Frugal Frump to Fab/Winter Solstice

Skymist

Hi Ladies

I'm a persistant lurker of this WONDERFUL thread..as well as having been for the last solstice thread too....and want to thank all of you for sharing so many useful tips, and brilliant encouragement that you shower onto all your readership!!

I just want to say...after reading, and so discovering Silky mits here, (thank you Carmen), I found some in the £shop yesterday :T (I'm in Edinburgh, so don't know how universal they are!!)


They're called Oh Soo Smooth, and are in a pink box!


S

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone

Welcome Skymist - nice to have you aboard. Nice to see you back Mooloo, re the hair colour - if you can it might be best to leave it until you get back from your holidays, the sun tends to strip out hair colour anyway.

PP & Floss- can understand your frustrations with the world of work, DS2 is having similar problems - unfortunately there's not much out there job wise. Local government is especially tricky at the moment.

Recessions don't last forever - it just seems a long one this time. Is there any training you can look at Floss or courses you can take so that when the upturn comes you can make your move.

I think PP's idea of trying to build up your photography as a sideline is a great idea, this is something DS2 is working on too.

I would love to help him but at the moment it's virtually impossible - hopefully things will ease off soon and we can get cracking. My "stock" pile for my antiques/bric a brac fledgling sideline is taking up rather a lot of room. My plan is to also incorporate some of DS2's photography with my stuff and help him market his work.

Phoenix - glad to hear that all is going well with "the Bump". The second trimester is normally when you start to bloom and it's lovely when you can feel the baby moving around.

Maman - glad to hear that your DD's house purchase is going along nicely. I know how she felt once is was all signed. sealed and delivered. It can be quite scary - you start to worry that maybe you might have bitten off more than you can chew. The excitement of moving in helps though.:D

I like the idea of a stir fry snack when you get the evening munchies, would make a nice change from my tomatoes/olives/cold meat platter. Thanks for that, will definitely give it a try.

I think it's important to try and vary what you eat, otherwise this healthy eating lark can get a bit tedious. I picked up some corn on the cob today - 10p each off the market - bargain. I enjoy those as a snack.

Bitsy - don't worry about forcing yourself to eat fruit. I don't think it's necessary to eat things that you don't like. As long as you eat some vegetables and salads you should be fine. If you're worried about your Vit C intake you could just take a supplement.

Similarly I don't think you should deny yourself your favourite foods because they are a bit calorific/or not "healthy" enough. Just eat them as a now and then treat rather than everyday. I love croissants but they are an occasional treat now, not every morning like they used to be.

Life is really too short to deny ourselves some of its pleasures. Food should be a pleasure not an ordeal or hurdle. If we deprive ourselves of everything we like in order to get/stay slim we'll be miserable and more likely to fall off the wagon and go into binge mode. Just my opinion of course :rotfl:

Tru - sorry not seen your hole punch, perhaps it's with OH's socks and my teaspoons;).

Back in a mo ...................

lessonlearned

Anyway - had a bit of a "me" morning, nothing exciting just essential maintenance - at 60 body parts start to need a bit of regular TLC.

Went to my first physio treatment - ultrasound on my elbows to reduce the inflammation. Also went to the dentist for a check up, and hygienist work. My teeth are the bane of my life, always have been.

One of the ladies who comes into care for OH is Indian and is well up on traditional Indian healing and herbal treatments. I had read about the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric so ask her and she gave me some tips on how to use it. Tried some in my usual bedtime hot milk, it was surprisingly nice. Slept really well, apparently turmeric is also a good relaxant. Re the anti-inflammatory effects - she said you would need to give it several months but that it really does work. Given that I can't take standard anti-inflammatory meds because they upset my stomach so much, this is a nice gentle way of achieving the same effect. OK not as quick as prescribed meds but if it works in the long term then that's fine by me.

Went through mum's neighbours bags, nothing much for me, some curtains and household textiles for little sis and a lot of size 10's/12s'. OH'c main carer is very petite, she also has three daughters, so will let her have first dibs and then will take the rest to Scope.

Other than that not much else happening here. Time for my nap, exercise, water the garden, cook dinner. The usual.

Beauty wise - a good slathering is required.:p

Bye for now x

MrsWoolfe

Hello All!

Hope everyone is doing well!

LL- sounds like you've got a lot going on at the moment- but have to say I have a little pity for the SS with you on their case! you'll get it sorted I'm sure- it's just the endless battling in the meantime that seems so draining!

Phoenix- nice to hear from you and glad all is going well with the pregnancy so far.

Tru- I would also like to know where those "random hairs" come from! I have one that drives me bonkers!

Skymist- Welcome!

PP and FLoss- sorry to hear work isn't so great- I think a lot of people are in that situation at the moment- agree with some of the other's suggestions, whilst you are not in a place to change it now, why not work towards being in a better position once you can? if there a particular hobby/interest you would like to explore? courses you could do to put you into a better position?- I should really take my own advice there as I often feel the same although at the moment things are chugging along quietly enough....

Bitsy if you really don't like fruit I wouldn't force it- just maybe make sure you are getting plently of fresh veg/salads in your diet- if you are really worried you could always take a mutlivitamin too?

Maman, I too have been stocking up on warmer clothes for the winter- picked up a couple of nice long cardis in various sales/cheapie shops, I am also toying with the idea of making some flannel/fleece winter curtains...got to keep those heating bills down!

MooLoo- I too would say wait to colour your hair, the sun/different climate can really affect any colour you put on in any case and whilst on holiday you could wear a nice hat when out and about- help to keep sun damange to a minimum too!

Lolly- sounds like you are getting into the swing of things!

Carmen:wave: and:wave: to anyone I have missed!

Phew- that'll teach me to leave it so long!

Well bit a real up and down few days fab wise- on a high positive- I was doing some great work improving on the HITI (high intenstiy) and managed to get up to 27miles and hour on the ex bike on a high tension- was feeling GREAT....on a not so great note I managed to break the bike:o...poor DH came racing up the stairs convinced I must have knocked myself out or something:o:o

Ah well the bike shall be replaced and training will continue, I am choosing to focus on the fact that I did better than I ever had before and that High intensity means I'm seeing far better results in terms of fitness levels...

Foodwise been ok, bit lazy for the last few days but no real disasters, even valiantly resisted temptation of a chinese when DH got one on the way back from a night out..usually a weak point for me.

still getting things back into a routing again with the fabdom- shocking how fast you fall out of a good habit...wish the bad ones were as easy to break!

otherwise things are ticking over ok at the moment- we finally got our living room sorted out- dodgy ceiling lights/no curtains/boxes of "things" that had no home yet... I know have ceiling lights that are tidy with dodgy hanging bits ( love that DH is trained in electrics) got rid of yukky cheap paper cream ball lightshades- now have my loverly antique brass finish shades:

http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/pendant-shades/wilko-tunis-pendant-non-electric-small/invt/0275016/?htxt=PsAGyAqy%2FDSGVBgOHPBfATKVETOKIWHcwqoICuDrG%2FxTcDPfxIrYzUvEu76RzzM6wutKTeo9AOCB%0AtDs76aYYKg%3D%3D

which I love- they look lovely up- and very MSE too!

which now match beautifully with the new curtains:
http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/wilko-sorrento-curtain-poles/wilko-sorrento-curtain-pole-antique-brass-effect-180cmx28mm/invt/0232335/?htxt=PsAGyAqy%2FDSGVBgOHPBfATKVETOKIWHcwqoICuDrG%2FxTcDPfxIrYzUvEu76RzzM6wutKTeo9AOCB%0AtDs76aYYKg%3D%3D

http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/curtains/spiro-curtains-lined-eyelet-green-46inx54in/invt/0285327/?htxt=PsAGyAqy%2FDSGVBgOHPBfATKVETOKIWHcwqoICuDrG%2FxTcDPfxIrYzUvEu76RzzM6wutKTeo9AOCB%0AtDs76aYYKg%3D%3D

sorry for going off topic, but I'm in love with my living room now! as we used a spring green and chocolate brown on one wall (around chimney breast) it all ties together well now- and besides if I'm going to be fab my home needs to be too

right will be back later must go for now!

MrsWoolfe

Savvy_sewing

Thanks for the advice about the hair. I will wait, and it will save me some spending money.
I have been sewing this morning, but I did re-start my exercise, after my relaxeing bubble bath, (dove), with a cup of tea, (sorry not herbal), scented candles, and my latest Carol Drinkwater book about her Olive Farm.
My muscles relaxed in the warm water, allowed me to bend enough to shave the legs. Reading someones report on No7, products I remembered I had some scrub somewhere, and had found it in my bedroom drawer, still new and boxed! So I did the Dermabrassion stuff, and today I have continued with the moisturiser. Face feeling soft anyway.
I even managed to do some exercises for my back, in the morning, lying on the top of the bed, while my teasmade was brewing, and DGD had invited herself in. She thought doing the exercises with me was funny.
(She is nearly 4).

I have sewn for a while this morning, but not as long as I was yesterday, so I dont feel quite so achey.
This afternoon I was not focusing on my body/skin but the bank account.
This evening I will push myself to do the exercises in a few mins, before I have an early night. At least thats the plan, if DGD goes to sleep.

Maisie_M

Hi

Wondered if could join in with you all?

Bit about myself. I am 42 (soon to be 43) and live with my husband who I married in March. We have two sons aged 7 years old and 6 weeks old. I am 5'5" tall and currently weight 14st 12lbs, which is 4lbs lighter than before I got pregnant:p.

Over the past few years my beauty regime has kind of gone to pot. Following the birth of my eldest son I developed post natal depression and subsequently split from my first husband in 2007, becoming a single parent for a year before meeting my now DH. As you can imagine between the depression and the divorce I started paying less attention to myself. I did start a beauty regime again about 3 years ago and was quite good at looking after myself but had quite a lot of weight to lose. I started a diet for my wedding but 4 months in became pregnant with DS2. When I was pregnant I was extremely tired and as a result the care of myself went by the wayside again.

I am breastfeeding so can't diet as such but have managed to lose all my pregnancy weight (18lbs plus 4lbs more). I have a hoarde of clothes in every size from 12-18 so if I lose more weight it shouldn't cost me too much as I have a good stock to choose from.

I also have a huge stash of varying toiletries, makeup and beauty products so I shouldn't need to buy anything just use it!!!!

My goals are:
1. Start a full body beauty regime and stick to it using the products I already have.
2. Continue to lose some weight by eating as healthily as possible until I can start a proper diet calorie controlled diet after xmas.
3. Start doing some moderate exercise. I have Hip Dysplasia and am awaiting an operation so can't do anything that is high impact or puts a strain on my hip, but plan to start walking with the pram and do crunches etc once I have had my 6 week check up tomorrow.

Phew sounds a lot.

lessonlearned

Hi Maisie, welcome to Frugal Frump to Fab. Congrats on the new babe too. :T

Your plan sounds good and do-able, breastfeeding is great for helping you get that post baby weight down.

A word of advice don't try to diet yet, you need to keep your energy levels up, just try to eat healthily as much as you can - but then you know that. When the time comes to start a diet proper (after Christmas sounds about right) then assuming you are still breast feeding you should be able to set your calories at 2000 a day, lose weight at a sensible pace and still be able to produce enough milk. I found that quite easy.

When do you have your op.

Mooloo - you sound as if you are doing really well, little and often and gently does it sounds good. I often do my core exercises on top of the bed too, nice and comfy for my back. I had to smile at your GD joining in, my boys used to "exercise" with me.

Mrs W Thanks for the Wilko link - they're fab. You're not going to believe this but I've been lusting after some that are very similar in Dunhelm Mills, but theirs are £25. I need 2 for my sitting room, so have been umming and erringf for a while but Wilkos are very MSE.

We have also been using "temporary" paper shades to make do. I absolutely agree with you, my new fab life includes making my home fab too. I think it's very important to live in comfortable, attractive surroundings.

Just about to watch a TV programme about hoarding - back later .................

lessonlearned

Just a quick question - am thinking of buying myself as cross trainer. I used to have one of those walker/stepper things - with the arms that also move too. Lent it to someone who broke it.

Any ideas or recommendations about cross trainers would be very much appreciated.

Any off to bed soon.

G'night all x

maman

:wave: to skymist and maisie and all old friends. Aplologies if I don't go all around the group speaking to you personally but you are all much appreciated! What a lovely party this is!:A

Mooloo, my hairdresser definitely advised me against having my highlights done before my holiday because of both sun and the effects of swimming pools. And I know he wouldn't want to do himself out of the fortune he charges me if it wasn't true!;) I've read Carol Drinkwater, excellent!

I don't think sorting out your finances is off the point as all the things we can tick off in a day are acheivements that make us feel better about ourselves. Same thing about your lovely, sitting-room things MrsW. Strangely enough I went to Wilkos last week. I went on one of my walks and called in to get some Danish Oil for our stripped doors. I saw some lovely sort of silk/satin finish curtains which would be great in the right setting and also I'm fancying a sort of chandelier in our spare room.

Also some good, white china crockery. I need to go back with the car, or a van!:rotfl:

Thanks for the mitts tip from Poundland. I'll try our local one. I was all prepared for pampering today. Ensconced myself in bathroom this morning when BIL called to say was it OK if he called round. Fortunately he lives 30 miles away so I knew I had some time but not as much as planned. So I did my hair, legs, slathered and took my nail polish off but that was about it. I've shaped my nails tonight and tomorrow I'll paint my toes and give my feet a good file and cream. We went out for lunch (again:o) but I refused wine so it wasn't too fattening but I'm not hopeful of any weightloss again this week.:( DH was being kind and saving me the trouble of cooking so I could hardly refuse. For the older ladies amongst us, I don't know if any of you remember the tv series Howards Way? The pub we went to was the one used in the series, right next to the boatyard and right on the river. All we needed was some sun!

I've got my basic, everyday make up sorted. I've got a lovely, soft eye crayon (Superdrug) that I've been using as a liner on my upper and lower eyelids plus mascara plus some highlighter. Pencil my eyebrows and some lipstick. So a sort of subtle, smoky eye look. I'm really pleased. I'll leave the eyeshadow for evenings and blusher/foundation can wait until the summer's really gone forever.

Quick beauty question: does anyone else find their nails get a bit yellowy looking and, if so, what to do about it?

Sorry youre feeling a bit down podperson, I'm sure it is anticlimax. I often feel desperate for a quiet day when I'm working and then if I have too many I get fed up. Contrary or what:)

Sorry can't advise on cross-trainer LL, try googling 'nasty instruments of torture'. On second thoughts, DON'T, we might be arrested!:eek:

Must go, time to sleep.

Carmen

Good morning ladies,

:hello: Skymist and Maisie, welcome on the wagon to fabdom.

I have another busy day today, but wanted to pop in and say hello.

Hugs for those needing them, well done to those who have achieved positives.

Pod, your thoughts about drawing portraits sounds great (wish I could draw) A distant cousin of mine can draw fantastic caricatures, he would have been inundated had he chosen to do it as a living!
I'm sure you will soon bounce back. Enjoy the workshop.

Mrs W, how are you getting on in your new office, are your nasally symptoms still at bay?

Since I started my journey to fabdom I cut down on my consumption of pasta by at least 3/4's. I love pasta and convinced myself it was healthy, but 4/5 times a week I suppose was too much :eek: Last night I had pasta for supper (first time in two months) and today I feel so energetic, woohoo! I will need to incorporate it back into my regime, especially as I don't much like to eat salad in the winter!
Ocm'ed last night, no breakouts today :j

Have to dash, will try and get back on tonight.
Happy Wednesday to you all.
Carmen xxxx