Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

lessonlearned

Good Afternoon Ladies

I'm sitting here and the sun is in my eyes as I type. Am I going to angle the blind and cut out the sun - not on your life.

I am housebound today (no carers, DS2 at work) and there are scores of errands I would like to do, go out for a walk etc but OH cannot be left so I will have to make do with second hand sun - i.e. through the window. Never mind it's just so nice to have a break from the grey murkiness of the last few days.

I know this sounds odd but I'm convinced that the brighter light lifts my energy levels - if not then it certainly lifts my spirits.

Sparkles - well done on the grey dress - that is fantastic news. You must be so chuffed. And yes, when a garment fits a little too snuggly it does appear shorter than it really is.

Sophistca - From where I'm sitting it sounds like you are definitely your mother's daughter. Sounds like you've caught the bug.:rotfl::rotfl:

Your purchases sound absolutely fab - some real bargains there. And, I couldn't agree more - why pay retail.

I must sharpen up my e-bay skills, didn't know about "anyvan" - will definitely look into that. I've often lusted after something but read that it was collect only and it was the other end of the country.

There are so many reasons not to rely solely on retail - quite apart from the money saved.

It's ok I'm not about to go into another anti high street rant:rotfl::rotfl:

However, one thing I will say is that by restricting our purchases to retail we drastically restrict our choices. We can only buy what's on offer.

Whilst on the one hand global capitalism keeps prices down and offers a wealth of opportunity and choice - in many ways it also reduces our choices. As we know clothes shopping becomes a matter of only buying what shops sell, i.e. this season's styles colours etc. The problem is a distinct lack of variety.

It's now the same with furniture and housewares. Go to any furniture store, supermarket, diy shed etc and all the items will look curiously familiar.:rotfl: They are all selling more or less the same stuff.

So for me finding alternatives such as markets, auctions, charity shops etc is as much about trying to be a bit more individual as it is about saving money. You notice I don't mention antique shops:rotfl: Too pricey for me;).

We are very lucky here with our junk shops etc.

I used to live near Cheltenham - their cheaper antique shops were filled with what I would consider junk shop items - however at antique shop prices. As for the proper antique shops - well when a shop displays prices in both dollars and sterling - then I know it's for window shopping only.;)

Sophisticat I do hope you don't think I'm being impertinent and I realise that you may be pushed for time and need to get the house comfortable for your dad as quickly as possible, but if I may give you a piece of advice. Sorry if I'm speaking out of turn.

You mention that you are taking a lot of stuff to the charity shops. Is it worth getting someone to run a "professional eye" over things first, especially as your mum was a dealer herself. There may be some hidden gems. If she's anything like me, she may have stockpiled stuff having earmarked them as "potential antiques or antiques of the future".

Believe it or not antiques and collectibles can also go in an out of fashion, for example fine bone china and crystal prices are quite low at the moment whilst prices for 60's and 70's memorabilia are quite buoyant.

You say things haven't been touched for 30 odd years, keep an eye out for good quality stainless steel, especially Danish and if it is by Jorge Jenssen - you've struck gold. Even good old Sheffield "Old Hall" is fetching good prices. Also Scandinavian or Czeczk (sorry I know that's probably wrong) glassware, and any East German ceramics.

Have you got a copy of any of Judith Miller's Antiques and Collectibles guides - at around a tenner - well worth investing in.

I'm sorry if you think I'm being rude - but a couple of years ago I cleaned out our loft. Now my mum would have just dumped the lot - I raised £1100. It's worth taking a bit of time if you can.

Needless to say the loft is still over half full - but these are mainly items I'm keeping deliberately - all neatly boxed and labelled.

I no longer bother much with Victorian stuff - a bit pricey for me. A lot of the ladies on here will know of my passion for mid-century glassware and ceramics, also good quality mid-century furniture - the sort our grandparents bought when they were going "all modern".

They are still affordable - you can still get them at chazza shops and flea markets and they look to be good investments. Prices are rising.

What has this got to do with Frump to Fab - well for me it's all part and parcel of building my new Fab life.

Back in a mo

lessonlearned

Thought I would split the post - just in case I lost it.

Right today's agenda.

Well dinner is all prepped and ready, have done a mountain of washing, put the kitchen back to rights after the plumbers visit, ironing next and some paperwork - then get on that bike whilst I've got some energy left. Tonight - manicure and pedicure.

Tidying and sorting my bedroom out has made a huge difference, it's funny but I do think that mess and clutter drags me down and saps my energy. Now I can find my clothes easily, my jewellery and accessories are all neatly to hand and getting dressed and ready to go is so much easier and simpler. Just need to keep it nice now.

Anyway - time to get back to it, OH will be needing some lunch.

Hope you are all having a lovely day.

maman

Good to hear you sounding sooo upbeat sparkles. Your outfit sounded really good and very mse that you'll only need some tights for the festive season.

We all love compliments and I had more yesterday too. I wore the new dress from asos to a posh afternoon tea. It was part of my friend's 'hen' do. Tea first, then meet up with the 'stags' for go-karting:eek: then onto a restaurant for dinner. We had a great day but any thought of healthy eating was out of the window. It was a lovely treat to have scones and cakes and sandwiches, something I've had very little of for the past year. I must admit to feeling very good in the jumpsuit things we all had to wear at the karting. There was no hiding any lumps and bumps in that.

It's a beautiful day here too LL. I haven't done a great deal, just pottered about with washing etc. I've got another busy week coming up so I'm trying to take it easy.

I got DH to give his opinion on the 'which tights?' question yesterday. We decided (and I agreed with him) that natural tights looked better with the fawn dress yesterday but I'm definitely going for black opaques with the purple dress for next week. I managed to put on both pairs of tights at once:rotfl:so that we could make a comparison.

I know weightloss isn't everything but I can't start to explain how much better I feel and that's both physically and emotionally. I just wish I'd done it years ago. I know it's true that there's so much more to life than weightloss but being overweight makes so many people miserable. I know I sound like an evangelist but I can't recommend it enough.

fedupandskint

maman wrote: »

I know weightloss isn't everything but I can't start to explain how much better I feel and that's both physically and emotionally. I just wish I'd done it years ago. I know it's true that there's so much more to life than weightloss but being overweight makes so many people miserable. I know I sound like an evangelist but I can't recommend it enough.

I completely agree with this maman. I was told yesterday jokily to stop going on about my weightloss and I replied with its beacuse I never believed I would get to this point and I'm so happy. I feel quite evangelical about it too! Talk about giving a happy upbeat mood - it sure does and is well worth all the hard work and effort put in.

Anyhow, I might have a mosey for a new pair of tights over the next few weeks or I found a dark sloral navy pair in the drawer which I might try with my blue suede platform court shoes I haven't worn yet as they are too beautiful. I bought them last year in the sale on amazon and they are gorgeous!

Which means MSE wise I might then treat myself to a new bag or jacket, to make the outfit complete. Only if I can find one MSE enough!

Bitsy_Beans

OMG my @ss is killing me. Or more to the point my glutes are :eek:
Did 20 minutes with the Sports Active on the Wii and a great deal of it is always lower body (my poor knees!) really worked up a sweat but am really feeling it in my butt :o might treat myself to a bath and relax
Downside is I dare not take the iPad into the bath so it will have to be a book
Actually re reading a fab book again called Being Happy, it's a very good read

Have a lovely evening, I am off to wallow in a lovely hot bath

sophistica

Hi All, hope you had a good day. I have been hard at the ebaying, as the bed was delivered today. LL i laughed when i read your post. I am definitely my mother's daughter. I have dumped afew things i could have sold but i was desperate. I know about antiques etc and most of my energy has been devoted to clearing out old clothes and absolute tat. I like buying on ebaying but hate selling. Today i bought two huge chinoiserie lamps with silk shades for 42 quid. Anyvan is brilliant. It is a reverse auction site where people with vans bid for your delivery. You can get some seriosly cheap deliveries and most drivers will help assemble beds and move stuff upstairs for a tip. My fabbing has been confined to TWO baths and a wash and blow dry. The cat has had a massage and a manicure on my furniture.

pink_poppy

Morning

Haven't posted in a few days but have been reading & loving the different conversations going on, very interesting.

Fabwise I'm still eating healthily & I've only missed one day out walking when I actually forgot to go!! Made up for it the next day though.

Nothing else to report really, still haven't booked hairdresser's appointment, still haven't done facemask - I will do it this week!!

Have a good week everyone.

Ps. I keep meaning to ask why do we call fedupandskint, sparkles??

fedupandskint

pink_poppy wrote: »

Ps. I keep meaning to ask why do we call fedupandskint, sparkles??

Because I sparkled on another thread and the name was given to me and it stuck!

betony

sophistica wrote: »

The cat has had a massage and a manicure on my furniture.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: This made made giggle, as the owner of a hyperactive, bonkers 11 month old kitty, this sounds very familiar!

Fab-wise, SW weigh-in, only 1/2lb this week, 13lbs total - going for my 1 stone award next week! ALMOST dropped a dress-size, too

:kisses3: to all

Bitsy_Beans

betony wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: This made made giggle, as the owner of a hyperactive, bonkers 11 month old kitty, this sounds very familiar!

My darling killer cat has just tried to hump my arm the sexpot!!!
Dearie me there are something's a pet owner shouldn't have to experience and that's one of them!