Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

*Jellie*

Hi siren!
I want to get back to my pilates and yoga so we can encourage each other!
I've just made a couple of good finds in the charity shop and will be attempting alterations with my sewing machine!
Inspired by LL I must find out if there are any nearly new shops nearby!
Hope everyone has a pampered weekend.
Jellie

the_cat

Hi everyone

There is too much going on to reply to all the posts but I enjoy reading how you have all been doing

I have had a mixed week.
Eating - disasterous:eek: Feel disgustingly bloated:mad:
Exercise - about average for me:D
Grooming - not perfect, but better than a normal week;) Dyed hair, did nails and booked haircut for next week
Clothes - the chat has been very inspiring so I had a look round a couple of charity shops. Now own a few extra bits which will all mix and match with stuff I have.

- hmm, actually 'stuff I have' is a bit of a problem. I have too much, by a loooooooooong way. So I need to work on weeding out some. I may be gone some time:o

gratefulforhelp_2

Seriously considering no longer wearing flip flops to my teaching job now...

lessonlearned

Hello Everyone

Welcome to Siren and any other newbies

It's lovely to hear from you all - glad to see that you are all doing so well with the pampering and exercise. To those who've slipped a little - remember Carmen's wise words - it's a marathon - not a sprint.

The observant among you will notice that for the last few days I have not posted my own exercise log - that's because apart from the obligatory stretches - I haven't done any:o I really did treat OH's stay in respite as a holiday.

Tomorrow - promise, girl guides honour (although I never did join the guides - not my thing).

Because I fetched OH home a day early we've had no carers today so have been rather stretched for time. I'm not going to rehash it all but let's just say he's very glad to be home and we won't be revisiting that particular home again.

I'm afraid there has been yet another blip and I have to concur with our GP - it's probably only a matter of months rather than years before we need permanent residential care.

I am determined that if this is the last summer he has at home then it's going to be a good one - lots of little treats, days out etc. whilst he is still up to it.

Which brings me neatly to our next style instalment evening/special occasion wear.............

lessonlearned

Prior to his illness OH was a real live wire, a dynamic businessman and a real party animal, it was like living with a whirlwind. We used to have such fun. We'd put on our glad rags and paint the town if not red, then certainly a pleasing shade of pink, holidays, weekends away, concerts, theatre, restaurants casinos you name it.

My advice - live your lives to the full - get dolled up and have some fun.

Evening Wear - My favourite of them all

Generally an evening dress should sweep the floor, whilst a cocktail dress is knee length. Traditionally cocktail wear was worn before dinner and evening wear for dinner and beyond. Nowadays there is no real distinction as to when and where you should wear which type - it's largely irrelevant.

For both, the fabrics tend to be luxurious silks, satins, velvets, crepes etc. They were both wildy expensive. Today, with such a fantastic choice of man-made fabrics - evening dress is much cheaper. You really don't have to spend a small fortune to look like a million dollars.

If buying new then I've always found TK Max very good.

However, a lot of evening wear is only worn a few times and then discarded - so picking up a pre-loved bargain is really easy.

Charity shops will accept donations of evening dress at any time of the year. However, they usually put it to one side and save it all up so they can do a nice Christmas/Party Wear section round about October/November time, so keep your eyes peeled.

I've not tried it yet - but Ebay looks like a really good place to get some great evening wear bargains.

What Colour

A lot of evening wear is black of course, however, I really don't think it's for everyone (it makes me look like a corpse). We pale north Europeans don't always look good in black, especially as we get older and our skin tones change.

Why not give colour a whirl, burgundy, midnight blue, oyster/champage all look lovely and if you're not afraid of being noticed - a long red dress can look sensational.

What Goes on Top

Special evening coats are lovely but a bit of a luxury unless you strike gold in the CS shops. A fake fur jacket needn't cost the earth and can be worn in the daytime too. Fakes used to pretty awful but these days they look very authentic. Again TK Max, also Costco from time to time.

One of the big problems is you never know how hot or cold a venue is likely to be, sometimes they start out quite cold but can end up being rather hot. Shrugs, pashminas, shawls etc make good cover ups for changing temperatures.

Bags

Clutch bags are generally best and they come in all colours and fabrics. They can be picked very cheaply on E-bay, Accessorize, markets etc.

Jewellery

Now you can bring out the bling - after all "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" and they don't have to be real. There is plenty of really fab costume jewellery out there.

Flea markets are great for unusual and vintage pieces. You can dismantle charity shop finds and make your own. It's dead easy - all you need is a couple of pairs of pliers and a few bits suchs as clasps etc.

You don't need to be discreet - just don't end up looking like an overdressed Christmas tree.

Time to get the dinner on .................

*Jellie*

Grateful- we're not allowed to wear flip flops to school and some people frown at my fairly conservative sandals

LL- glad you've had a good break but sorry the home wasn't great and that your Oh is getting worse. Wish I could say something helpful.

I'm planning to make my first evening dress. It is one that you can wear several ways ( like two birds bridesmaid dresses. I was looking at fabric online, it has been a nightmare to find something suitable. Finally found something but it was £40 a metre and I'd need 7 metres. Needless to say I'm still looking!

Carmen

the_cat wrote: »

Hi everyone



I have had a mixed week.
Eating - disasterous:eek: Feel disgustingly bloated:mad:
Exercise - about average for me:D
Grooming - not perfect, but better than a normal week;) Dyed hair, did nails and booked haircut for next week
Clothes - the chat has been very inspiring so I had a look round a couple of charity shops. Now own a few extra bits which will all mix and match with stuff I have.


Cat, don't worry too much we all have these kind of weeks.
Look at the positives, excercise, grooming and CS bargains

Remember most of us have become this way over time, it will take time to undo

Keep up the good work.

Carmen xxxx

podperson

Hi all and welcome Siren (and anyone else new I missed!)
LL - glad you managed to have a rest this week, but a shame the respite place was disappointing. Am finding the fashion advice really helpful - I work in a very small office and there isn't really a dress code as such as I can generally get away with trousers and a smart top or jumper in winter. Agree with the shirts though - can never find ones that will fit me right.

Conditioned my hair last night as well as using body scrub and lotion and redoing my nails. Am quite proud of the last one as I tend to be very lazy and leave them until it chips itself off So today did my hair, put on some make up and had a nice summery top on - what a gorgeous day it's been here! Had a wander round the charity shops and bought 2 pretty tops. Found myself being more selective and thinking about where I would wear things and what they would go with rather then just impulse buying which I think must be a good thing. Definately need some more accessories though - couldn't find anything I liked today.

lessonlearned

Other Special Occasions

Weddings

Generally something smart and pretty, Hats are nowadays optional, A good idea is to check with the bride, she may have quite strong ideas on how she wants the wedding to look.

Don't opt to wear black without checking first. Don't upstage the bridge by being too sensational. It's her day after all.

You will be on your feet a lot, so don't wear brand new shoes for the first time.

Funerals

Head to toe black is no longer considered necessary - just something fairly conservative and respectful. Young people are often criticised for wearing jeans at funerals. I don't have a problem with that but I know sometimes elderly relatives can be a bit miffed.

I recently heard about a young man who had died in a car crash. He was a keen rugby player and all his mates turned up in rugby shirts. His parents were charmed, they found it thoughtful and wholly appropriate.

Days at the races, posh lunches, as dressy as you like, hats optional.

Nights at the opera - no longer has to be evening dress, jeans perfectly ok.

Gallery Openings - generally very smart, especially in the evening. If you happen to be the artist - wear what you please - they'll just think you arty and eccentric.

School Plays, Meet the teacher Whatever you wear your kids will cringe with embarrassment anyway. Keep it smart and simple so you don't upset the little darlings.

The Boudoir Depends on your mood:rotfl:Or you could be like Marilyn Monroe who when asked what she wore in bed answered "Chanel No 5".

I hope you've enjoyed "Fashion WeeK".

Hope some of it was useful, but mainly I hope it was fun. For those who tremble at the thought of having to set foot in a clothes shop I hope I've taken some of the mystique away.

I hope that the doubters have now come to think that maybe dressing up and making in effort can be both fun and worthwhile.

G'night all x

Carmen

Good morning everyone,
I hope you are all having a good weekend and enjoying the lovely weather?

My weight stayed the same again this week! I am having difficulty getting passed this plateau, I think I will need to get a little stricter with myself for a few days just to kick start me again.

Twinnie, thanks for all the fashion tips this past week, very useful for when one has a 'what am I going to wear' moment. Even though I rarely go out in the evenings now (maybe to neighbours) It would be lovely to get back into some of my glam clothes once I have lost more weight
It sounds as if you and the family are going to have a super summer, my thoughts will be with you :j:)

Maman, are you getting over the 'holiday blues' look forward to your posts.



Going to meet some friends today for lunch, be back later.

Carmen xxx