Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

lizzie157

podperson- threading was fine didn't really hurt at all, had it done in superdrug for a fiver. I have the free ultralift -its really only one area I'm "obsessed" with and everyone else says I don't look my age. Need to get over it but you know how it is when something gets in your head.

mrs woolfe- enjoy the wedding. i'm sure you'l look lovely.

phoenix_dragon

Oooh, I love getting my eyebrows threaded, it makes me look more groomed immediately! I really should get it done this afternoon or tomorrow.

I didn't manage any beauty treatments last night, but I did walk/job 6k on the treadmill, and I put on makeup and perfume this morning, and I used hair serum to smooth down my flyaways. One of my colleagues told me this morning that I am 'glowing' Ah the power of a full face of slap!

bratz81

well, back in action today and had loads to catch up on! Feeling better today and back into work so on went the perfume, makeup and a matching outfit that I picked out last night

I'm also getting married next year and have been thinking about my hands - am growing my nails and trying to give them a home manicure once a week. even with clear polish but shaping and so on so the tips are very helpful.

@Dawning - you can make your own rose water. Basically get roses (from the garden if poss) and put the petals in a glass bowl. Cover with boiling water and cover the bowl. Allow the petal to seep for about 30 mins or so.
Drain out the rose water into another container and discard the rose petals. Et voila it only lasts about 10 days however you can add a tablespoon of vodka to up that to 1month.

yummymommy

Well thank you all for your lovely comments. They really do make a difference when there is so much negativity around you.

Big hugs to you jelly baby. I suffer with cracked heels aswell but haven't really done much about it yet apart from using a pedi egg when I think about it.

Floss your outfit sounds fantastic

I only managed 10 minutes of exercise today but I suppose its better than nothing. I have well and truly gone of the rails this week but will still go to my weigh in on Monday and face the music.

I will be children free on Saturday pm and Sunday. So I plan to do a car boot on Sunday. Fingers crossed for decent weather. This will take my mind off not being with dd's. (How funny you long for children-free time and then when it happens it completely freaks you out!). Also it will earn me some much needed money and it will clear the clutter so that I can finally get to the jogging machine.:eek:

Hope you have a great day all you lovely people.:)

lessonlearned

Business Dress/Work Wear

Did you get to watch "The Good Wife". The purpose of this was to let you see that business dress can look sensational - sadly so often it doesn't. It can look so depressing, boring and frumpy - your heart sinks everytime you get ready for work.

Some employers take all choice away from you - they give you a uniform and that's it. Usually it has to be said they are pretty dire. Console yourself that you won't be looking any worse than anyone else and at least you are not having to spend your hard earned cash on stuff you hate.

Which leaves the rest of us floundering in limbo, not knowing the rules. Oh but LL you said there were no rules - we should just please ourselves.

Well yes - but sorry when it coms to business dress there are all sorts of rules, some will be clearly written down in your contract, some will be unwritten - you will be just expected to know them. So unfair especially if its your first job.

Where there are no actual rules there will be conventions and expectations. You will be expected to uphold a certain corporate image - and this can vary from industry to industry.

So how do you get it right. The best way I always found was, even when I was not given a uniform to wear I would regard my work clothes as a uniform anyway. This helps to get your head around the issue and quickly helps you to streamline your choices into an acceptable and workable wardrobe.

Some of you might be thinking - this is a load of tosh - I'm going to dress as I please and wear exactly what I like.

That's fine - however just bear in mind that if you want to get promoted and do well, sometimes just to shine at the interview and get the job in the first place it really does help if you learn the rules and learn how to play the game.

So what are these rules and conventions ..............

lessonlearned

For most jobs the rule is a dress code that is really quite conservative, you will be expected at the very least to look neat and tidy. Some will tell you clearly that they have a strict no jeans/no trainers policy - some will expect you to know this. Some workplaces and industries will be very strict indeed.

Financial Institutions, Insurance Companies, The Legal Profession, and Accountancy

These tend to be the most conservative off all. Many high street banks and building societies do provide uniforms so that's quite easy. (Except when it comes to accessories etc - more later). However, above a certain level there will be no uniform - but the time you get there - you'll have cracked it and will be an expert rules player.

These industries will have a very clear cut dress code, dark suits, usually black, navy or dark grey, black/navy court shoes etc, tights/stockings at all times, no bare legs or sandals, no bling.
They will be very strict about this, even if you are not pulled up for not sticking to the code, you will certainly be passed over for promotion.

You will just not be taken seriously, no matter how good at your job.
Those hopeless idiots who get promoted above you when you know in your heart you can do heaps better - they just play the game better.

Creative Industries

Advertising and marketing etc, broadcasting, newspapers etc may not look so consverative and they are certainly be a little more relaxed about what colours you may wear and whether or not men have to wear ties but they do still have their conventions. In many ways they can be more difficult to gauge. You just have to go in gently and keep an eye out for what everyone else wears and take your cues from them.

The more "creative/arty" the company the more flamboyant you can be.

Science/Computing/Academia (not teaching in schools)

Depends where you are in the pecking order - fairly conservative, neat and tidy if you are lower in the food chain - the higher you are the more relaxed they are about your dress. If you are good at what you do and have proven your worth they seem to allow a little slack and don't mind a few odd eccentricities.

Of course, if you are a budding Einstein or Bill Gates you will be given carte blanche - they'll just want to keep you to themselves.

I know a brilliant surgeon who looks like a lumberjack all jeans and check shirts, with long untidy wild unkempt hair that rarely sees a comb. The hospital are not going to sack him - he's just too good.

I know a brilliant mathmatician who wears an old tweed jacket that's falling apart and covered in food stains (ugh) however.......he's clearly a genius so the university turns a blind eye.

The point is for us lesser mortals - we have to get the clothes right or we won't be taken seriously.

When you've made it - that's a different matter.

This is a true story about Richard Branson.

When he launched Virgin Atlantic - British Airways tried to destroy him. The chief executive employed "the dirty tricks" campaign - a sustained and deliberate attempt to thwart and undermine Branson at every turn. Of course Branson fought back and we know where he is now.

The CEO of BA was forced to admit - I underestimated Branson - I only saw the woolly jumpers and didn't think he was a threat. If he'd worn a suit and tie I would have taken him more seriously. .......

Underdressing and wearing what you please can only work if you are self employed. Even then you need to think about what your image may say to your clients/customers.

Later ..............getting it right/the killer working wardrobe

floss2

Dawning wrote: »

ooohh Floss2 - this outfit sounds absolutely gorgeous! It sounds very much what I'm aspiring to.

podperson wrote: »

Floss - your outfit sounds lovely, and am very impressed with your extremely organised beauty day

Thanks ladies Have to own up that the handcream habit was started twelve months ago as I prepared for my wedding

Am now lounging in linen trousers and a fine cotton knit hoodie, watching the tennis and avoiding the ironing basket!!

Have decided on bright shimmery blue for my toes, am planning to wear navy linen pants with a white T-shirt tomorrow for a trip to the Trafford Centre with my best friend, so it should look quite funky! She always looks elegant & well-put-together so I try to make an even bigger effort when we meet!

Right, can't avoid it...I must do this ironing!

Dawning

Bratz81 - thank you for the information about how to make rose water, I had no idea it was so easy to do! I'd better get some roses planted.


Well I've been busy this afternoon. Went for a walk, only about 25 minutes and to tell the truth I was really tired when I got half way. I am so unfit. Anyway, I'll go again tomorrow and just keep building up.
I've also made a start on sorting my cosmetics out. I've chucked away a load of old make up that was either colours that didnt suit me, or just old manky stuff that should have seen the bin years ago. Still a lot more to go though! I've also had a go at creating some outfits for daywear, going to lunch, shopping etc. I work at home so don't need work clothes, and well, you can imagine how I look on a working day :eek:. So I definitely needed some outfits for going out in the daytime. I based my plan around a pair of black jersey pants, and a brown pair. I do not suit black (or navy or white) and that irritates me a bit because black is so easy to build a wardrobe around. I've decided that when I start losing weight and need to get new clothes, I'm not buying any more black. Simple as! Anyway, I've now got 4 daytime outfits that look good and make me feel good.

Found out this afternoon about two future events I'm going to that make me nervous clothes wise. I need to go to France for a few days in September, it will be a wine buying trip (not me doing the buying sadly!) so not a holiday. Will need some smart clothes for about five days.
Also am going to London at the end of September to an ladies group afternoon tea. No clue at all what to wear for that. :think:

Have set the recorder for The Kennedys. I still haven't had time to see last week's episode and have two episodes of The Good Wife to watch also.

lessonlearned

Hi again sorry had to dash - DS1 has now taken OH to cricket - I will be going out soon to a neighbours for a glass or three of wine, so thought I will post now whilst still reasonably compus mentis.

Teachers/Social Workers/General Admin

The rules here are a little more relaxed and therefore more complicated - at least with draconian rules you know where you stand.;)

I've noticed recently that teachers are far more formally dressed then they used to be. When I was at school it was the old tweed jackets/patched elbows look, when my sister was at school in the Seventies it was jeans and sweatshirts half the time, by the time my boys were at school through the nineties it was back to suits and ties for men and a sort of smart/casual for women.

So there are a whole bunch of occupations that fall in a strange limbo where no-one is quite sure of what is right. Dress Down Fridays was a bit of a disaster - most people didn't know what was required and in the recession of the nineties, as jobs became scarcer many people were more than happy to get back into formal business dress.

So a few tips on how to get the look right without being frumpy or dowdy or without being too casual or inappropriate.

Now for the detail ............

*Jellie*

Hi everyone!
Am loving reading all the posts- sorry I can't reply back to everyone
I agree with the assessment of teacher dress codes (I'm a teacher) In secondary it is basically 'business' wear- appropriate length skirts, no strappy or low cut tops. In primary they have a bit more freedom as dress needs to be practical.
Oh and thanks for the bridal advice LL- I need lots of help there!