Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

MrsWoolfe

Gah!
Just lost a long post!

B*gg**! will have to try again later, just wanted to pop in and say hello! and welcome to all the new joiners!

bit of a rubbish day today, so will probs try and come back tomorrow in a better frame of mind rather than moan

Hope you are all doing well-

Fab tasks for the day: 1- facial tonight
2- do a little gentle work on the ex bike- to at least have done something
3- get to bed at a REASONABLE time- cause it's just getting silly now- I was contemplating hiding under my desk for a snooze at lunch- not a good plan!

right ladies and lurkers- off for now back later!

MrsWoolfe

pollyskettle

Dawning - the Art book is so pretty, isn't it! I ordered the Orchid book too and that should be here tomorrow. I haven't got far with the Art book as I was asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow last night and I get the feeling tonight will be the same!

FC - That's some weight loss - well done! I'm just over two stone gone at the moment, with more to go , and I'm elated with that so you must be over the moon!

MrsWoolfe - Rubbish day here too, I'm feeling all 'mardy' as my daughter would say. Maybe it's the weather or something.

Jellie and Kerry - congrats on the forthcoming nuptials!

LL - Some lovely posts I wanted to thank you for. You put everything so wonderfully. I'm still trying to retain as much information as I can, I think I may copy and paste the pertinent parts into a word doc for later reference, if you don't mind!

elantan - My nails need doing AGAIN - two days AGAIN. So no, I don't vouch for the Sally Hansen top coat as when I use the No 7 one my nails last at least 4 days without chipping. They look terrible I shall try some of the seche I think as I can't find a bad review!!

bratz81 - Hope you're feeling better soon. Being ill is pants

A slight victory today, after Day 7 of the shred (go me!!!!) and my lovely soak in the bath, I completely covered myself in body lotion and put on some perfume (similar fragrances so no clashing!) AND I used....................tinted lip balm and clear mascara!!! It was bought from elf using the 50% off code on Monday and arrived this morning - supremely quick delivery given the number of orders they must have rec'd! I figured if I suddenly started going to the school to collect the children fully made up, people would think something extra marital was going on, so I shall ease myself into it gracefully!

Any hoo, feeding time at the zoo, so best go supervise!

OOO yeah - I did my tax return today too - totally off topic, but the first one I've done and I'm proud!!!

Savvy_sewing

Phew, I have been reading for what seems like hours. I have a numb bum sitting here reading.
I was directed to you all by Molly41. Funnily enough, I am going to be 50 in July. Felt absolutely awful. Have been quite ill for several years, and care for my 3 year old Granddaughter permanantly. Have two (twins) daughters with learning difficulties who now have thier own homes, but cannot really care for themselves so I am also a bit of a carer for them, dispite having a carer for me 10 hours a week to help with DGD.
I looked in the mirror. I have recently bought a full length mirror for my sewing room. That was not a very MSE thing at the time, but it was some indulgence for me as most of my money has gone to support the children. Another long story, so I wont bore you.
Anyway I looked in the mirror and felt I was looking nearer 60 then 50. Which also sounds pretty scarey enough to me, as in my mind I cannot see how I have managed to get to such an age so fast!!!
I took a drastic step on Monday and had my bleached blonde locks, cut off, and restyled into a graduated bob. Short at the back, longer at the sides. I had it turned a brown. Think it was called capachino or something, and had highlights to soften it. Never done any of that before, really. Have been doing Nice and Easy no 102 or 103 depending on the time of year since I was 19 years old.!!!
What a difference just that has made.
I put on a dress that I had bought in the charity shop last week, its a turquoise halterneck, with gathered tiered skirt. Bit gypsy.
When I went to the school gates to collect DGD several of the Mums said I looked great. That I looked a lot younger, and when I told them that I was about to hit 50, they siad that I didnt look it. What a boost to the ego.
I have recently started to read a book on Co-dependancy. How to step away from it really. Although its based on someone caring for/dealing with an alcoholic originally. Masses of what it says about carers loosing thier identity hit home. The things we forget to do are look after ourselves. So here I am feeling much better, much brighter, and ready to join the clan and have that real move from Frump to Fab. Although I would like to be able to do all the exercises that people talk about, my movement is inhibited by cervical spondylosis. So very gentle movements are all that I can fit in. Hence my weak point is really my stomach. I hate the tummy.
Weight wise, I am fine. Luckily I have never had to diet in my life. eat what I like when and where I like. (Sorry to those who are now groaning at me).
Anyway, I would love to try the skin care, the nails etc etc. and continue to get out of my white t-shirt and jeans style with any old jumper/cardi etc when the weather hits cold.

lessonlearned

Hello Everyone, Hello Newbies and welcome.

This thread is a bit like Topsy's house - it just grows and grows.

FC - well done on the weight loss, that's really inspiring. You must feel really chuffed and rightly so.

Agree with the not buying too much until you reach target - I'm in the same situation myself but as you say when clothes start hanging off you ........

Do you have to wear suits, can you wear jackets and skirts/trousers etc. The reason I ask is when you buy from charity shops you usually see more separates than suits.

The other big problem I think is if you buy one item, say a black jacket, and then you try to find the second part, trousers or skirt you are going to have an almighty struggle to get a perfect match - there are so many shades of black. Could you team up your black jacket with say a black and white skirt, then either a plain black or plain white top (one of each to ring the changes). Would that be "corporate" enough.

Top Tip

Black fades, due to the optical brighteners used in detergents. Don't chuck your black t-shirts etc away - just dye them back to black. You can dye whites and pastels too.

Mooloo - you're so right about how caring drains you. I'm so glad you are taking steps to put yourself first now and again. It's not selfish - you have a lot of responsibility sitting on your shoulders - you need to watch your health and well being too.

The hair sounds fab, always a good place to start. A great hair makeover is such a boost.

pk - sorry you are feeling a bit low. Hugs. By all means cut and paste, print off my scribblings.

TBH I've felt a bit off it - IBS - my own stupid fault - have been overdoing the wheat the last couple of days. This morning's croissant was too much of a good thing. Didn't get round to painting, didn't dare risk the paint fumes.

Was going to talk about exercise at some point - but given that so many have mentioned their waists/tummies etc perhaps now would be a time to discuss Core Exercise

My physio taught me this to help with my back. Exercise which concentrate on the core muscles are not just about giving us nice flat tummies and melting away the muffin tops, they are an essential weapon in keeping us fit and healthy, helping with balance issues, keeping the old pelvic floor in good nick, and strengthening the back. The exercises can be as gentle or as rigorous as you wish, start slow and see how you go.

I'm not going to even attempt to explain them - check out this site https://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/exercise-printable.-asp for a full explanation, demonstations etc.

I do some very simple ones every day, my back is better, and I've lost my spare tyre and about 4 inches off my waist.

Top Tip Did you know that women should have a waist of no more than 32", apparently if we store fat around our middle then we are at risk of type II diabetes. I think it's 38" for men.

Anyway - time for our next style chat .............

elantan

pollyskettle wrote: »

elantan - My nails need doing AGAIN - two days AGAIN. So no, I don't vouch for the Sally Hansen top coat as when I use the No 7 one my nails last at least 4 days without chipping. They look terrible I shall try some of the seche I think as I can't find a bad review!!


QUOTE]

i have managed 7 days out of the seche vite now and tbh i had to take it off as i fancied a colour change ... it still hadnt chipped ... for me who can sometimes get minutes or hours it is impressive ... i did find though it dries okish when you put it on but it can take alot longer to properly dry so i now do them at work when i have nothing else to do for atleast half an hour so that they can dry completely... i have read that some people find it shrinks their colour and nail job ... this may be true but i havnt as yet experienced it ... give it a try you have nothing to loose ( well ok apart from £10) and everything to gain

podperson

Mooloo - the hair makeover sounds great, I always think getting your hair done gives you a boost and go you for getting something totally different. I keep thinking I should have something new done but am not really sure what would suit me.
Have just done my first day of the shred so am flopped on the bed with a very classy shiny red tomato look going on - damn that woman is a sadist and am only on level 1!!

MrsWoolfe

Evening all!

Sat here with a face mask on and my wrapped up with some conditioner, feeling slightly less grumpy:D


Don't know what it is today but seems like everything has just gone loopy...meh anyway not worth getting down about will just chill out tonight with a good book, get some sleep and hopefully tomorrow things will look brighter!

Definitely cheered to see so many people joining in though:j so much easier when you have people cheering you on- I have my virtual pompoms at the ready!

FC that is some AWESOME weight-loss:T GO YOU!!!! well done, I;m about half-way to my goal now and am having the same sorts of issues, if you can find a couple of decent dresses I find that I'm getting more wear out of these- as they don't tend to look quite so bad if they are a little loose, just a thought?

I had fun ordering a dress online today- thought I'd use the size guide on the site- well according to their measurements I have a size 18/20 Bust size 16 waist and 14 hips....now I'm sure I don't look quite that out of proportion!!! went for a 16 in the end, the bust will have a little give due to the fabric (i hope) so should work out ok...it arrives tomorrow so fingers crossed!

I use spark people too, can be really handy when you are starting out with your weight-loss gave me a much better idea of how to plan my meals- also if you are tracking your meals and exercise it does give you that extra boost- must really take my own advice and start using it properly again!!!

I've been musing on who my style icons are and actually it's quite hard to pick one- there are lots of people who I admire bits/aspects of, but not one particular person whose style I think is 'me'....I like to kid myself that I'm unique lol!:D

But here are a couple of people whose style I admire-

There are of course the greats, marylin monroe, elizabeth taylor, audrey hepburn etc but a few others are:

Kylie- always cute well groomed and seems so full of positive energy.

Monica Belluci- just gorgeous!

Beyonce- love her presence and how much fun she has with colours/shapes not a look I think I would pull off but hats off to the lady.

Aishwarya Rai- the former Miss World and now top Bollywood actress, graceful, elegant, often quite understated outfits but knows how to do red carpet glam.

Dita Von Teese, I do love that 50's look after-all!

Hmm that's me for now, I think. must go and rinse out conditioner before it gets too late!

HOpe you are all well!

MrsWoolfe

lessonlearned

Smart/Casual

What is it and where did it all start.

A potted history.

I don't know how long this term has been around but I think it's relatively recent - about the time employers started to relax sartorial rules a little and introduced "Dress Down Friday".

The concept of "relaxed dressing" didn't really exist until after World War II. Prior to that only the rich wore anything resembling Leisure Wear, the poor had few clothes, their six days a week work clothes and their Sunday best. They didn't have time for leisure as such.

The genesis of Leisure wear lies in the country pursuits of the rich, such as shooting, hunting, fishing, walking, golfing, sailing etc that began to take off during the latter part of the 19th century.

At that time clothes were generally very formal and the traditional man's frock coat was too restricting to allow movement to say raise a gun or cast a rod. Outdoor pursuits also needed a robust fabric, hence the birth of the tweed jacket. Even a tweed jacket was too restricting for golf so eventually the knitwear industry responded and people started to wear jumpers and cardigans etc

The leisure/sport connotations linger to this day - hence the rise of the track suit & trainer as a fashion accessory. (More of those later).

The rise of Denim

Denim is a very hard working and practical fabric - which was originally used as workwear, first for farm hands and cattle ranchers and then for blue collar workers in heavy industry.

It became such a fashion statement because of two charismatic iconic fifties movie stars. Marlon Brando in "On the Waterfront" and James Dean in "Rebel Without a Cause". They were all about youth and teenage rebellion. Hence forever onwards blue denim became synonymous with youth, romance and glamour. The perfect combination for casual dress.

So - I'm going to take a deep breath and ask you to please remember that whatever follows is just my personal opinion - warning some of it may sound a bit snobby - put it down to my age.:rotfl:

But as so many seem to struggle with Smart/casual here's my take on
what I think can make it work and what I think it's best to avoid.

I know I said that age shouldn't really matter and that it's all down to personal choice and style. You know the saying - the exception proves the rule. Well I think that in this case, Smart/Casual is the exception, and that age does have some bearing. The rules for a 15 year old are very different from those for a 50 year old.

Anyway off to watch the Apprentice - back later.

Carmen

Gah!
Just lost a long post! Ditto Mrs W, only DH deleted page for me Grrrr:mad::rotfl: Take care of that ankle.

Hello everyone and welcome FC well done on the weight loss Mooloo, you deserve some me time.

Tights LL, I have not worn them for about twenty years, always putting my fingernails through them, usually when I was in a hurry :rotfl:
There was a time when I did/would not go out with any make up, now I am happy to go au naturel but only in the summer, I look very pastey in the winter.
Monica Belluci, Aishwarya Ra, stunning and Dita Von Teese certainly knows how to Va Va Voom :rotfl::rotfl:

Sorry this post is short, I am going to have an early night to try and catch up on some sleep.

Remember ladies, this is a marathon not a sprint

Carmen xxxx

Carmen

:hello:Maman:hello: looking forward to 'hearing' about your hols.

Bratz, get better soon.