Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

Jellybaby

Thanks floss. I've bought some new handcream and the cream for cracked heels so plan to give it a week or two (to pluck up courage more than anything) and maybe book a couple of treatments. In fact I'm going to write a note in my diary so I'll have to plan it.

Carmen

*I hear jellybaby tiptoe in and gently puls her into this great thread* :j

My condolences Jelly

I look forward to reading your progress on here.

It helps me when I put lots of cream on my feet and hands before I get into bed. Are you drinking enough water?


My dress today was hippish. I uncovered some sequinned cheese cloth tops (bought in Asia four years ago ) and was pleased they fitted me again

Goodnight all

Carmen xxxx

lessonlearned

Hello Everyone and a big hello and warm welcome to Newbies.

Jellybaby - Hello sweetheart - so very sorry and my sincere condolences. It must be very hard for you right now - please stay with us and just take things slowly- baby steps.

Yummymomy - glad you feel so at home here. Divorce is hard, especially when you have little ones to care for. I'm sure that once the worst is over you will rebuild your lives. Taking care of yourself will help make you stronger and able to take things in your stride more easily.

Phoenix - :T on your pregnancy - perfect timing for a bit of pampering I'd say - would second the healthy eating. As for exercise swimming is ideal for pregnant mums - very gentle. Also things like tai chi and just some very simple yoga stretches. Just keep it all nice and gentle.

Hope you've all had a lovely day, Carmen glad you enjoyed your meal and your sequinned cheese top sound lovely especially as they were old favourites that you can now get back into. Great feeling. I've got a couple of much loved treasures that I am looking forward to wearing again.

Maman A 4lb weight gain is pretty good for a holiday if you ask me. It will all soon melt away.

I didn't attend WW today - I know, I know slap on the wrist time. However, I wanted to see OH before meeting with Mum & Dad - I couldn't really squeeze it all in.

I was able to give some good news to OH today about a special treat we've been planning for him, DS1 is coming home for the weekend and he will take his Dad to the cricket tomorrow night - it's a quite a biggie - Derby -v- Nottingham. (Big local rivals) His face was a picture of delight when I told him. So will go over and pick him up tomorrow morning - no point in taking him back tomorrow night so his stay at the nursing home will finish a day early.

He would never complain but I can tell he's had more than enough and is looking forward to coming home. I've been rather underwhelmed by the home myself - we probably won't go with that one again. Choosing a permanent home is not going to be an easy task.

Going to split the post ................

lessonlearned

Reading all your posts set me thinking - Oh Lord - LL is going all philosophical again :rotfl:

On the face of it we all seem very different and yet scratch the surface and what do you see.

Well I think that what we have here is a fairly accurate representation of the many roles that we women play in life - a couple of soon to be brides, a pregnant mum, someone struggling through a divorce, someone dealing with the aftermath of losing a partner, some carers, some newly retirees etc ...........

As we've all said, life can be pretty hectic and there can be times of great pain, worry, stress and responsibility. There can also be times of great joy too, nurturing and caring for our families and loved ones.

We just need to remember to care for and nurture ourselves a little. We need strength and endurance to cope well. A little pampering, a bit of TLC, some sensible eating and a bit of regular exercise - we are soooooooo worth that little bit of time and effort.

BTW - just a couple of tips for the brides to be - I know you'll be reading all the magazines but speaking as a beauty therapist thought I'd just chip in with tuppence worth.

Wedding Make-up
keep it simple and practice your look so you are happy and familiar with it. Don't try anything new on the day.
Go for waterproof mascara.
Don't have facials in the few days leading up to the big day - just in case you get any reactions or breakouts.
Your hands are going to be on display a lot - get some serious pampering in and perhaps a couple of manicures to get your nails in tip top shape.

Anyhoo dead tired tonight - an early night beckons but first ...........

lessonlearned

Ny name is LL and I'm a Coataholic

It was first pointed out to me many years ago when some work colleagues told me that they had been monitoring my wardrobe and that they had been keeping count of my coats and that they worked out that I had fourteen coats and jackets - not including capes, shawls and ponchos (yay - they're back:j).

What could I say "Guilty as charged, m'ludd" In my defence I did point out that some of them were 15 years old.

I had a cull a couple of months ago. My recent tally is just a worryingly low 4 full length coats, 4 jackets. I need to go shopping pronto.:D

I do love coats, they are my thing. The point is, we have such a lousy climate that we spend 11 months of the year in one. I'll be damned if I'm going to wear the same old coat day in day out so I collect them.

My oldest coat is 28 years old, full length cream wool. I got married in it and I will never part with it. The youngest is a mere baby at just under a year old, a little black velvet "Russian" style jacket.

When I buy a coat or jacket I expect, nay demand, that I get my money's worth and tend to keep them for at least 10 years. I always try to buy them in the sales, I look after them well, hanging, brushing etc. I love them and cherish them.

I even replaced the lining in one once to give it a few more years because it was such a favourite I couldn't bear to part with it. A lovely camel woollen full length top coat - it eventually came apart at the seams and it had to go to the great coat heaven in the sky.

If I really love a coat then I will love it forever - unless of course it is a 3/4 length mink.:rotfl:

G'night all

floss2

Ok, so at a rough tally and not counting suit jackets, gilets, fleeces or my walking waterproof jackets (of which I have 4), I have 10 coats / jackets.. I think! Does that make me a coataholic too?!

lessonlearned

Of course not, floss - just a gal with class, style and good taste:D

maman

A bit tired tonight but wanted to welcome jellybaby.

You're certainly not alone on how to do casual well. Work 'uniforms' are so easy but a bit too formal for weekends. I think joggers or similar are OK for sitting at home. I quite like those brushed cotton, pyjama bottom things for relaxing in the evenings. Also, I'd really recommend a pedicure. Don't worry about the state of your feet, the beautician will have seen far worse. I'd recommend it, partly for the lovely relaxing feeling of being pampered and also because when all the hard skin is gone the creams will be far more effective when you do it at home.

My current favourites for casual are are some M&S, sort of jean-cut trousers. I bought 3 pairs in navy, black and white.:o They're straight/slightly skinny legs, on the waist and with a bit of stretch. Perfect for the British summer and the dark ones will be fine most of the year.

Strangely enough, on the coat front LL. DH and I went to look at ideas for fitted wardrobes today as we're planning to re-do our guest room. We got talking about how to fit out the interiors, in terms of how much 'long' hanging space we might need. I have resolved to go through my coats so that we're not building in space unnecessarily. The trouble is that I also hang onto my coats for years. This isn't all bad news as I've had loads of wear this year from a black velvet, sort of frock coat that I loved too much to part with that now fits me again:T

Good news about the cricket treat for your DH. Hope weather holds for him.

lessonlearned

Maman mmmmmmmnn - black velvet frock coat - I would love one of those - very me.

Now I really am going to bed!!:rotfl:

floss2

Am up with the birds this morning as I want to do a few things before the builders come in & I go off to work....

I have checked the coat situation and yes, I have 10 "coats" including a full length wool Mango one, 2 down coats AND a down jacket, a black silk velvet evening jacket and a classic denim jacket

My other downfalls are shoes & boots and handbags - at the last count I had 10 leather bags including 2 Radleys (1 of which is my everyday work bag) and 11 clutch / small evening bags varying from a floral tapestry clutch that goes with everything to a tiny shimmering grey beaded bag

I also have 11 pairs of knee boots (black suede rock-chick through to tan / beige / grey / black leather heeled & flat everyday ones) plus a pair of deep blue cowboy boots and several pairs of ankle boots! I can't count the shoes as they are currently scattered to the four corners of our home but if I tell you I have 4 pairs of black patent heels in various styles I am sure you'll understand!!

OK - work wear today will be a brown linen shift dress, a 3/4 sleeve brown & cream suit jacket and my pink pearlised wedge Clarks sandals. I'm taking minutes this morning but am off this afternoon and plan to iron later while watching the mens semi finals!

I have got the straighteners heating to smooth my hair, found my tinted moisturiser whilst sorting out my makeup bags (while watching tv!) so that's going on, and my perfume today will be Miss Dior Cherie to match the body lotion I've just slathered on Lip balm always goes on in the car & throughout the day, hand cream every time I've had my hands in water.

Going for my eyebrow wax this afternoon, and plan to put fresh nail varnish on my toes this evening while waiting for my DH to get home....not sure of the colour though - I've got quite a few of the new flat pastel colours like orange, mint green, lemon & turquoise (£1 in Asda!) along with some bright shimmery blue, purple, sea green & deep pink ones (No 7 on the recent till spit, Barbara Daly in Tesco and Asda again) so any suggestions would be good? I think I've got too much choice in everything!