Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

pollyskettle

Elantan - I did day 2 of the shred today. Definitely slightly easier than day 1 (I only stopped twice today instead of 4 times yesterday - probably because I knew what was coming today and it wouldn't be longer I'd have to do that particular move iyswim). My thighs are seriously grumbling when I walk downstairs, but in a perverse way I'm dancing to the radio more and 'making' them hurt because it reminds me what I've done and how proud I am of that! My calves are making quieter grumbling noise and my shoulders only hurt if I overstretch. I was expecting to be in agony today (I almost didn't do it today I was expecting it so much) but I'm so glad I continued and I can't wait for tomorrow! I'm thinking about buying six pack in six weeks to see me over the summer holiday and then 30DS again in September.

Dawning - I have bookmarked so many sites with lovely 40s/50s things (clothes and home things). As I said my kitchen is very 50s, but my living room is like stepping back to the 40s (although minus all those union jack things which are so fashionable at the moment, I have none of that!!). I shall have to look for some more of those sites and share them with you. I tend to bookmark them as inspiration rather than to buy things as I make most of our soft furnishings myself.

Those Miss Vivian of Holloway dresses are absolutely divine and I very much would love to have one (*coughs* once some weight has gone *coughs*), but I know that I am capable of making it myself although the only thing stopping me is that I have never designed a pattern before, I've adapted one but not actually designed one. Maybe I should give that a go. I'd love to wear pretty dresses and things, but never felt comfortable in them (the whole mutton dressed as lamb thing again). Hopefully this frump to fab will teach me that I'm not mutton dressed as lamb, I am/will be a damn fine woman dressed as a damn fine woman.

Yeah!!

How's that for some smack talk late in the afternoon?!

Pol xx

*Jellie*

I absolutely love the dress too. I also thought I should really learn to make one as I'm teaching myself to sew. I'd need a pattern though.

pollyskettle

I did my homework!! And very good it was too.

On this theme, I have bought myself a little book with some amazon vouchers I've been squirrelling. Now, don't be put off by the title, it's not as lame as it sounds! It's called "The Art Of Being A Well Dressed Wife". It's a reprint (I think) from a 50s book by Anne Fogarty and I think it would be a nice snapshot in time for me to read, and some things must stand the test of time so I should learn something! I've had it in my 'saved' basket for months so I thought I'd treat myself as I crossed the 2 stone barrier at my weigh in this morning! I also have "Orchids On Your Budget" in my saved items. I particularly want to read the chapter called "Husbands - Can You Afford One?" as I think mine is costing me too much

Right, I'm dragging my burning thighs off to bed shortly as I value my beauty sleep. I shall definitely read and absorb the organisational tips tomorrow.

Night all

Pol xx

elantan

found the book yay


ok vegetable curry for the slow cooker

1tbsp oil
1 medium onion , finely chopped
1 small head of celery, thinly sliced
1 red pepper, seeds removed, roughly chopped
115g (4oz) red lentils
chick peas ( either a can or dried and soaked over night ... not sure the amount i just added in what i fancied)
1 tbsp curry paste
1 tsp tumeric
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp dried chilli
300ml (1/2 pint) vegetable stock
2tbsp mango chutney , large pieces finely chopped
400g can chopped tomatoes
1 tbsp lemin juice
2 tblsp tomato puree
salt

method
1. heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the onion celery and red pepper and cook, stirring occasionaly, until softened but not browned.
2, Add the remaining ingredients and stir well bring to the boil and transfer to the slow cooker.
3. put the lid on and cook on low for 7-9 hours

let me know if you like it

lessonlearned

pollyskettle wrote: »

[B Hopefully this frump to fab will teach me that I'm not mutton dressed as lamb, I am/will be a damn fine woman dressed as a damn fine woman.

Yeah!!

How's that for some smack talk late in the afternoon?!

Pol xx

Yeah, baby. You go girl. "Damn fine woman" - love it.:D

I used to work on construction sites (selling houses) - one of the guys used to call me "a fine figure of a woman".:rotfl:

Philsmum - Frump to Fab Fashion Week will look at this very issue - Glamour for Grown-ups.:cool:

Cerisa - I love India Knight too - so funny. I've just read her Frugal Living book - from the library of course:;) Can thoroughly recommend it.

Harry's Nan - you can get coconut oil from most chemists - you will probably have to ask for it though. Should be no more than a couple of pounds, unless you go organic. Lasts for ages.

Well now I've had a couple of shall we say "challenging" days and there is worse to come tomorrow.

Yesterday went to see our GP for the dreaded "Where do we go from here chat". Obviously I know what the eventual outcome of OH's illness, what neither our GP nor any of his consultants can tell us is the timescales.

Our GP did confirm what I'd already guessed - that as OH's illness progresses the rate of decline is likely to increase. I've noticed a fairly rapid decline in the last few weeks, particularly with regard to the onset of early symptoms of some form of dementia. The GP strongly recommended that I start making plans now rather than later for OH's move into a nursing home on a more or less permanent basis.

I've already increased the care package with effect from the beginning of July and tomorrow he goes into respite care for a week.

This is the first time he will be spending time away in respite and I am feeling very nervous. How will he cope, will he be cared for properly etc.

So as I mentioned earlier - tomorrow is likely to be a difficult day.

No treatments today.
Exercise - just a few stretches

I must say I'm very impressed with all your efforts - keep up the good work.

G'night all x

Dawning

Morning Christmas Crackers!

I've got that book in my basket on Amazon, very tempted to click Buy Now! Many years ago I was up in Northumberland for a few days and I found a fantastic book in a charity shop that I cannot for the life of me remember either the title or the author. This book sounds very similar. I don't think it's the same book as the title didn't ring any bells in my head, and the book I had covered everything from being a teenager going to your first job, to being an elegant grandmother and how to dress for all occasions. I gave it away to the charity shop during one of my house moves and have always regretted doing that. I wish I could find that book again.....
Hope everything goes well today LL.

It's been raining heavily here all night, but the sun is coming out now and the forecast for this afternoon is good, so I will get outside, probably to do a bit of gardening. Gets me out in the fresh air and can be quite good exercise too! (I do not like gardening at all)

Tonight I'm going to try to do a pedicure. I say 'try' because it's actually quite difficult for me to reach my toes to paint them with this big tummy in the way ! :eek: I recorded The Kennedys last night so will watch that as I'm doing my toes.

Cerisa

Lessonlearned: It's a fantastic book, I asked for it as a Christmas present one year. It comes with recipes, beauty treatments, frugal shopping tips, frugal cleaning tips - she also gies some great gardening tips for people like me who seem to kill their plants in a whisper. :rotfl:

The only problem is that as an upper middle class lady with a solid income some of the tips are "Don't buy a load of Primark t-shirts, instead spend £200 on a designer dress, much better quality!" Yes India, but if I had £200 i'd spend it on paying off my oerdraft!

gratefulforhelp_2

Morning all. Keep up the good work, and lessonlearned hugs for your difficult day.

MrsWoolfe

Good Morning Ladies, Lurkers and all new joiners!

phew this thread is moving fast! Sorry if I miss commenting on anyone's post I am reading all of them and trying to reply if I think I have something useful to add!


LL will be thinking of you today- hope it isn't too hard and that the respite care is what you hoped for.

re the Coconut oil- I find that asian shops/grocers are usually the cheapest place to get some if you have any near you- or if you have one of the really big Mr T's there is a world food aisle- I got a large tub for a couple of quid there.

Those Miss Vivian dresses are gorgeous! Very similar to the Hell BUnny dresses I'm in love with- I'm wearing mine today, love having the full petticoat underneath, just need to figure what shoes to wear as the original iron fist beauties are out of the question with both me and my best friend having bum ankles:(

Flat ballet pumps it is then I guess!

Treatment wise, did a pedicure but not a huge amount else chilled out with DH and watched Taken on the box- sorry I failed on yesterday's homework- will catch up with on demand Promise!

for today- well we'll be getting home some time around 7am- after looking at the cost of B&Bs in Brighton (£175 for one NIGHT?!) we decided to go for it and get the first train back on SUnday- which is @ 4am...I've a feeling I'm going to be feeling very old tomorrow?!

So this morning I'm doing a face scrub, nice bath, styling hair- twisting into fat ringlets to go with the 50's look and then glamming up... right ladies must go and run the bath will prob try and check in late tomorrow...if I survive the hen do?!!!

HOpe everyone is having a good weekend!

MrsWoolfe

harrys_nan

Morning everyone
well, I have put my make up on had a squirt of perfume, a "top"as opposed to a tee shirt but still have my jeans on though lol. My partners son and dil are coming to stay just for 1 night so need to have a quick tidy up and then I'm going to paint my nails. Taking the dog out for a walk soon before it gets hot (I wish)
Hugs to lessonlearned, thinking of you x