Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

fedupandskint

Thank you for all the good wishes! Sorry no photos done! However I did get called tiny and slim by quite a few people and I didn't sparkle enough with jewellry compared to others there. Anyway I drove there and back and did not drink at all and had a very good laugh all night and a very enjoyable night out indeed! And a ever so slightly hammered friend of mine told me ' you look so tiny now....and....your skin, you don't even have one wrinkle!' Now that made me laugh after she got over the fact I wasn't drinking! Much fun and racous laughing as I told friends how I reacted to reaching my target weight!

Some more good news today - went shopping with mum and called into Matal*n and tried on a size 10 dress which was bright orange/red layered shift style with short sleeves and a round neck. So surprised a size 10 fitted, ok not a huge amount of room in there but hey it fitted!

So I bought it, half price partywear offer for £11 - couldn't not do it. It will look great with black tights, footless tights, leggings or tighter jeggings. Might also look good in the summer too with bare legs and some nice shoes - flats or pumps. For now though it will look good with some funky black footwear and I'd better have a look for some. There are so many offers out there too in the shops 30% off here and 20% off there etc.

I haven't fit into a size 10 since 1997 when I was 24 so this a great surprise to fit into that size again now I'm 38!

And fabulous ladies, if I can do it - be fabulous and graduate from the fabulous winter solistice school of fab then try this thought. Believe in yourself. Give yourself the belief in yourself, your beauty, your personality, you - you can do it too. There is nothing more special about me than anyone else out there

Best wishes sent from me to all of you.

P.S. - decided to try and get a little lower on the weight scale and try and get rid of a bit more of the tummy area which is still more prominent than anywhere else. Another 3lb to go after a couple of days off this weekend (Fri and Sat) then back on track again next week.

lessonlearned

Well ladies we are nearly at the Solstice - just 10 full days to my reckoning.

OK - now I admit that weight wise and probably also fitness wise some of us (yes me too) do still have a considerable way to go. However, I can tell from your posts that we are by and large keeping up with our fabbing routines. Little and often is the way to go. A little each day until they become so ingrained into our routines that we hardly notice them.

Bearing in mind we've just 10 days till "D" Day, or maybe that should be "WS" day, it's now time to try and up the ante. We can go for some glitz, glamour and maybe a little bit of sparkle for the festive season.

When I had more money than sense I always used to buy myself a new outfit to wear on Christmas Day and often another one for New Year's Eve too.

Well now of course I've learned a little sense. I merely dig out something that's lurking in the back of the wardrobe - there's plenty to chose from.;) Now I see how I can accessorise my old favourites to give them a fresh look.

So ladies time to start planning those Festive Outfits. By all means hit the sales if you can face the crowds - personally I won't bother.

As part of my upping the ante and also to try and make up for my falling off the wagon just lately, I have today had a face pack and a manicure.

Sparkles - glad you enjoyed your party - sounds like you had a great time. Size 10 - get you!!

In the past when I've managed to reach my target weight I would also try and go a couple of pounds under - it gave me room to manoeuvre then if I needed to go mad for a day or two.

Willow - Of course Star can be part of your Fabness - all those nice long w a l k i e s. We always have to spell out the word or my sister's dog goes nuts.:rotfl:

Lizzie - well done on sticking to your guns and not giving in to your "friend". I long ago stopped seeing anyone who dragged me down or made me feel low or bad about myself. No-one needs so called friends like that.

You mentioned doing some charity work next year. I would definitely go for that. When I help in Scope we have such fun, it's mostly ladies who help and we have a good time. We also have a Friday night out once a month, plus a Christmas "do". I would thoroughly recommend you try this - I guarantee you will make new friends this way. And .......because they are kind people who give their time for charity they will be nice friends, IFYSWIM.

If you prefer animals to people there are plenty of animal welfare charities too. Most charities are really struggling for volunteers at the moment - I'm sure you'll find something suitable.

Must tell you - I'm so proud of my baby sis. She has been fund raising for a couple of animal charities this week - one for horses and one for dogs. She has raised £700 so far, with loads of pledges still to come.

My little niece aged 12 has been making Christmas cards which my sis displayed at a certain well known high street chemists where she works. My sis put them out without prices but on a "make a donation" basis. She raised £182 on those alone - poor little niece was working like the clappers to keep up with the demand.

The local press and radio have got wind of it and there will be quite a splash.

Maman - sorry to hear about your DH's cousin. So sad for you all. Yes it does pull you up doesn't it. It makes you realise that life is both short and precious - we should live it to the full and squeeze every last drop out of it.

Lizzie - I know depression is tough and I'm so glad that you are now seeing a counsellor but please try to get well soon - try and tackle those demons - try and do things that make you feel good and lift your spirits. Life is just so precious and precarious - none of us know what the fates have in store for us.

I never thought my own dear husband would end up like he has - it breaks my heart every day - he's only 54.:(:(:( He probably won't see 60 and the years that are left to him can hardly be called a life.

Before I say goodnight I thought I would just mention what happened yesterday when I went to pick up OH.

When we were leaving I noticed the distinct smell of nail varnish coming from the room opposite him which is occupied by a lady. One of the carers was painting her nails for her. So I went in to admire her nails and S was so happy, she was wearing make up and was beaming. She told me that this particular carer always painted her nails and applied her make up for her.

Now this carer could have just done what so many do - sat with some of the other carers, gossiping and moaning about their lives/jobs instead of taking a real interest in their charges. I have seen this so often in hospitals and nursing homes and it makes me see red.

This lovely kind carer probably doesn't get paid much and yet there she was really going out of her way to care for S. So many of them just half heartedly slosh a damp flannel over their charges face whilst chattering away to someone else, totally ignoring the person in their care.

Anyone who doubts the worth of a little pampering and TLC only had to see the joy and pleasure on S's face to realise it's not about vanity - it's about pride, self respect and dignity, being valued as a human being.

So ladies, never feel guilty about taking a little pride in your appearance. Pampering yourself a little is not just self indulgent - it's vital for your self esteem and well being.

G'night all, sleep well.

lizzie157

maman -sorry about your friend. After the year we've had here I think the same so i must begin to do something about it.

LL- thanks i WILL get there, I'm feeling better and although i stll have down times they don't seem to last as long. Yes i was thinking about volunteering for an animal charity if possible but if not there are other oppertunities in my area i've already looked online and located the volunteer centre so there could be others on there too. i do realise i've alot to be thankfull for not least the lovely ladies on here.

goodnight x

sophistica

Hi All. A quick response on the ipad as i lie in bed. You are all sounding upbeat today! Thinga are cool here. I put on my new sheepskin boots with some leggings today... I was a bit worried it was all a bit fashion forward for a middle aged woman! I saw my mum yesterday in nursing home. She was looking lovely. She had her hair done, her nails were painted and she was wearing a new top. I could see her laughing from across the lounge. She wants some necklaces for Christmas. This is a complete change around from the hysterical and unkempt woman of a year ago. Nursing homes rock!

I am still obsessing about my fathers house. Today i bought a £1.5k wall unit for £120 off ebay. I really will be glad when i get a new obsession.

I have been thinking about my plans for next year...i will report back when finalised but it will be a trip to somewhere exotic, some investing plans and business ventures. I also need to sort out my social life. I live in an upmarket west london suburb but all my neighbours are very boring and in their mid sixties. I prefer a slightly younger, better educated intellectual type crowd. So this means venturing in to town on the tube, lots of effort!

Please dont be daunted by big plans, a big plan is just a lot of small steps and plans rolled together like losing weight. I just keep on chipping away every day at my plans. This year i looked back at my success journal and i can see i made all my plans come true for 2011. Unfortunatley a lot of them were necessary but unpleasant!

I have taken to bed with me two books The Majoc og Thinking Big and Big Birthdays for inspiration.

fedupandskint

Morning ladies, glad to hear we're sounding much more upbeat and thanks for the 10 day reminder before Winter Solstice Day, lets celebrate it in style

How about picking a winter solstice outfit, from our wardrobes, one we already own. It could be something we alredy wear, it could be something we don't wear. Most importantly it should be something we feel fabulous in for the day

Less fab wise, I got up early for a run but I can feel I have a cold starting - hmmm, just deciding whether to go or not. Whatever I decide I have a busy day planned with lots of fabbing for me, house fabbing and Christmas fabbing

sophistica

Where are you all today? I have just finished a horrible job - my business accounts! I hate doing them, not least because I have always lost the supporting documentation and I changed computer this year to an APPLE. Bless Steve Jobs. I couldn't have achieved a fraction of my successes this year without the Apple computer. Fast, fast, fast and brilliant for searching for files. No fabbing done - YET! Is still need to do the VAT return and the Personal Accounts but I did do a quick tally up on property prices for Zoopla last night and I reckon I have achieved millionaire status (plus some)...there has to be some reason that I am still scrimping and scraping. It is because I am too busy running around after disabled parents, unreasonable clients and useless siblings to be able to sort myself out!

Anyway, I mustn't get started on that or I will lose my elation from sorting out the accounts.

lessonlearned

Good evening ladies.

Busy day here today, DS1 here to help me with his dad and helping me with the Christmas tree, so I've had a nice time being a bit of a domestic goddess, making cakes and meringues.

Very tired today so not much fabbing, just the usual day to day stuff. Am having to wash and style my hair every day at the moment, I must be tossing and turning at night because it sticks up all over the place in the morning.

Back still very achey if I stand for long so must try and start some stretches tomorrow. Will also try and book a physio for this week.

OH's mobility is much worse than it was, even before he went into the nursing home, so transfers are a real struggle. I'm not even attempting them on my own.

Sparkles - Great idea about a special Solstice Outfit - given that it is the shortest day I think something red would be really fab. I love a really bright vibrant fire-engine red. If I feel lacking in energy then red seems to pep me up.

If you never wear it - give it a try - it brightens up the dullest day.

Have you ever noticed that in winter people just seem to merge into the background - all you can see is a great sea of black and navy, with perhaps a bit of grey for light relief. Give me colour I say.:rotfl:

I'm loving the bright oranges and purples that are around at the moment - might have to hit those sales after all.:D

If you really don't like colour then just wear a splash of it in your accessories, a red pair of gloves with a dark coat, or a red scarf, or perhaps a red beret or my favourite - red shoes - always reminds me of the Wizard of Oz.

If you really can't stand bright red then a deep rich burgundy is also gorgeous.

So ladies ditch the black and get some colour into your life.;)

Sophistica - well done getting your accounts finished - horrible job.

Having said that I once decided to go over OH's accounts for him before handing them over to the accountant. I went through everything with a fine tooth comb.

It took me a couple of days and I kept ringing said accountant getting him to explain everything and asking him can I do this and what happens if I do that. I think I got on his nerves - however, once I got the bit between my teeth there was no stopping me. My diligence meant OH had a £2000 plus tax rebate so it was a job well done.:rotfl:

Never again will I just simply hand over things like accounts without due diligence or will I simply leave financial matters to "the experts". I wonder how many years we had paid too much tax.

I always considered myself to be rather a maths dunce and felt that a balance sheet was a mystery far beyond my ken. In my naivety I trusted that the accountant would give us "best advice" to reduce our tax liability. Ha. One of my Lessonslearnt. Fear not I never make the same mistake twice.;)

As for scrimping and saving - well there's no point spending for the sake of it. If you really want something and can afford it fine but don't worry about not spending much. You can always have a little splurge with what you've saved by scrimping.

I can thoroughly recommend a book called "The Millionaire Next Door". It's American but the concepts work just as well here. Basically it's about being canny with our ill gotten gains so that not only do we acquire some money but we also get to keep it - how the richer get richer and stay rich. I've noticed that most seriously rich people (apart from flash footballers) tend to have quite frugal habits.

TBH I've now reached a stage where I can truthfully say I am very happy living quite simply. I've no great longing to acquire "stuff" - quite the opposite - I want to get rid of most of it. I'm by no means rich but I lack for nothing. I like to save in some areas so I can have guilt free splurges. And - I have to confess - I do like a little bit of luxury in my life;).

As I mentioned I do want to rebuild my finances - partly so I can have a nice comfortable old age with lots of travel and adventures, partly to be able to help my boys, but also, just for the fun of it, for the challenge. There's still life in the old dog yet. :rotfl:

Back in a mo

lessonlearned

Just a quickie.

Now I know that most of us are going to be rushed off our feet over the next couple of weeks so this must seem like a strange idea.

But - amidst all the hurly burly and hustle and bustle - now is the time to start thinking about what you want to achieve in 2012.

Not the usual boring old chestnuts, lose weight, declutter the house etc.

Whilst they are all very worthy and commendable I'm thinking about fun stuff. Losing weight and decluttering is about "taking away". I'm suggesting "adding" to our lives.

A new hobby, trying something new, learning something, tweaking your lifestyle to give you more joy, more satisfaction, more fun!!!

So ladies - time to get those thinking caps on and start mulling it over.

It's time to grab that tiger by the tail.

It might be a bit scary - but whoosh - what a ride.:rotfl:

sophistica

I can thoroughly recommend a book called "The Millionaire Next Door". It's American but the concepts work just as well here.

Hi LL. I have read that book - written by a researcher. I think there is a couple of them. I bought a lot of those American books before people started reading that kind of thing over here. In fact I have a few that need a proper trawl through for new ideas.

I also loved the Style Crone blog that you recommended.

I like your idea of "adding stuff back to our lives". I had a bit of an upset this year with my very best friend of 35 years...suffice to say that things are just not the same between us. So I joined a local club and also picked up with an old friend from when I was a media luvvie. But more outings have to be on the horizon but I find I am no good with weekly activities. Something always comes up which prevents me from going, exhaustion, bad weather, domestic/family emergencies. In fact I think I must have become a recluse without noticing it!

I also like the idea of tweaking things, little by little. It seems that for things that are really worth while in life, they can't be achieved in one shot. It takes a lot of actions, some big and some small and a lot of mistakes and just when you think you are never going to get there it happens.

Another thing that I am not very good at is asking for what i want. Last year, there was a very big party at very prestigious location. I wasn't on the invite list but a friend absolutely twisted my arm to email the party giver for an invitation...who was delighted to oblige...and a couple of months later we were quaffing champagne with Margaret Thatcher (.: I nearly died of embarrassment asking and then he requested my friendship on Facebook.

Callisto

I've been lurking recently, but now it is time to jump back in! I had my Open Uni assignment back and did well, so I don't know why I keep worrying about it! I've slipped behind again with the reading, but I've had a couple of hours catch up today.

Tomorrow is mostly going to be a planning day, I need to sort out my christmas presents/food list, as well as some study (plan in study for the week as well) and exercise (already pencilled in exercise for Monday, Wednesday, Friday and either Saturday or Sunday.) I've recently started doing an exercise DVD which I'm really enjoying (as the exercise bike was becoming a bit samey.)

I am also planning on making up a 'positivity folder' for healthy eating and exercise tomorrow. I will cut out some inspiring pictures from magazines and print out some positive quotes from the internet and keep them in a ring binder. I will also print out my exercise plan and keep my weight and measurement information in there as well, so every time I want to update my details or need a little inspiration, it will be close at hand!

Sparkles - I'm so pleased that you have reached your target weight, WELL DONE! I will definitely wear a Winter Solstice outfit with a splash of colour, something I haven't worn for a while.

LL - I will need to think about adding things to my life as generally I 'take away' when thinking about goals! I use 1st January as my 'reflective day', but I will give it some thought beforehand. I agree I don't need to buy much either, the only thing I would like is an Ipod so I can have all of my music in one place and can put together playlists for exercise, chilling out, road trips etc, and I am saving up for one.

Hi to Caterina and Joan