i'll bother with my appearance once i have lost a stone"...but i have decided there is no reasn i cant make the most of myself before i lose weight!

Why dont you join us on the Old Style Weight Loss Challenge here We are a very friendly bunch and I find this thread runs really nicely with this one x