Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

podperson

Morning all,

Poles - hope you're having a better day today, as LL says maybe focus on doing nice things for you and DD.

Molly - I really do think it's the little touches that make somewhere seem comfortable and cosy. Keep thinking I must get some bits for mine when I get some spare cash - I don't know if you have a Poundstretcher near you but there's some lovely cushions and pictures in my local one at the moment. May have a spending spree after xmas! Hope you're feeling better today.

Maman - gamewise, I suppose it varies really - we used to play an online game together for ages but we got a bit bored of so now we usually go on his PS3. There's a few quiz-type games, Buzz is a good one, we also play Rock Band quite a lot - not sure if you've heard of it but you have instruments for controllers and have to press the buttons for the notes as the song plays - there's like guitars, drums, keyboard (which I usually hog!) and singing for if we're having a few drinks as well :rotfl:Probably not everyone's cup of tea but is good fun. Or we just put music on and take turns to pick songs while we chat. We will watch a film together sometimes but then we just tend to veg to it I completely agree that healthy eating is part of fabbing - if you look after the inside then it shows more on the outside I think. Which reminds me that I must do a proper shop this weekend, have been picking bits up all week and then always seem to be missing something I need.

LL - unfortunately no we have no comeback, the insurance refused to pay out as the property was technically empty (was in the process of changing the insurance type but we had to move quite quickly for OH's start date so it wasn't all sorted - my own fault I suppose for not being more organised) and we can't claim any compensation since it never went to court. Just one of those things we have to live with Glad your FIL is ok. Try not to worry about the WI, it's only 2lbs and am sure it will drop off again next week. Still 6 weeks to go!

Floss - hope you enjoy your spa day (am quite jealous!) Think both the shoes sound nice - so sorry that's not much help.

Sparkles - was it the kind of duffle style coat you got? If so have been looking at that online but was putting off as I find Tesco sizes can be a little funny and really want to try on first - but my nearest store is a bit of trek Yay on all the compliments, nice to see that people are noticing all your hard work :j

Very quiet night last night, was meant to go to my film group but hadn't watched the film and it was just dark and miserable so I ended up not bothering. Curled up with my book and did very little else all night - which was a little bad as I had meant to do a conditioning treatment on my hair and sort my nails out Think OH has friends coming round so won't have much chance tonight either. Think I need a fabbing weekend!

Hope everyone has a good day x

Bitsy_Beans

Had a haircut yesterday which was desperately needed
Other than that ZERO fabbing and a lot of late nights

Will do better as from today, going to bed at reasonable time, doing some dancing to music to lift my mood and my heart rate. And I WILL start eating mindfully, time to re-read Paul McKenna book. I KNOW it will work I just have to APPLY it. Do you hear that? It's the soind of me kicking my own @ss

fedupandskint

[QUOTE=podperson;48424657Sparkles_-_was_it_the_kind_of_duffle_style_coat_you_got?_If_so_have_been_looking_at_that_online_but_was_putting_off_as_I_find_Tesco_sizes_can_be_a_little_funny_and_really_want_to_try_on_first_-_but_my_nearest_store_is_a_bit_of_trek_:(_Yay_on_all_the_compliments,_nice_to_see_that_people_are_noticing_all_your_hard_work_:j[/QUOTE]

Why thank you my dear!

The coat was purple with a large button over collar. I was tempted by a duffle coat and a puffa coat but decided to go for a more dressier one instead

I went for a run this morning, not fast more of a plod, good to get back out there again and burn off extra kcals

And finally, its weigh day and another 1lb has come off meaning I have 3-4lbs to go. I am very happy with where I am now and might leave it at that. Clothes fit perfectly now and I'm a happy size 12 which is my size

lessonlearned

floss2 wrote: »

J

Ooh, DH has just parked up - will go & look industrious, maybe he'll take pity on me slaving over his shirts and break out the wine box! :rotfl: :beer:

Naughty, naughty but then again you deserve some wine for just being so devious.

The things we ladies do and the tricks we play on our menfolk - poor darlings they don't stand a chance.

"What this old thing - it's been hanging at the back of the wardrobe for ages":rotfl::rotfl:

Well yes - but only because we had to sneak it into the house when our OH's weren't looking:rotfl::rotfl:

It was a little game OH and I used to play - he just used to laugh because he knew that he could trust me. He knew that most of my clothes were CS or sales buys.

My odd splurges on something really expensive tend to be few and far between - more often that not it's usually something beautiful for the house rather than clothes for me.

Have been thinking about our discussion about house fabbing and I totally agree - part of my sense of well being comes from having a lovely comfortable home - surrounding my self with beauty (well to my eyes) and a few luxuries.

A lovely home doesn't have to cost a lot either. My sister once said that with a bit of fabric and a splash of paint I could make a prison cell homely and comfortable. Yesterday I picked up two lovely very large and colourful Ice Cream Sundae glasses - navy and orange swirls and navy raised "bobbles" for 75p the pair. I think they are quite new but they have a 70's retro look about them. They look lovely in my kitchen.

Yesterday I popped into Laura Ashley, when the children were small I worked there part time for a few months - it was great fun. I picked up their catalogue and have been happily browsing this evening getting ideas for my house revamp.

I have a lot of hand painted "shabby chic" style furniture that I have picked up from junk shops over the years, usually for a few pounds. I have restored and painted them myself. For me it's a labour of love. I couldn't believe the prices that LA charge for painted furniture.

I'm in the wrong business:rotfl::rotfl: My £25 pine welsh dresser, now painted a rich country cream, is almost identical to the £600 LA ones.

If anyone is interested there is a fab site that features some amazing makeovers - https://www.betterafter.blogspot.com. I can spend hours happily drooling over the pictures.:D

Maman - I love IKEA - especially the Bazaar bit with all the "bits and bobs". Haven't been for ages - mmmnn you've got me thinking.;) They tend to have some lovely Christmassy things.

Sparkles - you are so nearly there - even if you don't manage the last few lbs I think we can say you are now ready for the Fab Hall of Fame :T:T:T well done, you've worked hard and deserve all those compliments.

The purple coat sounds good.:)

Bitsy - am kicking your derriere too - will you kick mine please. Today has been a disaaaaaster dahling - in my best Craig Whatisname voice (you know the one from Strictly).

Have been rather busy today - no fabbing:( Plumber here fixing the tap so couldn't really get anything done.

I did manage to give my bedroom a good tidy and give it a bit of a "fabover", had a bit of change round with the ornaments etc and put it into "winter mode". In the summer it's mainly creams but in the winter I add lots of burgundy highlights so I dug out my vintage style quilt which has quite a lot of burgundy, thick burgundy curtains, cushions, candles, jewellery boxes etc. DS2 bought me some cream/burgundy soaps from work that were surplus from the Christmas display. It looks nice and cosy now.

Tomorrow I will hang winter curtains etc downstairs and start getting into full winter mode, digging out the candles and extra throws etc.

Anyway DS1 rang - he's back from India and is popping round tomorrow so I will have all my boys here tomorrow.:) Will cook something nice after I've had a good fabbing session in the morning.

G'night all. X Have a lovely weekend.

6 weeks and counting.;)

fedupandskint

lessonlearned wrote: »

Sparkles - you are so nearly there - even if you don't manage the last few lbs I think we can say you are now ready for the Fab Hall of Fame :T:T:T well done, you've worked hard and deserve all those compliments.

The purple coat sounds good.:)

Can it be so? I am almost ready for the Fab Hall of Fame? I can't believe it! Is anyone ready to join me? I don't want to be in there on my own!

Thank you so much, I'd better go and write my induction speech!

I'm going to have a fabby day of going for a run then getting ready to go out for a rare night out and I'm going to see if my grey dress fits. This is the dress I joined here for, the one I was planning to wear for the work Christmas do. I'll report back later. I have only worn it once and that was over 2yrs ago, and if I'm truthful I don't remember it fitting that great then.

I dyed my hair last night using a dye from superdrug and its gone a rather rich shade of chestnut brown and covered all the grey up nicely.

More fabbing later will be, painting nails, facemasking and finding some nice jewellry to wear.

And best of all, I decided as I had reached a target weight to buy myself a new lipstick. Now I never do this, I can't remember the last time I did this. I chose a nice everyday colour and it looks nice, feels lovely on and I'm off the chose another one for tonight.

Trying to treat and reward myself in other ways other then food. I am going out for a meal tonight but I'm not worried about this!

Right, time to get ready for a run - catch you all later on. Happy weekend everyone and remember.....

Happy Fabbing!

Bitsy_Beans

LL thank you, another blog to add to my ever growing reading list <gives LL a swift kick up the backside> consider the favour returned

Sparkles sorry but no way I am ready to join you in the Fab Hall of Fame :o just failing miserably where getting slimmer is concerned

Nowt to report, have a good day all

fedupandskint

Fab wise time

Back from town - walked there and back. A very helpful lady on the Elizabeth Arden counter helped me chose a perfect shade of lipstick. Its a lovely shade and texture. Expensive, but hey I'm worth it and its my target weight treat! I was chatting to her about my weight loss and we both run and run for similar reasons - its free and easy to fit in! It was also great to find an assistant who could chose something that suits me and completely understood what I was looking for with my colouring.

So far today I have run for 40mins, walked for 2hrs and will have another 60mins walk later on today

Its time to tackle the house and tidy up and then its time to start the fab transformation!

lessonlearned

fedupandskint wrote: »

Can it be so? I am almost ready for the Fab Hall of Fame? I can't believe it! Is anyone ready to join me? I don't want to be in there on my own!

Don't worry. Maman recently graduated from Fab School (With honours) - so you are not alone.:D

Well don't know where the day went but didn't get through much of my "to do" list. Oh well - mañana.

Popped to Sainsbury's for some razor blades for OH, among other things. Bought all the "other things" and a few more beside - forgot the razor blades:o

Guess it was just that kind of day.

DS2 came and lent me his muscles - helped me shift some stuff around. He spotted the exercise bike in the garage, looking all unused and unloved. I have to confess putting it in the garage was not a good idea because it was just too much of a performance to get to it.

He's bought it back into the fold, so hopefully I will get back into my routine. I was doing so well too.:rotfl:

Anyway - the plan is tomorrow will get cracking with bike, and dig out some DVD's. I need to get moving - the half stone I'm aiming for will not just magically melt away by itself.:o

Sparkles - you are making me feel so guilty with all your exercise and activity - I've been a right sloth recently.

OH in a sorry state tonight - he skipped his afternoon nap so he could be with DS1. Tonight he was so tired he could hardly remain upright in his chair and I couldn't understand a word he said. So frustrating - must be even worse for him.

Hope you are all well and happy and having a lovely weekend.

Didn't sleep very well last night - damned night sweats and hot flushes. Hopefully will do better tonight. GP next Tuesday - hope he agrees with my request for HRT - really could do with a bit of oomph at the moment.

G'night all x

sophistica

Have been thinking about our discussion about house fabbing and I totally agree - part of my sense of well being comes from having a lovely comfortable home - surrounding my self with beauty (well to my eyes) and a few luxuries.

A lovely home doesn't have to cost a lot either.

Hi All

Pleased everyone is sounding better! I totally agree LL. I have had a revelation that I must share. My mother as you may recall was a brica a brac dealer with a bizarre and uncontrollable hoarding habit. She is now in a nursing home and I am left with needing to sort the house so that my dad can live there comfortably and if anything happens we can sell or rent it out. Nothing has been done to it for 50 years (no repairs or carpets and some rooms haven't been painted for 30 years and my mother wouldn't let us touch the house). So my plan has been to sort out the furniture and junk first and then tackle 1. repairs 2. decorating and 3. flooring. So I have been hard at it on eBay and it is AMAZING. I have bought a dining table and 6 chairs for £103 (retail £2,800) bedroom furniture for £135 (retail £3,000). A new retro clock £5.20 retail £20. Massive designer curtains which are nearly new £28. Today I went to collect a Yew hall table for £22. I reckon that I have furnished the whole house for £1000. Yesterday I did a killer deal and couldn't sleep all night. I found someone who was selling a beautiful bed and I offered them £120 for a £600 cast iron designer bed, a nearly new £800 mattress and then they offered me an OKA table lamp and shade as a GIFT. I will never pay retail again! Each day I go over I bag up stuff for the charity shops and arrange the new furniture. It will take months/years but it is already looking so much FANTASTIC. I have been perfecting eBay techniques and I use an auction sniper and a anyvan.com for deliveries...BRILLIANT.

fedupandskint

I am pleased to report my grey dress now fits! Plus I discovered it is a ladylike knee length too. I always thought it was too short and now it is the perfect length! Weird.

It fitted like a dream and I wore my burgendy shoe booties which I bought last year and love. I've only worn them a couple of times and they were very comfy and looked great. I also wore my black pearl earrings and necklace to match the grey dress and some control floral tights. Then I was told I looked nice - that will do!

The only thing I need for the Christmas do is a new pair of tights - another patterned pair would be great. I can wear everything else and have rediscovered all the make up I have in the cupbaord - way too much! I was thinking about another mascara but really should use what I have first! Can't really justify buying a going out one as I don't really go out that often!

Anyway, a great night out, feeling very stuffed after a lovely curry. Back on track today diet wise - hopefully!