Frump to Fab - Summer Solstice Sizzler

heebie-jeebies

Morning all,

LL - I'm so sorry for your loss. Look after yourself.

Bitsy - Do they know what causes the nosebleeds? I used to suffer really badly as a teenager too and just like your DS, I used to wake up in a pool of blood which was frightening. My Dr said it was a form of hayfever and antihistamines helped me and I haven't had a problem since (touch wood!).

Lizzie - We're all here to listen so feel free to use this place to vent if its helping.

WW - It sounds as though you're doing really well - a F2F inspiration!

Can I sneak back in?

I started out with you all back in January but work took over and has been completely crazy. I've had a really tough time and was close to resigning and moving back home but it's getting better now and I'm feeling more positive.

I have been lurking but can't say I've read the whole thread. As for fabbing - it's got much better as I've become more positive work wise. I now have a face regime that I'm using most days. I don't wear make up every day but that's because I don't want to get up any earlier! I've also paid more attention to my feet than I have in years and they're not looking too bad! (I HATE FEET!!) I even braved a Swiss hairdresser this weekend!

I'm off on holiday later this week so I'm hoping to get a little bit of colour on my legs ready for the summer. When I come back, I have the dreaded wardrobe to clear out - when I started with you, I told you all that I often wore shapeless baggy black trousers for work, well I'm ashamed to say that I still have them. I don't wear them anywhere near as often but they are my backup plan. I need to replace them but it's difficult to find trousers to fit. I have been wearing my dresses more though and today I'm wearing a black skirt and a bright red/orange top.

Bitsy_Beans

Welcome back HJ, no doctor didn't say, he's been prone to them since he was little. I personally think he has a weak blood vessel up his nose and when the skin up his nose gets too dry it bursts. Then it struggles to heal. Didn't have one last night so we might be on the road to recovery.

Mooloo nice to see you posting again. Just remember its baby steps, do want you feel able to do.

Another 5.30am start but I put the extra quiet time to good use and did half an hour go yoga. Did have to work around a curious puppy mind but body sure does feel better for what little bit I did :T

Have a great day everyone xx

dannie

Hi folks,

lessonlearned - thanks for your detailed and thoughtful post regarding my wardrobe task. Yes, it is interesting how life events and hence decisions trigger new directions. My choice of garments has helped a little although the nice weather has helped. Living in the present is a difficult task but important to enjoy what remains despite "everything". TLC also elusive but essential for myself and therefore also what remains as important to me.

Callisto - thanks for your encouragement. Your NZ plans and venture sound interesting.
Also, thanks Lizzie. Glad your back is improving. So is mine. Bitsy Beans, thanks for sharing your experiences about self image. I can relate to the triggers you describe.

Anyway, unsure what lies ahead today apart from house "fabbing". Hope your day unfolds as well as possible.

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone

Welcome back HJ & Mooloo - glad to see you back in the fold.

Have just been to ASDA and my back is killing me - I'm going to have to stop dragging myself round supermarkets and start doing more online shopping I think. Seems senseless to keep on struggling like this - then I can just get the "nice" bits and bobs when I'm out and about. Who knows I might even spend less.:rotfl:

I've picked up some nice little plants so will have a potter in the garden later.

Just spoke to my friend in Devon who lost her husband just before Christmas and she is really low at the moment - so if she can't get here I might go down and spend a few days with her again. A trip to the seaside would be rather nice.

Any time for a quick couple of W's and then off to grab a bite to eat - need to feed the joiner.

Gotta keep those workmen sweet.

lessonlearned

Wardrobe - Part 2

For the record it is called a Wardrobe and not a Floordrobe :rotfl::rotfl:

Seriously - good wardrobe maintenance might sound like a bit of a faff but it's well worth taking good care of your clothes - they will stay looking better for longer.

I really don't recommend wire coathangers - they can spoil your clothes especially heavy things like jackets or coats. They are ok for thin blouses etc but even then plastic is probably best. For good clothes you really need proper wooden coat hangers for jackets and suits and nice padded hangers for your really special things. Keep an eye out in charity shops for these because people often give them away as unwanted gifts.

You can of course be really MSE and pad your own using cast off tights etc - can't be bothered myself:o

Lavender sachets and those cedar rings or cedar balls in a little net bag make great moth repellants. Do remember that moths are drawn to food smells, stains and sweat smells so don't put dirty clothes in your wardrobe.

An overcrowded wardrobe not only makes it difficult to find things it also encourages clothes to crease when they are all crammed in.

Wonderbras

They are not called Wonderbras for nothing - cheaper and safer than a boob job too. If the bosom fairy passed you by they really can create mountains out of molehills.;)

lizzie157

[QUOTE=Bitsy_Beans;53387565Mindful_eating_has_been_hit_and_miss_but_I_havent_been_gorging_myself_either._However_I_do_need_to_focus_on_my_food_more_so_will_do_that_when_we_have_our_picnic[/QUOTE]

Hi,
Have just seen a article on woman n home site concerning this mindful eating??? First time i've heard of it then remembered your post Bitsy -would you recommend it? I really need to stop going to choc cupboard when bored/fed up/ upset and wondered if this would help.

Still hot here. Was looking forward to a long walk with dogs but will have to be content with a couple of shorter ones ( one taken this morning already) cos they were still too hot this morning. Glad your back's a bit better Dannie. Have been largely resting since Sunday so hopefully mine will continue to recover.
LL Hope yours is feeling better. I still like to go out shopping rather than internet but it's not good for your back is it?:eek:

adelight

LL hope you are ok, very sorry to hear of your loss
callisto the trip to new zealand sounds fantastic
ww most definitely inspiration well done!
lizzie dannie ((hugs))
mooloo great news

I've never found wonderbras to be very good, but there are certainly some wonderful bras out there H&M's cheap basic bras give a surprising amount of lift.

Busy packing here, been unearthing old favourite clothes I'd forgotten about. I'm still moving this week/next week but I can't start work for ages (okay... 8 weeks maximum) now because my uni are just slow and difficult :mad: I'm torn between temp work to keep me busy (got some interviews sorted already) or just relaxing and doing stuff. Like visiting friends who've moved away and I'd like to get my sister in on the fabbing and go to the gym with her. She isn't very good at doing stuff alone and really needs to lose weight but I won't go into that.
I'm a bit grotty and stinky so will have a bath later before OH gets here.

maman

:wave: Back from my holidays. We had a good time but weather ranged from so cold we needed gloves on Monday to baking on Friday!

Fortuntately, I've got a bit of colour on my arms and face at last. For my summer make up, I use a dash of bronzing powder over my face and some highlighter on my cheekbones (both Benefit). Then I do mascara, eyebrow pencil and a bit of lippy.

Great news about the hair-dos mooloo. I'd just love that, presumably you can pay extra for cut or colour if you want? My hair's looking good today even if I do say so myself. The water in Brittany was so soft my hair was really flat and floppy. At least all the chalk here gives it some body and the sun has already lightened my highlights.

On the w's: I am in the process of covering all my hangers. I pad them with old tights or socks cut into strips then knit a cover. Just a basic rectangle in garter stitch and I've been adding a bow around the hook. So much better for things like cardis and shirts and it makes them non slip too.

Just recently I was properly measured for a bra which makes a huge difference. I did treat myself to one but I suppose I could have walked out when I knew the recommended size(:o). Since knowing my size, I've been able to buy two more really nice ones in TKMaxx. My clothes hang so much better with a decent bra and it's been especially noticeable with summer tops.

LL's comment about only storing clean clothes reminded me: I had to wash a load of jumpers on Sunday (wore them last week and they had a distinct whiff of woodsmoke from the open fire in our cottage). Now we have a little warm weather, it's a great time to wash jumpers, scarves, gloves....any winter gear that we hopefully won't need for a while.

On internet grocery shopping, lots of boards suggest it's a great way to save money as it prevents impulse buying and some people fiddle with the final list to keep it within the price they want to spend. Personally I do a shop at Aldi or Lidl and then a quick visit to Asda or Sainsburys. Since I had a bad back a few months ago I've taken to packing the shopping in several, separate bags so I don't have to lift much into the car in one go.

P.S. Haven't read back over the thread so hope everyone is quite well. Sorry to hear about your loss LL, such sad news.

Bitsy_Beans

Lizzie - would I recommend mindful eating? Yes. Am I any good at it no. Basically I can't diet. Yep that sounds like a cop out but hear me out. Any diet, whether it SW, WW or "healthy eating" makes me obsess about food, I fear the inevitable deprivation I am what is termed an emotional eater I eat for reasons other than hunger. Boredom, gives me a break during the day, because I am at a loose end, because my eyes are bigger than my belly, because i don't want to miss the opportunity to eat this prticular food and lastly I eat because I feel subconsciously I am always going to be the fat girl :o not always been overweight but as a child was taller and bigger boned and it continued during school years right through work. The latter has been more of a revelation but I am digressing basically the idea is quite simple, no restrictions, food is not bad or good, it's just food. However you have to pay attention to what your body is asking for rather than giving it what your eyes can see You pay attention to what you're eating. You eat slowly (unlike me who can Hoover food in 10 seconds flat :rotfl:), you savour each mouthful, you pay attention to when your body signals you've have enough and it all has to be done WITHOUT distraction. No TV, no reading, no computer, no emotionally charged conversations. Sounds easy but boy for me I find it sooooo hard. I am used to doing other things when I eat. So for me it's a work in progress but in my heart of hearts I know its the right way for me. The idea is this is how naturally slim people eat.

hope I've not bored you all rigid

LL embrace online shopping, I only wish my preferred shop Aldi would run something similar :cool:

dannie we ought to work on our self image more, I've done a lot of soul searching for the reasons i feel the way I do, coupled with my apple body shape which I find unwomanly but now I need to start reversing my thinking. What I do find depressing about modern culture that we hold our worth on the number stitched into our clothing

WelshWoofer

Inspiration ! Moi!! Noooooo....... There's a long way to go yet before I am truly fab:p

Mooloo - just think, you'll be professionally fabbed every week with the hairdresser :j That will go a long way to making you feel much better.

I weighed this morning after being prompted by your weigh ins yesterday - and drum roll........ have lost 3 lbs:T:T:T I knew I'd lost something as I felt flatter and less bloated but was quite chuffed to see the result. Just 11 lbs to go:rotfl:

The new friend that I went out with on Sunday has texted asking me to do something similar on Friday evening - I was really pleased as it proves to my daft insecurities that I'm ok company. Not sure if I can make it yet but will try - just another example of "you don't get anything unless you ask and put yourself out there" (scary as it is) and people are usually pleased to be invited and respond well.

Tonight its a salad for tea to use up the fresh bits, another dog walk (did the big one after work) and a bath and a bit of attention to my feet (bleurrrghh!)
Silk is on BBC1 at 9pm and its really quite good - I like Maxine Peake, she's a very good actress and I don't think I've seen her in anything I haven't enjoyed.

3 more days to work - hurrah:j