Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

lessonlearned

podperson:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Sorry to laugh but that is sooooo funny. How awful for you.:D:D:D
Oh, the perils of being an elegant woman.

Well housework done, I'm all bathed and fragrant - off to visit Oh with a flask of coffee and some HM banana cake.

Laters ...............

My new mantra - "Watch out for the doggy poo":cool:

elantan

hey everyone ,

i'm enjoying the chat about fashion and style although i do have to admit i am confused completely by it all as it is way way over my head and somehting ihave never ever thought about in my life before ... i have not got a clue what my style is or even what i want it to be ... and tbh that is fine for me just now as it is taking me all my time to remember hair brushing/ moisturising/face packs/massages/ the occasional makeup day/nails ( which i have to admit i do enjoy but get annoyed when ive spent ages on them and they smudge) shred ( day 5 and counting ... no it isnt easier ) and taking vitamin tablets ... i think i am a long long way off from ironing and clothes maintenance and i think ironing may be a step to far for me ... but i will deff work on the rest ... but fashion thats like swahili for me ... but reading everyone on here is making me think about it and that is a good thing ... i dont watch t.v or anything ( well very very little) so cant even think about the programmes you are talking about ... but i have seen moulin rouge and loved that but your right mrs W it aint for every day wear lol ...

being big busted i cant wear high neck things it just makes them look even bigger ... i used to wear high neck things as i wanted to cover up ( they got far far too much attention when i was thinner and i was very self concious of them ... i have often wondered if that is partly behind my reluctance to loose weight) so now i wear v neck or square tops that show a bit of cleavage ... dont get me wrong i dont like showing cleavage but i somehow get less attention now than when i wore high necks ... another problem i have ( i have so many fashion issues lol) is that because i am short if i buy a regular size top the v comes half way down my belly ( well past the top of my breasts) this can actually be an issue when i were petite/ short sizes as well ... the arms always always hang down and i roll them up 3/4 sleeves look like they have shrunk in the wash they are past the 3/4 mark but not down far enough ... same goes for my trousers ... i wear 3/4 length trousers they look like they have shrunk they are past 3/4 but not down fully and even short leg trousers are far too long and i think tbh with you all this is why i dont bother with fashion ... i cant get what fits me and what suits me ... i have watched gok and other shows that are similar and they say things like if your big busted accentuate your waist wear a belt ... i have no waist ... and i mean i have NO waist when i have tried belts before they just look stupid so that dont go ... and so it goes on and on

anyway i can go on and on and on about this ... i think i need someone to take me by the hand and teach me tbh ..

but with this challenge i want to tackle these issues so that i can look my best ... i will see a smiling happy/healthy face when i look in the mirror it will just take time and alot of effort understanding and knowledge

pollyskettle

elantan wrote: »

anyway i can go on and on and on about this ... i think i need someone to take me by the hand and teach me tbh ..

but with this challenge i want to tackle these issues so that i can look my best ... i will see a smiling happy/healthy face when i look in the mirror it will just take time and a lot of effort understanding and knowledge

Me too - every time I read one of the lovely posts with advice in, I forget about all the other posts with advice in - I'm only as good as the last post I read!!

Is there a fashion and grooming 'Janet and John' book? That might be about my level :rotfl:

I did D6 of the shred today and I'm starting to get a bit bored I think. Can't wait for L2, but it's supposed to be a killer! Still can't do that final abs move - I look like a beetle stranded on it's back trying to right itself with legs and arms flying all over the place :rotfl:

My book turned up today - will report back when I've read a bit more.

Pol xx

*Jellie*

Am taking all the style chat on board too. I have been trying to simplify my wardrobe over the last year- I still have a long way to go! For work I am finding shift dresses are my mainstay- ideally with a pattern and at least 2 colours. I then team up with cardigans or jackets when it is cooler. This increases my outfits as my pink, orange and cream dress can then be teamed up with cardigans or jackets and jewellry in any of those 3 colours.
I also have a couple of trouser suits in neutral colors and again some multicoloured tops that can be worn with more than 1 suit.
I've been buying pandora style beads in the colours I'm basing my wardrobe on so I can put together necklaces to match outfits quickly.

My casual wardrobe is a whole different post! I hope I'm making sense!!

MrsWoolfe

Hello again!

seems the style debate is ongoing!

I'm with you on the high necks for large busts- bizarrely seem to make it look more obvious for some reason, I also think it just looks frumpy and I look heavier with high necks- I have a couple of higher necked tops but those are balanced out with being halters/the cut of the shoulders somehow.

I'm trying to find a balance at the moment with cleavage- not showing too much but still looking nice rather than a frump, I've got a few bits that work but still find that most tops on me end being a bit too low cut this is especially a problem with maxi dresses I find- really need to get to grips with sewing so I can alter things more easily...another thing on the to-do list!

I don't know whether I really have a definitive style as such yet, it's all still developing I think, though part of that is probably growing up and (begrudgingly) letting go of some of the things I liked to wear when at uni etc, i used to love big baggy flared jeans and whilst I still love them, know they just don't really look right on me anymore


then again, I have promised myself that when work no longer dictates things like hair colour, I may have another bash at the bright purple:D just for fun, besides I fully intend to still be going to festivals and seeing bands, life is too short not to have fun!

Someone was saying that they used to favour the rock look but didn't feel they could do it anymore- I dont think that you have to completely abandon something if you really love it- just update it a bit, I've seen a few people in band shirts with blazers and jeans and it can look really good.

I think if you are finding things a bit overwhelming it can sometimes help to find one thing you really love and start from there and build your look from that- a kiler pair of shoes/boots, a really nice bracelet, cool jacket. you could even put up a pic and see whether people have suggestions as to what would look good with it- sometimes I'm quite surprised and get ideas I never would have thought of.

Another thing to try is see if there is a person/celeb whose colouring and/or shape is similar to yours someone who you think looks good and and work out what it is they do that you like- do they keep it simple but always look well groomed?Do they use great colours? etc and then use that to work out what you would like to do.

I'm not suggesting you go out and do some scary psycho-stalker copycat thing and try and be exactly like them:eek: just use them as inspiration- you can even take different things from different people.

I have a lovely friend who is one of my inspirations- she has a very definitive "look" and is very unique, hard to describe, but she takes quirky to another level and somehow always looks amazing- funky little vintage dresses, bold colours, fun jewelery etc, now I'm not trying to be like her- for one thing colouring wise we are total opposite ends of the spectrum, but seeing her have fun with clothes has helped me be a little braver try things out that I would have chickened out of- ok not all of has been a resounding success but there have been some that have worked really well- the shift dress/mad men look being one of them.

So come on ladies, share some ideas? Who are your inspirations?

MrsWoolfe

lessonlearned

Hello Everyone

Just thought I'd pop on whilst I have a cuppa, got back from seeing OH very disappointed to see that he's had a fall:mad: Fortunately no real damage done but that's not the point.

I know I'm a tad over protective and accidents do happen but the reason for the fall was so stupid. He had gone to his own room to watch TV, he fell out of his chair whilst trying to reach the remote control.

I know you can't watch someone 24/7 but all it takes is a little planning, like giving someone the remote and attaching it to his wrist so he can't drop it. How hard is that.:mad:

As we say in this house "It's not rocket surgery:" (told you we like to mangle the English Language).;)

Anyway enough ranting.

It would appear that I've opened a bit of a can of worms. I never realised that you all had so many issues with clothes, food yes but then again I suppose the two often do go hand in hand. If we have weight problems then we tend not to be interested in clothes, shopping for them becomes just too horrible.

I have been known to burst into tears in changing rooms on many occasions. So yes, I feel your pain.

Elantan & PK I am more than happy to be your Janet & John guide to style. I just don't want to upset anyone, or be thought of as condescending or patronising in anyway. I don't want you all thinking "'Ooh get her with her fashion advice, who does she think she is".

I have to confess that shows like Gok & Trinny & Susannah infuriate me with their one size fits all approach. If you watch them over a few weeks each programme is virtually identical, the so called problems and solutions are always the same. Why does not being a stick insect have to be a problem anyway, we are women not Barbie Dolls.

Elantan - your belt example is a classic. No waist - wear a belt. What??? The belt only draws attention to the fact that you've got no waist. I never wear belts for the same reason I can't wear tummy control underwear, because of the tenderness that IBS can cause. Belts hurt my poor old tummy.

Gok may be very sweet - but maybe not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Won't tell you what my OH calls Trinny & Susannah - this is a public forum.

If you really want me to then I am more than happy to take you through garments one step at a time, discussing the good and bad. However, I would like to say that there are no rules about style and if there are - then rules are meant to be broken I say.

Mrs W - if you want purple hair then by golly girl go for it - it never did Zandra Rhodes any harm to have shocking pink hair. - You might need to rethink your career choice though:D Until you get to the top of the tree- then you can do what you like.

Back to the "Good Wife". One of the characters Kalinda is quite quirky with a bit of a rock chick look going on. The other characters have been known to comment on it. Of course she is brilliant at her job and they don't want to lose her so they turn a blind eye to her style choices.

Fiction, well yes. The thing is even in RL if you are a quirky genius then people just learn to accept and even embrace your eccentricities.

God what a boring world it would be if we were all the same and went around dressed in dull grey suits, we'd be like clones.

Gotta dash - just to let you know there is a programme about glamour on the box tonight, BBC4 at 10-00pm.

Mrs W - will talk about style icons and who inspires me soon.

See ya x

elantan

you dont come over patronising or anything to me LL and tbh i am more than grateful for any help i can get ... i am also aware that some of it needs to be tough love if i am to get it right ... so dont feel like you are going to hurt my feelings ... i am a big grown up 38 year old woman that can handle herself ... so fire away i can take it ( and if i cant i will let you know lol)

i just trully dont have a clue what i am doing and very much like Polly ( i swear we are twins you and i) i read a post with advice in it i forget the last post with advice in it and all of it is highly valid and important ... but i dont understand the lingo ... i mean what on earth is a maxi dress? i find i watch things occasionally and just get more confused than ever before and i truthfully think that is why there are parts of me that arnt female ( i am quite male in alot of ways)

so any help gratefully recieved ...

mrs w i had purple hair before loved it ... when i dye my hair i try and go for 4 reds shades one black and two blondes at a time ... i like my hair to look dyed ... hell i pay enough for it (£70 plus a time) i want people to say wow you have dyed hair ... grey hair funnily enough doesnt bother me in the slightest ...

pollyskettle

elantan wrote: »

you dont come over patronising or anything to me LL and tbh i am more than grateful for any help i can get ... i am also aware that some of it needs to be tough love if i am to get it right ... so dont feel like you are going to hurt my feelings ... i am a big grown up 38 year old woman that can handle herself ... so fire away i can take it ( and if i cant i will let you know lol)

i just trully dont have a clue what i am doing and very much like Polly ( i swear we are twins you and i) i read a post with advice in it i forget the last post with advice in it and all of it is highly valid and important ... but i dont understand the lingo ... i mean what on earth is a maxi dress? i find i watch things occasionally and just get more confused than ever before and i truthfully think that is why there are parts of me that arnt female ( i am quite male in alot of ways)

so any help gratefully recieved ...

mrs w i had purple hair before loved it ... when i dye my hair i try and go for 4 reds shades one black and two blondes at a time ... i like my hair to look dyed ... hell i pay enough for it (£70 plus a time) i want people to say wow you have dyed hair ... grey hair funnily enough doesnt bother me in the slightest ...

Only quick as I'm supposed to be busy (!) but the first bit in bold made me laugh and then I saw the second bit in bold and laughed more as I had purple hair about 18 months ago and loved it!!

Kerry78

lessonlearned wrote: »

Kerry - a wedding on our thread - how fab. All your new friends on this thread can be your "virtual bridesmaids"
......

Virtual bridesmaids would be great as I'm not having any real ones! It's just going to be me and OH in New York. (not sure if I mentioned the New York bit before)

Did all my list again today and I picked up some herbal teas as I'm planning on giving up caffine.

I will admit to cheating, I've booked a course of (3) Elite Universal Contour Wraps, first one booked for Saturday! Quite excited but not exactly looking forward to it, all the reviews I've read say it's not the most relaxing experience but for 6 inches....!

*Jellie*

Kerry- I'm getting married soon too (end of next month). I'm practicing make-up trying to figure out my look for the day. It is also my incentive for trying to improve my skincare routine etc.
Have just done a deep condition of my hair.